Running from the Horizon (Secondary Series #2)

03

“So Noah talks about you to his friends? What exactly happened during that day you saw him?”

Camille’s non stop pestering continues after that scenario in the gymnasium. They did not even notice that they are already walking me to the elementary building where papa and my siblings are waiting. I don’t even know what is there to talk about! It’s not like something big really happened when I bumped into him in their restaurant.

“She already said that they just bumped into one another. What is there to explain mo?” Marley annoyingly answers Camille’s question for me. I’m sure she is starting to get really annoyed now because our three friends have been talking about those two guys from earlier.

“James Sanchez wouldn’t say that Diana is the girl his friend is talking about if they simply just bumped into one another okay, Marley?” Camille argued back.

I heave a deep sigh as I just let them argue more. Marley did not back down anyway. She never did especially when the situation is already getting in her head. She is indeed witty but she is a little hot tempered type of person as well especially when it comes to Camille. She once told me that she didn’t know the reason why Camille gets in her head. Saying that there is something about her which makes her annoyed with our friend despite being friends.

“While you two are arguing here, I have to go. Papa is over there now.” I told them. They immediately turned to the direction I am looking at where our car is parked. “Do you girls want to greet papa?”

Marley immediately says yes while the three look hesitant. They gave each other looks which led me to confusion before Vanessa spoke up. “My driver is already waiting for me in the parking lot. Maybe next time?”

I just stayed silent, nodding, as I watched Camille, Vanessa, and Kendall leave together. It’s not like I require them to greet my parents all the time but I just noticed that they are kinda avoiding them whenever they can. I shrugged the negative idea off as both Marley and I approached my papa’s car.

“Those three are really weird. They are our friends but they seriously are getting in my head so bad these days.” Marley exclaimed.

“You have always been hot tempered towards them anyway. Maybe you are just close to your period already.” I teased as she immediately glared at me.

“My period’s done, you dumb!” She defends as I laughed. “They are just acting really weird whenever we go out to shop or anything. It’s like they just want the three of them alone. I don’t have a good hunch over them as of the moment.”

“Stop saying things like that Marley. They are our friends.” I defend.

“I know! But I can’t always lie with what I feel and see. I’m sure you can feel it as well anyway. Their excuses are unreasonable every single time you ask them for help or a favor.” She pointed out.

None of what she said is false anyway. They always have excuses whenever I ask them to help me or whenever I need to ask for a favor. Marley has always been the one who is available for me. Camille and Vanessa are only available when they want to talk about boys with me while Kendall is available when it comes to academics related only. It indeed feels weird sometimes but I know not all of my friends will always be there whenever I need them to be. I don’t want to be a big burden as well anyway so I just let them.

“Hi tito!” Marley excitedly greeted papa when the car window rolled down.

“Marley! How are you?” Papa asked. Marley is really close to my family. Papa and mama likes having her around as well which relieves me because she really is a big support system for me.

“Doing well tito. How about you? You look tired.” I glanced at her and went back to dad. So it wasn’t just me and Meghan who can notice it.

Papa looks taken back from my best friend’s question which confuses me. What is there to react like that? “Of course! I just got off from work, that’s why.”

Marley glances at me before nodding slowly to my father. She is keen so I’m sure she knows as well that it's not just because of work. Despite the fact that I don’t want to overthink, I can turn a blind eye with the fact that there is clearly something wrong.

“Is your driver here now Marley? Do you want me to drop you off to your house?” Papa asked.

“He is already around the building tito. I’ll be fine, you can go ahead so you can rest already.” Marley said.

“Well then, let’s go anak. Your mama’s waiting.”

I gave Marley a hug as she whispered something. “I will call you later.” I nod at her before hopping in the shotgun seat.

Our way back to the house is not silent at all with my brothers playing. Both Meghan and I are busy with our phone while papa is just driving. I didn’t even think of saying something to him because he looks extra tired. It’s better to just stay silent before I can say something.

