The Unseen Trial [Ace Lucifer's Series Three] ON GOING

Eleventh Trial

BRYSON 11

J U N I O R H I G H
G R A D E- N I N E

"Hindi ka naman mahirap magustuhan e..." Bryson avoided her gaze.

Candace felt something on her stomach that made her feel nauseous, however, it was not because she was disgusted but she felt like she was...nervous. A different kind of nervousness that gave shiver to her nape.

"A-ano?" halos hindi niya makilala ang boses niya.

"Ayoko nang ulitin." Bryson looked at her, obviously flushed. Candace was thankful that she has expressionless face by default or else she couldn't just imagine what her expression would be, but despite of it, Candace was still uneasy.

"G-gusto mo ako?" Napaturo pa si Candace sa sarili niya.

Bryson nodded and smiled. "I guess..."

"Hindi mo naman ako liligawan diba?" she asked again.

Bryson shook her head. "It's too early to do that. We're too young, Robot. I would just ruin the way how you discover the future just because I courted you. I want you to discover the world, not discovering how to be a woman to a man—" itinuro nito ang sarili. "—a boy like me..."

Natahmik si Candace sa sinabi niya. She just nodded her head as she knows to herself that she understands him. Bryson was right. Being in an early relationship just like what she thought would change their priorities that their future adult self should handle. Instead of discovering the world, they would just lock up themselves in the relationship that has different considerations, priorities, and decisions.

"Do you get my point, robot?" Bryson seem to regain himself. He's not flushed anymore.

"I see..." she said and looked at his eyes.

Bryson suddenly took her hand and held it. "Candace, gusto kita..." Bryson sincerely confessed, straight to the point.

And all Candace could do was to stare at him, without even blinking once—but she gathered herself to speak. "Let us not ruin our friendship, Bryson... I'm begging you."

He smiled and messed her hair. "Of course, I won't. Romantic feelings shouldn't ruin friendship."

"Okay." She nodded.

Bryson chuckled. "Okay..."

***

They never became awkward after that. Growing up, Bryson was transparently honest with her since the beginning, and his confession wasn't an exception to that. Bryson was true to his words when he said they shouldn't ruin their friendship. He didn't change his actions towards her, not even showing a single thing that he likes her—and she's thankful for that.

Nonetheless, she's having doubts if his actions—his way of protecting her, buying foods for her and doing things for her was all because they're best friends, or Bryson's reason was the other way around? Was it because he likes her?

"Kumusta na iyong...admirer mo?" Macey asked. Katabi niya ito at pareho nilang inaayos ang mga gagamitin nila para sa science activity nila. They also changed their clothes into PE since may PE sila after ng activity sa science. Mabuti na lang at pumayag ang teacher nila.

"Hindi ko binasa..." she answered.

"Weh?! Pabasa ako!" Anito.

"Napaka-chismosa mo ah..." komento niya at kinuha sa bag niya ang love letter. Hindi na niya iyon binuksan. She doesn't know what to feel reading a love letter now that she has trust issues with the people around her—even with her parents. Words are merely like precarious. They tend to fall—or change constantly or worst, they could be just fake just to get what they want. And even though it's not like people around her could get something from her, it still felt like it.