Chapter Four

ANGELO'S POV:

I walked into the nearest men's room and washed my face. I was trying to clear my head, but it didn't work. I stared at myself at the mirror, regretting everything that I said and everything that I didn't do.

Why did she need to appear in my life again?

I wanted to stop Myka earlier, but they would know the truth. I already told Seth and that was enough. My life is different now. CJ can't get involved.

I shook my head. Myka will be a problem. She's the only girl who actually wants to stick around, and it's worse because our parents know each other.

"Damn it, Angelo," I cursed under my breath.

I made CJ cry. The guilt is making me nauseous.

Long ago, I promised myself that I will protect her... But I was the one who hurt her.

I'm such a coward.

I stepped out of the men's room. I need to make things right. I need to at least give her the closure she deserves.

I owe her that.

CJ'S POV:

I came across the school community garden as I was taking a walk. I asked Sofia to let me be by myself for a bit. I just needed to think.

I entered the garden. It had fences built around it, with several flowers and vegetables growing there abundantly. I sat on the cemented floor near the shed, then I curled my knees and hugged them tight.

"Angelo... Have you really forgotten me?" I murmured.

I shook my head. "Maybe I should just close that door. Maybe I should just accept that we'll never go back to the way we were before."

"He didn't forget you." Somebody answered from behind. I was startled. I raised my head and saw someone unexpected.

It was Angelo's best friend. Seth.

"Why are you here?"

"Why not?" he quipped. I rolled my eyes.

He leaned on the shed next to me. "Angelo... Hasn't forgotten you at all."

I shot him a puzzled look. He looked at me, then he smiled.

I blushed. He was just too appealing to me.

"Are you sure?" I asked, averting my gaze.

"Yes. He's just pretending that he doesn't know you," Seth revealed.

My spirits were lifted, but I was also confused. Why would he?

"Why?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"To be honest with you, I don't really know," he casually said. He inched forward and reached out for my hand.

"I'm Seth Balisacan. I'm his current best friend. I hope to be friends with you, too."

He smiled at me again. I gulped.

I'm having a hard time figuring him out.

I slowly pulled myself up from the floor, unaware that the safety pin fell off. I shrieked as my skirt almost dropped to the ground. Luckily, I was able to hold it right away or Seth would have seen my underwear.

I reddened.

"Hey, are you alright?"

My cheeks flamed. It was so embarrassing!

"Y-Yes.. Uh... Can you help me find the safety pin?"

Seth laughed. He crouched down and tried to look for it on the ground. When he found it, he handed it to me, chortling. I spun around and put it back to where it used to be. As soon as I was sure that my skirt was in place, I faced him again.

"T-Thanks."

"Why would you wear a uniform that's not your size?" he asked, laughing. He extended his hand again.

"I lost a lot of weight after my aunt purchased the uniform..." I answered, looking at his hand.

"Come on. Shake hands with me."

I shyly shook his hand. It was just around two seconds, but my heart started thumping loudly as my skin made contact with his. I lowered my head.

"Seth?"

Seth and I turned to see who it was. It was Angelo. He looked surprised to see us together.

"Angelo..." I muttered.

Seth took a glance at me then turned to Angelo.

"Your girlfriend's looking for you," Angelo said, completely ignoring my presence.

"Okay," Seth replied. He smiled at me again and said, "Alright. I gotta go. Good luck."

Seth winked, sending chills down my spine and then he left.

Angelo was left standing there. He jammed his hands into his pockets, then he finally met my gaze.

"Angelo..."

But he just turned around and walked away without another word.

I bit my lower lip. It did hurt me again, though this time I was fine. Seth told me that Angelo remembers me, so there's no way I'll just give up. Maybe there's a reason for this.

Maybe he just needs some time to think. Maybe he's just shocked.

I took a deep breath then decided to go back to our classroom. Sofia was there. She waved at me.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Sofia. Thanks."

I shot a look at the door, waiting for Angelo and Seth to come in.

It's okay. I can wait.

"How was your first day?" Tita Maya asked while we were eating dinner.

"It was good. I found what I was looking for..." Even though he denied me twice.

"Si Angelo?" Ate Jenny asked, eyes wide.

I nodded.

"Oh wow, that's good to know! Actually I tried to ask around and it seems like Angelo is popular at school."

I didn't say anything. I think she'll know sooner or later that Angelo's reputation isn't what we were all expecting.

But they were happy for me. I didn't tell them what really happened earlier. I just didn't think that it was necessary.

I'll just give it my best shot.

"Your uniform is in your room, CJ. I'm sorry you had to wear the wrong size."

"Oh no, it's okay Tita. I didn't really mind."

I recalled what happened. I reddened and drank some water. Then I remembered my interaction with Seth, and I couldn't help but smile to myself.

ANGELO'S POV:

I was lying down on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was still thinking about CJ like a crazy person. She was with Seth a while ago.

But why? What were they talking about?

I massaged my temples. This is annoying. Why am I thinking about this? So what if they talk to each other without me knowing? So what if Seth introduced himself to CJ?

It's not like I still have feelings for CJ.

I've moved on from my past, and that includes her.

I sat upright. I told Seth about CJ. I'm sure he just wanted to get to know her because of that. I know Seth.

I let out a harsh, frustrated breath.

I've changed. I'm not the same Angelo who wanted to spend every day with CJ.

