Hearts Unmasked And Unbound

Chapter 18

"Are you looking for Kyan? He can't eat lunch with us today 'cause he's studying at the library."

I feel like I've been caught stealing because of what Vault said. I did not look for him! What a false accusation!

I shook my head immediately and went back from eating, "I'm looking for Cielo." I reasoned out.

"Oh."

I played with the food on my plate using my spoon. I suddenly lost my appetite and it was all Kosta's fault.

And why am I blaming him? Dahil wala siya dito? What does his presence has to do with my appetite?!

This is unbelievable. I am so unbelievable.

I'm just not used to it. It just feels like something's missing. Yeah, That's it.

Even so, I managed to finish my food.

"Hey, I'll go ahead." I said and stood up.

"Ay bro, punta ka na sa room?" Asked Aquire.

"Yeah? Why?"

He took a book from his bag and handed it to me, "Pwede pa daan kay Mariel sa grade 11, abm 1?"

The whole table immediately teased him. "Babae na naman? Hanggang kailan 'yan, Aki?"

"Tangina mo, Prim! Si Mariel Vergara 'yan, kapatid ni Neo. Hard pass sa kapatid ng tropa!"

"Neo has a sister?"

"Wala talaga kayong kwentang kaibigan!"

"Hey! He never mentioned it!"

I nodded at Aquire. "Mariel Vergara, right? Okay..."

-

With a nonchalant expression, I knocked on their room's door. I saw them all stop eating to look at me.

"Ako na!" The girl was about to stand up from her seat when another girl gripped her hand on the girl's uniform. "Hindi, ako na!"

She blinked her eyes repeatedly and she smiled at me. "Yes po?"

I cleared my throat. "Is Mariel Vergara here?"

I was startled when they suddenly shout with a sharp tone.

A mestiza girl with glasses stood up and the room got even louder.

"Oh?" She asked boyishly with a nod.

My lips parted a bit, her physical appearance is different from how she act. I think that's cool.

"Pinapa bigay bigay ni Aquire." I handed her the book.

She silently took the book and returned to her seat, eliciting a collective sigh of disappointment from the students.

I nodded and raised my eyebrows at them, watching as their disappointment turned to kilig.

A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth. Ang ganda sa feeling... It feels good to know that I still have a effect on people despite my disguise on. I guess it runs through my blood?

I slipped my hands into my pockets and started walking towards my intended destination.

Suddenly, I felt a strong grip tighten around my colar, taking me by surprise and causing my eyes to instinctively shut.

I hadn't even fully processed the action when I was struck in the face by a powerful punch. A painful groan involuntarily escaped my lips.

With my eyes still closed, I instantly recognized the perpetrators by the sound of their laughter and the revolting odor that surrounded them.