ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I blinked, trying to process what I was seeing. Stefano posted about the pie? And... that caption?

Namyy's eyes were practically burning a hole through me, naghihintay ng explanation ko. My mind raced as I remembered everything that happened yesterday—the pie, the teasing, the lingering gazes.

Damn it, Stefano. Bakit kailangan mo pa kasing mag-post?! Kinikilig ako ng konti, oo, pero si Namyy mukhang sasabunutan na ako.

"Nilalandi mo ba ang crush ko?" madramang saad niya, sounding sarcastic, kaya medyo natawa ako.

"Grabe ka, naki-kain lang ako! I don't know why he posted that stuff. I swear, I didn’t know anything about that."

She clutched her heart, trying to act like she was betrayed. "Dapat si Rejiel na lang ang inutusan ko! You traitor! Kinain mo na nga ang pie na para sa crush ko, dinate mo pa."

I felt a little guilt inside me because maybe I was also trying to get a chance to be close to him at that time. Pero kasalanan naman ni Namyy siya 'tong nang-uutos; isa pa, ako 'yung hinila bigla. I was declining Stefano's offer, kaya!

"Ireto na lang kita. You want?" tanong ko, pampalubag-loob sa kanya.

She likes the guy so much. Should I push her toward him? Matagal na niyang crush si Stefano, maybe even more now; she’s always dreamed of being near him. Kahit medyo masakit, I should just push him toward someone I know who genuinely likes him. Kaysa naman doon sa taong... I don't know how to describe that person in the nicest way possible 'cause he really has some nerve!

Besides, I’ve already lost my chance. He's straight—he wouldn’t like me even if I tried my luck, 'cause he's straight! I'll just be one of those people na humahanga ng palihim sa kanya.

At saka, it's just a crush. Okay lang kung may magugustuhan siyang iba. Edi, mag-move on!

Pero hindi na ba talaga siya mababali? And 'yung IG story...

"Sus, baka nga kayo na!"

My eyes widened at what she said. "Gaga, straight 'yun! Babae ang gusto," depensa ko.

"Sus, 'yan din ang sinabi nung isa bago nahulog... straight kuno," umiling siya at umirap habang sinasabi iyon.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. This girl. She wasn’t buying any of it. May trust issues na yata.

"So, ayaw mo?" I asked again, hoping to steer the conversation away from my own confusion.

"Bakit, close na kayo?"

"I don't know... maybe," I muttered, shrugging.

"Fine, reto me. We're okay na, let's go back to studying, baka hanapin na tayo ni Wes," she said, pulling me back to the sala.

The mention of Wes snapped me back to reality. I glanced at Namyy, who was still bubbling with excitement about the possibility of meeting Stefano.

Tinanong naman kami ng mga kaibigan namin kung anong pinag-usapan namin, but Namyy just gave some lame excuse. So we continued our study session afterward.

Pinipilit ko lang mag-focus kahit pumapasok pa rin sa isip ko 'yung mga nangyari.

Pero imagine, Caspian, your crush being with your friend—okay lang talaga sa'yo?

Tang inang utak 'to, mag-study ka na nga! I took a deep breath, trying to redirect my thoughts to the notes in front of me.

I could hear my other friends chatting in the background, their laughter momentarily distracting me. But every time I glanced at Namyy, I was reminded of that post, the pie, and the undeniable connection between Stefano and me.