Chapter 12: "Cold as Ice?"

Kristina Valdez POV

I ate the candy mix Kevin gave me earlier and as I shifts my gaze outside our room, I saw Angelo. His eye met mine for a while and I instinctively waved and smile at him but acts like he didn't notice me.

I wonder why he didn't go to class today.

Ah right... it's back to the cold as ice Angelo once again. The hours have passed and as school days pass by, the more assessments we were given. We're already at our first quarter. The teacher announced, "For your quarterly project and exam for your core subjects this time, I am assigning you go to a remote place and study their culture. We will be going to have an educational trip for three days that will be held next week."

There were cheers and applauses from our class because they were really looking forward to a trip instead of numerous exam papers. At least this way, we will only be taking the major subject exams.

Our teacher gave out waivers to be submitted tomorrow, as I got mine, she said to me, "Ah Kristina, come to my office later, okay?"

I simply nodded.

During the lunch break, I proceeded to the faculty where I found Kevin as well, he was organizing some files from the corner. It must be really difficult to be the president of the student council and he manages to get good grades. I really admire how driven and hardworking he was.

Mrs. Anne called me and I went to her desk. I asked, "Why did you call me for, ma'am?"

"I heard about the incident yesterday and I know you don't want to talk about it, Kevin informed us about everything after all."

"Kevin said that?"

"Yeah, he said he'll help you and that we shouldn't poke into the matter too much because you might be uncomfortable."

I glances at Kevin's back... ah, he's so thoughtful too despite all his many responsibilities already.

"I guess I haven't thanked him enough yet." I softly muttered as I was lost in my thoughts

Mrs. Anne continued, "Regarding that issue, Angelo had some dispute with those certain guys... the guys were expelled but Angelo is suspended for a week."

"Suspended...? Why's that?"

"You don't know? He dropped by the place to look for you and he got so furious with those guys and well, he started a fight with them."

He came... for me? But why...? I thought he hated me?

Mrs. Anne grabbed another waiver from her files and said, "I was thinking, can you give this to Angelo instead? We tried calling his parents but they said they were busy... I was informed that you two were neighbors."

I nodded, "Ah... yes."

"Then, you must the childhood friend he referred to back then at the introductions. After all, he seems to care so much about you."

"I'm not-"

Mrs. Anne phone rang before I could finish the sentence and she excused herself so I also left. I saw Kevin still working so I sat beside him and said, "Do you want some help?"

"No, it's fine! I can do this on my own, you should enjoy your lunch." Kevin replied as he yawns

So I left.

Kevin Langdon POV

Ah... I feel so sleepy and hungry already, good thing we have self-study subjects after lunch break. Exams are almost coming up, I have to study too but tasks keep piling up. As much as I wanted to be with Kristina, of course, I wanted her to see my cool side... this is just lame.

I really want to look cool in her eyes...like Angelo does.

Ah, this is getting out of hand. I have to focus.

Suddenly, Kristina came back with some snacks she bought from the canteen, she sits beside me and I lend her my jacket to cover her skirt. She said, "I want to have my lunch with you."

"You'd rather do lame tasks and hang with me?"

"Since when were you lame? You're always cool in my eyes, weirdo!" she laughs as she continued, "Here I also bought you some snacks."

I paused... that took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting her to say that at all, in fact I wasn't expecting her to come back here.

I pinched her cheeks and said, "You shouldn't casually say things like those you know, I might misunderstand."

"But it's true, I really like being with you." She says as she look at me with her dead serious eyes.

Ah, crap, how can she say that so straightforwardly? I'm losing my cool here. I replied as I try to hide my embarrassed face, "Ah, I get it, I get it."

We arranged the files accordingly as we ate the snacks she bought, after a while, she gave me a can of opened soda, she said, "Try this one, it's strawberry soda."

So I took a sip and I tasted the sweetness of strawberry and the bubbly feeling from it, I remarked, "It taste good!"

"It's my favorite."

"Then why'd you give it me?"

Kristina wipes her mouth gently and replied, "I already drank from it before I gave it to you."

I almost choke on the soda and I was coughing, I clarified, "What? What did you just say?"

"I... already drank from it before I gave it to you?"

My whole face turned red from what she just said. An indirect kiss, how can she be so calm? I just had an indirect kiss with Kristina.

Kristina laughs at me as she said, "Are you really okay? I think we should take a break."

"Yeah. Definitely." 

I compiled the tasks we already finished with those we didn't yet in two separate boxes. We went out and stayed by the stairs beside the faculty as we ate the remaining snacks and drank the remaining sodas we had left.

"Why do you do things or tasks like this Kevin?"

"Because I have to."

Kristina stated, "Yeah but do you like doing it?"

