EXCHANGE OF HEARTS [BL]

CHAPTER 18

He didn't see Race after that.

They did not lunch together nor go to the library nor go home together.

Iniiwasan niya rin si Race dahil sa kahihiyan na ginawa niya, ayaw pa niyang makita si Race dahil pakiramdam niya ang magiging cause of death niya ay dahil hindi niya nakayanan ang hiyang nararamdaman niya.

But still, he misses Race kahit pa ilang oras pa lang niya itong hindi nakita.

He found himself looking for Race on campus. He went to the library but didn't find Race there. He next went to the cafeteria but didn't see Race either. After his class, he waited outside of Race's last class, but his classmates told him that Race had left early. He waited at the gate, hoping that Race would show up, but he didn't.

He came to a conclusion:

Race is avoiding him. He didn't know why, but he guessed that it was because of what he had said earlier.

Kinuha niya ang kaniyang cell phone at tinext si Race.

Atlas: Where are you?

No reply.

Atlas: Let's meet? I wanted to talk to you.

Still no reply.

Atlas: Let's talk. I have something to tell you.

Three dots showed up but then disappeared, and he received nothing.

Atlas sighed and sent another message.

Atlas: Are you mad?

He's patiently waiting for Race's reply.

His heart throbbed when Race saw his message, and seconds later, three dots showed up.

Race: Can't meet you. I'm busy.

Atlas's shoulders fell.

Atlas: Are you mad? Did I do something wrong?

Race: No.

Atlas: Then why are you avoiding me?

Race: I am not avoiding you. YOU are avoiding me.

Atlas: I was looking for you earlier, but I didn't see you around. Your classmates told me that you left early.

Atlas: I believed that you're avoiding me.

Race: I didn't. I left early because I had something to do.

Atlas: What is that? Care to tell me?

Race: I'd rather not.

Atlas: Are you busy?

Race: Yeah. Something's come up.

Atlas: Meet me? Let's talk, just a few minutes.

Race: I have a life too, Atlas. Let's talk some other time.

Atlas: Okay. I'm sorry.

Atlas: Uhm, see you tomorrow?

Atlas: You're not going to avoid me tomorrow, right?

Race: I'm not avoiding you. I told you, YOU'RE avoiding me. Not ME.

Atlas: See you, Race.

Atlas: I'm so sorry, again.

Race: See you tomorrow, Atlas.

Atlas shoved his phone into his pocket. He ran his calloused hand over his face and then combed his fingers through his hair.

I hope he's fine.

* * *

“Race, put down your phone,” his daddy's voice echoed. “Who are you texting with?” Isaiah added.