Ah, I was so tired.

I just came home from school, exhausted but thrilled. Michael, my high school boyfriend, gave me a promise ring. Sinagot ko siya just this summer so when school started again three months ago, everyone was shocked. After all, I had a very protective older brother.

Good thing Jesse graduated from high school na, kaya he wouldn't get to butt in my life as much. One of the things why excited ako that he'd be off to college.

Of course, he threatened Michael whenever he came by during the summer. Buti nalang, Michael held his ground. Lalo na't a little scary si Jesse when it came to my love life.

So all was going well. I was giddy and happy.

"Kuya," I called, knocking on his bedroom door.

I saw his car outside so I was sure he was here. It was rare to see him come home from Silvestre earlier than me. Usually kasi, gabi na siya umuuwi. And even if I had a group study somewhere tapos gagabihin ako, he'd still be home later than me.

I heard gunshots then. Naisip ko agad na he was probably playing video games. I knocked again, louder this time.

"Kuya!"

"Come in!" he yelled over the noise.

Finally.

I opened the door and the first thing I noticed was that hindi nagiisa si Jesse sa room niya. There were four of them, three guys I haven't seen before.

Typically, I stiffened.

Hindi ko expected that he'd have company. I mean, usually kasi he'd hangout sa condo ni Troy, his teammate. Tapos they'd talk about surpassing being included in the reserve players.

So sino yung guys na 'to?

"Ah, sorry," Jesse said, getting up from his bean bag. "This is Paolo," he introduced the one wearing braces, who grinned at me. "Enrique," he pointed to the guy holding a console, who waved at me. "And Oliver."

Alam mo yung moment when the world slows down as you first laid eyes on someone you know you'd like for a long time? Like, love at first sight?

Well, that didn't happen to me.

As I looked at the chinito Jesse introduced, I didn't feel any fluttery butterflies in my stomach. I just saw a tahimik creature na malakas ang dating sitting on my brother's sofa who only nodded at me.

I had to admit, he was cute. Pero that wasn't what drew me to him. He looked like someone na hindi ko basta ma-figure out with one look. I was intrigued.

I smiled warmly at them, waving my hand slightly.

"Hi."

"This is my little sis, Gel."

I glared at Jesse. "Angelica."

Nobody ever called me by my full name kasi mouthful daw, kaya they were using the nickname Jesse gave me. I didn't like it.

"Gel," my dear brother insisted.

I rolled my eyes, as he looked at his friends.

"Walang kakana sa kapatid ko ah," he stated, mocking a stern look kaya hindi mo alam if he was joking or what.

Oh, the rare occasion na nagsasalita siya ng Tagalog. Tapos whenever he spoke the language, it was either a curse or a threat pa.

My eyes found Oliver. His face was indifferent, like he didn't care. I didn't know why I looked at him. Maybe kasi ayokong matakot siya kay Jesse? Pero why? That didn't make any sense kasi may boyfriend na naman ako.

Jesse's other friends agreed naman, laughing as they did so. Hindi ko alam if I should be amused kasi they laughed at my brother's silliness or if I should be ashamed kasi they thought it was impossible naman that they'd like a high school girl.

Not that it mattered, really. I had a boyfriend na.

"I'm gonna bake some cookies," I declared, wanting to get out of there na. I wasn't quite comfortable with them pa e. "You guys want some?"

"You bake?" Paolo asked, his eyebrows raised. He looked a bit Italian, dark hair and thick eyebrows. Mukhang Filipino, pero maputi. Very tisoy and very gwapo.

I nodded and grinned. I loved baking.

"Hey, what did I say?" Jesse laughed, hitting Paolo with a throw pillow.

"OA mo." Paolo chuckled, shaking his head. "I just asked. Better to be friends than lovers, right?"

"Oo nga, Kuya," I said. "May boyfriend na 'ko, remember?"

Na-feel ko yung tingin ni Oliver on me, making me glance at him. He was looking at me like I was too young to have a boyfriend.

I tilted my head a little. What, was he a conservative?

Jesse groaned. "Ugh. Don't remind me."

I giggled. "Okay, I'll leave you guys na. Bye."

"Bring us some," Jesse demanded.

I made an 'okay' sign above my shoulder so he could see. Quickly akong umalis ng room niya, closed the door, and headed downstairs. Weird lang. Pero I could still feel Oliver's eyes on me. Gosh. Siguro may little sister yun kaya ganun siya kung makatingin. Feeling ko papagalitan niya ko but he couldn't do it lang kasi I already have an older brother na.

More than an hour later, I was setting the cookies on the plate para mai-akyat ko na sa room ni Jesse. Hmm, it smelled so good.

"Need help?"

I made a little squeak and jumped in startle so much na muntik nang matapon yung tray of cookies sa floor. Clutching my fast beating heart, I turned and saw Oliver.

"Sorry," he apologized, wincing.

Maybe imagination ko lang, or dahil ba he was in college na kaya manly yung voice niya? Nothing compared to the boys' voices in school. His voice was soothing, but deep. Like a lullaby.

I shook my head.

"Okay lang," I mumbled, getting back to what I was doing. "I'm almost done."

"Paano ka natutong mag-bake?"

I looked up and saw that he was leaning back on a counter with his arms crossed. He wasn't that buff, medyo lanky yung figure niya. Tall siya, though, around six foot siguro. His gaze was intimidating, strong and quiet.

I smiled. "Mama taught me."

Kahit na she was busy with work, I was thankful na she taught me how to do this. Para whenever I missed her, I'd only bake then I'd feel better na.

Jesse and I had workaholic parents, see. They try to make up for it naman whenever it was the Holidays season. I could safely say na we were happy.

Oliver nodded.

"Ikaw," I began, "you know how to bake?"

"No."

"Cook?"

"Nope."

"Well, anong hobby mo?"

"Certainly not household chores."

At that, I laughed. "Sorry. Any sports, then?"

"Football."

"Ah."

Shoot. Wala akong alam sa football. Basketball lang, since it was Jesse's sport.

We didn't speak for a few moments as I prepared. Hindi naman super awkward kaya okay lang. When I was done, he straightened up and grabbed the plate from me.

I caught a whiff of his smell. Gosh. Ang bango niya. Mukha siyang neat, tapos he smelled good pa. Ano kayang cologne niya?

"I'll do it," he told me.

"Sure ka?" I asked, trying to make my voice even.

I wanted to talk to him more pa. Na-intrigue na talaga ko sa mysterious personality niya. It was like, he was a puzzle to solve. Tipid pa niyang mag-reply.

Man of few words e.

"Oo," he assured me, after seeing my doubtful expression.

"Okay, enjoy."

I shrugged and started to clean up the mess I made from baking. I could call Yaya Amor to clean up pero I felt like doing it this time. Yung dishes nalang gawin niya later.

"Thanks, Angelica."

I stopped cleaning and looked at him. All I saw was his retreating figure. Nakatitig lang ako sa doorway where he disappeared.

Oh, my gosh. He just called me by my full name!

Ugh. I was more giddy than I should have been.