Nevermore

Chapter 8: Y.O.L.O

"Kailan ka pa nagsimulang pumasok dito?" I leaned closer pero ni hindi sya natinag

"I take it, you don't want to talk?" I whispered before trailing my fingers over his toned arms pero bigla itong umiwas at tila ba napaso sa hawak ko. Binawi ko ang kamay ko at tumuwid sa pag kakaupo

"I think you owe me an apology, alam mo na, for decieving me and distracting me para mahuli ako ng isang batalyon nyong gwardya..." I stopped when I noticed that he isn't paying attention.

But I like challenges, especially one with a face like that...kaya mas lalo akong namotivate ng maglabas na sya ng notebook at mag jot down ng mga sinasabi sa lecture. Halatang determinado syang wag akong pansinin kaya pinagapang ko ulit ang kamay ko sa braso nya at kumanta ng mahina...

"Itsy bitsy spider..." I trailed off catching my bottom lip againts my teeth when he stiffened. I withdrew my hand with a smile at pinagmasdan nalang ang mga kuko ko to fake nonchalance kahit na sa totoo lang ay kumakalabog ang dibdib ko because of the exhilirating feeling of finally getting under his skin.

I tried to divert my attention to the discusion and heard lines of the poem that one of my classmates is reading for the entire class...and I can't help but murmur the words along with her because I knew the poem by heart...

"I envy not in any moods

The captive void of noble rage

The linnet born within the cage

That never knew the summer woods

I envy not the beast

That takes his license in the field of time

Unfettered by the sense of crime

To whom a conscience never wakes

Nor what may count itself as blest

The heart that never plighted troth

But stagnates in the weeds of sloth

Nor any want begotten rest

I hold it true, whatever befall

I think it when I sorrow most,

It is better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all."

Tinikom ko ang aking bibig at nangalumbaba ng nag simulang magtawag ng mga studyante si prof para sa interpretation ng tula

"I didn't take you for a girl who likes poetry." Nagitla ako ng biglang mag salita ang nasa tabi ko. He looked somewhat amused.

"That's the problem Cross, you underestimate me." Nag salubong ang dalawang kilay nya at napa awang ng kaonti ang bibig. God, Those lips.

"Ms. Helios, care to share your insights about the literary piece?" Inagaw ni Prof. Sanchez ang atensyon ko mula sa lalaking may kulay abong mga mata

"Pwede kong isummarize yung buong tula sa pamamagitan ng isang acronym." I stood up and squared my shoulders

"Y.O.L.O." nagsitawanan ang mga kaklase ko

"I want you to elaborate." Tinaasan ako ng kilay nito

"Party hard, kiss strangers, make mistakes and be reckless...because you only live once. Don't waste it." Kalmado kong paliwanag at akmang uupo na sana but he gestured for me to remain standing

"Do you agree with her Mr. Cross?" Nalaglag ang panga ko. He wants someone to validate my opinion? How dare him!

"Partially." Inirapan ko ang katabi ko ng sabihin nya iyon

"Why?" The teacher prodded

"I guess her interpretation of the poem is correct but I personally don't agree with the point of view of neither the author nor Achila." I balked when he said my name. He remembered!

"A reckless man won't live forever." Dagdag pa nya sa kanyang paliwanag at sumulyap sya sa akin na animo hinihintay ang reaksyon ko

"That may be true...a reckless man won't live forever," pag uulit ko sa sinabi nya habang tumatango

"but atleast he lived, whereas a careful man won't live at all." I added as an afterthought. The teacher cleared his throat at tiningnan ang suot na gold wristwatch

"Thankyou for your inputs, you may now take your seats." Anunsyo nito bago mag bigay ng ilang supplementary works at idismiss ang klase.

Bumaling ako kay Cross at nag lahad ng kamay bago pa sya maka alis.

"Achila."

"Colton." Tumango sya pag katapos sabihin ang pangalan ng hindi man lang tinaggap ang kamay ko. I playfully raised my arms in mock surrender

"Sure, no touch." Natatawa kong sabi nang nagsimula na itong lumabas.

And as I watched his retreating form a thought occured to me.

I discovered the third step to moving on...Domeric would be so proud.

"The fastest way to get over your cheating ex is to get under someone new." I mumbled with a smile