2 Chapter Two

"You know I am right. Stop denying." Paula kept teasing me even during our break time. I was picking up my egg sandwich and iced tea then paid for it. The school cafeteria is packed making me guilty, for people just unconsciously make way for me.

"You know I won't be shocked anymore if he likes you. Like come on. The great Elijah. The perfect girl of Central State High School. Man, he got standards, I tell you." I looked at her and scrunched my face. She just laughed at me for she knows too well that I hate the praise.

"Paul, stop it. You are making a great mess. You know what would happen if a lot of people knows that." I walked past her and bit my food. Well, I know that it happened but I am not sure if that was only coincidental. Nothing is impossible though.

"Urgh. Come on El. He was literally staring at you the whole time. You know that I won't push something when I don't have proof."

"What do you mean by that Paula?"

I turned my way towards her and saw her stop her tracks beside the hallway walls. I raised my brows when she quickly rummaged her phone. The screen almost broke for she was so rough on it.

After some time, she finally stopped scrolling and jumped while squealing. What is happening here? She is so weird.

"Stop squealing Paul. You're attracting too much attention." Despite what I have said, she continued jumping like a freaking monkey. Her act made intense traffic in the hallways. So I had no choice but to pull her out of the crowd.

"You are so weird Paul. Stop acting like a dying worm!" Still, whatever I said did not give any effect. She even bit her hands to stop her screams. Before I was able to clamp her mouth, she slammed her phone screen into my face. Her energy made so much impact into my forehead and I know my skin bruised.

I covered my head because it was so painful at first but seconds later, the pain subsided. "Omo. Sorry Eli that was a great mistake. You know I didn't do that on purpose right? I love you," said Paula while embracing me.

Before I said my answer, a voice interrupted our drama scene.

"Are you okay?"

I raised my head and saw Jay looking at me with concern. I unconsciously lowered my hand letting my red forehead be exposed. Add the fact that Paula beside me is silently pinching my arm while whispering squeals. I simple glared at her making her smirk at me while winking.

My body shivered when I felt a warm hand touch my forehead. "We should go to the clinic."

Jay was looking at me with concern. His hand was softly caressing my forehead and I never felt someone's hand like this before. His face was contorted like he was the one feeling the pain.

I immediately shook my head no and stepped back. "Uhm I think there is no need of that. We need to get to class."

I peeked behind him and saw James silently taking pictures like paparazzi. He almost dropped his phone when he realized I was looking at him through the lens.

"Uh-uhm. I am just, uhm scrolling in F-Facebook. Yeah. Instagram. I mean Facebook." I slowly nodded even though it was suspicious. He was stuttering at me and Jay didn't care. After James did that, I felt the pinching on my side again. Oh no, Paula stop that. I said inside my head.

I turned my eyes back to Jay and realized his stare did not leave me. It was so intense because of the obvious worry he radiates. Why is he doing this? Why is he worried? He looked like my Mom whenever I tell her that I do not understand my classes.

I nodded and stepped back. "See you inside the classroom. Yeah bye." We turned our backs and I felt my brain exploding. The person beside me is low-key screaming her heart out. She jumped like an idiot and kept mumbling, "I told you."

...

We entered the classroom and sat on our designated seats. As usual, Paula turned her chair to face mine and smirked. "I was never wrong about future couples El. I know anytime soon, he will ask you out."

I covered my face with my palm and exhaled heavily. My position did not even last for 10 seconds when Paula pulled my hand and replaced it with her phone again.

"Look and realize I am right." I adjusted my position and saw a picture of Jay looking almost into the camera while smiling. She slid her finger and she had a short video! My goodness. She played it and I can hear her chuckles as she captured Jay's way of staring. It showed my face while I was laughing about something on the topic of Miss Montalban a while ago. Then the dropping of the bottle was heard.

"Oh no. He did not. He dropped his bottle because he got caught," Paula stated in the video while laughing hard.

"We shouldn't assume too much Paul. You know that there is something between him and Nicole. I.... I don't want to enter a big mistake." Paula rolled her eyes on me and rested her face on her knuckles.

"Yea-yeah whatever. But I know anytime soon, you'll get a date."

"Stop that. Anyone might hear you."

She just shrugged and sat properly facing front again.

The whole day, I tried my best in avoiding Jay. Because it became awkward for me. I focused on the lessons and I realized it's already four in the afternoon.

Paula, as the president of Drama club, has to attend a meeting for a certain activity this month. Aubrey was fetched by her parents and went to the city to attend an event. I was left alone to walk my way to my Piano Class that will end around six pm.

"Hey." At first, I didn't turn around because maybe that person isn't referring to me. My mom always tells me to never look back unless your name is called. Her quote, "Don't let them treat you like a dog" has been applied in my whole life. And I perfectly believe that too.

I continued walking while adjusting the straps of my bag to shift its heavy weight. I usually bring all of my books to school because my locker is filled with my other things. Despite its heaviness, it would make my life easier because I don't need to go home to get something.

"Why are you walking alone?" I turned my face to the right and saw Jay walking beside me. His breath was fast that it made me think he rushed his way to me.

"Uhm, Paul and Bree had something to do." I simply nodded and we walked with silence for two minutes.

"I can carry your bag for you." I slowly stopped walking and faced him while adjusting my sight because of the bright setting sunrays.

"Why?" He shrugged and he looked nervous. I was somewhat amused for I never thought he would get this nervous in front of me. He's a social butterfly.

"It looks heavy. I can carry it if it's okay," he whispered while looking straight in front of us. He sure is a gentleman and very thoughtful. But that would be unnecessary.

"No need. I can manage."

I just smiled and continued walking. We were about to cross the street when we heard someone shouting behind us. We turned our backs and saw Nicole with Jessie and James. Jay's face looked like he was contemplating if he would go with me or not. But then, I don't want to be a hindrance so I made a decision by myself.

"See you tomorrow," I told him. He was about to stop me but I ran to the other side of the street and walked fast enough that he will never be able to catch up.

In that time, I understood that he needed to walk with his friends. I am not one of them. And I hope I will never be. Because I don't want to associate my life with other people aside from Aubrey and Paula. I've had enough drama in my life and I don't have room for more.