Chapter 8

Clench's POV

             *** WEEK LATER**

(YLISHA'S BIRTHDAY)

 We are here in class, our teacher is busily explaining our lecture while my mentality is not on her. My toes are tapping the floor as my blood rapidly flows inside my body with excitement, thinking what would be Ylisha's reaction when I surprise her since her father can't throw a party for her. I'm too enthusiastic that I can't even wait for school dismissal any longer.

"Clench," a voice keeps calling my name, I ignored it yet he's still calling me, it's annoying.

"What?" I asked, curving up my eyebrows as I face Harold.

He covered his half-face, "Look in front of you," he whispered pointing the direction with his eyes, so, I instantly face in front and ended up embarrassing as I saw my teacher glaring at me like a lion.

"It's like your daydreaming Mr. Clench Jimenez! You're smiling so much, do you have something in your mind that you can't even hear that I'm calling your name many times?" I can't even speak nor moved my head with nervousness and embarrassment.

"I'm sorry ma'am," I said with a forced grin. Then she just glared at me and continues to teach.

  That's embarrassing, then I heard Harold chuckling beside me that made me feel more embarrassed. I just bowed down my head as I keep scolding my self.

***

 "Hey, wanna hang out today?" Harold asked me while adjusting his bag ready to drift away from this school.

"I'm sorry, I'm not available now, I have a plan for today, maybe next time," I said.

 "Okay, next time, keep that promise," he said and leave smirking while waving as a sign of goodbye. He's nice, well, since the class is over I'm going to check on Ylisha.

 I walk to look for Ylisha and I found her talking to a man at the cafe near her room. Well, it's not a big deal. That maybe her schoolmate. So, I just ignored it and wait for them to finish their dialogues.

 But my heart sinks when I saw her laughing merrily with that guy and what even worst is that she's too near to him.

"Who is that? I asked to myself curiously, like I'm afraid to know the relationship she has with that guy. I didn't meet him before but they look like they are closed to each other so much. I just keep watching them, then suddenly he grabbed Ylisha's hand forming a heart shape on the window's condensation. I can't bear it anymore. I enter the cafe and went straight to where they are.

  I called her name and she got shocked as she looks at me. I don't know but I got irritated. What reaction is that?

"Looks like you've seen a ghost," I coldly said. Then she laughed and it annoyed me even more. I just look at her seriously.

"It's not like that, by the way, meet Neil, my new classmate, Neil this is Clench, my best friend," she's introducing us to each other. I just smiled at this guy and he did the same.

"They just met but they are so close to each other, they look like they're about to kiss each other, grrrrrr," I murmured.

"What?" They both said, haiist.

"Nothing, "I responded and grabbed Ylisha's hand quickly.

 "I'm sorry bro, but I wanna barrow her today, by the way, nice meeting you," as said as I pulled Ylisha to the exit. He looks curious as he followed us with his eyes, I chuckled.

She removed my hand at her. "Hey, you're annoying, where are we going?" 

"Just stay quiet and relax okay? I said and grabbed her again she looks confused that made her cute even more. The way she changes mood made my heart thumped. I just can't stop grinning.

  ***

Ylisha's POV

  We arrived here at Clench's house and I'm catching my breath because, gosh, he pulled me from school to school, this stupid guy.

"Why are we here for?”

He grinned at me, "Just wait," then he left me for a while. When he came back, my heart fluttered as he held me a cake.

 "Happy birthday Ylisha," he said in delicate voice and his eyes shine like twinkling stars. I can't even let out a word. My thumping heart is echoing inside my head. He looks simple with his uniform but in my eyes, he looks so cool right now.

"Are you shocked? I just want to make your birthday memorable," he grinned.

"You don't have to do this," I said.

"Well, you're the special girl for me, that's why I want to do this," he responded that made me blush. "Special girl? what did he mean? But no, no, no, don't overreact Ylisha, you're his best friend, that might be the reason. It's no good to assume things.

" Thank you, " I said.

" What are you waiting, let's go inside and blow your candle," he said as he walks inside and I followed after him.

"Blow the candle and make a wish," I space out for a minute, I can't still believe this.

"C'mon," he said twice, I sigh as I closed my eyes and make a wish.

“Lord, If there's one wish I want to ask you, that is to make Clench accept me for who I am, the true me. That when I already have the courage to confess to him what's my true identity, he will stay the same and stay with me. Amen.”

I can't stop smiling as I opened my eyes., I never expected this on my birthday since my dad never did this to me. He just focuses on his work.

“What did you wish?” He asked.

“That's a secret,” I giggled

“Aww, I wonder what is it? hmmm?” he said while he put his finger on his chin as he looked upward.

“Anyway, happy birthday again,”

  I face at him directly into his eyes and I said "Thank You" with so much appreciation and I'm not sure or I'm just assuming, but it looks like he just blushed. But I don't wanna assume things, So I put some Icing in my finger and started to wipe it in his face that startled him. Oh my! He's cute, I giggled.

"Hey, you wanna start playing hah," he winked.bI'm about to say something but he wipes an icing on my face also, we did it many times. And we didn't stop laughing. I run to escape but he's chasing me over and over again.

 "Hey, stop," I said then I accidentally slipped and bumped into him. Then he grabbed my waist to balance me as our eyes attached.

I'm in panicked, "Oh no Ylisha,” I can't even change positions, this is awkward. I can feel my cheeks burning up. But I remembered it's my birthday and I'd never felt so much happiness like this before.

Since we're too close, I cuddled him as I leaned my head on his shoulders, "Clench, thank you for today, I appreciate your effort. You made me happy, a lot. I'm so blessed I met you," I said in a very low tone. I don't know what is his facial expression right now, but all I know is that I'm happy and I wanted to thank him.

I don't wanna lose a friend like him. But I feel like I want him by my side more than a friend but I couldn't ask for more. Him, right here beside me is enough. I don't wanna ruin our friendship just because of this one-sided love of mine, I sigh.