Chapter Four: “Why do you hate me so much, Naya?”

A D A M

I saw her today at the gate this morning. She was alone, reading a book as she made her way to her class. I don’t think if she saw me but I was right there, ten feet away from her. She was wearing a blue floral dress underneath a gray hoodie and a white sneakers on. Her hair is spreading down on her one shoulder.  I think she has a good sense of fashion. Simple yet attractive.

The way her eyes are hiding beneath her bangs. She’s gotten really more beautiful today almost I forgot I had a class to attend.

But I never saw her the rest of the morning. Maybe she was hiding from me or  maybe from everyone.

Chloe texted me this morning. She wanted me to go dinner with her tonight. I don’t know if I would. I haven’t really thought about it yet.

I was busy thinking about that girl on the rooftop and the one I walked home last night.

I admit I was startled and upset when she told me that she doesn’t want us to talk anymore. But I was challenged. I think I know what she was planning. She’s only preventing herself from people and I won’t let it. There could be another reason why she said that, but I won’t grant that to her unless she tells me the real reason why and what’s her name.

Her name.

 I also want to know her name.

I didn’t have the chance to ask.

The cafeteria is only half full so I grab a seat to the last corner where I wouldn’t be seen by many.

I peel my banana, when I see Chloe walking towards me with a tray of food in her hands.

“Adam,” she says before slipping next to me. “Hey, you didn’t reply to me this morning.”

I take a bite. “You did?” I say while chewing.

“You’re such an ass. I know you read it.”  Then, she punches me lightly on the arm before she starts eating her lunch. “So what do you think? I need you to go with me.” She whines.

I finish my banana and grab my coke from the table. Chloe is fine to be with. She’s sweet and considerate, but she can be annoying sometimes.

“I have other plans.” I say. I see the way her eyes gone from being hopeful to disappointment.

My plan was to go to the rooftop and spend my time maybe arguing again with that  girl but this is  also the first time Chloe invited me to dinner. Maybe I can go with her then leave after.

“Okay. I’ll go.”

Her eyes lights up and she starts smiling.

I know Chloe can go with anyone else but since that night we kissed she become more comfortable with me.

We both finished our lunch and prepare for our next class. This is the only class we have together so I guess I’ll be stuck hearing her telling me random stories about all the flings she had with boys before.

“I have to use the restroom. I’ll follow after.” Chloe says.

I nod then she walks away, and disappears into a corner.

I slip into my usual seat in back of class. Justin nods at me from the front row before he goes back talking to the girl next to him. The same girl with pink highlights on yesterday. He must likes her that much.

 When Mrs. Lee, our History teacher, comes through the door, in slow motion, I lock eyes with the girl behind her. That same girl I was watching. The same girl I saved from falling. The same girl on the rooftop yesterday. The same girl who doesn’t want to see me anymore yet here we are. The same girl wearing that blue floral dress I saw this morning with a gray hoodie and a white sneaker on.

When our gaze meet, her eyes pulls away as she holds her textbooks to her side. She slips into the seat in front of me, since it’s the only empty one.

 I can’t really seem to read her facial expression. She didn’t look away immediately, but I can tell she’s not happy seeing me.

Her sweet scent perfume reaches me as she moves her hair behind her shoulders.

She starts to write something on her notebook, but she makes sure her handwritten are small enough to not be read by anyone. Then, I hear her tears it away from the page before handing it to me from her shoulder.

At first, I am surprised but happy by her interaction. When I grab the piece of paper from her hand and read it, my smile fades away, replaces by a frown.

She wrote down: Remember stay away.

I write on the back, Okay, I will. I’m sorry.

I stand and place the paper on her desk without making an eye contact with her.

She doesn’t read it right away. She just stares at it for a while.

Does she really hate me that much?

I’ll just wait for Chloe now.

“Okay.” Mrs. Lee begins to talk. “Listen. I have some important announcements to make. We will be having a school trip by next week and everyone is expected to join as this is supposed to be compulsory. Students who will not be able to attend will have to make a project to make up for their grades, otherwise he or she won’t make it to the graduate list. It will be discussed between you and the school president, so don’t worry.”

Mrs. Lee continues, “For those students who are joining, you are expected to have a partner with you. Your partner will be the one whom you will share your tent, meals and time with during the trip.”

The shoulders in front of me rises and fall as I predict that she’s letting out a heavy sigh.

“I am expecting all of you to join. However, I will be understanding only if you’re reasons are valid enough in declining this trip. This school year is coming to an end so I hope all of you can enjoy the remaining weeks with your friends and classmates.” Mrs. Lee grabs her bag from the table. “Have a good day ahead. That’s all for today.”

Everyone stays quiet and still until Mrs. Lee exits the room, then they go crazy and jumping while picking and calling out for their partners.

I sit still and watch as the girl in front of me grabs her things from her desk before she walks out the room without bothering picking her partner like the rest do.

I don’t know why I just hope she joins this trip, even if she doesn’t like seeing me there.

