Watch your thoughts, they become your words: 13 He's becoming Odd

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Blood was everywhere, and I couldn't look away. The sight only fueled the urge I was fighting, the aphrodisiac still clouding my mind, pushing my reason deeper into the dark.

I struggled to stay focused, forcing myself to keep it together as I dragged Cross up the hill. Every step was a battle against my own body.

He was still groaning in anguish, and I had a feeling he was about to lose consciousness. Akala ko ay kaya ng katawan niya dahil halos kaya niyang patayin ang tatlong lalaki na iyon ngunit heto siya at nanghihina.

Ewan ko rin, dapat ako nga ang nasa situwasyon niya dahil ako ang may tama ng droga. 

He was weaker than I'd realized, and I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened. One minute, I was leaning against him, feeling dizzy, fighting off this relentless feeling, and then he just went for it, claiming my lips out of nowhere.  

The shock left me frozen, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might tear through my chest. That kiss had been soft but fierce, like he knew I needed it even if I didn't.

And, as wrong as it should've felt, it only intensified the fire already raging inside me. At kahit natulak ko na siya nung mapagtanto kong ayaw niyang bitawan ang aking mga labi, hindi parin nawala ang init na aking nararamdaman.

I wanted to shake it off, to pull myself back to reality, but the feeling was buried deep, refusing to let go. Ignoring it felt like fighting a tidal wave.

I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself with the cool night air, focusing on each step as we climbed the hill. But with every step, the pull only grew stronger, the ache settling in my bones, impossible to ignore.

We finally reached the house Cross had insisted on—a small, weathered villa hidden among the trees at the top of the hill. The door creaked loudly as I pushed it open, the hinges protesting after years of neglect.

Inside, the space was bare and cold, with peeling wallpaper clinging to the cracked walls. The floor was covered in dust and scattered debris, and the air smelled faintly of mildew.

I guided Cross through the emptiness, his weight heavy against me, until we reached a spot near the wall where I eased him down. He slumped, struggling to stay awake.

"Sit tight, okay? Let me check those wounds," I murmured, my voice echoing slightly in the hollow space. I scanned the room, my eyes catching a rusted first-aid kit abandoned in the corner of a cupboard.

I grabbed it and knelt in front of him, pulling his shirt up carefully. The gash on his arm was deeper than it looked—dark red blood streaked down to his elbow.

"You're really bleeding here," I whispered, grabbing some antiseptic wipes and dabbing at the wound. He winced, jaw clenched, but didn't move, his eyes fixed on me.

"I'm not sorry, but you're going to feel this," I warned, wrapping his arm firmly with gauze.

As I worked, the raw, aching tension from outside still simmered beneath my skin, but I pushed it down, focusing on each precise movement. 

He watched me closely, the intensity in his gaze making my hands tremble just slightly. "What?" tanong ko na dahil hindi ito maawat kakatitig. 

"Did he touched you?" tanong niya na kinatigil ko. Pilit ko naman inalala ang nangyari ngunit wala naman akong matandaan dahil nawalan nga ako ng malay. "I'm sorry, may nangyari na naman sa'yo dahil sa'kin." 

"Just, shut up. Save your breathe kung ayaw mong mamatay." pagtatapos ko sabay higpit sa benda. Umungol ito ng malalim dahil sa sakit at hinayaan ko nalang siyang indahin iyon.

I looked around the living room of this house, but it was completely empty except for a brand new sofa near the fireplace—the only pieces of furniture in the place.

Nagtaka naman ako kung bakit sa kalumaan ng bahay na'to ay may bagong upuan? Does this guy live hear?

Wala akong nagawa kundi buhatin siya ulit para mahiga sa sofa. Matapos ay hinubad ko ang suot na uniform para ikumot kay Cross. Puno na kasi ng dugo at punit-punit na ang coat nito kaya wala na iyong silbi.

I still had my tank top on me and I could just fire up the fireplace to keep us warm. Pero mukang malabo iyong mangyari dahil kahit pang sindi ay wala. Mayroong mga kahoy ngunit walang posporo o kahit gas.

A low groan escaped me as the cold sank into my skin, the ache settling deep in my bones. I’d always struggled with the cold—it hit me hard, and hypothermia came too easily.

Tonight felt endless. Every minute crawled by as I fought off exhaustion. The adrenaline was gone, leaving me shivering and weak.

Cross was slumped on the sofa, his face pale, eyes half-closed as he struggled to stay conscious. His breathing was shallow, and each breath seemed to take more effort than the last.

I pulled the thin blanket draped over the back of the sofa and wrapped it around his shoulders, but even that and my uniform didn't seem enough. His skin felt cold, almost clammy.

I rubbed my arms, trying to warm up, but it didn’t help much. The cold sank deeper, making my muscles ache even more. I sat beside him, tucking my legs under me for warmth.

