17: At your Doorstep

" How's the taste of the pencil?"

I left it between my teeth without chewing it anymore when he came from the cafeteria. He was carrying two bottles of water with him. I have been lost in my thoughts for a while since there's a seeable drawing of my bunny teeth on the pencil.

" Aren't you going home yet? "

" I'll copy your sketch first," he said having some water, seating sidewards to face me.

I continue scratching over the paper with the pencil, creating shadows for our plate.

" The cheesecake is delicious. I'll be your first customer, "

[" So... how was it?

"It's good,"

" I knew my brownies are delicious,"]

" Hey, you're filling all over the entire paper,"

I saw how he waved his hand into my face. It also was there that I realized how badly I messed up the work. I searched under the paper, my pencil case for an eraser, and Mark handed me one.

" Thanks,"

I tried fixing erasing everything on the paper, and Mark try to stop me.

" You'll tear... it,"

I didn't listen to him and continued erasing until I saw opened the line on my paper. I crumbled the paper and set it aside, getting a new piece of paper. I leaned forward to start over again, aggressively.

" Stop... what's the problem, huh?" he asked, shoving my hair behind my ear that became a barrier between us.

I didn't answer him in the meantime while I was staring at the line I made on the paper, " How do you know... you like someone?" I asked out of the blue.

His forehead creases a little at me, flinching his head away from me.

" Yeah, I know it's weird, but what do you feel when you like someone? Misha? How do you know you like her? "

" I don't even know if I ever like her, "

" She became your girlfriend, Mark,"

" We're young and reckless, the thing we thought love maybe it wasn't, "

I sighed at him," Wow! The guy who catches every girl's attention in our high school doesn't know anything about love, " I said, full of sarcasm, slapping both of my thighs.

" But maybe... " he stopped for a bit, looking at the ceiling and back to me,"... If you like someone, they just can't over your head, or they make you crazy,"

" You know something? " I teased.

" A little, " he showed a pinch.

" Why? Do you like someone by now? Or do you like that waiter girl? " I teased, again.

"Tsk, Susan, " he said, sounds like a warning. He already called me by name. I chuckled at his reaction as I leaned my back on the chair, looking at him.

" Is it because you love someone by now? " he asks me after.

I scoffed," They're just the same, Mark. Like and loving someone are alike, "

" Yes, alike, but partially they're not, "

" Come on, don't give me a lesson. I'm already tired with my plates,"

" Yeah, but I tell you, Sue, they have differences. As I say, we're young and reckless and we still have something to learn, "

" Okay? How do you say so?"

" Your mind tells you like someone, but I think your heart doesn't, "

" Okay? " my forehead wrinkled at him again.

His one arm embraced the chair while giving a fixed look at me, " Tell me... you like me, "

" So... this is a trick, huh?" I scoffed, " I don't like you. You're just a friend," I cleared.

" Sue? "

" What is this going to do? " I raised an eyebrow at him.

" Just tell me you like me, look into my eyes and tell me, " he said, making it sound easy.

I played with my tongue inside my mouth, thinking how come this sounds easy to him. But this wouldn't be hard to do, right? I mean I'll try looking innocent or fake it because he's already my friend and I don't want to lose anyone.... anymore. '

" Okay... I like you, " I dropped, not looking him in the eye.

" Looking at me? "

" I... I-this is stupid, " I snapped.

" Sue, "

I give in. I start pushing inside my bag all the things I drop on the table, "Look, Mark, yes, I like you, I like you ever since, happy?" I said before standing up.

" But, what if you never did? " he said.

His words push me back to the seat, " I like you, okay? I don't even know why I feel like my heart and mind are fighting every time I admit that I like you and not Pete,"

" Listen to your heart for once, Sue. Listen to what it says, your mind tells you, you like me, but I know, I know deep in your heart someone has taken it already, "

" How can you say this? As you said, we're young and reckless, "

" We're young and we're reckless, and still have something to learn, but we're not stupid enough... And what if you always like him, but you are just too afraid to admit it because you're too scared of the thought of losing him, especially the friendship between you two, "

" He told me he likes me. He likes me, Mark. But I like you, "

" Yes, you do, but now you like me with a 'D' in the end. Chase him before it's too late, Sue..."

I last saw his smile flash on his face before I got lost inside my mind.

" DRIVE SAFE, DON'T DRIVE too fast,"

I said, with my arms resting on the window after it was rolling down.

