Lia never replied again.
Even though her status was constantly green, even though I had sent her a couple of texts—there was nothing. Just silence. Like I had typed into the void and it swallowed my words whole.
"You know people are saying the batch president of ADNU is pissed at you, right?" Josh said suddenly as I adjusted my collar in front of the mirror.
The words dropped like pebbles into still water, unexpected but barely causing a ripple in me. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it. I refused to be the one to text Natalie first. Not because I didn't want to, but because I did—too much. And I knew myself well enough to fear ruining it before it even began. I'd rather someone else soften the path toward her. I'd rather she hear something good about me before I ever dared to step forward.
It had been weeks since the game. School had consumed me—presentations stacked over each other, deadlines breathing down my neck, and now this fine dining event on top of it all.
I tugged my tie into place and looked around.
We were already at the venue—Ateneo Estates, late afternoon. The golden hour was fading, casting everything in warm, cinematic hues. Outside, laughter and camera flashes filled the gardens as everyone got lost in their pictorials. Especially the girls—Chloe, Arianah, and Angel were huddled together, chasing the best angles like their lives depended on it.
We'd just come back from a few pictures ourselves and were now resting inside one of the nearby chalets, waiting for the ballroom doors to open. I was trying to smooth down a rebellious strand of hair when Josh spoke again.
"And don't say I'm bluffing—Kevin told me himself."
I frowned, turning to face him, confused. "The batch president of ADNU? I don't even know who that is."
"Yeah," Josh replied with a shrug. "I forgot who exactly Kevin was talking about too."
"What? You're making moves on their batch president now?" Gabriel smirked as he teased.
I shot him a look of irritation, the kind that could melt glass. I had no idea what he was talking about. This past week had been a blur of responsibilities—fine dining preparations, endless school practices, finals breathing down our necks. I barely had time to breathe, let alone flirt.
"You idiot," Josh cut in with a laugh. "Their batch president's a guy."
"Oh—so is this a fight, then?" Carlos chimed in, eyes lighting up with amusement.
I gave him a side-eye. Ever since he started hitting the gym after our airsoft game, he's had this itch for drama. It was like he was craving tension. I even heard rumors that Chona's boyfriend was cheating, and Carlos had already been on edge, ready to throw hands like he was starring in an action flick. I couldn't tell if it was out of concern or just him showing off.
"Cut it out. You and your fantasies. One more mistake and I'm this close to getting kicked out of DSA," I muttered, holding two fingers barely apart. "My record's already overflowing."
"Please," Gabriel waved a hand lazily. "Your uncle could wipe that slate clean in a heartbeat. And besides, it's not like you've committed murder. Your violations are... what? Girl problems."
"Girls who ended up transferring to other schools," Carlos added with a dry chuckle. "Not exactly a glowing reputation for our school either. You've been a walking PR disaster."
I sighed and turned to Josh, who was still fussing with his hair in front of the chalet's small window.
"So what exactly did Kevin say?" I asked.
Josh paused to fix his collar before answering. "He said their batch president's pissed at you. Doesn't know who you are, but apparently, you're flirting with his girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?"
I frowned, trying to comb through recent memories. I hadn't been flirting with anyone lately—at least, not seriously. Just one girl came to mind.
"Luiz?" I chuckled under my breath.
That skinny guy? But Natalie isn't even his girlfriend… right?
"Wait... is Luiz even their batch president?" I asked, confused now.
Josh gave me a look like I'd just asked if the sky was green. "Of course not. He's in our batch—Grade 12, remember? That's exactly why Kevin's pissed. And come on, do you seriously think Rivera has what it takes to be batch president?"
"Then who is it?" I asked, brows pulling together. "Whoever it is must be stupid, honestly. I'm not trying to win over anyone. And even if I were… how are they sure it's me? There's a bunch of us hanging around Natalie," I said pointedly, casting a look at Gabriel.
"Hey now," Gabriel raised both hands in surrender. "You know I don't chase girls. Girls chase me."
Carlos glanced at Josh, a playful glint in his eyes. "Maybe it's you then?"
