High School Popular

Chapter 9

A Shadow in Familiar Shape. 

Tayler POV

I've been running all over just trying to find her, but she's nowhere to be found. And as much as I try to deny it... I'm really worried.

Worried because I couldn't protect her.

I just stood there while she and Froilan tore into each other, and I did nothing. I didn't say a word. And Froi... I don't know what got into him. He's not like that, not petty, not cruel.

But the way he looked at her... like she was just another girl. I don't get it. I don't get him.

It was obvious Froilan's words were cutting deep. But Bri's not that kind of girl because I know her.

I finally know who she really is...

"Ha...? A-ah, sige po. Pupunta po ako ngayon."

I heard it—soft, broken, almost drowned by the stillness of the hallway. A voice.

Familiar. Fragile.

Without thinking, I moved. I didn't even know where I was going—just that I had to catch up.

She was running. I could tell by the way the sound of her steps staggered, like she was trying to outrun something she couldn't name.

I turned the corner and there she was.

She had stopped in a dim stairwell, her back pressed against the cold wall, hands trembling as she covered her face. And then I heard it. The sound I wasn't ready for.

She was crying.

Not loud. Not desperate. Just quiet, broken sobs... like she was trying to hold herself together but losing grip with every breath. A cry that your chest tightens because you know she's been holding it in for too long.

And it hurt to see her like that. It hurt because I wasn't there when she needed someone to speak for her. And now... I don't even know if I have the right to speak at all.

"Bricelle," I called out softly.

She looked up. Her eyes were red, her cheeks streaked with tears, but what stopped me cold was the way she looked at me...

Desperate. Lost. Like she was holding on by a thread and didn't know where else to go. She didn't say a word. She just stood there, breathing unevenly, trying to keep herself from falling apart completely.

And for a moment, I couldn't move. There was something in that look. Something raw, something real. I don't know what it was exactly, but it hit me. And it's been sitting heavy in my chest ever since.

"Hey Bri, are you okay?" tanong ko. Tumingin siya sa akin and I saw her beautiful eyes tearing.

"Dalhin mo 'ko sa West Christ Hospital, please? Kailangan ako ng lola ko," her voice barely steady.

I nodded and gently helped her toward the parking lot. Luckily, I spotted my car right away the moment we got there. Without wasting a second, I opened the door and helped her get inside.

As soon as she stepped inside, I saw her break down completely.

"Calm yourself first. We'll get there, don't worry," I said gently.

She leaned back against the seat and then she started crying again.

I started the engine and drove as fast as I could, my grip tightening on the wheel with every passing second.

It didn't take long before we arrived. I hadn't even turned off the engine yet when she threw the door open and rushed out, hurrying straight into the hospital. I couldn't do anything but follow her.