Jace: — What are you doing here, ugly?
Ugly. Again? This Jace annoys me so much.
Me: — Didn't I tell you not to call me that?
Jace: — And is it my fault you're ugly?
Me: — Hey, Jace…
I don't get to finish my sentence because Tami interrupts me.
Tami: — Why are you two bickering all the time? … Uh, Hiyas, I think your boyfriend just found you a cute nickname, lol.
Me: — Huh? Stop it, Tami, that's not funny!
At that moment, one of Jace's friends walks over.
Him: — Oh, so you're Jace's girl? I'm Alex Watson. (To his buddies :) I swear, guys, Jace really has good taste.
And then, the whole group bursts out laughing. Not to make fun of me—no, more like they're agreeing with him. (See? I told you I'm pretty. I'm not ugly, no matter what Jace says. With my long brown hair and green eyes, how could I be?)
Meanwhile, I catch Jace's eyes. And he holds my gaze.
Wait… why is it suddenly so hot in here? Oh no, is this the "Jace effect"? … No, no, impossible. It's probably just because I haven't taken my meds yet. I quickly look away… straight into Felix's eyes. Ahi, disaster. I can't stop staring at him. And he's staring at me too. And of course, Mr. Jace notices everything.
Me: — Come on, Tami, let's go!
I pull her away with me.
Tami: — Hiyassss!!!
In class, Tami is already bombarding me with questions.
Tami: — Hey, what was that look with Felix? You just got yourself a boyfriend and you're already cheating on him? Lol.
Me: — What? What are you even talking about? … Wait a sec, I need to go to the bathroom.
Tami: — For what?
Me: — To buy food.
Tami: — Wait, you…
Me: — Yep, lol, I'm messing with you. Bye!
Sorry, Tami, but I can't tell her anything about my illness. Since I got here, I've been living like a "normal" girl, and I don't want that to change.
I sneak into a bathroom stall to take my meds in secret.
After class, I tell Dad I'm going to Jace's place. I'd already said it before, but with Jul Corazon, you'd better repeat things twice. So Ezekiel drives me to the Ramos house.
I ring the bell. Mrs. Ramos opens the door.
Me: — Hello, Mrs. Ramos.
(Yes, she's gorgeous. I have to admit it.)
Her: — Hello, sweetheart Hiyas. Come in, come in.
Me: — Thank you, ma'am.
I walk in and, naturally, I start looking around the house. (Not to see Jace. Please. He's just my excuse. I'm here for Tito.)
Mrs. Ramos: — Ah, I see. He's in his room.
Me: — Tito?
Mrs. Ramos: — No. Isn't Jace the one you came to see?
Me: — Ah… yes, yes! I came to see Jace. But… what about Tito?
Mrs. Ramos: — He's at work.
Me: — And when will he be back?
Mrs. Ramos: — Before 6 p.m. Why?
Me: — Oh, nothing. I just wanted to say hi.
Mrs. Ramos: — All right.
And guess who comes downstairs at that exact moment? Mr. "Anti-girls," in his basketball gear. (Always with that face like he couldn't care less about anything.)
Mrs. Ramos: — Anak, Jace, dumating na pala girlfriend mo! Sakto naman ang timing mo, anak.
Jace (to me): — What the hell are you doing here?
Mrs. Ramos: — What kind of question is that? Of course she's here, she's your girlfriend.
(Jace Ramos, if you think I'm here for you, dream on. You're just my excuse, puff.)
Jace: — I never asked her to come.
Me: — I'm your girlfriend. I don't need your permission to see you.
Jace: — Listen, "ugly," I don't have time. I need to practice.
Mrs. Ramos: — "Ugly"?! Is that how you call your girlfriend?
Jace: — Mom, can't you see she is?
Me: — Hey, Jace…
Mrs. Ramos: — Don't pay attention, Hiyas. He's just talking nonsense. And besides, Jace, you're training at home, so she can stay. Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone.
And she leaves.
(Yes, his parents literally built him a basketball court at home. Anyway. But why is he staring at me like that?)
Me: — What?
Jace: — Tss.
He walks away. Of course, I follow him to the basketball court.
Me: — Wow! Not bad, Mr. Anti-girls. A private court.
He ignores me. He starts training. I sit on a chair and scroll through my phone. (Weird couple, right?)
Ten minutes later, I'm dying of thirst.
Me: — Hey, Jace! Is this how you treat your guests? I'm your girlfriend, in case you forgot.
Jace: — I didn't ask you to come, deal with it.
This guy is unbelievable. So mean. Good thing I'm not really here for him.
Me: — Seriously?! Okay, whatever, I'm thirsty. Get me something to drink.
Jace: — Get it yourself.
Me: — You're heartless, Jace.
Obviously, since I'm thirsty and this Jace is hopeless, I go get it myself. Luckily, I run into one of the house staff. She gives me some juice. I thank her, drink… and bump into Tito.
Me: — Hello, Tito! You came back earlier than expected, huh? Mrs. Ramos said you'd be back after 6.
Tito: — Yeah, I finished earlier. You came to see Jace?
Me: — Yes. But… I wanted to ask you something.
Tito: — Abon? Go ahead.
Me: — Actually… actually… Did you… know my biological mother?
Tito: — What do you mean?
Me: — Last time, at home, you said a sentence in Tagalog. I thought I heard the name "Faith."
Tito: — Ah, I see. But you misheard, Hiyas.
Me: — No, I'm sure of it…
Tito: — No, I only knew your mother, Sorayah.
(I know what I heard. And Dad was super nervous when I asked about my biological mother. But since Tito denies it, there's nothing I can do… for now. Who else could know about my mom Faith? Everyone acts weird about this.)
Me: — All right then. I'll go back to Jace.
Tito: — Okay.
I go back to the court. Jace is still practicing. I sit down and watch him, muttering under my breath.
Me: — I can't take this anymore. I'm going home. He doesn't care about me at all. I know I didn't come for him, but the least he could do is pretend to care, right?
Jace: — What are you mumbling about?
Me: — Nothing.
Jace: — Tss.
He keeps playing. Grrr. Ugh, I can't take him anymore. I start stomping my foot like a little kid. Then I suddenly get up.
Me: — Hey Jace! Are you serious right now? Tyra hurt you so bad that you…
Oops. Too late. His face hardens instantly. He throws his ball violently, grabs me, and pins me against the wall, furious.
Ughhh… I think I'm dead.