Time and Fallen leaves

Leeon

Erin couldn't count how many weeks it had been since Leeon started showing his affection.

Nakaka-panibago, especially since he doesn't usually let others see this side of him. They say Erin should feel honored, because the Leeon Lewis actually opened up to him, there are only a few people he's comfortable with —Erin and his close friends.

But Erin doesn't feel special at all, why would she feel so? Oo, ginusto niyang mas mapalapit kay Leeon, but it's never really an achievement for her. Her feelings were genuine, and if Leeon doesn't reciprocate, then so be it. Erin doesn't get why people would stare at her whenever she's around, talaga bang ganito kahirap maging isa sa circle nila Leeon? She felt great of course, but his admirers made her feel uncomfortable.

"Sabihin mo lang, sasapakin ko sila" Keen made sure na narinig ng ilan ang tanong niya kay Erin habang nakapila sa cafeteria. Several murmurs were already heard as soon as they step inside, Erin could only listen. Tila natigil naman sa pagbulungan ang mga estudyante at binilisan ang pagkuha ng kanilang lunch. If it weren't for Keen, Erin would probably be AWOL right now.

"Hayaan mo na" causing violence would make things worse. Ayaw niya ring madamay si Keen sa silent bullying na natatanggap niya ngayon, she can't even do anything about it dahil kung tutuusin, no one dared to lay a finger on her —especially dahil kasama niya palagi si Keen at ang student council members.

"Anong hayaan, naririnig mo ba mga binubulong nila sa isa't-isa? They're talking shit about you" pagiirap ni Keen. Natawa na lamang ito sa inasal ng nakababata. Parehas nga ito sa kanyang kambal, they're both feisty. Siguro kung buhay ngayon si Keeana ay malamang nagkagulo na ngayon sa cafeteria.

Siguro kung buhay si Keeana, andito pa rin kaya si Erin?

"Should we eat sa office? Nagtitimpi nalang talaga ako sa mga 'yan, kairita" another eye roll from the younger. Naisipan nalang nilang kumain sa sc office dahil aside sa medyo tahimik roon, nakakalayo sila sa tingin at usapan ng mga estudyante. The office already became their safe space, laking pasalamat rin ni Erin na naging parte siya ng council.

"Anyway, did you say yes already?"

"What?" Biglang napa-angat ng tingin si Erin sa random na tanong ni Keen. She was welcome by his cheeky grin na tila squirrel dahil puno ng pagkain ang bibig ni Keen ngayon.

"I mean, ilang linggo na ring nagpaparamdam si Leeon sayo. In fact, he's technically courting already" he stated between munches. "We all knew he's not asking about the prom anymore"

Hindi manhid si Erin upang maramdaman na hindi na simpleng invitation sa prom ang pakay ni Leeon whenever he's showing his intentions. They both knew it was more than that, but is she even ready? Does she deserve to experienced how it feels to be like a normal teenager? To fall in love? Pakiramdam niya sa sobrang raming magagandang pangyayari ang dumarating sa kanya, it would eventually come at great cost. Pakiramdam niya ay may kapalit ang lahat.

"I'm going to talk to him"

"You better, hindi mo siya maiiwasan habang-buhay"

But surprisingly, Leeon isn't around. Nakailang libot na rin ng tingin si Erin ngunit kakaunti lamang ang nasa loob ng office. Kung kelan naman handa na siyang harapin si Leeon ay saka naman ito biglang nawawala.

Agad naman na nagbukas ang pinto at tumambad ang malakas na bangayan ni Jake at Chrys, followed by the others until she finally see Leeon. Tila nabuhayan ito ng loob nang makita ang binata. Naglakas loob siyang tumayo at lumapit kay Leeon —causing all eyes on them once again.

"Oh, walang magc-chismis nito ah, sasapakin ko" warned Keen and the others let out a snicker.

"Let's talk"