As/N: Thank You for Reading and Waiting. Sorry sa late update, me and chaw were both busy these past few days due to school matters. (: [hr][hr] [b]004[/b] I was walking down the hallway when suddenly a guy pushed me with his skateboard. “The heck is wrong with you, man?” Annoyed, I stood up and fixed myself. There was a group of girls near me. There eyes were on me, and they were laughing. I just glared at them and walked pass the C-Hall. I was already expecting that Joe, Sam and Kelly would be there, chilling out. Kelly raised her eyebrow and walked up to ask me something, "Dude, I haven't seen you for a while now.” She gave me a friendly hug, “Correct me if I am wrong. You broke up with Hazel?” The next thing I knew, I was already tongue-tied. Good thing Joe spoke up, "Don't be harsh there, Kelly. You know way better than that." I wasn’t the one who broke up with her. SHE did. But thank God the topic was changed. Whenever I hear these kinds of conversation, it always brings me pain. Although the truth that I still want to be with her is still there. “But he still…Hazel…broke up…with her…the reason…of not…” I was trying to keep my temper down. If I were to get upset, I’ll feel guilty. But the thing is, she won’t stop mentioning Hazel’s name and mine. The only flaw that Kelly has is this. She can’t leave the personal lives of her friends alone. She’s a nuisance, but you can rely on her if you have girl problems. My two-hour class has been really horrible. I have been brainwashed. I was reminiscing the past with myself. And this is the reason why I got a zero in our pop quiz for Calculus. “Ma’am P isn’t here. But she did leave work pages for us to do. Chapter 9 of the workbook.” I wasn’t in the mood of doing this activity, so I just went out to check out some interesting stuff–girls. Lass’ class–holy crap it rhymes–is out to check some books in the library. I was aware that some point, if we had an eye contact, she’ll come to me and say something. I might do the same. No, I might abuse her to death for writing that last rule. But since I’m the stereotypical hot-and-gentle man of the school, I try not to do that and just ignore her. I looked around, assuring that she isn’t around. “O, tignan mo to. Didn’t you just break up with my best friend?” I looked behind me. Sam. “Who are you looking at? That girl?” He laughed, “You left her for that girl?” I knew she was pointing at Lux. Anger flared me, not because for Lux, but because of what Sam told me. I won’t replace Hazel to that nerd. “Seriously?” I laughed with him although his insults stroke dead straight to my heart. Why won’t everyone shut up and not make a fuss about her? I admit I’m starting to get tired of hearing her name, but it’s not something that the world should brag about as if it’s also their problem. We went to the cafeteria, although we knew that our lunch was long over. I looked back and saw Joe pushing somebody. Then I heard Kelly, “Should we do it? Should we? Should we?” Sam laughed and turned to the girl, “Who are you to follow us around like a complete stalker?” “I.. I.. I wasn't. I was just about–” “So, what now? Are you messing with us?” The girl looked up, and I realized it was her. Her hair is all puffed out as if she was the only survivor when the Americans tested the nuclear bomb they made. “Oh crap.” Sam glanced at me, then her, and back at me. He walked to me and whispered, “Isn’t she the smart girl? You know her?!” “Well…” I don’t know if I can really tell them that she’s my new past time. They knew that never have I accepted someone like her in my life. “Yeah she is…But then–” “All students, get inside to your respective classes.” And the bell rang. Thank God for making the bell ring in such a critical moment. “Well I’m going,” I said and widened my eyes. [hr] I was awakened when a girl started blurting out, “PROJECT? PROJECT? It’s only the start of midterms, why so sudden?” “Girl, don’t freak out,” Vice said sarcastically while twirling her hair in amusement. “We’re quite in a rush, so we’ll have to spend all the time we have tomorrow.” The shy president walked up front, “A documentary for Philippines’ historical sites. Aiza will bring the camera. Laine and Will for the video cam. Pauline for…” She mentioned a lot of names, but I was certain that she didn’t call mine. I wouldn’t go, I wouldn’t be stuck inside the house all day long tomorrow either. The class was dismissed without the reckless teacher. I knew someone was following me. To make sure no one sees us, I went to the very corner of the locker room. The picture of me making physical contact with her makes me shiver to death. She’s a girl, really? Am I destined to rape her if she wishes to? Agitated, I turned my back and forced a smile, “Lux, you’re busted so come out.” I saw her, wiping the eyeliner off of her face. I held her arm, “What’s wrong with you? I told you not to follow me.” She threw my hand in the air and put on her glasses, “I thought the deal was clear?” I scratched my head, finding the right words to say, “I know…But still–” “You failed me, although I do have high expectations of you.” Her eyes were just on me, making me feel like I was being manipulated by her words. “Do you remember what you signed just a week ago? Do you really want me to recite every rule written in the contract? I will be an understanding and good–” “I know! Dang. Just shut up and let me do what I can. I can’t believe you memorized all of it.” “I was the one who made it,” she paused and looked away, “jerk.” “I don’t care how many words are there for you to make me a nickname. Just don’t follow me and leave me alone whenever we have classes.” “I don’t. Just between 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Add 1:00 pm until–” “Shut up. Please.” I left her and walked swiftly, but then she was still following me. I know she will. But for goodness sake, she’s so aggressive and full of determination. When she finally caught up with me, she immediately slipped her fingers and twined it with mine. I was startled, but my mind said I have to do this. I looked down to our hands, and felt a little awkward. She probably felt how uncomfortable I was. She entwined it and looked straight. “Sorry,” was the only word I could say. “I know,” she muttered quietly and walked passed me. I felt like I owe her everything. I felt the urge of grabbing her hand. The words came out as if it was a response to what she did. “Tonight at 8, get dressed up and we’re having a date.” I put my fist on my forehead and yelled, [i]HOLY CRAP, what did I just do?[/i] in my head. I can’t believe I said that.Man! I can't believe I said that, I can't even say that to Hazel. “Let’s call this a peace offering. A fair play,” she smiled as if she knows what I was feeling inside. I went home and headed straight to my room. Hopeless, I drew out my phone. I can’t believe I’m still expecting a single text message from her. Ganun na lang ba talaga? After-life ng break up, no communication na? I know it’s not possible for us to make up, but still. I want to be friends with her. But if she’s fine with it, then fine. What can I do anyway? After long hours of making an attempt to send a voice mail, I came to the realization that it was already quarter to 8. Which reminds me…Lux and I–not WE–have a date. It’s not necessarily a date, but like ‘going out’. But we’re not serious so get the crap off. Wait, she might think that it’s really going to be a date. But, she’s narrow-minded despite of her excellent intelligence. I imposed on her to just chill out, but she probably took it seriously. Crap. I feel sorry for her. I took my phone and sent her a text message that I’ll wait for her here. I don’t need to pick her up. She got these bodyguards and her own Mercedes already. My phone rang, expecting that it was her. But I got the wrong caller. “Kelly?” “Kanina pa kaya kami naghihintay!” “What do you mean?” “Didn’t I announce to the class that we’ll have a meeting for the project today?” “What? I can’t go.” I keep my words, knowing that Lux is a very ‘strange’ girl. “Please, All of us have to be in this meeting,” she paused, “Oh here she is. Sam brought Hazel, too! She’s a big help.” The corners of my lips rose on their own. Without hesitation, I finally answered, “Sure. Wait for me.”