[“About tito, I don’t think he is just tired from work you know?”] Marley said over the phone.

I sat on my couch after excusing myself downstairs a few minutes after dinner because she called. She did tell me that she will call but I thought she would call me around 9pm but I’m wrong.

“Meg and I say the same thing.” I only said.

[“Have you tried asking them? If tito is somewhat sick or what? Like i’m not trying to be negative but he does look like he can’t even go on by himself for some reason. Like he needs someone to guide him.]

“Papa and mama are not saying anything. The first time I noticed how papa looks was last week, I think? It was morning then he suddenly just almost fainted when we went out of the front door.” I explained.

[“How about you suggest that tito should go and see a doctor? I mean it's not that a bad thing. It’s to check his health as well.”]

“If only it's easy to say it.”

One thing that I am afraid of is losing my parents. Whenever I think about the possibilities of my father’s condition with the signs he is showing right now, it’s making me scared. I don’t want to overthink but looking at his condition, I know that there really is something wrong with him. I know that once he goes and sees a doctor, we will know his condition. I’m scared of what the outcome will be.

“What are you girls doing with my phone?” I asked when I caught Vanessa and Camille sneaking over my phone.

“Making a move on your behalf,” Camille said excitedly, making the student in the next table glance at us.

We are in the library right now. Since our 1st periodical exam is fast approaching, we decided to go here during break time to review for our quizzes. We have loads of quizzes before the exams so we had to review. But instead of reviewing, Camille and Vanessa are both busy checking my phone.

“OMG! He followed you back!” Vanessa said, catching almost everyone’s attention close to our table.

“Will you two stay silent? We are here to review!” Marley scolded as the two showed her a peace sign.

Vanessa puts my phone above the book I am reading with a huge grin plastered in her face. “Thank me later!” She gave me a wink which got me confused.

I just shrugged it off and just decided to focus on my reading. I need to do well in the quizzes and the exams if I want to be part of the top students. And I did review hard for the next few days until our exams arrived.

For the whole week, I only focus on reviewing and nothing at all. I only touch my phone once every hour just to check if I have any important messages. Touching it more than once will keep me out of my focus.

After our exams, we don’t really have that much to do. We had another program in our school and attended classes as well as cheer training. I had to balance my time as well because papa and mama had been demanding for us to go back home before 6pm. Which means no after school hang outs for a while. It’s weird actually but I just don’t ask why.

“Are you ready for your field trip tomorrow?” Russell asks. I glanced at him as he looked at me, waiting for my answer.

“I would be lying if I say no,” I chuckled softly before returning my attention back over my phone.

“You are scrolling over those branded shops again aren’t you? Planning to buy new shoes or heels again? You are such a compulsive shopper!” He teases as I glared at him.

It is expected actually, that he would tease me. Because if he didn’t then he is not Edward Russell Villacorta. My childhood friend and technically my boy best friend who I have been sticking together with for almost like 10 years from now.

He is older by 2 years but I never call him kuya or treat him as someone older than me. Not that I don’t respect him as the older one but I just got so used to not calling him kuya. There was a time that I tried calling him as kuya but it felt so weird, even for him! So at the end we settled with a first name basis. Basically, he is like a brother from another mother who became my protector as well.

We met when I was about to turn 5 years old and he was 7 years old during that time. I was being teased by a playmate in our village who stole my doll when he suddenly appeared out of nowhere, being the brave kid he is, he took that doll and almost got himself in a fist fight. He was like my lifesaver during that time because the doll is very important to me that I still have it up until now. Though I don’t really remember the whole reason why, all I know is that it gives me comfort and helps me sleep peacefully at night.

It’s funny because I thought after they moved to a different village, he would forget about me already. Turns out we attended the same elementary school and only separated in high school because he studies in SPU.

