Chapter Five

CJ'S POV:

I was speechless. I just stared at Angelo's back as he pulled me out of that clubhouse. My gaze landed on our hands, his wrapping mine. He was holding my hand tightly. My lips broke into a smile.

Angelo just protected me from Myka and her friends.

We stopped walking after we exited the premises. He wasn't letting go, and he wasn't looking at me either.

"A-Angelo..." I muttered.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"What?"

Angelo finally faced me. Our eyes interlocked with each other. He looked mad and concerned at the same time.

"Why do you let them treat you like that?" he hissed.

"Wait, why are you getting angry at me?" I replied, gritting my teeth. "It's not like you care about me. You denied knowing me before, remember?"

He let go of my hand and then he sighed.

"CJ, why are you even here? Why did you come to Manila?"

I hung my head.

"Mama passed away... So our aunt is now our legal guardian," I answered. "And we have a promise to keep, right?"

Angelo's face softened.

"I'm sorry... CJ. For what happened to Tita. I didn't know..."

"It's okay," I replied, forcing a smile. "I'm okay now."

I adjusted my eyeglasses.

"But have you forgotten, Angelo?" I asked. "Have you really forgotten our promise? That we'll be there for each other no matter what?"

Angelo smiled weakly. "CJ... I... I failed to keep that."

"It's not too late."

Angelo stayed quiet.

"Angelo... Answer me."

"No." He shot a wistful look at me. "I never forgot you. There was no time that you weren't in my mind... CJ."

My chest felt lighter. I jumped and embraced him.

"I was so worried."

"I remember, CJ. That we promised that nothing would change between us."

I gently pushed him away. He sounded sad.

"What's wrong, Angelo?"

"I've changed. I'm not the same Angelo you were friends with," he said. "Look at me. I even hurt you."

"I forgive you. We can just return to the way we were before."

He shook his head.

"No. I can't be that same Angelo from a long time ago. I can't be your best friend."

"Why?"

"Are you not listening to me? I'm a totally different person now. I'm not the old Angelo who'll play house with you. Can't you understand?"

I stared at him blankly. I just don't get it.

He placed his hands on his hips. "I'll only hang out with you again if you become my girlfriend."

My lips parted.

"What? Are you kidding?"

Angelo took my hand again. This time, he acted as if he was going to kiss it.

"I'm not. This is the way I am now, CJ."

I was flustered. I pulled my hand away immediately.

"Who are you?"

My knees weakened.

"I just told you... Didn't I?"

He jammed his hands into his pockets.

"I... Am not your best friend anymore."

ANGELO'S POV:

She doesn't understand why I'm saying these things. She's too naive.

And I just realized that I'm pathetic. That I didn't really move on from my past. From her. I was just kidding myself. I tried to make myself believe that I didn't like her anymore.

But I still do. I still do and it's why I can't go back to how we were. I can't become her 'best friend' anymore.

If she wants to be in my life, it's gonna be different.

"Why? Why don't you want to be my friend anymore? Is there something wrong with me?"

"I don't wanna be your best friend anymore," I replied impatiently. "There's nothing wrong with you. It's just that you're too dense."

"Dense?"

I scoffed. "Never mind, CJ. Just go home."

I inched forward to tease her. "Or do you want me to take you out of here so we could spend some alone time together?"

She blinked twice, and I noticed a flush cross her cheeks.

"I'm going home. But I won't give this up. I won't give you up." Then she turned around and left.

I only watched her walk away from me. I smiled to myself.

She hasn't changed at all.

"But you have to give me up, CJ. If you can't like me back, you have to give me up."

CJ'S POV:

As soon as I arrived in my room, I collapsed on the floor. I took a deep breath.

I can't understand why Angelo was acting that way. I'm not used to him... Flirting with me. When he reduced the distance between us, I became aware of how his looks changed drastically. He's now incredibly taller than me. And he's... Handsome. He's no longer that brown-skinned, skinny boy I used to play with.

I shook my head. I stood up and walked to the mirror.

What should I do? Is he embarrassed of me because I look different? Because I'm not pretty enough?

I removed my eyeglasses. I couldn't see anything. I put it back. I don't think anything will change even if I don't wear my glasses anymore.

I heaved another sigh and sat on the floor again.

