Chapter 5 Wrong AssumptionAgain!

• • Jada •
• Kobe and his teammates ordered four buckets of beer. I could say I’m used to drinking. I got used to it back when I was in the States.
• Back there, every time there’s a family gathering, I'd drink with my cousins. Most of them are boys and are heavy drinkers.
• As I don’t want to be seen as a weakling, I’d drink as much as they do. That’s probably why my alcohol tolerance increased over time.
• So I wasn't really worried when I saw what they ordered. Besides, beer only has 6-8% alcohol content which is super low compared to vodka.
• Steve volunteered to open a bottle and hands it over to us. Honey and Kobe, on the other hand, are busy looking at the songbook and trying to find songs to sing.
• The same goes for Ada, Bambi, and Robin. I, RJ, and Lyken remained quiet, as we watch them do their things. I don't know why but it suddenly felt uncomfortable.
• “Ja, what was it your singing the other day? The one I asked you for the title?” Honey asked.
• "Hmm...Need to be next to you?" I answered her with a question, as I’m not sure if that was the song she’s referring to.
• "Ah yeah, that! Can you sing that for me?" she asked while trying to be cute. I widened my eyes at her as a warning, but she just ignored it.
• I can sing. I sing during family gatherings but my confidence is only up to there. For family members only.
• They were fortunate enough to hear me sing. Especially Honey, as I used to do it when it’s just the two of us.
• “Pretty please?” she begged.
• “You seem like a good singer, let us hear it,” Kobe backed her up.
• I wanted to refuse but the title of the song showed up on the screen and she was already handing me the mic. I took it hesitantly and I suddenly felt cold from head to toe.
• Before I started singing, she went back to her place. Even before I can start, she already started clapping along with Kobe.
• ♫ Been running from these feelings for so long. Telling my heart I didn't need you. ♫
• I forced myself to sing though I feel like I’m frozen. “Go byotch!” Ada cheered when the pitch went up slightly.
• Fortunately, I was able to finish Honey’s requested song. Unfortunately, more requests followed.
• While singing, there are instances when Lyken would glance at me. I’m not even sure if he’s annoyed at my voice or the music’s too loud.
• More songs lined up after the first five. Lucky for them, I become more confident the more I drink so I didn’t refuse the next requests.
• "I think that's yours," Lyken nudged at me.
• "What?" I asked as I didn’t hear what he said the first time.
• "Something’s vibrating, I think it’s your phone,” he repeated.
• I checked my phone and it was indeed mine. My Tatay is calling so I excused myself to step out and answer the call.
• He asked where I was and asked about other kinds of stuff as well. He and Nanay are out of the country, that’s why he’s checking.
• I didn’t go back in right away after the phone call. Instead, I opened my car and sat on the passenger seat. I checked the text messages that I missed but none of them are important.
• "Hey!" someone called. I looked up to see Kobe standing in front of me while holding the door of my car.
• "Hey!" I parrotted.
• “Why are you out here?” he asked, looking worried.
• "Ah, my Tatay called,” I answered with a smile.
• He let out a sigh as if relieved after hearing what I said. "I see. I thought you're already uncomfortable or annoyed at RJ," he chuckled.
• "Of course not. I’m actually having a good time talking to him," trying to defend his friend. I understand why he's worried. It’s because he’s the one who invited me and it’s nice to know that he's that type of guy.
• "I know your secret though!" he whispered while grinning.
• "What secret?"
• "You like Lyken!" he said. Actually, he sounded like it was just a confirmation, as he doesn’t sound like asking.
• "Woah! That’s a little too much!" I was shocked by his assessment.
• He shrugged at me before squatting, "I just noticed you keep looking at him while you were singing earlier, so I assumed…" he trailed, embarrassed, because once again, he assumed.
• I cleared my throat hoping I’d be able to clear things out by doing so. “No, I don’t like him. I was looking at him because I noticed he was glancing at me while I was singing. I just felt a little uncomfortable.”
• Kobe nodded after hearing my defense, "I apologize on his behalf then. Just so you know, he’s Robocop’s relative,” he chuckled.
• I somehow understood what he was trying to say. Lyken’s indeed quiet the whole time. If I recall correctly, I only heard him talk twice the entire night.
• The first was when he told Kobe to let me go if I don’t want to ride with then. The second was when he told me my phone’s vibrating.
• Then again, maybe he’s just the quiet type. Or maybe he’s not enjoying our company so he chose to stay quiet.
• I shrugged at the thought and followed Kobe's lead. When we came back, it was Honey who was having a concert.
