Chapter 11

My roommate was asking me kung saan ko nakuha iyong Crumbl cookies. Against my will, I had to bribe her with a piece dahil isusumbong niya ako sa teacher namin kapag nalaman niya na lumabas pa ako—and kasama ko pa si Finley!

Ugh!

Naalala ko na naman.

I really couldn't have a moment of peace, could I?

Whatever. I should just focus on preparing for today. Pina-una na ako ng roommate ko na maligo since alam niya—rather alam yata ng buong school na marami akong rituals. What? This beauty doesn't come naturally! I mean, sure maganda naman talaga ako, but it takes effort, okay! So I really took offense when Finley said na nagse-selfie lang ako sa gym. How I wish! I am not the kind of person who actually enjoys going to the gym—I only go because I have to.

After strategically layering my lotion and perfume so I actually smell good the whole day, I began to dry my hair. Personally, hair is more important that makeup. I put a lot of effort into making sure that my hair's always nice kahit naka-ponytail lang ako minsan.

I looked at myself on the mirror after I was done. I looked really cute. I was wearing cream colored tennis skirt, white sweater, white faux fur coat, sheer white tights, and white knee-high boots. I accessorized din with faux fur headband. Of course I layered din! Naiinisip ko na agad na sasabihan ako ni Finley na hypothermia-inspired iyong outfit ko.

Ugh.

Finley again!

I was almost tempted to skip breakfast, but I decided that I'd be stupid to do so. Didikit na lang ako sa mga friends ko... I mean, makapal iyong mukha ni Finley but hindi naman yata to the point wherein he'd just what? Drag me away from my friends?

'But he did that before already!' an annoying part of my brain said.

Gosh, I just needed a break from Finley and my overthinking brain.

I got my phone and checked it. No message from Finley. That's good, right? I mean, what was I expecting him to say ba? Na ang weirdo ko for doing what I did last night? Pwede ko kayang sabihin sa kanya na napagod lang iyong leeg ko and I was just resting it kaya ginawa ko 'yon? But then again, wouldn't it be weirder if I'd voluntarily offer that explanation?

I should just act like nothing happened. Right. Iyon ang dapat kong gawin.

With that thought in my mind, lumabas na ako sa room. Hindi pa kasi tapos iyong roommate ko and nagtext na sa akin iyong friends ko na nasa may breakfast area na sila.

'Seriously?!' I shouted inside my brain nung bumukas iyong elevator and surprise, surprise! Finley Angelo Freaking Suarez was there, looking at me while he was leaning against the elevator. I hated how good he looked with that outfit of his. May theme din ba siya like me? Because so far, it's like his theme was off duty model.

I bit the inside of my lips bago ako pumasok sa elevator. Mas weird naman if hindi ako papasok. It was already weird—I didn't need to make it weirder.

The whole ride was silent, but at the same time, I could feel Finley staring at me. I didn't even want to look at the door kasi makikita ko iyong reflection ng mukha niya. I didn't need to see the expression on his face because that would just contribute to whatever overthinking that's already happening inside my brain.

'Finally,' I said to myself nung bumukas na iyong elevator. I quickly got out and walked papunta sa area kung nasaan iyong breakfast. I saw my friends. They all said how cute I looked; I returned the compliment because they look cute din!

I just ate toast and some eggs while they were talking about what we'd do today. Hindi naman ito iyong first time namin sa New York, so we weren't really excited na magpunta sa touristy places. They were talking about hitting the boutiques. I already made a plan na I'd go there, but act like wala akong nagustuhan. What would they do? Force me to buy bags?

Today's gonna be good.

After a while, natapos na rin lahat magbreakfast. We were ushered towards a coaster. The ride was super fun. We were chitchatting and taking lots of photos. I took a selfie and sent it to my mom. I had no idea what they're doing, but I know they love me, and they worry about me. At least they'd know na I was doing fine. One less thing for them to worry about.

We went to a museum. We took photos. I looked at the artworks. They look good, but if I were being honest, sometimes, I just pretend that I understand them. Feel ko kasi maja-judge ako kapag hindi.

I was standing in front of a painting. I felt a dark force looming. I didn't even need to look kung sino iyon. I turned the other way and pretended that I was done admiring this artwork tapos ay pumunta ako sa other side nung exhibit.

Gosh, was he following me?!

The whole day kasi I could feel him looking at me—or at least looking my way. Like he wasn't even being subtle about it! I was half-afraid that he'd tell someone about what I did tapos ano? Magiging center of gossip na naman ako?

Bakit ba kasi ako sumama sa kanya that night? Sapat ba na price iyong Crumbl cookies sa stress na nafi-feel ko?

