"W-what?"

"You're Raya?" He asked, but more like stated. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya, why was he still asking eh mukhang alam na niya!

Seryoso ang mukha niya and his eyebrows were raised a little as if he was telling me to stop hiding it.

"Yohan! Where'd you go- Oh, hello!" Julienne greeted me with a smile on her face, mukhang hindi naman niya 'yon pinepeke kaya ngumiti na rin ako pabalik sa kanya, but shyly.

Hindi niya siguro naintindihan ang ngiti ko kaya bahagyang napakunot ang noo niya. I probably looked constipated!

"Hi. Um... Bye." I awkwardly said before turning away from them. For once nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya dahil nandito siya. I could use her as an excuse to walk away.

"Okay..." She awkwardly trailed pero bago pa ako makapaglakad papaalis, hinawakan na ni Yohan ang palapulsuhan ko.

"Stop. We need to talk." Pag-pigil niya sa akin, his voice stern.

Anong sasabihin ko?! Ano 'to, magko-confess ako sa harap ng jowa niya?? Hello ako si Raya, crush ko jowa mo! Pasensya na, nasira ko moment niyo!

"Yohan tinatawag na tayo ni Ma'am." Julienne rolled her eyes at him, mukhang naiirita na, and when I looked at him, he looked defeated.

He let go of my hand at nakahinga na ako ulit. "Pag-uusapan natin mamaya, don't you dare hide from me."

I swallowed hard and awkwardly walked away, habang naglalakad ako paalis, nararamdaman ko pa rin ang titig niya sa akin. Julienne had to drag him away para lang makapunta sila dun sa meeting nila.

When they were gone, siyempre hindi na ako tumuloy sa canteen. Nang makaalis na rin sila, dun na ako nag-overthink.

WHAT THE FVCK! He knows who I am!

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.

My heart started beating faster as I walked towards the classroom. May mga tao pa akong muntikang mabangga.

Alam niyang crush ko siya, alam niyang ako yung nagsusulat ng mga:

'Hi Kuya Yohan! Ang bango ng tshirt niyo pwedeng akin ka nalang??'

'Hi crush, iniba ko na panulat ko para hindi na ako mabura sa isip mo <33'

OH MY GOSH! NAIIYAK AKO!

Hiyang-hiya ako sa sarili ko ngayon. Ano ka ba Riley!

Pero no! I don't cry! Paninindigan natin yun, gusto ko siya!

Pero bakit sa ganitong paraan niya pa nalaman?!

My knees grew weak with every step I took, nanghihina buong katawan ko sa kaba! Tapos mukhang galit pa siya sa akin kanina!

What if... What if ayaw niya pala si Raya?! Oh my gosh, nakakatakot pa naman siyang sumigaw. Yung dream ko dati na sigawan niya ako parang magiging nightmare na mamaya!

Nawala yung pagta-tampo ako, napalitan ng takot. Hindi dapat ganito, hindi ko pinlano 'to.

"Huy!" I finally looked up nang alugin ni Mon ang buong katawan ko, hindi ko namalayang kanina ko pa pala hawak-hawak yung door knob namin.

"Are you okay?" Naga-alalang tanong niya, still holding unto my shoulders.

Nagulat siya nang ipatong ko ang ulo ko sa balikat niya, lalo na siguro nang bigla akong tumawa.

She pushed me away with furrowed eyebrows, "What- Riley, tumatawa ka ba or umiiyak?"

"I don't know!" I frustratingly exclaimed, tumatawa ako pero lumalabas nalang nang kusa ang mga luha ko, I couldn't control them!

She didn't know what to do so she awkwardly patted my back, trying to comfort me pero naguguluhan din siya dahil sa pag-tawa ko.

I chuckled once again.

"Napano yan?" Tanong ni Jasmine, looking worried as well now. Tatlo na kaming nasa labas ngayon, napa-upo nalang ako sa sahig.

"I don't... know?"

"Gagi. Nag-lag?"

Mon left me outside to get something from her bag. Nang makabalik siya, dala-dala na niya ang tubig at pamunas.

I'm so stupid.

I'm so stupid.

"I'm so stupid.."

Mon wiped away my tears as she frowned, ayaw akong nakikitang ganito. "Huy, what's wrong?"

I haven't told anyone about the letters kaya umiling nalang ako and tried to calm myself down. I felt so overwhelmed, tapos naiirita pa ako dahil may jowa na siya, dahil din sa muntikan naming pag-aaway ni Mama kaninang umaga!

I felt so frustrated.

Bakit niya pa kailangang malaman kung kailan may jowa na siya??

Maybe if they weren't together it would've been okay. Kasi may pag-asa na siguro ako nun! Timing nga naman napaka-epal! Maybe mas okay na rin kung hindi niya nalaman, I would be able to stop giving him letters without worrying nun.

"Uncrush ko na si Kuya Yohan," I said with finality in my voice. Ayaw ko namang pag-sulat pa siya kung may jowa na siya, hindi ako magiging kabit 'no!

Mon and Jasmine looked at each other with frowns on their faces.

"Nabalitaan mo na?" Jasmine asked and I nodded my head, making her sigh.

Tumabi sa akin si Mon before giving me a side hug at hinayaan ko lang siyang patahanin ako. "We're sorry."

