"What are you doing here?" I welcomed him with a question.
He paused and put his both hands inside his pants' pockets.
"I'm going to help you with your requirements." He said casually like we're in a business meeting.
My brow shot up.
Lia shierked at the side."Aww, so sweet of you, Yuki! You're very lucky, my bestfriend!" She winked at me while giggling.
"Hey, you want me to help you with your requirements, too?" Vencie put his arms around her shoulders.
Her eyes glimmered as she turned to me."Is that true?" Vencie nodded, smiling at her."Aww, sure! Of course, why not? You should really help me and also, buy me soft ice cream, too, alright?"
"What?!"
"You will buy me ice cream or I won't talk to you forever?"
"Of course! I-I will buy you ice cream, babes!"
"Good!"
I ended up shaking my head as their voices slowly vanished. I don't know what's up with that two. Are they in a relationship already? Who knows. I must ask Lia about it. Maybe later.
"So, how many requirements do you have right now?" My attention shifted to him, he's now sitting in front of me.
Right, this is our last week being a junior high and this is also the time where all students must complete all the tasks, outputs, activities and performances for the whole school year as the requirements of the teachers. They all made it as an ace to us, so that we'll be pressured and left with no choice but to do our lacks until deadline.
Fucking system.
He touched the book on our table but he closed it again to he give all his attention on me.
I felt something boiling up on my cheeks.
The hell?! What's that?! Am I blushing!? No way!
"I'm not asking for your help, Cabrera." I managed to calm myself and rested my back on the chair.
"I volunteered." He simply said.
I'm gritting my teeth inside. I crossed my arms and looked at him intently.
"You really love to volunteer, huh? But sad to say, I don't really need your help. Tutoring me is enough. Y-you're already helped me enough..."
He shook his head."No, that's not enough yet. You told me to not just say it, I just prove it. I'm doing it now... and I'm willing to do it even if it takes forever." He looked serious but I just can't help but let out a laugh.
He watched me laughing my ass off until I get satisfied. I wiped off the imaginary tears from my eyes.
"You sounded so cheesy. Where did you learn that? Have Vencie taught you that? Nice." That's it, Vanez. He needs to fucking wake up.
"Are you sure you don't need my help?" He asked instead.
I caught off guard for a moment before I held my chin up."Yes! I can do it myself!" Grinning as I said.
He stood up silently that I didn't expect."Okay." My eyes widened when he turned his back at me.
Wait, I'm not expecting that! I thought he won't give up yet and continue annoying me until I gave in. Damb this guy. I thought he likes me?! I thought he's courting me? What now?
"Hey, you!" I picked the crumpled paper and threw at him.
He stopped but didn't bother to look back. I started to get annoyed.
"I thought you like me? Why did you give up so easily?" I asked in an irritated tone.
I thought he won't look back anymore but he turned his head at me and our eyes met again. I was caught off guard by his serious chinky one.
"I like you but I don't want to force you to like me, too, and I don't have the rights to argue with your decisions. I like you and I respect you." He answered and I'm suddenly stunned.
I get alarmed when he turned his back at me again and started walking. I don't know what should I do, I was planning to turn him down, right? But now, I don't have the courage anymore. This feeling. This is always happening to me these days. What is he doing to me, really?
"Fine!" I shouted irritably.
He paused. I inhaled harshly.
"Fine, I need your help! I need you to help me with my remaining tasks I haven't done yet!" I added, my breathe turned heavy.
He looked back and suppressed a smile, a victory one.
"Good choice. Let's meet in the library, later." He started walking away.
"Fuck," I breathed out.
What was that?
---
True enough, the moment I went to the library to meet him after class, he's there, waiting for me while reading a book. He helped me with my undone tasks and performances and guided me to answer those activities I can't understand.
Indeed, he helped me complete the requirements for me to graduate until deadline. And start from that, there's not time I'm not seeing his face around because he's always there and here, with his friend Vencie who always sticking with Lia, too. Those two... I didn't know where do they start getting along with us.
It just happened one day and everyone here started wondering what's going on with us.
Just like now.
We're here in the hall to do our graduation rehearsal when my eyes stopped on the last seat on the bleachers where the boys are sitting since they have just finished their part and it's our turn right now.
Yukenzo's looking at me, like he's observing my every move, his arms were crossed. Beside him is Vencie who has this wide smile on the lips. I followed where his sight is and I sighed. Now I know why Lia's been giggling like a crazy fan on the side.
I scoffed when our mentor announced our break. We both walked towards the same direction, to the Cafe. The two guys joined our walks, I didn't wonder anymore.
"I'm starving already," I unconsciously said.
"Man, you heard it. What you gonna do?"
"Van, don't worry. Yuki said it's his treat today! Yipieee!"
I glanced at the back, Lia and Vencie are clinging into each other and it's kinda disturbing to my eyes. I can't read my expression anymore. Since when did they become this vulgar?
"Really? It's going to be your treat?" I asked hin in a normal voice.
"Yes, but it's okay if you decline. I might just treat these two..."
My steps turned slow."Do I look like I'll decline it?" My face palmed.
"Yeah? You always does, hmm?" His brows shot up.
My eyes narrowed at him. I want to make a savage response but in the end, I chose to just shut my mouth. I walked with them quietly.
After our rehearsal, the teachers advised us to go home early. Everybody is happy. Who wouldn't? It's a fucking half-day every student wanted.
I'm currently outside the girl's restroom because I'm waiting for Lia. There are few juniors who chose to still inside the campus for a couple of time. While I'm here, leaning my back on the wall, sighing because of the boredom that could possibly kill me.
"Oh, really? Let's also buy iced coffee! What do you think?"
My ears unconsciously heard that familiar voice. So, I turned my head at my right side, only to be stilled.
"Okay..."
"Hmm, I'm sure aunt Jada will be happy to see me again!" Azelyn was smiling happily while clinging her hands around Yukenzo's arm.
My eyes followed them. He's not saying anything, he's not even smiling but he's also not complaning. He still has this straight unbothered face. I watched them 'til they get out of my sight.
"Van? Is there something wrong?" Concerned voice of Lia pulled back my senses.
I faced her and tried to make my usual smile."Nothing. Let's go?"
"Let's go!" She immediately joined my walk, happily as she started talking non-stop about her relationship with Vencie.
I knew I'm interested with their relationship but why does my mind's having an obstacle after what I saw? I can't understand anything from what Lia's saying. All I know is my ears are opened but my mind is flying somewhere.
I realized my fists were tightening its grip.
I thought he likes me? He confessed, in front of me, in the eyes of everyone!
I let him court me! Even not verbally, I still, let him! Then now... I'll just see him with that bitch? What is she for him, really?
"She's just a friend..." his voice flashed back in my mind.
A friend, huh.
Let's see tomorrow. I'm gonna confront you two. And if ever... if ever my conclusion was right... that you're just doing this to me because you want to get even then...
Then... what if I'm right, all along?
I won't let anybody fool me again. Once is already enough. I have learned... enough.