Chapter 4 Marco
Bea
"I really need to find a part-time job," I stopped walking and looked at Mathew.
"Why? What happened to the money your aunt set aside for your studies?" I asked, puzzled.
He let out a long sigh. He didn't answer my question and we continued walking until we reached the garden.
We sat down on the grass and took out the snacks we bought from the canteen from our bags.
"We used the money for my mom's medical expenses. She had a heart attack recently, so I had no choice but to give half of the money to my parents," he began.
I turned to him in shock. "Really?! Is your mom okay now?" I asked with concern.
He gave me a small smile and nodded. "For now, she's okay, but if she continues selling snacks, it will be hard for us. You know how stubborn my mom is."
I sipped my chocolate milk and looked at him seriously. "Your aunt will probably give you extra allowance again."
He shook his head. "That's easy for you to say, but I don't want to always rely on my aunt. I have to find ways on my own. It would be rude to ask for more allowance from her when she already set aside money for my education."
I pressed my lips together, unsure of what to say. He was right; it was easy for me to say that because my dad had set aside money for my education. But for him, he had to find a job to support himself.
I sighed heavily. "Sorry, I'm not very considerate," I apologized, but instead of listening to me, he was staring blankly at something behind me.
"Hey?!" I tried to snap him out of it, but it didn't work.
"Th-tha-that's M-Marco," he stuttered.
"Ahem," I heard a deep voice behind me, and I quickly turned around.
"Oh, son of a..." I couldn't finish my sentence as I found myself staring into Marco's eyes. I couldn't deny he was indeed handsome, perfect for being the school council president.
"Son of a?" He raised an eyebrow at me, holding a trash can. The whole council was here, picking up trash.
"Ah, haha. I meant, my mother said Marites is pregnant," I smiled awkwardly.
He avoided my gaze. "The garden is strictly off-limits to students for now. It seems you didn't know."
I glanced around the garden, and he was right; only Mathew and I were there. My face grew hot with embarrassment.
I looked at him boldly and stood up, facing him head-on. His gaze lingered on me, giving me chills and a familiar feeling at the same time.
"Well, sorry! Don't worry, I'll keep myself updated with school news next time so my friend and I know where we can hang out," I rolled my eyes.
"Miss, school is for learning, not hanging out," he retorted.
I was this close to punching him!
"We hang out to relax and study! Not just hang out! Do I look like someone who just hangs out?!" I snapped at him incredulously.
Instead of arguing back, he turned his back to me. "Finish your food quickly and please take your trash with you when you leave."
Grr. I was about to throw my empty chocolate milk carton at him, but he was already walking away. It would be embarrassing to shout at him out of anger.
"That's the Marco you were talking about? What a jerk!" I fumed at Mathew.
"But at least he's good-looking," he said, starting to pick up his trash.
"Who cares if he's handsome? He has a terrible personality. Let him eat his own attitude," I grumbled as I gathered my trash.
Before we left the garden, I glared at Marco from afar. His co-council members noticed and pointed me out to him, but he didn't react and continued talking to them. Hmp! What a jerk. I'll make sure to get back at him next time we meet.
He's so annoying, acting like he doesn't acknowledge anyone. Is that who everyone likes? Campus crush? Him? What do they see in him? He has such a bad attitude! I don't know where he got it from. Even a small joke would make him snap. With his eyebrows always furrowed, who would want to talk to him?
But wait, why am I so affected by what that guy did?