"Miss mo 'ko 'no?" Confusion grew on my face as he suddenly asked that. The other students at his side started laughing and some even hit him by his head. 

"Siraulo ka, Inin. Mukhang na trauma si miss blonde dahil sa sinabi mo!" One exclaimed and the curly haired guy burst out laughing. 

He look back at me, the smile on his face still present, "Sorry miss, binibiro lang kita." He said and I slowly nod. 

"Sige pre, una na kami, mukhang may atraso ka pa kay miss eh. Gagi ninakawan mo-"

"Sira, umalis na nga kayo!" He pushed his friends, I supposed, leaving just the two of us in front of the gate since the other students already left. 

I just sat there on the motorcycle watching him mind his own business, I cleared my throat as he faced me once again. 

He have such cute dimples, "Ahm... ano ba ang pakay mo miss?" He asked and I was taken a back for few seconds, I was looking at his dimples. 

"Ahm..." I raised the umbrella, "Here, salamat nga pala. Natagalan din, nawala kasi kayo doon sa tapat ng hotel, hinanap ko pa bahay niyo. Gladly I saw you here." I said as I hand him the umbrella that he reached for and stared at it. 

"Wews, akala ko hindi na maibabalik yung payong ko eh." He said smiling, looking at his beloved umbrella. 

He look back at me, still smiling, he won't get tired of smiling, "Hinanap mo yung bahay namin? HAHAHA! Wala kaming bahay, kung saan madistino si papa ng trabaho, doon lang kami nakatira." He answered which made my brows furrowed, madistino? What's that? 

"Ano yung madistino?" I asked, he look shocked for few seconds before chuckling. 

He scratch the back of his head, "Ah... ano... yung... madistino, hindi mo alam?" He asked and I slowly shake my head. 

"No, itatanong ko ba kung alam ko?" I snapped at him, he look shocked with probably my sudden attitude before once again laughing, he just keeps on laughing. 

"Sungit, pero ano... kung saan siya... ma-assign! Ayun! Kung saan siya ma-assign ng trabaho. Ayan ha, English na yun, ewan ko nalang kung hindi mo pa ma-gets." He said so proudly which made me chuckle a bit. This guy... 

"Anyways, I'll be going now--"

"Alis ka agad? Tara kape? G? Kaso ubos na yung tinapay namin eh." He cuts me off which made my brows furrowed. 

"You're inviting me for a coffee? In your... hut?" I asked and he nod, 

"Yep, ayaw mo? Okay lang naman kung ayaw mo, sino ba naman ako para tanggapin mo yung alok ko?" He acted sad which made my lips twitch a bit. 

"Yuck, sadboy." I mumbled that something he heard. 

"Hindi ah, biro lang naman, napaka seryoso mo naman!" He said which made me chuckle, he's a bit funny guy. 

"So... g? Kape? Or uuwi kana?" He ask, I look at the sky and see that the sun is still up. 

I look back at him and nod, "Sure, saan ba? Sakay kana." Pag-aaya ko sa kaniya, his eyes widened and he look at the vehicle. 

"Gagi ayaw ko! Takot ako sa ganiyan!" He exclaimed and my brows almost reached each other's ends. 

"Eh? Takot ka sa motor?" I asked, 

"Kahit bike pa 'yan, ayaw ko!" He exclaimed which made me chuckle again. He looks so scared right now and that's what makes it funny. 

"Come, ituro mo yung daan, I'm a good driver." I said and he shook his head once again. 

"Ayaw!" He said and I shook my head in disbelief. 

"Ibibli kita nung cookie sandwich na gusto mo. Yung tinapay na may palaman." I said and he look at me with disbelief in his eyes, mukhang ayaw pa niyang maniwala. 

"Weh?" he asked which made me chuckle. 

"Oo nga, dali, sakay na." Pag-aaya ko ulit sa kaniya. He fix his backpack that is on his right shoulder before nodding. 

"Ayusin mo pagmamaneho mo ha! Ayaw ko pa mamatay!" He said,

I shook my head while chuckling, "Of course," I said, he hopped on the motor and I felt how tensed and stiff he is. 

"Huwag kang matakot, mahihirapan akong magmaneho kapag ramdam ko na takot ka." I said as I started the engine. 

"Hanep 'yan, pati yun ramdam mo!?" He exclaimed which made me chuckle, this guy is really scared. 

"Kapit," I said before driving off in quiet a fast speed making him scream. 

"Huy! Miss blonde ano ba?!" He screamed which made me burst out laughing while I took a u-turn to get ourselves by a store to get himself some Oreos. 