They knew how much I liked him, hindi na mere crush yun 'no! Kine-kwento ko rin kay Mon yung nangyari siyempre. Ang laki pa ng ngiti niya nun as I told her about me visiting Yohan's house.

Hindi pa naman masakit, siguro mamaya masakit na. Maybe it'll hurt when I go back to writing on my journal instead of writing to him. Sana hindi gaano! Woo, kaya ko 'to!

Kaya ayaw kong dumedepende sa iba, eh!

The first bell rang kaya kinailangan na naming bumalik sa classroom. Buti nalang yung mga ibang students nakapasok na sa classrooms nila while I was breaking down, walang masyadong nakakita sa akin.

Ugh, I feel pathetic!

Kapag nakikita ni Mon na nakatulala ako, she would squeeze my hand to give me some sort of comfort.

'Okay lang ako,' I mouthed kaya bumalik na siya sa pagsu-sulat ng notes after nodding, pero hindi pa rin nawala ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

Ay subukan talaga 'tong saktan ni Theo malilintikan yun sa akin.

Hindi ako makapag-focus sa klase. I kept thinking of ways on how to tell him, sasabihin ko na rin naman na titigil na ako para hindi na siya naaabala.

As the time passes, kumakalma naman ako. As long as I stick to the script I created inside my head, magiging ayos lang ang lahat!

The day went by as usual, isa nalang yung klase tapos practice na, since palapit na yung intrams, mas napapadalas yung training. Next week wala yatang mga classes, yay!

"Good Afternoon, students!" Narinig ko ang boses ni Yohan sa speakers namin at parang nabuhayan kaming lahat.

"Please be at your training areas in twenty minutes..."

He started to announce where the training areas of each team was at hinintay ko lang ang volleyball team ng yellow. "Yellow team volleyball, volleyball gym."

Yay!

Dahil sa nangyari dati, nagdadala na ako ng mga pwede ipalupot sa kamay ko at sa braso but looks like I won't be needing them today.

When the announcements were done, we all stood up para ayusin ang mga gamit namin. "Hi! Una na ako." Nagmamadaling pagpa-paalam ni Mon, not wanting to waste anymore time. Nahuli raw ata siya kahapon dahil sa cheering.

Tumango nalang ako and let her go before me.

Nagbihis muna ako sa may locker room. I wore my school jersey at yung cycling shorts ko. Gosh, ang iksi na! I need to buy new ones soon.

Nagulat ako when I saw Yohan outside, looking for someone.

When he saw me, his eyes scanned my body but he immediately looked away, his ears reddening.

I hesitantly walked up to him at nilagay ko ang gym bag ko sa tabi niya. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?"

"Making sure you don't run away," sagot niya, making me sigh and roll my eyes.

"Hindi naman kita tatakasan!"

"Hindi natin sure, mag-training ka na dun, go," pag-utos niya kaya tumango nalang ako, wala nang magawa.

I felt nervous as I trained, many of the girls were trying to get him to look at them. Maypa taas-taas pa ng shorts nila! May jowa na yan, hoy!

His eyes bore into the side of my head, ang intense pa rin ng titig niya! I tried to calm myself down para naman umayos na ang laro ko.

I told them to do their stretching at ako na rin yung nag-lead. Yung mga na-late sa practice pinatakbo ko'ng dalawang beses sa buong campus after stretching.

They looked at me, looking so tired pero tinaasan ko lang sila ng kilay. Ayan kasi, pagala-gala pa! Pinasali ko na sila sa game at dumating na si coach after a while.

"Sorry guys, may inasikaso lang. Continue."

Nakisali na ako sa kanila dahil nandito naman na si coach.

We trained for about an hour bago kami nag-break. When I looked at the bleachers, Yohan was still there, watching me.

Habang nagte-training kami, nakikisali pa siya sa mga lalake, pero mukhang napagod na yata.

I gave him a small smile as I sat down beside him. Kinuha ko ang pamunas ko dahil pawis na pawis na ako. I also took off my headband and fixed my hair. "Hindi ka ba nabo-bored?"

Umiling siya and handed me his water bottle, "Nope."

"Para saan yan?" Nagtatakang tanong ko as I pointed to his bottle. I made sure my hair was tightly tied at nilagay ko na rin yung headband ko for extra support.

"Hindi ka nagdala, diba?"

"Oh! Right. Kaso 'wag na," pag-tanggi ko kaagad, what would his girlfriend feel kapag nalaman niyang ininuman ko pala yung bote ni Yohan, diba? "Bibili nalang ako sa canteen."

I stood up and got my things, thirty minutes naman yung break namin eh kaya pwede akong umalis.

"Uhm. Okay." He stood up as well at kinuha niya sa akin yung bag ko pero inagaw ko yun pabalik.

"Baka ma-issue tayo ng mga tao."

He cleared his throat at tumango siya.

I expected him to go somewhere else pero sinundan niya pa talaga ako papuntang canteen!

Yung cheering team ng red sa canteen sila nagpa-practice so a smile made its way to my face when I saw Jasmine there.

The benches were moved to the side at lahat ng mga cheerers ay nakatayo, may hawak-hawak pa silang mga placard na red at white.

