Love Genius

[Chapter 4]

Raven had me take a shower in the campus restroom and instructed that no one else use it while I was inside. So yeah, I had a shower. Hahaha!

After I showered, changed, and fixed myself up, I stepped out of the restroom. As soon as I exited, I saw them waiting outside for me—Raven was there too.

"I'm all set," I said.

The three immediately turned to me and approached.

"How are you feeling? Are you okay? Is your heart hurting?" Elisha asked dramatically.

Oh, please.

"The way you're asking makes it sound like I have a heart condition," I replied.

"Not a literal heart condition! We meant, are you okay now? Of course, what Sarrah did to you earlier was awful!" Ami explained.

I nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry, guys. I'm fine."

The three of them smiled.

Raven stood up and walked toward me.

"I'm sorry again, Garnett," he said seriously.

I smiled at him.

"There's no need to apologize. I'm used to them," I replied, though I swallowed nervously. The awkwardness was overwhelming. I didn't want him apologizing to me—it wasn’t his fault.

"But I'm still the reason Sarrah did that to you," he said.

"No, Raven. Sarrah's behavior is just plain awful!" Hazel interjected.

"Exactly. She's been picking on our friend here for ages," Ami added.

"Guys, that's enough," I told the three, then glanced at Raven. He was smiling slightly now.

"Don’t worry. From now on, they won’t bother you anymore," Raven declared.

"Huh?" Elisha asked.

"How's that going to happen?" Ami followed up.

He smiled at me.

"Because from now on, I’ll be spending time with you often. I’ll be your bodyguard."

The four of us widened our eyes in shock. OMG?!

"Omg! Does that mean we’re all friends now?!" Ami asked excitedly.

Raven nodded and smiled.

"Yes, we’re now a group of five," he confirmed.

"Waa!! Amazing! Group high five!" Elisha exclaimed, extending her hand. Ami and Hazel immediately placed their hands on top. They looked at Raven and me. We exchanged glances.

"What are you waiting for?" Hazel asked.

I smiled and, without hesitation, placed my hand on top. When I looked at Raven, he was smiling too. After a moment, he placed his hand on top of mine.

We all grinned at each other—or rather, all five of us did.

"Let’s go!" Elisha cheered.

We all laughed.

"LET'S GO, TROPANG FREAKS!!!" we yelled together.

After that, we walked through the corridor together. The three of them kept nudging me toward Raven, and I shot them annoyed glares.

"Hey, are you guys attending the campus Welcome Party?" Raven suddenly asked. The three of us exchanged glances.

"We don’t usually go to those," Hazel said.

"Yeah, not even last year," Ami added.

"But if we’re allowed, then sure, we’ll go," Elisha chimed in, making me look at her in surprise.

"Yes, the party is open to all students, so of course you can attend," Raven said.

The four of us pondered.

"Hmm, we’ll think about it," I said.

"Why think about it, Garnett?" Elisha whispered to me.

"What will we even wear? Rags?" I whispered back, making Elisha pause in thought.

I glanced at Raven.

"We’re not sure if we can attend," I said.

He nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright, but I hope you can make it. It’d be a shame to miss it."

We just smiled and nodded.

---

In Math class, I felt like my head was spinning from the sheer number of equations on the board. I understand math, but sometimes it’s just exhausting. Ugh!

When I glanced at Ami, I was surprised to see her sleeping with her mouth wide open. I grabbed my notebook and lightly tapped her face with it. She woke up and quickly sat upright.

"You look like you haven’t slept," I said.

"It’s just so boring! What’s your problem?" she snapped.

"Tsk. Do you want to fail Sir’s class?" I asked.

"Then let him fail me," she said.

Wow, bold much?

"Really?" I teased.

"Of course not! I was just kidding. I can’t lose my scholarship!"

I laughed. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and we all turned to look. It was Madam President.

We all stood up.

"Good morning, Mrs. Narciso," we greeted in unison.

"Sit down," she instructed, and we all took our seats.

