Parrot (JaDine AU)

Chapter 8

Nadine's POV

James pulled me in one of the fast food chains in the mall, saying he was already hungry. We ate an early dinner there and talked for a while. He told me about stuff I never knew about him, Daniel and another friend of them named Mike: how they met during middle school, how they got detention during their first day in high school, what Daniel said about me. I told him a little about Sue and Kuya Echo and about what I remember of Daniel before they left.

We came back to the car after that. I was feeling a little sleepy already.

I went to the front seat and plopped down. James looked at me, grinning. I felt a little disconcerted, but I turned to him in question.

"Seat belt." He just said.

I felt embarrassed, but before I could move to pull the seat belt. James already leaned forward to do it himself. I felt myself blushing. This was a lot like how he hugged me earlier during the photo shoot. But it's different because this isn't required. He didn't need to do this.

He lingered even when he finished strapping me up, and then he placed his arm around my neck, though not really touching me.

When he pulled away, I realized he had placed a necklace around my neck.

It was a simple necklace with a gold chain and a solitaire diamond.

"I think it suits you better." He told me as he leaned back to the driver's seat.

"No offense." He added quickly. "I know that your necklace is important to you, and I'm not saying to wear this necklace instead. I'm sorry about earlier."

I was surprised at what he said that the only thing I thought to say was, "It's not my birthday."

"I know." He said easily. "But I did miss your birthday."

"You didn't. You were there. You were my escort. You even gave me a gift then." I said.

"I didn't even know it was your birthday until it was. And my father was the one who had the gift prepared. It wasn't really from me." He said.

"But you really didn't have to give me anything." I said.

"Are you accepting it or not?" He asked, suddenly sounding annoyed.

I laughed. It was just silly. After a beat, he joined me. When I was calm enough, I said, "Thank you."

He just grinned at me.

"You know..." I started saying without thinking. I didn't know why I'm doing this, but it suddenly felt like the right thing to do. I continued, "Sometimes you remind me of my friend..."

"Sue?" He asked. I had the urge to laugh. He must think I really had only Sue as a friend. Well, he is a bit right, besides Paulo, Sue is the only one who I can confidently call my friend.

"No." I said. "Someone else. You don't know him."

"How do I remind you of him?" He asked.

I'm not sure but I think he emphasized on the word 'him.'

I grinned, thinking of my next words. "I never thought I'd say this, but you're very kind. The two of you are."

There was a pause. He just looked at me for a while and then asked, "How come I don't know him?"

"He left." I said simply.

There was another pause and then he said, "He's the one who gave you that ring."

I realized I've started touching the my necklace again.

"Yes." I answered him.

He looked at me, and there was understanding in his eyes. How much he understood, I didn't know, but I am sure he realized what Paulo is to me.