"Kapit!" I shouted at him and I felt him held me by my shoulders, mostly gripping on my uniform. Napatawa nalang ako, I can still sense that he's scared and uncomfortable, and it's quiet funny how scared he is. 

I stopped by a sari-sari store I pass by awhile ago. 

"Baba," I said and he did what I said, I turn the engine off first before leaving the vehicle and walking towards the store. 

"Miss, isa nga pong balot ng Oreo, ito po." I pointed at the sealed pack of Oreo. 

"Yan ba yun? Iba naman 'yan eh, nasa timba yung binibili ni papa." He said and I rolled my eyes. 

"Yan yun, gusto mo nasa timba ha? Swerte mo naman." I said before handing the tindera the money and reaching for the Oreos. I waited for my changed before handing it to curly haired. 

I walk back towards the motor and hop on, "Sakay na." I told him, he held on my shoulders before hopping on. 

"Dahan-dahan ha, nakakahiyang sumigaw." He said and I felt how embarrassed he is. 

"Sure," I shortly answered before turning on the engine. 

"Saan ba? Ituro mo." I ordered him, 

"Diba yung... yung gate ng school, may daan na katapat yun, pumasok ka doon sa daan na yun tapos kaliwa, tapos diretso ka lang, tapos makikita mo yung building na ginagawa malapit sa mas basketball court, andon ulit yung bahay na gawa sa plywood." He explained, I tilted my head a bit before nodding. 

"Okay, gets." I said before taking another turn to back to their school. 

"Kapit, mahuhulog ka, aba." I said and I felt his hands on both my shoulders. 

"Dahan-dahan kasi, bilis eh!" He whined and I chuckled. 

"Normal na bilis na 'yan. Takot ka lang talaga." I said before taking the turn to the road he told me to. I turn left after and I can already see the familiar looking hut. 

I remove my left hand from the handle to point, "Ah, yun ba--"

"Dalawang kamay sa manibela! Mamatay tayo!" He cut me off as he hold my arm and push it down towards the handle which made me burst out laughing. 

"Oo na, oo na! Ito ba?" I stopped in front of the building under construction. 

"Yes, tama ka diyan." He said before carefully going down the motorcycle. 

"Inin, sino 'yang kasama mo?" I look by the construction workers that are inside the building as I go down the vehicle. 

"Kaibigan ko po, magkikikape lang!" He shouted back before looking at me and smiling. 

"Tara? Pasok ka." he said before walking towards the hut, I just look by the construction workers who are looking at me and I didn't bother giving them a smile. Why would I?

"Upo ka, katulad lang siya nung sinilungan mo. Magtitimpla lang ako ng kape." He said as he place down a wooden chair near me and place down the Oreo on the table. I carefully sat down and look around. It indeed looks the same. 

"Mahilig ka sa kape 'no?" He asked while is back is facing me. 

I slowly shake my head, not giving an answer in a form of words. I hear the stirring noises of a spoon in a mug while I still examine the place. 

"Silence means yes ba miss blonde?" When I look at his direction, he's looking at me and smiling. 

"Ahm... no, hindi ako mahilig sa kape, it's just... you're coffee taste good." I said and his eyes widened before smiling and his eyes almost disappeared. 

"Salamat sa compliment miss blonde, nakakataba ng heart." He said before facing his whole body towards me, mugs on his each hands. 

He carefully place the mug down on the table before grabbing another chair and sitting across me. 

He sat there like a kid, looking at me before looking at the Oreos, tapping his fingers, on the table. 

I chuckled, "Ikaw na magbukas." I told him, he smiled before nodding and opening the pack of Oreos. 

I watch how he take a pack from the larger package and open it. He even examine the inside before looking at me and smiling. 

"Katulad nung favorite ko." He giggled before taking a piece and taking a bite. 

His face lit up, "Mhmm!! Sharap!" He said which made me chuckle. 

"I know you'll like it." I said before reaching for the mug and stirring it with the spoon. I blow air towards the coffee to cool it down a bit. I took a spoonful of it and a smile grew on my face, the taste didn't change. It's still the bitter-sweet taste just like the first time.

"Sarap?" My head snap up and look at him when he asked that. 

I slowly nod and lean back up, "Yes, anong kape niyo?" Tanong ko dito bago muling hinali ang kape at inihipan para lumammig. 

"Ano lang... yung granules, yung tig ki-kinse sa tindahan na 20 grams." He answered and I slowly nod. 

