The Man Who Breaks My Heart (English )

CHAPTER 07

"Oh, our farewell party plan is final, right? Everyone's busy the first week of the month, so there won't be time to go. But it's okay because most of them said they'll attend," Rowela told our classmates who were asking about our farewell party before graduation.

We were at the canteen having lunch, so the topic came up again and everyone was excited, especially me, of course. How could I not be happy when my crush, Sebastian, said he'd come? I know he's not really into parties, but I managed to convince him by pestering Ryker.

I don't know why, but even though I get annoyed by that guy, I always ask him for favors, like this time, asking his friend to come to the farewell party. I was so happy that he did it.

Some people think Ryker is my boyfriend now because we're often together, especially when going home. If I'm not with Rowela, he's the one who takes me home on his motorcycle. So, naturally, the girls who have a crush on him raise their eyebrows whenever they see me with him, but I don't care. We're not a couple, and we're not even friends, just classmates.

"Just don't forget to bring food, everyone. One of us should bring food that fits our budget, so it doesn't burden your parents," Rowela added, and our classmates nodded in agreement.

I scanned the canteen, looking for Sebastian, but he wasn't there yet. Maybe dismissal hasn't happened yet, so he hasn't come to the canteen for lunch. They usually eat here because they don't bring their own meals.

But my face suddenly fell when I saw who just entered the canteen area.

Ryker Matt Sullivaño, walking like he owns the school, attracting the attention of most students.

I pouted, wondering what they see in that jerk. He's a playboy who goes around with different girls. I heard that they were a couple, then they broke up after he first pursued her. Tsk.

I got that gossip from the girls who were close to him. They were the ones who told me, of course. I never asked Ryker about it because we're not close, and I don't care about his life. We're like cat and mouse sometimes, but when Sebastian is the topic, I have more questions for him. That's why he sometimes wants to put me down when we're on his motorcycle because I always talk about Sebastian. Tsk.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with me sitting here, right? Anyone going to object?" I froze for a few minutes because of the guy who spoke while looking at me.

It was none other than Sebastian. Oh my…my heart keeps pumping so fast.

"Y-yeah, yeah, of course… of course. Sit here, it's empty," I said with a smile. I didn't know how to cover my face because I was embarrassed and flustered by his sudden appearance. My face must be as red as a tomato. My heart is beating so fast right now. Oh my… goodness!

I was even more flustered when I smelled the perfume he was wearing. Expensive, just like him.

"Aww, Aubree Lynn Corpez, you're crushing again!" my friends teased, so I threw a table napkin at them, especially Rowela.

"You guys are crazy… no, I'm not—"

"Wee… you said that, tell it to the turtle," she added, making me frown even more. I'll get you later, and I'll pull your long hair. You're lucky you're on the other side of the table right now.

"What did you order? What is your food? I'll get more?" Sebastian asked me, and the teasing continued. Embarrassed, I turned my head to the other side and was surprised to see Ryker sitting beside me, his eyes sharp as he looked at his tray, which he had just placed on the table.

I didn't even notice him sitting beside me because my attention was on my crush.

I was sandwiched between two guys.

I looked at Ryker, who still had his eyebrows furrowed, so I met his gaze and looked at the food he ordered.

"Your food will be sad if you don't eat it, and if you're fighting with someone again, don't involve your food," I said to him.

"Tsk-'' was his only response.

I took a french fries from his tray and ate it. Not satisfied, I took another one without asking him. He saw it and didn't even complain, so I continued taking and eating them. Sebastian excused himself to go to the counter and buy his lunch.

My classmates, including Rowela, left us for a while because they were done eating and had somewhere to go.

"Their fries are so good today, hmmm, they're really delicious…" I widened my eyes when I saw the container was empty, so I slowly turned my head to see Ryker. I was sure he was angry with me for finishing his fries. But he wasn't, and his face seemed happy, unlike before when he had his eyebrows furrowed and a pout.

I gave him a peace sign. "Sorry… they were so good and yummy, just buy some more," I said with a smile, hoping he wouldn't get mad.

He looked me in the eyes. "You want more? I'll buy some more?" Because of what he said, I nodded because they really were delicious. "I'll buy you some, anything else you want to eat?" Wow! Just sitting with me, and now blessings are coming my way.

I pouted. "I've been wanting to try that halo-halo since earlier," I said, hinting at it.

"You know I don't eat halo-halo," he said, making me confused.

"Eh! Why did you buy it? It's a waste—wait! It's for me, right?" I asked with puppy eyes, afraid that it wasn't for me and he was going to give it to another girl.

"Aha!"

"Are you sure! I'll get it?" I asked, but the truth is, I had already taken a few scoops with my spoon and devoured the halo-halo, especially the ube and leche flan, before I even asked him and made sure.

You're something else, Aubree Lynn.

