"What's with the 'love you' yesterday?" He asked.. making me freeze.

I wasn't able to reply immediately like saying it was nothing. But why? I could just say it was an accident. Or a habit on saying I love You's when I'm talking to someone on the phone.

But it will be weird if I say that. Who does that anyways? Saying I love you to everyone you talk to the phone. That's not a thing to do of a normal person.

I nervously look at him. But our eyes met making me more tensed and nervous. I feel like there's a lump inside my throat.

I saw how he raised his left eyebrow.

"So? What's about it Ms. Milendez.. why can't you answer that?" He asked and I gulp..

"U-uh.. I.."I bit my lower lip..

Come up with an answer Laura! You are being more suspicious! Get your self together!

"A friendly I love you." I gave him a forced smile hoping that he'll buy my answer.

He is still looking at me through the eyes. With an intimidating look. Then his eye change to a normal one. He lean to his chair and nod.

"If its just a friendly I love you, might as well return it." He said and my brows furrowed.. return what?

"Well, Laura..I love you too." My eyes widened and froze on my spot.  I wasn't able to process that immediately.

Then it replayed on my head.

"Well, Laura.. I love you too."

"Well, Laura.. I love you too."

"I love you too."

"I'll just take the restroom.." I stand up not even waiting for his reply.

The restroom is downstairs so I immediately rush to it.

As I entered the restroom, gladly it's for single person. I immediately lock it and lean on the door before taking deep breaths.

"That was unexpected." I said panting a bit..

"But me walking out is suspicious right?" I asked myself, then my brows furrowed.

I saw the mirror and immediately walk in front of it. I saw how red my face is making my eyes widened. I lean on the sink.  I opened the faucet and splash a small amount of water on my face.

Hoping it'll lessen the redness of it. Why am I even blushing? Like what I said, it is just a friendly I love you, then he return it. But it's just a friendly one as well.

I sigh and wipe my face with a tissue.

"Now I need to think for a reason why I suddenly rush in here." I said then bite my lower lip a little.

When am I idea popped in my head I immediately head out then went upstairs. As I arrived at the second floor I saw he was looking at the view. He still hadn't move his food. Its still the same thing and same position like what it is when I left.

I walk over him, as I was 3 meters apart he snapped his head at my direction making me tensed up.

I kept looking down not making eye contact. I sat down and reach for my fork.

"What's with the sudden need of restroom?" He asked.. I pursed my lips and shake my head.

"It's nothing.. I just felt I was about to sneeze so I rushed downstairs. Then I also feel needing to pee
So I proceed to do my business." I replied not raising my head.

Then I heard him 'hmm'.

"As you say.." He said and we continue to eat.

As we are about to finished, I ordered carbonara and a chicken barbecue for his lola. So when we are finished our take out is ready as well.

When my take out is served we are done as well. So I paid for what we ate then we leave.

"So..commute?" He asked while we just left the restaurant. I slowly turn my head at his direction before shrugging.

It actually a bit awkward atmosphere right now. I still feel a bit.. weirded out about the I love you's a while ago. But I think he already forgot about it which will be great if he really did.

"Let's just commute. Don't worry.. I'll protect you, I'm your guard as well." He said smiling while looking at me.  Then he faced front, I saw how his side feature is. His nose and jaw, eyes and lips.

He suddenly raised his hands making me snap my head in front. A tricycle stopped in front of us.

"Get inside.." he said and I nodded.. I easily went inside but when it's his turn. He have some little problems with the things we bought. So I grab the food from his hands so he can enter easily.

"Sa Rizal po, likod po ng SLSU kuya." I told the driver. The drive nodded before starting the engine.

I feel Jiro staring at me so I slowly turn my head at his side. I saw a small smile crept on his lips making em confuse.

"What's with the smile?" I asked, his smile widened but he shake his head.

"I'm just happy that you're learning to ride a tricycle." He said and my eyes squinted.

"What do you mean?" I confusedly asked, he chuckled before scratching his head.

