In Between Us

Chapter 5

Days passed and we’ve been busy with academics and practising cheer dancing. I got excited when I was assigned to be one of the flyers. At first, I got scared, but when I studied how to master the balancing and to move quickly during the execution, I found it easier than what I had thought.

It was already 8:30 pm when we finished our rehearsal. We are currently at the Mall of Asia Arena. It was tiring and my legs hurt. I was resting with my friends Joanne and Ria here in one of the bleachers when I heard Joanne speak.

“Look guys, that’s him, right? The Ateneo guy?” Joanne said while drinking from her tumbler.

Without a doubt, I turned to the direction that Joanne was pointing.

‘Yeah, it was him.’ He is with his team mates, I guess, as they are all wearing their uniform.

Until now, I haven’t seen any photos of Therese with the Ateneo guy either on sss or IG. That is why I never had the chance to stalk him. They are a thing, so it should be normal for a couple to post photos of them. But I don’t see any from Therese.

The Ateneo guy seems restless. His eyes were roaming everywhere. Perhaps looking for Therese.

“Wait guys, I’ll tell Therese.”

We are seated in the corner bleachers, far from the middle aisle actually. I decided to stand up and approached Therese. She is with her classmates. I don’t know why the Ateneo guy can’t see her when she’s obviously sitting in the middle of the patron area.

“Therese.” I called her.

She turned her head and raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah, what’s up?” she answered with a little hint of irritation.

“I think your boyfriend is looking for you. Maybe he couldn’t see you?” I turned my head and pointed to where the Ateneo guy was looking.

I saw him staring at me. I stared at him a little longer, then I looked down first.

“Oh! Thanks Cara. Yeah, it might be. Thanks for letting me know. I had been busy here so I also didn’t notice that he was here already.” She winked and walked past my sight and approached the Ateneo guy.

I went back to where my friends were sitting.

I am not expecting that I will be seeing him today. My heart is happy. I am already satisfied to have a glance at him even from afar.

“Let’s change. I’m already hungry guys.” Joanne told us.

“Yeah, let’s go.” I took my backpack and stood up from the bleachers.

I decided not to look back to see what was happening. A glance in a day should be enough. I should be contented and not be wanting for more. Because if I train myself to get more of his presence, I don’t know where this feeling will lead me. It’s definitely a heartbreak and that is what I want to avoid.

I want to keep it this way. It’s light, easy to manage, it’s purely happy crush and that’s all. I don’t want it to be complicated.

Tomorrow is Saturday and we don’t have classes. We went to Jollibee and I ordered 1 cheese burger only. I saw my friends ordering a set and they shared their fries with me.

“I am not sure if that Ateneo guy and Therese are boyfriend- girlfriend, you know. I think it’s more obvious that Therese is only chasing after that Ateneo guy. Have you seen what happened before we left? Another girl approached the Ateneo guy, almost hugging him. Therese was already close but suddenly walked back and didn’t go near the guy.” Ria told them.

I was surprised. “Really?” ‘Hmmm it’s not impossible. I told you, lots of girls will chase after him.’ I am scolding myself.

It’s like I’m watching my favourite actor in a Korean series. I should put the Ateneo guy like that. There are lots of people crushing Hyun Bin and, of course, he will never notice me. But I’m not complaining because we are like millions following him, so it’s really impossible if he will crush me back. It would be a miracle if that happened. It’s the same with the Ateneo guy. I can’t go near him. It’s impossible to be noticed by him too. It’s hopeless that he will crush me back too.

Acads and practice made me busy and it became a habit to seldom to think of the Ateneo guy.

We rarely meet Therese lately because of our different schedules. But once in a while, we will have lunch with her. She looked sad and we thought the same, it was because of the Ateneo guy.

Our schedule became hectic until the day of the UAAP cheer dance championship. Today is the day. Our eyes are in NU. They are regarded as our main contender. I saw them perform really well and they did it again. When it’s our turn, my heart beats so loud, even louder than the people who cheered for us. I regained my composure and focus when we started to dance to the beat of our song. I go all out, I can say. We did our tosses and pyramids flawlessly. This is my first time in UAAP and I can say that I did well. I am so proud.

We were congratulated by other schools, including NU, when we were hailed as the champion.

The middle of the court is like chaos. We were all dancing; party poppers and confetti were everywhere. Everyone is happy.

We were heading back to the benches when my eyes caught the Ateneo guy. He was intently looking at me like I had done something wrong. What was wrong with him? I felt my heart throbbing but got scared a little by the way he looked at me. I moved my stares away from him because I felt uneasy.

