Crazy For This Girl

Chapter 3

DAMN! He must have ESP or something. Or maybe he knows his classmates would tell on him. He is truly good looking, and I'll give him that. But he is so irritating, and I can't stand it when he is trying to get my attention all the time. I have never dated anyone, but if someone like him becomes my first boyfriend — I might enter the convent!

The time went by quick, and the bell rang. It was lunchtime, and Kathy asked me to go with her. I heard a bunch of guys talking behind us and guess who they were? Quinn and his friends. There were four of them, and I can't remember their names yet.

Kathy and I ordered spaghetti and garlic bread. Iced tea is a popular choice, so that's what we had. We took the empty table near the exit and started eating.

"All eyes are on you," she said.

I looked around, and she's right. All eyes were on me. "But why? Do I have a smear on my face? Do I smell? What is it?"

"You look fine, and you don't smell funny," she said.

"Then what is it?" I was getting irritated that I took a big bite of my garlic bread.

Kathy chuckled. "You've been marked."

"Marked?"

"As Quinn's girlfriend."

What the hell is Kathy talking about now? Who's girlfriend now? "I'm sorry, I don't think I'm following."

"I told you he likes you. I want to see how he's going to pursue you. He went out on dates before but never twice with the same girl. It seemed like he easily gets bored with them," she said then took a sip of her iced tea. "I don't think it's the same with you, though."

"Why?"

"Because he's too intense with you. I've never seen him like that before. It's like — he adores you."

Okay, so my jaw dropped, and I felt like my head is about to explode. I came here to learn — not to date or be anyone's girlfriend.

"You're just probably hungry that's why you're coming up with random thoughts like that." I wanted to say stupid random thoughts, but I don't want to hurt her feelings. We've just met, and she is a nice girl. I want to keep her as a friend.

I heard he counting, and I don't know what for.

"In five.. four.. three.. two.."

"Hi, can we join you?"

I looked around to see if there are other vacant tables, but there's none except ours. We still have four empty seats. I just nodded and continued eating. Is it exaggerated to say I can no longer taste my spaghetti now that Quinn is seated next to me?

"Don't waste your food. Eat it," said Quinn.

I raised one eyebrow. "Really? As far as I know — Joaquin, you asked me if you guys can sit here, but I didn't tell you that you are the boss of me."

He grinned. Damn that smile of his! "Relax, I am just saying you should eat. You need energy for our next class."

"Why is that?"

His friend answered. "She's a terror. I hate Math."

"And you are?" I asked him. He was about Quinn's height. Canadian with his blonde hair, thin lips and blue eyes.

"Sorry, I'm Patrick Donovan."

"I'm Jeffrey Madrigal." Filipino but raised here. I didn't even hear a bit of accent. He has a neatly cut black hair and brown eyes.

"Jason Kirkland here." This one is Canadian too. He has hazel eyes, brown hair and a few freckles on his nose.

Quinn leaned over a bit towards me and whispered. "Don't stare at them."

I hissed at him. Low enough so our friends on the table won't hear. "I wasn't staring."

"Good. If you want to stare at someone, stare at me. I won't mind," then Quinn winked at me. Ugh, he's definitely Canadian.

His friends' shoulders were shaking while they were eating. Kathy was doing the same thing. I felt like they were ganging up on me and the leader of that gang is none other than Joaquin Del Valle.

I whispered to him. "I don't want to stare at you. It's rude."

"I just said I don't mind, didn't I?"

I did an eye-roll. "And didn't you hear me say I don't want to stare at you?"

He smirked but not easily swayed. "You're a first. Most of the girls here spend their time daydreaming about me."

"Argh! You are so irritating." That wasn't a whisper. It was just my normal voice, but everyone at our table heard it. Okay fine, everyone in the cafeteria listened to what I said, and now they are all looking at me. Sh*t! But the one person I expected to get pissed was grinning like a mad man.

"I like you more now than earlier this morning. Feisty," Quinn chuckled and drank his soda.

I swallowed twice. Kathy and the boys were still looking at me but if earlier their mouths were gaping open -- now they're all smiling and giggling while the other girls are looking more pissed off by the second.

"Do something. Everyone is staring at us."

"Let them."

"I don't like it."

I heard him sigh. "Fine."

"Everyone, there's nothing to see here. Continue eating and don't waste your food, please. Thank you."

And just like that, they all went back to eating. What magic does he have to command them like that? It's not a command, Rachel. It's just a simple request. Lunch was over, and we all went back to class. The Math teacher is a terror alright, but I think he's not that bad. Mr Laguerra is about mid-forties, with thinning hair and skinny built. He is wearing thick eyeglasses and doesn't even make me start with the suspenders. Really, who wears that in such a modern time like now? When the bell rang, I quickly put my things back in my knapsack.

"Kathy, I'll go ahead. I'll text you, okay?" We exchanged our numbers earlier, and her mother picks her up every day from school. Their house is about ten minutes drive from here.

"Yes, please. I have to go now. My mom just texted that she's out front. Take care and see you tomorrow," she ran away before she even finished her sentence. Her voice faded like a song.

I barely made two steps outside the classroom when I heard Quinn's voice. I was so sure he forgot about me. As soon as the bell rang, he went out as fast as he could. I thought maybe he had an emergency. So what is doing here right now?

"Let me carry that for you," he said.

"No, it's okay. It's not heavy. Where are your things?"

"In the locker," he said plainly.

"I see." I finally understood why he was rushing to earlier. He put his things in the locker to come back to the classroom on time and carry my bag for me. Was my analogy correct?

"Let me carry it. I promise to give it back to you once we're right in front of your house."

He doesn't take no for an answer, so I gave it to him. We walked home quietly. He walked me to the front door when it swung open. My mom was smiling. "Quinn, thanks for walking her home. Do you want to stay for dinner? I cooked adobo."

"Sure, Mrs Dela Cruz."

Does my mom know him? What? How? Before he entered our house, I stopped him and asked a question.

"How did you know my mother?"

He smiled. "I had a minor bike accident, and your mother was on duty in the emergency department at the time. Then I found out we're neighbours. I live across the street. Now I get to see you whenever I like."

It's not enough that we share the same class, we're also neighbours! Oh hell, this should be interesting. Being seventeen is not as easy as I thought it's going to be. Not when this insane and irritating, hot guy will be hanging around for a while.