Never Let Go

Never Let Go: On Paper

It's been a day after the Incident happened. Di pa ako naniniwala na nangyari yun.

It was 6:20 in the morning. Yung pasukan namin was around 7:00. Parang ayaw ko munang pumasok especially with what happened yesterday. I got up and checked my phone.

I saw a ton of notifications, i checked them and i saw my name trending on our schools unofficial news outlet thats ran by students.

It was about the "issue" surrounding me wearing that jacket. The headline was a picture of me wearing the jacket and titled:
"Riyannah Lihré and Zaiquian Ein dating?"

I dropped my phone to the ground and got ahold of my blanket and screamed. It blocked the noise a little.

I lay down to my bed, staring at the blank roof of my room, wondering what i'll do next. Papasok ba ako? I decided to go to school. Di naman siguro will make big headlines and spread to the whole entire school, diba?

Maybe i was wrong, but that's a part of life. I also decided to bring the jacket. For sure naman he'll find me after all this news about me "dating" him.

Tumayo ako sa kama ko and headed to the shower. Did skincare and packed my bag. I then headed out my room at pumunta sa dining room.

Andoon na rin si Mama at Papa, nakaupo, kumakain. Noong umupo ako, tinanong ni Mama ng biglaan "Sino si Zaiquian Ein? You're dating him, anak?"

I froze. Pano niya nalaman yun? Nakalimutan ko na yung nanay ko pala may access sa school outlet na yon because most of the school's updates go there and she wants to know what updates are in school.

"Zaiquian Ein? Sino po yon?" I lied. I couldn't let them know what's happening because i know they will lecture me, kahit sasabihin ko man na hindi iyon totoo. She nodded and si Papa naman tumuloy na kumain when he heard me say that.

The bus then suddenly arrived when i looked out the window. "Alis na po ako! Love you po!" I heard the faint noise of the reply back as i walked out of the door.

When i hopped in the bus, all eyes were on me. Admist the stares, nakita ko si Zaiquian, nakita din niya ako. I eye rolled at him. But, as i tried to find a seat, lahat occupied. The only free seat was beside him.

While i was going toward his direction, i was getting every stare parin. Nakaka-anxious. When i got to him, i sat and thats when the bus started moving, as well as the chatter of the students saying "Totoo nga yung mga rumors."

"Hello" sabi ni Zai sakin, nakatingin. I looked the opposite direction. "Look, i know you saw yung headline. Meron ata akong idea how to deal with it. Meet me sa corridor na malapit sa mga lockers, lunch time."  That was then the time i stared at him. "Alam mo, sige na nga. I'm sorry for acting up yesterday. I also believe you haven't known my name yet? Riyannah Lihré."

He then smirked and said "Zaiquian Ein, call me Zai nalang. Nice to meet you" he then reached out his hand. I glared at it and looked the other direction. "No? Okay then, grumpy." As he lowered down his hands, laughing silently.

Ako naman tumingin sakanya with burning hatred in my eyes. Grumpy? Lord, please make this ride to school faster.

"Hoy, di nga ako grumpy. Maka-judge ka." I said while crossing my arms while pulling out my phone para mabawas yung inis ko, yung kahit konti lang. I then saw him smile softly.

"Defensive much? Ang cute mo, jusko" as i saw him slightly blush while covering his mouth and cheeks. Ako naman, na-shock ako. I didn't expect for this to happen pero, some reason, i like it. Kaya, ako rin na-blush ng konti. What is this feeling?

[ Time skip to the Lunch break ]

I was walking to my locker to put my books in when suddenly I felt someone grab me by my wrist by a corner and drag me to the women's bathroom. I first thought it was Zai but, why the women's bathroom? Until when I look up, i saw it was some girl na hindi ko alam yung pangalan. "You're dating Zaiquian Ein? Why? Why?!"

She then grabbed me by my hair and started pulling it. I screamed loudly "Ano ba?! What the heck?!" While i'm trying to fix my hair. I then saw her rushing towards me while i was sitting on the floor of the bathroom. I was helpless, di ko alam kung ano yung gagawin ko.

When she was trying to attack me again, I then heard bangs from the door. It then opened, i saw Zai's face and the principal. I knew this will not go well.

I then stood up and ran to the principal, trying to protect myself. I also saw Zai's arm was extended towards my direction to protect me.

The principal then shouted "What's the meaning of this?! Ms. Kia, my office this instant!" The principal then grabbed her wrist and started dragging her to her office.

Zai then looked at me with concern. "Riyannah, okay ka lang? Did she hurt you?" While his hands are on my shoulders and his eyes were looking all over my face. His hands were gripped tight, parang shinishield nya ako incase that crazy girl comes again.

"Okay lang ako. Sino yon? At bakit ginawa niya yun?" I said while i was trying to fix my hair by combing it by hand.

Zai then sighed, saying "That was Kia, she's obsessed with me. Nakakainis siya. You know she did that with elle too? I'm just glad your okay."

I smiled softly and hugged him. "Thank you, Zai." while trying to hold back my tears, it felt like may pake siya sakin. Even though he annoys me, he felt like home, aside from my other friends, of course.

I backed off from the hug and wiped off the occurring tears trying to flow out of my eyes. "Now na we met, what did you want to talk about?" I said. "Well, you know the rumors right? What if we pretend to actually date? Alam kona its some very crazy idea, but, it'll be fun." He said as he chuckled.

I was taken aback at what he said, is this a good idea? I asked myself. I mean, its just on paper, right?

"Ah, sure. I feel like it'll be fun naman rin." as i laughed a little. "By the way, i'll get your jacket already" sinabi ko while heading to the lockers.

He then again held me by my wrist and said "Sayo nalang, like how i'm yours" Napatigil ako sa paglalakad ko by the lockers. Grabe naman tong lalaki na 'to.

I glared at him and whispered "hoy, we're not really dating, alam mo?" I said with a fierce tone.

"Ayan nanaman si grumpy" he said as he laughed and smiled.

I rolled my eyes at him. This'll be hard, but, why am i starting to like how he's with me?