Nang makita ako ni Jas, she was about to wave pero naging mapang-asar ang mukha niya when she saw me with Yohan.

Inirapan ko siya at pumunta na ako dun sa nagbe-benta ng mga inumin. "I should tell Julienne to steal red's idea," pagbibiro ni Yohan sa akin kaso hindi ako natuwa.

Kay, share mo lang? Chariz.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin and I bought water. "Sabi ko sa'yo mag-provide na kayong libreng tubig eh."

He chuckled as he remembered one of my letters. "I proposed it already. 'Wag kang mag-alala," he said, making me grin.

"Bigyan niyo akong credits!"

Bumili na rin siya ng chocolate drink na napaka-mahal, thirty for a cup! I waited for him at sinundan na niya ako ulit pabalik sa court.

"Wala ka bang kailangang gawin? Hindi naman kita tataguan, eh."

The officers were roaming around and searching for people na nagsi-skip or tumatakas sa training. Kapag nahuli ka, your team will get deduction points. Tapos siya, pinapanuod lang niya ako mag-training!

"I told the officers I would be helping out the volleyball team. And it's true, I'm helping the guys train."

"Ikaw talaga, abuse of power!" Pag-aakusa ko, making him laugh. "Hindi ka ba kasali sa basketball?"

He shrugged. "Kasali."

"O... Ba't?? I-report kita eh!"

"Sabi ko kay Kyle i-bangko lang ako." He laughed. "I have duties, Riley. I'm the team leader. Hindi naman ako pwedeng sa basketball lang. Pwede nga rin akong makisali sa volleyball team eh."

So the team leaders are all-rounders? Alam ko pati sa cheering kasali siya eh, I feel like he would be great at badminton too.

"You're kind of good..." Pag-compliment ko sa kanya. He was tall and he made playing look so easy.

"You were watching me?" He teased, making me roll my eyes at him. Siyempre, papanoorin ko siya, gusto ko siya eh! Kahit na bawal.

"Alam mo na sagot ko riyan."

My answer made him grin and he bit his lip to try to suppress it. Keyword, try.

"You should go to the basketball team. I promise I'll meet you later." Pangungulit ko sa kanya when we made it to the front of the basketball court.

"And what if you don't?"

"I like you, bakit ako magsisinungaling sa'yo?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko nahahanap yung katapangan ko, but it's working!

He arched his brow as well but mukhang natuwa siya sa sinabi ko. "You already have, Riley. Countless times."

I sighed and nodded. "Just... Believe me. Hindi ako makapag-focus tuwing nanunuod ka. Do you want our team to lose?"

"Fine. I'll come pick you up. Kailan kayo matatapos?"

"Bukas."

"Riley."

I laughed, "Mamayang 6!" Maayos na sagot ko at tumango na siya, satisfied with my answer.

"I'll be there at 5."

I nodded my head and waited for him to get inside pero instead of doing that, naglakad siya papuntang volleyball court.

"Hatid na kita." He said without looking at me kaya napangiti ako. Pota ka, kinikilig ka pa talaga tigilan mo yan, self!

Nang mahatid na niya ako, umalis na siya at dumiretso na sa basketball court.

I was the first one there kaya pinanuod ko muna ang mga lalake, ang daming nanunuod sa kanilang nagla-laro at puro tili nalang ang mga naririnig ko.

May mga iba pang nagtatanggal ng mga jersey nila, making me cringe and look away. Ano 'to, bold?!

"Riley!" Tawag ng captain nila sa akin and I gave him a small wave. He's one of the people I met last year nung hindi pa kami nagta-transfer dito.

Maganda ang volleyball team nila dito so I always wanted attend this school, buti nga pumayag si mama na ilipat ako.

"Huy!" Pag-acknowledge ko sa kanya because I forgot what his name was... Something... G...

He approached me with a smile on his face. "Hey! Long time no see," sabi niya and gave me a fist bump.

Naki-chika ako sa kanya hanggang sa dumating na ang mga ka-team ko, he still hasn't mentioned his name! But it was easy talking to him dahil social siyang tao.

I looked at the time at wala namang na-late sa kanilang lahat.

"See you around!" He said before running to his team at ako naman, tumakbo na rin sa team mates ko. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano'ng pangalan niya, masama na ba akong tao??

Nag training na kami ulit and like Yohan had said, dumating siya an hour before we got dismissed.

He started playing with the guys again. Ito nanaman po tayo, distracted nanaman po si captain niyo!

Napaawang ang labi ko when he wiped his face with his shirt, showing his abs.

May abs!

My brain started to malfunction na yata kaya hindi ko man namalayan na nasa sahig na pala ako. Natamaan ako ng bola!

Hindi 'to pwede, parang lalo ko lang siyang nagiging crush!

"Riley!" Nag-aalalang sigaw ng coach namin and I looked at her, shocked.

May abs si Yohan.

World, hindi ko na kaya.

"I'm okay." I managed to mutter kaya napabuntong hininga si Coach.

Nakuha namin ang atensyon ni Yohan so he rushed towards us. Lumuhod siya sa harapan ko at may nagbigay sa kanya ng icepack.

He immediately put it on the part of my head that I was rubbing.