I opened the drawer next to my bed. I fumbled through it and grabbed an old photograph under my magazines. It was a photo of me and CJ. I stared at it for the last time, then I tore it apart and threw it to the garbage bin.

I sighed.

1 minute.

2 minutes.

3 minutes.

"Argh!"

I kneeled on the floor and took the ripped photo out of the garbage can. I sat on my desk and used a scotch tape to fix it.

I'm stupid.

I sat down on my bed and stared at the ripped photo. This is the last photo I have of us, and I damaged it. I squeezed my eyes shut and screamed.

Why can't I forget her?

CJ'S POV:

The next days were still the same. I hung out with Sofia, although whenever she spent time with her boyfriend, Jason, I was left alone. I didn't mind it. My uniform was also better, so people were no longer whispering about me. I still felt like an outcast sometimes, but I was starting to get used to it.

Other than that, Angelo was still ignoring me. I wanted to try and approach him again, but Myka was always around, guarding him. I knew she hated me. I didn't want to fight so I just backed off.

Of course, I was sad because of it. I wanted to be with Angelo. I wanted to be with my best friend.

It was a Friday afternoon. It was dismissal time, and I stood in front of the school gate, fixing my things in my bag. I dropped some of my notebooks.

"Need a hand?"

I lifted my gaze. It was Seth.

Seth and I haven't talked after that day as well. Although we sit next to each other, I was afraid Jessa would also attack me.

"Oh, no, it's okay," I answered, then I quickly picked up my stuff. I inserted them into my backpack.

"The zipper's open."

Seth took a step closer and went behind me. He zipped my bag. I gulped.

"Thanks..." I uttered, blushing.

"No problem," he answered, then he walked away from me.

I watched him as he walked away. I can't figure him out. All I know is that he makes me feel... Something.

My phone beeped. I received a message from Sofia. I read the message. Myka was having a party and she wanted me to come.

Angelo would be there. Maybe we would have the chance to talk.

I know it was unlikely, but I had to take that risk.

I wore the best dress that I had. It was a white sundress that reached below my knees. I asked for Tita's permission, and she immediately let me since she said it was important for me to make new friends.

The party was in a close clubhouse near our subdivision. Kuya Joseph dropped me off and said to just call if I wanted to go home.

My stomach tied into a knot as I got out of the car. I could hear the music from the stereos even from where I was standing. There were some guests outside, chatting and drinking. They were all dressed up nicely. Once more, I felt out of place. They turned my way, and like that first day, they began to whisper.

What was I thinking? I even wore flip-flops for comfort.

I shook my head and turned around. This is a mistake. I should have known.

"Oh, CJ."

I froze. It was Myka.

"It's so nice to have you here!" Myka said, smirking. She looked at me from head to toe. I felt so small and defenseless.

"Y-Yes. I just wanted to greet you with a happy birthday," I muttered. I tried to leave, but Jessa blocked my way.

"Not so fast."

"Come in," Myka insisted, then she grabbed my arm and pulled me.

ANGELO'S POV:

I didn't really feel like being there. Seth just forced me to come because it was a party, and we never miss parties.

I really wanted Myka and me to break up. For real. I just didn't have the energy to deal with her. But I also felt bad about doing it that night. I'd just wait.

I took a sip of my bottle of beer as I looked around the waves of people dancing and chatting with each other. I couldn't see either Myka or Seth. I shrugged my shoulders. Maybe I could sneak out.

I haven't moved on from the ripped photo which was obviously my fault. I was dumb.

I sighed.

"Angelo! Look who's here!"

I turned around.

Myka was with CJ.

Everyone threw glances at CJ and began murmuring and laughing. CJ was in a long, plain white dress and was wearing flip flops. She came bare faced as expected. She was biting her lower lip, obviously aware that the birthday party was not the same as the ones in the province.

My stomach churned.

She doesn't belong here.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"I invited her," Myka answered. She exchanged looks with Jessa, then they laughed. "She looks so cute."

CJ squirmed.

I became angry. I got the urge to ask Myka to shut up.

But I suppressed myself. Because if I speak, everyone will know, and CJ will just be the center of attraction. Again.

I clenched my fists.

I'm just making up excuses. I'm a coward.

"S-Sorry. I didn't know we had to dress up. That's why I wanted to go home..." CJ muttered, her voice shaking.

"No, CJ. Please. Stay," Myka said. "You're a good reminder of the do's and don'ts when it comes to choosing outfits."

Everyone began laughing. I could taste blood in my mouth. CJ met my gaze, her eyes welling up once more.

I can't take that again. Not again.

"That's enough, Myka!" I yelled.

And the people inside turned silent. I noticed Seth among the crowd. He was just staring at me.

I've done it.

I don't care. Whatever happens, happens.

Myka has been bullying CJ from the start. It won't make a difference even if I pretend like she's not a part of my life. I have to protect her.

"You have no right to insult her," I told Myka sternly. I heard people whispering.

"Wait, Angelo... Are you actually getting mad at me because of her?" Myka's eyes bulged, her cheeks red out of embarrassment.

"I said what I said, Myka."

I grabbed CJ's hand and pulled her next to me. She gasped.

"Angelo..."

"Let's go, CJ."

I pulled CJ out of that house.

Myka was calling my name, but I didn't bother to look back. Everyone in that party would start talking.

But it's too late. I have to do this.

I've decided to let her in my life again.