Chapter 4

• “So you broke up with Jervic?” My sister, Asher, asked me as she visited me in my room that night.
• I sighed and looked at her. “It’s the other way around. He broke up with me.” I replied with emphasis on the pronouns in the right sequence.
• She looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Why are they always the ones breaking up with you?” She asked in frustration.
• “I wish I know why.”
• I’m curious as well. None of my breakups was initiated by me and I don’t know what kind of pride I have for myself at this point of living. I always think we could work it out but they’re thinking the other way. It’s like there’s no other solution other than ending it.
• Maybe it’s better like that. Maybe it’s better to end it sooner than hurt the whole while. But I can’t really keep myself from thinking of the what ifs.
• What if we worked it out?
• What if we actually made it if it weren’t for them itching to end it?
• My sister sighed once again. I know how frustrated she is that until now, I still haven’t gotten my Mr. Right. She’s found hers now and she’s in college.
• I’ve told her that it’s too early for me to say that any guy I would meet is the right one but she’s too preoccupied with the fact that her boyfriend now has been the only one she’s ever dated.
• Do you know how jealous I am that my sister actually has a stable man to be with? What were they doing when I was busy dating eleven different boys? What were they up to when my heart was busy getting hurt because of the breakups?
• “You’ll find him soon.” She told me and I just nodded.
• I know that she’s just telling me this so I won’t give up on love. Gosh! Eleventh breakup at age seventeen? Do you realize how short my relationships were?
• This is the sole reason why I am a hot topic in school when I have a new boyfriend. The people are busy guessing how long it would be. And yes, my relationships don’t last long. I mean, didn’t last long. My longest would probably be Jervic. Almost four months.
• “Go to sleep.” She told me as she stood up from my bed. “I know that you know what you have to do in things like this.” She smiled then walked out of the door.
• I smiled sadly. I know what to do in times like this. Hell yeah. I only have to get no wink of sleep tonight then pray for tomorrow’s day. Pray that I won’t pass by Jervic or any of those members of his computer geek club.
• --
• “Hey, Ashejan!”
• My soul almost jumped out of my system as I heard a cheerful Knight call me early in the morning.
• I looked at him and he’s on his school uniform and backpack and smiling widely at me. “Good morning!” He nodded at me as he walked close to me.
• I smiled back – though I’m trying to really look weird – and greeted back. “You’re too early for school!” I beamed at him.
• He gave me a look. “If I’m early, then you are, too!” He beamed happily.
• I smiled and mentally slapped myself for my stupid remark. “Ah… Hehe…” I scratched my head. “I’m…” I paused and thought of an alibi. He looked at me and waited for my answer. I chuckled awkwardly. “I’m actually having breakfast because my Mom is still sleeping and I don’t want to wake her up yet.” I wanted to kill myself in my mind. “Yes. That’s it! My mom’s still sleeping.” I repeated that stupid alibi.
• He smiled and nodded. “Oh!” He replied. “How about we grab breakfast together?” He asked me.
• “What?” I asked in disbelief.
• He smiled slickly. “My mother left early for work. We still hadn’t gotten us a helper so no one prepared breakfast.” He told me.
• I smiled to mask my disappointment. I wouldn’t have said that alibi. Now I have to stand for it for the day. “Sure!” I beamed acting so excited but I’m not.
• The truth is, I wanted to go to school early because I don’t want to arrive at school when I know that Jervic is already there. I’m not ready to meet him just yet.
• “Then let’s go!” He tugged my arm with him and walked to the bus stop.
• “Where do you want to eat?” I asked him.
• He thought for a minute but then he turned to me. “I don’t really know any restos or cafés around.” He told me. “Where’s the best restaurant?” He asked me.
• I can’t think of anything right now because I’m not really hungry. I’ve just eaten my favorite bacon my sister cooked and I can’t think of any good restaurant because I am not starving!
• “How do you want to eat your breakfast? American?” I asked.
• “Sure. That’s great!” He beamed.
• I smiled and nodded. “Alright! To American breakfast!” I beamed as we waited for the bus before I led him to the Brooklyn, The Burger Joint.
• “This is really delicious!” I figured that was what he was saying as he munches his George Crum Burger down.
• I smiled at his face because he eats like a kid. He got crumbs all over his face.
• Can you even imagine a man who looks so tall and composed eating a burger like a kid?
• I don’t. But since I can see Knight right now, maybe he’s going to be the only image I could ever think of when it comes to burgers.
• Watching him like this, I can’t help but smile and feel the urge to take a picture of him. This image would only come once in a lifetime! I don’t think I can even ask him to eat with me in a restaurant once he knew what a woman I really am.
• He wiped his mouth and looked at me. “Why are you not eating?” He asked. No. More like he pouted. Why is he acting so cute?
• I looked at the Chilli Fries that I ordered and ate one. “I am eating.” I told him as a matter of fact.
• He rolled his eyes and drank his iced tea. “This is unfair!” He whined. “You saw me eating this burger like a kid!” He protested and I can’t help but laugh at his childishness.
• “So?” I asked. “You think I eat burgers like a kid as well?” I asked chuckling.
