10

"Why are you such in a hurry?" asked Piolo.

I sighed. He kept on asking the same question and I kept answering him even though I was starting to get pissed.

"I told you already. I'm going out with someone."

We were walking fast when Gwynette held my shoulders that made me stop. "At least spend a little time on us before going on a date with someone you don't want us to know who!" She emphasized each word. I rolled my eyes out of frustration. Now they were acting jealous, huh? Most of the time, they would ditch me for their partners. They would apologize but still do it the next day.

"How many times do I have to decline in order for you to understand that I'm not going with you guys today?" I shook my head.

"You're ditching us for a girl. Huh, okay," said Reinier. I shouldn't have told them that I would meet a girl because they were overreacting again.

"Said the guy who spends the 'squad hang out session' with his boyfriend. yeah, alright." I laughed sarcastically.

When I saw the gate, I ran towards it and saluted to them as a sign of bidding goodbye. Far from the university, I stopped running. I felt exhausted. I checked my phone to read her text again.

I breathed deeply and calmed myself down. She couldn't see me like this. I'm such a mess. Before going inside the said café, I went to the parking lot's comfort room and fixed myself. I stared at the mirror, analyzing if I look okay or not. I sighed once again. Yup, I'm good.

I texted her that I was at the café she talked about. She told me to wait and that she'll be late a few minutes. I said it was fine.

I was nervous when it was 10 minutes passed and she's still not here. What if she decided to ditch me, too? I sighed. It's fine, maybe she has important things to do and she's busy. We could meet some other time.

I ordered a croissant and a hot choco. I was happily eating when a familiar girl stood in front of me. It was Zyrine. I wiped my mouth and talked, "Hello. What can I do for you?" It was such an awkward moment for me. I still remembered the time Diana slapped her. I wanted to make it up to her because of what my ex did, however, I felt like she was avoiding me so I gave her space. She sighed heavily, "ej2002@gmail.com?"

"How did you know my email?" I pulled my eyebrows together.

She sighed again and offered a hand, "Zyrine Gabrielle, also known as, Venus."

I was taken aback, my body's frozen. I felt like I was a character in a game that was paused. She snapped her fingers,

"Earth to you, Ethan Jace."

I shook my head, "No way. Are you seriously Venus? The lady that I talked to last time?" I questioned, still couldn't believe if she was telling the truth or pranking me.

She nodded.

What a twist of fate, isn't it? The young lady that I found interesting was also the writer of the book that I was interested in.

I stood up and pulled the chair for her, she glanced at me for a second but eventually sat down after.

I bowed my head down, she was staring at me like she was staring at my soul. I felt bashful. I faked a cough and she started giggling. I looked up to her and as soon as I locked eyes with her, my hands were sweating and I instinctively shook my legs as I was timorous.

"What?" I asked, my voice cracked.

It was really hard for me to interact with someone without being anxious. It was either I would feel comfortable after having an excellent talk with someone or I would sweat a lot and feel nauseous. Not to mention, I'd hope for the ground to just eat me up.

"You were different from all the rumors I've heard about you. Besides, being slapped at by your ex was definitely an awful experience that made me have a terrible impression of you. And to tell you what, first impression really matters to me." She tittered.

I wasn't even starting to know her yet but I'm already doomed.