Dying Embers

Chapter Six

Chapter Six: I Did It, Arce!

ᯓ★ play this while reading: all 4 nothing (i'm so in love) — lauv 𝄞 ⋆ˎˊ-

"Are you for real?!" Jilliana practically shouted, her voice bouncing off the hallway walls. I nearly winced at the sudden outburst, halting mid-step. We were on our way to our first period class, and I had just finished telling her what Chance said when he called last night — along with my answer.

Her reaction made heads turn. Nahihiya ako bigla, so I instinctively stepped away from her, trying to hide the flush creeping up my cheeks.

"Really, Jilliana?" I snapped back, though not as loud as she had shouted.

She looked at me like I just told her the world was ending. "I can't believe you rejected him! I mean — you like him, right? So, why?"

Hindi ako nakasagot.

Inside, my thoughts spiraled. I had reasons, plenty of them. What if he was just playing with me? What if it wasn't real? What if, one day, he'd just leave? I've seen girls in my old school fall apart after giving too much of themselves to someone who couldn't stay. I didn't want to end up like them. I couldn't handle that kind of heartbreak.

"You're scared, aren't you? First time entering a relationship?" Jilliana's voice softened, her eyes narrowing like she was reading my soul. Arms crossed, she waited.

Tumango ako.

She sighed, gently put her hand on my waist, and steered me toward our class. This was typical of her; she didn't understand the concept of personal space. It used to bother me, but I've gotten used to it.

"I get it, Rain," she said, her tone gentler now. "Alam mo, normal lang naman masaktan eh, and it's natural to be scared of relationships. Parte 'yan ng pagmamahal. But isn't it worth taking the risk? Do you really want him to end up with someone else while you still have feelings for him?"

Her words sliced through me. We kept walking, pero parang napako ako sa mismong tanong niya. The thought of Chance with someone else — God, it was unbearable.

"Of course not. Mas masakit 'yon."

Ngumisi siya, triumphant. "Then take the risk."

I sighed. "But... I don't even know him that well yet."

She raised a brow, smirking. "Isn't that the point of courtship? To get to know him better?"

Touché. I couldn't argue with that.

She stopped me for a moment, turning me to face her. Both her hands gripped my shoulders as she locked eyes with me. "Rain, come on. Give him a chance. I swear you'll thank me later. Tsaka kung ano man ang iniisip mo ngayon, I'm pretty sure hindi siya gano'ng klaseng tao." Her smile was warm, disarming.

Napangiwi ako, then I let out a small laugh. "Fine. I'll give him a chance."

"That's my girl." She squeezed my shoulders and dragged me toward class.

Pagdating namin, Ms. Agoncillo was already mid-discussion. Jilliana went to her seat at the front row while I slipped quietly to the back. My eyes betrayed me, though — agad silang humaplos kay Chance.

He was slouched on our desk, head buried in his arms. Tulog ba siya? Or worse... was he avoiding me? Did he already give up dahil tinanggihan ko siya kagabi?

Wala akong imik habang nakikinig kay Ms. Agoncillo habang nagdi-discuss siya sa harap. Nakatuon lang ang buong atensyon ko sa harap pero ang isip ko ay malayang naglalakbay kung saan-saan.