Chapter 6
1900 Words
Days went by and the speculations on me and Jericho getting back together are just getting fired up each second. Well, how couldn’t it be when Jericho is always waiting for me outside our classroom every day? I, myself, am not believing any of this.
“What are you doing here again?” I asked Jericho as he grinned at me at lunch.
He blinked at me. “What? I just want to eat with you.” He replied acting all so innocent and it’s making me irritated at most.
Why is he thinking trying to start a new beginning with me? He’s probably just playing with me. I mean, it’s Jericho Marquez. He’s known to be one of the leaders of the Playboy Club and I am not falling for him ever again.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Well, I don’t want to eat with you.” I was trying to be downright honest with him. I don’t want him to think that this is fine with me.
Damn. I have this Dating Queen alias and I don’t want it anymore. I swore to myself that my next relationship would be my last.
I walked passed him and walked to my locker, where I saw Knight arranging something inside his locker.
“Hey,” I called him and he looked at me and smiled.
“Oh, hey, Ashejan,” he greeted me back. “Aren’t you eating lunch?” He asked me.
I shook my head. “Genina’s out. I’d rather read books in the library.” I replied. I don’t really feel good eating alone. “How about you?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “I’m heading to the library as well.” He replied. “You want to come with me?” He asked.
I noticed some people looked our way as Knight spoke when it was quite quiet around. I bet they are all thinking that I am making a move on him.
“Baby, books can’t make you full.” I heard Jericho speak from behind me and I saw Knight look stunned. He was speechless and I noticed that he was stoned in his place.
Jericho walked and stopped beside me, wrapping one of his arms around my waist. “Dude, are you hitting on Ashejan?” He asked Knight and my eyes widened in shock of what he just asked Knight who was as stunned as I was.
“Jericho!” I raised my voice at him. How dare he say that in front of Knight?
Jericho just looked at me. “What, babe? I am just asking.” He shrugged.
I wanted to slap him hard for calling me babe and baby in front of everyone – especially in front of Knight. I don’t know why I am so uncomfortable to be around other guys when I know that Knight is around. Is it because I know that he is nice and he doesn’t deserve to see me with guys like Jericho?
I rolled my eyes and looked at Knight. “Sorry, Knight.” I beamed sadly.
He smiled and shook his head. “No worries!” He spoke as he shook his hands in front of me. “I didn’t mean to ask you to come with me when you have your boyfriend here.” He said as he looked apologetically at Jericho.
I didn’t know why I felt like a drum of cold water was poured on me on the spot. I didn’t like the idea that he thinks that I am with Jericho. Hell, no! I would never get back with this a*s.
“I better go.” Knight excused himself and walked to the library alone, a bit in a hurry.
I watched him walk away from where we are before glaring at Jericho. “Will you stop?” I asked him as my b***h meter is slowly rising up.
Jericho looked at me. “You like that guy?” He asked me.
“What?” I hissed.
He smirked. “You seem to be so fond of that nerd—”
“Don’t call him that!” I cut his words and all the more that he smirked wider.
“You like him.” He told me. He confirmed it. “You like a nerd. Perhaps even nerder than that computer addict, Jervic Perez.” He continued.
Moron. There’s no such thing as nerder. My goodness!
He leaned to my ear. “You think I’ll let you go?” He whispered. “I won’t.”
He smirked once again and then took my books. “Open your locker, Babe.” He told me and I can hear murmurs of the people from here.
Damn it. Damn this, Jericho Marquez!
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I walked to the mall after school because I had to buy something for our Arts project. I don’t really like Arts.
I’m just glad that our class ended before Jericho’s. At least he’s not waiting for me and I got him out of my sight. At least for this afternoon.
It’s not that I hate Jericho or whatnot but it’s just too confusing and I’m doubting on the reason that he suddenly wanted to start a new beginning with me after my breakup with Jervic. Jericho doesn’t roll that way.
Playboys don’t look back on their flings.