Nagaalala niya akong tinignan,"Hey. Ayos ka lang?"

May abs ka.

"Ah... ha-ha." I chuckled awkwardly kaya lalo siyang nag-alala. "Sorry, I was... distracted."

May abs ka!

Tapos nakita ko!

First time ko makakita ng gano'n!

My virgin eyes!

Gusto kong magwala, hindi ko kinaya yon.

Parang gusto kong kagatin.

He helped me up at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko when he wrapped my arms around his shoulders. We were so close, naaamoy ko na siya.

Pinaupo niya ako sa bleachers and I just looked at him in shock. Pangalawang beses ko nang ma-ganito sa araw na ito, tapos yung dalawang yun dahil pa sa kanya!

"Are you really okay? Gusto mong pumunta sa clinic??"

Umiling ako kaagad dahil anong sasabihin ko pag nakarating ako dun?! Ganito po talaga ako dahil nakita ko yung katawan ng crush ko.

"This.. This is all your fault."

Napakunot ang noo niya pero wala akong balak i-explain sa kanya ang ibig sabihin ko.

Coach asked me to go home early kaya yun ang ginawa ko. Yohan waited for me as I showered at nag-handa nanaman ako sa pag-uusapan namin.

I took a deep breath before heading out of the shower room. Bumalik na ako sa court and found Yohan patiently waiting for me. Mukhang nag-palit na rin siya ng damit and his hair was also wet.

When he saw me, tinanguan niya ako to gesture 'let's go'.

Bumuntong hininga muna ako bago ko siya nilapitan, feeling awkward again. "So... Saan tayo..?"

"Tara kain?"

Natigilan ako nang ilang segundo but I nodded my head slowly, gutom na rin naman ako. Naglakad na kami palabas ng campus and he greeted the guards goodbye at ingat nang makita sila sa gate.

"Saan tayo kakain?" Tanong ko dahil mukhang magba-byahe pa kami.

"Hmm... Gusto ko ng burger steak, ikaw?"

I thought about it, at nang wala akong maisip, tumango nalang ako. Favorite ko naman yun, eh! Unhealthy pero lagi ko yun binibili sa school. "Yun na rin."

I was expecting him to take me to Jollibee pero instead, dinala niya ako sa isang restawran na mukhang bahay sa labas. It looked like one of those traditional homes tapos mailaw sa loob, mayroon pa silang balkonahe sa may second floor, ang ganda!

Sa loob, maraming taong kumakain at mukhang mamahalin ang mga pagkain doon. "Huy wala akong pera." I whispered to him with wide eyes, making him chuckle. Pang fast food lang yung pera ko, beh!

"Don't worry, I'll treat you." Bulong niya pabalik.

He pulled a seat out for me bago siya umupo sa harap ko. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa mga nakita kong prices, it wasn't expensive at all!

Pero sa mukha ng mga kinakain ng mga tao rito, pang fine-dining!

I looked at Yohan, both impressed and shocked. "Favorite ko rito," saad niya as he looked at my face with an amused expression.

"Paano mo nahanap?" I gave him a grin before looking at the menu once again. Tunog masarap lahat!

"Hmm... Nagutom lang ako isang araw tapos nakita kong pinapasukan ito ng mga tao. It became my secret little place."

I looked around and recognized a few things from his photography account. Lagi nga siyang nandito.

I gave him a smile before putting the menu down. "Anong o-order-in mo? Yun na rin yung akin, burger steak ba?"

He nodded his head. "Drinks?"

"Tubig nalang." Ayaw ko nang mag-maarte pa, siya manlilibre eh!

"How about iced tea?"

I shrugged, "Sige, kung gusto mo." Bahagya siya natawa at tumango siya bago niya tinawag yung waiter.

He told them what our orders were and after a few minutes, dumating na ang pagkain.

We talked about everything but the letters, tingin ko ayaw niya pang pag-usapan kaya hinayaan ko nalang. It would be too awkward..

"Usually tuwing bakasyon umuuwi kami sa La Union, it's been a while since I went there."

"Dun ka ba lumaki?" Tanong ko sa kanya at umiling siya.

"Yung nanay ko at si Tito dun sila lumaki tapos nandun din yung lolo't lola ko, few of my cousins are there, actually marami kami kasi pito yung kapatid ng lola ko, it's never boring there."

I sighed, sana all. All of my cousins are pretentious people, nakaka-drain silang kasama. "It must be nice." I smiled as I looked at him and he gave me a small one back.

"Is it.. that bad?"

I looked up thinking. "Hindi ko rin sure." I chuckled. "I feel like sometimes I'm just whining, sanay naman na ako sa sitwasyon namin but sometimes, it just hurts a little more. Sometimes lang naman hindi all of the time, ha-ha!"

Agad kong pinalitan ang topic namin, ayaw ko namang maging malungkot kami rito.

"I had a hard time pronouncing my name when I was a kid." Pag-kwento niya, "Wala kasi akong letter h, so I pronounced my name as Yo-an."

Bahagya akong natawa dahil ang cute!

"But si Kyle, para raw hindi ako pagtawanan ng mga bata, 'Yan' nalang daw yung nickname ko, and that's why he calls me that sometimes."

