TAMED #1: The Good Boy

CHAPTER 19. Sweet Darling

"So, that's his emergency?"

Maddie looked at me. Siya ang kasama ko ngayon.

When Blaze and I got back in Reinhart, I haven't seen him since he told me he'd be busy. He said he'd be in the office to take care of some things but it's almost dark and I haven't seen even his shadow.

It's not like I want his presence. I just want to ask for his help for tomorrow.

Ipapasok ko ang mga perang napalunan ko sa bangko. Gusto ko lang naman siyang gawing driver para makatipid but whatever.

I am eating dinner in the cafeteria with Maddie. Hindi ako na-sermunan kanina dahil kasama ko si Blaze. Honestly, these teachers have double standards.

Inangat ko ang tingin ko kay Maddie. "He didn't tell you?"

She shook her head. "But I had a hunch."

I continued eating but I noticed she was sighing every 5 seconds.

"Are you alright?"

She looked at me and sighed again. "I feel like I should say this."

"Go on."

"My parents want me to meet your friend."

"Who among my friends?"

She looked at around before coming leaning towards me and whispering, "Gavin Garcia." She leaned back on her chair. "So, I'm kinda nervous about it."

Oh, yeah. I heard from Lizzie na pinagkasundo sila or something. Pero bakit parang hindi naman sila nagpapansinan? Did they even look at each other during the Math contest? I don't think so.

"Why are you nervous about it?"

"Did you forget that this friend of yours is known as the 'beast'?" She even air quoted the word. "Of all people why him? It could've been Zac Efron."

Natawa tuloy ako. Ang cute niya talaga. "Gabe doesn't hurt girls. Simpleng tao lang siya, Mads. If you're not his type, wala siyang pakialam sa 'yo."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Ano bang gagawin niyo sa meet-up?"

"Dinner daw. Sa bahay namin. With his family."

"That's even better. It will be fine, Mads. As long as his parents are there, he'll behave."

She looked at me. "I hope so."

As if on cue, umingay ang cafeteria. It wasn't the kind of noise I hear when my friends enter the place like the F4. It was the kind of noise where people whisper to each other with a hint of envy in their voices.

It made me turn to the entrance ng cafeteria, which I wish I didn't.

Just the sight squeezes my chest, tightening it.

Blaze was holding hands with someone—a girl. She was shorter than I am. She had brown hair that waves just perfectly. Porcelain skin and an innocent face. She smiled like she can light up the world with it. She moves like a graceful swan. She was pretty. Not overwhelmingly so but just more than me.

But I still think Katherine is prettier.

I heard Maddie click her tongue, making me turn to her. She was glaring daggers at the girl. "Why is she even back?"

"Ayaw mo ba sa kanya?" tanong ko.

"Yeah. I don't like her for Blaze and as a person. Plastic."

Napatingin ulit ako kina Blaze at Sweet na nasa may counter na. Her arms are wrapped around his now. After ordering, napunta sila sa isang table na malayo sa amin.