Jace: Get in, I'll drive you home.
Oh my God, am I actually crushing on Jace Bryan Ramos?
I pout.
Jace: Don't think I'm doing this because I want to. Your dad asked me to.
Ah… of course. Too good to be true. I forgot this is Jace Ramos. And me thinking he did it because my chauffeur wasn't around. Like he's the perfect boyfriend or something.
Me (still pouting): No need, I'll just call my mom to come pick me up.
And then, out of nowhere, mister gets out of the car. Without warning, he scoops me up like a sack of potatoes and heads for the car. Me? I say nothing. Totally speechless. My heart's pounding like crazy.
He places me in the front seat, shuts the door, then stares at me. But me… I can't meet his eyes. If I do, my heart might explode.
He grabs my chin, makes me turn my head toward him. He stares. For a long time. Way too long. A whole minute. My heart is beating at two hundred beats a minute. Huhuhu…
Jace: Why do you like playing hard to get?
His face is so close… just a few inches away. Huhuhu. Heart in overdrive.
Jace: Why are you blushing, little ant brain?
Me: I'M NOT! STOP!!!
And he leans even closer.
Jace: Do I have an effect on you?
…Good question. Does he have an effect on me? Is this… the Jace Ramos effect? Ugh. Impossible to speak. Totally frozen.
Jace: Tss.
And without another word, he starts the car.
*
When we arrive at my place, I just throw out a little:
Me: Thanks.
…without even looking at him, then dash straight inside. He doesn't come in, just drives off.
In the living room, I find Mom. But today, no hugs.
Mom: Hi sweetheart, you...
Me: Good evening Mom. Yeah, I had a nice day. Classes went well. Kiss.
I immediately head up to my room. Phew. Way too eventful a day. I collapse on my bed and fall asleep instantly. I needed that.
*
The next morning: no classes, thank you basketball game! Me, Hiyas Corazon, have chosen the "sleep-in" option. Cozy under my blanket, dreaming a wonderful dream. But of course, two people have to ruin it: Tami and Jonas.
Both: Come on, get up! No time to sleep, there's the game today!
Me (under the blanket): Stop… it's not even light out yet and I haven't finished my dream.
Jonas: You can finish it later. Get up!
Me: Nooo…
Tami: Hiyas, up! It's almost time!
Jonas yanks off my blanket.
Jonas: Hey, Hiyas, we've gotta choose between these posters to support our basketball guys!
I get up, grumpy mode activated, and head to the bathroom. They wait for me downstairs.
Once I'm ready, I go down. Kisses to the parents. Family breakfast + guests.
Tami: Wow, Mrs. Corazon, your cooking is… amazing!
Jonas: Yeah, totally agree!
Mom: Oh, thank you kids.
Dad: Hiyas, I thanked Jace for driving you home yesterday.
…Ugh. Almost choke.
Me: Ah cool.
Tami: Wait… Jace drove you home?
Jonas: And a point for Jonas!
*
After breakfast, off to pick our poster. Then Ezekiel drives us to school. Total madness: the gym is packed, energy electric.
The players come in. Screams, claps, full hysteria.
— Woooohoooo!!!
— Go guys!!!
— MIHS ballers on fire!!!
— Captaiiiiin!!!
— Go Jace-baby we love you!!!
Yep, the fangirls. Obviously. Just what we needed.
The game starts, and I'm having the time of my life. Seriously, loving this high school vibe.
And guess what? MIHS wins! Total explosion.
But when I see those fangirls clinging to Jace… I boil. Don't they have any shame?! Flirting with someone else's guy? The nerve!
Those girls. Always around him. I'm not jealous… am I? No. I'm not. I'm just… mad. Mad at them.
....
I charge at them.
Me: Hey! What do you want with MY guy?
Them: Huh? Duh?! What's your problem?
Me: Duh! I don't have time for you, so...
But Tami and Jonas appear.
Tami: Get lost, you witches!!!
Jonas: Yeah, scram! And leave the Ramzon couple alone!
Ah… my friends. Always there for me.
The fangirls scatter.
Jonas: Good riddance.
Tami: Come on, Hiyas, we'll wait for you outside.
They leave. I'm alone with Jace. He stares at me.
Me: Good thing you're anti-girls, otherwise I'd think you were cheating on me.
Jace: Tss. Ant brain.
And he grabs my hand. Pulls me without a word.
Me: Hey, let go! What are you doing?! Jaaaace!!!
He doesn't listen. We head out. Tami and Jonas are waiting, but he:
Jace (to them): You can go. I'll take her home.
WHAT?! But… my friends agree and get on the basketball bus.
We get in his car.
Me: Hey! I planned to go back with them, not you! And also...
Jace: Seriously, you're like a parrot.
…Another nickname? After ugly and ant brain, now parrot?
Jace: You talk way too much for my girlfriend, you know?
Me: Huh???
*
At my house.
Me: Thanks for driving me.
I get out… but he stops me.
Jace: Wait.
Me: What?
Jace: At the stadium. Were you jealous?
…Jealous? I don't even know. But one thing's sure: those girls made me mad.
Me: N-no! Why would I be?
Jace: Tss.
Of course. He's mocking me. Again. But why ask if it's just to make fun?
He leans closer. His face just inches from mine. My heart… huhuhu.
Jace: Don't worry. I don't plan on cheating on another… girlfriend.
Huh???
My breath caught. Another… girlfriend? What did he mean by that?!