Running from the Horizon (Secondary Series #2)

08

“A date?!”

I heard Marley repeat, raising her voice. I pushed Noah softly to make him go away since he is standing so close to me. When I look at Marley, she has her mouth open, hanging, with wide eyes. I wanna laugh because she looks funny but it’s not really the time to do it.

“No, it’s not.” I deny before looking at Noah. “What are you talking about?”

He looks satisfied with Marley’s reaction as he chuckles softly before answering me. “I asked you before if you wanna go out on a date with me right? So here I am,”

My brows furrowed in confusion. I was suddenly lost because I don’t remember saying yes when he asked me nor took his question seriously. I thought he was just playing around!

“Will you stop playing? Marley’s getting confused now,” I said, looking at my bewildered best friend.

“Can somebody please explain to me what is going on? He asked you out?” She asked me, raising her voice a little.

Noah tilt his head, having fun with his game. He has a teasing smile plastered on his lips as he looks at both me and Marley. How can he just make everything so playful?

“He didn’t. There is nothing to explain okay?” I denied as I caught Noah’s disagreement with my response.

“I have proof that I asked you out. Stop denying Diana Gonzales.” I glared at him, making him laugh hard.

He is not making this all easy at all!

I look back at my friend as she widened her eyes on me, still trying to ask me things. “He did… but he was just playing with me when he asked me about it.”

She changed her attention to Noah with mouth open. “You... are fast,”

Noah laughed at her reaction more than he did earlier. He is even playing Marley now. I can’t believe him!

“I’ll stop playing games now or else you will really think it is true!” He stated in between laughter. There was an unfamiliar sting in my chest when he said that. Weird.

“You!” Marley pointed at him right in the face that made him stop laughing. I am the one to prevent myself from laughing now. “Don’t you ever try to fool me again!”

Noah awkwardly laughed as he nodded slowly, saying sorry. He gets what he deserves. What a scaredy cat!

“But what are you really doing here anyway?” I asked him.

“I need your help,” I raised a brow at him, waiting for him to continue. “I’m sure you know Nicole,”

Eleanor Nicolette Jimenez, of course I know her! Her family owns Jimenez Realty which is a really big corporation here in our country. Besides that she is also known to be a great dancer by a lot. Even I am amazed with how great she dances.

“What about her?”

“Her birthday is next week and I don’t know what to give her. Help me pick a gift for her.” He said as if he is so confident that I will come along.

“Am I like your decision maker? Why is it when you need to pick something, you will always ask me to do it?” I complained.

“You and Nicole have similarities in that you both are girls so I’m sure you know what to get her,” He pointed out which made me think. He really does have a point there. “As for general, you do well in picking things... as well as picking me as your call buddy.”

I heard Marley silent squeals beside me as I looked at her weirdly. She is somehow turning to our three friends whenever we talk about Noah.

“I will leave you two alone because I feel like third-wheeling right here,” She said as I glared at her but she only gave me a teasing smile before approaching me and whispered. “Don’t forget to tell me what will happen okay?”

I nudged her softly making her chuckle softly. She is just out here teasing me so bad!

“Anyways, I have to go. Take care of her for me Noah!” She said before leaving the two of us here.

“Your friend has spoken. You are coming with me right?” I shook my head in response when he asked me.

“I’m tired and feeling sticky because of our practice so I wanna go home already to take a rest.” I said and was about to pass by him when he suddenly held my elbow, stopping me.

I don’t know what has gotten into me but I harshly snatched my elbow from his hold, making him shocked. I was shocked myself but his touch almost feels like electricity. There was a sting in it and it feels like I got just grounded. What the hell was that?

He looks at me confused with my action. With how shocked I got, I immediately said sorry to him and avoided his eyes. I don’t know what to explain why I did that because I really am clueless.

“It wasn’t intentional. I’m sorry,” I said as he just slowly nodded.

“Well enough of it. So, are you coming with me?” He asked, almost like pleading.

“I can’t. I’m really drained today and look at me, I look a mess and you want me to go to the mall.” I said, pointing to my outfit.

I did change into more decent clothes. Did fix my face slightly to cover up how haggard I look like earlier. Despite that, I still feel like I don’t look good and presentable. I’m even shy to stand in front of him because he might smell my sweat.