Josh rolled his eyes so hard I thought they'd fall out. "Please. If Kevin thought it was me, he and I would've already settled it with punches. And last I checked, my name isn't Deleon Apollo. Doesn't exactly scream 'Joshua,' does it?"
We all went quiet for a moment.
"So… who is this mysterious batch president then?"
Josh shrugged, eyes flicking back to his reflection. "No idea. Probably some overachieving nerd with a clipboard. Definitely not Rivera."
A thought suddenly slipped into my mind—could Natalie already have a suitor? Someone secretly sending her messages or flowers she never talks about? I mean, they say she's hard to approach. Elusive, even. Luiz seemed like the only one close to her. But what if she had a secret admirer hidden behind a quiet screen, watching from the sidelines?
And if what Josh said was right—that it was some nerdy guy—then maybe it's someone from Natalie's circle.
Natalie isn't exactly a nerd herself, no. She's just... different. Not the type to be in the middle of a party. Not the kind to scream with the loud girls or be the center of social gravity. She moved like silence personified, existing in her own delicate bubble.
"If that's the case—" I didn't get to finish.
Someone rounded the corner, coming straight toward where we were standing.
It was her. Natalie.
As if summoned by the very thoughts haunting my head.
She froze for a second when she noticed us—eyes wide, posture stiff, like a deer caught in headlights. Her soft floral dress swayed slightly in the breeze, and her small crossbody bag clung to her side like armor. She gripped its strap with both hands, visibly flustered, like her entire presence was suddenly too much for her to carry.
"Uh… sorry…"
"Hey." The word left my lips before I could even think.
But instead of answering, she looked down and turned away so fast, it was like she was trying to vanish into thin air. Her expression was something between panic and regret, and I hated how my cousins immediately reacted.
Grins bloomed on their faces like weeds. A few whistles slipped out, breaking the air like tiny firecrackers. I wanted to strangle each of them for that.
Gabriel was already smirking. Josh threw me a mock-concerned look, raising a brow like he was watching a live drama. Carlos had the audacity to yell something I didn't even catch because, by then, I was already walking after her.
I shot them a glare over my shoulder—sharp enough to cut—but they only laughed like it was some dumb scene from a sitcom.
But this wasn't a joke to me. Not when I saw how fast Natalie was walking away.
And so, without another word, I followed her.
"Hey, you're here?"
She startled. "U-Uh… My aunt's checked in at one of the chalets. I—excuse me…" Her words stumbled over each other as she turned sharply toward the third chalet, walking fast—too fast, like her nerves had taken the wheel.
I stopped in my tracks and simply watched her retreat.
She didn't look back.
Her footsteps were hurried, her fingers still gripping the strap of her bag as if it were the only thing anchoring her to this planet. She practically disappeared into the chalet, shoulders stiff with embarrassment.
Poor girl. She must've taken the wrong turn. The chalets all looked the same, a maze of similar doors and identical paths. And just her luck—she had to walk into a corner where me and my cousins were hanging around, probably looking like the loudest, rowdiest wall she could crash into.
And yet, even in that awkward panic, she was... adorable.
I bit my lower lip, hiding a grin, then slowly turned around to head back.
Carlos and Josh were already walking toward me, grins painted on their faces like they'd watched a movie scene unfold in real time. Gabriel stood a few steps behind, arms crossed, eyebrows raised in amusement.
"And?" Josh prompted.
"She got flustered. Can't blame her though… Have you guys looked in the mirror lately?"
"That's your type, huh?" Carlos teased, nudging my arm. "The soft-spoken ones. Quiet. Shy. Gentle as a breeze."
I smirked. "Yeah, but this one's even more elusive."
"Bet she's never even been kissed," Josh chimed in, eyebrows wiggling.
I shot him a look, sharp enough to cut glass.
"Alright, cut it out. If you're planning to toss around crude thoughts, go find some other girl. Not her."
They fell quiet for a second.
Because this wasn't just some fling to joke about. Not to me.