After a few minutes of resting, we decided to go to the restroom to change our clothes. When somebody says that the world is small, I think this is becoming true for me and the Ateneo guy. Where everyone is coming back and forth, knowing exactly where to go, here we are bumping into each other's arms again. This time, I fell into him, not really emotionally but literally. I hugged him so tight on his waist. At first, I didn’t know that it was him. But when I figured out that it was, I was like Flash, I quickly detached myself from him. I felt like I had embarrassed myself and I know it was pretty obvious from my face. I hurriedly went inside the restroom without any words, so as to cover myself from embarrassment, leaving him astounded.

I couldn’t fix myself. I was beyond happy, that’s for sure, because I got to see him very close and hugged him. But I know it was so wrong. It was purely an accident. If any girls saw us in that position, they would definitely get jealous, especially Therese. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Seeing him from a distance is enough for me.

My friends had already gone back to court and I was left alone. I am still amazed by what happened. My heart is leaping for joy, I can’t control it.

After 5 minutes, I am already marching back to where my friends are.

I saw Therese with the Ateneo guy. They are talking. They are laughing. I pretended not to see them and straight away sat down beside Ria.

In my peripheral view, I saw Therese moving closer to the Ateneo guy. ‘Did she just kiss her?’

“OMG.” I heard Ria murmuring.

‘I know what you mean, Ria, I know.’ Again, I pretended I didn’t see them. My heart hurts one more time.

Is this how a happy crush should be? Why am I hurting this way? Is this normal? If I saw Hyun Bin kissing someone, would I be hurt this way too? I think not? I don’t know.

“Ri, I’ll go ahead. My head and my legs are hurting.” I told my friend because I didn’t want to see them any longer. This is too much for me. I only wanted to see him, so this too much exposure of him is not helping me.

“I’ll go with you too. I still need to travel today, going back to the province.” Ria answered cheerfully.

“How about you, Jo? Will you be staying?” turning to Joanne as I already stood up and took all my things in my hand, including my backpack.

“Are we not going to celebrate? For like an hour only? Common, we’re already here. We can stroll a little longer, can we?”

Ria and I looked at each other and smiled defeatedly.

We agreed to Joanne’s suggestion and all together headed to the exit area of the court.

On our way out, we came across another group of boys wearing UST jerseys, Growling Tigers. There are 4 of them. Joanne bumped into one of the guys and they stopped walking. It seemed like Joanne knew him. They turned around to look at me and Ria. One guy stared at me longer before moving back his stares at Joanne.

They move to the side together with Joanne to avoid blocking the exit.

We followed and stood up close to them.

“Ri, Cara, this is Justine, my cousin.” Joanne introduced us to her cousin, Justine.

They got closer as Ria and I didn’t walk to get nearer.

Justine raised his hand for a hand shake. Ria reached for his hand first, since they were close to each other.

“Hi Justine, nice meeting you.” She gladly accepted Justine’s hand and talked to him in a friendly tone.

Then Justine turned to me and did the same.

I smiled before reaching his hand. I felt him squeeze my hand. He looked at me intently like he was examining me.

“You’re the one flying, am I right?” he chuckled.

We laughed at his words.

“I shouldn’t be here if I was.” I kinda ride his joke.

“Cara.” I told him. “Joanne’s friend.” I added.

“It was good meeting you personally, Cara.” Justine told me.

“I been asking Joanne about you but she doesn’t want to tell me. She told me to do it by myself, which I am glad I am doing now.” he was smiling widely, showing me his almost perfect white teeth.

I blushed. I amn’t used to this kind of compliment and him telling me this right in front of me as if we’re closed, got my tongue tied.

I awkwardly smiled at him.

“That was smooth.” I heard from his friends. They are teasing us, I think.

“Sorry for surprising you but if you haven’t noticed, I followed you on IG. However, I understand you’re not active.” he continued.

I felt awkward. I’m not good at keeping up a conversation, so I turned to Joanne for rescue.

“Enough of that couz, you’re scaring her.” Joanne interrupted us. Good thing her eyes are with us.

“Am I? I’m sorry for that. I hope I didn’t scare you?” Justine in his soft voice.

“Bro, that’s sweet. You are not like that to us.” his friends laughed at him. 

Their laughter is contagious and I wasn’t able to hold it for myself so that I would not embarrass him, but I still did.

He turned in my direction and locked his eyes on mine.

“That was beautiful.” he said lovingly.

I didn’t get it. 

“Sorry for troubling you, but I hope this will not be the last. Also, can you follow me back please?” Justine in his pleading eyes while slowly removing his hands from mine.

“I hope I saw that early, we might have won the game over the Eagles.” I think he is joking.

I felt the release of my hand from his. We'd been holding hands for many seconds and I didn’t even realise it. I felt my face heated even more.

I looked at my friends and didn’t expect that the Ateneo guy was standing at the back of Ria. He is giving me an inquisitive look. His eyes are deeply boring into mine. I looked down because I cannot take the intensity and how it affects me. I can feel butterflies in my stomach, but at the same time, I feel scared.

