CHAPTER 11

After what happened that night he became distant with me. He’s not coming to lunch and he avoid his gazes from. I have no clue about his problem with me but I guess this is just right. I came here to study, not for other things and now that he never bug me again, maybe I can finally focus more on myself.

I called my family and friends but I did not told them that evening. They’ll only get worried and they will ask me lots of questions which I think I can’t still answer.

Now, I am alone in the cafeteria. Aron said he’s in class but he’ll be still joining the lunch. He just had to finish his last class for today. My attention was diverted to my phone and someone is trying to video call me. Then I saw Jack’s name registered on it. What time is it in the Philippines? Why is he calling me?

[“Hey. How are you doing? Sorry, I only called today. We got busy here.”]

His hair is messed up and his eye bags were big. His surrounding is also a bit dark so maybe it’s in the evening there.

“It’s okay. Why are you still up, by the way? What time is it there?”

He licked his lips and run his fingers through his hair. His eyes are drowsy.

[“We had a drink and I really planned to call you tonight. In fact, it should be early than this but my friends came here and I cannot say no.”]

I just smiled at him, “That’s fine with me. I’m having lunch and my cousin will come any later by now. Are you not sleepy yet? It’s late there.”

He laughed a bit, [“You’re making me miss you more.”]

I bit my lower lip to help myself from smiling, “I’m not. I’m just saying a fact, it’s late there and you also looked tired. Maybe you should go and sleep.”

[“You sure?”] 

I was about to answer him when someone sat beside me and my eyes widened while looking at him. I looked at my phone again and I’m glad that he’s not seen in the call.

[“Jezcyl, are you okay? You seemed shocked.”] Jack asked me.

“N-no. See you soon, Jack. Bye!”

I know he has doubts but he still agreed with me in the end.

[“Fine. Just tell me if something’s bothering you. I’ll call you again.”]

The call ended and I turned to him.

“W-what—

“Hi, pinky pinky. Mind if I sit here with my friends?” he smiled cunningly the same with his friends who just sat in front of me.

I jumped from my seat when I felt him held my waist. “Hey, sweetie, relax. You’re so tensed up. I’m not gonna’ eat you… not yet.” Then they laughed again

What’s wrong with these people? Why do they love doing this?

“Seriously? Get the hell away from me.” I grabbed my bag and stood up but Stephen clutched my wrist and made me sit again. The students around us are just watching and gossiping.

“Hang out with us. We want some chitchat with you.”

I took a deep breath and speak, “I am not stupid. I know what you want and don’t hope asshole. I’m not giving you the fulfillment.” I was about to leave again when he grabbed me for the second time. 

And this time, I am already sitting on his lap.

What the heck!

“Much better, so you’re saying?”

“Come on man, just finish the damn dare so we could do something else.” His friend stated

Are they not done with that game? 

Stephen stared at them for a while before returning to me and grinning. “I’m still having fun with this lady. There’s so much thrill in here. And you know what I mean.” He glanced at them for a bit

I resisted from him but he’s not letting me go. And when he tried to lean his face, I immediately slapped him.

The loud impact on his face made the whole cafeteria silent. They stared at us with wide eyes. Some of them stopped eating and took pictures. I am now standing in front of Stephen and when he looked at me, his eyes are fuming mad. 

“Oh, dude. That’s tough.” Another of his friend added

“Shut the fuck up.”

I felt nervous upon hearing him in front of me. Is he going to hurt me?

My mind is urging me to leave already but I just can’t move my feet. And when it’s about time, Stephen harshly grabbed me. 

I thought I’m going to land on him but someone took me away from him and now I am at his back. I know this one. Why did he only appeared now?

“Hey, Fraser. You know the saying, ‘what’s mine, is mine’? Step back, dude.” He roughly said on his last words

I can’t see Zoren’s face because I am at the back and I’m afraid if I’d come out, Stephen would took me again.

“That’s not a saying, it’s your bullshit.”

The people surrounding us chattered more as they sensed the conflict between the two. I don’t want Dean to know about this. If this gets worse, I would be blame for everything. I should have not slapped Stephen to begin with. 

I gathered my whole courage to intervene.

“Stop this.” I walked away after that

I lowered my head each time I passed by the crowd. Everyday, I feel like I’m always embarrassed. I don’t know any more if my dream of being here is still gratifying. From the time I came here, all I can remember is the trouble I’ve caused.

“Are you okay?”

I am not surprised anymore. I know anytime, he’ll be here again. He’s showing up whenever I’m in trouble and I’m glad about that. But this has to end, if he keeps doing this, I will rely on him and we’ll be both in hitch. I can’t let that happen.