"Was that offensive? All I said was she might've never been kissed!"
"Do you even hear yourself?" Gabriel scoffed, his voice edged with amusement and a hint of judgement. "Remember Maria? She was sweet and demure too—until you broke up. Now she changes boyfriends like she's swapping earrings. She's not the only one. You mess with these girls' heads, Leo."
I rolled my eyes and let out a breath, frustrated. "That's not on me. They make their own choices. I never forced anyone."
"Hey! They're letting us in now!" Arianah's voice rang from behind us.
She approached with her usual confidence, draped in a dark red gown that clung to her like fire hugging velvet. I hated that dress. I'd asked her to pick something else, something less... attention-grabbing. But Arianah always liked to turn heads, and that wasn't something I could change.
She was the only one walking comfortably, while Angel and Chloe, their gowns billowing and oversized, struggled a few meters away. The sheer weight of their skirts slowed them down, making Arianah the natural messenger to reach us first.
The fine dining event went by without a hitch. There was laughter, clinking glasses, endless photo ops, and that chaotic joy that only comes from the final high school events. I had a date, of course. We flirted, danced, exchanged little smiles across candlelit plates—but my heart wasn't in it. Not really.
I danced with several girls that night, but none of them held my attention for long. I moved through the evening like a prince fulfilling royal duties—gracious, charming, but detached.
Joshua, on the other hand, threw himself into it like a man unleashed. He danced like the night was made for him. At one point, the faculty had to turn the lights on mid-song—probably because someone caught him kissing his dance partner like no one else was in the room.
He's bold like that. Too bold. I'd pulled a similar stunt last year, but at least I had the common sense to be subtle about it. Joshua? He thrives in the spotlight, as if being seen is the whole point.
Such a fool. And yet, somehow, it works for him.
I glanced at my phone. The night had grown darker, as if the sky itself had sunk deeper into thought. The table I once shared was now empty—my friends swept away by the music and the blur of the dance floor, lost in the high of celebration.
Should I message Natalie?
The thought danced at the edge of my fingers. I could. But what if I said the wrong thing? What if I ruined everything before it could even begin? I didn't want to risk that. Not with her. Not when I liked her this much.
Instead, I tapped Lia's name—her icon still glowing, unread messages quietly waiting in the void between us. She hadn't responded to the last one I sent. Maybe she was just busy. It made sense, really. She was the kind of girl everyone knew, the kind that walked through life like it was a ballroom made for her—rich, beautiful, effortlessly social. She was Arianah's friend from those long-forgotten swimming lessons, the kind of girl who sparkled in crowds and thrived in attention.
Me:
What's up?
I placed my phone down, already bracing myself for silence.
But then—someone stepped in front of me.
My breath caught.
Kelly.
Her name echoed in my chest like a ghost I thought I'd buried. My lips parted slightly in surprise as I noticed her head bowed, her hand extended toward me.
"Let's dance…" she said quietly.
Everything in me wanted to say no. Our breakup hadn't ended with closure—it ended with distance, and more importantly, silence. She hadn't looked at me since. And that was fine. Safer, even. The less we spoke, the less they hoped. That's how it usually went with exes.
I was about to turn away.
But then my eyes flicked back to my phone—no reply from Lia, no message from Natalie. And the boredom was creeping in like fog under my skin.
So I gave in.
I took Kelly's hand.
And the moment I did, regret bloomed in my chest like a bruise.
"Please… take me back, Leo…" Her voice cracked like a fragile thread stretched too far, on the verge of snapping.
I ran my tongue over my lips and slowly shook my head. It was dark around us, shadows pooling in the corners, but the gleam in her eyes shimmered like glass about to shatter. She looked like she was seconds away from breaking. And just as I opened my mouth to speak, she beat me to it.
"I know what you are," she whispered. "You're a flirt. A heartbreaker. A man who never stays still. And I can live with that—just come back to me."
My hand dropped instinctively, stunned by the words she'd just flung at me. Kelly flinched at my reaction, alarm flashing across her face. Without thinking, she reached out, grabbed my hand, and placed it firmly back on her waist—desperately trying to pretend nothing had changed.