I was taken aback. It was the first time somebody asked me something like that. Ever since we were kids, I was always used to doing a lot of tasks and I took on a lot of responsibility for the sole reason that I didn't want to burden Ashley. I didn't want to be a burden to anyone else.

Everyone just assumed that it's my nature.

But Kristina seems to see right through me. I wonder if she can also see I truly feel about her or maybe she can but she never considered the possibility of liking me back which is why she disregarded it.

I smiled at her and replied, "I don't mind doing a lot of tasks and all."

"Well... yeah, but I do." she explained, "I mind how tired and exhausted you'll feel after all those workloads and then you'll need time to study as well."

I wanted to ask her why she would mind but I know what she'll reply. I know she sees me as K for now. Her friend and nothing more than that  but I'm only just beginning. I'll make her concious of my presence.

"Then...do you want to study with me tomorrow?"

She nodded and replied, "Sure but don't expect me to teach you about science, I'm not that good with terminologies and such."

"It's fine, I just want you there."

I said it so sincerely as I look right into her eyes... hey, Kristina... I'll make you mine.

Kristina Valdez POV

I don't know what that was about... he was just being nice and friendly as he always been... right? I was so used with the thought of K being a girl so I never considered the possibility of liking. I'm straight so I never thought about it...

but now... Kevin's right in front of me saying all the things he always did but this time...something changed. Somehow...I feel my cheeks turning red.

I changed the topic, "Stupid, now, I'm the one who might misunderstand."

He chuckled softly, "Really? I meant it though."

Something feels different.

As the hours flew by, we proceeded to our respective classrooms and somehow, for a moment, I forgot about Angelo. My thoughts were consumed by Kevin's words earlier. For some reason, it bothered me.

After dismissal, I went to Angelo's to drop off the waiver the teacher sent me, I knocked but there was no answer.

So I called out, "Angelo?"

After a while, a voice replied. It was Angelo's, "Go away."

"I have something to give you. The teacher asked me to."

He didn't replied so I waited a little more while, I sat by his front door and waited for him. Ah, I must really be stupid, now, am I? But I waited long enough, I think I can wait for another couple more hours.

Angelo Cruz POV

I still can't get over what that guy said earlier. It keeps repeating in my head, why the hell should I care if another guy likes her? I should be fine if someone else likes her... but I'm not quite sure I'll be fine if she likes someone else.

I guess she left now.

After all, I've been driving her away. It's for the best.

As I headed out, I saw Kristina sitting there. I saw her bandages. Ah, she must have been really scared and hurt, I should've broken more of their bones. She fell asleep waiting for me. Just how adorable can you get? I can only take so much.

I saw her head falling to the side so I caught it with my injured hand and I let her rest in my shoulders. I gently patted her head to calm her down, just for a little while. I guess I can let down my guard for a little while.

Whenever I'm with Kristina, I feel I'm being thawed.

I let her rest on my shoulder for a little while longer and I rested my head on hers. I whispered my thoughts to the moon. Am I allowed to be greedy for once? But I know it's only going to hurt us both in the end.

Can you tell which one is the real you? Because the more time I spend with you, the less I'm convinced that you're the person I hated so much.

Ah, you're good, damn it.

You got me.

I grabbed the paper Kristina had in her hands and I went inside intentionally closing the door loudly to wake her up since it's going to be too cold soon if she stays outside for long. 

Kristina Valdez POV

I woke up as I heard the slamming of the door. The paper's not here anymore, I guess he took while I was sleeping. He didn't even wake me up. Ah... so cold.

I mocked, "You're welcome, I guess."

"Get lost." was all he said

So I did. I went back to my house and I showered. After that I changed into my new set of pajamas. I was even singing in the shower.

As soon as I got out, I saw Kevin at our dining table. I was shocked that I immediately hid in the other room, I shouted, "Mom, what is he doing here?"

"I invited him, he saved you after all."

"I mean, why didn't you tell me?"

My mom shouted back, "I did, I texted you!"

Crap, I forgot to charge my phone because I fell asleep at Angelo's front porch. What to do? Ah, this is so embarassing! I sat down at the dinner table hiding my face with my hair.

Kevin laughs, "What are you doing? It's obviously you."

I sighed, "Ah, I give up. Yes, you already saw me in my childish pajamas."

"I think you look cute."

Ah, did my heart just skipped a beat now? because of... what Kevin said? I was...blushing that I didn't notice that he just took a photo of me in my pajama.

I protested, "Hey! Delete that!"

"Nope, it's my souvenir." He laughs gently, "Besides you look really cute here."

What's happening...? Why am I feeling this way? He's the exact opposite of Angelo. Not exactly, but he's the exact opposite of the Angelo now. Kevin's warm and kind... like a white prince.

I always thought of Angelo as a white prince when we were younger... what's this? Am I allowed to have these feelings?