He gives salutes at me after I back out of his car, " Another blueberry cheesecake tomorrow? " he reminded me.

" You already ate a lot,"

He made a U-turn as he exited the neighborhood after rolling back his tinted window.

The thunder is already screeching with the sky is colored gray, and going inside the house is a good idea. I let the music run through my ears and stream the whole house while I prepare the chicken and fry it later.

But I was disturbed when my phone started beeping multiple times. Peter has sent too many messages.

[Peterpan: I know you can't read this, data's stupid. But I'm sorry for ignoring you for three days already I didn't mean it, I swear, I'm just super tired since I worked overtime last Friday and I woke up going to work already.]

[Peterpan: I'm ready to compensate for what I'd just done to you.]

[Peterpan: I'm also sorry if I confessed to you last Sunday, yes, I was tired too that day but what I said isn't part of what I was feeling on that day, it's what I always felt for you. Always. I always like you more than you expected.]

[Peterpan: I'm so sorry, Sue.]

I started cleaning the chicken after leaving my phone on the couch.

[" Are you done there yet?"

" I already took a bath, Peter. Don't you dare,"

" That's not cool, Peter! You're so annoying!"

"It's not funny!"

"Peter! Shut it down!"

"Huh?"

"Arch--!"

"Sue!"

"You already took a bath, right?"]

Shaking my head, I coat the chicken with salt and pepper before preparing the stove.

["Your nose is bleeding,"

"Huh?"

"You should go to the clinic,"

"Sh--"]

Just one egg to coat the chicken. Why did I nearly crack two?

["Huh?"

"You look lonely,"

"I'm not, go ask Charlene instead, she's waiting..."

"Why her?"

"You like her?... I'm fine, I'm just going to watch you both. I don't even know how to da--Peter!"]

I was disturbed in cooking when I heard a stop of a vehicle outside. I left the tong on the plate before swaying the door open. But I was surprised by who was waiting for me outside our doorstep.

Water was dripping from him, seizing his breath.

" Peter?"

" Sue," he called out of breath.

Even though he was soaking wet, I accepted the hug he gave around, and I embraced him back. And I could feel our body collide with the dampness in him.

" I'm so sorry," I felt his breath in my ears.

Hearing him saying sorry sounds like music to my ears. It's just once in the blue moon to hear it from him.

I gave a slap on his arm, " What are you doing here? You're supposed at the work now. And why are you soaking wet? It's raining, you're so stubborn," I scolded him after we parted from our embrace.

" I'm sorry, I thought of coming by before going to work since it's been a day, and you're avoiding me but I expected it," he answered, " But I guess you're leaving too?" he said, looking at the umbrella I was carrying.

" No--I mean I thought it was Mom and I'm going to give this umbrella,"

He released a laugh that I joined him afterward. I gave another wrapped around his chest this time: it's packed and squeezed the water in his clothes.

" I miss you!" I cried.

" Did you read my message?"

" Yeah, and you're so cringy," I said, chuckling at him.

" But if you let me explain--"

He shuts himself after I tip my toe on the ground to give him a peck of my lips on his cheek. His eyes got wide and frozen for a moment. I shake my head. I got away from our embrace and lifted my chin at him, " I hate you always, Peter. Always, but... let's stop being friends,"

"I don't want you to be pushed by what I said last time, it's not your responsibility to reciprocate it either," he let out a smile, taking my hair on the back of my ear.

" I like you. I like you the way you like me,"

It's a relief at the same time scared to say those words to him. It felt my heart couldn't stop beating abnormally while saying it to him.

He suddenly pulled me closer to him again, and I felt his chin resting on me, giving my hair kisses.

" Pete?"

It took him a while before talking over," But what if it isn't simply liking you?"

" What do you mean?"

" Maybe I have said it wrong, but I'm not fooling around, because I love you, I love you, Susan," I felt how his jaw is move on top of my head.

And, my cheeks are steaming, and I feel like I'm turning into a tomato. All I could do is hide in his chest, " Corny,"

" Do you want to stay for a bit? Dinner with Mom? I left a slice of cheesecake for you,"

He seems to sense something around the house, and isn't answering me, " Are you cooking?"

We both rushed into the kitchen and shut the stove. The bad thing is, the other side of the chicken burnt, and luckily, there isn't any smoke that appeared.