He's messing with my head. He defended me from them, and I thought that we were finally okay. But I was obviously getting ahead of myself.

Monday arrived, and Myka and Jessa were absent from class. I didn't know why, but I was genuinely relieved. I didn't want them to bully me again. But I could definitely feel that a lot of people were watching me.

I don't think I'll be able to get used to this.

"How was it?" Seth asked as he sat next to me. I was startled.

"What do you mean?"

"Angelo took you away. Did you make up with him? He didn't tell me anything."

I looked around. Angelo wasn't there.

"Well, he did admit that he still remembers me," I replied, my tone rising a little. I couldn't hide my delight.

"That's great. I'm glad."

He smiled at me, so I smiled back. He stared at my face, as if observing my features. I felt odd, so I turned my head away.

"You look prettier when you smile."

I blushed. My heart picked up speed. It was just a compliment. Why do I always blush in front of him?

I sighed then shot a look at him again. "Are you also like Angelo, Seth?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Like Angelo?"

"I mean, are you also just playing around? Are you also a womanizer?"

Seth laughed.

"Is that what he said?"

He tapped his fingers on the table. "Well, I do like to date a lot of girls, so yes, I guess I am."

My stomach tied into a knot. What did I expect?

"Anyway, you should come to our game later."

"Why?"

Seth grinned at me. My cheeks flamed again. He's just too appealing.

"No reason. But you should come watch. Angelo's our team captain."

Angelo loved basketball. It would be nice to see him play again.

"Okay."

ANGELO'S POV:

I dropped by the registrar's office. I had to do something for my university applications again. Afterward, I passed by the gym because I thought Seth would be there. He texted me that he'd wait for me, but he was gone.

When I arrived at the classroom, Seth was already inside. He was happily chatting with CJ, and she was blushing.

I frowned. I don't like this feeling. I don't like the way CJ looks at Seth.

"Seth!" I called.

CJ'S POV:

It was Angelo. He was heading towards me and Seth. His expression was odd. As if he was conflicted over something.

"Oh hey, man," Seth uttered.

"You said you'd be waiting at the gym," he hissed.

Angelo glimpsed at me. I suddenly recalled what he told me last night, and my cheeks turned hot.

"Sorry. You didn't answer me so I thought I'll just go ahead," Seth replied.

Our class adviser came in. Angelo threw me one last cold look before going to his seat.

What's his problem?

I invited Sofia to watch the game. I was uneasy to go alone because I could still feel girls glaring at me. Even students I didn't know approached me and asked me how I was related to Angelo. If I was his ex. I couldn't answer. I wasn't sure what Angelo would have wanted me to say.

I don't think I could ever have peace in this school.

Sofia and I sat on the bleachers. She was still apologizing to me for not being there when Myka was humiliating me.

"I'm really sorry. I was in the washroom. When I came out, everyone was frantic and you were gone."

"I'm okay, Sofia. You don't have to worry about it. Relax."

"They're just too mean. Thank God, Angelo was there," she said. "I'm also sorry that I doubted you. I didn't really think you actually knew him."

I nodded. "I can't blame you. I mean, look at me."

"No, no. Don't say anything to put yourself down," Sofia told me.

I grinned. "But I'm not really sure we can be friends again, Sofia."

The players finally entered the court. Every girl watching screamed except for me and Sofia. I was shocked. I could hear them shouting Angelo's name. Even Seth's.

"Yes, CJ. Angelo and Seth are the star players of our team. Now you know why knowing Angelo, and him rescuing you that night is a big deal."

They were shooting baskets to warm up.. The entire time I had my eyes on Seth. He was shooting from the three-point lines, and all his attempts went in.

I put my hands on my chest. My heart was pounding just by looking at him.

ANGELO'S POV:

I immediately turned my head to the bleachers as we arrived at the court. I waved my hands to our fans, and they screamed.

Everyone's excited. It's our first practice game with another school. I was passing the balls to Seth, and he did his usual three point shots. They all went in.

We exchanged high fives.

I looked around again, and this time, I saw CJ. I didn't know that she was coming. A smile crossed my face soon as I saw her.

I was about to raise my hand to wave at her, but I soon realized that she wasn't looking at me.

She was looking at Seth.