CHAPTER 04

CHAPTER 04

"Mom! Dad! I'm outta here! My ride's here!" I yelled from the backyard. Mom was outside doing laundry, and Dad was showering in the well—he was heading off to work.

Dad worked the rice paddies owned by the Sullivaños, the richest family in our Davao village.

"Okay, sweetie! Be careful. Is Rowela with you?" He asked, referring to my friend and classmate.

"Yep, Mom. She's waiting in the trike. The lazy bum didn't even get out," I said, and Mom chuckled at my nickname for her.

"Okay, be safe, and get home early!" Dad called out as I headed towards the tricycle parked down the road.

"Hey, witch!" Rowela yelled, waving. Even her tricycle-driver dad always cracked up at our little nickname game.

That was our morning routine—they'd pick me up, and Rowela and I would head to school together. We left early since the university was a bit of a drive.

"Project all set, or should we double-check?" she asked once I hopped in.

I checked the envelope holding our projects, due to the Professor later. "Yeah, it's good. But let's double-check anyway—don't want to forget your name!" I laughed, earning a playful punch on my arm.

"You're such a goofball! I'm gonna make you walk home. All those eyebags I got working on this project..." she grumbled, playfully pinching my cheek.

"Relax, it's all good—your name's right there," I said. We chatted during the ride, and soon enough, we were pulling up to the university.

After thanking Rowela's dad, we walked into the gate together. We've been classmates since high school—even taking the same major. We both dream of being secretaries someday, and we're totally inseparable. Best friends for life!

"Heard the engineering students have a game tonight. Wanna hit the gym before heading home?" Rowela asked.

I was debating, but knowing Sebastian would be there... "Totally! Just remind me, I might forget," I said, and she gave me that knowing look, like I'd committed some kind of crime.

"Fine. You're only forgiven because you're so cute when you're all sweet," she laughed. I have no idea where I'm cute.

Walking to class, I almost tripped over his shoes, again. Seriously?

I flipped my hair and turned to face him. The lazy bum was sprawled out in his seat.

"If you don't move those, I'm sawing off your feet!" I threatened, clutching my books.

He just raised an eyebrow, trying to hide a smirk. He probably thought I was joking about the saw. Whatever.

"No way..."

"Oh yeah?—"

"Ouch! Ow! You're brutal!"

"Well, I don't have a saw! So, take that. Hmph!" I stuck my tongue out. I'd just kicked his foot out of the way. He was about to say something, but our teacher walked in, silencing him. He glared at me from behind—I sat in the back. Whatever, Ryker. Playboy, bad boy... whatever. Like I care.

We handed in our project, and then, of course, the professor hit us with another long assignment. Being close to graduation meant tons of work. Rowela was up front, while I was stuck in the back, next to…Ryker Matt Sullivaño. Ugh. Even the smell of his cologne was annoying. He was a business major, just like Rowela and me. A total playboy with the girls and a bad boy to the guys. Double trouble.

(Pay me for this, Corpuz)

I read the crumpled note he'd passed me. Instead of crumpling it up, I wrote my own note back. He looked over, staring at my face, especially my lips. I raised an eyebrow. The note simply said, "In your dreams. Want 100 slaps?" I don't put up with his crap, especially not his crap.

Even if his parents owned the rice paddies where my dad worked, I still didn't care about this guy who was already dozing off during the lecture.

So, I reached over and nudged him awake.

He laughed, and the professor looked our way.

"Something funny, Sullivaño?" the teacher asked. I sat up straight, pretending to write notes.

"No, sir—" he replied. I ignored him, even though I knew he kept glancing at me. Go ahead and stare, loser.

It was a long day, but we powered through. A few more months, and we’d be graduating. I wouldn't have gotten this far without my parents. I'm determined to make them proud and give them a better life—that's my promise to myself.

We hung out with Rowela and the others at lunch.

"Before graduation, we have to have a farewell party," Marissa suggested.

"Totally! Should we just invite our class, or everyone?" Sandra added.

I just listened. I'm all for it—my parents would probably let me go, it's our last hurrah in college, and who knows when we'll all see each other again.

The afternoon classes went smoothly. No crazy assignments, but the professor warned us about a huge test tomorrow. Everyone groaned, but I just glared at Ryker. What's he thinking about?

"I'm gorgeous; enough staring!" I said, and he burst out laughing, startling the professor and a few classmates. This guy is seriously annoying.

I was just kidding, of course. But still annoying.

"Hurry up! We're gonna be late to get the best seats in the bleachers if you don't move faster!" I urged Rowela, who was changing her uniform.

School was over, and we were heading to the basketball game.

"Oh, like you wouldn't be late to see Sebastian. Don't even try to deny it, girl. You're so predictable—" Rowela teased, and I playfully shoved her.

"Just hurry up! We both know why we're going—don't be a drama queen!" I said, and she laughed. Besides me being crazy about Sebastian, Rowela also had a crush on one of his teammates.

At the gym, the students were already cheering. The players were practicing—it was a big game against the Agriculture team. They were good, but they wanted to be even better.

"Go Raul! You're hot! I love you!" Rowela screamed. I wasn't about to be outdone.

"Go Sebastian!" I yelled. I'd tell him I liked him later, in person.

My crush's team won, and the gym erupted. Rowela and I were the loudest—everyone was used to it by now. Even some underclassmen stopped by to watch.

I told Rowela I was going to the bathroom. I had to pee from all the yelling. Seriously, my bladder was about to explode.

Surprisingly, the bathroom was empty. I found a stall.

"Thank goodness!" I muttered.

I washed my hands and checked my hair. I grabbed my lipstick—almost finished, time to save up for more. I already had some allowance money saved, but I needed extra for eyebrow stuff and face powder—a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

I was leaving when someone grabbed me and pulled me back into an empty stall.

What the...?

"Sshhh..."

I was about to scream when I saw who it was. I was so confused.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "And why did you drag me in here? Don't tell me you're going to—" He covered my mouth, and I accidentally bit his hand.

"Ow! What the—" Before he could say anything, I heard voices outside.

"Where is he? We have to find Ryker! Now!"

I was about to tell them he was here when Ryker grabbed the back of my neck, pulled me close, and kissed me.

I was so shocked, my eyes were wide open, staring into his. He was staring right back.

"Yeah! We gotta find him. We need to give him to the boss. He's gonna get it. But he's not here... let's go, guys, before the girls catch us," one of the guys said outside.

After they left, Ryker pulled away. I could still feel his lips on mine...my lips? No way... my first kiss?!

"You!"

"What, fuc—" I punched him hard.