Sincerity's Sanctuary (Siren Avenue #1)

08

There's only one thing that I hate the most so far in my college life—groupings. I hate it so much, lalo tulad ngayong biglaan during class.

"So, paano natin gagawin, leader?" Lea asked, one of my groupmate.

"Ano ba 'yan si Ma'am? Lagi na lang pa-report?" reklamo ni Hannah.

"Uh, can I just do the intro? Ta's kayo na mag-report?" Paul arrogantly asked.

"Chill out, I'm trying to figure this one out," I responded as I'm skimming the book page that was assigned to us to report.

"Kalma guys, Darrell na 'yan oh!" Theo teased.

I rolled my eyes and fixed my glasses.Why do they even point at me to be the leader? Nakakainis. I hate being in a spotlight like this.

Ipinaliwanag ko na sa kanila by part and hinayaan na mamili kung ano gusto nilang i-report sa harap. It went well that what I expected.

"Saan ka lunch, dude?" Theo asked, habang nagliligpit kami ng gamit.

"Chicken fingers..." I said, out of nowhere.

He laughed at me, tapping my back. "Kina Lea ako sabay, dude! Ayoko no'n."

"Fine..." I said. Theo's such a tasteless.

"Ano? Tara?" Hannah approached us.

"Kayo na lang muna." I smiled at them and waved goodbye before leaving first.

I pulled out my phone as I walked the long hallway to call the gay prick. I shook my head, I don't know what's with me now. After niya akong samahan sa mall to get my haircut, I seem to enjoy his company now? Shit.

[Uy! Bakit?] he sounded nervous.

"Lunch."

I heard him chuckle. [Next time na lang ako.]

"Why?" I frowned.

[Ayoko lang.] His tone isn't joking like I expected.

"Okay..." I sighed, "kala ko pa naman malakas ako sa 'yo."

His tongue clicked. [Ano ba 'yan? Paano kita-] he stopped, [I mean, sige na nga. Let's meet sa entrance.]

"Tsk." Binaba ko na ang phone.

Nauna akong makarating sa entrance ng building namin. I patiently waited before I saw his figure coming close to me. Tipid siyang ngumiti nang makalapit sa'kin. He didn't utter anything, so I just walked and he followed.

I'm still not used to how big our campus is. Nakaktamad lakarin sa sobrang lawak, but thank God for the trees, hindi masyadong mainit. I pulled out my digicam to take some scenery pictures. I missed this.

As I'm taking some shots, I feel Rowan's gazing at me. Binaba ko ang digicam to look at him, but he dismissed it.

"You seem weird today, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Hmm? Nothing.," he immediately responded, "nakakapanlumo lang kanina 'yung quiz namin."

I nodded. I'm not buying that lame ass excuse from an academic achiever like him.

"Ikaw?" He looked at me, concerned.

Nabalik ang tingin ko sa kanya at napaisip. "I'm fine, still adjusting."

He nodded, looking directly sa dinadaanan namin. "But, kaya mo na alone, right?"

I frowned. Why is he asking all of this? He's being weird again, just when I'm starting to be okay with him being around me.

"Yeah."

"Good," he looked back at me, now, in all-awe with a smile.

I shrugged at his weird actions. We immediately ordered nang makarating sa Kusineros and dig in for the meal.