Lost of Style (Iridescent Clouds Series 1)

Chapter 3

Avoidance

Isa lang ang masasabi ko ngayon and it's a profanity.

Pumikit ako ng mariin at mabilis na ibinaba ang hawak na libro. Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko sa kahihiyan. Idagdag pa ang kabang dinulot sa akin ng presensya niya sa harap ko.

Kai's domineering aura filled the four corners of the room. He's still standing in front of me and it's making me uncomfortable. I even heard the silent whispers of my classmates but no one dared to speak up. It was obviously him. He is the transferee.

"Is this seat taken?" he politely asked me.

I chose not to answer him and averted my gaze in front.

"No, you can take that," Lydia answered him instead while referring to the armchair beside mine.

My eyes widened in horror.

I turned to her as I tightly squeezed her hand in disapproval. She didn't seem to notice my call for help because her attention was focused on Kai. Like her, the whole attention of the class is still fixated on him.

I couldn't grasp on how he calmly handles the situation. Like it wasn't new to him and it commonly happens.

What a cocky guy.

He took a seat and settled himself, "Thanks Lydia."

I shut my eyes off, defeated.

Tumikhim na lamang si Lydia sa akin at binalingan ang katabi. Kai cooly positioned himself beside me. I discreetly glanced at him as he tried to fix his disheveled hair. I also noticed how he unbuttoned the first three buttons of his polo. I heard some of my classmates gasp upon its sight.

Nang mag-angat ang siya ng tingin ay mabilis kong binaling ang mga mata sa harap. My heart thumped rapidly inside my chest.

Unwavering, I remained staring in front. I anxiously gulped as I felt his piercing stare lingered on me.

I hate being stared at, particularly by him.

Kahit nanginginig, I managed to close the book I was still holding. Sa cover page ko na lamang tinuon ang atensyon ko. His elbow gently bumped into my arm. I flinched at the sudden contact and shifted uncomfortably on my seat.

"I am sorry. Did it hurt?" his voice was etched with worry.

I cleared my throat and acted pissed off, "No, I am fine."

He was stunned by my rude response but he didn't say anything. Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting guilt pero inisip ko na para na rin toh sa akin at sa kanya...kung sakali. I don't want history to repeat itself kaya hangga't maaga ay lumalayo na ako.

But no matter how I treat him, there will always be something about his presence that makes me feel uneasy.

"So...do you like reading?" he uttered out of nowhere.

I did not respond because I wasn't sure if he was talking to me. Nagpalipas ako ng ilang minuto, inaabangan na sumagot ang kung sino mang kausap niya.

No response.

Lumingon ako sa kanya ng marinig ang paghinga niya ng malalim. His gentle eyes remained on me as if silently waiting for my reply. I leaned on my chair as I relaxed my tense shoulders.

Maybe he is just being friendly. I should let my guard down a little.

"A bit. It just sparked my interest and a friend recommended me this book." I replied casually.

Instead of putting an end to our conversation, his eyes glistened in curiousity, "How was it?"

"So far, it seems great. I haven't finished it yet."