"Leo, please…" she pleaded, her voice trembling.
Maybe I've been a jerk. Maybe I've glanced at other women even when I shouldn't have. Maybe I've said things I shouldn't have said. But hearing those words from her—words so soaked in surrender—I hated it. I hated what I saw in her now.
Like she'd forgotten how to love herself.
"You can't let yourself believe this is all you deserve, Kelly…" I said quietly, my voice cutting through the tension.
"But Leo—"
"Don't you see?" I gave a bitter smile, the kind that stings more than soothes. "If you'd rather have me betray you than lose me… then maybe I've done nothing but ruin you."
She stood there, stunned, mouth slightly open like she'd forgotten how to speak. Her silence begged me to say something different. Anything.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Then what do you want from me? I'll do anything. Just say it."
I shook my head slowly, gently this time. "Friendship," I murmured. "That's all I have left to give."
Maybe there was a gentler way to reject her. A softer choice of words. But that moment swallowed my reason, and all I gave her was silence.
"Deleon, please!" she cried out—and in a heartbeat, she threw her arms around me, clutching like her world would crumble if she let go.
The music kept playing. The lights kept spinning. People were still dancing, still laughing—completely unaware of the storm unraveling just a breath away from them. But the second her arms locked tightly around my waist, that's when heads began to turn. That's when whispers sparked and eyes began to linger.
No matter how hard I tried to pry her arms off me—gasping because she held too tight—I couldn't break free. And to make things worse, my idiotic classmates had the nerve to cheer like they were watching a fairytale ending unfold.
It was hell. Embarrassing, messy, and loud. The kind of moment that didn't just pass—it echoed. By the next week, the school halls were still buzzing about it.
We drank that night—just us guys, hiding away in Carlos's house like fugitives. I thought the chaos had passed. But the next morning, I woke up to a phone screen flooded with messages—memes, rumors, and wild assumptions about a "romantic reunion" with my ex.
And I had a headache splitting my skull in two.
Even Nadia, of all people, had something to say.
Nadia: You asshole! You and your fishwife of an ex totally belong together!
I groaned, dragging a palm down my face. What a way to start the day.
And it didn't end with her. No, the flood just kept coming.
Old flings, exes I hadn't spoken to in months—suddenly, everyone had a comment. Everyone had a theory.
He must be in love. He never gives second chances. Good luck, girl.
Asshole alert! He's just using her! Mark my words!
I wanted to vanish. Or maybe just throw my phone out the nearest window.
This wasn't love. This wasn't closure. This was chaos—and I was stuck right in the middle of it.
These girls will be the death of me, I swear.
I glanced over my shoulder at my cousins, still deep in sleep, tangled in blankets and dreams, oblivious to the early stirrings of the world. Of course, I was the only one awake—again.
With a sigh, I picked up my phone and opened my messages, instinctively hoping for a name I hadn't seen in a while. But the screen stared back at me—empty. Not a single word from her.
Natalie.
I tapped her profile just to make sure. Maybe something glitched. Maybe the notification didn't go through. But no… nothing. Just the same profile photo. The same silence.
Seraphina Natalie Cruz.
Even just seeing her full name made something twist in my chest.
I was about to lock my phone when a sudden notification popped up, making me flinch. Lia.
Emilia Rivera: What's this rumor I'm hearing about you and your ex?
I narrowed my eyes.
Me: Oh, so now you finally reply?
Emilia Rivera: Hahaha! I'm sorry! I was really busy?
Me: Fine dining again?
Emilia Rivera: That—and other... distractions.
Emilia Rivera: But let me be clear: I'm not letting you make a move on Natalie.
I sat up straighter. Sleep? Gone. Like a slap to the face, her message jolted me awake.
Me: Why not? :(
Emilia Rivera: Are you seriously asking me that right now?
Emilia Rivera: You know she's not the kind of girl you're looking for.
I leaned back against the headboard, smirking as I read her words. Typical Lia—always ready to judge before hearing the full story.
