The Rules We Break

Chapter 2

I had just finished showering and getting dressed. I sat on my bed, watching TV while waiting for Yuhan to arrive. I expected him to be late. He always is. I called him to hurry him up because I really hate waiting.

After a few rings, he answered.

"Hey, where are you?!" I greeted my friend angrily.

"Calm down, I'm almost at your corner," he replied, clearly holding back laughter.

"You're so slow, as always! Hurry up, I'm coming out."

"Okay, I'll wait for you outside. Bye," he hung up. I stood up and turned off the TV. I looked in the mirror before leaving my room to make sure I looked okay. Satisfied with what I saw, I quickly went downstairs and out the gate of my apartment.

I looked towards the corner where Yuhan's car would be coming from, and just then, his black car turned into our street. When his car stopped in front of me, he rolled down the passenger window.

"Hey, you look beautiful, can I take you home? How about three thousand pesos?" Yuhan teased.

"You jerk! That's not enough for making me wait!" I replied, annoyed. I opened the passenger door and got in so we could leave.

A few seconds passed, but the car still didn't move. I looked at Yuhan, and I realized he was staring at me, which is why he hadn't driven yet.

"What's your problem?" I asked.

"You're cute, that new dress looks good on you," he flattered me, trying to smooth things over. Yuhan always does this, he's really smooth. He knows how to charm women.

"Stop it! I wore this when we went to Yoej's birthday. Let's go, I'm hungry," I said sharply.

"You're so grumpy, but I know you're blushing," he said with a killer smile.

I didn't reply because I knew he'd corner me if I continued the conversation. Yuhan's car started moving, and I just looked out the window as we drove. I didn't want to talk to Yuhan while my heart was beating so fast.

I've been in love with my friend for a long time. At first, I thought it was just a crush because the word 'love' wasn't in my vocabulary. Then I started missing his teasing and annoying habits. I don't know why, I wasn't like this before I met him. s*x was just a trip, that was it, and then nothing. But why did my perspective suddenly change when I met him?

I didn't know if he had any idea about my feelings for him or if his little remarks, like earlier, were just jokes. I hadn't confessed to him yet. I couldn't rely on Yuhan's jokes. I didn't want to be embarrassed or rejected. As a woman, he might think something else of me.

I wasn't ugly, but I also couldn't compare to someone like Marian Rivera. We were miles apart, physically. That was one of the reasons I couldn't bring myself to confess to him.

I couldn't forget what a friend once told me, 'You are most likely to be in a relationship with someone that has your same level of attractiveness.' In other words, a super-hot Yuhan was meant for someone equally super-hot and sexy.

I didn't know why I believed my friend's words. Maybe because that's what usually happened. The handsome ones were for the beautiful ones, the cute ones for the cute ones, the ugly ones were often in the shadows, and chubby ones like me... good luck. I suddenly felt sad about my thoughts.

I didn't realize we had stopped in the mall's parking lot. I was about to open the car door when Yuhan stopped me. I just looked at him. His face was serious.

"Did I tease you too much?" he asked seriously. "Sorry. I just don't have anyone else to tease."

I wasn't going to say anything, but he seemed genuinely guilty. When he looked at me like that, I couldn't resist him.

"I'm sorry. The poor octopus will be lonely without her alien friend," he added.

I couldn't help but laugh at what he was saying. I wasn't really angry. But I appreciated it when he tried to sweet-talk me when I ignored him.

He suddenly pinched my cheek while laughing. I suddenly remembered something he did.

"You're so cute. Come on, let's buy my shoes so we can have dinner," he invited.

I got out of the car and followed him into the mall. I couldn't help but sigh. Sometimes things are just too complicated, and you don't have a choice but to take a deep breath and move forward.

We walked in silence, me just following him wherever he wanted to go. We went to several shoe stores, and I couldn't figure out what kind of shoes he was looking for. We'd enter a*****e, he'd look around, pick something up, and if he didn't like it, he'd suggest going somewhere else.

Almost thirty minutes passed, and he still hadn't found anything. I was getting impatient, so I decided to ask him.

"What kind of shoes are you looking for? You've been picking and choosing, but you haven't bought anything," I asked. He looked at me and smiled.

This guy is really something. I ask him a question, and he just smiles at me.

"Anything, as long as it suits me," he replied, then turned his attention back to the shoes on display.

"Anything? As long as it suits you? Everything suits you, what's with the fuss?" I asked, irritated.

"Really?" he asked, frowning.

"Yes, really, you're so difficult."

"Sir, these would look great on you," offered the gay salesman. "Black with a touch of red, for a bad boy look," he added.

"Oh, there you go. Those would look good on you, especially if you wear black," I said, pointing to the shoes the salesman was holding.

"Are you sure? Maybe they won't suit me?"

"They'll suit you, trust me. Then pair them with your black and white cap. Wear shades and high socks. And of course, to be trendy, wear a surgical mask, it's fashion, apparently," I joked, laughing.

He glared at me and crossed his arms, slowly approaching me.

"Do you know what's trendy?" he asked, smiling.

"W-What?" I stammered as he moved his face closer to mine. "Stay away from me," I ordered.

He didn't budge and moved even closer, not content until he held both my shoulders and stared into my eyes. Our faces were almost touching, just a finger's width apart. And my heart was pounding like a herd of horses racing.

This wasn't the first time our faces had been so close, and we'd stared at each other. There were many times, and it wasn't just staring; there were endless kisses. But even now, I still felt a different kind of thrill whenever our faces got close and we gazed into each other's eyes. I breathed a sigh of relief when he turned his head and brought it close to my ear.

"s*x in the mall, that's the trend," he whispered. I pushed him away quickly because of what he'd whispered. He shook his head, laughing at his own joke, and then pinched my cheek.

"You're shameless, you have no sense of place. Get those shoes and pay for them so we can eat," I said. He obeyed and went to the counter, still with a grin on his face.