Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[3]

Ilang segundo bago ako nakapagdesisyon.

"Fine. I'll stay. For five minutes." binawi ko ang kamay ko at umupo ulit.

I saw the way he hid his smile. The side of his lips rose up, before he bit on a another cookie, eyes still fixated on me. He should be thankful that I pity him right now. Otherwise, I would've just ran out of here and went home.

"Good, I actually need your help in something."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Ano naman kaya ang hihingin nito sa akin?

"What is it?" malamig kong tanong.

Tumitig siya sa akin na may ngiti sa labi. Seriously? Kung hindi niya pa titigilan 'yang ngiti niyang 'yan, baka isipin ko na talaga na gusto niya ako.

He smirked. "Ilakad mo 'ko sa best friend mo."

My jaw dropped. Best friend? Lia? I mean, she's my only best friend and Lacey is not his type either so...

"No way!" impit kong singhal sa kanya. Halos mapatayo ako dito. "There's no way, I'm going to pair you up with my best friend!"

He raised his brow. "Bakit naman hindi?"

Umiling ako ng paulit-ulit. Nope. I won't let him court Lia. Not on my watch! I've seen how this Asuncion is around with ladies, at ayaw kong makita na ganon din ang gawin niya kay Lia! Hell no!

"Ayoko lang," sagot ko. "Find someone else. Don't target my best friend."

Humalakhak siya. "Why? Are you jealous?"

My brows furrowed before rolling my eyes.

"Of course not! I'm just concerned..." I looked away.

His brow raised a bit. "Concerned? Kanino? Sa akin?"

Umirap ako ulit. "To Lia..." hinarap ko siya habang nakahalukipkip. "You may be nice, but I know you can break any heart in a second. I may not know you much, but I'm sure you'll do the same to her."

"Hindi nga..." he chuckled. "She's the one that I'm serious about. I promise you that I'll take care of her well. I just don't know how I'll approach her, because we're in different schools..."

Mailap si Lia sa lalaki at walang pakealam sa mga ito. She comes with me to parties, but she doesn't talk to the guys that much. Bihira lang din magkagusto dahil pag-aaral daw niya ang nag-iisang pangarap sa buhay. I don't think she even believes in love.

"Serious your face, Asuncion! Kilala na kita!" His reputation is well-known in our school. Mga lalaking kagaya niya, hindi dapat pinagkakatiwalaan.

"Paanong kilala, Gallego? E, minsan nga lang tayo magkita, diba? Iniiwasan mo pa ako..." ngumisi siya at nagtaas baba ng kilay.

I scoffed. Ano daw? Kailan ko siya iniwasan?

"And when was that? Ikaw kaya ang laging wala tuwing nandun ako? At saka, aanhin ko naman ang makita ka? Why? Close ba tayo?"

He looked at me with amusement. Kung hindi lang ako distracted sa black eye niya sa mata ay baka nasampal ko na 'to.

"You always leave whenever I'm there... akala ko nga crush mo 'ko e..." he rested his head on the couch, comfortably. Binalik niya rin ang tingin sa akin. He had a teasing smirk on his face that I want to rip off. "Hindi nga ba?"

"Hah! Akala mo lang 'yon! Sabi ko nga diba? If I liked you, sinabi ko na sana sayo. Kung gusto kita, aaligid ako sayo palagi." dire-diretso kong sabi.

Umayos siya nang upo bago nilapit ang mukha sa akin. He stared at my eyes. Lumayo ako ng konti, pero agad rin siyang nakasunod. Our noses touched each other, without breaking eye contact.