How We Fell

[2]

J a m i e

"What? Answer me."

Napatingin ulit ako kay Xavier na nagsalitang muli sa gilid ko. That's when I realized I just spaced out for a while. What in the world? Talagang pinag-isipan ko 'yung sinabi niya, ha!

I gulped the lump formed in my throat as I looked away. Lumipat ulit ang tingin ko kay Keith sa harapan, na kasalukuyang masayang nakikipagtawanan sa girlfriend niya. He looks so damn happy.

If only I can make him happy like she can, right?

Bahagya kong nirolyo ang mga mata ko at binalingan ulit ang katabi kong naghihintay pa rin ng sagot. "'Yang kumag na 'yan, sa palagay mo, gusto ko 'yan?"

He laughed a little. "Didn't know you were the in-denial type."

"Excuse you?" I said, arching a brow. "Best friends nga lang kami. 'Wag na kasing ipagpilitan ang hindi dapat ipagpilitan."

His lips turned into a playful smirk. Oh my god. I'm starting to get annoyed now...

But on the other note, bakit kaya ang gwapo niya talaga?

Ugh, for damn's sake, brain! Just focus here.

"You can be in denial of your feelings but you can't hide it forever," aniya. "Kahit kay Keith. Kahit kanino. No matter what you do, time will come that it's going to spill out. Either he's going to feel it, or... hmm, I don't know."

I squinted my eyes at him. "What are you trying to say, then?"

He bit his lip. "Wala naman..."

"Tapatin mo nga ako. How far do you know my best friend?" I straightforwardly asked in a serious tone. What is with this guy, anyway?

His expression turned blank. "Probably farther than you do."

Huminga ako nang malalim. Now, I am really getting creeped out...

"This is a bit gayshit but," he started. "He's not called the 'paasa prince' for nothing."

Now that's funny. Natawa ako bigla. Ano daw? Ang corny! Gayshit nga! "'Paasa prince'? What the heck?" I said, trying to hold my laugh back but I just can't!

"I don't know." He shrugged. "E, 'yan 'yung tawag sa kanya, magmula pa lang n'ung Grade 6 kami."

Wait. So that means... "Dati na kayong magkakilala?"

Tumango siya. "Pareho kami ng school na pinapasukan dati."

"Pero sandali, bakit ba kasi 'paasa prince'? Ang bading pakinggan!" tumatawa ko na namang sabi. Napatingin tuloy ulit ako sa harapan kung nasaan si 'paasa prince'. Yuck talaga, ang corny!

I stopped laughing when I caught his stare. Malamig ang tingin niya sa akin, sa aming dalawa ni Xavier.

Tsk. Kung hindi ko lang talaga ako friendzoned, iisipin ko na talagang nagseselos 'to, e.

***

"Panget, 'di muna ako sasabay sa'yo sa recess saka lunch break, ha? Sasamahan ko lang si Andy."

"Ah, sure." I faked a smile even if I felt something burn inside me.

'Wag kang mag-reklamo, Jamie. Malamang, siya 'yung girlfriend niya, e. Hindi ikaw. Kaya hindi ikaw ang priority niya.

Fine, brain. Fine!

"Sure ka dyan? Okay lang talaga sa'yo?" he asked again. Simple lamang akong tumango bilang sagot. Agad naman siyang ngumiti. "Thank you, panget. Labyu!" Nag-flying kiss pa siya habang tumatakbo paalis.