CHAPTER 7
1285 Words
[07-02-25]
Kabanata seven
The next day, we couldn’t even look at each other. Or rather, she couldn't bring herself to look at me.
I was still in shock. Who would have thought that Amari, my shy seatmate, had such hidden talents? And not just any dancing—it was a wild ballroom dance.
For several minutes, we sat side-by-side in total silence. Honestly, we both looked like idiots. Our classmates had all headed home a while ago.
Finally, I couldn't take the tension anymore.
"I’ll just be the one to buy the materials," I said.
"I'll buy the materials," she said at the exact same time.
"Okay, you do it," I offered.
"Okay, you do it," she repeated simultaneously.
I scratched my head in frustration while she looked down at the floor.
"What if... it's just the two of us?" she asked softly, still not looking up.
"Okay," I replied, standing up to get my motorcycle. But before I could reach the door, she called out.
"A-ah... Rance!" I looked back at her. "Can we just forget what happened?"
I knit my brows, playing dumb for a second. "You mean... what happened at the house?"
So that was it. She’s actually quite cute when she’s embarrassed. When she’s not being overly serious, she looks even more like Trina. Actually, she might even be prettier... Wait, what am I thinking?!
"Yeah, sure. I’ve actually forgotten about it already," I lied, scratching my neck.
She seemed to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
"So, shall we go?" I gestured. "Word is, there’s a ghost that haunts this room..."
That seemed to terrify her. She grabbed her bag instantly and hurried after me. But as I turned around...
"What are you two still doing here?!"
I jumped out of my skin. There was an old woman with long, messy hair standing right in front of me.
I bolted. Amari bolted too. We ran for our lives together.
"Stop! I'm so tired, huhu!" she complained. "What was that even for?!"
We finally stopped once we were near the school gate, both gasping for air.
"Why are you still here?" a voice boomed.
"AHHHHHHHH!!!" we screamed in unison. It was just the security guard, but he had aimed his flashlight directly at our faces.
So, naturally, we started running again.
"That was exhausting," I panted, resting my hands on my knees. Amari stood with her hands on her waist, struggling to catch her breath. I forgot that she’s a bit chubby; she gets tired way faster than I do.
"Why... why did we... even run?" Amari asked between gasps.
"No reason," I said playfully.
In a split second, the shy Amari vanished. In her place was a girl with fire in her eyes.
"WHAT?! You made me run all that way for NO REASON?!!!"
"Hey, look at the bright side, you burned some calories, haha!"
She punched me hard on the arm. s**t, that hurt. My arm would’ve probably snapped if I didn't have a bit of "padding" myself. My physique actually came in handy for once.
I couldn't believe it. I made her run once, and it’s like she’s a completely different person. Did I leave the real Amari back in the classroom?
"Don't you have a ride?" I asked.
"Do you see one?" she snapped sarcastically. I scratched my head again.
"Okay, fine." I started the motorcycle.
"Such an ungentleman... his cousin is so much better," she muttered.
"Did you say something?"
"Why? Did you hear something?" she said irritably. What is wrong with her? Is it her time of the month? They say girls get really cranky then.
"I heard 'something'."
"Good, then you're not deaf."
I caught a glimpse of flashlights in the distance—the guards were starting their rounds in the parking lot. We couldn't let them catch us here.
"Let's go." I handed her my spare helmet.
"What is this?" she asked bossily. "I am not riding a motorcycle." She crossed her arms while I was already mounted.
"Suit yourself. Choose: ride with me or stay here and be dinner for the mosquitoes. Also, I heard there’s a spirit here that—"
Before I could finish, she snatched the helmet from my hand and hopped on.
It was clearly her first time; she had no idea how to sit properly and kept grabbing at random parts of the bike.
"Hold on."
"To wha—"
I grabbed her hands and placed them firmly around my waist. Then, I revved the engine.
I felt her grip tighten around me, and I couldn't help but chuckle. She was acting like a terrified kid.
"Don't you dare laugh!" she scolded. "Unless you want me to pinch you..."
"Go ahead, try it, and we’ll head straight to heaven," I teased. That shut her up; she went completely still.
Normally, it takes me fifteen minutes to get home, but I drove much slower than usual tonight.
"Is it much further?" she asked.
"Why?"
"I want to open my eyes now."
"Pffft. Who told you to close them in the first place?"
"E-eh... what if we run into a White Lady?"
Cute, haha! "You actually believe in that stuff?"
"So you mean... all that stuff you said earlier wasn't true?!!!" She let go of my waist in anger. "AYYY!" She almost lost her balance, causing her to cling to me even tighter.
"Taking advantage of the situation, are we?"
"Excuse me?!!" She shifted her weight, making the bike wobble. Panicked, she hugged me even tighter. I burst out laughing.
"Hey, don't move around too much! We’re gonna crash. We’ll end up being the next urban legend: The Two Chubby Ghosts—the White Lady and the White Man, haha!"
"It's your fault!"
"Look, just hold onto my arms then."
"Fine!!"
Because we were going so slow, the bookstore was already closed by the time we arrived. It was past 8:00 PM, and most shops were shut down.
"Do you know anywhere else?"
"This was the last one," I answered.
"It’s your fault for driving so slow!"
"Wow. My fault?" Every time I even slightly slowed down, she was the one screaming her head off.
She just rolled her eyes. Unbelievable.
Following the "Princess's" orders, I drove her home. It wasn't far.
"You're such a difficult passenger, you move too much," I complained as she got off. "And my arms are numb because your hands were so heavy!" I stretched my arms for emphasis.
"What did you say? You want to go home without arms, Mr. Molina?! You talk like you’re so thin yourself! And don't worry, I am never riding your bike again!" She slammed the helmet into my chest and turned away.
"Not even a 'thank you' or a glass of juice?!!!" I shouted after her.
"NONE!!! GO AWAY!!!" she yelled back, closing their gate.
I started my engine to leave. But before I pulled away, I took one last look.
My heart dropped. A woman had just stepped out, slapped Amari across the face, and slammed the front door shut.
Amari collapsed on the porch, sobbing uncontrollably.
I closed my eyes for a moment, then accelerated and drove away.
It wasn't my business.
Right??
- Writer