"I mean, you're not that scared anymore. See, you manage to tell the address of where we are going. I remember you told me you barely ride a tricycle." He said and I am able to understand it now. I chuckled a bit looking at the other direction.

Soon we arrived in front of our house. I paid our fare before heading out the tricycle. I waved a goodbye to Jiro before turning my back at them. I heard the engine start again.

But when I was about to open the gate I heard Jiro call my name.

"Laura!" He whispered shout. My brows furrowed and turn back at him before smiling.

He signaled the driver to wit before sticking his head out of the side car.

"I love you..." He said making my eyes widened.

"As a friend." He added before signaling the driver to go on.

I froze on my spot again. My mouth forming a small 'o'.

Did he just.. say that? Or was it my hallucinations?

I shake my head and entered our house.

As my usual night routine, I eat, clean myself, do schoolworks, fix my stuff and talk with mom.

But when all are those are done I flop down on my bed checking out group chat.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Bwiset 'yung isa naming ka banda kanina! Napaka papansin!

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Bh!3.. lahat mo naman kinaiinisan 🙄🙄

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
The fuck?! Hell no! Hindi kaya! Nakaka sura lang talaga 'yung mukhang hito na 'yon kanina! Bwiset!

From •Avery Not Every•:
Bakit ba? Anong ginawa?

I sigh reading Ali rant about her band members again. We're actually used to this. Ali being a band member since 2 grade is now part of her life.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
So eto na nga..

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
nag papractice kami.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Then, tinamaan niya ako ng fucking color guard!Yung  mahaba na tubo na metal sa mukha ko! Edi ang sakit nun!

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Tapos, nung tamaan niya ako siyempre na distract ako. Natamaan siya, aba'y itong si impakta! Umiyak!Tapos chu chu kineme!

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Tapos sinisisi ako, aba! Putcha siya! Kasalanan niya naman! Pero sa huli! Ako pisteng! Pvt*ng mother! Na naparusahan!

I laugh a little while reading Ali's long ass rant. This is not even that bad not like others. She would send voice messages cursing and ranting shits about her band members who hate her.

Yes, that's why they do that. They don't like Ali but Ali don't care. She would just rant at us rather than cause a fight.

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Naku Ali! Ang haba haba ng sinabi mi matulog kana!

From •Avery Not Every•:
Oo nga, baka gumanda ka pa.

I tried to stop myself from laughing but failed. I know it wouldn't offend Ali or what but it feels like I'm hearing Lory saying that.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Piste ka! Sige na nga! Goodnight mga puke!

I laughed after I read Ali's goodnight. I turn off my phone and sigh. I am just staring at the ceiling thinking nothing.

"I love you..."

Shit! Why did I think about that?!

I sat down on my bed. My eyes widened and still shock about that thing.

But he cleared it's just a friendly I love you. He even said that before he leave. But why does that cause too much butterflies inside me.

Wait.. butterflies? Does that mean.. I'm flattered?

My eyes widened while slowly reaching towards my stomach. Butterflies on stomach is usually caused by being flattered. And that means I'm flattered if I'm feeling butterflies on my stomach.. but why?

I clicked my tongue and put my hands away form it. I look like a psycho here. If someone see's me they might think I'm out of my mind.

But should I return the I love you? I think it will be rude if I don't return it. He reply to my accidental I Love you. So I might as well return his. Right?

I grunt and pick up my phone..

From Lauriat Kassandra:
Is anyone still awake?

I bite my lower lip hoping someone is still awake.

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Hi hindot!

From •Avery Not Every•:
Yes bitch!

From Emory the Emo Queen👸👑🙌:
Hiiiiiii

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Hi biatch!

My brows furrowed when I saw Ali's text. Didn't she said she'll sleep already.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Gising pa ako, yes! Nag babasa lang ako MPREG.

I facepalmed as I saw Ali's text. She'll receive another scold from Gwen, for sure. And Lory too.

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Piste naman Ali! Banggang ngayon?! Naniniwala ka pa din na may lalaking may uterus?! Umayos ka ALEJANDRA! Pupunta ako sa inyo at magsisisigaw ako!

