Chapter 10
2498 Words
I can’t even imagine how weird I am looking at Knight right now. He likes me. He just told me he likes me and my heart is beating crazy. He’s too close for Christ’s sake!
I chuckled awkwardly. “You’re kidding.” I told him and he narrowed his eyes on me. I cleared my throat. “I mean, yeah, sure. You like me as a friend.” I re-organized my sentence because I think he felt a bit burdened.
“Of course,” he said as he looked away.
Oh, Knight. I like you, too. But more than how you like me. I like you to be mine. I like you to date me. More than just a friend. It will be a shock if I told you about it, right now, so I’d rather not.
I shut my eyes to regain my cool. Damn it, Ashejan! Get your s**t together or else!
“Serena…” My voice trailed because he stiffened. “…does she like you back?” I asked him.
Damn it. He’s too innocent and naïve and I think I can’t be too close to him because I would be a bad influence on him.
He looked at me for about three seconds before chuckling. “I like her, she likes me. We’re friends. It’s not the like you are thinking, Ashejan.” He told me.
I don’t why I am blushing right now. He knew what I was thinking.
“I don’t really deserve girls, Ashejan. I can’t be with anyone.” He told me before standing up because it’s already our stop. I followed him as we hopped out of the bus.
I looked at him as he walked first. I ran to walk beside him. “Why? Why’d you say that?” I asked again.
He smiled weakly. I can see. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes and it’s one of the things that I don’t ever want to see—this sad and confused smile.
“Just because.” He replied and I thought that he didn’t want to talk about it.
“Oh,” was all I could reply. I don’t want to push it. If he doesn’t want to tell me why, I wouldn’t dare to ask him to. It’s not like I could do anything about it anyway. Even though I’m dying to know.
I want him to open up to me. I want him to tell me all his troubles. But hell, we’re not even that close so I could wait until he’s ready to tell me everything. If that time ever comes.
“Ashejan, I told you. I’m not really how you see me.” He told me as he stopped and looked at me. “You may think that I am like this. I am this Knighton Javier. But I am not. I’m actually not what you actually see outside.” He looked at me in the eyes. “I want everyone to see me as ordinary. Because I know for myself that I am not.”
I wanted to talk. I wanted to tell him that I can think of him as ordinary but I don’t know what to say. How would I say it to him without revealing that I like him more than a friend?
“Thank you for thinking of me otherwise but, please refrain from doing that.” He told me. “I don’t want any person around me to get hurt once they got to know the real me.” He finished and exhaled.
“I’m sorry.” He then spoke. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He told me apologetically.
I shook my head and smiled. “You didn’t.” I replied. “I’m actually happy that you’re giving me a warning.” I told him. “But you can’t actually tell me to not think of you as a bad guy, Knight.” I looked into his eyes. “Not when I am seeing a kind you on the outside.”
He sighed and smiled. “Do you normally have this magic with you, Ashejan?” He asked me.
I narrowed my eyes on him. “What?” I asked confused.
He smiled. “Nothing. I was just wondering if you really have this power to take over someone’s heart by merely talking.” He said softly then he walked ahead.
I blushed when I realized what his words meant. Do I really take over his heart with my words?
I couldn’t help but bite my lip to suppress a smile that’s about to form on my lips. Damn it, Knight Javier. I can’t read you. Do you like me as a friend or what?
I sighed and walked after him.
We talked about our Arts project as we walked home. He didn’t want the usual beach and all so I suggested, Fo Guang Shan Temple in Pasay City. It’s a temple built by some monks during the olden period. Aside from it is historic, it’s also a good place to reflect and learn about the activities in the temple. Temple Stay, as they say. And there’s Hwa Chong Temple, a very nice place because we can see the Manila Bay from there. And maybe even watch sunset together.
Sigh, Ashejan. You’re a hopeless case.
“It’s good.” He told me. “I’ll ask Dad if I could borrow the car so we won’t ride the bus.” He smiled.
I smiled back and nodded. “Okay. Just tell me when.” I told him.
He nodded and smiled again.
Damn it, Knight! Can you stop smiling and make my heart rest for a minute?!
“Are you free this Saturday?” He asked me as he placed his hands inside his pocket.
I looked at him and nodded. “Yes. Sure. Let’s do it on Saturday?” I asked.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No. I’m asking because Mom gave me these two tickets for a Zorro Musical and I have no one to come with me.” He told me.
My mouth cannot be tamed. It had dropped really low. “What?” I placed a lot of effort for this word to come out really normal from me.
He bit his lip. “I was going to ask Serena to come with me but I thought I’d ask you first.” He told me and my heart is going to drop anytime soon.
“What if she wants to go with you?” I asked.
He raised his brow at me. “Then does that mean you don’t want to come with me? Are musicals not your thing because I can just—”
“Of course, I can come on Saturday!” I cut his words. “I was just thinking of what Serena would think if she knew you asked me first.” I said in a low voice and looked away.
