Running from the Horizon (Secondary Series #2)

09

“Until when will you keep on playing?”

He lowers his head, laughing softly, with my remark. I swear he really just can’t stop himself from being the playful and playboy one he is. He needs to learn how to control his words especially when it comes to me because I just don’t really feel great about it the past few weeks now. He flatters me too much so easily now.

“I will stop now so you can keep on eating,” He said in between chuckles. His eyes remain to me, watching me eat. It was a little comfortable but I learned the act of avoiding his eyes.

“We need to hurry! It's already 7:30!” I exclaimed as I chewed the noddle inside my mouth.

He looks at his watch and looks at me as if I said something weird. “So what if it’s 7:30 already?”

“I can’t go home late okay? My parents will be mad if they get home and I’m not there.” I answered, finishing off my food remains.

“You have your sister’s back. I’m sure she can find you a good excuse,” He said it like it was so easy to do.

“You want my sister to lie?” I questioned, raising a brow at him.

He finishes his food remains, drinking his wine, before answering me. “Then you can just tell them that you are with me. If you want, I can greet them and apologize myself for not bringing you home earlier if they are there already once I drop you off to your house.”

Is he serious?

“And they will assume that you are my boyfriend? No thanks!” I said, rejecting. The least that I want is making my parents one of those people to assume that we have something more than friends. I think I have been teased enough by my friends and my sister for them to add up.

“Is it a problem? I can be your boyfriend if you want too.” He said smoothly.

I was flustered with his suggestion that it felt like there was a sudden lump in my throat. I know he is just kidding when he said that but it feels weird to hear it from him. I hate myself as well for feeling so flattered over him that easily.

“W-will you stop?!” I raised my voice a little, stuttering, making him chuckle.

“Did I just make you blush?” He teases as leans over to check my face out. My hand immediately went to my cheeks because of his remark. “Then I’ll be your boyfriend starting today then!”

“Shut up or I’ll leave you here!” I threatened that it made him laugh harder. He stopped teasing but his words are still left in my mind. It’s so weird. Why do I need to feel like it’s so good to hear it?

We finished our food with him insisting to pay. I was gonna tell him that I will send my pay in his bank account but he got me first, not even letting me speak up.

Wherever we passed by, it felt like everyone’s eyes on us, or just on Noah. He really does attract everyone even just wearing his school uniform and just walking normally. He is not even doing anything. Not even using his phone nor talking. He is just looking around, probably checking if he wants to buy something for himself.

“Now that we are here, you decide what shoes I should give her.” He said, entering the store.

“Why do I have to be the one to decide? Can’t you do it by yourself?” I questioned. Am I the one giving the gift?

“Because I trust you. I want you to choose sneakers that can help her be more confident as well.” He replied.

He pushed to the female section sneakers softly. Everyone’s eyes who are inside the store are on us. He does not seem bothered with it, not even a bit. It’s expected though. I’m sure everyone in their school keeps on staring at him.

I roam my eyes around the wall of sneakers and I just can’t seem to find the right shoe. I didn’t know it was this hard to choose a shoe for someone.

“Can we just buy this one?” He suggested one sneaker that has a combination of white and green.

“No! That’s not the one,” I reject.

“Why are you so picky?” He complained, pouting.

I gave him a look. He has been complaining for the past five minutes now. How can he be this impatient?

“You know what? Just go and pick by yourself! I’m done,” I said, raising both of my hands.

“Where are you going then?” He asked, baffled when I walked away from his spot.

“Look around!” I said without looking back at him.

I’m sure he can manage alone while picking the right shoes for his friend. He told me to help him pick but when I reject his suggestion, he will go sulk and keep on complaining. It’s just giving me a headache!

My eyes roam around the wall of sneakers and admire each of it. It’s like heaven to me actually. I really don’t know why I’m so fond of it but I just know that each kind of shoes really gives me confidence. A different kind of confidence that I can’t get in anything. It makes me feel like wearing beautiful shoes will take me to a brighter place, a place that will help me become a better person.

I touched each shoe, checking it like I was buying it. In reality, I won’t. But my eyes landed on one shoe. It’s a simple black shoe with the iconic check on the side which indicates the brand's logo. I am so into black shoes because compare it to white ones, it won’t get dirty that easily.

“That shoe is one of our new collections ma’am,” One of the sales ladies suddenly popped up beside me. Has she been following me?

She elaborated some of the shoe details and even told me that it is one of their best sellers. That many buyers have been waiting for that shoe since it was announced. We talked there about the shoe but I suddenly felt guilty because I wasn’t planning to buy it. I am not planning to buy one right now. At the end, I thanked her for the explanations she gave me about it. It made me want to have it but I have to restrain myself at some point.

“I thought you already left.” Noah remarked when I stood next to him.

