Almost Feels Like Always (COMPLETED)

HUDSON (SEVEN)

I BROUGHT out my phone from the side pocket of my duffel bag to text Autumn that I'm already in the botanical garden. Since we both have two hours vacant time we agreed to meet here to finalize our project.

She really takes everything seriously that she's exerting extra effort even to her minor subjects. I'm not saying Literature is not important. What I'm trying to say is, Autumn always pays attention to every detail. I think she's obsessive-compulsive.

Sumalampak ako sa bermuda grass. Kinuha ko ang tumbler ko at uminom habang binubuksan ang text ni Autumn.

[My Fall:]
K.

What the fuck?! Did she just send me 'K'?!

I never let anyone texts me like that! It's so annoying! Why does she have to 'K' me?

If you don't feel like replying then, don't. Mas nakakapikon pa 'yung ganong reply than not replying at all!

[Me:]
Is it hard to say okay?

[My Fall:]
I'm walking, Hudson.

Napangiti ako. So, she's walking that's why she just said K but she typed my complete name instead of just typing H. Kilig!

[Me:]
Okay, babe. You're forgiven.

[My Fall:]
Hudson! Quit calling me babe! Srsly!

[Me:]
My cousin's wife is a lawyer. She teaches human rights. I'll hook you up to one of her class so you can learn about freedom of speech. See you😘

My phone rang just seconds later after I sent the text. I swiped on my screen to answer Autumn's call. I heard her irritated voice as soon as I pressed the phone against my ear.

"Seriously?!" That's all she said before she hung up.

I chuckled. So, she called me just to yell her reply to my last text? Napailing ako.

Damn, Autumn.

I can see the frown on her face even from here. She's looking daggers at me. I smiled sweetly and waved at her. Lalong tumalim ang tingin niya. Natawa na ako.

Binagsak niya sa harap ko ang dalang plastic bag nang tuluyan siyang makalapit. Kinuha ko 'yun. Nagpabili kasi ako sa kanya ng Gatorade sa cafeteria.

"Thank you, babe." Malambing na sabi ko but she rolled her eyes at me. "Ang sungit mo."

"If you want me to be nice, be nice to me too."

"I am. Extra nice nga ako sa'yo, eh."

She sneered. "Don't use your tricks on me, Hudson. 'Wag mo kong paandaran ng mga hirit mo. I'm not here to play."

"What? What do you mean? And who says we're playing? I'm—ouch!"

She hit my arm with her hardbound notebook. Geez.

"You know what I mean." Pinandilatan niya ako. "Stop flirting with me."

Fine.

She's a smart woman. It's easy for her to tell that I'm actually casting my flirting skills on her. Damn. I know too well it won't work. I have to at least try though.

I gave her a cute pout and she scowled at me in return. I let out a sigh. Inabot ko sa kanya ang binili kong potato chips.

"Got you some snack."

Sandali akong kinabahan dahil tinitigan niya lang ang paperbag na hawak ko. Then, she let out a sigh, turned her face to me, and smiled.

There. Better.