Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Apology

Our first call didn't go well as I imagined. Trix and I just got scolded by our teacher and some of our classmates even tease us with the phrase: "The Door Girls". As much as I want to explain myself, I just couldn't. The teacher was mad and I can't blame her. Trix just kicked the door like some kind of firefighter who will save the children from the burning house. Not to mention the fact that we're five minutes late.

"What's with the scene earlier, Ms. Armani?"

I looked at Trix who was glaring at Migz, stamping her foot. "Stop calling me that! I didn't know that she's already here, okay? I just want to introduce Ayine," she then explained herself.

At first, meeting my cousin's friends, I thought Migz is her boyfriend. Not only are they close and clingy to each other, but they also tease each other like a couple usually does. All of my romantic thoughts about them vanished when Sharmaine told me that Migz is actually gay. It was only then I noticed the way he walks and the way he flipped his mullet hair.

Imagine how shocked I was. I mean, I couldn't believe it! Dang, Migz's voice was so manly. I'm sure every people who see him will think that he is a handsome man that every girl desire, except those who know him personally.

"Ayine, is she really your cousin? You look so different," Migz asked me, making me nervous and stun for a moment. "I mean, you're beautiful. you look kind and smart too—"

"And I'm not?!" Trix butt in, looking offended. She was dramatically holding her chest, but Migz only ignored him by turning his back.

"Yah!" Trix made him turn. "I'm good at English, you bitch!"

"Who wouldn't?" Migz rolled his eyes. "Geez. We're in International School and our language of instruction is English!"

To our surprise, Sharmaine raised her right hand. "Me!" she said. "I'm not good at English before," she uttered, glancing at me, then at Migz and Trix. "I only learn fluent English here in SE. But now, I want to be fluent in Spanish too that's why I chose that as my language class."

Trix scoffed. "Come on, Sharmaine. We all know why you chose that language," she said, and they all laughed.

My eyebrows knitted, dumbfounded. "Ah, guys?" I called, confused. "Is there something you want to share with me? I chose Spanish too, what's wrong?"

The three looked at each other before they shifted their glances at me, giving me creepy smiles. Trix even put her arm on my shoulder.

"There's nothing much to worry, Ayine," she said, but her eyes were telling otherwise. "The teacher is strict, yes, but you know what's inside that room? Three gods, three drop-dead handsome men!"

I covered my ears when they suddenly shouted, fluttering for someone I didn't know.

"That's too much, you know?" I commented which made them stop, looking confused. "I mean, you guys acting like you're so obsessed with them, aren't you?"

"We're not, Ayi," Sharmaine replied, gently shaking her head. "We're just telling the truth. Most of the students chose that language not because they wanted to learn, they just want to see them."

"True!" Migz agreed. "That's the reason why the teacher of that language become so strict. Once she caught you looking at them, she will make you leave the class immediately!"

My face screwed up. "Seriously? They're really that handsome?" I asked which they nodded. "Nah, maybe you guys are idolizing them too much that's why—"

"We're serious, Ayi!" Migz cut me, raising his hand, convincing me. "Think of it this way: Imagine someone who is so good looking, so handsome, that your heart starts beating really fast, you start to feel short of breath, and you just drop down dead! Oh my god!"

I shook my head. "I'll just think that you guys are head over heels at those guys until I see them," I said, getting ready for our next class.

I looked at them and they seemed confident especially Trix. Knowing my cousin for a long, Trix has a high standard for a man. I may not believe them now, I always leave room for doubt. Whether they're really saying the truth or nah, we'll know in the future.

Our three subjects were over and they were excited for our last class before we have our lunch. They keep telling me to ready my eyes and ears because I'll now see the guys they were talking about since our first class. I also noticed a lot of students who were in the hallway, walking in the same direction as ours. They were murmuring to each other, like buzzing bees.

"Brace yourself, Ayine," Trix uttered the same line she whispered to me earlier. "You'll see gods which you only see here in SE. Tall, smart, and really good-looking men!"

Migz looked at me and he almost rolled his eyes. "Look at her, girls. Look at her face. She's still not convinced, eh?"

"Wait until she saw them!" Trix said with an air of confidence.

I flashed a small smirk. "Prove me wrong, then."

"We will," they said in unison.

Our class, learning the Spanish language went well. We learned new words and phrases and I was really enjoying it not until our teacher got mad at the group of students in front who keep looking at the back. It was obvious that they're not here to learn but to take a glance at the guys Trix, Migz, and Sharmaine telling me about.

"Girl!" Migz nudged me on my elbow. "This is your chance, Ayine. Go look at your left side!" he whispered, afraid that our teacher would hear him.

Trix was convincing me to look at my left side too but I only ignored them. I can even hear my heart being so loud and fast. Whether it is because I'm afraid that our teacher will catch me looking or because I'm nervous that they are right about them, I don't know anymore.

