Beautiful Beasts (Lovestruck Series #1)

Chapter 4

JASMINE

Tulala ako hanggang sa matapos ang klase. I don't even know how we got back. I just know that we missed our first two classes because I had to rest it out in the clinic and he accompanied me.

Umirap ako nang magtama ang paningin namin. I was by the bleachers, waiting for their team to finish training so we could start cleaning the gym.

I can't believe I just let him have the last word! Ni hindi ko na nagawang sumagot dahil sa sobrang pagkagulat. What the hell does he mean?

He wants me to date him?

"I can almost hear you thinking." Nagulat ako nang biglang marinig ang boses ni Chase.

Nakalapit na pala siya. Hindi ko man lang namalayan dahil sa sobrang pagiisip. I looked behind him only to see the other players getting ready to leave. Mukhang tapos na ang training.

"Jas, you're good here, right?" Napalingon ako nang marinig naman si Kuya. Papalapit na siya at sa balikat ay nakasabit ang duffel bag. "Chase will take you home after you're done with... your community service." Nilingon niya si Chase na tumango lang.

"Kuya, can't you wait for me na lang? I promise, this will only take an hour." Pagmamakaawa ko na. I don't want to be left alone with this douche!

Chase chuckled and just watched me beg Kuya Archer.

"I have other things to do, Jas. And besides, Chase just lives a few blocks away. Pwede ka niyang ihatid."

Umirap ako. "Tatawagan ko na lang si Leon." Sabay kuha sa cellphone.

"He's on a date actually." Umangat ang tingin ko kay Kuya nang sabihin niya 'yon. "Unless you want to tag along and be his thirdwheel, then go ahead."

I sighed and tossed my phone back inside my bag.

"Ako nang bahala, Arch." Hindi na ako umangal sa sinabi ni Chase dahil alam ko naman nang wala na akong magagawa.

Masama ang loob ko habang pinapanood na maglakad palayo si Kuya. At nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko ay tsaka ko lang nilingon si Chase na kanina pa pala ako pinapanood.

"You're looking at me as if I killed your dog or something..." He chuckled.

"You find this funny?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Wala pa man ay napipikon na ako.

He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me with a playful smirk plastered on his face.

"So, do you finally have an answer?" Tanong niya.

"Gago ka ba?" Lumabas na ang kanina ko pang pinipigilan na inis.

Nagkibit balikat siya, "Konti." Panggagago niya pa lalo.

"I won't date you!" Pagdedesisyon ko na agad.

"Why? Tumupad ako sa usapan. Hindi ko binanggit kay Archer ang nangyari kanina. I kept my end of the deal." He said, "Earlier, you said you'd do anything... Anong nangyari? Nagbago na ba ang isip mo?" Tanong niya. "And besides, why won't you date me? I'm a catch." Kumindat siya.

Umirap ako at hindi na sumagot.

"Okay." Simpleng sabi niya, "Then I guess, pwede ko na ring sabihin kay Archer na balikan ka rito." Patuloy niya at inabot ang phone mula sa bag. "Hindi ka naman tutulong sa paglilinis dahil hindi ka pwedeng mapagod. Sasabihin ko na lang na sinugod ka sa clinic kanina kaya—"