Head Over Heels For Ezzio (Villaverde Series #1)

Chapter 23

Paris

"Mommy?" I called as I knocked on her door. My lips were quivering and my face, tear-stained. It didn't take long for her to open up. Inaayos niya pa ang roba niya at bahagyang napatigil nang makita akong umiiyak.

The look on her face turned from a look of shock to something that showed genuine concern.

"Bella," she said softly as she held me by the arm. Hindi ako nakasagot. Mukhang wala naman siyang inaasahan. Inakay niya na lang ako patungo sa kama niya. She hugged me tight once we sat there. My tears fell nonstop on her shoulder.

"I hate myself," I whispered, unable to stop my sobs. Naramdaman ko ang pag-iling ni mama habang hinahaplos ang likod ko nang marahan.

"No. Don't say that," she said. "You're just scared and I don't blame you. Maybe because I know that somehow, it's my fault."

I couldn't give her an answer. Truth is, she's right. I was a bit traumatized. My parents didn't have a clean break. Everything was messy when they ended, and I don't want that for myself.

Maybe I just chose to like King because I was sure I didn't have a chance. Or even if I did, I knew I wouldn't be feeling so much intensity. Ezzio, on the other hand...

I cried harder.

Everything I feel for him is so strong that I feel like it's dangerous. And I'm scared that if I let myself fall too hard, I'd end up as miserable as my mom.

I don't want that.

But my feelings are just too prominent now. The confusion was gone. And somehow, I felt a little braver. Ngayon pa. Ngayon pa na sobrang galit na siya sa'kin.

"Alam kong takot ka," my mom said while patting my back gently. "But Paris, at some point in your life, you'll have to be brave. Not all lovestories end up like mine and your dad's."

I kept silent. I just let all her words sink in. Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago ako tumahan.

Finally clear-headed, I moved away and looked at her.

"W-What if it's too late?"

What if ayaw niya nang ringgin ako? What if hindi na siya maniwala?

She smiled and held my cheek.

"You'll never know unless you try."

Kinabukasan, maga ang mga mata ko nang pumasok sa school. I wasn't in the mood. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, parang ayokong pumasok. Pero pinilit ko na lang ang sarili.

I honestly didn't know what to expect. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin kung magkita man kami ni Ezzio. If I should say sorry again or just leave him alone, I don't know.

He was nowhere to be found, though. Bukod sa hindi magkaparehas ang schedule namin sa araw na 'to ay talagang hindi ko siya nakita kahit during breaktimes. Gusto ko siyang i-text at magtanong kung absent siya. But I didn't have the courage to do so.

Samantala, nakasalubong ko ulit si King bandang hapon. Tumigil siya para kausapin ako tungkol sa ball. Doon ko lang naalala na siya nga pala ang date ko sa event na 'yon. I felt like punching myself in the face.

Napaka-impulsive mo, Paris!

"Hi," he greeted, smiling. "So, ano..."

His expression immediately changed. Medyo iniwas pa niya ng kaunti ang kanyang tingin na tila nahihiyang magtanong. He pursed his lips. "Tuloy ba tayo?"