“Then you can go and take a shower first if you want. I’m not really rushing.” He said.

“First, I will really go now. Second, I will really take a shower because I feel sticky. And third, you can rush because I’m not going.” I said, trying to pass by him again but he stood in front of me now.

“Even if you go home now, I will follow you to your house and wait for you until you decide to come with me.” He said, making me look at him weirdly.

“Are you a stalker or what?” I sarcastically said as he laughed loud. “Well then, brace yourself!”

He did not stop pestering me until my driver arrived to pick me up. He even told the driver to go home first already because I will come with him! But of course kuya Hale wouldn’t listen to him, after all, he is not his boss. So at the end, he decided to have his driver follow our car up until to my house. I even consider asking the guard in our village to not let him in but that will make me too bad.

“You really are something you know?” I said when he stepped out of his car, walking towards me with a smug smile. He shrugged his shoulder and acted all innocent making me give up. He knows how to make people around him say yes.

I invited Noah inside our home with the maids looking at the two of us suspiciously. They must be shocked that I bought a new face here in the house, especially now that it’s a guy.

“Is mama and papa already home?” I asked one of them as they shook my head and said that they will be coming home late tonight.

“So the girl you and kuya Russell were with when you came to SPU is your sister?” Noah asked, looking at the big portrait of my family hanging in the middle of our wall. There were photo frames of us on the table that was placed on that wall.

“Her name is Meghan,” I said as I watched his every movement while standing in front of our family wall.

“How about these two?” He pointed at one of the frames where it has the four of us siblings.

“My younger brothers, Kyle and Bailey.”

I watched him as he looked at each photo frame as if familiarizing himself with each person in each photo. He seemed amazed and at the same time there was a hint of enviousness in his eyes as he bitterly smiled when he lifted up another photo of me with my siblings.

“You must adore your siblings so much,” He said without looking at me. “You are lucky you have siblings.”

There was a hint of pain when I heard him say that. I forgot that he is an only child. He must have wanted to have siblings as he grew up. I admit myself that even though I got into small fights with them, I’m still glad that I have siblings because they make me bright. Whenever I am down, they will come to me and randomly say I love you ate like it’s the easiest thing for them to say. I somehow started to get scared about what would happen once they reached adolescence. Will they remain the same? Will they be as sweet as right now to me in the future?

“Why do you sound so lonely?” I asked as he looked down on me before putting the frame down to face me.

“I’m not. I am just really envious of those who have siblings. All of my friends have their own siblings, leaving me the only one who is an only child. They fight a lot and some don't but it feels good to know that they got each other’s back whenever they need it. It feels good that you have someone who will have your back when your friends or parents are not around.” He said sincerely with a bitter smile at the end. He must be wanting to have siblings ever since then.

I was just left speechless, staring at him. Despite being playful most of the time, I know that he can be serious whenever he wants to. It is just a new sight for me everytime I hear and see him act like one. Maybe I am so used to the fact that he plays around a lot or maybe because it is already tainted to my mind that he is playful.

“Ate?” I heard a small voice from behind me as the two of us look back to see my confused brothers, looking strangely to Noah.

“Bailey, Kyle,” I called. They slowly approached me without leaving their eyes on Noah. Is he that intimidated in their eyes? Or maybe because he is too tall?

“Who is he ate?” Kyle asked, almost like a whisper.

I looked at Noah when I heard him chuckled softly. He has a soft expression, like he adored my brothers so badly, when he looked at them. His smile never left his lips as he bent one knee in front of them.

“Hi! I’m kuya Noah, a friend of your ate. You both wouldn’t mind me kuya Noah to be around right?” He asked them in a soft tone.

I stared at the three of them as my brothers shook their heads. Noah let his hands out, asking for a handshake. It was so soft in my eyes that I didn’t even notice that I have been staring for so long.

My brothers are usually shy when it comes to strangers. They tend to hide behind us whenever mama and papa’s friends are in the house or whenever we go to different occasions hosted by Papa’s business. But they seemed pretty different to Noah. The way the shyness died down in just a matter of a few minutes and the way they were able to give him a smile, it feels weird.