Being with him for so long, he was there to witness my growth. He was the first one to witness me cry publicly, had my first wound over my knee, witnessed my girl thing, and many more. He was there through my ups and downs ever since we were kids. He became my comfort person that I’m afraid what I will do if one day he disappears from my life.

“I know I’m handsome, but you don’t need to stare at me for that long,” I throw him the pillow from his bed that I am currently laying on.

“You’re so full of yourself!” I fired back as he just laughed. “Speaking of! Since we are already in the topic of you being over confident with your looks, any girlfriend to introduce to me now?”

He stopped typing over his laptop on the study table and looked at me with hesitation. What’s wrong with him? That’s the same reaction every time I ask him about girls.

“If I have a girl, she would be the one in here with me right now. Not you.” He pointed out.

“Oh so its girlfriend over best friend?” I tease.

“The latter. It will always be bestfriend over a girlfriend. Remember that.” He says it too seriously that made me gulp. I was just joking, why does he have to respond to me so seriously?

He is still staring at me so I decided to break the ice by clearing my throat.

“There’s a lot of pretty girls in the UST. How come you still don’t have a girlfriend?” I asked.

He tore off his eyes from me, returning to his laptop, before answering me. “Maybe they are not pretty enough in my eyes... or maybe because the girl for me is not in UST yet.”

I was about to say something back when the door of his room opened, revealing his mom. “I knew you were here!”

“Hi tita!” I greeted, giving her a peck over her cheeks.

“Except Russell’s medical books, the only reason that can keep him here in his room is you being here. No wonder he won’t come down even for a snack.” I laugh softly.

I observed her from head to toe. She is wearing a smart casual outfit with a white lab coat folded neatly and hanging over her arms with her bag. She must have just got home from the hospital.

“He just finished reading a book tita, that’s probably why he didn’t go down for snacks.” I said.

“I bet that was the reason.” She says with a different meaning through her words as she looks at her son. My forehead creased as my gaze turned to her and back to Russell. “Do you need any help with some medical terms son?”

I forgot to mention that Russ is taking BS Biology. He came from a family of doctors so I think it's only acceptable that he might want to become a doctor as well like his parents who are cardiologist and pediatrician in Sanchez Medical Hospital. I still don’t know what kind of doctor he wants to be one but all I know is that he is passionate about the path he chooses which I envy sometimes.

“Why don’t you stay here for dinner Diana?” Tita asked me.

I was about to answer when Russ answered for me. “She has a field trip tomorrow mom. She can’t stay up so late unless she wants to be late tomorrow.”

I glared at him before giving tita an apologetic smile. His mom’s food is the best! Mama’s dishes are the best as well but I love eating tita’s dishes too. If only I don’t have that field trip tomorrow!.

“I thought you would not come anymore,” Marley told me when I arrived. “I don’t want to be stuck with those three today. I did not sleep well last night.”

“Must be because of Korean dramas, huh?” She glared at me when I found out the reason for her staying up so late despite knowing the fact that we have an early departure.

The day has come but my head is killing me! Russell called me at 3am so I can get ready and be on time but I’m still almost late because I feel so lazy. Besides, I slept around 11pm since I was busy watching some random videos.

“Where are they?”

“Probably just around here. Being all friendly as always.” She answered, uninterested.

Camillle, Vanessa, and Kendall arrived a few minutes later with Rocco and Axel. We are in the same bus. I sat next to Marley since she insisted. Rocco and her even argued for the seat next to me but of course, Marley will always win!

“Seriously, if Rocco wants to court you then he should tell you straightforwardly. He won’t even do anything but he is like that!” Marley complained as I only laughed.

She is actually wrong in that part. Rocco did ask me if he can court me but I rejected saying that I can’t have a suitor yet because Papa won’t allow it and because I really only see him as a friend. I thought he would stop already but he said that he will wait until I’m already allowed to have a suitor.

The destination was partly fun because we already went to those places already. I don’t really get why our school keeps choosing the same destinations every other year. The only destination that we will really enjoy is the last one. The Enchanted Kingdom. I mean, who doesn’t like being in an amusement park?

