The Guy Who Doesn't Like Me

Seven - Partners

Gabriella

"Okay, since nanalo ang boys sa quiz bee, I'll be giving them the opportunity to pick their partners in the upcoming event next month which is the Mr. & Ms. Grand but then, ang twist is they wouldn't be able to choose on their own free will. Instead, they have to pick a name on the bowl. Is that clear?" Sabi samin ng head prof namin. We just all nodded. Wala rin naman magagawa ang girls sa set-up na to.

"I wish mapili ako ng babe Matthew ko." Without me noticing, napa-irap ako when Michelle said that. Well, the possibility na siya ang mapili is 1:20 kaya--

"Hay, nako. Wala na bang ibang alam si Michelle kundi puro Matthew na lang? Porket pinatulan siya ni Matthew. E kung ako nga lang, mas gusto ko si Matthew and Gabby. Stunner sila parehas." Sabi ng isa naming blockmate. Hindi ako mahilig mamback stab or makipag-away. And kahit na pinipilit ko na talagang kalimutan si Matthew, a part of me felt happy but at the same time, malungkot. Matthew wasn't able to realize that we're quite compatible. Pero ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko.

"Okay, first to pick will be--"

"Ma'am, ako muna!" Napatawa naman ang lahat dahil sa kakulitan ni Paolo.

"Dyan ka magaling, Paolo. Pero di ka manlang makapagrecite sa recitation ko." And mas napatawa nanaman ang lahat sa hinirit ni Ma'am Lorraine. Napakamot naman sa ulo niya si Paolo.

"Let's start with Matt." Lahat kami napatingin kay Matt and he looks shocked.

"Matt, nagets mo ba sinabi ko kanina?" Nakatingin lang lahat kay Matt, in silence and waiting for his answer. Maya-maya pa'y nagpeace sign na lang siya and umiling si Ma'am. Everyone was just laughing nang magkatinginan kami ni Matthew. Nasa kabilang side siya ng room kasama ang ibang boys but I can clearly see he's looking at me. I can't look away, or should I say, I don't wanna look away. If I could only stare at him everyday, I will. But I won't. It's really time to move forward. Ayako na maging marupok. A year is long enough to stop chasing after him. I mean, yes, we're friends now and I admit there's still feelings but I can't let that happen anymore. I don't want my relationship with Matt get jeopardized just because of this lame feelings I'm having for Matthew.

"Yan kasi, kanina mo pa kasi tinititigan si Gabby." Napatingin naman ako kay Ma'am when she called my name.

"Oh, Gabby. Don't tell me nakatitig ka rin somewhere?" And with that, everyone's looking at me a second after looking at Matt. Napatingin ako sa lahat and nakatingin pa rin sakin si Matthew and now, pati na rin si Matt.

"Sinong tinititigan mo?" Pang-iintriga ni Jannelle. As of this moment, gusto ko na lang magpalamon sa floor.

"Wala po, may iniisip lang." Sabi ko and everyone teased me kay Matt.

"Hindi siya nakatitig kay Matt. Actually, kay Matthew ko siya nakitang nakatitig." Sabi ni Ma'am Lorraine. My eyes widened automatically. How could she see that? I mean, nagkakagulo kay Matt kanina and now, nakita niya?

Everyone turned to Matthew and he was just.... smiling. A very sweet smile, I see it formed in his lips. It's like what he just heard made him smile.

"Ay nako, Matthew wag din ako. Kita ko rin na nakatitig ka kay Gabby. Is there something going on between the two of you na?" I know when Ma'am Lorraine said, 'na' she means after me chasing Matthew all the way.

"Wow, Gabby. Hard work paid off--"

"Ma'am, baliktad po ata?" Biglang singit naman ni Paolo. Napatingin lahat sa kanya including Matthew but ang napansin ko talaga ay si Matt, who's currently looking at me. He smiled and nodded na para bang sinasabing 'It's okay.'.