C5 – Don't hurt Ethan.

"Ally," Ethan whispered, calling the young lady's attention. They were in the library, where Allison was organizing books on a shelf. Ethan was behind her, vying for her attention through the gaps between the books.

"Ally!" he repeated a bit louder.

"Ssshhhh," scolded the Chief Librarian, Ms. Alonzo. She paid no heed to Ethan, who had been following her and intentionally catching her gaze for a while. She didn't care, even though his eyes were captivating.

Unperturbed, Ethan approached her as they neared the end of the shelf. When she turned, he blocked her way. 

"Why are you ignoring me?" he complained.

"I'm working," she evaded, trying to walk past him, but he blocked her again.

"Why are you so grumpy? Do you have--?"

"What do you need?" she hissed, earning a wide grin from Ethan, who even acted cute.

"Lunch? Later?" he suggested.

"I'm busy," she said, sidestepping him, but he followed.

"In your free time," he persistently walked with her.

"I don't have free time."

"Come on, Allison. I have a copy of your schedule. Your last subject ends at three pm."

"Ethan," she suddenly stopped and turned to him.

Wrong. She underestimated the distance, and she literally bumped into his chest. She lost her balance, but he quickly caught her at the waist. She wasn't the type to shout when surprised, but she accidentally hit a chair, creating a noise.

"Allison," Ethan said with a smirk, making her blush again. He intentionally brought his face close to hers, and she couldn't help but swallow nervously. Why was she the only one affected by his teasing?

The library was now filled with whispers due to their little scene. All the students were looking at them, including Ms. Alonzo, who scolded everyone.

She quickly stood up. "What do you really want?" she asked irritably, facing Ethan as he trailed behind her.

"I'm asking you to have lunch with me."

"What do you get for doing this?" she asked resentfully. "Is this some kind of bet?"

"What?" Ethan asked, unable to believe her question.

"You're popular, Ethan. No one notices me. So, why are you bothering me suddenly? I don't understand," she couldn't stop her words. "Unless you have something to gain from this."

He fell silent for a moment. His brows furrowed as if in thought. Then, he slowly smiled. He lifted her face with his fingers under her chin, gazing directly into her eyes.

"Are you thinking that I'm on a bet for befriending you?" he asked gently.

"Isn't it? Why are you suddenly bothering me?" looking into his eyes, she felt like melting. Her heartbeat quickened, and she found it hard to breathe. She wanted to step back and distance herself from him, but it seemed like Ethan did something hypnotic to make her do the opposite.

"Of course not. I'm not as shallow as you think," Ethan's eyes smiled.

"Then why? I just - I don't get it at all," she averted her gaze.

"Do we really need a reason?" Ethan let her go. "Allison, I just want us to be friends," he added sincerely. "You know, for a change. I want to be friends with a real person. Someone who likes me for who I am, not because of what I have."

"Are you sure there's no bet going on?" she asked, her heart touched by what he said, yet still skeptical.

‘Stop it, Allison. Who are you that people would bother about?’

"I'll be here in the library from three to five this afternoon," she said, trying to suppress a smile when he pouted. "But I have two hours before my fast-food shift."

"Okay. See you then," he squeezed her cheek before letting her go.

_____

"Ally!"

Ally looked for the one calling her and realized it was Leio, running towards her.

"Hey," ever since she became friends with Ethan, it seemed like Leio and Zion automatically came with the package deal. She also became friends with the two, even though she couldn't decide if she should be annoyed or happy because she was now noticed in school.

Who wouldn't be when you have three heartthrobs always by your side? But unlike in movies and books, the guys in their school were decent. She wasn't bullied because of her closeness to the school idols. No antagonist came forward to call her ugly.

The only change was that she became known throughout the school.

"I'm wondering if you know where Zion and Ethan are," Leio said when he finally caught up.

He gave her his customary kiss on the cheek. A gesture Ethan strongly objected to, but Leio being Leio, always teased him by still doing it.

Allison couldn't help but blush a bit. It wasn't because she was thrilled or anything about Leio's action. She knew him, and she was aware that his kiss meant nothing. It was just his way of greeting a friend.

But she blushed when he did it in front of other students.

"Leio," she protested, and he just laughed it off.

"Well, Ethan is not around," he grinned.

"Well, I don't know where they are. You're the best friend, why are you asking me?" She continued walking while he kept pace, his arm around her.

"That's what I believe too. Before you came," he grinned.

"Excuse me?"

"Before you came, it was just the three of us. But now, you're always with us," he said without a trace of resentment; he was just teasing her. "It's Ethan's fault."

"Well, then complain to him," she retorted.

"Hey, I might just do that. Thanks for the suggestion."

"Okay. Since I don't know where they are, you can leave me. I'm in a hurry, Leio."