• The singing session went on for two to three more hours. They only thought of leaving when they realized that it was already past midnight.
• We headed to the parking lot and in our respective vehicles. Before getting in, I saw Kobe and Lyken whispering about something then Kobe turned to me.
• "Jada you sure you can drive?" he asked. I nodded and salute them. He then turned to Lyken, whispered something then they both get in.
• I followed them just like I did earlier but before I reached our condo, I sent a text message to Honey. I told her I’ll drop by the convenience store to buy some stuff.
• In addition to that, I also asked her to thank Kobe for me. Though there are tons of awkward moments, I still enjoyed our little night out.
• • Lyken •
• "Jada texted, she said she’ll just pass by the convenience store. Also, she’s saying thanks for the invite,” Honey announced from the backseat.
• Though she didn’t drop a name, it was obvious that she was saying it to Kobe. Why would she even say anything to me when I wasn’t the one who invited her and I didn’t even talk to them the whole time?
• Jada’s friends conversed nonstop. But no matter how I try, I can’t seem to understand what they’re saying. It’s as if they’re using alien language to talk.
• In their conversation, however, I can hear them mention Jada and RJ’s names. That got me curious though.
• ‘What is with them?’
• We reached their condo in less than twenty minutes. RJ and the rest of the guys went ahead since we still need to drop by Honey and Jada’s place.
• Or maybe Jada has already texted RJ that she’s stopping by somewhere. I shrugged the thought.
• Kobe escorted Honey and her friends to her unit and when he came back, we drove to the university’s parking lot where he left his car.
• After I part ways with Kobe, I went back to Jada’s place. It’s been forty minutes since we left, but I still can’t see Jada’s car. What’s weird is that I don't even know why I went back.
• A few minutes more, I saw a car approaching. It was Jada. She carefully parked her car and when I heard her turn off its engine, I stepped out of my own.
• "Where have you been?" I asked out of nowhere.
• She was surprised. I must have come unnoticed as she choked while drinking. I felt apologetic. I didn’t know she was drinking so I didn’t make any sound before I spoke.
• "Why are you still here?" she asked in return.
• "I said where have you been?" I repeated my question cause I thought she didn't hear it the first time. Her expression changed from shocked to confused.
• ‘True enough, even I don’t know why I’m still here and asking her this?’
• Even I felt weird at what I’m doing, but I feel like it will only feel weirder if I’ll just leave. So I have no choice but to stay and stand my ground.
• "I dropped by the convenience store then the coffee shop. I texted Honey," she explained though she doesn’t really have to.
• "You know it's past midnight right? And you're not from here. You should have just gone straight to your condo,” I blurted out.
• I tried my best to stop myself from saying the things I just said, but they kept pouring out. I wasn’t even surprised when she furrowed her brows at me.
• ‘Really Lyken? She's not from here? She lives here for Christ’s sake!’
• "Excuse me, Mister Fontanilla, I am from here. This is not the first time I went out past midnight and obviously, I'm able to come back safely just like tonight. I don't understand what’s the problem," she answered in an obviously annoyed tone.
• "I was just asking and… sorry about earlier," I muttered. I don't even know where these words are coming from but there, I said it.
• "Sorry about what?" confused as to why I’m suddenly apologizing.
• "For not saying sorry after I bumped into you," then I smiled sheepishly.
• "Oh! Forget it!" she said. Her face seemed brightened up. I don't know if real or just my imagination but she doesn’t look annoyed anymore.
• Maybe she was indeed a bit pissed at me. Because I didn't even apologize when I bumped into her in the corridor yesterday.
• "Did you text RJ to let him know you're dropping by somewhere?" I asked, again, out of nowhere.
• "Nope! I don't even know his number" she answered.
• I felt like something inside me celebrated after hearing her response. Most specifically, when she said that she didn’t exchange numbers with my teammate.
• Well, she didn't say it directly. But I guess it's safe to assume that’s what happened since she said she doesn’t know his number.
• "You should go home. It's pretty late," she suggested with a smile.
• I nodded and she waved me goodbye when I got inside my car. I waited for her to get into the elevator before starting my engine.
• When I looked at my rearview mirror I noticed myself smiling. I don't know the exact reason why but yes, it's the first time I smiled today.
• There's just something about this girl. Was it her smile? Her soothing voice? Her boyish outfit? I can’t point out but I’m sure there's something different.
• There are other things I wanted to talk to her about to prolong our conversation and make her stay longer. But for now, her smile is more than enough. At least for tonight.