"You're cold..." bukambibig nito ng maramdaman ko ang kanyang mga kamay sa aking palad.

I watched him struggle, umusog ito sa sofa, pilit gumawa ng espasyo kahit wala na talaga kaya tinagilid nalang nito ang katawan. "Lay down," paguutos nito at talagang ramdam ko ang pilit niyang binubuong awtoridad.

He called out softly, but there was a strange edge to his words. "I can keep you warm, Ruby. Just lay down..." My mind resisted, alarm bells ringing in the back of my thoughts.

But somehow, my body moved toward him anyway, like his voice had a pull I couldn't fight. Lumapit nga ako sa kanya para mahiga sa kanyang tabi.

I lay back, surprised when he gently pulled me close by the waist. His arm wrapped around me, and I felt his head rest on my shoulder, settling in comfortably.

I closed my eyes as his warmth spread through me, a quiet comfort filling the space. His closeness grounded me, and I matched my breathing with his, savoring the calm.

KINABUKASAN nagising nalang ako bigla dahil sa isang panaginip. Every night, I had the same dream that woke me up shivering. But this time, Cross was near, and the fear I'd felt before was nowhere to be found.

Napuno nalang ako ng pagtataka ngunit hindi ko iyon inalala pa dahil pinaki- ramdaman ko kung buhay paba itong katabi ko. Well, he luckily survived the night even he looks dying sa katam- tamang dugo na nawala sa kanya.

"Gising kana?" he asked as soon as he woke up.

"Hindi, tulog pa..." obvious namang gising na'ko nagtanong pa.

"Where are you going?"

"Get us food?"

"Sama ako..." nagtangka itong bumangon kahit hirap na hirap.

"Kaya mo?" I asked, but he didn't answer. He just had this determined look on his face, so I decided not to push him any further. Instead, I gave a slight nod and we walked out of the park together.

The morning air was cool, and the faint crunch of dried leaves echoed under our feet as we walked back to the car. I stole glances at him, trying to gauge his mood, but his expression was distant, as if lost in thought.

When we reached the car, I slid into the driver’s seat without a word, started the engine, and drove away from the park. It was still too early for many people to be out, but a few cars had already started appearing on the road.

After a few minutes, I spotted a small convenience store at the end of the road and decided to pull over. I stopped the car, glanced over at him dahil nahihirapan itong tanggalin ang seatbelt.

Hindi ko nga rin alam paano niya 'yon na suot. I sighed leaning forward to help him. "Don't move too much." sabi ko sabay sulyap sa kanya.

Sabay kaming lumabas ng kotse niya pero nauna ako sa entrance ng store para pagbuksan siya. Nagtaka pa ito sa ginawa ko pero sinenyasan ko na siyang pumasok.

I did my best just grabbing food as much as I can dahil kagabi pa kami walang kain. Halos mapuno ko naman ang isang basket at ng hanapin si Cross ay nakita ko siyang nakatitig sa mga t-shirt na naka display kaya lumapit ako.

"The girl in the counter almost called for police because of our dress." aniya at binalingan ako.

Napatingin din naman ako sa suot kong natuyuan na ng dugo ni Cross. I probably looked like I got out from a massacre at ganoon din naman ang hitsura niya.

"What color do you want?"

Tinignan ko rin ang mga t-shirts na wala rin namang pinag kaiba. Ibat-ibang kulay lang iyon na may iisang printed logo ng convenience store.

"May pera ka ba?" balik kong tanong sabay kuha sa kulay pulang shirt. He nodded and also grabbed a red one.
"Here, he's gonna pay." sabi ko sabay lapag sa basket sa counter.

Parang nag alinlangan pa iyong babae pero ginawa rin nito ang trabaho niya.
Naiinip akong naghintay na matapos ang pag punch at hindi ko narin napigilan ang sarili. I grabbed one of the sandwich bread and immediately took a bite as soon as I opened it.

"Ruby..." I heard him groaned.

"What? I'm hungry." I shot back with my mouth full.

"How much?" Cross asked while fishing for his wallet. Sinilip ko naman ang monitor at halos umabot ng limang libo ang babayaran niya.

As I watched, he seemed to hesitate, reaching for a sleek black card instead. The card exuded an air of exclusivity, hinting at a life of high status.

Right—Aoike once mentioned his dad was a business tycoon, so that card probably had an unlimited balance, an emblem of wealth at his fingertips.

"Bakit ang dami mong binili?" tanong nito ng makalabas.

"You need to feed me..."

"And if I hadn't pay for it?"

I turned to him. "I'd bite and chew you." I jokingly answered.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk dancing at the corners of his mouth as he followed me back to the car. "You'd really bite me, huh? That's a little savage, even for you."

