Endless Harmony (The Runaway Girls Series #3)

Chapter 4

Emoji

We were both silent as we headed down to the living room. Simon walked faster than me, and I maintained my normal pace as I realized what had just happened a while ago.

Did I just fucking confess to him?!

I let out a loud sigh, which made them look at me. I then realized what I had just done. Sinabi ko lang naman sa kaniya na gusto ko siya at ngayon alam niya na iyon! Goodness, what had I been thinking? Was that a spur-of-the-moment thing?

Naramdaman ko lang naman kanina na parang tamang oras iyon. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong nagtulak sa akin para maglakas ng loob, but now that it had dawned on me, I realized that it was a stupid idea.

Yes, I like him, but is it enough to pursue him? Tama naman siya na hindi ko pa talaga siya kilala. I like him because he’s pretty, and I’m into pretty things.

He’s a challenge for me, and I want to tame him, to break down his walls. But what if I succeed? What should I do then?

Bumuntong hininga na lang ako dahil wala naman akong nakikitang future kung sakali ngang magtagumpay ako. I’ll surely get bored and find another one again. It will just be an endless cycle.

Whatever. I’ll just enjoy this moment until my Simon phase is over. He’ll just be like all the other ex-crushes on my long list, which I’m sure to get over in time.

Nathan eyed me meaningfully. “Simon, medyo natagalan yata kayo. Buti naman nakuha mo yung laptop ko,” nanunuri pa rin ang mata ni Nathan habang nilalapitan niya si Simon.

Umupo na lang ako sa isang sofa at tahimik kong nilabas ang phone ko para maglaro. Naririnig ko pa rin ang boses ni Nathan na may kung anong tinuturo kay Simon pero hindi na ako nag-angat ng tingin.

I’m still bothered by what I did earlier, but I won’t take back my words. It’s true that I like him, but it’s not that deep. I’m sure I’ll laugh it off in time and see it as a mistake I’ll look back on someday. Crushes don’t last, and neither will my feelings for Simon.

“Ang tahimik mo yata ngayon,” sabi ni Clark na biglang umupo sa tabi ko.

“Hindi ba pwedeng pagod lang din galing sa school?” sagot ko, hindi pa rin nag-aangat ng tingin dahil naglalaro ako.

“Oh right! Ibang strand ka nga pala diba?” pagkukumpirma pa niya.

I nodded. “Tangkay ako.”

Ngumuso ako dahil nataya na ako sa nilalaro ko. Ngayon ko lang din napansin kung gaano kalapit si Clark sa akin. Oo nga pala. Siya pala yung crush ko bago ko nakita si Simon.

Babalik kaya yung pagka-crush ko sa kaniya kapag tinitigan ko siya? Right, hindi ko naman malalaman ang sagot kung hindi ko susubukan.

So I crossed my arms and looked at him.

“Ang talino mo pala,” he said.

Clark was indeed handsome. His skin was as pale as snow, but it was his dimples that were the most striking feature of his face. They were deep and crescent-shaped, and they appeared every time he smiled, making him look even more irresistible.

Natatawa akong umiling. ”Hindi naman. Sumabit lang ako sa strand namin kaya ibahin mo ako.”

“Iyan din sinasabi ng mga kakilala ko tapos malalaman ko na lang with high honor na pala.”

“Edi huwag kang maniwala. Hindi naman kita pinipilit,” naiinis kong sagot.

“Galit ka naman agad,” humalakhak siya. “Gusto mo bang tumulong ulit sa amin? This time susundin na talaga natin yung napag-usapan.”