“Do you want to play with me while your ate is fixing herself to go in the mall with me?” Noah asked them as they willingly nod immediately with no hesitation.

Maybe I was still in denial but my head tilted when they dragged him upstairs, right to the theatre room where most of our video games are in as I only followed them silently and was still confused. We bumped into Meghan on the way and she was left just as confused as I am. It is probably because Noah Castro is in our house. And that our brothers are dragging him with them.

Meghan and I stood still on the door as we watched the three fix the components to use for their video game. Noah patiently assisted my brothers while getting the controllers ready for them to play. They were playful and having fun. It was new to my eyes but I’m still left in bewilderment.

“Why are you still standing there? I thought you would wash up and get changed before we head out?” He asked, bringing me back to my senses. I looked at him in question as he just nodded, signalling me to do my thing already.

It was so weird! I unconsciously followed his order without even noticing that my sister is following me already up to my room and has been calling my name.

“Why is Noah Castro in our house?” She asked in puzzlement. She’s not alone. I’m still bothered how things suddenly turned out to be.

“I actually don’t know either,” I weakly said, taking my towel to head in my bathroom.

Until I was in the shower up to finish changing my clothes, I was still in confusion. How is he even capable of making my brother suddenly feel so close to him that easily? Is it because he is a guy? But what about the others? Our cousins from mama’s side, they are still shy around them despite seeing them multiple times now but with Noah….

“You look good in those.” I heard Noah’s compliment when I went back to the entertainment room, all ready.

I am just wearing a simple white shirt underneath a black jumper skirt with a pair of white shoes to complete the look. I don’t want to dress that much since I will only accompany him. Besides, he is still in his uniform anyway.

“Shall we go now? I can’t stay out too late.” I said, ignoring his compliment.

“Can we just finish this one? We will be done in a few.” He pleaded. I was about to argue but my brothers looked at me with pleading eyes so I had no choice but to let them. Why does it feel like I suddenly have three kids to look after?

I took a seat next to Meghan on the couch inside the room. She is more calm now and is just using her phone. I thought she was busy doing some papers but she is here. The reason why I went home alone is because she told me she is busy and does not want to wait up for me.

“And you said you were busy,” I told her.

“And you said there is nothing between you and him,” She said, pointing to Noah’s back. I looked at him and my brothers and they were laughing as they played video games. They seemed to be having fun.

“We’re friends, Meg.”

“Then why are you two going to the mall ate?” She asked with a teasing smile, raising a brow.

“His friend’s birthday is next week. He asked for help to pick a gift since his friend is a girl.” I explained as she pursed her lips, probably thinking whether she should be convinced or not.

We stayed for 10 minutes before they ended the game. My brothers asked for another game but I had to stop them already because it’s already late. I needed to be home before mama and papa went back or else I will be questioned so bad.

“Can you come back here kuya Noah? Please?” Bailey pleaded as I looked at him in shock. Noah looked at me, side lips rising up, smirking.

“You can ask your ate if she will allow me to come back,” He said. Why does it sound like I’m suddenly the bad one here?

I cleared my throat and immediately gave my brothers a peck on their cheeks before dragging this guy out of our house. I did not forget to remind Meg to call me if ever our parents went back early. She told me not to worry because she got my back. She even said that she will not expose that I am on a date that made me almost smack her head.

“Your brothers might want me to be their real brother than you as their real sister,” He teases.

We are already on our way to the mall using his car. Both of us are in the back seat on each side. I was just silent since we left my house because I felt so drained with everything that happened earlier. I felt sleepy due to tiredness but I had to keep myself awake.

“HA! Very funny,” I remarked as he laughed, shaking his head. “So? Any gifts in mind to give to your friend?”

“I wouldn’t go to your school, follow you in your house and wait for you to get ready if I have one Diana,” He firmly said, making me glare at him. I mean seriously! He should know what to get his friend considering that they have been friends for years now.

“Don’t you want to just give her a bracelet or a necklace? Any jewelries she will like,” I suggested as she looks at me like he is disgusted over something.

“She is not my girlfriend for me to give her jewellery,” He commented which made me scoff.

“So girls should be your girlfriend first before you give them necklaces and any other kind of shiny sparkling ones?” I asked, raising a brow.