At around afternoon, we were in some café. It would've been nice to chill by the park. Sino ba kasi ang naka-isip na magandang idea magfieldtrip sa New York kapag ganitong malamig?

"Maia," I was called. I looked at her and she showed me her phone. "Should I?" she asked after I read a message on her phone. Someone was asking about me. Nakita yata ako from a photo she posted online.

"Is he cute?" I asked because priorities first!

"Super!" she said. "He's from Brent lang."

"Really?" I asked, now intrigued. "Bakit hindi ko siya kilala?"

She shrugged. "I don't know," she replied. "Probably because focused ka sa crush mo," she continued and threw Finley a look. I hated na kahit hindi ako naka-tingin kay Finley, alam ko kung nasaang part ng room siya.

I groaned. "Stop nga," sabi ko bago pa kung saan makarating iyong panunukso niya.

She laughed. "So? Ano? I'll give him your details?"

"Hmm... okay," I replied. It's just my number, anyway. Wala namang mawawala. Saka sabi nga nila, keep your options open. Wala naman akong boyfriend.

The rest of the day continued. At around 5PM, I was so tired that I was actually looking forward to going back to the hotel so I can take a nap. Kaya nung inask ako ng friends ko to join them sa shopping, I honestly told them na pagod na ako. It's been a whole day of walking and stuff! I needed my nap.

The other teachers were chaperone nung mga may side quests. May teachers din kaming kasama sa mga nagdecide na bumalik na sa hotel. I stayed in the lobby first. I was thinking what to eat for dinner. Kapag kasi umakyat na ako sa room, wala na akong balak bumaba since magtatanggal na ako ng makeup. Wala rin akong gustong food from room service. Ayoko ring kainin iyong cookies. Baka magka-sugar rush ako.

So, I was there, minding my own business when I received a text. It just said hi pero for some reason, alam ko na agad na ito iyong nanghingi ng number ko. I ignored his text. Wala ako sa mood magreply.

I continued checking the food near me when I received an email. Seriously? What's up with today and why were people bothering me?

I quickly averted my gaze before ko pa mabasa kung ano iyong nasa email. Isa lang naman ang weirdo na magse-send sa akin ng email.

It was like there was a dark force whispering in my ear kaya napa-tingin ako sa may entrance nung hotel. Finley walked in. He was holding a shopping bag from Schiaparelli. Did he shop? I mean, he's got the money. Good for him, I guess.

But then napa-tingin siya sa gawi ko. I quickly went back to checking my phone. Na-feel ko agad na nagla-lakad siya papunta sa akin. Gosh naman?! I couldn't even have one day to myself?!

"Di ka sumama sa kanila?" he asked.

Hindi ako tumingin sa kanya. "What?"

"Never mind," he said instead. See? Sometimes he just asks questions for the heck of it.

I felt him looking at my phone. Tinago ko 'yon. Baka i-invite niya iyong sarili niya na samahan ako magdinner. I didn't want to spend my dinner with him. Magkaka-indigestion ako sa anxiety.

"What did you get?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. I love that brand, but I felt like it's not yet age appropriate for me—style and all. I thought I'd delve into that when I'm a bit older. I wish afford ko na ulit siya by that time.

He shrugged tapos pinatong niya sa may tabi ko iyong paperbag. I took a peek.

"For your mom?" I asked. He looked at me like I was insane. What? Malay ko ba if mahilig siya sa bag na pambabae? No judgment! Fashion is fluid. "Just asking," I continued. "Did your mom ask you to buy this?"

Alam ko kasi na hindi siya aalis. I mean, we've been here before. Finley didn't know the words 'leave Maia alone.' Might as well try to make things as less awkward as possible.

"Sure," he simply said. "You'll order dinner?" he asked.

Ugh. Ito na. Paano ko ba sasabihin sa kanya na ayokong magdinner with him? I felt like normal naman ako, but last night really was a glitch. What was I thinking?!

"Yup," I said, short and simple.

Finley sat down. Nasa gitna namin iyong paper bag. Why was this so freaking awkward? It wasn't like this was the first time na nagtabi kaming maupo.

"It's peak hour. Mamaya pa dadating kung oorder ka," he said, volunteering information I literally didn't ask for.

"It's fine," I replied.

He stared at me.

I felt unnerved.

"Can you stop?" I asked because he was so unashamed!

"Are you avoiding me?"

I probably looked like a fool because I started laughing like a freaking maniac. My laugh sounded fake because it was fake! Bakit naman niya kasi ako tatanungin ng ganon? Like either way, ang awkward if sumagot ako.

Finley was still just staring at me, his brow slightly arched like he was making fun of me for acting like a lunatic. Immediately, I straightened my back. Get a grip, Maia!

