Chapter 8
1795 Words
Chapter 8
Marinel's POV
"Nel! Come on. Let’s try skateboarding," he invited.
Now I was hesitant to approach him. I just wanted to go home. I’ve made so many stupid mistakes today.
"Nel?" he called again, stopping in front of me while on his skateboard. I gave him a look and focused on eating my ice cream. Where the hell did he borrow those?
"Let me try," I said and snatched the skateboard, stepping onto it.
It had been a long time since I last played. Maybe over a year. I had to sell my skateboard when I was short on rent.
I did the trick I loved—walking on the board, switching feet back and forth.
"Whoa! I never thought you knew how to do that," Enzo exclaimed while riding a scooter beside me.
"It was my favorite pastime, but I sold my board last year," I replied.
We stopped near a mini garden. We both got off our boards. I sat on an empty bench first, and he joined me. He looked deep in thought, sighing every now and then.
"Enzo?" I said to get his attention. He turned to me and smiled.
"What do you think would be good? A surprise dinner date?" he asked.
My mouth dropped open, but I quickly shut it. I thought he was thinking of something else.
"Up to you. If you want a surprise date, go ahead," I said.
"Help me, Nel. Please?" he pleaded.
"O-okay," I agreed, hesitantly.
I started thinking. What do I even know about surprise dates? Nothing. Tsk.
MINUTES LATER, we went home. I immediately stepped out of the car. I didn’t even wait for him to open the door for me.
"Thanks for the ride, Enzo," I said with a smile.
He just waved at me. Once I got inside the house, my knees felt weak. I felt so exhausted. My chest kept aching every time I thought about him.
"Nel? Are you okay?" Veronica greeted me.
I nodded and sat on the couch.
"Nel? Did something happen? Your face says it wasn’t a good day," she added.
"It’s nothing. Just tired from everything. Matchmaking is harder than I thought, but it’s okay. By the way, do you know any nice restaurants or hotels? He wants a dinner date," I said. She rolled her eyes at me.
"If it’s for your cousin, then don’t bother!" I pouted.
"Bitter much?" I teased, letting out a small laugh. She raised an eyebrow.
"Not really, but your cousin is just too much. She left Enzo without a word. He shouldn’t even be wasting his time on that girl!" she said in frustration. I frowned.
"Is it really true that she left him without a reason? Where did you hear that?" I asked, confused.
Enzo never mentioned anything about their breakup.
"It’s true! I heard it from my friends—they know your cousin. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?" I shook my head.
"Tsk! All I’m saying, Nel, is maybe you should advise Enzo to stop obsessing over your cousin. He’s good-looking—plenty of girls would like him," Veronica continued. I let out a sigh.
"He loves her, Nica," I replied quietly.
It’s easy to tell someone to move on, but actually doing it is hard.
Calvin Enzo POV
ANDY was slouched on the couch when I got back to my unit. I sat across from him.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"So far, not so good," I said, massaging my temple.
"Told you so! My house is practically a garden with all the flowers you’ve been sending," he said with a smirk.
"Sorry, Andy," I replied.
He suddenly got up, ran to the kitchen, and came back quickly. He looked pale as he approached me, placing a tissue on my nose.
I swatted his hand away. "F*ck," I cursed softly.
"Don’t overexert yourself, man! I’m worried about you."
"Yeah. I’m okay." I stood up and went to the sink to wash the blood off my face.
"Dude, maybe—"
"It’s the heat, Andy. Don’t start thinking stuff," I cut him off before he could continue.
"Okay. I’ll just order our dinner," he said.
I just nodded and wiped my face. I grabbed my phone and called Moana.
"Hey? It’s me, Enzo," I said. I heard some noise on the other end.
"You called? I thought we already talked about this," Moana said.
"Yeah. I know, but I just wanted to invite you tomorrow evening. Please?" I begged.
"Alright. Just pick me up at 6 p.m.," she replied.
"Thanks!" I ended the call.
I literally jumped for joy. She finally said yes—even though she’s been rejecting me every time. When we talked at the park earlier, she told me to stop wasting my time trying to win her back. All she could offer me now was friendship. I agreed… or at least pretended to. But no way—I’m not giving up. I really love her.
I flipped my phone open and called Marinel.
"Nel!" I greeted her happily.
"Oh? What’s up, Enzo?" I sat down on the couch.
"She said yes, Nel. So arrange everything for tomorrow evening. I’ll handle the payment, okay?" I said.
There was silence on the other end.
"Nel?" I called.
