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Chapter 2

"FUDDDDGE!!!!"

I cursed myself for being such a total idiot back there. I'm in the local grocer's now but I still can't shake off the humiliation I had with Nate.

As I go through the dairies aisle, I turned around as I hear someone calling at me.

"-- Jen!"

I felt my body suddenly go rigid as I recognized Nate coming toward where I am.

Did he just followed me all this time?

Still panting he said, "Why did you just ran away from me back there?!"

He did! And my heart pounded quickly.
I ran out of words to say. "Uhm, sorry, I had to hurry for these. I didn't mean to offend you or anything," I told him as I showed him my basket of items I have already got my hands on.

"Oh, no offense taken," he smilingly said. "I didn't know you cook."

Going back to my list I said, "I do cook, actually; but I don't always had the time to boast about it." I think that came out a bit abrasively.

"I see. Cooking for someone, I guess?"

"Yes, I'm going to cook for my Dad, it's his birthday today," I replied as I grabbed a half dozen eggs and a pint of milk.

I got all that I needed so I went to check out at the cashier.

"Here! Let me," he said as he took my grocery bags from me and helped me out of the grocer's store.

"You really don't have to. I can manage," I said as I tried to take back my bags from him, but to no avail.

"No, leave them to me," he said while we walked back toward our house.

Deciding that my efforts will be for naught, I resigned my case. "So, what took you here? I thought you live in Talavera," I inquired.

"Oh that! No, not anymore. We sold our house there and bought a house here in Cabanatuan, instead."

"I see. So what made you be out this early?" I cursed myself for having such a big mouth.

"I am actually trying my new shoes I got for a run," he showed me his shoes.

"So you run, too?"

"Yeah, actually I run if I am not busy with our school's basketball training. Why'd you ask? Do you run,too?" he proudly said.

"Yes, actually I participate during fun runs, but not competitively, though."

"Really? I never new! We should run together sometimes," he exclaimed with the revelation. "I guess that makes two of the things I never knew about you."

I felt that a flush crept its way back through my face. Is this really happening? Me casually conversing with Nate? The Nate?

"Uhm... Jen? Are you okay?" He said as I realized that I stopped walking.

"Yeah, sure, I'm okay." I think I blushed as I said it. "There, that's our house at the corner of the street."

I still can't believe this is happening. All of this, for fudge's sake!

As we near the house, I can't help wishing for the time to slow down and give us more time together.

"Jenny, dear. Is that you?"

I stood still. I checked my watch. It blares: 6:23AM.

A balloon  just popped inside my stomach with the realization. Our surprise plan just got busted. To make things worse, he caught me together with Nate!