"Pwede ako naman magtanong?" He asked and I slowly nod as I reach for a pack of Oreos. 

"Yung buhok mo, totoo 'yan na blonde? Tsaka yung mata mo? Hala ang galing! Ngayon ko lang napansin! Blue at Green yung mata mo! Akala ko blue lang!" He exclaimed like a surprised kid. A smile prints on my face before giggling. 

"Yes, they're both real." I answered before taking a bite from the Oreos. 

"Eh? So may lahi ka?" tanong niya at utay-utay akong tumango. 

"Full, full Canadian." I replied and his eyes widened. 

"Weh?! So... ano... bakit kayo andito sa Pilipinas? Tsaka mayaman ka eh! Ramdam ko! Nararamdaman ko sa bituka ko!" He exclaimed which made me giggle. He's making me laugh so much and he's not even trying to make me laugh. He's effortlessly funny. 

"Ah... ganito, ano... pumunta kami ng mom ko dito sa Pilipinas, tapos... yun, naging Filipino citizen na kami." I answered and he slowly nod. 

"Ang galing... yung papa mo? Nasaan?" He asked and I bit my lowerlip a bit and went silent which I think he immediately got what it means. 

"Ah hindi joke lang, huwag mo na sagutan. Dami kong tanong 'no?" Bawi niya agad at utay-utay akong napatango bago muling humigop ng kape. 

"Ako nga di ko kilala nanay ko, sad 'no?" He said before taking another pack of Oreos. 

My brows furrowed, "May I ask why? Okay lang din kung ayaw mo sabihin." I said while looking at him while taking a sip of the coffee from the spoon. 

"Hindi, hindi, okay lang, gusto ko nga yung nagke-kwento tungkol sa buhay ko or kahit may ka-kwentuhan lang." He immediately answered which made me smile. I can tell he loves talking to people. 

"Ganito... sabi ni papa, noon daw binata pa siya a poging-pogi siya," he started and made the both of us snort. 

"Nagtrabaho daw siya sa isang pamilya na Indiano, tapos yung pamilya na yun, may kasamang katulong na Indiana rin na maganda, kaso marupok tatay ko, kaya ayun, na-in love agad." I can tell he is holding his laughter which made it funny. 

"Siyempre pogi rin si papa, noon, ayun, nahulog din nanay ko. Ayun... nabuo si Inin, kaso... noong umalis na yung pamilyang Indiano, iniwan na ako kay papa, kaya ayun... yun lang." He said and I slowly nod, his smile is still on his face that is contagious making me smile as well. 

"Your name is Inin?" I asked while looking straight to his eyes. 

He smiled and nod, "Nickname lang yun, ang full name ko ay Rustin Landin Sadillo, pangalan palang pogi na." He cockily said which made me roll my eyes. 

"Pangalan lang ang pogi, hindi mukha." I said and his eyes widened. 

"Grabe ka! At least aminado ka na pogi yung pangalan ko." He said and I chuckle before shaking my head. 

"Oo na, pero pangalan lang." I said and he pouted. 

"Ikaw ba? Anong pangalan mo?" Tanong niya, I sa up straight and cleared my throat. 

"My name is Avery Louise Valdez, 16 years old, I prefer to be called Lory." I introduce myself, over my formal introduction, is Inin looking at me confused. 

"Daming sinabi, Lory lang pala." He said which made me chuckle and shake my head. 

"Avery Louise? Saan galing Lory mo?" He asked while munching on his Oreo, it's his third pack now. 

"Yung 'Ry' sa Avery and 'Lo' sa Louise, pinagbaliktad lang, Lory." I explained and he slowly nod. 

"Ah... sige, gets naman, hindi lang naman ako pogi, matalino rin." He said which made me roll my eyes once again. He's really into himself. Masyado mahangin. 

"Wow ha, sabi mo 'yan." I said before taking another sip of my coffee it's cold now and I like it more like this. 

"Aba, oo kaya! Honor student ako 'no! Best in math since kinder! Ikaw?" Pagyayabang niya, napa-iling ako habang ngumunguya. 

"Wala, student lang, tamad pa." I replied with a lower volume of voice. Not being a sad girl or anything but it's true. I'm a happy-go-lucky student. I just go with the flow and make the minimum effort for my grades. 

He went silent, he didn't utter any word which is a bit weird so I lift my head up and saw him staring at me. 

"Why? Bakit?" I ask as he's just staring at me. 

"Wala naman, sabagay, mayaman ka naman. Valdez ka? Ka ano-ano mo si Thiago Valdez?" tanong niya at napabungisngis ako. 

