T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 7

One cold morning.

Alone outside the classroom, I was patiently waiting for the class president to arrive. She has the room key because she comes to school earlier than everyone, but it just happened that I arrived earlier than her today.

I sat on the floor, hugging myself to fight the cold of the sunrise weather. Even the jacket that I was wearing couldn't halt the chill from getting onto my skin.

The moment that I heard footsteps, I stood with a hope: the class president will finally open the classroom. Instead, one of the guys from our class came.

I mean, not just one of the guys, but the smartest among us. In his white hoodie he barely wears, he walked towards me with nonchalance. His face fits the cold weather. I didn't greet him, but I wished I could. Until now, we weren't that close enough to chat with each other.

How I wish I could tell him who he became in my heart. It's our last year in high school, but risking all of those years admiring him with a simple confession will wreck me into pieces. Everytime I had a chance to talk to him, that annoying fear shut my lips.

"Icarus."

His cold voice broke the silence. I turned to him, but his sight was towards the room. "Son of Daedalus who fell into the sea after the sun melted his wings made of wax," he uttered.

Flexing his wide knowledge, I guess.

"Raiver," I called his name. "Named after a flowing body of water?"

He chuckled. "You think so?"

I shrugged in reply.

That's how our short interaction ended, right after our president came in a rush. He'd probably forget about that small talk, but it was just another memory to keep in my mind.

We got home after Mama was discharged from the hospital. She got unconscious because of stress and dehydration. I even asked her what got her so stressed when we were supposed to have fun at the beach, but she dodged it and wanted to get some rest instead. We left her in the room, but I've already told my siblings beforehand to monitor her twenty-four-seven.

She's hiding a secret she doesn't want us to know. I highly suspect it has to be about our father, who's been nowhere to be found since he left us. If it's about him trying to get in touch with us again, I'll make sure he won't be able to walk into this house, not even a single step within the village.

I'm already on my bed, trying to get some sleep when my phone rang. I checked it and I saw a message coming from him.

A bit hesitant, but still I opened it to read what he had sent. It was delivered an hour ago, but he's still online. He's still up at this hour.

Raiver

Good evening. How's Tita?

Sent 11:54 pm

I see; he's using a new account. That's why our past chat was not appearing before his current message.

You

She's fine. Thank you sa paghatid kanina.

Seen 12:40 am

Wow, he saw it immediately.

Raiver

Get some sleep. Usap na lang tayo bukas. I'll send the location tom. See ya.

Sent 12:41 am

Huh? What's up with him?

You

Wdym? I'm busy.

Sent 12:44 am

Raiver

May naiwan ka.

Sent 12:45 am

You

Ano?

Sent 12:45 am

After that, he's trying to type something for about three minutes. I got annoyed and was about to turn off my phone.

Raiver

Secret. See ya tom.

Sent 12:48 am

You

Not coming.

Sent 12:50 am

Raiver

Di mo ba ako namiss?

Sent 12:51 am

The moment I read his message, I was taken aback. I rolled my eyes and finally got a good reason to turn my phone off. I don't know about his hidden agenda but this guy that I'm not even interested anymore—for sure, is trying to befriend me.

I mean, there's nothing bad about it, but something had happened between us a long time ago. While It's true that I have already moved on, it doesn't mean I can stand seeing him once more.

As far as I could remember, I didn't even have any interesting encounters with him. I didn't know how I became such a mooncalf back then, chasing after nothing but a nonchalant, cold guy. This is not about me being so bitter about the unrequited business in the past, but he knew what had happened. Now, he's acting like we've been friends since the day I met him.

Most importantly, he's literally seeing someone else..

Knowing Sheena knows how to spread groundless rumors, especially if it involves me and that guy? Things will get messy, for sure. I'm just avoiding myself to be dragged into any issue they'd most probably make up.

Facepalmed, I realized I've been stressing myself from these things lately. I'm supposed to unwind and get refreshed in my hometown, and have fun.

Or maybe, it's about time to get myself someone to settle life with.

Maybe, Mama's right, or not. But, at this point, I no longer have hope left in me to believe that there is someone out there waiting for my answer. I got tired of counting all of those days until the time would come. Besides, I've been hearing a lot of cheating cases left to right. Perhaps, it isn't the time yet.

My phone rang once more, so I checked it and I saw his name from my notifs again. He sent another chat message.

Raiver

Jk. Baka mabasa pa ng boyfriend mo hahaha

Sent 12:58 pm

Raiver

[Sent a sleeping gif.]

Sent 12:59 pm

Raiver

Good night.

Sent 12:59 pm

Really? He thinks I'm taken already, but then, why is he trying to flirt with me? I mean, the way he is chatting with me is like a high school campus heartthrob asking to go on a date, and it's hilarious to realize.

And really? I'm thinking he's flirting with me? Maybe he's genuinely trying to get in touch with me after what I've done in the past. Besides, he might've already moved on about it.

No, I don't think so. I can't think of any reason why we should rekindle everything between us at this point. I strongly believe it isn't necessary anymore, and I do strongly believe that I don't have to bring back something in the past to move forward in the present.

I can just leave everything just as it is.