“So! I heard that SPU also had their field trip today.” Vanessa exclaimed when we took a seat on one of the couches here in the restaurant. After the bus stop for lunch, we will head to the last destination already.

“And?”

“That means Noah Castro will be there!” Camille butted in. I saw Marley rolling her eyes with the sudden raise of Camille’s voice probably due to excitement.

“Why are you three so work up with having her pair up with that Noah guy?” Rocco butted in as well. “I mean... you can look around here and find someone you can pair with her already. Why the need to choose someone who is far away?”

“Someone you mean you? No thanks! We rather have her pair up with Noah.” Kendall says making Rocco sulk up.

I just stayed silent as they fantasy over Noah again. If only they know that accidentally meeting him again in their restaurant never happened again. If only they know that I literally have no connection, and did not intend to have one to, with that guy. They just never stop pushing me to him.

We just stayed there and ate our lunch before returning back to our bus since we need to leave already if we want to stay long in the last destination. I just hope it's not too crowded there today.

“That’s SPU’s bus!” I heard Vanessa’s voice as soon as she took off the bus. “They’re already inside! Come on!”

She dragged Camille with her while Kendall followed them. Marley and I with Rocco and Axel just walk our way to the entrance slowly.

“Are those three here to go after that guy? They look like crazy fans who will tackle their idol once they see him.” Marley complained.

“Just let them do their thing, Marley. It’s their way of having fun!” I tried cheering her up but she must be super annoyed right now since the three really have been talking nonstop about Noah since we left the resting area.

We took two rides before walking around the park because the three have been insisting to walk under the sun. It’s not really that hot today, it’s actually mild. The only thing that is hot right now is Marley’s head. She surely is not happy. It’s like there is an invisible fire over her head with how annoyed she is with our friends already.

“They shouldn’t disappoint themselves by thinking that they can find that Noah guy in here. This is a big area, finding one person will never be easy.” Axel said while looking at the three girls in front of us who are busy moving their heads from side to side, obviously looking for someone.

“James Sanchez!” Vanessa suddenly called. I turned to the direction where she was looking only to see James and some people with him. Noah is besides him with another one guy and four girls with them. I recognize the girls because they are on Noah's i********: but the guy is not familiar with me.

“Vanessa? Right?” My friends looked so excited with the mention of her name.

I heard Marley, Axel, and Rocco trying to contain themselves from laughing. I’m not gonna lie. I find them funny as well right now.

“You remember my name!” Vanessa gasps in shock. James is a social butterfly, based on his social media accounts, of course he will remember her.

James gave her a sweet smile. Indeed a flirt huh?

I glanced at the guy next to him when he draped his arm over his shoulders. Noah is just silently standing tall besides his friend who is busy talking with my friends. As if he does not care. He only gave them a nod and a few smiles, that’s all.

“So that is the Noah they are talking about?” Rocco asked.

We are standing just a few inches away from them, literally behind my friends. It’s not that I’m not interested or curious about what they are talking about. I just don’t find it necessary to meddle with whatever they are talking about especially that I’m not really close with those two.

“SPU’s star athlete. The one and only Noah Castro.” Axel answered. His friend looks at him in disgust with the description he used.

“Whatever kind of star he is, I’m still better looking at him. Right Diana?” He turned to me making me flustered.I just nodded in response because of the sudden question.

“As much as it annoys me that those three keeps on talking about that Noah. But don’t fool yourself Rocco. Noah is definitely far more handsome than you.” Marley pointed out making Axel and I laugh hard that probably caught the attention of the people in front of us.

I got suddenly pulled to the front, directly in front of Noah, making me jump out. Camille has her arms entangled over mine, making it hard for me to stay away. What the hell is wrong with them?

“Oh! It’s Diana Gonzales,” James exclaimed. He is looking at me with a teasing smile, which I don’t understand why. “It’s nice seeing you again.”

