Escape Route

CHAPTER 1

It was one of those rare days when everything felt calm. The sun was just right, warm without being overbearing, and a gentle breeze made the trees sway. I sat with Chae on the school lawn, just enjoying the day. We weren't talking about anything in particular, just sharing a quiet, comfortable moment. With Chae, I never felt the need to fill the silence.

As I leaned back, gazing at the clouds, Chae nudged me. "So... kayo ni Eliezer. LQ parin?"

I smiled slightly, shrugging. "Stop with the term. Pero, oo. We disagreed again this time about leaving versus staying. He's stubborn, like always."

Chae chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't know how you two do it."

When we were younger, Eliezer was my closest friend. We did everything together. Siya ang nagturo sakin magbisikleta, siya rin ang nagturo saakin paano pumirma. I have always admired his passion, and he respected my sense of reason. We were inseparable, two sides of the same coin.

I let out a small laugh. "Yeah, but I guess that's the thing with childhood friends. We've been through so much together that it feels natural to have these differences. I know we're not as close as we used to be, but... I still consider him a friend, you know?"

She studied me, probably trying to figure out what exactly I meant. It wasn't easy to explain. Eliezer and I had been friends for so long that our disagreements didn't feel like reasons to let go.

Later that week, I somehow managed to avoid running into Eliezer for a few days. Which was a blessing, honestly. I convinced myself I didn't need the extra annoyance in my life. But of course, just when I thought I'd escaped him, he showed up again.

This time, sa hallway naman. I was busy putting my books back in my locker when I felt a presence lingering beside me. I didn't even need to look up to know who it was.

"Hello, Adah," Eliezer said in that maddeningly cheerful tone. "Miss moko?"

I clenched my jaw. "Bakit kaba laging nandito?"

"Ha? Sa hallway? Sorry, Iyo pala 'to?" he replied, a mock-serious expression on his face. "Wag ka mag alala, kukuha na ako ng permit sayo next time."

Sinadya kong lakasan ang pagsarado sa locker ko at hinarap siya. "Alam mo, you have this amazing talent for making everything about you."

He leaned against the lockers, unbothered, his arms crossed casually. "Hindi ko na kasalanan kung masyado akong interesado para sa atensiyon mo."

I groaned. "No one's paying attention to you, Eliezer. You're just... impossible to ignore."

"So napapansin mo nga ako?" he replied, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I clenched my fists, wishing I could wipe that smirk off his face. "Are you just waiting around to annoy me, or do you actually have something to say?"

He shrugged, clearly enjoying this way too much. "Maybe I just enjoy seeing that adorable scowl of yours."

My face burned with irritation, but I refused to let him see me blush. "You're insufferable."

"Insufferable?" He tilted his head, faking hurt. "That's a pretty big word. Are you sure you're using it right?"

"Oo naman, ikaw lang naman kasi ang nakakasira ng araw ko gamit ang mukha mo palang.." I gave him a glare.

Instead of taking the hint, he just chuckled, ginulo pa ang buhok ko kagaya ng palagi niyang ginagawa noon. "Aw, aminin mo Adah, boring kapag wala ako."

I batted his hand away, scowling. "Touch my hair again, and I swear I'll—"

"Ano?" he interrupted, eyes dancing with challenge. "Hate me even more? Hindi paba naka max yang galit mo sa'kin?"