He fixed his seat to face me, leaning a little as if accepting my challenge.

“Girlfriend can be replaced by any girl, Diana. One moment she is my girl but whenever goes down and she decides to let me go, then she is gone. Just because one is my girlfriend now that doesn’t mean she will be forever.” He explained seriously as if this kind of topic is very controversial for him.

“Why do you sound so defensive?” I jokingly asked him, looking away to look outside the window. I can still feel his stares at me but I just ignore it.

“I may be playful or a playboy in almost everyone’s eyes but that doesn’t mean I can’t take something seriously.” I smirked, knowing how aware he is of what some people view him as.

“You don’t have to take this seriously! I mean I was just joking!” I said, chuckling in between.

“Still, it’s not easy for me to give someone jewellery like it’s just the simplest thing on earth. Giving jewellery is my act of showing my love, affection, and commitment. I only reserve giving one to special ones. Just like my mother and that special girl in my eyes.” He explained.

He does have a point in that one. I never knew giving a jewellery gives such deep meaning until he said it.

“So if you give a girl a necklace or what, that means you like her?” I questioned, curiously. I mean no act of maliciousness but I’m just really curious.

“It means that I will keep her as long as I can. No matter how much she will try to push me away when she doesn’t want me anymore, I will keep coming back to her and keep trying to keep her by my side.” He answered.

“Isn’t it selfish then?” His side lips rose up, forming a smile, probably with how curious I am.

“You can only fall in love with one person so deeply. It’s okay to be selfish when that right person comes into your life already Diana.” He answered so deep. “And also I think, I have been too selfless enough to be still selfish to the person I will really love.”

We arrived a few more minutes while I was daydreaming. My thoughts were still stuck with my conversation with Noah in the car. It was probably the deepest words that I heard from him for months. The last time I heard him say such things as that was when we first bonded in EK during our field trip.

“So where do we start?” I asked him the moment we entered the mall. It’s already 6:30pm so we need to rush back or else, I’m toast.

“We can start by eating dinner first. I’m hungry,” He said leaving me speechless as he walks first giving me no time to argue.

We keep walking, passing by each fast food chain that I want to eat at. I can’t say anything such as I want to eat here or there because I’m just here to accompany him. I can’t be too demanding.

“Why are you silent? Aren’t you hungry?” He questioned as we passed by another restaurant that looks like they serve delicious dishes.

“Nothing. I’m just waiting for you to pick which restaurant we will eat at.” I answered.

“While you are waiting for me to pick which restaurant, I’m a dumbass who is waiting for you to say I want to eat there. Can we just eat there?” He said, mocking me. I glared at him as he laughed. “The girl should decide. Where should we eat?”

It gave flatter to my chest. Why does it sound like he is acting that we are on a date when he said I should be the one to decide? Or was it just my imagination?

“We can just go and eat there,” I said, pointing to an Italian restaurant. “Eating is not really important right now. You, picking up a gift for your friend is.”

“No, you are wrong. Eating is the most important,” He said, disagreeing with my comment. “Besides, we can just buy a gift for Nicole some other time if ever we won’t be able to pick anything tonight.”

“Are you serious?” I doubtly asked, raising my voice a little. “Then you should have just asked me to accompany you this weekend if you have a lot of time! You almost acted like a stalker just to convince me to come here when you know that I only finished my cheer practice!”

“It’s because I don’t have anything to do today and I’m bored! You have a lot of complaints,” He said, before pulling me by my wrist to drag me with him.

Luckily, reservations are not really needed for this restaurant because it seems a little fancy to be located inside a mall. There weren't that many people as well so we got a perfect spot. A table next to the big glass wall that shows the deck part of the mall. The lights are on since it’s already night making it so calm to look at.

“What do you want to eat? Are you on a diet?” He asked while scanning the menu.

“Yes but I wasn’t able to eat properly this lunch because I don’t want to throw up while practicing, so I think pasta will be enough for me tonight.” I answered while keeping my eyes on the menu.

He said our order to the waiter smoothly as I stared outside the glass wall. The only noise between us is the classical music that was being played around the whole restaurant. The vibe of the restaurant was so classy and vintage. Just the right place to feel so calm.

