CHAPTER 3

Days passed without any communication from Rafael because the classes were suspended due to a typhoon that hit our barrio, causing a delay in the school schedule.

As I walked to school, I found myself smiling at the distant field. However, that smile quickly faded as I recalled that night. I unconsciously touched my lips. Why am I still feeling the softness of his lips on mine?

What are you thinking, Sarah?!

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. My lips felt so dry compared to his, which were so smooth. He must use something special to keep them that way.

"Sarah!"

I turned quickly at the sound of someone shouting my name. It was the woman from whom I always hid my suman, she was waving frantically at me. I raised my hand to greet her, but my brow furrowed when I noticed her widened eyes.

"Watch out! There's a bike coming!" she yelled.

As I turned, I realized too late that a mountain bike was racing toward me. I froze in shock, unable to move, and the bike crashed into me. I stumbled against a wire fence with small spikes and ended up on the ground. My clothes snagged on the spikes, and I winced as I felt the spikes scratch on my back and arm.

"I'm sorry! My bike doesn't have brakes!" the boy apologized, and I can clearly see his tears forming.

I glanced up and simply nodded. He helped me to stand up, and I brushed off my clothes while picking up my backpack.

"It's okay... I'm fine," I said softly. I looked around and noticed that almost everyone was watching us. Feeling embarrassed, I ignored the boy and walked away as if nothing had happened.

"That girl is so insensitive," I heard a woman whisper.

I grimaced as a sharp pain shot through my stomach where the bike had hit me. It felt like a punch, but I didn't have time to dwell on it. I was already late for class, and our thesis defense was approaching, so we had to be prepared.

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"What happened to your arm?"

I glanced at Rafael as I settled into the empty seat beside me.

"Sarah, are you okay? I asked what happened to your arm," he asked, concern evident in his voice.

I looked down at my arm and fell silent. I closed my eyes, and I already imagined the fresh blood from my wound. I took a deep breath, feeling anger wash over me.

'You're being so foolish, Sarah!' I berated myself. 'If you had just moved out of the way, you wouldn't have another scar! You're already unattractive, and now this!'

I attempted to wipe away the blood on my wound, ignoring the sting, but I was about to smear it on my clothes when Rafael gently grabbed my wrist and pressed a handkerchief against my wounded arm.

"What happened? It's still bleeding," he is visibly worried while looking at me.

I ignored his concern, taking another deep breath to steady myself. After all, it was my fault.

"Hey, Sarah. What happened—"

"Raf, I don't want to talk to anyone right now, okay?" I interrupted.

We both paused, and I was shocked at my outburst. I didn't understand why I had reacted that way. Rafael's expression remained unchanged. He still looked concerned.

"Did you hear that? She's so rude to Rafael now."

"She thinks she's so special. The way she talks is just irritating."

"She's such a dreamer. She probably thinks she's Rafael's girlfriend. She's living in a fantasy!" I overheard a classmate laugh.

"Are they dating? What do you think?"

"Are you stupid? Who would want to be with someone so ugly? Only someone blind would."

I swallowed hard and bit my lip, avoiding Rafael's gaze. I pinched my arm to keep the tears from spilling over.

Why could I hear their whispers so clearly?

I shifted my chair away from him, and I'm fully aware that he was still watching me. Throughout the class, I discreetly wiped my tears away. And when the first subject ended, Rafael took my hand and led me toward the school garden.

"Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?" He asked softly, gently stroking my swollen eyes.

"Come on, Sarah. Tell me."

"I'm sorry... I was really rude to you earlier. I'm just so frustrated about getting another scar," I confessed, and my tears started to stream down to my face again.

I felt free to cry without worry since we were alone, and I knew Rafael wouldn't care if I looked ugly while crying. And I felt comfortable around him.

"It's okay. I understand," Rafael replied gently.

I looked up at him. "I know I'm not beautiful, but they don't need to remind me how ugly I am... to the point where only someone who's blind would want me," I sobbed.

"You're beautiful, Sarah," he said, pulling me into a hug.

My lips were trembling. "Of course you'd say that because you're my friend. If we weren't friends, I bet you'd think the same things they do."

"When have I ever judged you? You know me well, Sarah," he said, stroking my hair. "And now you're upset because of them. What do you want me to do? Should I get them kicked out of school? I'll do anything you want, just tell me."

I shook my head quickly. "There you go again, wanting to get rid of people, Raf. Please don't do that."

He sighed, and I felt something soft touch my forehead. He pulled me into a hug, and without thinking, I touched my forehead. I wasn't mistaken, he kissed it.

Could friends do this?

"I forgot to ask. What happened to your arm?" he asked again.

I pulled away from the hug. "I was accidentally bumped into a mountain bike on my way to school."

"What!? Let me check your body. Are you okay? Does anything hurt? "

I grimaced, pointing to my back. "I got cut on my back from a wire on the sidewalk, and also I have a wound on my arms."

He quickly turned me around to examine my back. My eyes widened as he tried to lift my shirt.

"Hey!"

"You're bleeding. Let's go change your shirt. Why didn't you tell me your shirt was torn?" he asked, carefully inspecting my wound.

"I didn't think it was noticeable since my hair is long and curly," I replied.

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Let's go buy a shirt at the mall and get you a tetanus shot. It could get worse if we don't take care of it."

I was stunned by what he was saying. An injection? Buying a shirt at the mall?

Is he serious?!

"Wait! Why are you making decisions so quickly?" I asked, flustered.

He turned to me, running his fingers through his hair, looking just as flustered as I was.

"It's for your own good, Sarah. It's dangerous if you don't get a tetanus shot. So please, just agree—"

"No. I don't have any money, Rafael. Are you crazy? It's just a small cut, I won't die."

He shook his head and took my hand. "You're coming with me."

I stepped back. "No!"

He sighed and stepped closer, and I gasped as our faces were only a foot apart.

"Are you really not coming? "

I shook my head. "No."

"You won't be able to do anything if I do this."

I let out a small scream when he scooped me up bridal-style and started walking toward the parking lot.

"Raf! Put me down! Are you crazy? Everyone is looking at us!" I exclaimed, embarrassed.

"I don't care. Let them look," he replied seriously.

SHANGPU