Book 2: Cause All I See Is You (Jholet)

Rain

"Aaah!"

Francis squeaked in a high-pitched voice, throwing his hands up to his face as Jhoanna stepped on a branch on the ground.

The sudden noise startled him, making him scream in fright.

"And that's the voice I know all too well," Jhoanna said, crossing her arms and giving Francis a knowing look.

"You---" Francis snapped, gritting his teeth as he placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm her down.

Jhoanna, still weirded out by Francis's sudden shift in demeanor and voice in front of their friends, finally asked. 

"Why do you suddenly have to sound and act so differently?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her curiosity piqued.

"That Colet... is your ex, right?" Francis blurted out, catching Jhoanna off guard. 

She blinked in surprise, staring at him wide-eyed.

 Then, she hummed softly, almost as if confirming a secret.

Francis observed his friend closely, noting the slight blush on her cheeks and the way her gaze shifted to the ground. 

"I've got a feeling I know why you were crying last night. As much as I want you to spill the tea, I won't push it," he said gently, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern.  

Jhoanna smiled at him, appreciating his understanding.

"Thank you." She replied, her voice softer now, a hint of vulnerability surfacing.

"Though I have to say, she might be a bit jealous," he added, winking playfully.

 The corners of his mouth curled up into a teasing grin.

Jhoanna furrowed her eyebrows, looking puzzled. 

"What are you even talking about?" she said, shaking her head as she resumed her search for treasures on the ground. 

She bent down looking for the treasures, but her mind was still on their conversation.

"Come on! Every time I'm near you, it feels like there's this intense gaze aimed at me. Honestly, if this keeps up, I could have actual holes in my head from all the glaring," Francis explained, resting his hands on his hips and striking a dramatic pose.

 He looked out into the distance, pretending to be gravely wounded, which only made Jhoanna chuckle.

"You're being so dramatic. She's with someone else now," Jhoanna retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Please stop coming up with these ridiculous ideas. Whatever her action is, it doesn't mean anything."

 "Really now? And you actually believe that?" Francis challenged, leaning in slightly, a playful glint in his eye. 

He loved pushing her buttons, especially when he could see her reactions so clearly.

Jhoanna paused, her mind drifting back to those intense, lingering looks she had received from Colet.

Shaking her head to dispel the thought, she replied firmly, "Yes, I do."

****

"I'll check out this side, and you can cover over there," Francis said, throwing a glance back at Jhoanna.