Hopeless (Ashtonevillamore Series #1)

Chapter 3

—

"Do you.. " tinignan ko siya sa mata.

"Hm?" she hummed,

I spoke as I was going inside the car, "Gusto mong sumabay..?" I tapped another seat available.

She looked at me with her mouth slightly agape. She looked stunned.  She paused for a minute which made me tilt my head, then she smiled, "Sure." Naomi got in the car, beside me. She mouthed, 'Thanks.' Kalahi ko talaga si flash. Ako lang to.

"Tell us your address nalang. We'll drop you off." I placed my bad on my side, and she did the same.

"Don't worry, malapit lang naman yun dito."

I'll try to be friends with her. Ano bang mawawala kung hindi ko gagawin? I mean, there's nothing wrong with being close with my so-called crush, right?

"Are you free this weekend?" tanong niya na ikinataka ko. "Why?"

"Ititreat kita ng lunch. Para pambawi na rin para rito." she said while cutely smiling. Treat ng lunch? Tapos anong kasunod? Study dates? Coffee dates?Frequently spending time together? Alone in their house? Much better.

"Sure." I said while normally smiling kahit sa kaloob looban ko, mamamatay na ako sa kilig.

We stayed quiet for some time, we looked through the window. I guess she doesn't want Manong to hear our conversation although she doesn't need to worry since Manong specializes privacy. Ngunit nanahimik nalang ako habang nag iisip. Inuulit ulit ko sa utak ko ang pinagusapan namin kanina.

I was in deep thought when I realized something, "You said na nasa Japan parents mo and your little brother, right?" she nodded in response. "Then who's your kasama sa house niyo?" I asked curiously while shifting my seat.

She chuckled. Madalas ka nang ngumingiti ha, baka mamaya ako na yung hapiness mo. "Wala, ako lang mag-isa."

And that caught me by surprise which made her smile more. I mouthed 'What the fuck' so Manong wouldn't hear it. "Not even a single helper? I thought you're also rich?" I said with my mouth agape. "Hindi. Bilin nila mama na kailangan ko daw maging independent."

"Independent? At the age of 16?" hindi ko makapaniwalang sambit. Now my whole body was facing her. "I'm seventeen, Xiara." She said while smiling. Oh really? Mas matanda pala siya kaysa sakin? Just my type.

More importantly, why the fuck is my heart racing faster and faster by her simply saying my name?

To be honest, I can't find myself being independent from everyone. Growing up, I was used to everyone doing everything for me. I believe it would be difficult for me in college to deal with problems everyone has to encounter daily just because hindi ako sanay. I sighed.

"Bakit parang natahimik ka?" ika niya habang nakakunot ang kaniyang noo, nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi noong napansin niyang nawalan ako ng imik.

"Nothing. I'm just wondering whoever I'll be in college. I'm not used being by myself. I can't even take care of myself properly." I chuckled although I'm serious as fuck. She paused for a second, then smiled. "Simple lang naman 'yan."

"Aalagaan kita."

Nagtitigan kami sa isa't-isa. Walang umimik, walang nagsalita, walang ni isang tunog na nang galing sa aming mga labi. Ang tanging ginagawa lang namin ay ang tignan ang mga mata ng isa't isa, at tila malunod sa emosyong pinipigilan naming lumabas na malinaw na naipapahayag sa pamamagitan ng aming paningin. Sa bawat kabog ng dibdib ko, palakas ito ng palakas sa bawat salpak sa paraang hindi na ako makahinga.