After 17

03

Ali and Nic are bound to be the center of gossip at some point.

Because she's the popular girl and he's the new guy. And because they are always together.

Except they don't really care, at least at first. Nic, because it's just gossip and it isn't true anyway. While Ali kind of likes it because in the talks, her and Nic are 'together'.

"Pero gusto mo siya, 'no?" Angelo blurts out a question as he watches Alison stare at Nic while he gets his food, and it's just them alone in the cafeteria table.

"Yes." Ali answers without hesitation, not even batting an eye to the guy that asked.

Angelo scoffs, amused by Ali's straightforwardness. Then Nic comes and sits with them, which marks the end of their very short conversation. Lori arrives too, and so they finally start eating.

While the four mind their own businesses, everyone else stick their noses at them. They stare and gossip. This has been going on for weeks now, and although it does not exactly cause harm, it is uncomfortable. Especially to Nic who is not used to too much attention. So even if he doesn't care of what people talk about, he feels uncomfortable to feel their stares and constantly hear his name when they speak.

Ali notices this. And when Nic asks to go back to class first, not even waiting for them or finishing his own food, she feels that she's had enough. She lets Nic go. Then after he's gone, she stands up and grabs everyone's attention.

"Contrary to what you guys have been hearing, Nic and I are not dating," she says very loudly, emphasis on 'not'. "We're friends. Both our families are friends. And I don't understand why I have to broadcast this to you all, but I feel like I need to clear some things up so you can stop talking about us because it's getting uncomfortable. I hope you understand." She ends her speech like that and walks out.

Very dramatic. But that's how Alison Aranya is.

Of course, the gossip did not die down the day after. If anything, it grew even louder. Nic hears of what Alison did. And for the next day, he goes to school alone, and Ali arrives late. At lunch, Ali goes to his room and finds that he's not there. She looks for Angelo, and she couldn't find him as well. She asks the classmates where they are, and no one could give a useful answer. She then goes to the cafeteria, to the library, and to anywhere at school but finds no sign of Nic. Until she reaches the part of the school no one goes to—the back of an old building that's barely used. She finds Nic there, sitting quietly, admiring the trees and birds and the sky. She goes to him and of course, Nic recognizes her footsteps.

"Ali," he says, "what are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Ali asks back. "I couldn't find you anywhere."

"I'm gonna go back," Nic avoids the question, "class is starting." He aims to walk away, but Ali stops him.

"I heard your teacher for next class is gone for the day."