The door closes and just like that, she’s gone.

I almost jump from my seat when Chloe appears next to me.

Her eyes scan the room with confused look on her face on other students’ behavior. “What’s going on? Where’s Mrs. Lee?” She asks, her eyebrows meet.

“She only came in to announce that there is a school trip next week. Everyone’s expected to join.” I inform her. “Each student must have a partner.” I tell her before I forget.

She nods in a small pout, “Ohhhh,” She says. “So, do you have a partner already?” She sounds like hoping I don’t.

“Yeah, you.”

“Good. That’s what I think,” she claps in excitement.

It wouldn’t be Chloe if I have choice. It would be that girl, but I figure she won’t be joining the trip so that’s unfortunate.

Chloe checks her phone, “Have you made up your mind yet for tonight’s dinner?” She positions herself to face me, “It won’t be a date. I promise. It’s my treat so don’t worry.”

I glance sideways at her, “What time? ” I want to know.

“Six P.M,” she slides a hair strand away from her face, “A friend of mine will be there since we haven’t really been hanging out lately, so I invited her. Would it be okay for you?”

“Sure. But I’ll be leaving early.”

Chloe frowns, “But why?”

“I’m meeting a friend back home.” I lie.

“Oh okay,” She goes on, “I’ll just stay with her, then.”

I stand and pick up my bag from the floor.

“I’ll see ya.” I say goodbye and leave her inside the room.

The day passes by without much in my head but that girl. I just want to know what’s her name so I can stop using that girl as her name in my thoughts. I didn’t know we have a class together. I never seen her around my schedule before. Maybe she got lost and mistaken for stepping in to the class earlier. Or maybe she’s been taking absences the past meetings.

When all my classes are finally over, I head right to the rooftop so I can see her for the last time before I can have dinner with Chloe. I could take a peek without letting her know. But when I got there, she’s nowhere to be found. I hope she’s not that mad  at me. I hope she didn’t change her mind and find another  location just to hide from me.

I send a message to Chloe saying, “I’ll be waiting at the gate.”

I wait for Chloe for ten minutes before I see her walking together with her friends I never met before. “Adam,” she runs to my side and holds onto my arms. “Yuni, Zyna, Kaycee, this is Adam. Adam, these are friends.” Chloe smiles cheerfully.

Her friends, I forgot the names already, wave at me.  “Hi,” I wave back. I can’t think of other words to say.

“Are you two dating?” One of them asks.

I am about to shake my head no, but Chloe says, “Not yet.” Then laughs awkwardly.

“Oh,” They all say together, giving one another a look of suspicion in their eyes.

“You’re so lucky, Chloe.” The shortest girl with the shortest hair say, “He’s tall and handsome with such attractive sharp eyes. I bet he’s  smart”

Chloe smiles still clinging onto me.

“I agree. What taking you so long to date? ” The tallest one asks in curiosity.

I can’t handle this anymore. I have to stop this before they assume that something is going on between me and Chloe.

“Uh, we gotta go. It’s good meeting you all.” I say. Chloe looks up at me.

“Yeah, we still have to go on a dinner date.” She brushes her hair to the side of her face.

“That’s so sweet. You two enjoy.” The shortest one says.

When the three of them finally leave, I remove Chloe’s hand off of me. “Chloe why would you do that?”

She says, “I was just playing around. Don’t worry, it’s nothing.”

I shake my head, “No. You just made them believe that something is going between us.”

“I’m sorry.” She says in a pout. .

I look to the side and let out a sigh. “Let’s just go. I’m starving.” I gently grab her arms.

I don’t want to be mad at her, I just her to know that it’s not the right thing to do. And I’m not happy about it. I hope she listens, because I really mean it.

Chloe picks the restaurant and as we walk in, the heavy rain starts to pour down all over the town. The restaurant is as almost empty. There are only three people dined in inside.

 Chloe leads us both to a table next to the glass window.

“My friend texted me she will be here any second.” She says, her eyes are on the screen of her phone. “What do you want to eat?”

“You go ahead, I’ll need to go the restroom.” I slid out of the seat.

When I close the door of the restroom, I face the reflection of myself in the mirror.

I check my phone for the fourth time today.

No text.  No call. Nothing from my parents yet.

It’s been two months, since the last time I saw them together when they told to me about their divorce.

Two months of me being a runaway. Of being gone.

I collect a good deep breathes, fix my jacket before I come out of the room.

I should stop thinking about them for now.

While I was walking back to our table where Chloe is waiting, I notice that her friend has arrived. I can only see her brunette hair. But as I get closer, my heart skips a beat when everything comes slowly into my view. As she fixes her blue floral dress, and she tries to smile at whatever Chloe is saying to her. As she blinks and as she touches her hair away above her eyes, I just know that it’s her.

It’s really her.

I just want to stop right here so I could just watch her smile like this. Be calm like this. But I can’t. I have to carry on even if that will make her mad.

