Chapter 12

Later in the evening, I've received a message from Bryce. I completely ignored it and don't wanna read anything from him yet. I just do what I have to do and forget about anything about what happened.

When the time comes I have to finally get some rest, I was trying to avoid my inbox, but then there's something in my mind that makes me want to check  what he texted me. 

So, I did, and to my surprise, his message is something I wasn't expecting.

Bryce:
Hey, August. Just to update you, my professor approved the papers! Thanks for you help. There might be a few revision on some lines and all, but all good. We can talk that some other time before the final exams next week. And I'm sorry for what happened last night at the Frat House.

I didn't reply. Hindi ko naman alam kung anong isasagot sa kanya. Though his message isn't bad at all and that somehow made a smile to my face.

Sure thing, may nagawang maganda iyong pagpapakahirap ko sa kanya. There's nothing benefited me in this set-up, and I don't like it, but I'm getting used to it. At excited na rin ako na matapos 'tong week na 'to dahil next week would be the last week of this semester.

I woke up the next day feeling better. I wouldn't still like to bump into Bryce and his friends. I'm not sure if Jaden talks about me, but I hope not.

When I arrived at school, Ruth called in sick. I just told her I would come by her dorm and whatever she would like to bring for her, I will buy it. Go na go naman ang bruha.

While I was at the student lounge trying to occupy myself by putting an earphone and reading a book. This is the only way I can make myself busy without being someone else's business.

My next class would be thirty minutes away pa. I've been all busy at completing all the requirements and I have to do them simultaneously. Supposedly, Ruth and I should be having our graduation shoot later today, but we have to reschedule it the other day dahil nga nagkasakit siya.

Bad timing naman 'yon magkasakit.

While I was in the middle of reading my book, the song I was listening in to got interrupted by a call. I quickly checked who was it and got my brow rose when it shows Bryce's code name on my phone.

Hindi ko sinagot iyong tawag niya. I just let the call ended. Pipili na sana ako ng new music to play, but then he called once again. This time, I ended the call at my frustration and yet, he calls one more time and we did that for quite a few times until I realize he was standing down the hallway and looking at me.

He was alone and no one was walking down the hallway so no one's noticing the way he looked at my direction. Ito namang ilang tao na nasa paligid ko sa student lounge ay walang pakialam at pinagtutuunan lang nila ang mga pansin nila.

This time, when he called again, I answered his call.

"Ano 'yon? Nangungulit ka lang, e."

"Come on, we should talk," he said. 

He ended the call right away and when I looked at him down the hallway, he gestured to me to follow where he goes. Hindi ko alam kung susundan ko ba siya o hindi.

I am having the best time at my position right now and knowing that talking him in person is a risky move. But I still get up from where I was sitting and follow where he goes.

I was very frantic. Palinga-linga ako sa paligid para tingnan na walang nakatingin sa akin o walang nagmamasid. Punong-puno ng kaba ang dibdib ko habang tinatahak ko ang hallway hangga't sa marating ko ang dulo at hindi ko siya matanaw.

Then someone whistled and I looked around searching where it came from. Doon ko na lang din nakita sa loob ng stock room ay nakauwang ang pinto. There I saw Bryce peeking through the side of the door. 

Bago ako tumungo ro'n, I make sure na walang makakakita sa akin. So, when it's all clear, I entered the stock room quickly. It was a very tidy room and we're very close with each other.

I don't know why he decided to hide in here where we could find the nearest bathroom just to be comfortable and have a privacy.

"Sorry," he said. "You said, you'd like no one to see us so we're here..."

"Okay lang..." aniko. "So, anong ginagawa natin dito? You could've said it earlier no'ng tumawag ka sa akin."

"I just wanna thank you personally," he said. "And of course, apologize for what happened my the Frat House. When I came back to you, you were heavily asleep and I couldn't wake you up so I just pulled you out there and put you on the bed. Well, I'm telling you this if you're curious..."

"I was..." I said. "But all good now... iyon lang ba ang sasabihin mo? Can I go now?"

"Uh... yeah... and yes, before you go, we still have things to do with my research paper. You're still gonna help me with it, right?"

I nodded, just wanting to leave this stock room. "Okay... just tell me when."

"Cool..."

I was about to go when I remembered something else. "Oo nga pala... did Jaden mention anything about me?"

"Hm..." He hummed, creasing his forehead. "Nothing about you, but he mentioned to me he thought he saw me woke up so early. I just told him it was me so he didn't question it anymore."

"Oh... good... sige. Gora na ako."

"Sure... see you around."

I didn't look at him before I left the stock room. I just speed my way out and go to my class. I'm not sure why I did that with him, but I guess moving forward, the same thing won't happen again before in the week or so, I wouldn't be able to see his face again and that's a good thing for me.

Very good thing.