Colored (REVISED)

Chapter 5 : Hopes

Chapter 5 — Hopes

“Emerald...”

Napatingin ako kay Laury na nakahawak sa kamay ko.

“What?” I asked and raised a brow. “I have no time for that, Lau.”

She told me many times that she can help me to get Jero or date him. In return, I will help her out with Crayon. Nakakairita ang ideya niya.

I mean, yes. I can grab this opportunity but it can wait, right? Hindi naman lahat ng bagay na gusto mo, makukuha mo kaagad. And I want to make things slow, too. Ayokong magpadalos-dalos lalo na't feelings ko ang involve dito. Call me selfish but that's my concern.

“Akala ko ba gusto mo si Jero? Bakit ayaw mo sa idea ko?” tanong niya.

Napabuntung-hininga ako. “I like him but I don't like your idea, honestly. Are you that desperate? At hindi kami close ni Crayon, so stop!”

Sinabi niya rin sa aking classmate sila ni Crayon noong highschool. Transferee pala itong si Laury. She said, she likes Crayon since highschool. Baliw na baliw yata. I mean, anong meron kay Crayon? He's not that handsome. Not that hot. Not even kind.

“Sayang naman!” sigaw niya at ngumuso. Hindi bagay.

I just nodded at her and walked away. I have some errands to do. May research class kami ngayon pero kailangan muna naming pumunta sa library. It's by group and unfortunately, Jero's there. I don't know what to do anymore. Really.

Nang pumasok ako sa loob ng library ay nandoon na ang ilang groupmates namin. I stiffed when Jero's eyes darted through mine. I didn't know what to do so I just sat down there, ignoring Jero's presence in front of me.

Narinig kong tumikhim siya. “Emerald?” Umupo ako nang maayos bago siya tingnan. “I want to know how to draw, too. Can you teach me? Kung okay lang sa ‘yo.”

Calm down, Emerald. This is normal. Everything's normal, alright?

“Ngayon na ba?” tanong ko.

He smiled while scratching his nape. “Oo sana. I already finished our tasks. They're just finishing the last pages.“

Napatingin ako kay Lanie na tumango sa akin. Ngumiti ako bago tumingin kay Jero. Here we go, again.

“Okay.”

Umupo siya sa katabi kong upuan. I tried my best to act normal – which I successfully did. Kumuha ako ng iilang mechanical pencil at ibinigay sa kaniya.

“I'm just a beginner. I think, I need to use normal pencil first, ” sabi niyang nakangiti.

Hindi ako mapakali sa kilos, salita at lalo na sa ngiti niya! My eyes widened when my drawing materials scattered on the floor because of my stupidness.

“Sorry!”

Kinuha ko ang eraser pero hindi ko inaasahang kukuhanin niya rin ‘yon. I stared at him while he's looking at me. I almost passed out because of this awkward moment. That was our first physical contact!

Natauhan ako nang ngumiti siya sa akin. Titig na titig siya. Bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng hiya.

“Here,” sabi niya at hinawakan uli ang kamay ko para ibigay ang eraser.

I looked away and closed my eyes. Jero's literally making this so hard for me! I am falling over and over again and I want to blame him for everything.