I liked listening to his stories, akala ko dati hindi ko siya madadaldalan nang ganito, feel ko nasabi ko na sa kanya ang buong talambuhay ko!

But soon, the time came.

"So..." I trailed and he pursed his lips bago siya bumuntong hininga. Natapos na kaming kumain at well... I wanted to address the elephant in the room.

"The letters," we said in unison.

We nodded our heads at binigyan ko siya ng maliit na ngiti. "When did you find out?"

"Last week. Bakit ka nagtatago sa akin?" Tanong niya pabalik.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Answer the question, Riley."

"I didn't think it would matter. I didn't even think that you'd look for me, ni hindi man nga ako sigurado dati kung babasahin mo yung mga yun eh. But... You did."

"Pero bakit hindi mo sinabi sa'kin na ikaw si Raya nung tinanong kita??"

"I wanted to! I was looking for the right time, pero naging friends na tayo and I didn't want to make it awkward for us."

He arched his brow. "Awkward ba tayo ngayon??"

"W-well hindi.."

"You write me for months, Riley. You expected me not to get curious? Tingin mo hindi kita hahanapi-"

His phone started to ring, cutting him off. I looked at it at nakitang tumatawag sa kanya si Julienne, "Excuse me."

He picked up the call at lumayo muna siya sa table para kausapin si Julienne, his girlfriend.

My eyes widened as I realized what I was doing.

I'm eating with her boyfriend at kami lang dalawa. We looked like we were having a date! Tapos siya pa yung manlilibre.

Oh my gosh, ano bang pumasok sa utak ko?!

I waited for him to finish the call at kumuha na rin ako ng pera mula sa wallet ko habang wala siya.

"Oo na, pupuntahan kita mamaya. Bye. Sorry, that was Julienne..." He said before putting his phone down.

Kumunot ang noo niya nang ilapag ko ang bayad ko sa lamesa.

"Um. You should go to your girlfriend, baka maghintay pa siya nang matagal." I stood up at sinuot ko na ang bag ko.

"Riley-"

"And don't worry. I won't get in the way of the two of you. I'll stop writing."

"WOOOH!! Early dismissal!" Sigaw ni Justin nung nasa hallway na kami kaya masama namin siyang tinignan. Baka mamaya hindi pa kami palabasin dahil sa pag-iingay niya, eh!

The four of us were walking towards the basketball court para kitain yung mga iba. Na-dismiss na rin yata sila but their building was still so far.

"Saan tayo mga erp?" Tanong niya sa amin, already assuming that we would all hang out somewhere, well, sa true naman.

Pagod na pagod kami buong week kaka-practice kaya masaya kaming may rest day!

"Did you message Daph already?" Tanong ni Mon sa kanya pabalik at tumango siya. "Tara swimming."

"Tama ka na beh, kaka-swimming palang natin nung isang araw."

"Ano nalang, KTV!" Jasmine excitedly clapped her hands at Justin's suggestion. Hm... Pwede rin. I shrugged and slowly nodded my head.

"Ano ba gusto mong gawin, Riles?"

"Basta ayaw ko pa umuwi." I chuckled.

"May bilyaran din dun sa KTV alam ko." My eyes lit up, matagal ko nang gustong subukan yun! Tapos kung hindi ko kaya e di kakanta nalang ako.

"Sige pre, dun nalang!"

We waited for Kyle, Daphne, and Theo at sabay-sabay na kaming pumunta gamit ang sasakyan ni Kyle. Game naman sila basta hati-hati kami sa pagkain.

When we made it to the place, nagpalit kami ng damit sa banyo.

I frowned when I saw Daphne's legs, shorts lang yung nadala niya kaya nakita namin yung tuhod niya, puno ng pasa. "Napano yan?"

She laughed. "Nahulog ako habang nagpa-practice kahapon. It's fine, sanay naman akong hindi sinasalo."

I rolled my eyes and chuckled, "Tanga."

Nakita ko yung cheerdance ng red kahapon nung nag practice sila. Daphne was always getting lifted up and thrown into the air. Nai-imagine ko palang yung pagka-hulog niya, napapangiwi na ako.

Pumasok na kami sa may bilyaran habang sina Jasmine, kumuha ng KTV room.

When Theo saw me, he clicked his tongue disapprovingly kaya napataas ang kilay ko. "Problema mo?"

He sighed and playfully shook his head. "Kayong mga yellow-" Bumuntong hininga nanaman siya, parang hindi matuloy ay gustong sabihin.

"Ano??"

"He's salty 'cause lagi kayo yung nakakapag-practice sa gym." Mon laughed.

"Dalawang beses lang naman kami nag-gym kahapon, piling mo!" Nagro-rotate din naman yun every after break!

"Kami nga, isa lang eh! Tapos pinaalis pa kami agad!" I laughed because he looked so genuinely hurt.

"Ay beh, may tsismis pala ako sa blue," sabi ko kay Mon, making her grin. Si Theo naman ngayon ang napataas ng kilay.

"Wait, yan ba yung tumalon sa pool??"

"Totoo yun??" Nagtatakang tanong ko because I wasn't even sure! Minus one hundred points daw sila!

Theo scratched his head, frowning now. "Anong totoo??"

"Matic fourth place na kayo gago." His eyes widened.