Her gaze swept across the room until it landed on me.

"Ms. Sardoncillo, come to my office," she said.

Everyone looked at me. Slowly, I stood up.

"Y-Yes, ma’am," I replied.

She exited the room, and I followed her. My nerves were starting to get to me since she’s the new school president. She took over last semester, and I know she’s Sarrah’s mom. Ugh! Whatever happens, happens.

When we arrived at her office...

"Have a seat, Ms. Sardoncillo."

I nodded and sat down.

"I won’t beat around the bush. I heard about the incident earlier with my daughter, Sarrah. She wouldn’t have confronted you if you didn’t provoke her. Am I correct?"

I was shocked, almost speechless, and my nerves worsened.

"U-Um... I’m sorry for what happened, ma’am. But I was only defending myself becau—"

"That’s not a valid excuse, Ms. Sardoncillo. Remember, you’re one of this school’s top students and a full scholar. Have you thought about the consequences of your actions? A single mistake could cost you everything."

Her words made me shrink into my chair. I couldn’t do anything but look down.

"I called you here to warn you. Sarrah is my daughter, and of course, I’ll side with her. Do you understand me, Ms. Sardoncillo?"

I took a deep breath.

"Y-Yes, ma’am."

"You may go."

I stood up, bowed slightly, and left her office.

As soon as I stepped out, I stopped in my tracks. Tears automatically fell from my eyes. Ugh, I quickly wiped them away and forced a smile.

"Come on, Garnett. You should be used to this by now. Ugh!" I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath. But the tears wouldn’t stop. Why does it feel like it’s my fault that I was humiliated earlier?

"Garnett?"

I looked up—Raven. I turned away, quickly removed my glasses, and wiped my face. Ugh, now Raven’s going to see me crying!

"Garnett, are you okay?"

I turned back to him and forced a smile.

"Of course, I’m fine," I answered.

I froze when he gently touched my cheek. I looked up at him.

"You’re crying. Why?" He immediately withdrew his hand.

I swallowed hard.

"I know—Mrs. Narciso talked to you, didn’t she?" he asked.

I nodded slowly. I was surprised when he turned to head into the office, and I quickly stopped him.

"What are you doing?!"

"I’m going to talk to her and tell her you didn’t do anything wrong."

"No, don’t. I’m fine. Please?"

He looked at me, sighed deeply, and nodded.

"Okay," he said, smiling. I smiled slightly back.

"Have you eaten yet?" he asked.

"Hmm, not yet."

"Let’s eat. My treat," he said, pulling me out of the campus.

"Where are we going?"

"Outside."

I didn’t answer. When we got outside, we went to a street food stall.

"Do you eat this?" he asked, pointing to the grilled isaw (chicken intestines).

"Of course! It’s a favorite of all four of us."

"Really? Alright." He immediately bought two servings for each of us.

While we were eating, Raven couldn’t stop smiling. It felt so surreal. Just a while ago, I couldn’t even see his smile, but now, I can see it up close.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

My eyes widened at his question. OMG?! Why are you asking that, Papa Raven?! Haha! I laughed awkwardly.

"Ah, haha, none so far."

"Why not?"

"Why? Would anyone even go for someone like me?" I said, mocking myself. Haha!

"And what's wrong with how you look? You're beautiful."

I felt like choking.

"A-Ah, haha, is that a joke?"

Oh my God! I feel like my face is burning up! Huhu!

"No, I'm serious," he said.

I couldn't look directly at him anymore.

"S-So, it’s impossible for no one to like you," he added.

I couldn’t help but smile secretly. Yieeeeee gosh! I glanced at him.

"Hmm, what about you? H-Have you had a girlfriend before?"

He laughed.

"Never," he answered with a laugh.

I was surprised.

"Really? As handsome as you are, you've never had a girlfriend?"

"Yeah. I want my first girlfriend to be my forever."

Okay? Whoever ends up as his girlfriend is so lucky because she’ll definitely be his future wife. Huhu!

