10 Worth the Heartache 

Aila and Reese were startled of the noise behind them; a guy wearing a gray hoodie appeared to be awakened by their loud laughter. He indifferently went down the grandstand without even looking at the girls; which they found rather creepy.

Aila's day luckily ended uneventfully, she went straight to shower and freshen up. As she was about to retire to bed her phone rang.

"Mom? It's nice to finally hear from you." The sarcasm in Aila's voice is undeniable.

"Are you having a hard time my dear? Her mom asked her with a very concerned tone.

Aila left out a sigh, "I'm sorry mom, I didn't mean to rant on you, I just had a really exhausting day."

"Do you need me to take care of it dear?" Her mom asked with a tone of authority.

"No mom, it's okay, it's nothing I can't handle," Aila assured her mom.

Aila felt chills thinking if her family really did interfere, Ken would probably disappear from school or she will be most likely transferred again to another school. The mere thought of it made Aila feel uncomfortable.

The following day at school, Aila was wishing for a peaceful day, but as soon as she stepped on the campus, students were all looking at her as if she was a star of a show. She was surprised to see Ken in the middle of the school field holding a giant stuffed toy and behind him were his friends holding a banner that said; "I love you Ai ko".

Aila felt really embarrassed by Ken's actions, she swiftly went to him, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to a part of the school that was not too crowded.

"Are you crazy? What are you doing?" Aila was furious.

"Ai ko, yes I must be crazy, I'm crazy about you." Ken held both of Aila's hands.

"Let me go!" Aila pulled her hands away from Ken.

"What don't you like about me? Every girl on this campus wants to be you right now!" he confidently said with a sneer.

"I don't like everything about you… so please just let me be." Aila said in a low voice to avoid embarrassing Ken any further. She hurriedly left the scene.

Ken was dumbfounded, while other girls are going gaga over him; here is a woman who hates everything about him. He threw away the stuffed toy and left the campus. Aila decided to head directly to their classroom. There were a few students when she arrived in her class, she took her seat and slumped her head on her desk.

"Aila, are you okay?" Reese came up to her. Aila nodded and stared at the empty seat beside her.

"So he skipped school because of me?" Aila asked in a sad tone.

"Uh huh... Apparently, according to rumors I heard outside, he is out with his friends drinking." Reese readily broke the news to Aila.

Aila was quiet for a moment, thinking if she brought harm to another person, something she never intended to do.

"Don't be too hard on yourself girl! It's clearly his choice, totally not your fault. Reese was trying to make Aila feel better.

Vince saw how Aila was affected by what happened, he felt pain in his heart seeing how sad Aila is. He bought a cup of iced coffee for Aila, handed it to her as he tried to put on a smile.

Aila looked at Vince and was thinking if it was appropriate to accept the coffee.

"How can I accept Vince's presents and reject everything Ken gives me?"

"No thanks Vince, I'm sorry I don't want to drag you too in this issue." She politely rejected Vince.

"It's okay, you don't have to worry too much about this, I won't take it against you." He was smiling at her.

Aila sighed, "I just wish, Ken was as mature and understanding as you are."

Vince chuckled; Aila was taken aback with Vince's action. "What is it? Why are you laughing?"

"Well, if he becomes like me it doesn't mean you will like him then, because you clearly don't like me as well."

Vince obviously forced a smile because the sadness in his tone cannot be denied.

"I'm sorry I did not mean it that way." Aila was sincerely apologetic to Vince.

Aila sighed and stared at the ceiling as she thought to herself; "Why do I have to bear conscience when I never force them to pursue me… it is clearly their choice."

Vince cleared his voice before he spoke.

"There are quite a lot of guys chasing after you; you might find it really exhausting."

Aila did not want to sound rude, but after hesitating for a while she could not restrain her emotions…

"Gosh, I only want a quiet life for now while I still can, why can't it be given to me? Most men know when to stop; but you and Ken, you're just like madmen going at it continuously."

Vince looked keenly at Aila,

"I'm sorry if my temerity is troubling you… You see, my dad told me before, that when you finally see the perfect woman for you, you can't just let her go without a fight."

Aila rolled her eyes. "Vince, you know I find you smart, courteous, loyal, and good-looking, believe me for most girls you are almost perfect, but then I can't say that you are perfect for me… So no, I won't hold on you because perhaps there is someone out there who's not only perfect for you but rather your perfect for each other."

Vince was teary-eyed with what he heard, he clenched his fists. "You want me to give up on you? I'm sorry I can't do that Aila."

"Why not?"

"Because you are worth the heartache… I love you that much." Vince said boldly.

Aila bit her lower lip in frustration, she faced Vince with a very serious stare;

"love is not something you get just like that, most especially coming from me."

She got up and left the room, she went to that one place she felt at peace on the campus; the grandstand bleachers.

She took a seat and placed her face on her palms as she quietly cried, then her phone suddenly rang.

"Hey, I'm okay. No… I'm not crying… My nose is just a little stuffed, okay, I'll wait for you."

She placed her phone inside her pocket and let out another deep sigh.

"Fudge, I don't have a tissue with me, I look like a mess."

Out of the blue heard footsteps behind her, she turned her head to see what it was... The hooded guy! He is handing her a handkerchief.

Aila was stunned that she hesitated to accept the handkerchief; the hooded guy sighed and left the handkerchief on the seat near Aila. He did not even say a word, Aila was embarrassed by her own action that she ran after the guy.

"Mr, Thank you, I will give it back to you tomorrow." Aila politely said to the hooded guy, but he did not even dare look back at Aila.

"Don't bother, you can keep it."