"Gago ka, bakit??" He looked at me and then at Mon, asking for answers.

"Yung basketball players niyo raw, they went swimming dun sa pool nati-" Mon explained but was cut off by Kyle's laughter.

"Totoo yun! Muntikan na akong sumali." He said as he grinned, mukhang proud pa siya! Batukan ko 'to eh muntikan pa niya kaming bigyang minus points.

"Sino-sino ba kayo?" Naiinis na tanong ni Theo, mukhang nawalan na ng pag-asa para sa team niya.

"Sina Oliveros."

"Ew why would you mention that name?" Daphne cringed habang nilalagay niya yung gamit niya dun sa mga upuan. Si Jasmine nakapasok na rin sa bilyaran.

"Sino ba yun?" Sabay na pag-tanong namin ni Mon.

"Bestie ni Daphne." Jasmine answered teasingly kaya napairap si Daphne sa kanyang kapatid. So, hindi niya best friend...?

"Singer yun! I mean, nagsisimula palang gano'n. But he's a singer, nagbabanda rin." Kyle explained to us at tumango kaming dalawa ni Mon.

"But he already made a lot of songs." Daphne followed.

"Ui, ba't alam mo?" Ani Jasmine.

"Tanga."

"Huy sama raw si Yan sa atin." My head snapped to Kyle's direction and my eyes widened, he was looking at his phone at mukhang nagre-reply siya kay Yohan.

I've been avoiding him since the night at the restaurant! At siya naman, sama nang sama sa grupo namin these past few days, nung isang araw sumama pa siya sa mall kaya umuwi nalang ako nun.

I still write him letters. Siyempre hindi ko kaagad yun matitigil, I just never send them anymore. Especially now that Julienne knows who I am. Her warm smiles became small ones but she didn't treat me any differently. Buti nalang ay mabait siya.

"Sige, g lang," kaswal na sagot ni Daphne. Si Mon naman nag-aalalang tumitingin sa akin and I gave her a tight smile.

Pota.

Pumunta na kami sa isang billiards table and started to compete with each other. "Riley, try mo na dali!" Nakangiting saad ni Daphne as she offered me a cue stick.

It was her, Kyle, and I versus Justin, Jasmin and Theo. Mon was sadly busy with her school works kaya nasa table siya, gumagawa. Nakasimangot pa siya habang ginagawa ang mga yun, simang talaga.

I grinned before taking the cue stick from Daphne. "Paano yung kamay?" Tanong ko dahil wala talaga akong ideya kung paano mag-laro.

Kyle approached me and showed me how he placed his hand when he played at ginaya ko siya. "Ganito?"

Tumango siya at tinuro niya yung puting bola. "Hit the solids, yung walang puti." Tumango ako and aimed for the red one dahil yun yung pinaka malapit.

Tinira ko na yung puting bola and instead of moving forward, tumalon ito at nilagpasan ang pula. Bwiset!

Kyle burst into a fit of laughter kaya tinignan ko siyang masama. Napangiti rin ang iba naming kaibigan and Justin was glad to play dahil wala akong natamaan.

After Justin missed the third ball, turn nanaman namin. "Oh, ikaw ulit." Kyle handed me the cue stick again at natawa ulit siya dahil sa malungkot kong mukha.

This time, yung number 4 naman yung gusto kong tamaan. "Ibaba mo pa yung katawan mo so you would aim it better," pag-advice ni Daphne kaya sinunod ko siya.

Tinamaan ko yung bola and a smile made its way to my face nang mahulog yun sa butas. I clapped my hands in joy and my friends cheered for me.

"Galing! O, isa pa," saad ni Kyle at napasimangot ako. Ayaw ko na!

"Ikaw nalang."

He laughed before taking the cue stick from me at bumalik na ako kung saan nakaupo sina Mon. She was still doing her schoolworks pero napakunot ang noo ko when she started to talk to someone.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad when I saw Yohan sitting there beside her, his eyes fixated on me.

He gave me a small smile at binalik ko yun sa kanya, it felt so awkward! "Uh-"

"Gio, saan ka pupunta??"

"Wait lang 'pre!"

I looked to my side and saw the volleyball team captain ng boys sa yellow team. I managed to know his name after a few days, buti nalang hindi siya na-offend nung tinanong ko sa kanya.

"Riley, hi!" Bati niya sa akin na may ngiti sa kanyang mukha kaya binalik ko yun. My eyebrows furrowed nung ituro niya bigla ang sarili niya. "Gio."

"Ahh..." I laughed. "Alam ko na, ha-ha! Sorry talaga dahil dun!"

He chuckled as well. "It's fine, I'm just playing with you. Anyway, you're with your friends?"

Tinanguan ko siya bago ko tinuro ang mga kaibigan kong naglalaro pa rin. "How about you?"

"Friends ko rin. You play?" Agad akong umiling, making him chuckle. "Gusto mong... turuan kita?" Pag-offer niya and I honestly thought about it. Nakakatamad!

"Ay! No need. May na-shoot naman akong isa eh!"

"Sure?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, babalik nalang ako sa mga kaibigan ko! Thanks for offering though."

"I'll see you around."

"You too!"