"Oh, come on. Pretend for once that you're happy in my presence," he pressed closer.

She was forced to stop and face him.

"I need to be at the canteen. I don't have time for fooling around now. Okay?"

"Well, I'm headed there too. Come on, let's go together," he smiled and grabbed her arm, literally dragging her.

She was about to protest, but she didn't want to create a scene, so she allowed herself to be dragged smoothly.

"Look who's here," Leio stopped and pulled her to his side, wrapping one arm around her. He was grinning so she curiously followed his gaze to the two guys approaching them.

"You're harassing Allison again," Ethan commented, with a stern look at Leio's arm around her shoulders.

"Bro, a best friend's girl, is off-limits," Zion chuckled, volunteering to remove Leio's arm around her.

That's when she blushed intensely at Zion's words. She couldn't look directly at Ethan. Yes, Ethan befriended her, but that was it. Just friends. He wasn't courting her.

"Ally is a friend, right? It’s normal to hold a friend," Leio said, attempting to wrap his arm around her again while grinning, but Ethan blocked his arm.

"She's a girl, man," Ethan intervened. "And why are you only showing up now? We had an agreement at the canteen."

"I was looking for Allison," he argued.

"Why?" she raised an eyebrow. Wasn't he looking for his friends earlier?

"Anyway, let's go," Ethan intertwined his fingers with hers, and her shocked gaze automatically went to their hands.

"H-huh?" she stayed rooted on her spot, so she almost stumbled when Ethan pulled her. "Wait!" she protested but managed to regain her balance.

Leio and Zion, whistling, followed suit.

"Ethan!" she ran after him, as his long strides made it challenging to catch up. "Ethan, stop! I have work!"

"Ally," he suddenly stopped, and she almost collided with him again.

"It's already eleven o'clock. I should be in the canteen," she was about to pout, but she realized Ethan was still holding her right hand.

She blushed as his gaze lowered to their hands. When he looked up, he had a half-smile.

"I asked permission for you already. That's why we're here, with Zion."

"Ethan, that's not how it works. If they get angry, I might lose my scholarship," she expressed her concern.

"Allison, do you forget who Ethan Montenegro is?" teased Leio, who caught up with them.

"His family owns 70% of the shares in this school," added Zion.

"That means he's got influence. He doesn't even need to inform them," Leio said again. "It's just for courtesy's sake."

"Stop. Ally doesn't need to know," Ethan interrupted.

"But for what?" she couldn't believe it. She knew Ethan was rich, but she didn't know his family owned the majority of shares in their school.

"We have somewhere to go," he said, pulling her again.

"Ethan," she only managed to say his name.

They went to the school gymnasium, where there was a setup for free eye consultations. But it wasn't just an ordinary eye checkup; they had state-of-the-art equipment brought by the doctors.

"I figured that I cannot persuade you to go to your Ophthalmologist. You're always busy with many excuses. So, I 

decided to bring them here," he warmly smiled at her, and she was genuinely touched.

"You do not have to do this. I'm perfectly fine with my glasses—Ethan!" she exclaimed as he removed her glasses and stepped on them. She scowled as he blurred into her view. "Why did you do that?"

"Because you don't need this anymore," he kicked it towards Zion and Leio. They played around with her poor glasses until it was shattered. They didn't even care about the broken glass.

Ethan guided her to the waiting doctor.

"Allison, this is Dr. Jamie Bernardo, the best eye doctor in the country. So, you have nothing to worry about; you're in good hands."

"Lovely to meet you, Ms. Allison," greeted the doctor.

"Nice to meet you too, Doc."

She realized she was the first to undergo the checkup and get new glasses before it was opened to everyone. And true enough, it was free. Thanks to Ethan's generosity.

Even Kattie and Michael get free eyeglasses, along with other students and faculty.

"I couldn't thank you enough," she told Ethan. "I'll get new glasses, but maybe after graduation."

"Well, how is it? Can you see clearly now?" he asked with a smile as he stood in front of her.

"Yes, definitely," she smiled back. "Thank you."

"Do you know why Ethan decided to do this?" Leio interjected. Ethan gave him a warning look, but Leio, being Leio, didn't stop. "He's wondering if you can see his handsome face clearly or not—" he ran off as Ethan chased him.

"Sorry about the kids, Allison," Zion apologized while watching them fake a fight.

"They're having fun," she chuckled.

Ethan trapped Leio under his arm, giving him a light punch on the face.

"Ally."

"Hmm?" She turned to the serious Zion.

"Don't hurt Ethan."

"Huh?" she hadn't processed what he said when he left her and joined their two friends.

Through her new eyeglasses, she saw the genuine happiness in Ethan's eyes. When he looked at her, she didn't miss the look in his eyes. But it was something she couldn't figure out yet. Maybe she'll find a way to thank Ethan.