Rad and Yelena (chapters 1-10 only)

Chapter 4

"He is such an asshole," deklara ni Melissa habang naglalakad sila papunta sa gate ng school.

Hindi siya umimik at nanatiling nakatikom ang mga labi.

"But you have to admit," singit ni Desiree, "may point siya. I mean, that's why we have social programs, di ba? To equalize the system and..." Pinandilatan ito ni Melissa kaya tumikom ang bibig.

Nginitian niya ang mga kaibigan. "It's okay. I do agree that he has a point."

Dumerecho sila sa gate.

"But he's still an ass," patuloy ni Desiree. "Sayang ang guwapo pa naman niya. He could have stressed his point without being so... vicious. He's so mean! He practically called you an idiot, shallow and a spoiled rich br–" Hinila ni Melissa ang buhok nito. "Aw!"

Maikli siyang tumawa sa dalawa.

"It's okay," ani Yelena, kahit na parang may mabigat na nakadagan sa kanyang dibdib. "That only shows how much of an ass he is."

Tumango si Desiree. "Siguro ipakulam na lang natin siya."

Sa kabila ng lahat, nagawa nilang tumawa.

"I'm serious!" pilit ng kaibigan nila nang palabas na sila ng gate.

"Sige," aniya, "susubukan kong kumuha ng buhok niya at–"

"Oh, you're interested in Biochemistry, too? That's great!"

Natigilan siya nang marinig ang high-pitched na boses ni Geraldine. Nagtaas siya ng tingin at nakita ang babae na nakasandal sa isang pulang sportscar. Nakangiti ito at namumula ang mabibilog na pisngi habang nakikipag-usap kay Rad.

"My uncle's a chemist," patuloy ng kaklase nila. "He's in this project where they're using spores to siphoned oil spills. It's very interesting. Want to go with me some time and tour the lab? My uncle would love it."

She watched Rad's lips curve into a smile as he stared at Geraldine. "Sure, let's set a date."

Halos mapunit ang pisngi ng chubby nilang classmate sa pagngiti. "That's great! I have some copies of his projects when he was still in college, you might want to look at them, too."

"I do. Your uncle's researches seem interesting. I have some papers you might want to look at, too. I'll bring them some other time."

"Oh, that's really awesome, Rad!" Tumatawang hinawakan nito sa braso ang lalaki.

Nakangiting tumango lang ang binata. The soft smile and the faint glow in his eyes as he talked to Geraldine made something in her stomach curl. Nagtaas ito ng tingin at nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. His smile faded, his dark eyes cooled and his jaw hardened.

Lalong humigpit ang buhol sa kanyang sikmura.

His body language changed, too. From comfortable and relaxed, his muscles hardened into tense lines. Sumandal ito sa sports car at inihilig bahagya ang ulo habang nakatitig sa kanya. She could practically taste the derision radiating off his skin as his dark eyes followed her.

Pilit niyang hinarap ang dalawang kaibigan. "Sige."

"Call us when you get home, okay?" paalala ni Desiree at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

Gumanti siya ng halik sa dalawa.

Pinilit niya ang sariling humakbang palapit kay Rad. His eyes remained cold as he watched her walk toward him.

"Oh, Yelena!" gulat na bati ni Geraldine.

Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang kaklase. "Geraldine."

May mayabang na kinang sa mga mata nito. "Why are you here? Wala pa ang sundo mo–"