"Want some? Say ahhh… I don't like beans and you like them, right?" I asked while holding out the spoon with some beans on it, red and white beans. Thankfully, he accepted it.

"Are you done eating your rice and that dessert is all you've eaten?" he asked me, and I looked at my lunchbox, which still had rice and half a fried fish.

"I'm probably done…"

"Probably? You don't know?"

I smiled at him while finishing the halo-halo.

"I'm full, why would I force myself to eat that?" I asked, frowning.

"You're just saying you're full because you devoured the fries and that halo-halo," wow! When did he become my father?

"Whatever! I'll take it home with me, it probably won't go bad—" I trailed off because he took my lunchbox and ate its contents.

"It'll go bad later, so I'll just finish it," I smiled at what he said.

It wasn't much, so he finished it in a few bites. "I'll buy some more fries and other food. What else do you want to eat?" My smile widened to my ears because of his question. What did he eat to be nice to me and also treat me? He's only generous sometimes, you know. I don't like his attitude.

"Halo-halo… ouch! Why are you pinching my forehead?" I asked, glaring at him and touching my forehead.

It didn't hurt, but it was annoying. Is my forehead his favorite, and we're going to switch places?

"One halo-halo a day is enough, you might get cold and sick," he said.

I lightly slapped his shoulder. "I won't, it's hot outside now, so it's okay even if I finish another glass, hmmm, add another halo-halo, please," I gave him puppy eyes and pouted, hoping he would agree again. He's the one who offered to treat me, so I'm taking full advantage of it. He's only generous sometimes, you know.

He shook his head and slapped my forehead again. "No more tomorrow, you already ate today's share," he said, making my smile widen.

"It's okay… I'm craving halo-halo now, maybe not tomorrow," I said, pointing to my stomach and the empty halo-halo container.

He narrowed his eyes while shaking his head, so I just gave him a peace sign.

I watched him as he walked towards the halo-halo stall. But then, my gaze sharpened when I saw two girls approach him and talk to him.

Well, he's tall, has a presence that you can see from afar, he's handsome, loves playing basketball, and sometimes soccer. So, of course, many girls are smitten with him.

And now, why am I glaring at the girls talking to him? I should be used to it because he's a playboy who has had many girlfriends. Or maybe I'm angry because he might give the halo-halo to someone else.

"Sorry I took so long," my focus shifted from Ryker to Sebastian, who suddenly appeared in front of me.

"H-hi!" I stuttered again, making him laugh.

"Hello! What do you want from what I bought?" Because of his question, I looked at the tray he was carrying and smiled, imagining myself in his place.

"For free?" He laughed at my question. Am I joking? He keeps laughing at what I say.

"Everything here is free, don't worry. I'm not sure what you want here, so I bought enough for two people."

"Oh, wow! Thank you! I want another halo-halo and potato fries," I said shyly. I always get shy when I'm with him. I've been crushing on him since high school. That's probably why I'm like this.

"Thank you!" I said after he handed me what I asked for, and he smiled.

He ate rice with beef steak, and I had the fries and halo-halo he gave me.

He was telling me something, and I was laughing. He was also laughing at what I said.

While we continued laughing, I caught Ryker's eye, and his gaze was sharp again as he looked at us. He noticed me, so I waved at him.

"Hey, you took so long to finish your food. Hi Sebastian!" I heard Rowela's voice. "Hey Ryker, halo-halo, is this for me?" she asked Ryker while placing the tray on the table.

"Yeah!" he replied and just left us. I followed him with my eyes as he walked towards the canteen exit.

What's his problem?

I turned my attention back to the table.

"Wow, this is for me, Aubree, what the? Aubree Lynn Corpez!" Rowela was surprised because I immediately grabbed the halo-halo I saw, and it had my name in the middle of the glass container.

"That small one is for you! This is mine, Ryker gave it to me!"

"Wee.. really?"

"Yes, see, it has my name on it because I asked him to buy me another one earlier. Maybe he just wanted to go to the bathroom, so he just gave it to you, but just the small one."

"Wow! Let's go, you witch, our first subject in the afternoon is about to start. You know our professor now," because of what Rowela said, I hurriedly finished the halo-halo Ryker bought me, while Sebastian kept reminding me to slow down as he finished his halo-halo too.

Thankfully, we made it to our first subject. Sebastian walked us to the classroom, so I heard teasing again because they know I have a crush on him. Thankfully, my crush is sporty and just smiled at my classmates.

While our professor was teaching, I couldn't understand what I was feeling. I suddenly felt cold, even though we only had an electric fan in the classroom.

My body suddenly felt heavy and weak. I listened to the teacher until dismissal came.

I didn't pack my things because I was weak. I stood up, but because of the weakness, I was about to go back to my seat to sleep, but it felt like I was going to fall.

The last thing I heard was Ryker cursing and calling my name.