Beautiful Beasts (Lovestruck Series #1)

Chapter 18

JASMINE

We were a few steps away from his car when I jerked my hand away. Nilingon niya agad ako, and I could see a hint of shock there, but he was good at masking it.

"I came here with Leon." I said, stating the obvious.

He nodded, as he observed me with hooded eyes.

"I know. I saw him."

"It'd be rude to just leave him here." Pagdadahilan ko.

He chuckled, "Matanda na si Leon. I'm sure he can handle himself."

"But... Kuya... He saw me. Magagalit 'yon—"

"Ako nang bahala roon." He said and reached for my arm again, but I pulled away. "Any minute now, people will come pouring out of the gym. If you don't get inside the car, they'll see you."

Gusto ko sanang makipagtalo pa, pero tama siya. Technically, I'm still suspended. I shouldn't even be here. If Dean, or any of our teachers see me here, baka ma-extend lang ang suspension ko.

"Ugh! Fine!" Labag man sa loob ay sumama na nga ako sa kanya.

It wasn't like I had any other choice. Going with Leon isn't an option now that he's pissed me off. Lalong hindi naman ako pwedeng sumabay kay Kuya because I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it. Kukwestyunin lang ako non kung bakit nagpauto ako kay Leon.

Kaso nga lang, mukhang ikababaliw ko naman ang katahimikan sa sasakyan ni Chase.

I feel so awkward being confined inside his car... alone with him! Hindi siya nagsasalita, but he would occasionally steal glances to discreetly check on me.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep instead. Anything to avoid a conversation with him.

Naramdam ko ang biglaang pagkabagal ng pagtakbo ng sasakyan. Tila nagda-dahan dahan. The sound from the stereo also slowly died down until all I could hear was the soft melody of the song.

Para tuloy akong tangang nakapikit at nagtutulug-tulugan. Hindi ako mapakali. Nakatingin ba siya? Anong ginagawa niya? Saan kami papunta?

Teka... Bakit ba ako 'yung naiilang? Siya naman 'tong umamin sa'kin kaya bakit ako mahihiya? Siya dapat ang mahiya!

I slowly opened my eyes at nagpanggap na nagising bigla. Napalingon siya sa'kin at mas lalong hininaan ang volume ng music.

"Can't sleep?" He asked.

"Yeah." Pagsisinungaling ko. "Malapit na ba tayo?"

"Yup. 5 more minutes." He answered.

"Sa'n ba tayo pupunta?"

"Sa cafe." Sagot niya ulit kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

"Cafe? Sa She-brews?" Tanong ko.

He smiled, "Yup."

I scoffed, "Tss. Doon lang pala."

"Bakit? Sa'n mo ba gusto?" Nilingon niya ako at nagbabadya na ang pangaasar.

"W-wala." Umirap ako. "Akala ko lang kung sa'n mo 'ko dadalhin."

He chuckled.

"It's more convenient there. Kahit gabihin ka, okay lang kasi malapit lang naman. Kaysa dalhin kita sa malayo, saglit lang kitang makakasama tapos iuuwi na agad." Sabi niya.