Taming the School Heartthrob

Chapter 4

PAIN SHOT the side of my temple and I moved. My back felt the softness of the sheets that I was lying on. It took me seconds before my eyes fluttered open, squinting as they adjusted to the light illuminating the surroundings. Infirmary.

My heart started beating loudly but I calmed myself down before things got worse. I have felt extreme emotions before, but lately, I feel like things are getting out of hand at some moments. Fear still lingered inside me, my hands were sweating and my head was covered with cold sweat. I wipe them with a handkerchief that I always keep in my pockets.

Fragments of moments that happened earlier resurfaced in my mind. Fuzzy, blurry, fast-paced recollection of how Ceasar took a step near me and assisted me, my feet tumbling, losing my balance, gasping for air… I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Maybe he asked for some help so I could—well, I presume I was heavy. I couldn’t have carried myself alone… I dismissed the idea of how I managed to arrive at the infirmary and lay on the bed. It would make me feel ashamed and

When I opened my eyes again, I roamed my gaze on the surroundings. White drapes filled the room separating the single beds where students would take a rest or lay down when they aren’t feeling well at school until their parents pick them up. Not for me.

For today, I guess no one else felt any sickness other than me because I was alone inside. Even the nurse stationed at the infirmary wasn’t there.

I slowly got up from bed. I was still a bit lightheaded, but I managed to balance on my feet. My gaze landed on the clock hanging on the wall—it was almost 5 pm.

I missed two of my afternoon classes!

Since there was no use in rushing because the class was probably almost ending at this point. I took some time to practice deep breathing. What happened earlier was unexpected. I hadn’t experienced anything like that before.

Gasping for air as if I was deprived of the chance of being alive. But the less air that gets inside my lungs, the most desperate I become. Asking for air, for assistance… help.

Ceasar… I should still be grateful to him after all.

I started walking towards the door and met the nurse as she was walking inside the room.

“Hey,” she said. Her subtle gaze landed on my face. She was petite and almost the same height as me, and yet her face and smile showed some maturity for her age. “Feeling better, hmm?”

“Yes,” I said, I really couldn’t remember clearly what happened to me.

“Well, you lost consciousness. The guy who carried you towards here explained what happened. You wanna talk a little bit?”

But I felt myself smiling apologetically, “Oh, no… no. I was just tired… didn’t get enough sleep. Fatigue.”

The nurse didn’t look convinced by what I had just said.

I couldn’t risk knowing any kind of complications with my health, that would just cause worries for my parents and an additional financial burden. I can’t handle that for now.

“I’m perfectly well now. Thank you.”

The nurse nodded, perhaps the smile that I gazed at and the poses I did convince him—a bit.

“You should thank the student that brought you here,” she said, not trying to force me to talk. I was happy she was kind enough to understand. “He was sweating and shocked, as if he had done something bad. Did he hit you?”

“No!” I immediately answered. “He’s a classmate.”

“Well, I guess so, too. But he couldn’t even muster words altogether earlier. He stayed for an hour with you right here, asking if you were alright. I told you were sleeping by that time because your breathing had relaxed.”

I blinked once… then twice before saying, “Thank you. I’ll also say thanks to him.”

With that, I walked towards the door and kept walking. My hand flew into various thoughts and questions…

Would Ceasar do that?

How impossible.

I arrived at the classroom with only a few classmates left. I didn’t bother looking at them or asking what happened the entire afternoon. Two of my male classmates glanced at me while I was fixing my things.

I remember one of them was Nikko, the owner of the paper that Ceasar stole from my hands and refused to give it to him.

He was looking at me, his small eyes squinting even more. Beside him is the classmate that I once talked with inside the classroom around that time when I was looking for my calculator.

That was not the right time for me to spark a conversation with them. So I grabbed my bag and fished for my phone inside.

The screen lit up showing three missed calls from Daniel. He also sent messages.

Meet me at the mall. The usual. It’s a date. Couldn’t reach your phone. Hope you can read this text.

I miss you. Didn’t see you at school today.

I rushed towards the door and walked without stopping until I exited the school gates. I didn’t bother calling for a cab. The mall was near the school, perhaps a 10-minute walk at most.

The usual scenery of the mall we always meet up filled my eyes and it spread a smile on my lips. The familiar coldness and illuminating scenery of the mall engrossed my eyes, which made me feel energized.

I walked faster and rode the escalator, my eyes roaming around the surroundings, wondering whether Daniel was still there waiting for me. I looked on the second floor but no sign of him. Then it occurred to me.