"You lose the chance!" Trix who was looking so disappointed said.

Migz and Sharmaine, on the other hand, keep blaming our strict teacher 'cause they didn't want to blame me, though they can. I lose multiple chances to look at them and I really couldn't understand why I can't turn my head on the right even a little to take a quick glance.

Migz sighed, giving up. "Better luck next life, guys. Our teacher is really strict and I hate myself because I can't do anything about it! If I can just freeze her with my power..."

He said those while showing us his hand, acting like he was Elsa in Frozen. We looked at each other before cracking into a laugh, fixing our things. We were about to go out of our room when a familiar guy appeared in front of the room's door, halting and startling me.

"Ms. Castro," he called.

From having knitted eyebrows, my eyes slowly widened as I recognize who he was. The guy from the mall whom I bumped into was right in front of me, smiling from ear to ear, raising his brows.

"Someone told me you have something to tell," he went on when I refuse to give a reply.

My eyebrows knitted, getting confused and annoyed at the same time. I couldn’t stand talking with him in one room even for a minute. "I don't know what you're saying, mister."

"A. P. O. L. O. G. Y," he spelled out. His lips curved into a smirk when he saw the surprise on my face. "I guess you now remember what I'm trying to say."

I bit my lower lips, briefly closing my eyes. I have already forgotten about that. Never did I imagine our paths will cross again. The campus was too big, but I guess... this day was my unlucky day.

"So, where's my apology, Ms. Castro?" he asked, wriggling his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry," I said with less enthusiasm, getting my wallet from my bag. I showed him four pieces of one thousand pesos. It was only money left in my wallet. "Is this enough to pay for your clothes that I accidentally spilled with ice cream?" I asked, emphasizing the word: accidentally.

Students around us began whispering to each other. He darted them a sideward look, probably trying to read the mood of the crowd.

"I don't need your money," he said, staring at me with his unamused eyes and flat-lined lips.

"Then, it's settled," I said and faked a smile. I was about to walk away when he caught my wrist, pulling me back. I looked at him irritatingly. "What?!"

"I haven't accepted it yet," he said, looking so serious. "Do it again or I'll tell your brother you just ignored me."

"Ayine!" Migz called me in a low tone voice. "What's happening?" he mouthed.

"Oh, this guy was asking for forgiveness," I answered, slightly pouting my lips. "I already did but he doesn't want to accept it." I began twirling a few strands of my hair. "What should I do, Migz?"

"What the..." Migz's voice trailed off, looking at me with disbelief. Trix, on the other hand, was covering her mouth because she was cursing hardly. Sharmaine who was standing beside her was still looking at the same guy she was secretly looking for earlier since our class started.

I tilted my head to one side, blinking my eyes. I don't know what's with me and started acting like this. I could have shooed me away but all eyes were on us. I don't want to leave a bad impression so I'll just do it this way.

"Guys, what should I do? Maxwell will get mad if he didn't accept my apology." I looked at my friend once again before rerouting my eyes back at the guy in front of me. It was obvious that he was getting annoyed and I'm enjoying it. "Should I just treat him or buy him ice cream? Or a kiss would do?"

Everyone around us was visibly confused. It’s all over their creased foreheads, squinted eyes, and wrinkled noses. I couldn't help but smirk. When he saw I was smirking, he smirked back at me. He then took a few steps towards me until we're only a meter away from each other. As he took the last step closer to me, I immediately stepped back and my back pressed against the door. I was trapped and there was no way to escape. We just stayed looking at each other’s eyes fiercely when suddenly, he did something I never imagined.

He inched the gap of our face and the tip of our nose met. People were all shocked. Some of them even shouted, protesting. My eyes widened and I was silently cursing in my mind, but I maintained my posture.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, holding my breath.

"I only want a sincere apology but your suggestion is better," he said in a flirtatious way, smirking. This guy is giving me a playboy vibe.

I keep telling myself to be strong, trying to fight back his stares. I can even feel his warm breath on the top of my lips.

"I can sue you for this, mister," I said in a tone that was almost a whisper. I can hear nothing but my heart beating so fast.

He smirked, glancing at my friends who were lost for words. "Who cares?" The smirk on his lips faded when he looked straight into my eyes. From there, he titled his face, as if he was about to kiss me. I was quick to take an action and turn my head to my left. Seconds later, I felt a soft thing on my cheeks.

Everyone gasped, even me, I did.

He finally moved back and in his most seductive yet airy voice, he whisper, "Apology accepted."

"Y-You..." I opened my mouth again to say something but words seemed stuck to my throat. I couldn't say more.

With nothing left to say, he patted my head and walked away. I scoffed out of frustration. I felt like I got frozen in my place. I wanna move but my legs aren't moving.

"Ayine!" Trix called me, leaving her lips parted. "What was that?"

* * *

When He Dares Me

by: Thesweetestthing