“Same for you.” I only said.

It feels so awkward. After Noah competed in our school, I have not come face to face with them for months. It’s not that I want to see them anyway. I just did not expect that they would remember me when we’re not even close or even an acquaintance of anyone they are close with.

“My bro here feels nice seeing you again too. He’s just shy.” James teased his friend which earned him a nudge. Noah shook his head before glancing at me.

“Hey,” was the only thing he said. I gave him a small smile in response. I just stayed silent the whole minute they talked until Vanessa invited them to ride with us.

“They are with their friends Vanessa,” I told her, glancing over James and Noah’s friends who are standing a meter away from us. They are just talking with each other but they have this different aura that makes them an eye to everyone who passes them.

“Oh no! Don’t worry about them. I can talk to them,” James said. “For now, please keep my dear friend entertained here.”

Noah just looked at him in disbelief, shaking his head. Vanessa, Camille, and Kendall were the ones to talk to him while I stood still, glancing to one of their female friends.

Felicity Amora Martinez. She really is beautiful. This is the first time I saw her personally but how she looks in her photos and in person, there is not much of a difference. Her smile is so bright and her eyes are almost sparkling. She is also tall and fair skinned. Based on her i********: posts, she is also an achiever and is totally family oriented. It seems like she also likes art because most of her posts are potteries and paintings. In other words, she can be that perfect girl every guy dreams of.

I just wonder if Noah likes her.

“Our friends are good.” James exclaimed before turning to Noah. “Feli said, we just need to meet them around 6 so we can go back in the bus all together.”

“What are you saying? We can’t leave them to Felix!” He complained, raising his voice.

“Can you chill?” James told him before whispering something.

I think their friends just heard Noah’s complaint because one of them suddenly talked. "Just go Noah. We know you're aching to flirt too anyway."

With that, James dragged his friend away despite his complaints with us following them. I stood next to Marley when Camille finally let my arm go while on our way to one of the rides. We did not even talk about what ride we are going to ride!

“Do you guys want to ride that?” Rocco asked, pointing to the big roller coaster.

I have ridden it before but it still scares me because of its speed and how high it is. I gulp and hold onto Marley’s wrist tightly as the screams of the people who are riding it echoes around the park while we are lining up.

“Are you scared? You look pale.” Marley worriedly asked me. James and Noah, who are standing in front of us, look behind them.

“You don’t need to ride this one if you can’t. Don’t push yourself.” Noah calmly said.

I don’t want to be a killjoy for not joining them with this ride and just wait for them here on the ground. But I don’t think I can really ride this one again. The last time I rode this one, I almost vomited everything I ate.

“No, it’s fine. I think I can ride it.”

And I continued lining up. We are next in line already when I hold tighter to Marley’s wrist. Should I just back up?

I felt Noah’s eyes glancing at me before I heard him sigh. “You guys ride it. I’m not really in the mood to ride this one today.”

I was confused for a second there. He is not even complaining earlier when Rocco asked them if they want to ride this one but now he is suddenly backing out.

“Got scared suddenly dude? Not cool.” Rocco commented, making Noah eyed him for a while but he did not say anything.

“More on like he is being a gentleman dude,” James commented back, eyeing Rocco .My eyes switched from the both of them.

Rocco is a little hot tempered one. I surely know James' comment triggered him.

“I’ll wait in the shop on the side,” Noah said. Just when I thought he would leave already, he looked back directly at me with a straight face. “Are you coming or what?”

The girls and I exchanged glances with his question. I looked at Marley and she just gave me a nod, probably indicating that I should just go with Noah considering that I really look pale right now.

“Where are you going?” Rocco asks, holding my wrist, when I was about to leave the line.

“I-i think I can’t ride it.” I stutteringly answered.

“You can take the seat next to me once we ride so you won’t be scared anymore.” he said. I was in the middle of contemplating with myself when I felt another hand on my wrist.

