TRAPPED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 2

February 14 wasn’t just an ordinary Valentine's Day for every student in Saint Augustine because it’s also their High School Day, and various activities were held inside the campus. Anthony led a group of students who would greet every visitor during High School Day, and he hated every minute of it!

He disliked the assignment because he felt like being a guest relations officer at a bar. However, he has no choice after he refused to join his classmates for a field demonstration. His head resembled a sea urchin after his groupmate applied a hefty amount of hair styling gel and styled it according to the trend.

When Anthony spotted Jeff and some of their friends at the gate, he tried to hide, but Jeff has always been a savage and called his name in a loud voice. He talked with Jeff for a minute, then he spotted a cute girl, and he couldn't tell her grade level because of her outfit. “Do you know her?” He asked Jeff about the girl who caught his attention.

Jeff looked around and saw his neighbour Janna. “Hmmm, maybe. Why?” He asked, but Anthony remained to stare at Janna.

“I like her,” he announced, and Jeff was surprised to hear him being interested in a certain girl.

Jeff nodded and strutted his way towards the girl who caught the interest of his best friend. “Someone wants to know your name. Are you game?” He asked, and when Janna nodded, they returned to Anthony’s station together. “Why don’t you say hi to my friend over there?” Jeff pointed Anthony, and Janna’s reaction befuddled him.

“Anthony Quileopas? Hey, I can’t do that.” Janna refused to approach Anthony and turned around to leave, but Jeff stopped her from leaving.

Anthony saw them coming together, and with every step the girl took towards his direction, his heart thumped louder! Was it love at first sight? He had no idea, but she’s cute! “H-hello,” Anthony stammered when he greeted her first.

“I’m Janna Auxtero,” she introduced herself confidently.

“Anthony at your service, Miss.” He smiled coolly, but she only looked at him as if he was just an ordinary teenager. Didn’t she know his background? Anthony was slightly offended at the girl's indifference towards him.

“See you around, Anthony.” She said and left without saying goodbye.

Anthony was dumbfounded at Janna’s treatment towards him. He hadn’t expected that, and he was mad! When Jeff laughed at his embarrassment, he wanted to punch his nose and see if it would bleed!

“See you around, Anthony.” Jeff mimicked Janna’s voice earlier, and Anthony was pissed!

Angrily, Anthony followed Jeff and left his post at the gate, much to the chagrin of his groupmate. He had enough for the day, and he wouldn’t give a damn if his adviser would scold him for leaving his assignment! “I heard you got a new girlfriend,” Anthony said when he caught up with Jeff near their classroom.

Jeff stopped in his tracks and glanced at Anthony. “Says who?” He creased his forehead when he inquired who informed him about his new girlfriend.

“Everyone. Your new girl let everybody know that you’re off-limits now,” Anthony said, and he tapped on Jeff’s shoulder while the other guy clenched his jaw.

“She lied,” Jeff answered.

Anthony frowned at his friend’s statement because it wasn’t like him to deny any relationship he has with a girl. He could be popular among girls, but he didn’t date anyone, unlike Jeff, who’s a pro in wooing girls. “Janna is cute,” he said, and once again, Jeff stopped walking and looked at him.

“You like her?” Jeff asked to confirm his initial remark about Janna.

“I am not sure. Hmmm, maybe,” Anthony replied, and then both of them grinned like idiots.

Anthony stayed inside the classroom and read a history book while the campus was bustling with activities. Some students attempted to take him for a blind date, but he scowled at them, and they are running in the opposite direction.

It was around five when Anthony decided to go home because he was bored. Getting ready with his backpack, he went outside and saw Janna talking to some of her classmates. When Janna noticed him, their eyes met, and Anthony felt overwhelmed by the butterflies inside his stomach. Initially, he believed that only girls would feel something like that when being noticed by their crush or idol. However, it happened to him, too! He smiled at Janna, but the darn girl only arched her brows and resumed chatting with her friends as if she didn't see him!

Anthony felt insulted when Janna ignored him, and even when he’s home already, Janna’s image continued to haunt him! He wanted to call Jeff and asked for the girl’s contact details, but he was scared that Jeff would make fun of him.

Two days later, Janna remained inside his head, and Anthony thought to do something about it! He swallowed his pride and called Jeff after dinner. “Are you busy?” Anthony asked as soon as their call was connected.

“Not really. Why did you call?” Jeff wondered.

Anthony wasn’t the type to mince words when he was determined to get something, but he needed to clear the lumps on his throat before opening his mouth to speak. “About Janna, do you have her number? Can I have it?” As expected, Jeff burst out into laughter at the other line, and Anthony had to control his temper not to shout at his friend for being a bully.

“Let me check, hold on,” Jeff said.

Anthony waited patiently while Jeff scrolled his contacts, and a few moments later, he was back on the line. “Do you have it?” He asked excitedly.

“I’ll send it to you, dude,” Jeff promised, and before they ended their conversation, Anthony received the business card which contained Janna’s mobile number.

Anthony immediately saved Janna’s number on his smartphone and proceeded to write a message. However, he was stuck and didn’t know what kind of message he would send her! He began to type a simple greeting when his grandfather’s head peeked on his door. “Yes, Grandpa?” He asked the older adult with a smile.

“Just checking if you’re okay,” Frederick replied, but he noticed how his grandson stared at his phone earlier. “Do you have a Textmate?” He didn’t wait for Anthony’s approval to get inside and entered. “So, who’s the lucky girl?”

“Secret for now,” he replied, and his grandfather nodded in agreement. “Oh s**t!” Anthony cursed as he tried to cancel his message to Janna, but it was already done, and he f****d up!

Frederick was surprised at the way Anthony cursed, and he wondered what’s wrong with him. “Why? What’s wrong? Did she break up with you?” He asked rapidly because he’s worried about Anthony.

“I wasn’t supposed to send it!” Anthony glared at his grandfather and silently blamed him for being a nuisance. If he didn’t come to his room, he would think of a better message for Janna. It was his first text message, for goodness sake!

“And you think it’s my fault?” Frederick took offence at the way his grandson glared at him.

“Isn’t it?” Anthony hurled back, and Frederick burst out into laughter!