My lips curled up, sliding into the driver's seat. Nilagay ko muna sa likod ang mga pinamili ko bago kinuha sa mga kamay niya ang t-shirt.

Without much thought, agad kong hinubad ang suot ko and had Cross glanced over, eyes widening a bit before he quickly looked away.

I saw his knuckles tightening around the cloth his holding and paused, catching his flustered expression. "What, never seen someone change before?"

He cleared his throat, keeping his gaze stubbornly forward. "Not exactly like this, no."

I grinned, slipping into my fresh shirt and adjusting it comfortably. "You act like you've never seen a bit of flesh."

Cross's face flushed, and he scoffed. "What do you take me for, a pervert?"

"Aren't you?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He nearly choked, "The heck, I'm not!"

"Yeah?" I shot back, leaning in with a smirk. "Says the guy who kissed and touched me while I was asleep."

He stiffened, glancing over with a mixture of guilt and indignation, his mouth opening to protest, but no words came out. Instead, he drummed his fingers against his lap, a quiet silence hanging between us as he searched for an excuse.

He did unconsciously rubbed my belly last night and I admit, nakatulog ako dahil doon. But there's no way I'm telling him that. Bahala siyang manigas kakaisip sa mga unconscious desires niya.

Nang makabalik sa lumang villa ay agad kong tinungo ang kitchen para mabasa itong bimpo na binili ko. Paano ba kasing wala man lang ka shower-shower ang bahay na'to. Buti na lang at gumagana ang gripo sa kusina.

I made him stop preparing for food and let him sat on the sofa. Wala akong sinabing kahit ano at pinunit ang natitira niyang suot. "Can you be gentle?" reklamo nito dahil sa gulat.

"I can't, I'm ruthless." sagot ko at sinimulan na siyang punasan. Inuna ko muna ang sugat niya bago ang katawan niyang may katamtamang hubog at laki.

I can say it's toned at may abdominal muscles pa pero hindi iyon gaya ng katawan ni Dirk na mas maganda at
well toned. Pagkatapos ng ilang piga at punas ay binihisan ko narin siya.

"How about you?" he asked.

"Gusto mo rin akong punasan?"

"No," he aggressively said. Bahagya naman ako napangisi... "I mean, wala ng malinis na tuwalya."

"Para sa'yo lang naman talaga ang binili ko. I'll go home after these," turo ko sa mga pagkain.

"Uuwi ka na?" tanong niya, eyebrow slightly raised.

"Bakit, ayaw mo ba?" I shot back, trying to be playful.

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Nagtatanong lang ng maayos, Rubianna."

"Ang seryoso mo naman," I crack, before adding, "Kailangan ko talagang umuwi. May naghihintay sa bahay." Naisip ko ang pusang galang iyon.

He nodded slowly. "And... aren't we supposed to show up at school today?" I asked.

"Mm, right. "

"Baka mag-alala na mga kaibigan mo kung hindi ka nila makita."

Cross shrugged. "As if they'll notice anything else when you're around."

Natigil ako sa sinabi niya. Is he jealous? Gorblimey, alam niya naman sigurong hindi siya pinansin ng dalawa kahapon dahil sa tampuhan nila. At malinaw na malinaw na hindi dahil sa akin.

That's their own issues, I muttered, shrugging. Friends are supposed to be the ones who don't lie, right? But honestly, I bet friends are the greatest liars of all. Even Adofo lied to me. And he wasn't just a friend... he was family. I guess that makes it worse.

"I can drive you home in one hand." prisinta niya ng magpa tuloy ako pababa.

Kulit din ng isang 'to... "I can go home in my two feet, two legs, two hands, two eyes—" I immediately pause as I sense his heavy aura again.

"Don't make fun of me, Ruby."

Napangiwi nalang ako sa huli. Dalawang kamay na nga ginamit niya pero binunggo parin ako, pa'no nalang kapag isa na lang? Matutuluyan na ako? Ha! Rolds, have mercy.

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He managed to get me home safely, steering with only his right arm, handling the wheel with effortless control. Even with the roads starting to crowd, he drove smoothly, never breaking a sweat, as if the road chaos was nothing but a calm river to him.

We pulled up at the corner, the same spot where he'd dropped me off before. He stopped the engine and leaned over, glancing out the window, trying to catch a glimpse. "Where's your house, exactly?" he asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

"Just down the street," I replied, gesturing vaguely, not really wanting him to see the exact place. "Thanks for the ride."

He tilted his head, his eyes studying me for a moment, as if he wanted to say something else but held back. "Gonna pick you up?" halos pabulong niyang sabi sa sarili ng makababa na'ko.

My forehead furrowed; he's becoming increasingly odd by the day... Gaano ba ka lulong sa droga ang lalaking 'to? "Don't try so hard, Cross. Stop being guilty, I'm not blaming you for anything, anyway..." I mattered, hoping he would stop.

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