"That’s why I don’t just court anyone, even if I like them."

"B-But ... right now? I-Is there someone you like?" I asked.

He stopped eating and suddenly looked at me.

"Hmm, yes," he said with a smile.

My heart started pounding, and I had to look away.

"R-Really?" I asked.

"Yes."

Oh my God! Why am I feeling like this?!

After we finished eating, we went back to campus. While walking, I suddenly felt something get into my eye. Tsk! Even with my eyeglasses, I still managed to get something in my eye?

I stopped walking and immediately removed my glasses. I started rubbing my eye.

Tsk.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I think something got into my eye," I said, struggling to keep one eye open.

"Wait, let me check."

He came closer to me and held my face. His face was so close to mine! GOSH!

"Should I blow on it?" he asked.

"S-Sure," I said.

He gently blew on my eye.

After that, he slowly moved back but kept his hand on my face.

"How is it? Better now?" he asked.

I tried to see if the pain in my eye was gone.

It felt a bit better...

[Play: Wala Man Sa'yo Ang Lahat by Myruz Ramirez]

I stopped in my tracks and looked at him.

He's looking at me...

DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG

M-My heart...

We just stared at each other...

He kept holding my face as he looked at me...

W-Why can't I move???

Aaaaahhh!!!!!

"Bro!"

We both snapped back to reality, and I quickly stepped away from him, putting on my glasses.

His friends approached us.

"What's this, bro? Is it true that you're dating Ms. Freaky?" Jerome asked with a laugh. Tsk!

"Why? What's wrong with that?" Raven asked, raising an eyebrow. I swallowed nervously. Wow, huh? Who's the beautiful one now, Garnett?

"Oh! Cool it, bro! Don't tell me that girl really cast a spell on you?" Calvin asked, and they all laughed.

"Calvin?!" Raven said, annoyed.

"Uhmm, I’ll go ahead, Raven." I started to walk away, but Raven stopped me. He grabbed my wrist.

"If you don’t have anything nice to say, we’re leaving." Raven said, and he pulled me away.

As we walked, I couldn’t believe it. Did he really just scold his friends for me?

B-But why??

Tsk.

When we got in front of our classroom, he let go of me and faced me.

"T-Thanks for the isaw," I said.

He smiled at me.

"No problem."

KKKKKYYYYYYAAAAAAA!!!! WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE RAVEN IS MY BOYFRIEND NOW?!!! Haha!

"Ayiiiiiieeeeeeeeee!!" I suddenly looked at the classroom, and I saw the three of them peeking. I heard Raven laugh softly. These crazy people! Huhu! Can you stop teasing us, please?!

"A-Ahm, okay, I’ll go inside now. Thanks again for the treat."

He smiled again and just nodded.

"Okay." He waved at the three of them, then turned around and looked at me once more.

"Bye."

I just nodded and smiled. After he left, I turned to the three of them. They immediately approached me.

"AAAAHHHHHH!!! YOU'RE GAY!!!" Hazel shouted.

"Wow, Garnett, you two really look like a couple now! Yiieee!" Ami said.

"Omg! I think Raven likes you!" Elisha said.

"Psssttt! Stop being loud!"

"Yiieee, pretending like you're not excited," Elisha teased, poking me in the side. I couldn't stop smiling.

"Wow! My heart beats so fast when I'm with him!" I said, even holding my chest.

"But Garnett, what if Raven really likes you? What if he asks you out? What will you do?" Ami asked.

I became silent at Ami’s question.

"I don't know, I can feel something too. But I don’t want to assume."

"I have an idea!"

We all looked at Hazel.

"Why don’t you just confess to him?" Hazel suggested.

I was surprised by what she said.

"W-What? No way!" I said.

"It’s a good idea, Garnett. There's nothing wrong with confessing to him. Besides, Raven is kind, I think he’ll be happy if he finds out you like him. Yiieee," Elisha added.

I swallowed nervously. I-I don’t know. I don’t think I’m ready to confess just yet.

To be continued...