decoding the boys ✔️

20 - bad for me || edited

"Bakit pala wala kang kasama?" Justin asked me.

I stared back at the two of them. Hindi naman malapit ang Alabang sa Centrex, a? Bakit napadpad sila rito? By their looks pa naman, mukha silang galing sa klase.

Nakatuon ang buong atensyon nina Racel at Justin sa 'kin. Pinipigilan kong lingunin si Racel kaya kay Justin lang ako nakatingin.

"I was with my friends earlier pero naghiwa-hiwalay rin kami," I said after taking a sip from my drink.

Kanina pa kami umorder, treat daw ni Justin. Nagprotesta ako, medyo may kamahalan din kasi dito, pero wala pa rin akong nagawa nang mapagtulungan ako ng dalawa kaya nagpasalamat na lang ako.

"Are you going somewhere else ba after this?" he added, eyeing my dress.

His question confused me at first. But when I saw where he was looking, I understood what he was referring to. Iniisip niya sigurong may lakad pa ako mamaya dahil nakaporma ako ngayon. I was wearing a black dress under a denim vest, matched with ankle boots.

"Baka I'll go home muna saglit pero lalabas pa kami ni Kuya ulit," sabi ko. "Tagaytay maybe."

"Oh. I thought you'll go raving after this. You look stunning, by the way. 'Di ba, bro?" He nudged Racel with his elbow.

Inadvertently, my eyes darted to the quiet creature sitting beside him. There was a still, light smile visible on his face as his hooded eyes took in my appearance. I fought back the urge to look away as he raked his gaze across my form, my cheeks heating up.

Without meaning to, my breathing halted for a second.

Shit, that stare. Pakiramdam ko, nalulusaw ako.

"Mm." Tumango siya. Huminto ang mga mata niya sa labi ko bago niya inangat 'yon sa mga mata ko. "As always." That Gutierez smile widened slightly.

"Right?"

"Yeah, she does," Racel answered smoothly. Sinabi niya 'yon without taking his gaze off me.

It was getting hard to breathe. Thankfully, they slipped into a steady conversation about the UAAP season and their next matches after that.

"Marco might not make it tomorrow, though. Sa game na siya makakasama," Justin told him.

"Why?"

"Ikaw ba naman mapahiya nung kailan lang e. Natural magla-lie-low muna 'yon."

I tried na hindi pansinin si Racel kahit na ramdam na randam ko yung weight ng tingin niya sa 'kin habang nag-uusap sila. Justin was oblivious to it, though, dahil patuloy lang siya sa kakakwento. If he even noticed, he probably didn't care.

I decided to focus na lang sa pagkain ko para matapos na rin ako.

Few minutes later, Justin excused himself to answer a call, suddenly leaving me alone with him.

Great. Now, what?

"Are you going home straight after this meal?" came his velvet voice. "Or is someone coming to pick you up?"

"My brother, mamayang five."

Tumingin siya sa wristwatch niya. Bumalik na si Justin at umupo sa tabi niya.

"You have two hours left. You're going to wait?" patuloy na tanong ni Racel.

Justin also looked at me, waiting for my answer.

"It's okay. I can find a cafe." I cheered at my voice for not betraying my heart.

"Ah, susunduin ka ba?" Justin piped in. "Gusto mo hatid ka na lang namin?