I heard him chuckle. “I knew you first, Ashejan. I’m sure that’s clear for Serena.” He told me and I couldn’t help but look at him and blush.
He smiled at me. “So, I’ll see you on Saturday, then?” He asked me.
I nodded.
He smiled. “See you tomorrow at school!” He beamed as he started to walk ahead.
I narrowed my eyes on him but then I realized that we’re here. I’m in front of our gate already. I sighed unknowingly. Why does it feel like our house is so near when I’m walking with Knight?
“And yeah,” he said when he was halfway to our next-door neighbor’s house. “I really thought you’re mad at me. I’m really thankful you’re not.” He said then he almost ran to their house.
And here I am.
Out of breath.
--
“Sssshhhh!”
I was shocked when I was suddenly pulled in an alley when I was walking to school. I looked at the person who just shut me up and I narrowed my eyes when I realized that it’s Hades Cortez.
“What are you—”
I didn’t finish what I was about to say because he placed his index finger on my lips.
“Sshh! Keep quiet, Ashejan!” He told me then I heard a group of girls screaming his name.
“Huh? Where did Hades go?”
“s**t, Lian! Hades is gone!”
“I didn’t want him to be gone too! Don’t blame me! Hades!”
I glanced at Hades and he’s really looking so tensed about this. I know that he is. This must be his everyday routine since he’s the most notorious bad boy in town.
I heard the murmurs dying down and Hades sighed in relief.
He looked at me and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you ever laugh at me for this!” He warned me in a low voice.
I scoffed. What would he do when I call those girls back? Hade Cortez, don’t you dare talk back to me.
I shook my head and went out of the alley he pulled me in. I looked around and saw the girls not far away. I kicked the garbage for them to see me. And they did. They looked back at me. All four of them.
“Did you see our Hades?” The one with short hair and full bangs asked me.
I looked around first before pointing to myself. “Me?” I asked and they nodded.
“Did you see Hades?” The one with red hair asked.
“Hades Cortez?” I asked and they nodded. I glanced at the alley and I know that Hades is listening. I know he is waiting for my reply as well. “I don’t know.” I replied but then I motioned them that he’s in the alley. “I think he ran south.” I added but then I pointed at the alley.
I saw the girls’ eyes twinkle as they slowly went to the alley. I chuckled as walked away. Hades Cortez is cursing my name as he got harassed by the middle school girls.
Mehe. Too bad for being mean to me, Hades.
I walked to school with a big smile on my face until I saw Phytos and Jericho waiting at my classroom’s door. They both looked delighted when they saw me.
“Ashejan!” They both ran to me and handed me gifts. Phytos has banana milk with him while Jericho offers me a yoghurt drink. Damn, I don’t drink these things!
I looked at them. “What’s this for?” I asked them and pointed at their gifts.
“Sorry!” They chorused but then when they realized that they spoke the same word, they looked at each other and seemed like they would kill each other again.
I sighed and shook my head as I walked inside the room. Knight is sitting on his proper place and he looked up at me.
“Good morning!” I greeted him.
He smiled. “I wanted to wait for you this morning but I had to buy something so I couldn’t.” He told me.
I smiled at him. My heart is filled with feels. “What did you buy?” I asked him as I sat on my place, beside him.
He smiled. “This.” He told me as he handed me a chocolate drink.
I was shocked at I looked at him. “T-thanks.” I replied. Damn it! How did he know that I love chocolate drinks?
And why is he giving me these? He just told me last night that he doesn’t deserve to be in love.
He smiled. “I hope you like chocolate drinks.” He told me. “I don’t really know what you exactly want but—”
“Don’t worry! I love chocolate drinks!” I cut his words and he smiled.
“That’s good.” He told me. “I love chocolate drinks, too.” He informed me and smiled as he drank his own chocolate drink.
I looked at my drink and I can’t help but smile. Holy shizzles! Knight gave this to me.
Should I take a photo of it? I mean, you know! Proof that he gave me this?
Should I keep the straw and the empty pack when I’m done drinking?
Hell, since when have I been this crazy in love?!
“So, about Saturday,” he started and I looked at him. “I was thinking if I could pick you up at six o’clock?” He asked me.
“Isn’t the play going to start at eight?” I asked.
He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck as I saw him blush. “I know.” He told me. “But I was thinking of asking you to come for dinner before we go.” He said as he bit his lip.
I looked at him in disbelief. I don’t know why but I love the way he is acting in front of me right now. He looks shy and I am liking it because I feel like this is how I act when I am around him as well.
“Sure.” I told him. “Sure let’s eat before we go.” I smiled.
He smiled back and bit his lip.
Damn it, Knight! Stop biting your lip!
“Okay. Then, it’s settled.” He told me. “I’ll pick you up at six on Saturday.” He finalized.
I nodded as I gulped on the chocolate drink he just gave me. He smiled and nodded. “I can’t wait for Saturday. I really love this musical.” He beamed as he blushed.
I chuckled. “Me too.” The only thing is. I really love you. Not the musical.
- Writer
