In Love With The Enemy

Chapter 22: Secret Gift

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

Three months have passed, and Gabriel is still avoiding me. He asked the principal to change his student tutor which was surprising because if he did that in the first place then, we wouldn't be in this position. He also changed schedules. I don't have any classes with him anymore which is also surprising because I didn't even know that was possible.

Regarding me and Jaden, we're okay. Jaden seemed alright with everything. He acted as if he didn't confess and had feelings for me. On the other hand, I still feel awkward around him because of what I have done.

"Aside from NYU, where else did you apply?" Jaden asked while we were walking out of the classroom. We were talking about college admissions.

"To a lot," I answered. "But I'm really expecting to get in UNC if ever NYU turned me down."

He nodded.

"How 'bout you? Where did–"

I couldn't finish what I was saying when I saw Gabriel passed by. He looked at me and Jaden before walking away.

"You know what I don't get?" Jaden said, catching my attention. "We already broke up. Why is Gabriel still avoiding you?" he asked.

"I don't know." I shrugged. "I tried talking to him again, I slid an invitation in his locker, and I called a thousand times, but nothing came out from that." I sighed.

He looked at me directly in the eye. "If I knew this would happen, I shouldn't have broken up with you," he said.

"Correction, I'm the one who broke up with you," I corrected. "And do you still want us to be together?" I chuckled, lightening the mood.

"Will you let me?" he asked.

I just shook my head in disbelief. "Will Krystal let you?" I asked before smirking.

Krystal and Jaden have gotten close after the breakup. Krystal became his peace and I'm happy that I entrusted Jaden in her care. She could treat him better than I did.

"I'm just kidding, Lianna." He laughed. "I only see you as a friend now and Krystal and I are just friends," he said, emphasizing 'friends'.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right," I replied, disbelief in my tone.

"I do not want to talk about this anymore. Goodbye," he said before walking away.

I laughed. "Hey, Jaden. I'm kidding!" I yelled before running after him.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Lia!" Bianca called when she saw me fixing my locker.

"Just the person I was looking for," I excitedly said. "What's my birthday present?" I asked.

She glared at me. "You can't fool me again, Lia." She crossed her arms. "Well, not this time." She shrugged.

"Aww... so you're keeping your gift a secret, now?" I pouted.

"You always like to spoil the surprise!" she said, annoyance obvious in her tone.

"I'm sorry, okay? It's just that you have such great gifts!" I reasoned.

"Please. You're just a really bad snooper," she retorted.

I gasped. "I'm offended." I clutched on my chest, pretending that I got hurt.

"I'm sorry, Lia. I really can't tell you even if I want to," she said.