Pretending with the Snob (Pyxis #1)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32 - It's time. 

"Yes Alisson, it's a real apple." sagot ni Sam bago pa man ako makapagtanong.

For the nth time, tinitigan ko ang pulang mansanas sa harap ko. Sam gave it to me, and it looks unreal, as though it came straight out of the Snow White movie. It's probably the reddest (or most red?) apple I have ever seen.

"It's not that I don't trust you Sam, but is this poisoned?"

She just chuckles at my question, "Why don't you try and take a bite?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Accusingly, I point a finger at her. "That is definitely what the wicked witch would say!"

"Si Alisson lang ba ang bibigyan mo ng apple? What about me?" nakangusong tanong ni Miles.

"Isa lang 'yon Devane, at bakit naman kita bibigyan ng mansanas?" Sam hates apples, but her mom is apparently unaware of it. Ito ang nagbigay sa kanya ng mansanas as a snack.

Pizza, fries, burgers and pasta are our lunch for today dahil nasa mood daw silang mag-fast food. We are gathered at the Pyxie Point; the whole seven members of Pyxis, Sam, June and me. Nagpalagay sila ng round table sa wakas para makainan namin, like the one in the cafeteria. Mas tahimik kasi dito, and we all prefer eating here.

I bring the apple to my mouth, and take a big bite. Not only does it look magical, but taste like one as well. It's so sweet and so fresh, gusto ko na lang mag-collapse at maghintay ng hahalik sa'kin para magising ako.

Hmmm. That sounds nice. Matutuloy na siguro ang halik namin ng supladong prinsipe ko.

He's on my right side, munching his food. I can see him stealing glances at me from my peripheral, pero kapag sasalubungin ko na ang tingin niya, iiwas siya ng tingin. I don't what's up with him, and I don't know what's up with me, dahil wala naman dapat akong maramdaman dahil do'n, pero kinikilig ako.

We haven't ended our 'pretend' relationship yet. Why would we? Aubree is still around kahit madalang siyang magparamdam. Kung ano man ang nangyari after the first dinner with his brothers, hindi na 'yon naulit. Ayokong mag-assume, at ayoko rin namang magtapat. I haven't forgotten our deal, one of the very reason he chose me as his pretend girlfriend, is because he knew I'm never going to fall for him.

And yet here I am.

Falling again and again, like Harry Styles' song.

Walang namang nagbago after that almost kiss, except... well, Orange just keeps finding reasons to hold my hand while we walk, or his palm always rests at the small of my back. Kapag sinusundo niya ako tuwing umaga, he greets me with a sweet smile instead of his usual glare.

I don't know what he feels about me. I don't even know if we're still pretending.

But we feel real.

His gentle caress on my back, and the worry in his face are real too. Because I choke on the apple. Hindi na pala ako ngumunguya, nakatitig nalang pala ako sa gwapo niyang mukha.

Inabot niya sa'kin ang water bottle niya and I quickly chug it.

Hindi na nga ako makahinga ng maayos, pero heto ang utak ko, iniisip na nag-indirect kiss kami ni Orange.

"Okay ka na?" he asks softly, matapos akong umubo ng ilang beses.

I can only bob my head as answer. Using the hem of his sleeves, Orange gently wipes my mouth.