JaDine Oneshot & Drabbles Collection 2

We Told You So (AU)

AN: just a short feel good AU. they're non celebs here and classmates in college. ☺

Nadine's POV

'Thanks, Naddie. I love you. :D'

"Nadz!" Someone suddenly called and I jumped. I turned to my side to see Myrtle, pointing subtly at the aisle. Our professor was walking towards us (towards the back, but whatever).

I straightened to my sit and started doing our seatwork, mentally berating myself. I cannot be distracted right now. Especially with this professor. He's very strict and what he hates the most are students daydreaming.

Getting back at my book, I read the first question, barely understanding. That's because I still couldn't help but think about what my best friend said. I shook my head and read the question once more and started answering.

Well, I was able to survive the next hour and a half of that subject. Med student life is very much different from life in college but I am getting by. I've made some friends, and I'm doing my best to follow through my personal schedule so I wouldn't be too stressed.

It's only been a few months,  but it felt as if it's been so long since I last saw my college friends. Everyone's so busy now, what with post grad school (for some) and work for each of us. I am glad though, that we still do keep contact with each other. A text or a call every once in a while. During my birthday, everyone from our barkada greeted me. James, Kiana and Lauren even came by my house (separately, though; I think the they (along with Sam and Bret) are the busiest among us these days).

And I was sure yesterday, everyone also greeted James. And he replied almost at once.

'Thanks, Naddie. I love you. :D'

And this just confuse me to no end. What did he mean by that???

He'd never used the 'L' word with me before. This was the first time. And it made me remember about all those teasing almost everyone in our class do to us on a daily basis (except for Sam, because in retaliation James would tease him with Kiana and he doesn't like that and for Andrea because she's just too nice like that). Everyone always said that we looked together and that we act like we're a couple.

The thing  is... we're not. Never was.

Sure, we always hang out. And we're very close, we can talk about anything. And we're also aware of that rumor in the school about us supposedly being a couple (James is very popular and a lot of girls like him, so he was always talked about.) There was even a rumor about us 'breaking up' or something but how can we break up, we were never together!

We never even talked about stuff like those (we can tell each other anything, but we've never really brought that up.) We usually just ignore everyone and by second year, everyone sort of got tired teasing us because it doesn't bother us anymore.

But this... what he said... it's bothering.

I mean, what does he mean by that? Why so suddenly? So randomly tell me 'I love you.'

Well, I guess it wouldn't be a surprise if he loves me as his friend. I guess, I'm one of his closest friends. And thinking about it, I love Bret, as one of my closest friends... But I don't just randomly tell him that. In fact, I've never told him that. Maybe casual "love you" but not "I love you", that's a little...

I blinked as the bus stopped and hastily stood up when I realized it is my stop.

I suddenly felt somewhat sick. I can't believe I'm so nervous.

Thing is, I am meeting James right now. I asked him if we could meet so I can give him my gift and he told me to meet at Hanayo - this Korean restaurant us and our friends used to go to (it's near our alma mater).

I took a deep breath before I walked inside the restaurant.

I saw him at once. He was in our usual table - booth, actually - in the farthest corner.

I walked to him, giving him a small smile.

"Hey, Naddie, been a while." He said when I sat down across  from him.

And my nervousness evaporated. He was acting normal. So maybe I was just reading into his text too much. I decided to just forget it.

"Hey." I said with a grin. "How have you been?"

He sighed and placed his head on the table.

"Fine I guess." He said. "Just dead tired. How's Med?" He asked, looking up at me.

And we just sat there for a few hours, chatting like we used to.

He was happy with my gift - a book about galaxies (not many knows, but he's interested in those stuffs and recently he's been taking pictures of stars through his telescope) - and he looked like it, too. I was a bit apprhensive about that. Because his gift is just hard to follow up! (He gave me a very very beautiful necklace with snowflake pendant - saying I was an Ice Princess teasingly - with my name engraved on it.) And I didn't know what to give someone who already have everything.

So I was glad. That he's happy, I mean.

James, being the most sensitive guy I've ever known, most of the time just say he liked the things given to him so as not to be rude. But I usually know when he's lying. And right now he seems genuinely happy.

But then it started getting dark and we knew we had to go. James had offered to walk me home like he used to during college.

I happily accepted. I did missed him. We had barely talked like this for months.

When we were in front of my house, he pulled me to him and gave me a big hug.

I laughed but hug him back nevertheless. He had always been big on giving hugs.

"Thanks for today, Naddie. I had fun." He said after pulling away.

"Me, too." I said grinning up at him.

And then he did something I wasn't expecting.

He suddenly leaned down and kiss me (only in the cheeks, though.)

I felt shocked, I think I might have gaped.

And when he stepped back, I said without thinking.

"James what did you mean when you said you love me?" Gosh, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

He blinked at me and looked as if he wanted to laugh.

He shrugged and answered, a little hesitantly. "It means I love you."

I stared at him.

"You love me." I said slowly. "You love me as a friend or..."

"I love you like I love Shere Khan." He said.

What?? I looked at him questioningly, much more confused.

Now he laughs. I suddenly wanted to whack him.

"You know," I said a bit coldly. "Girls don't appreciate when you compare them with your pet cat and then laugh at them."

But he ignored this and instead said. "I love you like I love my cat. I love Shere Khan even though I don't have to."

I was still confused but he didn't offer anymore explanation. Because he obviously thought it would suffice to just kiss me. And this time, right on the mouth.

I tensed and stood there like an idiot and he started pulling away. Before he could though, I responded (mentally kicking myself for being so slow.)

He pulled back (after a while), grinning from ear to ear.

"So is that a yes?" He asked hopefully.

"I never realized you asked me a question." I told him, blushing, still not registering (much) what had happened.

"Right." He said sheepishly. "Can I ask a question then?"

I just nodded.

He smiled. "Can we give our friends, my parents and Lauren the right to say 'We told you so'?" He asked.

I laughed.

"Yes."

END