Episode 89: EYE TO EYE

Jerico accompanies Gabby outside to make sure that she does what she was supposed to do. But the fact that Murasaki was just there to be for her and wasn't really being a jerk to her made Gabby change her plans. So here he was, shocked as Gabby chose to go with Murasaki although it was clear that she might have something else in mind.

Red looks at the blue haired boy and hoped that Jerico could have done something.

But as shy as Jerico was, he failed to do what he had in mind. To call him and tell him to back of. And what he envisioned he'd do was just in his head, a drawing failing to be put into action.

Instead he froze halfway, his hand on Gabby's shoulder, as if stopping her to go with him. His mouth was open, but no words came out. He felt deeply embarrassed as he didn't know what to say nor do next.

Tiwari and Finn were watching, and even they, were embarrassed for him.

Murasaki's hazel eyes looked directly at him, a warning shot was given.

MURASAKI: What are you doing?

Jerico gulped. The sound of Murasaki's voice was weakening. And he quickly let his hand go from her shoulders, to his pockets.

Gabby, knowing that Jerico wasn't trying to do anything mean, looked at Murasaki to warn him to stop, but Murasaki didn't look at her. Instead, he chose to give his threatening gaze to Jerico.

The two had an intense eye to eye before Murasaki looks away, taking Gabby to his car that he had just purchased and leaving them.

How could he compete with this guy as well? If Red looks cool and till now seems to hold Gabby's heart, this guy is rich, talented, and almost perfect if not for being too determined to get her heart.

And here he was. Just your ordinary guy, the type that the main lead always almost ends up with, but chooses the bad guy instead. Not that Murasaki nor Red were bad guys, nor were they punky, but...that's what make him feel left out. He was the generic character among two high level characters. They have something going on, and he was just...there. Watching them both get the girl he loves.

Jerico felt like crying that point, frustrated that he can't even defend her. He was such a loser. For years he thought he was, but now...he not only thought he was, but the scene that just happened proved he was.

All he did was admire her, not directly acting on his feelings and it wasn't doing him any favor because...he's not special.

Finn, knowing that Jerico felt sad right now, came to his comfort and asked him to have a talk with him. But Jerico refused. Told him that he's just wasting time with a guy like him. Told him that he'd never change. That he's the constant that will never have a chance to prove himself.

Finn tried to talk to him but he left, upset of what just happened.

Meanwhile Gabby felt worried about him, and while Murasaki was busy talking to her, she didn't hear anything, and her thoughts were of her good friend, thinking how the event affected him.

Murasaki realized this soon and decided to quiet down.

While Red too, was silent, observing her as she clearly was not interested in anything else at the moment.

...

Humility wakes up, greeted by the small amount of light from the window, while the other corners of the room were covered in darkness.

He stands up to see if any letter was there, but he didn't saw any letter, instead he saw bright purple eyes staring back at him.

CARRIE: I knew you were gonna wake up soon. Hi!

Her presence shocked him a bit, and when he managed to maintain his composure he looks at her and smiles.

HUMILITY: You waited for me? For this long?

CARRIE: Actually, I just came twenty minutes ago.

HUMILITY: Oh.

CARRIE: I have Red, Harry, Nhairon, Tara...and Vixen's letter all gathered up here. And these white roses and pink roses are from me and Foxxy.

HUMILITY: I see. Tell them my thanks.

CARRIE: Are you feeling okay? You lost your...smile.

HUMILITY: I...I'm just not sure if...if I'm okay once I get out. I feel...empty. Like I lost...

CARRIE: Everything?

Humility looks at her and smiles softly, he then tried his best to remain tiptoed just to reach her hand. And since he can't have her head fit into the window, he rose her hand for him to kiss. The action made Carrie blush. And soon she felt hot all over.

HUMILITY: I haven't lost everything yet. My many things is right here, in front of me.

CARRIE: That's so touching. I'm glad you're doing good. Anything you'd want though?

HUMILITY: Nope. Anyways, how was Vixen and Tara? I...I hurt them pretty badly, have I?

CARRIE: They are doing fine as of the moment, but I...yeah, they looked hurt when you...you first, you know.

HUMILITY: Carrie.

CARRIE: Oh gosh, why so serious all of a sudden?

HUMILITY: Why aren't you afraid of me?

Carrie felt stunned by the question. She looks directly on his eyes although remaining tiptoed was becoming harder for her.

CARRIE: I love you. Why would I be afraid of you?

HUMILITY: You know what I could do. I could have hurt you.

CARRIE: I know. And I know that you really could do all those things to me too but I...I chose to love you.

Humility squeezed her hand.

HUMILITY: I'm so lucky to have you.

CARRIE: You're not the only one lucky.

HUMILITY: Hm. Stop with that look, it makes me feel impatient. I want to get out now.

CARRIE: Just wait a few more days. I promise that I'd always visit you.

At that moment, Humility had never felt so calm.

...

Jerico walks to his room, then looks at his self on the mirror.

He felt angry upon seeing what he believed was a reflection of a failure. He reminisces the times he tried dating other girls, tried finding someone who can appreciate him, and all ended in disasters.

Since young he had always been the wimp. And those times molded him to be this ball of insecurity. He died his brown hair into blue to at least look 'cool' for a certain girl he loved back at high school. He even painted his nails black to look like the boy that girl was describing as her ideal. But unfortunately, he didn't made the cut to be her boyfriend because it turned out that she was just kidding, and was just testing how much he can make a fool of his self for her.

He stopped painting his nails, but learned to love the blue hair he have. It was the only thing that makes him eye catching, at least for first impressions. If it was brown, he won't stand out at all. Given his shy personality.

Those things that kept happening before had lowered his self esteem. And because of it, he felt that he wasn't good enough for anyone.

His freckles, though some comments that it makes him look adorable and harmless, was deemed a defect to him. He thinks he was ugly(though in reality he isn't) and had always tried to cover his face whenever he has any strong reaction, reasoning that he might look funny.

He felt depressed, pathetic, weak. And for the past years he saw no improvement of his self. Always on the background, was there really hope for him? Would he find someone to finally accept him for him? And love him for him? Would Gabby be the girl to see that?

He wanted to fight Murasaki over her. But would Murasaki even take him seriously? Much importantly, how the hell can he change to be taken seriously?

Jerico sighs and then lays on his bed, looking at his empty phone. His only conversation with people, being business related.

He scrolls until his fingers found it's way to Gabby's icon.

Was the first step to text her?

What if she thinks of him as a nuisance also?

What if she thinks of him as a brother?

What if he family-zone him?

Countless thoughts filled his mind.

And he don't even know what to tell her.

"Hi?"

Should he tell her that?

His fingers were shaking as he type the word.

Sent!

He felt anxious. He waited a minute and still no reply. Being the frantic always type of guy, he deleted the message before Gabby could even see it.

Gabby, however, felt intrigued of the removed message. And texted him immediately of what it was. She even apologized, saying that she didn't mean to keep him waiting.

Jerico's chest was almost exploding upon the realization that she replied, quickly too.

His hands turned sweaty as he thinks hard of what to say next.

After all, it's been a while since he get to text women.