Me: And how would you know? I saw her yesterday at the chalets. She was... breathtaking. I tried talking to her but—total snob. Or maybe... just shy?
Emilia Rivera: You're right. She is shy. Finally, you're starting to get it.
Me: Good. I like shy girls.
There was a pause. Then came the flood.
Emilia Rivera: And what? You're going to break her heart?
Emilia Rivera: I know you. Even Luiz, who's been her friend for years—she doesn't entertain him when he tries to court her. What makes you think you stand a chance?
Emilia Rivera: She can see through boys like you. She's not stupid, and she's not easy.
I chuckled, amused. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, heart suddenly pounding a little faster.
Me: Oh? Is that so?
Me: Then why are you so scared?
Me: Just matchmake me to her—nothing dramatic. I'll handle everything else...
A beat. Then:
Emilia Rivera: Absolutely not.
I let out a soft snort, half amused, half exasperated, as my fingers danced across the screen.
Me: You're being dramatic. I only said I wanted to be her friend. And if she really is as good at reading people as you say, then let her judge me. If she thinks I'm a jerk, I'll walk away—no questions asked. But if she sees even a sliver of truth in what I feel... then maybe, just maybe, I deserve a chance.
Her reply came fast—laced with fire.
Emilia Rivera: Are you kidding me right now? You want to get all emotional now, after that little scandal of yours at your so-called "fine dining" last night?
I rolled my eyes, fingers flying over the keyboard.
Me: I would've opened up sooner if someone had bothered replying to my texts. But no—someone was too "busy," right? Radio silence.
Me: What happened? Did you and your arrogant boyfriend switch phones or something?
Emilia Rivera: Of course not! And... we're not together anymore.
That made me pause.
I blinked at her message, remembering the cocky, passive-aggressive texts that guy once sent me. No love lost there. But it wasn't about him right now.
Me: Please... help me with Natalie. You know I don't ask for help—not like this. I just don't know how to approach her, and I genuinely want to try. I like her. I really do.
Another pause.
Emilia Rivera: You've already ruined your chances with that circus you pulled at dinner. You're not exactly winning hearts right now.
I sighed, biting the inside of my cheek.
Me: I'll wait. I'm not rushing anything. I'll let the chaos die down first—then I'll try again.
Her final message made me chuckle under my breath.
Emilia Rivera: You talk like she's actually going to say yes.
Me: That's exactly why I'm asking you for help, right? Come on, Lia—don't make me beg.
Me: What's the real reason behind the refusal? Don't tell me... you like me?
A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as I hit send, already watching the little "typing..." indicator blink to life. But I didn't wait—I fired off another message just to poke the bear.
Me: If you don't help me, I'll take that as a yes—you're into me.
Emilia Rivera: Excuse me?! You are so not my type! Like, at all!
Emilia Rivera: I just don't want my friend getting hurt, okay?
Me: Why are you so convinced that I'd hurt her?
Emilia Rivera: Maybe ask yourself that, Apollo.
My grin widened.
Me: The truth? You just have a thing for me. Admit it.
Me: You're not the first. Remembe Nadia when Riva was introduced to me? She was all fake concern, but we both know the jealousy was real. She liked me.
Emilia Rivera: You arrogant jerk! Shut up! That is not true!
Emilia Rivera: And if Kevin hears about this—you're dead, Apollo!
Across the room, Josh stirred from his chaotic slumber. His bedhead made him look like he just wrestled a hurricane. With one eye open, he blinked around the room, groaned, then collapsed back into the pillow like life had asked too much of him.
I chuckled under my breath. Lia was flustered. Flustered meant threatened. And threatened? Meant I hit a nerve.
Blackmail, I mused, amused.
Emilia Rivera: You little menace! Don't you dare go spreading rumors like that, Leo!
What's with her and that Kevin guy anyway? The panic in her tone was a little too obvious.
Emilia Rivera: Fine! I'll help you! Just... stop being such a pain!
Me: Now that's the Lia I love. Thank you!