"MA'AM,"

I CHASED HER DOWN the hallway, calling her until she finally turns her back. Even though I was already running out of breath, I pass first my plates to her and she left with a roll of eyes.

"Did you pass it already?" Mark asked behind me.

"Barely," I answered walking back to the classroom to get back my bag, but Mark has it in him.

We both start walking down the stairs, beside each other.

"But that was last week, she can't even accept mine," I heard his complaint.

"She rolled her eyes at me before accepting it," I said also in the complaint.

"I have to kneel down,"

"That's why students are talking about you," I nodded in realization.

"Really?"

He's always present at school, why doesn't he knows about it? It spreads like the speed of light. Even at the med. department knows that, even though they're not staying nearby our campus.

"Yeah, your famous," I said, looking at him

He stopped walking and so as I, it's like he was stunned looking our way. When I sway my eyes, I jumped toward that person blocking our way.

"Lovebirds,"

I didn't let go of him for a few minutes until I felt my mood slowly going up. I really lose my energy last night finishing my plate. It took me the whole night and left me with 4 hours of sleep. Mom won't stop waking me up to have breakfast with her.

"Are you tired?"

I give a nod, resting on his chest. I was yawning when I felt a cloth wrapped around my body, it was his jacket. It fully covers up until my butt, and I could hide inside the jacket like a turtle in his shell.

We heard a cough behind me and it was Mark, watching us.

"Someone is behind--someone--behind," he coughed.

"Are you going to leave?" I turn back to Pete, and gave me a shake of his head, "Great! Let's go to Hanami, then,"

"I'm going home," Mark said, after inviting them.

"Why? You enjoyed there last time,"

"I...have other... stuff to do... family dinner! You don't want me to miss it, right?"

"Bummer,"

"Next time," he waved

Before I called him, he was already running outside the gate, like a student breaking free from the school.

"You?"

"Let's go," he pulled me closer to him as he places his arm around my shoulders.

We were catching up to each other to keep us company while we were walking down the streets.

"You already finish it, right?"

"Yeah,"

He talked about his project that he just passed a while ago but was due yesterday. I panicked since I experienced it just recently. It was like between life and death, that plate will be my downfall for our sem.

"Great, don't be like me. Last night, I made my plate last minute I was too busy with the house, and Mom won't stop bothering me. It was due last week and..."

"HI, AUNTIE!" I GREETED HER as soon as we enter their house.

She was sitting in the living room, just watching T.V. I looked around and it isn't the same as the last time I visit here. Their house was full of furniture and appliances. Picture frames are hanging on the wall. It looks like a home--this felt like home.

I sat on the couch beside her, placing down the food we take out for her.

"It's been a while," she cried, hugging me.

"Just busy this past few weeks, Auntie," I said, setting the food for her.

I felt how Pete sat beside me on the handle of the couch, "How are you, Auntie? I miss chatting with you, do you have something to share with us? " I asked.

"What about you?" she turned back the question, "I see you two are going back together, I haven't seen you for weeks because of Pete--"

"Mom," he reacted.

"Nothing happened recently, Auntie," I said, holding him down.

"Nothing? What about you and Pete are you--"

"We're not," I rejected.

"--Are you two okay already?" she continues.

It leaves a gap between my lips. That was what she meant, and I rush towards her words, "Yes, Auntie, in fact--"

"She's my girlfriend, Mom," he said, locking his fingers to mine and raising them to Auntie.

"Peter!"

"Sorry," he bowed down on his seat, letting go of my hand.

Auntie chuckled beside us. She was shaking her head at us, minding her own food. I blushed, okay? I admit it, and I have a plan to confess about us, but can't he talk it out slow?

I couldn't help to think about what Auntie is thinking of us right now. She laugh at what he said.

We both panicked when Auntie started coughing on her seat.

"Mom,"

Pete kneeled down on the floor, reaching her a glass of water.

"Sorry..." she swallowed a gulp of water, that paused her, "... You two are just cute. I'm so proud of my son, I thought he'll never introduce any girl to me but he end up to his best friend," she said, pinching his cheeks.

He shoved it off him, "Mom,"

But I laughed too at his reaction. I receive a glare from him but I just found it cute on him. It doesn't feel offensive anymore.

"He's head over--"

"Enough, Mom,"

"He can't stop talking about you, "

He was in his poker face already and we couldn't help ourselves to stop teasing him. Instead, Auntie kept exposing him in front of us, she looks like she'll cry any moment in teasing him.