The Art of Pen Flirting (#LunaEast)

9

“What the hell was that?”

I sort of expected this tone, his voice and his series of questions.

“What? Why are you so mad? It’s not like I left the office for hours. It’s not like some villain would take the computer away.” I said, now showing my annoyance.

“Except you,” I whispered.

“What?!”

Oops, he heard it.

“Next time, don’t leave my office open just in case you’re going to exchange saliva with that guy.”

I looked at him with remorse. What?  Exchange saliva? Do I look like someone like that? Now, he’s starting to get in my nerves.

“If you’ll boss around, don’t include him… Please?” I asked, trying to be nice but I can’t help it. This is too much.

I looked around the office. It is classroom sized, with two office tables, one computer each. The supposed to be desk chairs are replaced with comfy couches the TWP members sat on during meetings. On one corner are piled old newspaper issues of the used to be Newspaper club. One wall has a big calendar, the other one has a really big cork board. The memos posted are useless since nobody looks at them.

“And besides, why are you still here?”

He looked tired and I’m finding this one weird but he’s still monstrous.

“Editorial work,” he answered.

“Esther and I are almost finished. Esther will layout the literary part. You can have the printouts if you want.”

Terrence just nodded. Sometimes, I can’t get this guy. He’s so stiff right now, then monster-like then calm, then monster like again. He’s unpredictable.

“How’s your day?” I asked because seriously, he’s acting weird.

“Plain old,” he answered.

“I thought you had a date with Lisa?”

“We just ate cakes.”

“Okay.” I said. I didn’t press in for details because I really don’t want one. I should be the girly-girl best friend but I can’t, I really can’t. I took the printed magazine layout, arranged them and stapled them. Put them inside a short folder before handing them to him.

“Good,” he spat.

“I’ll show this soon to Ms. Sulino. Then we can proceed to the publication and distribution.”

I just nodded. Ms. Sulino was our publication adviser. I just looked at him while he’s staring back at me. Are we in a staring game or what?

“Uhmmm, I’m heading out.” I said grabbing my bagpack.

“Okay,”

I waved at him and walked out of the room. I didn’t notice that my heart was beating abnormally again. I hope Terrence didn’t notice my awkwardness in front of him. When I was out of the North Gate, the gate nearest to the jeep station, someone started to call me.

“How did you know my number?” I asked after picking up Michael’s call.

“Uhmmm, let’s just say desperate boys have ways.”

I smiled with the word desperate. One moment, he was knocking at TWP’s office for some help and now I am starting to think he’s flirting with me. He was a bit shy when he said that he needed a tall someone to help him transfer the props to the stock room. We talked and laughed and I… uhmm, I didn’t know why I became a little seductive with him a while ago. Lisa told me that the little gesture makes guy speechless. It made Michael speechless. I admit it, I enjoyed the little time alone with him.

“Ohhhh, desperate?” I answered, joining his playful tone.

“Going home?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I’ll walk you home.”

I was silent. The last time someone walked me home, he ended up like a water dam inside my condo’s elevator. It was Terrence. I don’t think Michael can fit that picture.

“What’s wrong? What made you so speechless? You look like a lost girl there.” he said jokingly.

That made my heart jump. I looked around and saw him on the other side of the street. He was walking towards me. I know my jaw dropped again. I hang up.

“Hi,” he greeted, smiling widely.

“Uhmmm, hi.” I stammered.

Michael is stunning. He isn’t good looking like the usual heartthrobs of Luna East. He’s handsome, in a hunk-but-good-boy looking way. His muscles (not the o.a. type, love it) are obvious despite the Luna East uniform covering it. In Luna East, you just know if a guy’s handsome because he’s rich or he’s handsome because he’s naturally handsome(and hot).

I feel awkward. I always felt this way in front of Terrence but this is a different awkward.

“Uhmmmmm, I’m sorry. I’m not good at boy interactions.” I said. It’s not my intention to be too honest so I looked away.

He smiled. “I’m not good to girl interactions too.”

His smile was inviting. The kind of smile you want to spend the whole night with. The debate on my mind was on, should I let him walk me home or should I go somewhere with him?

“Hah! Hehe. Sorry, my heart was beating like a sports car.” I admitted and breathed heavily. Oops. I bit my lip. You don’t say those words in front of a guy who just showed interest on you.

He laughed, not a you’re-awkward-laugh but it sounds like relief.

He took my hand and put it in his chest. I think I just stopped breathing.

“Feel that? My heart’s beating like a sports car too.”

Oh my God.