"Step-dad ko," I answered shortly and he slowly nod. 

"Ang yaman nun, maraming pinagtrabahuhan na building si papa na pagmamay-ari ni Thiago Valdez." He said and I slowly nod. 

"I'm not really aware on his business, I don't want to be involved in their business. Wala akong interest sa business niya lalo na't hindi naman talaga niya ako anak." I said before taking the last sip of my coffee. 

"Pero tatay mo pa rin siya, if... kasal sila at ng mom mo." He unsurely said, alam ko nakikiramdam siya sa mga sinasabi niya, he's being careful with the topic.

I slowly nod, "They are, may isa rin silang anak." I replied at muli siyang tumango-tango. 

"Ahh... okay, wala na akong masabi. Masyado na akong nagiging madaldal, bago palang tayong magkaibigan." He said and a small smile crept on my lips. 

"You really think we're friends?" I asked, it didn't sound rude. More like... I can't believe that he consider me as his friend, because just like what he said, we just met each other. 

"Ah, ayaw mo ba? Sige FO na tayo." ani nito na parang nagtatampo, muli akong napabungisngis bago umiling. 

"Fine, friends na tayo." I said and he look at me before pouting. 

"Wow ha, friends na nga eh. Minsan lang ako makipag kaibigan 'no! Yung mga kabigan ko ngayon, mga kaibigan ko mula elementary at hindi na ako nakipagkaibigan sa iba. Consider yourself lucky 'no!" I said and soon a smile grew on his face. 

"Okay, friends na." He said before giving me another smile. I look by the door and saw that the sky is getting a bit dark. 

"Uuwi na ako, salamat sa kape. How should I contact you pala?" I asked as I stand up from my seat. 

He stand up as well and look at me for few seconds before tilting his head, "Ahm... may social media ako." He said and I slowly nod. 

"Name?" I asked, he looked a bit panicked, "Ahm... Rustin Landin Sadillo, yun lang." he replied and I nod. 

"As in... Rustin Landin 'no? Tagalaog na Tagalog?" I asked, making sure I'll get it right.

Tumango siya, "Yep, double 'L' yung Sadillo." He said and I nod. 

"Okay, I'll be going now, salamat ulit." I said as I step out of their hut and he followed me. 

"Ingat ka, dahan-dahan, huwag kang babangga." He reminded me that made me chuckle. 

"I won't," I said as I hop on the motorcycle, I started the engine and waved at him again before driving off and went home. 

[Ah... sabi na eh, sa construction workers yung ganon.] Ali said from the other line as I comb my hair in front of my vanity mirror. 

"Yep, he's nice, funny, we're friends." I replied before putting down my comb and reaching for my lip balm to apply some on my lips. 

[Wews, friendly naman pala si ateng Lory.] She jokes which made my brows furrowed. 

"Siya lang, he's nice and funny. Made me forget my problems." I replied before standing up from the chair and going to my bed. 

[Wow, exemption ganern? Happy pill? Therapist? Clown?] She joked which made me chuckle. 

"Sira, kung ano-ano sinasabi mo. I'm surprised he's nice to me nga. You know that almost everyone I meet thinks I'm rude which is a bit true, but him, wala, friendly lang talaga siya and I think he's the type of person na looks on the positive sides of things." I explained while staring at my ceiling. 

[Ay, gumaganon ka sis?! Ano... mhie pogi ba? Pareto naman.] Ali said which made me sigh and roll my eyes. 

"Tigilan mo 'ko Alejandra, hindi ko sasabihin." I said before sitting down on my bed. 

[Grabe sa gatekeeping, sige na nga, bye na. Himala na maaga kaming natapos ngayon, magpapahinga na me. Bye bye.] She said and I slowly nod. 

"Sure, bye, take care." I said before ending the call. I had an early dinner so after talking to Ali, I decided to sleep and rest. 

Days passed and the day the coronation came. Laura and Franco won 1st place because they have the largest amount of money. It's just like normal event. No classes and students around the school. Some even went home early. But of course, as Laura's friends, classmates and supporters, we stayed until the end of the event. It has been also my habit to go home alone. If only students using motorcycles are allowed in our school, I would go to school with kuya Therence motor and go home by myself too. Sadly, the school doesn't allow us to use motorcycles in our school, I don't know why. 

I'm peacefully walking on the street when suddenly a car stopped beside me, the door didn't open but the window did and to my surprise, it's Sam. 

He smiled at me,  "Hey, wanna grab dinner?"