Another sales lady is standing next to him already with two boxes of shoes on hand. I thought he was only buying a shoe for his friend?

“Did you buy yourself a shoe?” I asked as he nodded.

“I found something that looks interesting so I decided to buy it. Why?” He answered.

“Nothing, I just asked. Come on! You should pay now. I need to go home already!” I complained as he lazily dragged himself to the counter.

I waited for him to pay for the shoes he bought before we headed out of the shop. I had to take one last peek to the shoe that caught my eye. I really like it but it’s too bad because I don’t want to buy things for now. I just bought a new shoe last month. I don’t want to spend that much money for a shoe just because I like it. I need to be cautious.

“Why do you keep on rushing? We still have more time before 9pm,” He complained. I am walking too fast but it seems normal for him, probably because of his long legs.

“I told you! I need to go home before my parents do!” I repeated as he heave a sigh before looking at another shop we just passed by.

“Wait! I need to buy food for your siblings.” He said as I looked back at him, giving him a weird look.

“Why do you need to buy them one? It’s already late Noah,” I questioned as he was about to enter the shop already but I stopped him before he could even go. “You don’t need to buy them one anymore!”

To be honest, I don’t really like the idea of him being close to my siblings. Considering the fact that we won’t really be friends for long. We may be one the past few months but it can be just temporary. I don’t want my siblings, especially my brothers, to feel like they are attached to him already just because of the time they had earlier and now, him buying them food.

“I promised them I will buy them one Diana. I don’t break my promise,” He only said before switching our hands, him being the one to hold my wrist now, dragging me inside the shop.

It was actually tempting to enter this shop. Each sight of the brownies made me gulp and just want to grab it all then eat it. I am not really into sweets, just a little because I need to watch my weight for cheering, but brownies are an exception.

“You have been staring on the brownies for minutes now. Did you even hear what I just asked you?” Noah asked, bringing me back to my senses. I look back at him, confused, as he let out a scoff with a playful smile. “Looks like someone is drooling over brownies.”

I, no hesitation, hit him in his arms which made him a jump a little. Did not see that coming, yeah?

“Go buy fast. We need to go home now!” I command him as he nods and laughs before going to the counter to buy.

I, on the other hand, sat on the chair on one of the closest tables around the counter. My legs are still tired due to our practice earlier and this guy just can’t cooperate. I just wanna go and take some rest now!

I got myself busy with my phone when I suddenly felt that familiar feeling again. I consciously look outside the shop and try to see whether someone is looking at me or what. It’s weird.

“What are you at looking out there?” Noah suddenly pops up beside me with two big boxes on hand and one small box.

“I think someone is looking at me from outside but I can’t see anyone,” I said, looking outside the shop as I stood up from the chair.

Since we entered the shoe shop, I have been feeling strange. It really feels like someone is following us or even watching what we are doing. It was creepy but whenever I look out, there is no one. I can’t even say if I’m just imagining things or what.

Noah looked outside as well with brows furrowed before looking at me. “Maybe it was me. Don’t stress yourself too much about it.”

I heaved a deep sigh and nodded. Maybe I was just imagining things. It just feels so weird to feel such a strange feeling. I had been going to the mall for a while now but this is the first time I really felt it. That someone is looking at me and following me.

“Why do you buy so many?” I said, pointing to the box of brownies. Both of his hands are full now when he lifts the shoe box that I bought with me when he went to buy those brownies. His left hand is holding the two paper bags of the shoes and the right one holds the boxes of brownies. He really went to shop a little.

“The big boxes are for your siblings. This one,” He raised the smaller box and handed out to me. “Are yours. You look like you want to have some so I bought one for you.”

I stared at it for a moment before looking back at him. His expression is normal. No signs of playfulness nor even too seriousness. It was just normal but his actions are not. I have seen him show so much care to his friends but it feels strange that he does it to me now.

“T-thank you,” My stuttering was not intentional. It just happened that it sounded like that. Am I nervous? But why?

We left the shop and went to the parking lot already to go home. I was so conscious to eat the brownies he bought me even though I have been drooling about it since I got it from his hand. I’m even trying to avoid looking at the box but Noah told me to eat. I did not argue anymore and just took one slice of the brownie. It was heaven!

He was just using his phone throughout the whole ride while I’m busy eating another two pieces of brownies. There are six pieces inside and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to stop myself. I can’t eat too much sweets as of now because we still have that cheer performance. I’m not the main flyer but still. I need to keep in shape.

“I thought you were on a diet but you almost finished everything already,” He teases, looking at the box of brownies I just ate at.

“Brownies are an exception.” I defend, avoiding his eyes. I heard his soft laugh that warms my heart.

“Here,” He handed me the two big boxes of brownies for my siblings. “You need to ask your siblings permission first before you can take a piece from those boxes.”

I widened my eyes on him. What the hell is he talking about?