I took a deep breath before turning around to face my best friend and well... Him. Buti nalang ay hindi na siya nakatingin sa akin pero nilingon naman niya ako nang ilang segundo.

"Sino yun? Friend mo?" Tanong ni Mon and I nodded my head before sitting down next to Yohan, wala nang ibang pwedeng upuan! Yung mga gamit kasi ni babaita nasa mga upuang katabi niya.

"Theo knows him, varsity rin sa volleyball."

Tumango si Mon but her focus was still fixated on cutting pictures, "Well he's cute! Anong sinabi niya?"

"Um.. Nag-offer siyang turuan akong mag-bilyar."

"Oh, why did you refuse?? Gusto mong matuto diba??"

"Tara." Sabi bigla ni Yohan kaya napatingin kami sa kanya, our eyes wide. He stood up and looked at me with an expressionless look on his face.

"H-ha?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

"I'll teach you."

Hindi na niya ako hinintay na sumunod sa kanya, he walked to one of the empty tables and I found myself just following after him.

Tahimik niya akong binigyan ng cue stick at inayos na rin niya yung mga bola dun sa triangle. He gave me a small smile before gesturing for me to come close to him.

Nilagay niya yung puting bola sa gitna. "Hit them," he said as he pointed to the balls.

As I was doing the stance, bent down, I felt a shiver run down my spine nang hawakan niya ang braso ko, his arms enveloping me as he fixed my hold on the cue stick.

Nilingon ko siya at nasa mga bola pa rin ang pokus niya, ngunit ang kabog ng puso ko pabilis na nang pabilis as I inhaled in his scent, ang lapit lapit niya!

Ang haba haba naman ng pilik-mata niya, sana all! His eyes are so intimidating as well kapag hindi siya ngumingiti, I could look at them for days at hindi ako magsasawang kiligin.

He smirked when he caught me staring at him, "Focus."

Inirapan ko siya, making him chuckle and the sound made my heart flutter, ang seductive nung pag-tawa niya, parang mababaliw na ako rito!

I took a deep breath before finally hitting the ball. A smile made its way to my face nang may mapasok na stripes dun sa butas at nagkalat kalat din ang mga bola.

His hands left mine nung pinalakpakan niya ako at nakaramdam ako ng ginhawa when he put some distance in between us, ang hirap huminga kanina!

"There you go. Good job," he complimented with a warm smile on his face, both of his dimples showing kaya binalik ko na rin ang ngiti niya.

"Ikaw naman."

"Tira mo pa."

He pointed to one of the balls that were easier to hit, guiding me, kaya yun nga ang tinamaan ko. Sadly, it didn't go in, kaya turn naman niya.

"I'm stripes niyan, right?" Tanong ko sa kanya and he nodded his head.

"I'll be solids then."

He got the cue stick from me at piling ko na kaagad na matatalo na ako. Parang marami na siyang experience sa paglalaro, I stood no chance!

When he hit the yellow ball, umusog lang ito papalapit sa butas kaso hindi siya nahulog kaya napangiti ako. May pag-asa!!

I was happy the whole time we were playing, mas marami akong nahuhulog kaysa sa kanya! When he failed to shoot the ball again, mayabang kong kinuha ang stick, making him laugh.

I feel like I was starting to get a hang of it, siyempre minsan tumatalon pa rin yung bola ko, minsan konting usog lang yung nagagawa ko. Minsan yung mga bola niya pa yung nasho-shoot ko!

But I was still doing better than him! Nakakapag-taka...

"Hoy! Hindi patas laro niyo." Nakangiting saad ni Kyle as he approached our pool table.

"Alis," sabi kaagad ni Yohan kaya napaawang ang labi niya as he faked offended. Imbes na umalis siya, lalo niya pang nilapitan yung table namin.

"Stripes ka, Yan?" Tanong ni Kyle as he looked at our table, in-assume niya ba yun dahil mas marami yung solids?!

"Solids ako, pre," sagot ni Yohan kaya napakunot ang noo ni Kyle.

"Hina mo ngayon, ah. Hindi mo man ako pinapatira dati!" Reklamo niya, making Yohan chuckle dahil nakita niyang pasama nang pasama ang tingin ko sa kanya.

He was just letting me win!

Now that I thought about it, tuwing siya yung tumitira parang measured na measured para hindi pumasok yung mga bola sa butas, kainis!

"Ayaw ko na," I said, frowning. "Nagpapatalo ka lang eh!"

"Huh?" Pagmamaang-maangan niya, making me glare at him more. Mukhang enjoy na enjoy niya pa yung inis ko! He was smiling from ear to ear!

"O, hindi na. Seryoso na." He said with a smile on his face, halatang nang-iinis pa rin.

"Ulitin natin yung laro!"

He sighed before nodding his head. Kinuha niya yung mga bola and asked Kyle to fix them on the triangle.

Kyle, him, and I played a game and I became so mesmerized by how he played na sinabi ko sa kanila na manunuod nalang ako.

He let Kyle go first, making Tanda roll his eyes at him. "Lugi."

Ngayong wala na ako sa laro, he showed Kyle no mercy. Unfair! Kyle took a deep breath nang hindi na niya maipasok ang pangatlong bola because after that, Yohan started to, well...

"Pre, titira pa ba ako?"