"Ah? Sorry, Enzo. I was just grabbing something but I heard you. I’ll text you tomorrow," she replied.
"Aw! Great! I really love you, Nel. Thanks!" I said with a smile and ended the call.
I went into my room and flopped down on my bed. I hope she comes.
Marinel's POV
"I REALLY love you, Nel." I froze when I heard that. I couldn’t even respond. It felt like my knees went weak. I don’t know! I just felt so giddy. Sure, maybe it was nothing—but inside, it felt like fireworks just exploded.
"Hey! You’re acting tough but you look like annatto," Nica teased, flopping face-down on my bed.
I touched both my cheeks.
"Maybe it’s just hot," I said, making up an excuse.
I didn’t want to admit it was because of what Enzo said. I think I’m getting butterflies. I must be abnormal. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to feel like when you have a crush.
"Hot? Or did that person you were talking to say something?" she pressed, glancing at the phone in my hand. Busted! I quickly put my phone aside.
"Nothing! I’m leaving now." I scrambled into the bathroom.
Why is she being so nosy today? I pushed all those thoughts out of my head.
I WOKE up early because of Nica’s loud snoring. I rubbed my eyes and walked over to tap her on the shoulder.
"Hmm," she groaned.
"Nica, wake up," I said, shaking her a bit.
She just turned the other way and buried her face in a pillow.
"It’s my day off. I’ll just bring you lunch later," she mumbled.
I shrugged and started getting ready. Once I was done, I rushed outside to catch a cab. But then, a car I didn’t recognize stopped in front of me, making me step back. The driver got out. I frowned.
"Andy?" I said in surprise.
"Hi, Miss Universe," he greeted with a grin.
"Miss Universe, yeah right," I said, chuckling a little at his joke.
"Nah! Hop in. We’re late for school." My mouth dropped open at what he said.
"Andy, no need," I declined.
"Come on, Marinel. I also want to talk to you about something," he said, suddenly turning serious.
"Okay," I agreed and got in the car.
I was curious and hesitant, but maybe it was something important.
"Ahem..." I heard him clear his throat, so I looked at him.
"Gosh! Miss Universe, you’re so pretty, I’m jealous!" Andy suddenly said in an exaggerated gay tone. I burst out laughing.
"What did you eat?" I asked, amused.
"Nah! Just trying to lighten the mood. You might feel awkward with me—you know, I can be moody at school sometimes," he explained.
True, I do feel a little awkward. But with Enzo, I never did. I just smiled at Andy.
"How did you even know where I live?" I asked.
He glanced at me, then turned his eyes back to the road.
"My house is just two blocks away from yours," he said. I thought about that for a second.
"Is your house the one with the huge fence and blue gate?" I asked in awe, remembering the big house I always passed on my way home.
"Yup," he replied.
Wow! So he’s rich too.
"Nel?" he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I turned to look at him again. His face was serious now.
"Nel, please stop helping Enzo." His words stunned me.
"You’re just giving him false hope, Nel. It hurts me seeing him get rejected by your cousin all the time."
He glanced at me, and I saw the deep concern in his eyes. My chest tightened at what he said.
"I just want to see my friend happy, Nel. Please? Don’t help him win back the past—help him move on." He paused and looked at me again.
"I can see he’s close to you, Nel. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts liking you."
I was left speechless. I understood what Andy wanted, but I didn’t want to decide for Enzo either. He really loves my cousin. I sighed. Then I heard the car door open on my side. I quickly got out.
"Nel, I’m begging you," Andy said softly.
"I’ll try, Andy," I said.
I walked ahead to my class. I noticed Andy just followed behind. I couldn’t focus. I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing by helping Enzo—or if I should be keeping him away from my cousin. But that wouldn’t be fair. I had no right to deny someone the chance to win back what he once had.
"Uhmp!" I let out a muffled yelp as I bumped into something.
When I looked up, I couldn’t move right away. Our faces were so close, our lips almost touching. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.
"You okay?" he asked.
I quickly stepped back when I realized what just happened.
"Enzo… I’m okay," I said, my voice stumbling. He grinned widely.
"You sure? You seem out of it," he said.
"Y-Yeah," I replied, nodding awkwardly.
"Ants will start climbing on you if you don’t go in already," Andy said with a laugh as he passed right between us.
He gave me a meaningful look before going inside. I sighed. I guess that was about our earlier conversation again.
"Let’s go, Nel," Enzo said, pulling me along. We sat in our seats.
- Writer
