Rad and Yelena (chapters 1-10 only)

Chapter 8

"So, pupunta ka sa bahay nila Jason? May bagong pool table sila, laro tayo."

Distracted na itinaas ni Rad ang titig kay Paul. Nakangiti ito sa kanya habang hinihintay ang sagot niya. Magalang siyang umiling. "I'm not sure, may gagawin ako."

"Next weekend then?"

Tumango lang siya. "I'll try."

Bumukas ang pinto at nag-angat siya ng mukha. His muscles tensed as he watched Yelena walk toward her seat. Para itong sinag ng araw kapag nasa paligid ito. Bright, dazzling, mesmerizing. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a tight pony tail, exposing the slender curve of her neck. A healthy flush tainted her cheekbones, and her soft pink lips looked moist. Strawberies and cream, she always reminded him of those. Creamy skin with a hint of blush.

Nagtaas din ito ng tingin at bahagyang natigilan nang makitang nakatitig siya rito. But she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

He couldn't help a small smirk. Fire, he thought. She was fire, too.

Nagmartsa ito papunta sa desk nito at parang prinsesang umupo roon. His smile widened. Princess Yelena was still angry.

"Morning, Yelena!" narinig niyang bati ni Luigi.

Kunot-noo siyang napatingin sa kaklase. Nakangiti ito habang nakatitig sa dalaga.

"'Morning," sagot ng huli na bumaling din kay Luigi. But she didn't spare him a glance.

He snorted to himself. As if that would affect him.

"Hey, Yelena, ano'ng gagawin n'yo para sa Social Studies project?" tanong dito ni Jason.

She turned toward their classmate, and he watched strands of her hair curl around her shoulder.

"Secret," sagot nito habang malawak na nakangiti.

Tumawa sina Paul at Jason.

"Secret ka pa, ha?" kantiyaw ni Paul.

"It's going to be awesome." Her smile turned smug, but there was a certain charm and excitement in her pretty smile. "I emailed Geraldine and we agreed on the concept. We're going to get a hundred percent for this one."

Tumawa si Jason at pabirong sinipa ang upuan ni Yelena. "Yabang."

Her laughter was like hot caramel laced with honey, and light shone in her soft brown eyes as she smiled at Jason.

He scowled at her.

"Yeah." Umayos ito ng upo at tumalikod na sa kanila.

Bumaling ang titig niya kay Jason. The guy was still grinning like an idiot. He had the sudden urge to throw something at the retard.

Nag-ring ang bell at pumasok ang teacher nila. Nagsimula ang lesson, at nanatili ang titig niya sa likod ng ulo ni Yelena. Naalala niya ang pagpunta nito sa bahay niya nang nakaraang gabi, at hindi niya mapigilan ang pagsimangot. What the f*ck was that?

Natapos ang Math period at dumating ang Art teacher nila. May video ito na pinapanood sa kanila tungkol sa iba't ibang art movements. Pinatay ang ilaw habang nanonood sila. Sinulyapan niya si Yelena, at naningkit ang kanyang mga mata nang makitang papikit-pikit ito. She yawned and covered her mouth.

Ganoon pa rin ito hanggang Social Studies. Pasimple itong naghihikab at pumipikit habang kunwari ay nagsusulat.

Nag-ring ang bell, signaling lunch period. Tumayo si Yelena at nilapitan ang dalawa nitong kaibigan. Tumayo rin siya at napalibutan naman nina Paul.