You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Five

"Altaria, there's a dork outside looking for you!"

Well, it doesn't take a genius to guess who that is. It must be Hana, since he's the only dork that I know. Aside from that, he's an easy lad to remember, thanks to his feminine features. May mga pagkakataong siya ang laman ng usapan ng mga kaklase ko; iyong estudyante raw na may hitsura at matalino pero lalambot-lambot.

Humihikab akong lumabas ng klase at kagaya ng inaasahan ko, nadatnan ko siya sa may pintuan. I quickly ran an eye over him. He's wearing his glasses today. Well, he looks wimpy as usual. Iyong tipong isang sipa lang sa kanya, iiyak na.

"Good morning, Lucy~" The flower boy greeted me in a singsong voice. "I can see that you're in high spirits today. How are you feeling? Excited ka na bang mag-aral mamaya?" Is it just me, or his eyes are twinkling? I guess Hana loves studying that much.

"Yeah, sure." I yawned for the nth time. "What's up?"

"I just came here to remind you that we'll be studying at the hospital later." He replied to me, smiling. "Kahapon, tinakasan mo ako. I won't let you get away again." Napaubo naman ako sa sinabi ni Hana. I wonder if he's upset about that.

Ever since that day when I told him about my dilemma, we've been studying for my exams. Or more like, he was tutoring me. I'm grateful to Hana, but I really had to take a break yesterday. Hindi na kasi kayang mag-aral ng maliit kong utak.

"Sorry about that," I awkwardly smiled. "Honestly, we've been studying nonstop for a week. My mind's exhausted, so I decided to ditch you yesterday." I explained to him in the nicest way possible.

He waved his hand. "No, no. I don't mind at all. I get it, Lucy. You're stupid, and y-your girl brain can't take it anymore, right?" Napangisi ako dahil nabulol siya. "I understand. Don't sweat it." He attempted to smirk at me, but it looked so awkward that it made me cringe.

Oh, he's so adorable. I don't know what to do with him.

"You really know how to fire me up, huh?" I couldn't help but smile at his childishness. I love it when he tries so hard to make me competitive. Sa tuwing tinatamad akong mag-aral, iniinsulto ako ni Hana. That's his way of encouraging me, since he perfectly knows that I hate being demeaned by others.

He shyly scratched his cheek. "Am I so bad at lying?"

"Yeah, you suck." I crossed my arms. "Every time you try to insult me, you look like you're about to cry. You're such a good boy." sambit ko at sumandal ako sa pintuan.

He laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."

I could feel the curious glance of the students around us, but I paid no attention to them since Hana didn't seem to mind at all. Or maybe he's just an idiot and he didn't really notice that we're garnering attention right now. Either way, I don't give a damn.

"I'll see you, then." Kumaway na siya sa akin. Hinintay ko siyang makaalis pero nagulat ako dahil bigla siyang bumalik. His cheeks were pink, and he seemed hesitant about something.

"What is it?"

"Uhm, I would like to be honest with you, as much as possible." Nahihiya siyang tumingala bago magsalita. "Yesterday, I was upset when you left without telling me. I was... uhm, I was lonely because I was really looking forward on studying with you." He covered his mouth and avoided my gaze. "So, please don't ever do that again, Lucy. Don't... leave me behind. Friends should stay together, right?"

I blinked twice. "You're such a dork."

"I know." His cheeks flushed. "Just bear with it!"

"Alright. Sorry, I'll never do that again." I smiled at him and gently patted his head. "I understand that I'm your daily dose of Lars. Seriously, you're too obsessed with my face."