Taming Gray

Chapter 42

Stares

"So, Nick right?" We all turned to Rob when he suddenly spoke. Naglalakad kami papunta sa isang area ng lugar kung saan namin itatanim ang mga seedlings na hawak namin.

"Yup." Nick smiled at him. Tinanggal na niya ang suot na hoodie kaya kita na ngayon kung paano humahapit sa katawan niya ang kulay asul nitong t-shirt. There's no need to ask if he's going to gyms or not because he obviously does. His skin is tan and he have a piercing on his left ear in which a hoop earring was hanged. How can he able to wear that even in school is beyond me.

Looking at him, he's just giving everyone the vibes of a badboy hearthrob.

"Tell me, are you single?" Halos maubo ako sa hangin dahil sa pagka-straight forward ng tanong ni Rob.

Nick chuckled and nodded his head. "Yup. For almost a year and a half now." He shrugged.

"And why is that?" Rob asked again. Interesado yata ang maharot.

Nick shrugged once again. "It just didn't work out I guess." He laughed. "Enough of me. So, how many years you five were friends?"

"We were friends with Amber since we're in senior high school." It was Mia.

"We joined the group during the orientation." The twins answered. 

Tumango si Nick kasabay nang pag-alingawngaw ng boses mula sa megaphone na hawak ng isang faculty member.

"We are already here students! You can now all disperse around the area and start to plant your seedlings. Just make sure you won't be planting too close to each other. Happy planting!" She cheered.

I moved few steps from my friends and started to dig in the soil using the small shovel that I have.

I was halfway there when I heard a snort. My stares rose up and I saw Nick trying to hide his smirk.

"Are you planning to dig on that spot for a lifetime? Aabutin ka ng siyam-siyam dyan. Let me help you." He said and squated, still trying to suppressed his laughters.

I glared at him but gave the shovel anyway. Ilang bungkal lang ang ginawa niya pero nakahukay na ito ng eksaktong butas para sa itatanim kong puno.

"There you go." Aniya at pinagpag ang palad.

"Thanks." Labas sa ilong kong tugon.

Humalakhak muli siya at umalis na sa harap ko. Kung saan siya pupunta ay hindi ko na pakikialaman pa.

"Just stay strong there buddy. You'll be growing to a large tree." I tapped the apical tip of the seedling after planting it.

I stood up but almost stumbled back on my feet when I saw Nick suddenly in front of me.

Kinuyom niya ang kamao niya at iniharang sa bibig para hindi halata ang pagtawa.

Pinapatay ko na siya nang titig nang bigla niyang iabot sa akin ang isang bottled water. "I left to get my water. I assumed you're thirsty as well so I got you one."

I was about to get it from him when I heard teasing chants from my friends.

"Nauuhaw din ako. Ehem."
"Sana all inaalok."
"Mh! Tubig sana."

I looked at Nick and I saw the subtle blush on his tan yet smooth cheeks, contrasting the bad boy look he is portraying. Pasimple siyang umiwas ng tingin sa amin. Okay, now he suddenly looks cute.

Napailing nalang ako sa kalokohan ng mga kaibigan ko at kinuha ang bote ng tubig mula kay Nick.

Hindi ko mawari kung pinag-lalaruan ako ng tadhana ngunit tila hinihila ng isang tao ang aking tingin. Hindi ko alam kung paanong lagi kong nararamamdaman ang mga tingin niya sa akin.