“You are weird,” I remarked as he laughed.

How come he keeps on laughing these days? He seems to be in a very good mood for weeks now. He does play around but he seems happier than when we first talked. Than last year.

“Thank you for accompanying me tonight Diana,” He said, sincerely, with a smile plastered on his lips.

“I don’t really have much choice. You followed me here.” I teases as he laughs a little before looking at me.

“I think it will be weird if I say this but I had fun tonight.”

Is it just me or does it sound like we just went out on a date? His words express that thought. The way he said that he had fun sounds like he is thanking me because we went out on a date which we didn’t. Why do I even keep on having such thoughts? I keep concluding things that will disappoint me anyway… not that I’m hoping for something.

“I’m not expecting to have fun but yeah. Thank you for letting me accompany you tonight and for treating me with everything.”

Despite being tired from a whole day of practice, Noah really did make my night better. I thought that I will only go to sleep, even skipping dinner, for today after our practice but then he showed up and made my night both tiring and fun just really amaze me.

We bid each other goodbye before I watched his car drive away. The moment I entered the front door, all of my siblings came rushing to me. My younger brothers even ask for Noah and it’s just so amazing how they feel attached that easily to him for them to ask me to tell him to come back tomorrow.

“You know what ate? I like kuya Noah.” Kyle said, taking a bite of the brownie. I almost choke on the water I am drinking because of his remark.

“That’s new,” Meghan gave me a teasing smirk and looked before looking back at our brother. “Why do you like him?”

“He is nice and he played with us so well until the end. No guys really played with us for long because they get tired easily but kuya Noah didn’t.” He answered.

He was right though. The moment they met Noah, they immediately got in good terms with him. Maybe because he was the one to approach and ask them to play with him. The energy of my brothers can be too much, even for me. Noah, on the other hand, knows how to play with them well. It must be because he is the only child.

“When will kuya Noah come back ate?” Bailey asked.

“I’m not sure. I think he lives far from here so I can’t really tell. Why do you ask?” I asked while glancing at the brownie. I wanted to eat one more but I already had too much. I still have practice to attend tomorrow.

“He promised me that he will help me improve my basketball skills the next time he came back.”

He promised? So he is planning to come back? But why? He doesn’t really need to do it. Why does he need to promise something to them? I don’t want my brothers to feel like Noah will always be there because he wouldn’t.

“Can you ask him for me ate? I really wanna know when will kuya come back here. I wanna play with him again.”

“Play with who?”

My eyes widened upon hearing a familiar voice of our mother. When I look back, mama was standing there looking tired but still beautiful. She is in her pant suit with a pair of heels, holding a black bag.

Bailey, Kyle, and Meghan immediately ran to hug her as I smiled watching them. It was one of the things that I really love about my siblings. They remained sweet regardless of age. Even the moody Meghan now is still a softy to mama and papa.

“Did you kids miss mama and papa?” Mama asked as the three nods.

“Mama, where’s papa?” Kyle asked in a soft voice.

There was a hint of hesitation in her eyes when Kyle asked her about it. Come to think of it, it was already mama who came here. Did papa stay in the office? But that would be impossible.

“Papa went upstairs already to get some rest. He is really tired so he can’t stay here anymore.” Mama explained as my brothers nodded. Meghan and I are an exception.

As much as I want to believe what mama said, after hearing what they are talking about last Christmas, I already have speculations that there really is something wrong. I have been trying not to think about it but I just can’t.

My sister and I have been talking about papa but we just can’t seem to pinpoint what the problem is. Looking at our parents, they don’t really look like they have marriage problems nor anything bad.

Or they are just good at hiding it?

But we never really heard them fight nor shout at each other even after weeks of observation. It was just normal but weird.

“Is papa okay mama? He hasn't been playing with us for weeks now,” Kyle said with a pout.

“Papa said he will play basketball with me but up until now… we still haven’t played.” Bailey was the one to say it now.

“Don’t think or be sad like that. I’m sure papa wants to play as well but she really is just busy with the company that is why he can’t really stay and play anymore.” Mama explained as Kyle just ended up heaving a deep sigh.

“Is everything alright in the company ma?” I asked as mama smiled at me and nodded.

“Don’t worry about the company Diana. If there is a problem, then we will handle it ourselves. Don’t worry okay?” She said, assuring me, but I was less convinced.

It’s not because of the company. If it's not… then what?

“So back to my question? Who will you play with?” Mama asked Kyle.

Suddenly, nervousness got me.

“Kuya Noah!” He excitedly called Noah’s name making me close my eyes.

“Kuya Noah? Who is kuya Noah?” Mama confusedly asked, eyeing both me and Meghan.

I unconsciously avoided her eyes so Meghan had to do the answering. I regretted it at the end though. She just put me in trouble!

“Ate’s boyfriend,”

“You have a boyfriend?!”