As they both notice of me approaching, her eyes slowly blink away from Chloe and lock gaze with me. Her smile is fading out as I predicted it to be. Her lips stops moving and parts in huge surprise in seeing me. The way she’s looking at me lets me know that she didn’t expected me to be here at all.

Looks like we really can’t get away from each other at all. Even if she wants us to.

Her gaze switches from Chloe and then back at me. She still can’t believe this and still processing it.

She removes her arms from the table and looks down on it on her lap.

“Naya, this is Adam.” Chloe puts her palm to me.

She picks her eyes up to meet mine.

So, all this time her mystery name is Naya.

Naya. I’ll keep that in mind for the rest of the night. And I promised I won’t forget her name.

“He’s the one I’m talking about.” Chloe adds.

I don’t know if what Chloe told Naya, but right now I just want to say her name over and over, so I lost it away.

“Adam.” I extend my arms in front of me for a hand shake.

Naya smiles at Chloe. “I’m Naya.”  She speaks softly.

Why can’t she look me in the eyes?

She places her hand on top of my hand, giving it a little shake.

She pulls away quickly soon after I feel her soft skin. .

“Are you guys okay?” Chloe suspects. Her eyes swinging back and forth between us.

Naya nods, saying, “Why wouldn’t we be okay? I’m not really used to shaking stranger’s hands that’s why it’s making me feel uncomfortable a little.” She says leaving a bit of a nervous laugh at the end.

I fix my gaze on her as she still prevent her eyes to meet mine.

“Oh, I thought you guys have met before.” Chloe says, letting out a breathe of relief.

Naya shakes her head, “We haven’t.” The same time I say, “Yes, we have.”

Naya’s eyes shifts quickly to me, glaring but not too much.

I smile at her and bite the inside of my cheeks.

“I’m confused,” Chloe breaks the moment away with a short annoyed laugh.

“I think what he was saying is we kinda did because we have a class together with Mrs. Lee this afternoon.”

“Oh, really?” Chloe faces me.

I nod. “Yeah.” I say without breaking my eyes from Naya.

“So, that’s the first time you guys met?” Chloe asks looking over at her.

“Kind of.” I answer the same time Naya says, “Yes.”

Chloe nudges me on the shoulder, “Adam, stop playing around.” She blurts out with irritation inside her voice.

I notice Naya clears her throat. “Do we have an order yet?” She asks Chloe, changing the subject.

She can just ask me.

“Yeah. Do you want something to add? ” Chloe asks her but she looks bothered still.

Naya shakes her head, “Uh, no. Do you have a partner already for the school trip?” She changes the topic.

Chloe’s happily declares, “Yes. The one and only Adam Yung.” She places her head on my shoulder.

Naya glances over where Chloe’s hand is. . “Oh,” she says lowering her eyes.

Is she planning to join the trip?

I ask, “What about you?”

She shakes her head, “I don’t have a partner yet. I thought I could just do the project instead but I changed my mind. I think it’s going to be too much of work, so I’m going to the trip.” She says.

I think that’s the longest response she ever said to me this evening.

“I-I can be…” I stutter. “I mean I can help you out.”

“Yeah. Adam knows a lot of guys in the campus.” Chloe spills out.

Naya looks me in the eyes, “I need a female partner not a male one.”

“Why? I think it’s time for you to date again. After you and Ryan broke up, you stop seeing boys,” Chloe says.

It’s obvious Naya is not pleased at what Chloe just said, because her brows meet in the middle  while she fixes her eyes on me before she drops it on the table.

Before she can say something back, Chloe’s phone rings from the table. She looks at the screen. She only  picks it up on the third ring and excuses herself to answer it.

When she finally disappears, I turn to Naya. “I apologize for what she said.”  I reach for her hand.

“Don’t.” She breathes.

I guess she doesn’t want me to apologize to her or touch her hand, so I stop reaching for it.

“Look. I don’t know what’s your past but I think what she said was way too much.”

Naya looks me in the eyes with hatred hanging on  it, “It’s none of your business anymore.” Her voice is bitter as if this has been what she’s feeling towards me since the second she saw tonight.

“Why do you hate me so much, Naya?” I ask her.

She looks at me with her eyes in full disgust, “Because I don’t like you, Adam. I wouldn’t have come in here if I have known it was gonna be you that’s she’s gonna be with tonight.”

“You’ve ruined this night.” She adds but her voice decreases.

Wow. That cuts deep.

There’s a long silent from us.

“I did?” I say, my voice shakes.

“Ever since I met you, you seem to ruin something that includes me in it.” Her hands gripping the curtain table.

Chloe comes back to our table with a panic expression on her face. I can see that’s she’s having a hard time composing herself, “I gotta go. Something happened to my mom.” She asks me to hand her bag from the sit.

“Is everything okay?” I ask in worry, my hand on her small wrist. “I can go with you.”

I feel Naya’s head turns to me.

“No, it’s fine. I have to hurry. You guys be safe.” Before I can say goodbye, she has gone fast to the exit, leaving Naya and me in the table.