CHAPTER 2

~ASLEIGH'S POV~

"Daddd!!, Mom said that you will be the one who will send  me to school? Is she right ?? "I exclaimed and eat my breakfast.

"You're right babylove.Do you allow and  want me to? " he asked and chuckled a bit .

"Ofcourse dad !! Actually I also wanted you to fetch me out after school."I demanded

"I'll see". he responded and get my bag out and put it in the car. And head back to our living room to call my mom.

As I ran outside, i felt a few spots of rain so dad immediately  jabbed me in his arms and put his umbrella up. My dad is always so sweet ever.

"Ley and hubby be careful in driving okay? Coz' it's  so perilous to drive when it's  raining. And Ley , I love you ."she emitted with her concerned voice.

"I love you too Mom."and  blew out a passionate and my goodbye kiss. And I slightly  close up the left front window .

I ate my chocolates which my dad gave me yesterday but after a moment of silence I was stunned and stiffened  for my dad 's sudden question.

"By the way honey, how's your childhood bestfriend Earl ?

Are you still in good terms?

Maybe both of you are  classmates, am I right? 

I've never seen him for awhile now!

And you didn't even mention him huh?."he said while driving but I couldn' t talk and tell him the truth.

"Hey?, Is there anything problem? What happened? "my dad asked as he looked at me  with his confused and worried face.

Earl Jamesdominique Muñez is my childhood bestfriend and my one and only crush....

I first met Earl when I was still 5 .

I never had the chance to have friends that time plus I'm the only child of my  parents and drastically it's kinda' bored.

My parents spoiled me a lot and they were so strict when it comes to choosing friends  which apparently, I didn't even have a friend for this entire life because I really dont know how to interact .

Surprisingly,  my dad introduce Earl to be my new friend. It was overwhelming and I was astonished by my dad's sudden decision. Still glad to have new one.

At first glance , his smiling face fascinated me and a blush creeps up on my face that I  really can'at hide. I know I'm still young but I admire his goodlooking and kindness.

Wholeheartedly I pretty much like him.

I feel so comfortable with him and fortunately, we get along very well  with each other.

My parents chose him to be with me because eversince my parents and his are business partners and aside from that his dad was my dad's bestfriend in their highschool journey.

I miss him but i know he didn't feel the same way too and after that time he avoided me.

if I could turn back the time, I will definitely turn it and fixed everything.

If only I had the chance but I know that we all screwed up ,I just can't control my feelings that time.

******"

"Earllllll... Gooooo Earllll..You're really are the bestttt!!!".I screamed and cheered him up as he shoot the ball and scored it for 3 points.

I was here in his 2nd Year HighSchool Preliminary Basketball Game that is  because he invited me and  also promised me that he will definitely win the game when i showed up so, i did came.

The court was so full, loud and crowded at the same time which was filled with numbers of students who  supports and cheered their chosen contenders.

I heard someone screaming and shouting for  Earl's name but well as expected Earl Jamesdominique Muñez is one of the head turners and famous basketball player in the campus. Not because he's a good player but also with his god looking face.

They were intensely cheering and willingly supports with the racing of banners for  their favorite team.

I'm here standing in the last bleachers shouting,supporting and cheering him up too. I saw him glancing and gazing his eyes from the bleachers ,seeking for someone .

I know his looking for me so I raise my right  hand with his red color handkerchief that was tied up in my right wrist just enough sign  to notice me right away and then he finally found me , when our eyes met  he genuinely smiled.

He give me a deadly looked with a wink and because of that  I smitten and i don't know why I can't stop myself from smiling, I swear I really looked insane.

Also I can't deny and  resist the matter of fact that he's so damn hot and gorgeous. His piercing brown eyes  and luscious black hair and gorgeous stubble. My face suddenly seemed to turn an incarnadine red. I really  can't take this feeling anymore.I admit that I really do  like him since the day we first met but still it's confusing since I'm still very young.

And now , there's no doubts coz' I'm pretty sure that it's not just about a like coming from a friend because the way I feel for him is foreign.

Doubtless, it is an affection way more than just a friend.

I'm so fluttered whenever he's near and when he hold my hand I had a warm and  fuzzy feeling ,its an inexplicable joy.

Especially when he made me feel that he cared for me so much ,that my existence is very important to him,his good treatments towards me, the way his kindness heart filled me and I decided to confess my feelings towards him today.

After this game ,I will confess him my true feelings  and that's my final decision whatever happens I will take it. No regrets ,I promised myself.

As the game end I walked down the bleachers to congratulate him for winning and to confess everything.

Before I could thoroughly get down , Earl  grabbed my hands and move his left hands towards my waist and hold me there  to lift me out and  quickly kiss my forehead.  I was so stunned and overwhelmed at the same time.This is the moment when I started to blushed uncontrollably.