When I freely saw the sky, I stopped walking and faced him.

“Can you stop?”

“I did.” 

I rolled my eyes and tightened the grip on my bag. I looked at him again, “this is a serious thing. I want you to stop. Stop coming near me, stop talking to me, and stop looking at me.”

All of a sudden, his face became cold. 

“Why? I just saved your ass from that dick head. And you remember what I told you? As long as you’re here, nobody owns you BUT me. I hope you have a clear understanding with that.”

Is he referring to the thing that I will be his girlfriend?

“I don’t remember agreeing to any of those. I am not your girlfriend and I am not yours.”

He lowly laughed and stared at me. “There’s no such thing about girlfriends. You’re just my fling.”

My mouth bolted for a while and then I unbelievably laughed and looked at him. After all, I was a mere fling. He sees me as his fling. He even told me I am his and here we are, I’m a great fling all along.

“You have so many guts, Zoren.” I uttered without emotions at all. “From now on, I hope our path would never cross again. I don’t want to be involved in any kinds of your shits. I’m not here for those things. If you are used to live like that then spare me. I am not the person you want to be with. And please, tell Stephen to stop bothering me.” I don’t know but my eyes begun to water. 

I looked away avoiding his eyes. The moment he saw me in this situation, his mood quickly changed. It became a soft one or maybe I’m just assuming things.

“All of you, p-please stay away from me.”

When I turned my back, my tears fell. Straightaway, I wiped them. I texted Aron that I left and he asked me why but I told him that I have a class which in fact is true. I have three classes left and I think he will just be back here to fetch me.

I finished the class without the mood, the energy, and the happiness.  Perhaps, I got affected by him. I don’t know why I would be affected but maybe it’s just my ego as a woman. Not in my entire life that I had experience this kind of confession.

Confession, my ass. 

I was waiting for Aron because he said he’ll fetch me but he’s already ten minutes late. Then after a while, my phone beeped and I saw a text from him.

*I’m sorry, Jezcyl. I forgot to text you. Mom told me to accompany her on a grocery and it slipped on my mind to inform you.

What? Then how can I get home? I was here two weeks now and I still don’t know some routes plus it’s hard to wait for buses and taxis here.

My phone beeped once again.

*But I told Zoren to get you home and he agreed so don’t worry. I’m really sorry, Jez.

And this is much worse than ever! It’ll be okay if he’ll tell me where to ride a taxi or something so I can get home. Zoren? We just had fought and why would he agree to my cousin?! Does he have any sense?

Despite of my irritation, I texted Aron back. I said its okay. I closed my eyes and calmed myself. Exactly, a shining blue car came and the window rolled down. He’s looking straight in the front and his left elbow is placed on the window of his car and his right arm is on the steering wheel.

I hopped in the car. I don’t want things get complicated anymore. I just want to go home and thank him after this and we’ll part ways, finally. My attention was outside watching the street and the people then I heard him played the player. I sighed biting my lip after hearing his music, an erotic one. How can he be this kind of person? Arghh!

I stopped the music and he looked at me before playing it again but I stopped it then he played again. I slapped his hand the time I got a chance.

“Change the music, at least.”

He just smirked, “Filipinos are really conservative and innocent.”

I can somehow accept the conservative thing but innocent? No, Philippines have changed a lot and most of the people were no longer innocent.

“And Americans are really wild, I mean liberated.” 

He smiled when I said wild. “We’re really wild, wanna’ try?”

My face reddened like a tomato. He’s unpredictable. I shouldn’t talk to him often.

“Shut up. In your wild dreams, Zoren.”

He laughed a bit, “My pleasure.” 

I chose to be silent rather than talking to him. Then I heard him sighed.

“I want to know you more.”

“For a fling like me, you wouldn’t waste time just to know me.”

“But you’re different from my previous flings. We’ll just hang out and I heard you’re not going to stay for long here. We’ll also split up soon.”

He’s mind-boggling. I can’t take everything from him.

“I’m a decent woman, Zoren. What makes you think that I’ll agree with your stupid idea?”

He laughed, “That makes it more interesting, honey. I want to try it with a decent woman. We’ll see what happen.”

I feel like I’m going to age really fast if I kept on arguing with him.

“Then find another decent women! Spare me from your fucking games.”

I am really annoyed but here he is laughing at me. My forehead wrinkled and I looked at him annoyingly.

“I thought I can’t make you jinx.” And he smirked. So he is happy that he just did? Amazing.

I noticed the car stopped and I immediately opened the door and went out. I made a loud banged upon closing the door of his car showing that I am really mad and I turned back from him. He can’t make me agree from those things.