CHEERLEADER SERIES - JULIE

Chapter VIII

The following day, she still did not hear from either Brad and Chloe. At some point she guessed na baka okay lang silang pareho. She decided to take her mind away from it and thought of what she could do that day. 

Without an exact plan, she drove around the city, trying to find a way to occupy herself. She stopped in front of an open air café na hindi masydaong kalayuan sa lugar nila. As soon as she got in, she noticed a very familiar face standing in front of the cashier. As soon as he saw her, his face lit up, and he smiled. 

"Good Morning! How can I help you today?"

"Do you work here?"

It was Daniel. The man told her he was interested in her. 

"Not exactly."

"Huh. I see. Ahhhmm." her fingers were tapping the countertop as she looked at the boards above his head. 

"Maybe you'd like our best-seller? Mint Matcha Latte?"

"Sure. Why not."

"Wonderful!"

As soon as she was done paying, she chose the seat on the second floor and was overlooking the street. She grabbed her Danielle Steel book and opened it on the page where she placed her bookmark. 

Maya-maya lang ay dumating na ang order niya along with the man serving in the cashiers a while ago. 

"Here's your order ma'am."

"Thank you!" she closed the book she was reading as she noticed how he took a seat on the empty chair in front of her. She took a sip of the latte and looked at him, who was as though waiting for her to tell him what she thinks of it. 

"It's good."

She opened her book again and tried to read through the page. She noticed that he was still sitting right in front of her. Pilit niya itong hindi pinapansin but he was smiling from ear to ear while looking at her. 

"Do you need anything else for me? Magsusurvey ka ba or something?"

"Wala naman. I just like looking at you."

"Aren't you an odd one?"

"Bakit naman odd?"

"I just think you're odd. You don't need to know the reason."

'Well, aren't you going to ask me again if I work here?"

She sighed. Tuluyan na niyang itiniklop ang librong binabasa. Alam niyang hindi ito titigil sa pangungulit sa kanya. 

"Do you work here?"

"No."

"Happy?"

"My father owns this place. And I come in here every weekend to help out. So no I don't work here. I just help out."

"Okay."

Natawa ito bigla. Her eyebrows furrowed at his reaction.

"You're not really very good at conversations are you?"

"No so you can go now."

"No, I think I'll stay here."

"Aren't you supposed to be helping out downstairs?"

"We'll my father owns the place. I really don't have any obligation here, It's all voluntary. So, I think I will stay here and maybe irritate you even more."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because, as I said, I like you. And I want to get to know you."

"Why?"

"Because you are interesting. May nanligaw na ba sa'yo ever since?"

"We'll am I that ugly?"

"Oh no, you are not ugly, you're even more beautiful as I get to look at you longer."

"That's creepy."

"Well, I can't help it." he propped his hands on his cheeks and looked at her dreamily.

"Wait are you asking for my permission?"

"About courting you? Yes, I am."

"Pa'no kung ayaw ko?"

"Well, not everything has to be consensual. I'd also love doing the chase. It would be exciting too."

She sighed as she picked up her book and stood up.

"Sa'n ka pupunta?"

"Leaving."

"Why?"

"I am not a plaything that you'd want to chase around just because I excite you. Divert your attention to someone else."

"Well, I don't give up so easily."

"Yeah, whatever."

She headed to her car without even turning her head around. She hated his guts. But somehow, she felt flattered that someone showed interest in her.

She threw the book she brought on the passenger's seat. For a while, she was just sitting in front of the steering wheel.

She's bored out of her mind. The friend she knows is on MIA, and she chose to push away the one person who might actually want to spend time with her.

She groaned as she bowed her head down towards the steering wheel.

"What am I doing."

She can honestly just be a girl and not make a big deal out of it. Test the waters and see if there's more to it. Kung wala, she could tell him off.

She gave out a heavy sigh.

"He is hot and he seems to be a good guy. Can we give him a chance Julie?"

Sa isip niya ay para na siyang baliw na kinakausap ang sarili.

She closed her eyes again, trying to paint the entire scenario of the possibilities if she got to know him.

Then after a few minutes, she removed her car keys and got out of the car.

She headed back inside the cafe only to find him leaning in front of the door.

She took the time to study him and his features. And she admits, magandang lalaki ito. His arms were filled with muscles that are good enough para gawing unan. She wondered how comfortable they would be to rest her head-on.

"Changed your mind?"

She defeatedly sighed.

"Don't take this differently. I'm really bored right now."

He turned around as though about to leave her.

"Sa'n ka pupunta?"

"I'm not a plaything that you could chase around just because I interest you."

Halos gayang-gaya nito ang expresyon sa mukha niya kanina habang sinasabi ang eksaktong mga salitang 'yun.

"You're an asshole."

Aalis na sana siya ngunit hinabol siya nito.

"Hey I'm kidding. Hindi ka talaga nabibiro ano?"

"Just stop please."

"Fine. I'm sorry. Where do you wanna go? I can drive."

"I have no freaking idea."

"Okay then, you'll have to trust me."

"Should I really?"

"Yes. Rest assured, mawawala yang boredom mo."

She smiled. Dahan-dahan niyang inabot nag susi sa palad nito. Suddenly she felt comfortable.

"Okay then."

"Let's go!"