4 III. This Love Is Sweeter Than Fiction

III. "This love is sweeter than fiction."

—Sweeter Than Fiction, Taylor Swift

Almost 1 and a half year.

But still I who can't be moved.

I'm still stock on my past.

Few months ago when pandemic ruined the whole world—no wait, the whole universe rather.

It's worst.

It ruined our JS Prom.

It ruined our Moving-up Ceremony.

I hate it!

Now, I'm here, staying in our house.

We can't go outside because of our country was under on quarantine thingy.

August 1, 2020—today.

I go quietly on my room and then I find my box full of letters.

Letters for him.

I opened it.

"Araxie! I have something for you!" I saw my father at my room's door.

OMG! He's holding a cup of milktea!

"Hi Dad! Oh it is that for me?"

"Yes, I brought your favorite drink, milktea flavored black forest. Here."

I grab the milktea he held for me.

"Thank you Dad!"

I hugged him so tight.

I love my father so much.

"Wait what was that box? Someone gave—"

"No Dad, that was just from my friend—Dad, uh your phone."

His phone is ringing and I guess it's from their office.

"Office works, gotta go! Just go down for our lunch later on."

I smiled at him before he left.

That was closed.

Maybe I change the color of that box.

From red to brown.

Or could I just buy an envelopes?

I sitted near at my window.

I stare at the morning sky and started to sip my milktea.

We both continue chatting each other.

And we already know we're on the same place, we're neighborhoods.

Until the day come when we plan to meet, again.

March 21, 2019 - 11:00am

Our first meet up.

Our first date—

Uh, I don't know if this is a date.

"Mom I gonna go! Bye!" I said cheerfully.

"Sure Araxie, take care always!"

I wave my hands, bid of saying goodbye.

I grab my things and run out of our house.

I look at my watch on my wrist.

11:15am.

Fudge! I'm 15 minutes late!

My hearts beats so fast.

Wait, funny. I'm not like this.

I thought he was there at our meet up place, but he wasn't.

I wait a little more minutes.

He came.

"Sorry I'm late," he said.

He's cute.

"No it's okay, cause' I'm too."

I smiled at him.

We walk together without any words comes out from our mouth. He said on our chat take away the shyness but why he looks so shy?

As we're walking he took my books on my hand, without asking me a permission.

"Hey, I can handle that—that's too easy and—"

"No, I'll bring this."

I didn't reply any words, I didn't expect he can be like that.

A gentleman.

We ride on a jeepney, were it all started.

I was about to pay but he did it.

"Bayad po, dalawang estudyante."

"You don't have to spoil me." I said and then I rolled my eyes.

He chuckles.

"Tsk, Marco. The smile of yours it makes me..."

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, nevermind." I smiled.

'But to be honest his smile makes me weak and fall inlove with him.'

I secretly stare at him. He's on my side so I can see his face close.

In the middle of our trip. Someone has to ride on.

"Ma?" James' asked.

I wanna laugh out loud because of his reaction when he saw his Mom.

I distance myself to him.

A little bit?

I secretly browse on my phone so would his mother think that I'm just a stranger.

No! Argh, I forgot the jeepney was almost empty and we're the only one who was in their uniforms.

'Wrong move.'

Minutes passed, I saw them saying goodbye to each other.

Her Mom, wasn't here but the atmosphere still at the same.

I look at him.

He smiled.

That smile, argh—it's cute!

"Sorry for my Mom and I guess I'll prepare myself before I go home," he said.

He chuckles.

Doom, we're on trouble.

No, he's in trouble.

—

"Hey, what flavor do you like?" he asked.

"Are you sure you'll pay for this?"

"Yes, I insist. So what now?"

"Hmm? Black forest, pearl, 50% sugar." I said and smile at him.

"Okay noted! Wait here, okay?"

I nodded.

I look at him, ordering are drinks in the counter.

To be honest, I didn't expect a guy like him.

No guy treated me like that—like I'm so special and important.

I ♡ Milktea.

This place will be memorable to me.

"Here's your drink."

"Thank you."

I smiled and he was too.

He sitted infront of me.

Wait, he's too close to me!

And he just sip and stare at me.

Uh, wait?

"What? I-Is their something wr-wrong with my face?" I asked him.

"Nothing." He chuckles.

"Okay, you look so quiet today—oh come on! Don't tell me you're being shy whenever I'm infront of you!"

He just laugh without saying any words.

"Yah! Remember what you said on our chat, take away the shyness." I rolled my eyes.

"Wanna walk? It's already 12nn, our class starts at 12:30," he asked.

I nodded.

We grab our bags also our drinks.

We both quietly walk together.

He's so tall, I wish I am too.

From the start, he was holding my books till' now—I've tried to grab at him but he didn't gave it, so I give up.

5 minutes after we walked we find a bench to sit in on a freedom park near at our school.

"Centeno! Woah, you look two cute together! Stay strong!" Cheerfully said by the girl, she was with her friend. I guess they're classmates.

I smiled.

"Stay strong to the both of you too!" He giggles.

'Oh I was wrong.'

We sitted on the bench for a while.

I was sipping on my drinks when he asked something.

"Hey, gonna ask you if you're free this March 30?"

"I don't think s—"

"No it's okay if not."

"No, I'm always free. Why?"

"We're going to Marikina Riverbanks for the fireworks display. I'll assure you'll love it!"

—araxierella