TNRS I: To The Bone (Ongoing)

Chapter 18: Against all odds

"Del, if mom or dad asks, tell them we were home last night." I reminded my sister while she unbuckles her seatbelt.

"Okay." Tumango siya at lumabas na ng sasakyan.

I waved her goodbye bago umandar ang sasakyan papuntang school ko. Nagpasalamat ako kay ate George after she drops me off to the gates.

Although I'm at school na, I can't help but think about all of the things I heard that night. What if what donya anna said is true? I pressed my lips and when I lifted my gaze, nagtama ang mata namin ni axel. He's sitting in front dahil wala ng upuan sa malapit saakin.

I gave him a small smile to assure him that I'm okay. I got used to that gaze that wanted to make sure I'm alright. Nakagat ko ang labi ko. Who knew he would be like this? It's totally absurd if they expect me to not fall for those eyes-for him.

Nang matapos ang klase ay diretso nasi-alisan ang mga tao. Even the three had their own plans after class and so I was left with axel in the room.

"I'm sorry about last night." I faced him, lifting my head a little to meet his eyes.

"Ako dapat ang humihingi ng tawad sayo, not the other way around." He said in a serious tone.

I don't know if he's mad or something but I can't read him. I bit my lip. Why does he look like he's mad about something? I don't know how to approach him when he's like this.

"Uhm... Still I'm sorr-" he didn't let me finish.

"Can I hug you?" Napapaos niyang tanong.

I can see his jaw clenching. I got tongue tied and looking into his eyes weren't really helping. It just lures and traps me within, never letting me go.

From the gesture of asking first, I can really see how he respects the boundaries and my well being.

I pressed my lips together before slowly nodding and within just a second, he caged me in his arms in the middle of the empty room with just us two.

He's warmth covered my whole body. It took me in a slight shock as this was my first time in years, being wrapped in somebody's arms. I gulped as I can practically feel my heartbeat against his.

And when my system finally analyzed it, my hands just naturally caressed and patted his back. It was my first hug after years.

"Okay. Axe someone might see us-" I tried to break off of him but instead he tightened his hug a little, just enough to secure me in his arms.

"Three minutes. Just... Three more minutes, rai." He whispered as if he was pleading.

I felt like melting between his arms. He's that worried, huh? I feel a little guilty, I didn't even think about him after getting home last night and how he'd feel.

Hinayaan ko siyang yakapin ako exactly within the time he asked and when he broke off marahan kong pinakatitigan ang mukha niya. Our eyes locked and I reached for his cheek at bahagyang napangiti.

Seeing that down expression on his face is just so cute. How is it that I'm only seeing it now? Aw. Just what am I going to do with you? I might fall for you harder than you might think.

"What are you thinking?" I asked softly as I count every pretty features on his face from his forehead to his jaw.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you there, I'm sorry about the unwanted commotion, and what lala might have said. You were uncomfortable the whole night. I understand if you-"

"If I what?"

"If you..." He clenched his jaw, gulping hard. "If you want to distance yourself from me. It's okay."