CHAPTER 11
1525 Words
It's really bad to gamble; just look at her, and this is already her punishment. She looks like an i***t standing there in front of them.
She gripped her shorts as her hands started to sweat from nerves. Who wouldn’t feel anxious when the guy he’s been crushing on for so long is right in front of her?
“Nice to meet you!”
The girl’s cheerful and high-pitched voice pierced the air.
She almost grimaced at the sound of her voice. Instead of responding, she just smiled back at her.
“Ley? Wait, do you know Johnmar?”
Everyone looked at her with confusion, except for one person who had been staring at her ever since they crossed paths.
Her heart raced because she hadn’t expected to be recognized by him.
“Wait, do you know her?”
She was about to answer when Charlotte spoke up. She glanced at her arm, which was linked with Kai’s.
Ouch.
“Kind of? Johnmar mentioned her to me.”
Charlotte nodded, looking puzzled as she turned to her.
“We were classmates in high school.”
She smiled back at him but was silently cursing Johnmar in his head.
Damn you, I told you not to say anything, but you had to gossip about me, bro!
“That’s why you look familiar. I used to pass by your classroom all the time.”
Hee stepped closer to her and extended his hand.
She looked at him innocently.
“Hi! I’m Kai.”
Before she reached out to shake his hand, she wiped her palm on her shorts and then took his hand while nervously smiling.
She caught Wes and Yna smirking at her. Those pests! She should’ve stayed behind.
“Hello! I’m Ley, nice to meet you.”
She quickly said and immediately pulled back her hand, which was sweaty. How embarrassing!
She felt so proud because she didn’t stutter.
I'll just stutter during my.presentations in school, But Infront of this man? No way! Not in front of my crush, please.
“Nice to meet you too,” Kai said with a smile as he returned to Charlotte’s side.
She nodded at him and turned quickly to retreat behind Wes.
She was itching to get away from them because she couldn’t handle the tension she was feeling.
“I’m Ruiz.”
She froze in place, still turned away from them.
“Won’t you shake hands with me?”
Slowly, she turned to face him and plastered a fake smile. Wow, I’m really pulling off the fakeness tonight.
“Again, I’m Ruiz Lucriana,” the guy said, lowering his hand and then pulling something out of his pocket.
Leyie tilted her head, curiously watching what the man in front of her was doing.
She was even more confused when he pulled out a small pack of wet wipes.
He took one and looked straight into her eyes. She felt embarrassed when his gaze dropped to her lips.
Oh my gosh, that’s sticky!
She instinctively reached for her right ear while looking down at her sandals. Her eyes widened as she saw him approaching her.
Her heart almost leaped from her chest as she lifted her gaze to his face.
“There’s something on the side of your lips; can I?”
In a daze, she nodded.
What did he just say?
Her eyes widened when she felt something cool touch the side of her lips.
He’s so close.
She gulped when she accidentally locked eyes with him.
“Done.”
He said with a smile after wiping the side of her lips.
She stared at him innocently while he tossed the wet wipe he used in the trash. It didn’t even occur to her to touch the side of her lips where he had just cleaned her.
“This will be the last. I’m Ruiz Lucriana.”
He held out his hand again, smiling and gazing at her.
She caught a glimpse of the four stunned faces watching the scene unfold before them.
She looked back at Ruiz and awkwardly smiled.
“Hello! I’m Leyie Dela Merced.”
She introduced herself while shaking his hand.
Wow, I wonder how old he is.
She quickly released his hand and rushed back behind Wes, nearly tripping over her sandals that were getting worn out.
“Girl! How embarrassing! You were so messy eating!”
Yna whispered in irritation. She shot her a glare.
“Shut up, Yna! You didn’t even tell me!”
She whispered back, nearly on the verge of tears. She quickly pulled out her phone from her bag to check her reflection.
Her ears perked up when she heard someone laughing. She peeked to see who it was.
“Wow, even his laugh is handsome.”
She whispered in amazement while stealing glances at him.
“Why are you laughing, Kuya Ruiz?”
But before he could answer Charlotte, their eyes met, and she quickly ducked behind Wes again.
She sighed in relief.
Good thing her little brother is tall. God is really good.
She chuckled at her thought because it’s the first time she felt grateful for her brother’s height.
“Nothing, I just find someone cute.”
She overheard his response.
She pouted while fixing her hair. What time is it? Why are we not home yet?
“Okay? Why don’t we have a mini-celebration?”
Charlotte suggested.
“Even though your team didn’t win, Kuya Ruiz.”
She added.
“It’s okay, but... is that fine with you, Dela Merced?”
Wes asked, raising an eyebrow infront.
“Why not?” he replied, shrugging as he turned to face them and Yna.
She shot him a look. She could smell something fishy about how he was talking to Charlotte.
“Then I’ll go ahead, Wes; I’ll stop by Ryan’s first.”
Yna suddenly said, catching Leyie’s attention.
“Wait! I’ll go with you, Yna!”
She blurted out desperately, clinging to Yna’s arm.
Yna just raised an eyebrow and shook her off.
“Girl! Take care of your little brother; Aunt Tess will be mad if you don’t come home with him.”
Leyie couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched Yna run away.
“Did she really leave me here!?” she muttered angrily, shooting an annoyed look at Wes.
“Ate, let’s go with them. It’ll just be a minute, and it’s still early.”
She glanced at her watch; it was already 10 PM. Isn’t it late?
“Okay, but just a little while, okay? I have a schedule tomorrow.”
She said reluctantly.
“Ate agreed.”
While they discussed where to go, she took a handkerchief from her sling bag and covered her legs that had been on full display.
She hadn’t expected a mini-celebration, and she planned to head home right away since she had class tomorrow.
That’s why she wore these shorts; she could wash up and go straight to sleep.
The lazy girl’s routine.
“Cold?”
She looked at the man talking to her.
She shook her head disinterestedly.
“Yeah, can I borrow your jacket for a moment?”
She said, extending her hand for him to give her the jacket.
But instead of lending it to her, he just raised an eyebrow at her.
“Not my problem.”
She sarcastically laughed at his response.
“Selfish.”
She pouted. She sighed deeply, realizing how unromantic this guy is. Shouldn’t guys lend their jackets to girls when they’re cold?
It’s all a lie in the movies. She just rolled her eyes at him, but he kept staring at her before walking away.
She decided to ignore him.
“What’s up, Wes? Have you decided yet?”
She asked irritably since it was getting cold where they were, but a minute later, they finally reached an agreement. They actually wanted to leave, but anti-romantic guy was still missing.
“Where did he go?” she asked, rolling her eyes as she heard that high-pitched voice again.
“There he is, Cherry, you don’t need to worry.”
What cherry? She glanced at her.
He looks more like a lychee to her.
“Kuya Ruiz! Where have you been?” Charlotte exclaimed as she saw the guy approaching them. But instead of answering her question, he walked straight to Leyie.
“Here.”
Huh?
She looked at what he was offering.
“It’s a blanket. I know someone who lives nearby.”
He said confidently.
She couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked at him.
“Can I put it around your waist?”
In a daze, she nodded.
She felt her cheeks heat up as he wrapped the blanket around her waist.
Before letting go, he tied it tightly behind her.
“Done.”
She bit her lower lip as she looked straight into his eyes.
“What are we?” she asked without thinking.
“Huh?”
She snapped back to reality when she heard his voice.
“What? I said, thank you.”
She affirmed, nervously smiling at him.
“Thanks, huh?”
He replied with a grin, shaking his head.
- Writer
