The Calm in the Chaos (Trazo Real Series #3)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Crush.

I have never had a crush before. I know a lot of handsome boys in school, karamihan ay nasa batch nina Justin. Marami ring gwapo sa college varsity team lalo na sa basketball, kung saan kabilang si Pierson.

Of course, the Rances cousins are all handsome and attractive guys too – that includes Rafael. So, if having a crush for someone is only defined by seeing that person as "attractive", ang dami ko na palang crush kung ganoon?

We're home. Thanks for the talk. I appreciate it, Adi.

I did not open the message as I was busy thinking about what I am feeling for him.

Do I have a crush on Rafael? Isn't that impossible and absurd?

No offense to Hailey but I don't want to have feelings for someone seven years older than me, sa ngayon. Hindi magandang tingnan at... hindi ko rin gusto ang ideyang 'yon. And I know that Rafael would not look at me the way he looked at his exes.

His eyes were full of admiration when he looks at them. Kapag sa akin siya titingin, halatang bata ang tingin niya sa akin.

Thanks again, Adi. Good night.

I ignored the text message again. Hindi ko na lang bubuksan ang message. Kapag binuksan ko 'yon, I'd feel guilty for not replying and I'd be forced to reply.

I distracted myself the following days. I was always out with Hailey and Cain who found it weird that I didn't want to stay at home. At tuwing lalabas kami, I make sure not to open my social media accounts para hindi ko makita ang pangalan ni Rafael.

"Are you seriously going to let me keep your phone the whole day?", si Cain.

Hindi ko kasi pwede ihabilin ang phone ko kay Hailey dahil makakalimutin 'yon. Baka kung saan niya maipatong ang phone ko at mawala pa. Cain was nice enough to do me the favor but it's our fifth consecutive day of hanging out together. At maging sa araw na 'to, pinahahawak ko pa rin sa kanya ang phone ko.

"Oo. I just want to avoid distractions", I said. Hailey ordered for us because she lost a bet with Cain.

"And by distractions... do you mean this guy?", he said and showed my phone's screen to me with Rafael's name.

My eyes widened when I saw a missed call from him. He did not contact me since that night. I mean... he thanked me after and said good night but I did not reply. I thought replying to him would only lead us to talk more and I don't want to talk to him yet. Not until I figure out what's happening to me.

"H-huh?", I said and snatched my phone from his hand.

"You have three missed calls from him", he said.

"Ahh... hindi ko alam kung bakit tumatawag si Rafael", I said and gave my phone back to him.

"Are you avoiding him?", he raised his left brow and smirked while looking at my phone's screen.

"Of course not", I said. That sounded so defensive, Adi!

"Then why are you not calling him back or at least, text him that you cannot receive his call? The Adrianna that I know would never not ignore Rafael's calls"

"Hindi ko siya iniiwasan, Cain", saad ko.

"Then answer the call because he's calling again", he laughed and handed my phone to me.

Kaysa mabisto ni Cain na umiiwas nga ako kay Rafael, napilitan akong sagutin ang tawag.

"Hello", I answered.