I Could Fall

Chapter Twenty-Four

Atticus was waiting outside the room of my last class for today. He seemed really pleased. Kahit nakasandal lang siya sa pader at ang dalawang kamay ay nasa bulsa ng pants, may hindi maburang ngiti ang nakaguhit sa mukha niya.

His hair looked shorted and styled differently for today. I can also smell the scent of the cologne that I gave him last year.

Umayos siya ng tayo nang makita ako. Itinuloy ko ang paglapit sa kanya.

"Hey, Atticus." I heard Phil cheerfully greet from behind me.

Tipid na tumango naman si Atticus sa mga ito. He brought his eyes back to me. The smug smile made its return. "Let's go?"

"Okay." Tumango ako at nilingon ang mga kaibigan at nagpaalam na.

Kinuha ni Atticus ang bag mula sa akin habang naglalakad. Hinayaan ko siya dahil 'yon ang ginagawa niya dati pa. I don't want anything to change between us. I want us to remain as we were.

"Sail smoothly, my ship! Don't sink down like the titanic!" Phil yelled, making me look behind as I walked. She was waving her hand in a grandiose manner, exactly like in the movie where the ones left behind are bidding their goodbye to the people that was on a ship.

Napailing na lang ako sa kalokohan niya at ibinalik ang tingin sa dinadaanan.

It was Valentine's Day alright. It's impossible to go anywhere without seeing flowers and teddybears.

"I was going to buy you one pero baka kasi 'di mo tanggapin," Atticus stated. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Seryoso ang kanyang mukha.

"Of course I'll accept it. As a friend," I answered. Atticus only grunted and rolled his eyes in response. Napangiti na lang ako.

The mall was brimming with couples of all ages. Napapangiti na lang ako sa panonood sa iba. They all looked so happy and in love.

It was Atticus' treat. Ako ang pinapili niya ng papanoorin. I picked a movie that I know he'll enjoy, too. Tutok ako sa movie. Kahit na dumadampot ng popcorn ay hindi ko pa rin inaalis ang tingin ko sa screen.

"Aren't you cold?" Atticus whispered all of a sudden. Napatingin ako sa kanya.

Umiling ako at medyo napasimangot. "Not really. Why?"

Atticus sighed and shook his head before returning his attention back to the big screen. "Wala."

My forehead creased. "Are you cold?"

"Shhh." He shushed me and I pouted at him like I've been scolded. Nagtatanong lang, e.

Nanahimik na ako hanggang sa matapos ang movie. Afterwards, we headed to the Rackshack for dinner. It was still Atticus' treat. We spent the time discussing the movie we've seen.

"Excuse me," a waiting staff suddenly approached our table, halting our conversation.

"Pwede ko ba kayong kuhanan ng picture ng girlfriend mo? Ipo-post lang namin sa Facebook for promotional purposes," the staff politely asked Atticus and then smiled at me as an acknowledgement.

Atticus' eyebrows raised in surprise but he quickly recovered and grinned widely. "Sure, sure."

That made me frown at Atticus but he just chuckled at me.

"Thank-"

"Hindi niya po ako girlfriend," I argued.