He had been waiting for me for around 30 minutes already. He gets hungry from time to time when he is outside of his home. Maybe he is—and there, I saw him holding a book, sitting alone on one of the tables in the food court area while sipping a cup of cold drink, grasping it with his other hand.

My heart almost leaped outside of my chest as I saw him.

“Daniel!” He moved from his seat, looking up. Then our gazes met with each other.

I raised my hand and waved. Before running to his spot,

He stood up from his seat and offered his seat to me. He smiled at me, then he reached out for my hair and softly caressed it. I kissed him on his cheek, which he didn’t expect, because he stilled for a moment.

“You got hungry while waiting?” I sat on his seat and he sat across to me, still looking at me.

“The evidence is right in front of you. But,” he cut off what he was about to say. “I got you food too, I am not selfish.”

My smile even stretched wider. That was when I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch. My stomach grumbled at the sight of the chicken burger. “That’s mine?”

Daniel peeled the wrapper and the delicious smell of the burger wafted in the air.

He let me take a bite while he was still holding the burger.

I giggled and did what he wanted, then he released the burger from his grasp and allowed me to enjoy it myself with consecutive bites.

I looked at him gazing at me, intently—his entire attention locked in my movements.

“I miss you,” he whispered.

I chewed on the last bite I took and smiled at him. “I miss you too.”

He held my left hand as it rested on the table. Then we started talking about random things. About classes, hobbies, and his family. An hour went by so fast. But I didn’t mention what happened to me today. I don’t want him to worry.

“So, my parents have scheduled a vacation next month. Two weeks. We’ll have a house of our own by that time.”

“You won’t be going with them?” I asked.

“Classes.”

“Yes, that.”

“Yeah, would’ve wanted to.” Then he proceeded to ask her this time. “How’s classes? Are your teachers kind? Ours is the most chill, I bet.”

“Well, teachers are competent,” I mumbled, playing with his fingers intertwined with mine. “But classmates make it difficult.”

“Are you having a hard time blending in?”

“No…” I answered. I answered honestly. “But there’s something that prevents me from connecting with them, like being casual with them.”

His gaze softened and he leaned in on the table. He reached for my head and hugged me. It wasn’t tight but it was comforting. I couldn’t help but be moved, by the way he caressed the palm that he was holding and the way he softly tapped my back.

Getting to know him last summer was the best thing that happened to me. Ever since that outreach program organized by the school took place in the nearest city, we have gotten closer. Even in a relationship now.

“I got you,” he whispered near my ear. “You won’t ever feel lonely.”

I was about to say something when I saw someone from my peripheral vision. Someone familiar but not close. Someone—not a stranger but, well, a classmate.

Ceasar…

A girl was clinging to his arm and he was happily engaged and talking with her. They were walking in the clothing aisle, which was still quite far from the food court—from the table that I and Daniel occupied.

I was about to say something when Daniel let go of my hands and said, “I have to go. The driver is waiting outside.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding. By now, I couldn’t see Ceasar and the girl he was with.

“Let’s drop you off—” I immediately cut off what Daniel was about to say. I don’t want people to think that I am taking advantage of him—with the resources that he has.

“No, I can manage.”

“Are you sure, Trina?” He asked, worry displayed in his eyes. “It’s dark.”

“All good.” We hugged, his arms wrapped around my waist as we bid goodbye.

I decided to walk home to save money instead of paying for the fare. I just have to walk for 15 minutes and I will be arriving home. The streets were filled with noise from cars and people buying from street vendors.

Looking at the surroundings made me realize a lot of people are doing their best to survive the day. I didn’t know how… but something about it was comforting. Knowing we don’t have to triumph each day alone.

Ten minutes away from our house when I started feeling the cold breeze blow. I hugged myself and kept walking. In the darkness, the sky filled with stars looked pretty.

An unexpected swerve from a bicycle caught me by surprise. But the rider didn’t even look back at me. He was wearing the same uniform as me, and a familiar backpack hugged his back. The bicycle stopped and parked in front of the street while I was walking on the other side.

The guy that was riding their hair swayed from the strength of the breeze. And this face was shown. My brow arched when I realized it was Ceasar…

I didn’t know he lived near us.

He parked his bicycle right outside of the gate. Inside was a huge beautiful house.

Then he fished his phone from his bag. Mumbled a few words while holding his cell phone to his ear.

He glanced at the surroundings—towards his back.

I quickly got back to my pace and continued walking, but faster this time.