I was becoming uneasy with his stares so I decided to ask Joanne if we could start moving.

“Excuse us Justine, we really need to go. Nice meeting you.” I waved my hand to him and his friends and started pulling the hands of my friends.

“Joanne! Why didn't you tell me that Justine is your cousin?! And now he seems likes Cara. You’re irritating, you know!” Ria blurted out.

“Whoa! Why, do you like Justine?” Joanne naughtily laughed at Ria.

I saw Ria pinch Joanne’s arm.

“Ouch! That was painful!” she complained.

“Ehh..” Ria was in a grumpy state, almost like crying.

“Hey, hey!” I interrupted them. “What’s happening?” I hope they are not seriously fighting.

“Ask your friend.” then she rolled her eyes at Joanne.

“Can someone tell me that both of you are not serious?” I looked at Ria, then Joanne.

“I don’t know. She suddenly became like that. I don’t know that she likes Justine. She never told me, like duh.” Joanne, in an annoyed voice.

Wait, they are really serious.

“Ok, ok. Stop right there.” I stood up in between them.

“Can you two stop? It’s just Justine.” I wanted to suppress my laughter because I really found it funny.

“Let’s talk about it over a midnight snack. Perhaps you are just both hungry.” I smiled at them.

They both went quiet and allowed me to lead them to the nearest fast food chain.

I asked for their orders and left the two of them afterwards.

I am wondering if Ria had known Justine for quite a long time. I have never heard Justine’s name from Joanne ever since. Is he famous? How come he knows Justine?

My mind got pre-occupied that I didn’t notice the arrival of the Ateneo guy and his team mates.

I already got some of my orders and went back to our table with a tray of soda and fries.

My eyes are on the tray. A habit, I guess. I always feel like something will happen on the tray, like it will fall down if I look around.

When I arrived, there was a sudden change of emotion happened between the two. They are like they couldn’t contain their excitement. ‘What’s happening?’

I slowly put down the tray and sat down on my chair.

I raised my brow and snap my fingers in between them.

”Hello? You know, you both look like crazy. Really.” I told them, smiling.

“How did you reconcile? That’s fast. At least you don’t hold grudges for long.” While examining the faces of my friends. ‘Something going on.’

I saw Joanne pointing her finger secretly.

I moved my gaze towards the table beside us.

Shock was an understatement. The Ateneo guy is sitting just beside us! ‘How to calm down?’

“Ahhh…do you want to move to another table?” speaking in a low voice, not wanting to be heard by anyone around us.

I looked around and, unfortunately, it was full. Maybe that is the reason why they are seated here, as this is the only table available.

“Jo..can we change chairs?” I asked softly. I am the closest among these two and sitting near these guys, to be specific, the Ateneo guy made me uncomfortable.

“Sure!” without any thought, Joanne hurriedly stood up and exchanged seats with me.

Feels better. I couldn’t see the guy intentionally. I lean backwards so Joanne can cover me from them. It’s not that they are spotting me or anything, only that the presence of the guy made my heart go wild. I can’t focus.

Our food arrived after 10 minutes. My friends are chatting about something but I find it hard to engage in their conversation. I kept quiet.

Suddenly, the Ateneo guy approached our table and I was really astounded. I almost got choked because of his appearance.

“Hi ladies, sorry for the interruption. I couldn’t find any tissues there at the counter. Would you mind sharing yours since I can see that you have enough there?” he is talking but he is looking at me. He actually moved to my side to ask this question. Hilarious.

I couldn’t react, or move. Ria helped me get the tissues he was asking for and handed them to him.

I am still in the midst of gathering myself, trying to be confident in front of him when he attacks the side of my lips with the tissue he is holding. I almost found myself jumping. I am more astonished than I could ever imagine.

“You have ketchup on the side of your lips, wiping it only.” he smiled and it’s appealing.

This guy will be the reason of my heart attack. He should have warned me. I looked down to hide my face from him. I must be blushing terribly right now.

I turned to my left when I heard my friends giggling. They enjoy my struggles!

I turned again to the guy because he was still there. ‘Will he not be leaving?’

“T-thank you.” I stuttered. I took one tissue unconsciously and wiped my lips too.

“Lucas.” He suddenly raised his hand for a hand shake.

I looked up when I saw his hand in front of my face. ‘Is this real?’

I felt Joanne elbowing my side, so I took his hand. I felt like fainting. His hands were soft. I have held his hand finally! My heart is jumping for joy. I couldn’t contain my happiness so I smiled at him in the end.

I saw Ria raise her hand for a hand shake too, so Lucas let go of my hand to take Ria’s hand. He moved to Joanne and took her hand as well.