“Do you have anything in mind now what to buy?” I asked. He puts down his phone on the table, putting both of his arms on the table, leaning slightly.

“What do you suggest?” He asked me back. My lips formed a thin line because of how stubborn he gets with this.

“Why do you keep throwing back the question to me?” I questioned.

“I asked you to come here with me so you can help me pick. You need to make yourself useful in this stuff,” He said, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes and tried to think of what gift he should give to his friend. The only time I have seen Nicole was during the field trip. I don’t know her personally nor talked to her yet that is why it’s hard for me to suggest what gift is good for her. Goodness! He is the friend here, why does he have to bother me?

“How about a bag? Girls love bags.” I suggested as he nodded slowly.

“You love bags then?” He asked back. Then it’s a no.

“A book? Like romantic books? Some girls love romantic books.” I suggested again but he keeps asking me back!

I already suggested for him to just buy her clothes but he just asked me back if I like clothes. He also said that Nicole has a lot of clothes, she doesn’t need another one from him. I suggested a wallet but he rejected the idea as well saying that she just bought a new one. I think I suggested enough but he still rejected the idea. What does he want then!

“Are you playing around?” I questioned him, glaring now.

He let out a soft laugh before the waiter interrupted us. He offered the expensive wine bottle to me as I politely shook my head before he offered it to Noah who nodded his head while looking at me in confusion. The waiter left after pouring the wine in Noah’s wine glass as he took a sip on it before putting it down and looking at me.

“You don’t drink wine?” He asked as I shook my head.

“I don’t drink alcohol,” I answered as he tilt his head in confusion.

“But wine does not contain high alcohol content though,” He defended as I smugly smiled and shook my head again.

“Still, it contains alcohol. I don’t drink anything that contains alcohol.” I argued. He was about to say something more but I immediately cut him off because I doubt he will give up. “Can you just tell me what Nicole likes? Like her hobbies and all? So I’ll have any idea what to suggest.”

He took another sip of his wine before our food arrived. I patiently waited for the waiter to place each of our dishes in front of us before looking at Noah again.

“So?”

“Goodness, can you take a bite of your pasta first? I’ll answer once you start eating.” He demanded which I immediately follow because I can feel that we are running out of time now.

I swallowed my first bite before giving him a look again. He was just about to take another noodle to eat but when he noticed me looking at him, he sighed and just gave up. “Fine! She is a dancer in SPU, so I guess dancing?”

“Then you can buy her shoes!” I exclaimed.

“What kind of shoes? Running shoes?” I shook my head in response as he chewed the noodle he just ate.

“Sneakers. Since it’s what they mostly used in dancing.” I answered as he nodded as if he was enlightened by new information.

“Okay then. We can go to Nike once we are done here to buy her one.” He said as I nodded, finally savouring the pasta we ordered for me. “What about you? Do you like sneakers?”

“Sneakers, sandals, heels, yes. Why?” I answered.

“This is the first time you answered my question since you started suggesting a gift to give Nicole.” He said with a soft chuckle. It made me a little shy because I really don’t want to answer him earlier. He was just so smooth in asking me suddenly, that caught me off guard almost everytime. “Why do you like them then?”

“I don’t exactly know why but I just feel like it makes me more confident whenever I wear pretty sneakers, sandals, or heels. It makes me feel like I can raise my head and explore anything without any hesitation.” I answered just what I have in mind. I don’t really have that much reason why I like those things. I just know that I like it. “Besides, it makes me feel like I’m beautiful.”

When it comes to any types of shoes, I can say that I am pretty picky. As much as I like shoes, I’m an impulsive buyer to just buy one just because it’s the latest release or because it’s a trend. I bought shoes that caught my attention. The ones that once I saw, there was like a whisper in my ears saying ‘go and buy it’. I just don’t really collect shoes, I actually treasure those like a baby because each of the shoes I pick really gives me different kinds of confidence.

“You don’t feel beautiful yourself?” He asked as I shook my head. He puts down his fork and leans to the table before staring at me. It’s like he is scanning every proportion of my face with his own eyes.

“You are beyond beautiful in my eyes though. Why can’t you see it yourself?”