The Jerk is a Ghost

46

I want to faint because he called me a friend. Disgusting, just shet.

My last class ended on the morning shift. Since Allie was gone today, I just went to the canteen alone. I saw Jen and Derek at a tabledun so I wondered if I would join them. I ended up eating alone since I also don't want to disturb the mag-jowa.

I took an empty tray and fall in line when I heard someone calling my name again.

"Hey, it's Ellen!"

Seriously ?! What's with everyone today ?! Why am I what people call me now ?! Irritating ah!

Annoyed, I just glanced at the man next to me, but I didn't pay attention to him anymore.

As expected, it spoke again. "Hey, don't you remember me?"

"No. Get lost."

He laughed because of my comment. "Well, that's a first! I'm Thirdy from last week."

"So ...?"

"I can see that you're not with your little friend. Why?"

"That's none of your business. Will you please leave me alone? I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone right now." annoyed I told him. "Feisty! I like it!" he said instead, which pissed me off even more.

Umusog ako sunod para kumuha nung kakainin ko for lunch. "Grilled chicken breast, please. And a piece of brown bread. Thank you."

"Okay po! Dito nalang po sa cashier yung payment." sabi sakin nung babae. I opened my purse for my credit card, but was surprised when the guy handed his own card to the cashier instead.

"I'll pay for her." sabi nito. Bago pa man ako makapag-salita e na-punch na agad nung kahera yung card nito. Parang ayoko na tuloy kainin yung kinuha kong food.

Inirapan ko lang siya bago

lumakad papunta dun sa available table na nakita ko kanina. I turned around, and saw the guy still following me so I already snapped out.

"This will be my last warning. Leave me alone, or else you'll regret it." instead na matakot e mas lalo itong ngumiti nang nakakaloko.

"You're more beautiful when you're angry, you know? Are you doing that on purpose? Because I'm telling you, it turns me on!" then he grinned.

I gritted my teeth, but still tried to keep my composure. "If you're done talking then leave me be."

"Do we have any problem here?" a voice asked out of nowhere. I turned my head to see who it was.

Si Cain.

"Hi, Thirdy. Long time no see." bati nito dun sa lalaki.

"What's up, Reviere?" naka-tawang sagot naman nito. The guy then looked back at me. "So it's true that you know Cain?"

"We're friends." sagot ni Cain sa kanya instead. "I've heard you just came back from suspension, yet you're making problems again. I received a lot of reports already about you sa SSC."

The guy put his hands in his pockets as he gave Cain a cocky smile. "Not my fault if this school is f*****g boring. I'm just trying to have some fun here, you know."

"You should've went in a carnival instead, then." I told him, which made the two guys look at me. I gave him a bored, unimpressed stare. "School is a place to study, not to fool around in. If you're feeling bored

then why come in the first place?"

The guy sneered at me. "Do you think I have a choice--"

"Yes. We always have a choice." I cut him off. "You chose to be here, so you might as well follow the school rules. If you don't want to, then drop out. As easy as that."

I noticed Cain smiling after hearing that from me. He then turned to the guy who looked surprised. "That made sense, right? Thirdy?"

"Tss..." the guy only gave Cain an annoyed glance before walking out of the scene.

Hindi na rin naman ako nag-salita pa. Instead, I sat right down on an empty table to have my lunch in peace. Nangunot nalang yung noo ko nung umupo din si Cain sa harap ko. Again, with his smile.

"What do you want now, Reviere?" inis na tanong ko.

"Nasaan si Girl friend? Bakit hindi mo ata kasama?" tanong niya.

Naguguluhang tinignan ko siya. "Girl friend? You mean, Allie?"

He nodded. "Yup! That's my endearment to her. Unique right?"

"Whatever... She's not feeling well today. Parang nahawa ata sayo nung Sabado."

That made him looked worried. "Oh... I'm sorry to hear that... How is she feeling now?"

I shrugged. "She texted me saying that she's fine. That was earlier this morning."

"If that's the case then I must make up to her--"

"Cain! We've been looking for you!" someone called me from behind, that made me stop for a moment.

I did not even bother to look anymore since obvious naman na yun yung pinsan niyang maarte.

Tarah gavehim a kiss on the cheek, then sat right down beside him. Her two friends also sat down with us. I seriously need some quiet time alone. Is that so hard to ask?!

...

"Hi Tarah. Hello to you too, Charline and Sunny." bati naman ni Cain sa kanila.

"Hi!" masayang bati sa kanya ni Charline. "Tamang-tama, we're just looking for an available spot. Papunta na daw sila babe dito."

Babe...? BABE?!

Inis na tinignan ko lang yung Charline na katabi ko ngayon. At meron pa talaga silang tawagan ni Math, ah?!

"Great! Let me get my own food, then. I'll be right back. Tarah, save my seat will you?" naka-ngiting sabi sa kanya ni Cain. He also smiled at me before leaving the table.

Tarah then looked at me. "I'm surprised you and Cain were here already! Did he invited you?"

"No. He appeared out of nowhere." I flatly said, and that's the truth.

Apparently, tumawa lang yung tatlo as if I'm joking. Tarah and her friends put their bags on the table, then took their phones out all together as if they only share a single brain cell.

"OMG!" biglang sabi nung Charline. "I know your bag! This is Gucci, right?!"

Nilingon ko siya just to see na ako pala yung kinakausap nito. The nerve... Sa kanya ako pinaka-naaalibadbaran. "What about it?" I asked her with a frown.

"OMG! Yes! This is really expensive! I was actually asking my Dad to buy me one when he gets back to the Philippines!" commented when the veil then he touched my cheek.