Liza (part 2)

Looks like ever since, Sherwin and I have been set up to be rivals. And the prize? The goddess of our class, Liza. She looks like LJ Moreno, all fair-skinned with an angelic face, pointed nose, cute lips, and gorgeous hair. She doesn't even try, and that simplicity just screams "Filipina beauty." Unlike the other girls at school who look like clowns with all that makeup.

I couldn't even eat right anymore. What used to be a quick meal now takes me 15 minutes, and my mind's still racing...

After PE, Liza and I chatted again, and there was this little spark. I helped her change clothes, and thank heavens, no mishaps this time.

"Think it'll happen again?" Liza teased, with that mischievous grin. I was left speechless, no comeback in sight.

"Well, I've already seen it, haven't I?" I shot back, feeling oddly confident. Maybe because Liza felt so secure around me.

"Pervert!" she exclaimed, playfully hitting my shoulder. I knew it was just her being flustered.

"Sorry! Just kidding!" I laughed, but she kept hitting me until my apologies turned serious.

"Okay... sorry," she said, realizing she might've overdone it with the slaps.

We walked slowly, her arm linked with mine along the rocky path of our school. We were silent, the path stretching on and on. When we reached a bench, she suggested we sit.

I could tell Liza had something on her mind. Maybe it was about the bathroom incident or Sherwin. Those were the only two things we both knew well enough to dig into.

"Let's not walk too far, or our classmates might see us and start teasing," she said.

"Okay..."

"And so what if they tease?"

"Nothing," she mumbled.

"Are you embarrassed?"

"Yeah. It's annoying," she said, clearly irritated, possibly about the teasing with Sherwin.

"You mean Sherwin? Them egging you two on?"

"Yeah," she admitted, staring into my eyes.

I sensed her frustration, but I pressed on.

"So, who do you like in our class? Not Sherwin, right? You said it annoys you," I asked, my curiosity peaking.

"Huh? No one..." she replied vaguely.

"I like Sherwin because he's smart... but crush? No. I think everyone just misinterprets it."

"Just ignore it, then."

"You can't blame them. You're the prettiest in class, and he's the smartest. They just match you guys up. Maybe just go along with it?"

"Sometimes it feels pointless, you know?"

"Pointless how?"

"I don't know... just kinda insulting... maybe..."

"...Hey, don't tell anyone, okay?" she warned, before continuing.

"I don't like Sherwin... he's not my type."

"Is Sherwin hitting on you?"

"No, he's just being annoying."

"Then ignore him."

"You're such a smartass! Never mind!" she snapped, suddenly upset.

"Hey, sorry... I didn't mean to be a jerk. I just mean, you don't have to do anything. Unless his attention bothers you?"

"Sorry."

"It's alright," I said, and we both fell silent.