An Angel's kiss.

Chapter One

“Gel, please come with me,” pakiusap ni Janice, complete with her signature puppy eyes.

“I don't know, Ja,” nag-aalinlangang sagot ko habang kinakagat ang sandwich kong baon.

We were sitting on our usual spot on the bleachers, where we always spent our breaks and free periods. From there, we had a clear view of the athletics track that wrapped around the massive football field.

Jacob had invited Janice to his house party.

Needless to say, she was over the moon.

Si Jacob ba naman ang nag-imbita—her one and only crush at ang pinakasikat na football goalkeeper sa buong Kingsford University.

At heto ako, ilang beses nang tumatanggi, pero hindi pa rin niya ako tinatantanan.

She simply refused to take no for an answer.

“Please, Gel! Just this once.” Pinagdikit pa niya ang dalawang palad niya. “I promise you'll enjoy it.”

“My mom won't let me. You know how strict my parents are,” pag-aalinlangang sagot ko habang marahang ngumunguya.

“They don't have to know.”

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi.

Madali para sa kanya ang sabihin iyon.

Para sa akin?

Hindi.

Her attention drifted toward the football field, and mine followed without thinking.

Jacob was running laps with his team. His white training shirt was drenched in sweat, the damp fabric clinging to his broad shoulders and athletic build. Every stride looked effortless, drawing more than a few lingering stares from the students passing by.

Honestly...

I couldn't even blame Janice.

Napakapogi.

Matangkad.

At may natural na karisma na kahit wala siyang ginagawa, agaw-pansin pa rin.

“You know I can't lie to them, Janice,” I said softly.

“You don't have to.”

I turned to her and found her wearing her most convincing smile.

“We just won't tell them. Besides, you said Tita Gina won't be home. Promise, after this, I won't ask you again. Just this once, and I'll owe you one.”

She clasped her hands together, silently pleading.

“I just need to tell Mom I'm going with you. Once she knows I'll be with you, she'll say yes. My mom likes you so much, and she knows I won't get into trouble whenever I'm with you.”

Tinitigan ko siya nang mabuti.

"Tsk. Hindi niya talaga ako titigilan hangga't hindi ako pumapayag."

And honestly?

I had a feeling she was only using her mom as an excuse.

Aunt Elena was nothing like my mom. She believed we should go out, make memories, try new things, and enjoy being young—as long as we knew our limits.

She'd once joked, "If you ever get yourselves into trouble, at least be smart enough to avoid making a lifelong mistake. I'd rather buy you condoms than see you throw your future away."

The first time I heard that, I nearly choked on my drink.

Janice, of course, laughed like it was the most normal thing in the world. Her thick Russian accent somehow made the whole thing even funnier.

She was obviously joking.

But I knew she meant every word.

That was simply who Aunt Elena was—open-minded, honest, and someone who trusted us to make the right decisions.

I had only known Janice for a few months.

Siya ang unang taong nakilala ko matapos akong mag-transfer sa Kingsford University.

Everything was still new to me in New York. Kahit mahigit kalahating taon na akong nakatira rito, hindi pa rin ako tuluyang nakakasabay sa bilis ng buhay at sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin.

Kung hindi dahil kay Janice, mas nahirapan siguro akong mag-adjust. She helped me in so many ways—from showing me around the campus to helping me adjust to my classes and introducing me to people.

Jacob was her ultimate dream guy.

The moment she saw him, she declared—without even a second of hesitation—that he was "The one."

I almost rolled my eyes. "Sobrang corny niya talaga minsan."

Janice was majoring in Journalism, and one of her professors assigned the class to write a feature story profiling a member of the university community. Naturally, she chose Jacob.

One interview turned into regular conversations.

Regular conversations eventually led to an invitation.

And now...

Here we were.

Well, who wouldn't notice her?

Janice was stunning.

Long platinum-blonde hair.

Striking blue eyes.

Delicate features that made her look like a real-life Barbie doll.

Half Russian and half American, she naturally stood out wherever she went.

Combined with her cheerful personality and confidence, she was almost impossible not to notice.

"Hey, Angel! Earth to Angel!"

Janice gently nudged my arm.

"Huh?"

"What now?" she laughed. "Why are you zoning out? Please, just say yes."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

This would be the first time I'd ever do something without my parents' permission. The thought alone made me uneasy, and I had no idea what I'd tell them if they ever found out.

But Janice had done so much for me.

"Bahala na."

"Fine," I said at last with a defeated sigh. "I'll come with you."

Her face instantly lit up.

"Yeees!" she squealed, practically bouncing in place. "I knew you couldn't say no to me!"

I rolled my eyes.

"You've been trying to convince me since yesterday. You've followed me everywhere I went."

I gave her a pointed look.

"You weren't going to stop until I said yes, were you?"

She clicked her tongue and flashed me a mischievous grin.

"You got me."

She pointed a playful finger gun at me.

"Trust me," she said. "It's going to be fun."

I couldn't help smiling. “OA talaga.”

The moment she got the answer she wanted, she happily unwrapped her hotdog sandwich and took an enormous bite.

Napailing na lang ako.

She was a year older than me and already in her second year, yet somehow, we'd become inseparable.

She once told me I reminded her of herself on her first day at the university—lost, overwhelmed, and trying to figure everything out.

She'd had her own circle of friends back then. But it didn't last.

Rumors spread that she'd stolen one of her friend's boyfriends. Without bothering to hear her side, they all turned against her.

Since then, she'd always said she'd rather have one genuine friend than a dozen fake ones.

Janice tapped me on my shoulder. “So, I’m going to pick you up at exactly three, if that’s okay,” she said after swallowing her food.

I simply nodded, since I was still chewing my food.

We spent the rest of our break talking about the party. She was shocked when I admitted that I’d never been to one before—and that I had no idea what to wear.

“You don’t have to worry. Leave everything to me.”

She wiggled her eyebrows with a mischievous smile. Somehow, that smile only made me worry even more.