Half A Heart Without You (Down Bad Series #1)

Chapter 4

Friends

Noris

Why did he suddenly turn so cold? Like, did he actually hate seeing me that much? Sorry, okay! But damn, he looked amazing today. So neat and fresh, not a single pore or pimple on his face—just those freckles. Tsk! Such a shame for someone that is good-looking to be so uptight. Where’s the fun, flirty Eloee from before?

"Class dismissed. The project is due this week; don’t forget." Ma’am barely got the words out before everyone rushed out the door. Parang mga zombie na nakaamoy ng utak e.

When I think about the upcoming basketball game between departments, I get nervous because Eloee might be there. There’s also the dance troupe competition, and I’m part of that too. My schedule is fully booked next week, but my heart? All over the place.

"Parang ayoko na mag-aral," I sighed, slumping over. Can you believe I’m this hung up over how he acted? Man, I feel like giving up already. Might as well strike me down right here, Lord. OA.

"Wow, pero perfect ka sa quiz kanina at unang nagpasa ng mga activities sa Google Drive?" Shin laughed, packing my mess into my bag. I just stared blankly at my stuff, still reeling from Eloee’s attitude earlier.

"Bro, ang sakit ng puso ko." I whined, making zero effort to hide it. I can’t keep things in; I say what I want and do what I feel. That’s why I need people who are…well, a bit more balanced. If I don’t say what’s on my mind, baka bigla na lang sumabog utak ko.

"Straight siya, bro! Why did you even go for it?!" Shin groaned, rubbing his head like he was getting a headache. That’s what I love about him—he gets more worked up than me.

"Aba, malay ko! Di ko nga pinili, puso ko lang ang nag-choose! And FYfuckingI, he flirted with me first 'no! Pabasa ko pa chats niya. Ikaw manghusaga." I replied as we left the room and walked down the hallway. Girls were giving me the eye, but honestly, I couldn’t care less. My heart’s too busy getting wrecked right now. They can have Shin for all I care. Just wait for me to heal—if that even happens.

"Just admit, bro, you lost in this game." He laughed, fixing his full attention." Napaglaruan ka, pare. He’s got you in the palm of his hand. Too bad you're too down bad to notice. Tsk tsk tsk, straight pa more.'"

Tangina, para akong naging baguhan sa larangan ng landian ah. Played? Me? Huh! Impossible! I'm Noris Adivrel Balagtas, for crying out loud. This can’t be happening. I need to talk to him. ASAP.

"Parang sinasabi mong bob— " My sentence was cut off as Shin interrupted.

"Speaking of the devil, is that your foreigner?" Shin gestured with his lips, pointing in a direction. And there I saw him... Eloee, with his arm wrapped around Jennifer’s waist. I blinked a few times, hoping I was just seeing things, but no—they were really there. Without a second thought, I started running toward them.

"Hoy! Saan ka pupunta? Are you crazy?!" I heard Shin shout, but I couldn’t deal with him right now. I had something important to do.

I ran outside the campus. They were already leaving and heading toward the parking lot. I sprinted, hoping to catch up.

“Eloee!” I shouted. A few students glanced at us, but I didn’t care. At the same time, Jennifer turned to face me. I saw her expression shift—from a smile to nervousness. She quickly hid behind Eloee. Tangina, anong meron?

What's with her expression? I did confess to Jennifer that I liked her, and I told her I’d court her if she was open to it. But she rejected me, saying she liked someone else. I respected that, so I stopped. But now, seeing them together like this, I was starting to wonder if maybe... siya ang ama ng pinagbubuntis niya... That would be insane!