• He pouted even more. “Still!” He beamed and I covered my ears pretending to not hear him. “Tss!” He grunted and I couldn’t help but laugh.
• Oh, my gosh! I have never even thought of how adorable cute guys are because they’re not my style but Knight is a little too cute to not find adorable.
• I dated a guy named Barkley Mariano once and I get pissed when he acts so cutesy on me. Maybe that’s why we only lasted for three weeks, because he was pissed that his cutesy tricks aren’t working on me.
• But with Knight, it’s different. Maybe because he doesn’t even know that he’s cute but acts like it anyway. I think he isn’t even aware that he acts cute at times.
• We ate happily after that because I was teasing him of being a giant cute machine. Giant because of his height and cute machine because of his cuteness.
• We had no problems on eating. But the problem came when we finished.
• I thought that it’s not really good if he walks to school with me. Not on his very first day. Not when Jervic just broke up with me yesterday.
• I’m not even thinking of my image but of Knight’s. What would they even think of him when he walks down the corridors with me? They would think of him lowly and that’s the least thing I could ever want for him.
• I don’t want other people getting hurt because of me. I don’t want to feel guilty for them. I don’t want to feel the burden.
• “What’s your first class?” He asked me as we are nearing the school gates.
• “Chemistry 101. You?” I asked him back.
• He beamed at me. “We’re off the same class!” He told me excitedly. “Let’s walk to class together!” He beamed and I felt like I wanted the earth to divide into two and eat me up right now.
• He can’t walk to class with me. That’s the least thing I could ever do for him in order to save his image.
• “Uhm, actually…” I started. This is it, Ashejan Araullo! Think of a very good alibi! “I have to run to the bookstore because I ran out of paper.” Lame ass excuse, way to go!
• “Oh,” he looked disappointed. “Okay. I’ll see you in class, then.” He beamed.
• I smiled. “You know where the room is?” I asked as my conscience is starting to bite in.
• “Yeah,” he replied. “I walked around yesterday, remember?” He smiled again.
• I nodded and felt relieved. At least I’m not going to feel really sad that I have to leave him right now. “That’s great!” I beamed. “Walk to class, now. Take care!” I beamed as I ran to the bookstore as fast as I could.
• --
• When I arrived at the room, everyone was laughing at me. Of course I didn’t let them get to me. When did I ever let them anyway?
• My eyes roamed around the room and I spotted Knight talking to Genina at the back. Genina Miranda is my friend. My only friend. She’s the only person who thinks that there’s nothing wrong with dating boys in a short period of time and the only person who thinks I’m not abnormal.
• “Hey, Ash! Did you cry last night?” Julian Paredes, my bully classmate, asked me.
• I ignored him and walked to my seat, which is the seat beside Knight. I sit in between Genina and Knight, now.
• “Woah, woah, woah!” Julian with his friends crowded at me. “Did you just ignore me, Dating Queen?” He mused and I looked down.
• “Stop it, you bully ass moron!” Genina beamed at Julian and he and his friends just laughed.
• “Bully ass moron?” Julian raised his brow then he leaned close to Genina’s face. “Do you want a taste of this bully ass moron?” he smirked and Genina glared at him.
• “You wish!” She beamed.
• I rolled my eyes and ignored them bickering and I noticed Knight looking at me.
• “Are you alright?” He asked me worriedly.
• I nodded and smiled weakly. “It’s okay.” I mouthed.
• Knight sighed and looked back to what he’s reading. He really shouldn’t involve himself with this. In fact he shouldn’t involve himself with me at all. It will just make his life miserable.
• “So…” Julian still didn’t stop and he even leaned both of his hands on my desk. “Did it hurt when he broke up with you in front of his club members?” He asked me and the whole class behind him laughed.
• I heard Genina grunt. “I told you to stay your fucking ass out of her sight, you brainless brat!” She beamed but Julian didn’t even budge.
• “What a fierce lady!” Thad beamed from the back making Genina glare at him as well.
• Julian smirked down at me. “Well, if we actually think about it, you shouldn’t cry because you’re used to it.” He mused. “Remember when Hades Cortez broke up with you in front of everyone in prom? That’s epic, man! I guess breaking up in front of his club mates is nothing.”
• I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. No, Ashejan. Don’t ever stoop down to their level.
• “Remember when Chadwick Gaston broke up with you? He even asked you to pick up your letters in the trash?” He continued.
• I shut my eyes harder. Calm down, Ashejan Araullo. Calm down.
• “Or when Harry Oropeza trolled at you at the park you met? You thought he’s going to surprise you for your monthly anniversary but then you were shocked because he actually broke up with you?”
• I exhaled.
• “Seriously, dude! Why do you act like a gay?”
• Everyone in the room got quiet when Knighton talked back to Julian.
• I looked at him and he’s still sitting while his eyes are on his notes. He’s not even looking at Julian and I think that’s going to make Julian go crazy.
• Knight looked at Julian. He’s not cute anymore. He’s not bubbly anymore. He’s acting as his height and his face. “At least people liked her. What about you? Why do you keep bullying her? Do you like her?” He asked making everyone’s jaw dropped.