Kryptonite

Expressions

Ivan was playing video games when James suddenly burst through the door.

"Oh, there you are. Did you get a good night sleep?" Ivan asked innocently as he paused his video game

James rolled his eyes. "Cut the bullshit," he replied.

"Damn, I was hoping you at least got up on the right side of the bed today," he said with a chuckle. "So, did you get my Chinese desserts?"

James threw the box at his direction.

"Oh, hey, careful. These are delicate," Ivan reminded as he just barely caught the box.

"How are you doing this..." James muttered as he placed a hand to his palm. "You know what you did," he sneered.

Ivan chuckled. "You're acting like it's a bad thing. Since you didn't come home last night, I'm guessing things went really well," he added with a wink.

"Sa totoo lang, I didn't know whether I want to hug or punch you," James revealed. "But you're so fucking lucky nothing happened to her. Hindi siya sanay mag-commute, bakit mo siyang pinag-ikot?--"

"Relax, I didn't let anything happen to your girl," Ivan interrupted. "I stayed behind her until you told me you were coming."

"Oh," James mumbled, his face relaxing at what Ivan revealed. "So wait, you were in Binondo then? Why did you make me buy more stuff?!"

"I wanted more desserts," Ivan said with a shrug. "And you wanted to find Nadine. So it worked out. I actually didn't intend for her to end up there, but things just happen," he said lightly. "So, what happened last night? Hindi ka nag-react when I said she's your girl. Kayo na ba?" he teased

James rolled his eyes. "First, I didn't react because you already know the answer to that. Second, if I tell you what happened is she gonna someday hear about it? I can't fucking believe you pretended to be a psychic and just....why did you interfere!?"

"Why were you affected? I get wanting to find her, but you didn't need to stay there after for as long as you did," Ivan retorted. "Akala ko iiwasan mo na siya pero bakit parang nilandian mo pa siya?" he joked. 

James let out a breath. "I did n--" 

He wasn't able to finish as he realized that Ivan technically wasn't wrong since he did kiss her on the forehead that morning.

Ivan smirked. "I was just joking, but I guess tama pala ako, no?"

James pressed a hand over his forehead. "Okay, fine. I can't do this. It was hell for me trying to ignore her for a few days. But I can't do that either because of our circumstances. Our lives are exact opposites of each other and there's so much at stake if we tried to date. I thought you understood how complicated our situation was."

"I do," Ivan replied. "But you weren't doing anyone a favor thinking making her hate you was the solution to this. It seems you realized that too yesterday."

"Then what can I do?" James asked. "Because at this point, I'm worried she might fall in love with me too."

Ivan's eyes widened. "Wait, teka, anong sinabi mo?!"

"That she might fall in lov--"

"James, you're a smart guy, but what?!" Ivan exclaimed.

James' cocked his head to the side. "What? I'm just being honest. With the way things are going she could too."

Ivan shook his head vigorously. "James...as a friend, this is the most nadisappoint ako sayo. Where did you sleep last night?"

"Casa Lustre," James replied.