Chapter 4: "Want to be with you"

I got caught up in the moment that I didn't realized what I said next, classic Kristina.

"You're... laughing, genuinely. I'm glad."

I smiled at him which caught him off guard and he replied, "Oh, was I? I didn't notice."

"Uh, sorry for blurting out something like that, it's weird."

"Well, you're my favorite kind of weird then." He smiled gently

Wait... is this? Is this really happening? He doesn't hate me? He's actually smiling? He used to be so cold and distant towards everyone especially me but now he's...back. He's back to his usual self even if it was barely a moment. I get to see the Angelo I've always liked.

I know he changed so much but now I also know that deep down, he's still the same Angelo I've known from before.

But if he comes back to his old self, does that mean, he'll come to hate me again?

Angelo Cruz POV

I don't know what it is about Kristina but she makes me feel comfortable, she feels like someone I can let go of all my defenses and just be me... I feel at peace when I'm with her. She makes me smile and laugh so often, hell, she breaks down my defenses for some reasons. Like she knows exactly what makes me tick.

Whenever I see her, I feel something... something I've never felt for a long time now, something I've never felt when I'm with her.

I looked around and said, "Seems like we're the only new students here."

"Yeah."

It turned to an awkward silence, somehow, I wanted to talk to her more so I tried to break our silence, I said without meeting her eyes because I was too embarrassed, "Do you want to join me later for lunch?"

Her eyes lights up which taken me aback, she replied, "Yes, I do. I definitely do. but..."

"But?"

"I know you have friends eager to meet you after all, you just came back." she said as she pointed outside there I saw the guys, they really had to follow me here. But my focus shifts as I realized what she just said, I was confused, "How did you know that I just came back?"

"Oh, uh... um, I kinda... know you from before." she continued, "Actually, I'm-"

But she was cut off as our teacher entered the room, I whispered, "Then promise me, you'll eat with me tomorrow."

She nods as she smiles gently. I rested my chin on my hands and smiled back, "That's a deal then."

Kristina Valdez POV

That was close! What was I thinking? I almost said I was his childhood friend, girl, we barely made any progress and now I almost sabotaged myself?! I must be out of my mind. Good thing the teacher came. She introduced herself, "Good morning class, I am Mrs. Anne and I will be your homeroom teacher. Since we have two transferees here, why don't you go and introduce yourselves."

Crap. New school, I forgot that I had to go through all this nightmare of introductions once again. At least Angelo was up first, if that was me, this class is going to have to bear with all my awkwardness. 

Angelo stood with and introduced himself as if it's no big deal, "My name is Angelo Cruz, my friends call me Gelo and I transferred here due to personal reasons. I can play some sports and my academic performance is all right, I guess."

"I heard it's more than alright, you ranked first at the entrance exams."

"I suppose."

Mrs. Anne asks, "You said your friends call you Gelo, right? Do you have many friends considering, as we are informed, you just moved here."

"Actually, I lived here when I was younger and ever since, I came to visit but I don't stay for long until I stopped visiting at all. But yeah, I have friends."

"Then you must have a childhood friend!"

My heart stinged a bit as I look at him waiting for his response even thought I know how hearthbreak it would sound like.

"Yeah, a girl, we... She's someone special to me." He whispered to himself softly, "At least she was."

I looked at him just to check if he was referring to me but he obviously wasn't, it was probably her.

"Okay, next." Mrs. Anne says as she points at me. I got lost in my thoughts that I actually forgot it was my turn!

I shyly introduced myself, "Hello everyone, I'm Kristina, I...uh...I don't have anything special about myself to share to the class."

Angelo was sleeping after his turn.

Mrs. Anne asks, "Tell us something about yourself, it doesn't have to be anything special."

"I-"

I was cut off as the bell rang. Saved by the bell! Mrs. Anne leaves after telling us, "Okay, class, wait for your subject teacher to come. Goodbye!"

I sat down as I sigh out of relief, thank god that's over. I swear I can't keep doing this, we're in 4th year, ah but it's equivalent to Grade 12 now, the point is, introductions are this point of my life is lame and awkward specially if you're like me who doesn't have entertaining details in life to share.

Angelo turns his head to face me and said, "You're noisy and clumsy and stupid because you can't think of anything special about you."

I complained, "But it's true! I'm average! I don't have a lot of fun stuffs going on in my life."

"Then, is my life more boring than yours?"

"Why's that?" 

He looked at me in the eye and said straightforwardly, "Because so far, you're the only 'fun' I encountered in my life for a long time now."

I blushed. How can he even say something like that with such a straight face?! I'm not mentally and emotionally prepared, that's so unfair. I know he doesn't mean much about it but when you like someone, your mind just automatically create meaning to everything they say and do.

I just wanted to get my childhood friend back.

But... in this case, will it be okay to be a little bit greedy?