Love At First Steps

Chapter 3: Confession and A Flashback

POV: SCARLETT

"Good choice," Scarlett nodded, setting her menu down. "Masarap lasagna nila dito."

There was a moment of comfortable silence between them as they waited for their food to arrive. Scarlett seemed to be lost in thought, her eyes fixed on Jaycee.

Jaycee fidgeted under Scarlett's gaze, wondering what she was thinking. She fidgeted with her napkin, unfolding and refolding it repeatedly, trying to look nonchalant.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Scarlett spoke up. "Jaycee," she said, her tone softer than usual. "Pwede mag tanong?"

Jaycee's heart pounded in her chest at Scarlett's words. She could sense the seriousness in her tone. "Uh, sure," she replied, trying to keep her voice even. "Ano yun?"

Scarlett leaned back in her chair, her gaze still fixed on Jaycee. "Bakit ka nag seselos kanina?"

Jaycee was caught off guard by the question. She hadn't expected Scarlett to call her out on her jealousy.

She swallowed, trying to come up with an answer. "I... I don't know," she confessed. "I guess I just didn't like the idea of you having dinner or spending time with someone else."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow at Jaycee's response. "Bakit naman?" she asked, her tone more playful now.

Jaycee fumbled for words, her heart thumping in her chest. "Kase..."

She trailed off, unable to put her feelings into words. She felt foolish and vulnerable, admitting her jealousy. Jaycee took a deep breath, feeling her cheeks flush. "Kase gusto kita Scar, okay?"

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. She immediately wanted to take them back, feeling exposed and embarrassed.

Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't been expecting such an honest confession from Jaycee.

For a moment, she was silent, as if absorbing Jaycee's confession. Then, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Gusto moko?" Scarlett repeated, her voice gentle.

Jaycee nodded, feeling her face grow even hotter. "Oo," she mumbled. "Gusto kita Scar."

Scarlett pulled Jaycee into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around her. "Gusto din kita," she whispered into Jaycee's ear.

She took a deep breath, feeling nervous yet excited to share her own confession. "Actually, Gusto kita matagal na."

Scarlett pulled back from the hug to look at Jaycee. "Ever since high school."

Jaycee's eyes widened in surprise. Not only did Scarlett like her back, but she had liked her even during high school?

Scarlett nodded, her gaze never leaving Jaycee's. "Yeah. I saw you dancing in the auditorium one day, during one of the school events. You were so talented, so beautiful."

She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I was mesmerized. I had never seen anyone dance like that before. And I think that's when I first realized I liked you."

Scarlett's gaze softened as her mind drifted through the memories. The way she had felt watching Jaycee dance all those years ago, the way her heart had pounded in her chest... it was something she hadn't realized then, but looking back now, it was clear. She had liked her even back then.
________________________________