Becoming Nikolai's

Chapter 01

Diary

"You know what, you're just dragging." Panimula ni Claude ng maupo siya sa harap ko dala ang food tray niya. "Why don't you ask him, Ally?"

I sighed before picking with my food. "Ayoko nga, Clau. Hindi mo talaga ako naiintindihan."

"Bla, bla. Ano ang 'di ko maiintindihan dun, huh? It's so simple! You like Theodore and gusto mo siyang maging date sa ball because this will be their last party na kasama tayo before they graduate next year." Halos bumilog ang mga mata niya habang nagsasalita. "But what are you doing, instead? You're being a coward!"

I looked around frantically to see if anyone heard what she said. Ang dami pa namang tao ngayon dito sa mess hall dahil lunch break. Luckily, parang wala naman. Pero hindi pa rin ako mapalagay. Pa'no kung may nakarinig tapos isumbong ako kay Theo? Siguradong malaking gulo yun!

Glaring, I tapped her hand to get her attention. "Hush it, Clau! Ayoko nga, okay?"

Claude rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "If I were you, I'd just ask him so it's over."

I shook my head, avoiding eye contact.

That's the point, I'm not Claude... I'm not even remotely like her... And I will never be like her.

Claude Dominique Aberasturi is one of my two best friends. We've known each other since I could remember and it is funny how we're this close when we have different personalities. She's outgoing, I'm not. She's a social butterfly and everybody likes her... While I'm the kind of girl who always sits at the corner so I won't be noticed by anyone – afraid to be the center of attention. She looked effortlessly beautiful even now with her dark brown hair pulled into a loose bun at the top of her head with few pieces falling out of the bun, framing her oval face.

"And speaking of Theo... Here he comes." Claude said with a wide smile.

"What?" I asked her. She pointed at someone at my back and stood. "Oh, no, no, no. Saan ka pupunta, Clau?"

"I'm giving you some time." She said with a wink before walking away. Ugh. Makakatikim tong si Claude mamaya.

"Ally!" narinig kong sigaw ni Theo.

I sighed and prepped myself to pretend that I have nothing to tell him. Inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya ng tinapik niya ang balikat ko. He was just wearing his school uniform but why does he look so hadsome even with just that? Nakikita ko pa lang ang maamo niyang mukha, gusto ko ng lumuhod sa harap niya and tell him what I really feel. But that would lead to nothing, wouldn't it?

I smiled and shyly bowed my head.

"Theo, hi!"

Akala ko kukulitin na naman niya ako kagaya ng lagi niyang ginagawa. He usually ruffles my hair kapag nagkikita kami. I would complain and then he would pinch my cheeks... Then I'll complain more. Kapag nakikita niyang napipikon na ako, he'll offer to buy me my favorite ice cream... Then I would be smiling again. I loved those moments... Loved those moments with him.

But now, he was just looking at me like he was seeing me the first time – like he was figuring something out about me. And then I knew why.

Nilapag niya sa lamesa ang isang pamilyar na green notebook. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at naramdaman kong umakyat ang lahat ng dugo sa aking katawan patungo sa aking mukha. I can feel my face heat up! Because of shock, shame, and anger!

Oh my god!

Paanong napunta kay Theo ang notebook na yan?! Oh my goodness! Stella! It's probably her! That little brat! I palmed my face, realizing what may happen next. What should I do?