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?
Angelo Cruz POV10 years have passed since then, I drank a quick coffee on my way to the hospital...I frantically went to the wards and I asked the nurse, "Where's the patient?""Ah." the nurse continued, "Dr. Cruz, we've been waiting for you, did you oversleep again?""Hey, no I didn't." I denied as I put my glasses on to hide my eyebags, "I had to take care of some things in our company.""Wow, you never really fail to amaze me." She mocks, "A doctor and a CEO. What do you lack? Ah right, a girlfriend."I frowned as I glanced at sky. I replied, "Yeah, save the teasing for later."At lunch break, I went ahead and meet Abby at the local cafe. She had the once long and flowy hari again from back when we were kids, she was carrying a laptop and protests, "Seriously? You had me walk all the way here?""Hey, don't be so picky
Angelo Cruz POVKristina hugged me back and said, "You finally... remembered me.""I told you I'd never forget you, right? That I'd always come running back to find you?" I was crying as well as I continued, "Sorry it took me years.""It's fine." Kristina smiledI stood up and walked towards Abby, she closes her eyes as she braces herself for the harsh things I'll say but in the end, I patted her head gently, I said, "Thank you Abby. And sorry, I wasn't able to notice you until now."Abby left with Kevin without saying anything else.I walked Kristina back home as I held her hands, I said, "It's a shame that I have to leave you again.""Do you really have to?"I nodded"Then, instead, don't forget to write and be sure you'll come back for me ne
Angelo Cruz POVI remembered it so clearly like it was only yesterday... I heard Kristina's voice from our past. She was wearing her hair in a messy pigtail and protested as we were walking around, "Hey! Wait up Angelo.... My feet aches."I remembered how I smiled and said, "I'll carry you, just hop on my back."Kristina would stare into the sky as I carry her on my back and point out at the clouds saying things like, "Wow, I wonder what the clouds taste like."I would always laugh and say, "Probably like water.""Yep probably or like a candy."We would talks about silly things and laugh at silly jokes as I carried her all the way back then we stopped by the tree where Kristina likes to climb all the time. A girl appeared before us that day.She had a long and flowy hair and pastel dress complimenting her pinkish skintone
Christina Abby Reyes POVKevin was still okay after some shots, I remarked, "I take it that you're used to social meetings, what? Your parents forced you to attend?""No." Kevin replied, "My parents died. I was required to attend and most of them involves drinking, I figured, it's one of the easiest technique to get into their comfort zones and I just kinda got used to it.""Why did you really come?""I'm heartbroken?""No. I can see through people's lies you know?" I continued, "I know you have a reason for coming.""Do you know why I gave up?"I gulped and asked, "Why?""Because I saw Kristina... so happy and heartbroken and sad and genuine. All of those emotions- all of them were because of Angelo- I can be there to pick her up when her heart breaks into a million pieces but just as soon as it gets
Angelo Cruz POVKevin's finally giving up... he must've really liked Kristina, probably more than I do because he can actually let her go and be happy and on the other hand, I can't. I'm sorry for being selfish until the end, Kristina.But that line... it bothered me. What Kristina had said earlier, "I'll be your shield so don't worry too much, you're not alone. You never were."It's what the girl from my childhood would always say. It's the first thing she said when we met at that old abandoned house. I ran away from home. I remembered. How did she know those exact words and Abby never once told me that after all these years?It's the exact lines. The exact reason. Her whole family says it.Just before I go to Kristina, Ashley grabbed my hand and dragged me far away from the venue, she was furious. I guess she figured it all out. I asked even though I think I k
Angelo Cruz POVI immediately pulled away, surprised as Abby kissed me, I protested, "Stop acting like a kid. We're not kids anymore, Abby.""If... I wasn't the girl from your childhood memories... then wouldn't you like me?" Abby askedI flinched as I honestly said, "I... ever since, I only had one special girl in my heart and it was you.""Was." Abby emphasized"Was." I confirmed, "You're someone special to me and you always will be. For that, I will be forever thankful for you being there Abby but you have to let me go.""Why? You know you're bad for Kristina, all you do is hurt her but can you let her go? Can you let her go and find happiness with someone else?" Abby asksI... wasn't able to say anything back. I...couldn't?There was a time that we were happy. We really were but as my memories bet