Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-1

"Zein, sandali!" Sigaw ni Gellian nung malagpasan ko siya habang sakay ng bisikleta.

Kaagad akong lumingon sa kanya at nakita siyang pawis na pawis. "You're so slow, Gellian! You need to keep up. We're running late."

He gasped for air while tightening the grip on the handlebars of his bike. 
"Sira na yata 'tong bike ko, angkas nalang ako sa 'yo, Zein."

I didn't agree and just shook my head before I walked closer to him. I grabbed my handkerchief to wipe the sweat on his forehead, making his face flush. I let out a playful laugh when I saw his eyes widen.

He held my wrist and gently pushed it away from him. "K-Kaya ko na, Zein. Wag ka na masyadong... lumapit."

Ngayon ang unang araw ng pasukan at sa wakas ay highschool na ako. Hindi na ako nagpahatid kay Mang Noel na personal driver ko dahil niyaya ako ni Gellian na mag-bisikleta papuntang Ravenwood University. Gellian has been my friend since we were still children. Because of business connections, his parents and mine are very close. We've been schoolmates ever since elementary, and he's been my partner in crime for as long as I can remember.

"Gusto mo, puntahan kita sa room mo mamayang recess para... sabay tayong kumain?" Gellian asked me after he locked our bikes when we reached the parking lot.

 

I pouted my lips. "Wag na, I also want to meet new friends."

He caressed the top of my head and played with my hair. "Very good, but please stop pouting your lips."

"Why?" My brows furrowed. 

"Wala, kalimutan mo na." He dropped the topic.

The bell rang, so we had to go to our class. Gellian is now in his 3rd year of high school while I'm just a freshman. It was my mom who suggested I enroll in the same school as Gellian so he could look out for me. I'm already 13, but there are still a lot of things that I didn't know. I'm completely innocent. That's why I easily get fooled. 

Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa lace ng aking backpack habang naglalakad sa hallway. Nanginginig ang aking mga kamay at napakabilis ng tibok ng aking puso sa kaba. Gellian isn't with me because I told him to go to his class, which I regret because I don't know where my classroom is.

"Yes mom, I brought it with me. Don't worry, I will finish it all." A boy with a small face uttered while talking on his phone. "Wag na po akong sunduin, nakakahiya..." He whispered, feeling embarrassed.

I'm just looking at him and I couldn't help but to admire his pretty face. He looks like a girl and he's much taller than me. I gave him a sweet smile when he met my eyes.

"Hi! Freshman? " He asked in a soft voice.

 

I nodded my head while holding a tight grip on my slacks. "Yes, are you a... freshman as well?"

He chuckled. "You don't have to be shy, I'm not going to bite. What section are you in?"

"A-Archangels."

He immediately wrapped his arms around my arm. "Perfect! By the way, I'm Ezra. Let's go, classmate."

Nakita ko ang pagkagulat ng aming mga kaklase nung makapasok kami ni Ezra sa classroom. My nervousness faded when I noticed that the prof was not yet around. Ezra and I just sat on the chair in the back since that was the only available seat.

The girl wearing a cat hairband turned her head to us. "Hey! Are you both Korean? Your skin is so white and you are both gorgeous!" She overreacted while giggling.

"No, I'm not." I hissed before I look at Ezra. "How about you, Ezra?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "No."

The girl just rolled her eyes before she looked away. I just grabbed my romance book and read it while waiting for the prof to get inside the class. Ezra pull out his earpods and place it on his ear before he closed his eyes. He's so cool and he really know what he wants, unlike me.

Ever since I was a child, my dreams have constantly changed. When Mang Noel became my driver, I dreamt of also becoming one. That dream changed when my dog died and I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian. And then again, that dream changed when I studied in pre-school and wanted to become a teacher.

I feel like I'm still a child because I've been following the people around me. It's making me worry about my future since, up until now, I still don't know what I really want to become. But I'm taking my time to finally realize it.

Again, I'm just a teenager who's in an adolescent stage.

Maya-maya pa ay dumating na ang prof. As usual, introduction lang ang nangyari at wala pa namang lesson na naganap. Hindi nakapagtatakang may ilan akong kaklase na competitive kahit simula pa lang ng klase dahil nasa highest section ako. I was ranked as valedictorian way back in elementary when I graduated. Some of them might know me, and a few may not, especially if they came from different schools. 

"Zein, do you want to have lunch with me? Let's go to the cafeteria." Pagyaya sa 'kin ni Ezra nang mag-recess.

"Sure, I'm craving for some strawberry short cake!" I squaled, feeling excited.

I'm glad that I met Ezra and he became my new friend. He's very witty and has a mature mind, which makes me fond of him already. I was shocked when he said that he became a model for a diaper commercial when he was still a baby, and it suits his charming face.

"Z-Zein," Gellian stuttered when he noticed I'm with Ezra.

Hindi ko inaasahan na hihintayin niya ako sa labas ng classroom dahil sinabihan ko siyang wag na pumunta kanina. A lot of my female classmates are looking at him with awe on their faces. Gellian is really a head-turner. He had a striking pair of hazel eyes, a well-defined nose, and sultry lips. It suits his wavy combed hair that makes him look manlier.

Ezra just tapped my shoulder and sent me a signal to go with Gellian. He gave me an assuring smile before walking away while holding his leather-strapped backpack. 
Kaagad akong lumapit kay Gellian habang naka-krus ang mga braso.

"I told you not to wait for me earlier, right?" I said in a whisper.

He let out a sigh. "Di ba nga, pinapabantayan ka sa 'kin ng mommy mo? Sino ba 'yung kasama mo... kanina?"

I pouted my lips, which made him shook his head. "That's Ezra. He's my new friend. Isn't he... cute?" 

He murmured something which I couldn't hear before he got my shoulder bag that I was wearing. We started to walk towards the canteen and I noticed that he's pretty famous since a lot of people were greeting him, especially girls. 

"Strawberry short cake, di 'ba?" Gellian asked me before he walked to the counter.

My eyes widened from shock. "How did you know I was craving that?"

He caressed his nape. "N-Nakita ko sa post mo sa IG. Ako na bibili, wag ka ng tatayo."

I gave him a sweet smile and nodded my head in response. I don't know what I did in my past life to deserve a good friend like him. He's someone I would treasure my whole life.

 

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🌈💅