“She’s pale. Stop pushing her to ride it if she can’t.” Noah told him with a straight face.

Both of my wrists are held by both of them. I was glancing at each of them every second. The sudden situation made me confused, making me just stand there waiting for one of my friends to do something.

“Will you also stop acting like you know that she can’t ride it,” Rocco argues back.

Noah did not argue back. Instead, he just eyed him fiercely with his hand still holding my wrist.

“Rocco, just let them go. Diana already told me that she thinks she can’t ride this one. You won’t be the one to vomit anyway after taking this ride. So just let her go.” Marley commented, trying to ease the heated atmosphere.

Rocco glances at me before letting my wrist. I was immediately dragged out of the lines to an ice cream shop close to the Space Shuttle. Noah only let my wrist go when we entered the shop which led me to just follow him.

He stood in front of the counter, looking up at the menus written over board. I’m just like a lost puppy who is waiting for her owner to make her do something worth doing.

“What flavor?” He said. I don’t know if he is asking me or he is asking himself so I just remained silent until he looked down at me with brows furrowed. “You don’t like ice cream?”

“H-huh?”

“I asked what flavor? What flavor should I order for you?” He repeatedly makes me enlighten.

“S-strawberry,” I answered stuttering. He nodded before telling me to find a seat for us to sit on which I followed.

There were not many people inside the shop. Probably most of the people here are busy riding. It’s better to make the time and the pay worth it anyway.

After a few minutes, Noah came to our table with two cups of ice cream in his hands. One is strawberry and one is rocky road, I think. He placed the cups on our table, taking a seat in front of me, before handing me a spoon and a tissue.

“How much is it?” I ask, taking my wallet out of my bag.

“No need. My treat.” He simply said as I nod and thanked him.

We started eating silently. He looks at peace while I am here a little uncomfortable with the silence. The least I expected in this field trip is to be stuck with him while my friends are out riding. I didn't even expect that our trips would be on the same day.

“That guy earlier…” He started. I raise my head, looking at him. “Is he your boyfriend or what?”

I almost choke on the ice cream that I just swallowed. Rocco?

“No! He’s just a friend.” I immediately denied.

“Then he likes you?”

Why is he even asking?

“I-i don’t know,” I said, avoiding his eyes.

“You don’t know or you just don’t want to admit it?”

Why does he have so many questions?

I cleared my throat without answering him. “I’ll just buy us some water.”

I bought two bottles of water for us. I think I will need more than one just in case he will ask something again.

When I returned back to our table, he was already close to finishing his ice cream. I felt bad for mine because it's almost like it's untouch.

I handed him his water before going back to my side, eating my ice cream silently. He is staring at his phone, scrolling there while I just glance outside watching the roller coaster fall down. The screams all over the park still echoes inside the shop. It’s both entertaining and not.

“I have a question.” He suddenly said. I raised a brow at him, curious. “Why did you follow me on i********: and twitter? And sent me a friend request on f*******:?”

My brows furrowed with this question. I did not!

“What are you talking about?”

He turned his phone to make it facing me as I grew confused.

Diana Cer Gonzales sent you a friend request.

My eyes widened when I saw my name and confirmed that it is my account. He switched to i********: and twitter to show it to me as well.

diana_cg requested to follow you.

“I wanna ask you first why did you follow and send me a friend request before I accept all of these requests.” He stated.

My mouth was hanging as I am still completely speechless on how it happened. I know his username on i********: and twitter because Vanessa showed it to me before. But I do not know his f*******: account!

Wait- Vanessa!

“It wasn’t me. It was my friends who followed you and sent that request using my account.” I panicky explained. It’s not like I did something very bad but I just want to explain my side. I really need to stop letting Vanessa scroll over my phone starting now.

“Let’s say that it is your friends who sent that request and followed me using your account. But what about you?,” I stopped scooping my ice cream when he suddenly leaned closer, stopping just a few inches away from me. “Will you still follow me on your own?”