"No," I said, trying to play it cool.

"Cool," he replied. Bigla siyang tumayo. "Let's go."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What?"

"Dinner," he said and then began walking. Naka-tayo lang ako roon habang naka-kunot pa rin ang noo. I was watching him leave... until I realized that he left his paper bag. I quickly grabbed it tapos ay tumakbo papunta sa kanya. Why was he so fast kahit nagla-lakad lang?!

"You forgot this," sabi ko tapos inabot sa kanya iyong paper bag.

Tumingin lang siya doon. "Right," he replied tapos ay kinuha iyon mula sa akin.

"You owe me," I said. "Ano'ng sasabihin mo sa Mama mo if naiwan mo 'yan?"

He shrugged. "Buy another one," he replied. "Why does she have to know?"

I looked at him, bewildered. Did I sound like this? When I still have money? Because right now, I could definitely hear the privilege. It... didn't sound good.

Hindi pa kami nakaka-layo sa may hotel, but I kept on thinking na maho-holdap kami or something. New York's nice, but at the same time, lots of bad people—just like everywhere else.

"Can we just go back?" I told him.

Tumingin lang siya sa akin. Medyo naka-kunot iyong noo niya like he wasn't pleased. Maybe this was just all in my head but... did he really want to have dinner with me? What?

"I'm tired," I said, instead. "There's a rooftop resto sa hotel."

I didn't think anyone we know was there... but at the same time, what was I doing? Was I checking if okay lang sa kanya na may maka-kita sa amin together, if ever?

"Okay," he simply said and turned and walked back to the hotel.

What was wrong with him?!

* * *

Inunahan ko siya na pumunta sa may rooftop. I scoped kung meron bang ibang tao roon. Seriously? I was the one who said na dito kami... Minsan talaga iniisip ko na ako lang ang gumagawa ng problema ko.

"Dito na lang tayo," I said, pointing at that one lonely spot sa isang gilid. Baka kasi biglang may teachers kami or schoolmates na maisip na pumunta rito.

Finley threw one look at the direction I pointed at and decided to walk the other direction. Doon siya naupo sa may isang gilid kung saan kita iyong view ng New York skyline especially iyong Empire State Building.

We were given a menu. I repeatedly reminded myself not to look at him, but it was so freaking hard when I could feel him stealing glances. Ugh. He's so annoying.

"What?" I asked nung hindi na ako makapagpigil kasi tingin siya nang tingin.

"What?" he replied back.

I scowled at him. "Stop staring."

"I'm not."

"I literally can see you."

"Then you're the one staring at me," he said.

My lips parted. This annoying jerk. I made face at him and he snickered. I tried to ignore him again, but he was really staring at me! I was praying na lang na sana dumating na iyong food para maka-kain na kami and I could run back to my room.

He got his phone out. Tinapat niya sa akin. Nanlaki iyong mga mata ko. I quickly covered my face with my hands.

"Feeling nito," he said.

"What? Naka-tapat sa mukha ko 'yung phone mo."

"I was taking a pic of the view."

"Ako ba 'yung view?"

He rolled his eyes. He turned his phone and showed me na iyong skyline sa likuran ko iyong kinuhanan niya. I was so tempted to swipe kaya lang what if kinuhanan niya talaga ko ng picture?! What if ma-shock na talaga ako?! Like... if he did, there's no other explanation!

Inignore ko na lang ulit siya. Nung dumating 'yung food, I ate like I was starving. I basically inhaled everything. Naka-tingin lang sa akin si Finley like I had finally lost my freaking mind—and I probably did. Because in my head, it didn't make sense na kuhanan niya ng picture iyong skyline from where he was sitting. He could just stand up and get a better angle.

And his phone was literally at my face!

After eating, he paid for the food. Dapat lang. Grabe iyong stress na binibigay niya sa 'kin. I told him na magccr muna ako, but really, dumiretso na ako sa room ko. Dapat hindi ko na sasabihin sa kanya kaya lang I decided na hindi naman ako jerk like him. I did send an email and told him na dumiretso na ako sa room.

I told myself din na matulog na... but I kept on thinking about the photo. I mean, if he did take one, impossible naman na ipo-post niya... right? Right!?

I kept on tossing and turning until I freaking decided to just unblock him sa may Instagram. I saw na may story siya. I stared at it like it was a life and death situation if iche-check ko siya.

After a while, I gave in.

My eyes widened upon realization that he did post a photo of the view from earlier... pero kita iyong hair ko and headband ko. Kapag nakita ng classmates namin 'to, iisipin nila agad na ako 'yon. And this... freaking felt like a soft launch photo.

But why the heck was he soft launching me?!

**

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