"Hindi natin sure." He shrugged, nagyayabang before bending down. Hindi ko maiwasang umiwas ng tingin, his white shirt was so fitted, yung muscles niya beh, 'di ko kaya!

Whenever he would hit the ball, his muscles would flex. Pa-headlock naman po, chariz! Ang ganda rin nung form niya tuwing naglalaro, mula bata yata nagbi-billiards na siya eh.

Before hitting the eight ball, tinignan niya muna ako at kumindat. Kyle just sighed, accepting defeat as he looked at the ball the rolled to the pocket he chose.

"You shouldn't have come with us." Kyle bit his lip, nanghahamon kunwari at ginaya naman siya ni Yohan.

"Talo ka lang." Pang-aasar ni Yohan sa kanya kaya inirapan niya ito.

"Karaoke na nga tayo!"

Wala naman akong masyadong na-ambag sa karaoke namin, puro lang ata ako kain doon habang nakikipag-usap sa mga kaibigan ko.

Sinubukan ko pang hindi tumawa nung kumanta si Mon. Hay wala nga namang perpekto sa mundo! Ha-ha.

Even though I was having fun, and so was he, siyempre hindi ko pa rin siya kinakausap.

Medyo mission failed ako kanina, pero ngayon kaya ko na talaga. I even sat as far away from him as possible, sa gitna pa ni Daph at Mon para hindi siya makasingit anywhere.

But soon, it was time to go home.

"Paano ka uuwi? Hatid na kita, you want?" Offered Mon but Yohan cut her off, kaya yung mukha niya naging mapang-asar.

"Uh... We're going the same way. Sabay na kami."

She clapped her hands together. "Ay! Is that so... Sige. Ingat kayo, ha!" Napaawang ang labi ko, napaka-takwil!

Before I could smack or yell at her, sumakay na siya dun sa sasakyan nila and left me with Yohan, binelatan pa ako bago sumakay!

"Uhm... Tara?"

Nilingon ko si Yohan at may maliit na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi, it's almost as if he was afraid to make the wrong move, afraid that I would ignore him again.

Tumango ako at sumunod na sa kanya, wala na rin naman akong magagawa. Our friends already went home at malilintikan talaga sa akin si Mon bukas!

Naglakad kami papunta sa sakayan, it was already eight in the evening at wala pa namang nagte-text sa akin, so that's good.

Mukhang malalim ang iniisip niya kaya tahimik lang kami parehas hanggang sa makasakay na kami sa dyip. He payed for the both of us at nagpasalamat nalang ako.

Hindi siya bumaba sa kanto nila kaya in-assume ko nalang na hahatid niya ako hanggang sa bahay namin. I just used my phone habang naghihintay, I didn't want to look at him.

"Para po," I heard him tell the driver kaya napalingon ako sa labas, nandito na pala kami. Bumaba ako and was about to tell him to go home pero inunahan niya ako papasok sa subdivision.

"Hindi ka pa uuwi? Julienne might be looking for you. Baka anong isipin niya kapag nalaman niyang hinatid mo pa ako sa baha-"

Natigilan ako nang bigla niya akong hinarap.

"You're avoiding me." He stated at tinikom ko nalang ang aking bibig, hindi alam kung ano'ng sasabihin.

"I can't take this anymore."

I sighed, "Just go. Baka hanapin ka pa ng girlfriend mo-"

"Riley! Geez."

"Bakit ikaw pa yung galit?! Ako na nga nag-aaalala para sa inyong dalawa, at bakit ka ba sunod nang sunod, ha? Nung isang araw ka pa!"

"Hindi pa ba halata? I miss you! I've been trying to talk to you for days pero iniiwasan mo ako!"

My eyes widened as I took a deep breath, hindi ko inakalang sasabihin niya yun sa akin, not in a million years, but I immediately snapped out of it.

"I was trying to respect your relationship! Alam niyang ako si Raya, how would she feel if she saw you talking to me? Tapos hinatid mo pa ako, sabay pa tayong umuwi!"

"Wala nga akong girlfriend, Riley! If you just took a second to listen to me, then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now!"

"Eh bakit kayo nag-date?! Why was she inside your house?? Sabi mo ayaw niya roon!"

Ayaw ko ang inaakto ko ngayon, parang nagseselos ako na jowa! I felt pathetic and I immediately wanted to take my words back.

"Kasama namin yung mga kaibigan ko nun!" He sighed and looked away, trying to calm himself down as he apologized. Ako naman, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko.

"Because of some mindless rumor, hindi mo na ako kinausap?? Hindi mo man lang ako pinakinggan? Tinanong?" Kalmado niyang saad ngayon, but he looked upset, almost disappointed.

"It didn't look like it was a rumor.." I mumbled, making him sigh for the second time as he massaged the bridge of his nose.

"I'm just a girl who likes you, I can't demand for answers. None of it matters anymore, okay? Eh ano naman kung hindi na kita kausapin?

"It matters to me, Riley! Para akong tangang naghihintay ng sulat mula sa'yo, hoping that you changed your mind, kahit isang lingon lang mula sa'yo, isang kaway, sasaya na ako-"

"Wh-"

"If it wasn't obvious, I already caught feelings for you!"