“Are you alright?”
I looked up at someone who suddenly talked to me. I guess I was zoning out inside this school and office supplies store. I noticed that I am still holding onto the felt paper.
“Phytos?” I asked in disbelief as I saw Phytos Limon, my tenth ex-boyfriend, smiling down at me. “What are you doing here? I thought you’re in China?”
He grinned. “I just came back. I had to help my brother in managing our business here.” He told me. “And I just enrolled in your school just now.”
My jaw dropped. Nice. Another man from my past is going to be visible to the public.
“I guess I’ll see you around more, Ashejan.” He told me with that angelic smile.
It’s true, though. Phytos is almost an angel. He was the most gentlemen among the guys I’ve ever dated – or maybe after Jervic. We were really happy but we had to break up because he’s going back to China for family purposes.
“You look really good, today.” He complimented me and I don’t know why I couldn’t speak.
I just smiled.
He chuckled. “You want to eat after this?” He offered. “On me.”
I smiled. “I have to finish this project, though. It’s due on Friday and I need to start this as soon as pos—”
“Don’t worry. It won’t be long. I just want to catch up with you.” He told me. “Unless…” His voice trailed. “…you’re seeing someone else now?” He asked me.
I laughed awkwardly. “No! I’m not dating anyone.” Or probably not really anyone right now because I want a relationship that’s going to make me end up walking in that narrow aisle to the altar.
He smiled wider. “That’s good then! Let’s go after you buy your things?” He asked.
I bit my lip and nodded slowly. It’s just dinner. And he said it’s going to be fast, so I guess it’s not a bad idea.
After buying all the things I need for Arts, Phytos and I walked to a seafood restaurant. He said he wanted to eat some prawns and I thought it would be good to eat in a seafood restaurant.
He took my things and offered to carry it as we walked to the restaurant.
We came in and sat in the spot near the glass window where we can see the people walking in the mall. He smiled at me before calling a waiter.
He was the one who ordered for me and I just let him. I just watched the people walking inside the mall. Families. Friends. Lovers.
“I heard you dated Jervic Perez after me.” Phytos suddenly spoke and I looked at him and nodded. “I was really relieved that you dated him and not another jerk like Hades Cortez, Chadwick Gaston or Jericho Marquez.” He exhaled. “Jerks don’t really deserve your attention, Ashejan.”
I smiled and nodded. “I know.” I replied.
“Did you break up with Jervic?” He asked me.
I shook my head. “He broke up with me.” I rephrased.
He narrowed his eyes on me. “Why?” He asked.
“He had to concentrate in his club, Phytos.” I replied. “I totally understand his decision because I know how much he loves that organization.” I told him.
He scoffed. “Then that means he doesn’t really deserve you.” He spoke. He sighed then looked down. “I shouldn’t have broken up with you in the first place.” He whispered to himself but I caught his sentence. He looked at me. “You are such a precious pearl, Ashejan.”
I looked at him, questioning his remark.
He smiled and held my hand. “Can we begin again?” He asked me.
My eyes widened in shock as to what he said. “Phytos…” My voice trailed and he held my hand tighter.
“I thought I wouldn’t come back so I broke up with you before. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have broken up with you, Ash.” He told me with his serious tone. “I want you to know that you’re all that I think about. I was so hurt when I knew you’re dating someone new but I was relieved that it’s not some jerk. But even so, I couldn’t stop feeling the pain.”
“Phytos—”
He shook his head. “Let’s just start again, please? Let’s make it work this time.” He told me. No, it was as if he is pleading me.
Suddenly, my eyes darted on the entrance of the restaurant and I saw Knight looking at me with narrowed eyes. I immediately withdrew my hand from Phytos. There was a middle-aged woman with him. Probably his mother.
I smiled at him but he didn’t smile back. He’s probably thinking that I’m really not ordinary.
I don’t know why but I suddenly felt cold. Why do I feel hurt that he ignored me?
- Writer
