Chapter 13: John <3 Karina

John's POV

It's been almost a week since we went to Reese's rest house.

Every night, I would think about what happened between Karina and me in the forest when she confessed that she likes me.

I admit that I still like her.

And then I remembered Katherine's condition that day.

Flashback

"Are you not courting Karina anymore? Because I don't see you going to her classroom giving her foods and stuff,"

"I've decided to give up because she doesn't like me. I heard Karina talking to her friends about it. Though I still have feelings for her"

"Oh. How about this. Let's work on our relationship since I already confessed my feelings for you. If it doesn't work, let's stop it,"

"But I can't do that. You will end up getting hurt,"

"It's ok. I promise that I wouldn't get hurt. Besides, it's just like and not love. I will understand, John. So, are you up for it?"

"Ok"

End of flashback

Katherine will understand.

I just don't want to continue our agreement because it's not working. I still like Karina.

When Karina confessed to me, I was shocked because I never thought that she would like me.

I need to make this right.

I need to call Katherine to clear things out.

After a few rings, Katherine picked up.

"Hello, John? Why did you call?"

"Are you free today?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Let's meet at la café,"

"Why?"

"I need to tell you something,"

"Ok"

"I will wait for you there,"

"See you later,"

"Uhum"

Fast forward, and I am now at la café.

"Oh!"

"Oh, you're Thalia's cousin Theo, right,"

"Yup. Are you eating alone or?"

"No"

"A date?"

"You can say that,"

"Ok. A table for two it is. Follow me"

Theo leads the way.

"Here is your table. Are you going to order or wait for your date?"

"I will wait for her,"

"Ok. I will be on my way,"

After 10 minutes, Katherine arrived.

"Hi"

"Did you arrive just now?"

"Yup"

"What are we going to talk about? I'm curious,"

"Let's order and eat first,"

"Ok"

I signaled the waiter, and we ordered food.

After 30 minutes, our food arrived.

Fast forward, and were done eating.

"So, what are we going to talk about?"

"First of all, I want to say sorry in advance,"

"Why?"

"Uh. I still like Karina, Katherine. When we went to Reese's rest house, she confessed that she likes me. I was shocked when she said that. I still like her, but I said that I have a girlfriend already. I kept on thinking about that, and I remembered what we agreed on that day. I don't want to continue our agreement, that is why I called you because I want to make things clear and right. I'm sorry, Katherine,"

"I know that this day would come. I know that you still like Karina. I'm going to be honest; it hurts a little. Ok, let's end our agreement,"

"Thank you, Katherine,"

"No problem. So, is this our last day of dating"

"Yeah"

"May I have one last request?"

"Go ahead"

"I want us to go to the park together. I want to go to the park with the person I like while holding each other's hands,"

"Your request is granted. Let's go,"

"Ok"

Thank you, Katherine, for understanding.

Katherine's POV

John and I are at the park and were holding hands.

I know that this day will come. I can't replace Karina in John's heart.

I'm hurt a little, but I need to accept that John still likes Karina. Besides, we only have an agreement and not really going out.

John and I roamed around the park silently, just feeling each other's presence.

We are now sitting at the bench, looking at the beautiful night sky.

And I got up from sitting.

"I think I need to go home now. Thank you, John,"

"Thank you too, Katherine,"

"No problem"

"I hope you find the right guy for you,"

"Uhum. Better than you. Good luck with you and Karina,"

"Haha, yeah. Thanks. Call or text me if you need help,"

"Of course. Before I go, can I have one last request?"

"What is it?"

"Can I hug you one last time"

"Sure"

John and I hugged.

I hugged John tighter as if it's our last day of seeing each other.

It's like we are breaking up, but it's different from our situation because we are just pretending to be with each other.

"I will be going now. See you tomorrow,"

"Me too"

After that, I went home.

I quickly went to my room, got changed, and lay down on my bed.

And then, I burst into tears.

I promised myself not to get hurt or cry when this happens, but I can't control that.

After a few minutes of crying, I regained my composure.

I'm thankful and lucky anyways to be with the person I like, even though it's just an agreement.

Karina's POV

I am roaming around because it is still break time.

"Karina!"

"John. What is it?"

I still get embarrassed about what I said to John in the forest. I don't want to have an encounter with him, but it didn't grant my wish.

"I want to talk to you,"

"About what?"

"Let's go to the rooftop,"

"Ok?"

And we are now at the rooftop.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Remember what you said to me when you got lost in the forest?"

"That I like you?"

"I like you too, Karina. I still like you,"

I was shocked.

John has a girlfriend. Why the sudden confession?

"But you have a girlfriend already. You know that this is cheating, John,"

"We're not really dating,"

"What?"

"We had an agreement. If we don't fall for each other, the agreement is void,"

"Oh"

"So, Karina. Can I court you again?"

"Why court me again when you are now my boyfriend,"

"What? Really?"

"Uhum"

John hugged me tightly.

"I can't breathe, John,"

"Oops, sorry. Even though we are now dating, I still want to court you,"

"It's up to you,"

"Ok. Let's head back now. Break time is almost over,"

John accompanied me back to the classroom.

I am so happy now.

"Let's go home together. I will wait for you outside the building,"

"Ok. See you later then,"

"See you too,"