Please Break My Heart

Chapter 19

How Ayanna longed to see Lake every day. She would not admit it but she really did. Hence, she felt excited when Lake went to see her on Monday evening.

It had been a long day and Lake and Ayanna did not have a chance to see each other until Lake pulled up on the dormitory’s parking lot at eight in the evening. Ayanna did not take her sweet time. Instead, she hurried to see Lake—earning a judging look from Lilia which she ignored.

At the moment, they were sitting side-by-side in the car, drinking their favorite Frappuccino. Lake looked calm like always but there was a little frown on his face that the female could not help but to worry. Lake was rarely not in the mood. He always appeared to be calm and collected.

“Is something the matter?” Ayanna worriedly asked.

Lake shook his head. “Nothing. I’m just stressed about something. Nothing to worry about though. I got it all under control.”

“I’m not doubting your ability to handle the situation,” Ayanna assured the boy. “But I think it will be better if you share your problems to me, you know? I am, after all, your girlfriend. I’m supposed to be your partner in crime, someone who understands you.” In her head, she was screaming. She could not believe that she just used the ‘I-am-your-girlfriend’ card to Lake and there was something weird in her stomach. As if some hamsters decided to play there.

Lake bit his lower lip, contemplating. “I’m just… stressed about one subject. I got a really low score in Philippine History and that’s not good because I need to retain my grades. Having a bad grade might mean I need to take a break from playing.”

“You need a tutor?” Ayanna asked. “You know, you happen to have a girlfriend who is doing well in History.” She gave him a reassuring smile.

He returned her smile with a grin. “You’re the best, Ayanna.”

To hell with the hamsters in Ayanna’s tummy.

*****

That was the reason why Ayanna was wearing her comfy pair of jeans and her loose purple shirt to Lake’s apartment the next day. It was around 6pm, Lake skipped training because of his grades. And while their University took basketball seriously, it took their grades seriously twice as much. Hence, why Lake was sitting beside Ayanna on the couch with his white shirt on and his beige shorts.

They were both busy talking about the Philippine history—the heroes, the disputes, and the war. Ayanna did her best to not be distracted by Lake’s presence beside her. She did not know why he had such an effect on her when all they were talking about was the Philippine’s situation in World War II.

“Where’s Lamon Bay?” Lake asked, snapping Ayanna out of her thoughts.

“It’s in Quezon Province,” Ayanna replied.

“I see,” Lake said, yawning. “As much as you’re a great teacher, Ayanna, maybe History really is not for me. It makes me feel lethargic.” He leaned on his couch, closing his eyes.

Ayanna lightly hit his shoulder. “No, Lake. You’re not allowed to sleep unless we got everything covered. You have a short quiz tomorrow. You cannot not have an answer. You’re the one who said that.”

Lake let out a sigh. “I know but my head is aching.” He raised his head and opened his eyes just so he could show Ayanna his little pout.

Oh, how Ayanna wanted ki—wanted to hit him for being childish. She shook her head but gave up nonetheless. “Fine,” she sighed, defeated. “A few minutes of rest will do. After that, we have to look at the next lessons and go over everything again. We don’t want you to have a low grade again this time.”

“I probably should not have told you about it. You’re more serious about my grades than I am,” Lake commented, earning himself a glare from the female. “I’m just joking.” He laughed softly. “It will be just fine, Ayanna. We both deserve to rest for a while.” He ruffled her hair, an action that had become a habit for the boy. “I’ll cook for us! Is pasta okay?”

“You have a spare ingredients for pasta here?” Ayanna was bewildered. It was not that she did not cook. She could cook when she wanted. It was just she did not have much ingredients in her disposal. After all, she could just buy take-outs. Apparently, Lake did not think of it that way.

“Yeah.” Lake nodded. “I and the other guys sometimes cook here when we have time to spare.”

Ayanna made a face. The universe was being unfair. “So, you tell me, you’re an athlete who maintains a certain grade, a kind person, and someone who cooks in their free time? What are you doing taking all the universe’s gifts?” She frowned.

Her comment made Lake laugh again. How Ayanna loved the fact that she was the one who made him laugh. “I guess some things really just works that way. Come on, let’s prepare pasta, okay? Let’s make baked macaroni.”

“Do we look like we have enough time to do that?” Ayanna argued.

“Oh, come on, it will be fine. After we prepare everything, I swear I’ll study again. I promise.”

“You promise?” Ayanna raised an eyebrow but was defeated when Lake pouted at her. What was up with that pouty kissable lips and it made Ayanna weak? “Fine,” she groaned in defeat. “But if you don’t do well in this quiz, it’s all on you.”

“I never intend on blaming you.” Lake chuckled, his pout disappearing and was replaced by a grin.

*****

After the cooking together, the couple were once again back on the couch. The female was once again tutoring her boyfriend as they both ate the baked macaroni they made.

“This tastes good,” Ayanna commented, enjoying the fact that the macaroni had tons of cheese. “If you told me it would be this good, I would not have argued with you in the first place and even encouraged you to make one.”

“Now, are you a fan of your lovely boyfriend?” Lake wiggled his eyebrows.

He looked ridiculous that Ayanna had to laugh. But deep inside, she was trying to calm down because Lake called himself her boyfriend—lovely boyfriend at that. Her heart was once again doing some ridiculous movements, she could not explain. She probably needed to visit a doctor. This was not doing her any good.

“Okay, okay, enough,” she said. “We should focus on studying.”

“You’re the first one who started talking about the food.” Lake stuck his tongue out at her childishly.

Ayanna shook her head, chuckling. “You’re not supposed to argue.”

“Right. Women are always right,” Lake joked. “That’s what my mom said.”

“And your mom is right.” The couple laughed at their ridiculousness.

*****

It did not take too long for the couple to get tired. At nine in the evening, they agreed that Lake would send Ayanna home at around ten. So, they used the spare time to talk. They were both leaning on the couch, eyes almost closed and they were almost cuddling.

“Isn’t it difficult?” Ayanna asked all of a sudden, her voice coming out as a whisper.

“What is?” Lake asked, his voice just as soft.

“I don’t know. Living up to someone else’s expectations. You’re an MVP, everyone loves you and they still expect you to do well in your classes.”

“It’s difficult but somehow, now, it’s more than bearable.” Lake peeks at Ayanna through his half-lidded eyes.

Ayanna scooted closer to him out of instinct as her eyelids dropped.

Before they knew it, both of their eyes closed as they left to the world of slumber. They snuggled to each other, almost cuddling but not. Their heartbeats in sync but only the two of them were not aware.

Ayanna felt like she was in paradise.