Love Me Instead

LMI# 18: THE SLEEPOVER

Love Me Instead

Chapter 18: The Sleepover

Grayson

"YOU'RE EATING cup noodles? This is supposed to be your dinner?"

I lifted the cup and shook my head in dismay. Nanatili pa rin naman siyang nakatayo sa tabi ng pinto habang nagtataka pa ring pinagmamasdan ang mga kilos ko.

Inilabas ko sa plastic bag 'yong mga pinamili ko at hiniwalay ang mga gamot sa pagkain.

"I... I just thought—nevermind. Ano ba talaga kasing ginagawa mo dito?"

"Hindi pa ba obvious?" medyo tumatawang sagot ko.

"Anong obvious? Wala naman kasi akong maisip na dahilan kung bakit ka pupunta dito. Maliban na lang kung may gusto ka talaga sa'kin."

Napahinto ako at nabitawan pa ang hawak na bottled drink habang napatingin sa mukha niya. I gulped secretly and then forced a histerical laugh.

She remained staring, waiting for me to answer. She slowly closed the door behind her and walked towards my way, careful not to take her eyes off me even for a second.

"Crush mo 'ko, 'no?" she repeated.

And here I thought I was going to have a f*cking heart attack, I managed to retrieve my freakin' soul back to my body. Thankfully.

"Tss. Dream on, pandak. Nakalimutan mo na bang si Elise ang dahilan kung bakit ako pumayag sa tulong mo? O baka naman binibigyan mo ng ibang meaning 'to kasi ikaw ang may gusto sa'kin? "

She blinked her eyes multiple times before taking her gaze off me.

"What do you mean ako ang may gusto sa'yo? Are you for real? I'm just teasing you, don't be too serious." She sat on the floor and laid her back on the couch behind her.

Kinuha niya 'yong remote control sa maliit na mesa at binuksan ang TV sa harap niya.

"I'm glad that there's someone worried about me but seriously, I can manage. Thanks for the medicine and stuffs, you can leave now," she stated, her voice as cold as ice.

Sungit naman nito.

I sighed and looked at my wristwatch. It's already 6:30 pm and I should probably be back home if I make things quick before the clock strikes to nine or else I'm doomed. It's not like Mom will get mad at me if I went home late. I just don't want her to worry that much.

Sigh. Why am I even explaining myself? Pwede naman kasing umuwi na lang ako para wala nang problema.

"Aren't you leaving?" kuno't-noong tanong ni pandak.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at nakangiting umupo pa sa tabi niya. She glared and quickly distanced herself away from me. Why is she acting like I have a contagious disease?! That's offending...

"Where's your parents?" I asked.

"They're... not here."

"Oh, you're living by yourself? Isn't that cool?"

"Nothing's cool with being far from your loved ones," she replied while glaring at me.

"But I ain't far from you. At least I can label myself as one of your loved ones... right?" I moved my brows upside-down while secretly biting my lower lip to supress a smile.

"Lumayo ka nga!" Kinuha niya 'yong throw pillow sa tabi niya at inihagis sa mukha ko bago tumayo at naglakad patungong hagdan.

I sighed. Oh well, at least that thing served its purpose. D*mn throw pillow.