You Belong With Me

CHAPTER 3 Unspoken Feelings

"Earth calling Apple...? Hello?" I realized I spaced out when I noticed Chris was waving his hand in front of my face. " Are you okay? You suddenly spaced out."

Worry was evident on his face. And I remembered that I didn't have the courage to tell anyone about what happened that night, even Chris. Because I know that he would blame himself for not being there for me like Mom would. What's important is that I was safe. But I think I got traumatized over what happened even though I refused to admit it. That's the reason why I started to conceal my appearance with nerdy looks. I wear thick glasses, never wear makeup or anything on my face. I let my brows become bushy, I always wear conservatively. I don't find myself particularly beautiful since I really am not so fond of makeup, however, I do have a good figure – right sized bumps on the right places. I transferred school but I refuse to go outside alone these days. I'm always with Chris or Mom would take me to school or fetch me after work.

Actually, after Chris and I transferred schools during our junior year (he refused to part with me so he transferred as well), I started to become somewhat introverted. I don't have any friends 'til now aside from Chris. I think our schoolmates wonder why we were always together since he is now proclaimed as a new heartthrob and I'm a nerd alright. If someone from our old school will see me, I bet they wouldn't recognize me after what I've done to myself. But for me, it was better this way rather than being assaulted again. Come to think of it, the guy that helped me at the time... I never get to know his name and I can't really remember his face since I'm not thinking straight then. What I remember was his uniform - he was from Royal Academy and that's the school where we transferred to. If fate allows it, we may see each other again.

'Though, I doubt if he would recognize me with how I look now?' I thought. And Chris is now frowning while staring hard at me.

"What now?" I asked. I almost squinted when he suddenly brought his face close to mine. His face was dead serious when he asked...

"Tell me, Apple. Are you having a crush? Are you one of those silly girls experiencing puppy love right now?"

I blushed and looked away before saying that ...

"Are you crazy? I'm not having a crush on anyone and I'm not in-love okay? I'm too busy to fall in-love and besides, who am I gonna fall in love with? You were the only guy that could stomach approaching me given my school appearance. I can't even remember our classmates' faces, gosh!" For some reason, I felt agitated with him asking this question. He was still staring hard at me before distancing himself.

"That's good. It's not good for a girl like you to fall in love during high school." Chris seriously stated. "But in any case that you do, you have to tell me who the fucking hell it is okay?"

"Fine! I'll tell you, BIG BROTHER!" I yelled at him because I'm getting pissed with where this conversation is going. " Now, go home because I have to review more questions."

"Okay, you don't have to yell at me. Don't forget your promise alright?" that's what he said then he went back to his room by climbing the terrace again.

I just can't help but shake my head at the absurdity of this deal.

"How am I supposed to tell you who my crush is when it was you?" I mumbled to myself.

One major setback when you have a crush on your childhood best friend is that you are always updated with his life whether you like it or not. If not from his mouth, then probably from someone close to the both of you - like his Mom.

"Apple, did you know that my baby boy is now courting someone?" Auntie Crizelda asked me one time when she went to our house to bring me some of her cooking. She usually does that whenever she knows that Mom was not around so I don't have to cook my meals instead.