"We winnn!! Ashhhh!! And that is all  because of you ,thank you for coming". he cheerfully said and hugged me tigthly just enough for me to take some air to breathe..

"Yesss!!! You made it Earl, Congrats ,you've done it so pretty well and I'm super duper proud of you!!!." I exclaimed and he kissed my forehead thoroughly.

"By the way, hmmm.. I have something to say. I just hope that you don't mind?". I timidly said .I don't know  but my heart keeps beating so fast as if I run for hundred of miles.

I didn't even hear the noise because my heart are so loud it keeps pounding and beating so fast that I almost caught out of breath .I am extremely nervous.Jeeeezzzz!!!

" Oh , really ?, What's that Ash?? Spill it out , "he confusedly asked.

"Wait  are you okay? You look so pale? Hey, What's wrong?" he asked worriedly as he puts the back of his hand in my head down to my neck which my heart tumbled and beating so fast and louder. Goshh!!,this is it. I can do it , right??

"Uhmm, I .... really do like you Earl not in a friendly way but more than .I just can't help it I know it's odd and confusing but it's how I feel for you. And eversince I was attracted on you Earl ,I mean everything about you Earl."I nervously said and this time I was feeling understandably antsy.

But that' s not the end of everything. When Earl left me without any words came out maybe that's it ,it's perfectly the  end. It really hurts seeing my one and only crush left me but the saddest part is my bestfriend Earl left me without words.I don't want to force him to comeback again because I know if I do ,he never will. Still it's all his decision though.

***

It seems that he didn't feel the same way like I do. And until now Earl avoided me ,I think he finds me so disgusting and such a  vain.

Maybe he wanted space and the best way to get away from me is to leave me so I will just let him do what he really wants .

If avoiding me will make him happy then go ahead I will still understand. I will never care  if it causes me too much pain because I believe in God's will and perfect timing. Right will always be right.

But I can't just forget the past ,we've been together for so long. Well in fact,I miss my bestfriend so much ,Earl Jamesdominique Muñez I miss you.I gulped, as tears brimmed into my eyes . Quickly, I wiped them away through the back of my hand.

"Hey babylove, are you crying?.. What's wrong ?"my dad asked. He stopped the car sideways then hugged and comforted me.

"I'm okay dad, Earl and I were fine .

We both  ahhhmm..are just busy .

you know college life?.So don't feel worried dad..I'm okay and I'm always okay. So now continue driving coz' I will be running late dad". I amended and chuckled a bit.

*******

"Be careful baby okay? , Take your lunch on time and enjoy yourself . Just don't get stress. Kay??

I love you and I always do Asleigh my only baby." he said with full of seriouness in her eyes as we arrived in school.I wrapped my arms around him and give him a a super duper tight hug and then kissed  his forehead.

"Yes dad ,All of that are always noted and remembered.

Thank you dad for everything.

I love you so much too". I responded and kiss again his cheeks.

"Baby ? Always remember that you can't lie to me. I know that there's something wrong happen between you and Earl.

I don't really know the actual reason but I'm pretty sure it hurts. I will not force you to share it all to me but please always remember that I'm always here for you , whatever happens okay?

You can't fake me Asleigh , I'm your father but not just your father but also your best buddy . Maybe you can fake or will work when you say it with your mom  but to me I tell you!.. No and Never. And if you're ready  to tell me I willingly listen. Understand?"he explained heartily.

I hugged him for one more time and the tears started flowing,

His heart to heart talk really gets me.

I cant believe this ,I'm so lucky for having a dad like him.I really don't know what will  happen to me without him in my life.

Maybe I'm such a good and lucky person because honestly I can't remember the good things I did, that God from above blessed me  too much and I'm pretty sure that it  includes my dad.

"Thank you Dad so muchh.

I Love You So Much Dadddyyy.

I really don't know what to do without you dad. And I really can't imagine my journey in life too without you're presence dad.

You're too much too ask  and if  I've  given the chance again  to choose who I wanted to live for the rest of my life dad.

I will always point and choose you with Mom and if there's another life I will still choose you both to be my parents. I always need you Dad and I don't even have a single regrets to be with you both." I sheepishly said and cried out.

Dad's face suddenly softened and tears came to his eyes as well as mine and then he cupped my cheeks to wiped my tears away and smiled.

"Goodbye babylove ,Go on now coz' you're running late .Again I love you."he waved his hand for goodbye.

"Goodbye Dad ,Take care and I love you alwaysss!!". I responded and got out of the car and went off.

****

I  ran towards my classroom coz' I'm pretty sure that I will come late if.....

"Darn it! ." a man shouted in a wrathful voice  as I bumped straight of on his  massive and hard chest in the hallway.