Denying Affinity (Affinity #1)

Virgin

Una kong nakita si Luke sa pila nila nung flag ceremony. He was already looking at me when my eyes finally found him. Hope was painted across Luke's face, though I'm not sure what it was for. Luke Dashiel tried to give me a small smile. I bit my lip, tempted to smile back but my brain decided for me and looked away instead.

I shouldn't be acting this way. Stealing glances, Avis? Really? I'm not allowed to feel anything for Luke Dashiel. He's off limits. Untouchable. It would be wrong to be attracted to him. It's wrong to want him. To crave for his lips.

Frozen up, Avis.

Pagkatapos huminga ng malalim ay hindi na ako tumingin muli pa sa kanya pagkatapos ng tinginan namin na iyon. I kept my eyes in front, passing through the stage to look at the looming dark sky ahead. I was just dreading for the flag ceremony to end.

I spent the rest of the morning period numbing up my feelings. I did my very best to shake away everything. Even the annoyance that I feel whenever I think of Charlotte kissing Luke. Or just the thought of Luke kissing anyone but me.

It was recess when I saw him again. My breathing halted when Luke entered the cafeteria, every bit of my attention being called to acknowledge his magnetic presence.

Nagkatinginan ulit kami. Alam ko na kasama niya si Les pero hindi umalis ang tingin ko mula sa kanya. His eyes remained glued on me as he walked towards the counter.

"Charlotte, tingnan mo Si Luke, oh." I heard Ellie say. I audibly sighed before breaking the contact and looking away from Luke. The unwanted feelings that I was trying to dispose was creeping inside my chest again. I'm getting annoyed.

"Oh, my body is ready." Charlotte giggled but stopped when she searched for Luke. Her eyes widened. "Oh my God! Guys! Nakatingin siya dito! Oh. My. God!"

I couldn't help but look along with them. She's right. His eyes were still on our table. On me. My stomach clenched and I felt anxious all of a sudden. My fists balled tightly near my legs. He should stop looking at me. Para siyang tanga.

"Nakatingin ata siya sa akin? Nakatingin siya sa akin diba?" pigil ang kilig ni Charlotte na parang ayaw niyang ipahalata na kinikilig siya kahit na obvious naman.

"Huy, wag feeler. Malay mo kay Avis nakatingin, katabi mo kaya siya." sabi ni Savion na nakaupo sa harapan ko.

Tumingin sa akin si Charlotte at umismid. "Sawa na si Luke sa mukha ni Avis. Lagi na niyang nakikita yan pag dinadalaw si Les."

I clamped my fist tighter, this time to stop myself from hitting Charlotte. I had a really strong urge to be violent all of the sudden. Umirap na lang ako kay Charlotte at ibinuhos ang atensyon ko sa pagkain.

"Maybe I should start making a move. For the dare." Charlotte thought out loud. She's asking for the group's opinion or support, whichever. It was time for me to speak.

"No need. I already kissed him." I casually picked up my fork, feeding myself with the pasta that I bought.

"What?!" the four of them asked in unison. Yun nga lang ay angat ang kay Charlotte at Savion. There was annoyance in Charlotte's voice while Savion sounded completely shocked. Ellie and Quinn were surprised as well, but not as strongly as the two.

"Bakit si Luke? Hindi ba dapat si Logan sa'yo? Avis naman, eh!" Charlotte whined at me like she's about to cry. I watched her with a blank expression and realized that she did look like she's about to tear up.

I shrugged, still looking at them with an unfazed reaction. "Paunahan diba? I wanted to win. Luke was in our house yesterday. It was an opportunity. I took it."