From •Avery Not Every•:
Mag dasal kana! Papunta na si Gwen!

I hissed getting a bit irritated cause I need to ask something.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
I need to ask something..

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Yes bitch?

I sigh and started typing..

From Lauriat Kassandra:
This is just because of the series I'm watching.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
???

From Lauriat Kassandra:
If a guy told you an "I Love you", then added "as a friends". Should you return it by saying "I love you too, as friends"?

I bit my lower lip while waiting for their replies.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Well yes, kasi nag I Love you siya. Tapos mag I love you too ka rin! Para quits!

From •Avery Not Every•:
Naku Laura! Wag ka makinig kay Ali! Marupok 'yan!Lahat ng nag sasabi ng I love you dyan sinasabihan niya rin ng 'I love you too'. Hindi makakatulong si Ali sayo when it comes to your love life.

After I finished reading Lory's messages, my eyes widened and immediately started typing.

Geez! My love life?! Hell nah!

From Lauriat Kassandra:
What?! No! It's not my love life! I already told you, sa pinapanood ko lang na series.

I sigh after I press send, I lean on my head board and wait for their replies. I put down on my phone on my stomach and closed my eyes for a bit.

But I was startled as my phone vibrates.I immediately pick it up to see who replied.

From •Avery Not Every•:
Okay, my bad, we know naman that you're not interested in love life or anything that connects to boys. #gaysss

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Yeah, suggestion ko lang naman 'yon. But like what Lory said, we know na you're not into relationship stuffs. And the only boy you care about is Tobi and no other else.

I smiled and started typing.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
Yes, now I need to sleep. Goodnight!

I didn't wait for their replies and just put my phone on my night stand before turning off my lamp shade and drifting to dream land.

Morning came and I did my morning routine. I took a bath first and change into decent clothes. As I went down Lola ask me if I'm going somewhere.And yes I am, I'll be meeting Jiro at the park but I didn't tell her I'll meet with a boy.

I told her I'll meet with my friends and gladly she didn't ask that more.

After I ate I went back upstairs to brush my teeth and get my bag. Before I leave my room I checked my phone first and also text Jiro.

To Jiro:
I'm ready, I'll leave the house in few minutes. Ikaw ba? Papunta kana?

I bit my lower lip actually hoping he'll reply. But after few more minutes of waiting I gave up.I grab my bag and went downstairs. I bid a goodbye to Lola before going outside our house to ride our car.

I told our driver to where I'm going then soon we drove off.

After few minutes we arrived at the park. I went out the car then our driver drove off.

I look around the park trying to find Jiro. I look around trying to find him. But it seems he's still not here.

So I decided to seat down to the nearest bench. I actually feel a little scared and uncomfortable since there are some male adults who are looking at me.

They keep glancing on me and so I am. I keep glancing on them to at least see what they're doing. I don't want that they'll suddenly popped in front of me.

My eyes widened when I saw them slowly walking towards me. So I stood up and started walking away.But I felt them running so I run as well.

I started to panic.. I look back at them to see them chasing.

"Ah!" I hissed as I bumped into someone.

My eyes widened when i saw Jiro. He looked shocked as well. I look at the two men chasing me. I immediately held on Jiro's shoulder before hiding behind him.

"They're chasing me.." I whispered scared..

Then the two men stopped in front of us ..

"Bakit sir? May problema ba?" Jiro asked.. his voice actually sounds different. I started to tear up..

"Wala naman.. 'yan bang magandang-

"Girlfriend ko po." My eyes widened and I held tighter on his shoulders. Did he just said that?

"Kaya kung pwede lumayo na po kayo. Natatakot siya eh. Alam niyo bang masama 'yang ginagawa niyo. Pwede kayong kasuhan dahil dyan." He sternly said.. I didn't look at the two men but all I know is that they already left.

I let go of Jiro's shoulders and watch them walk away. Jiro turn around to face me but one thing I did shocked him.

"Thank you! Thank you Jiro! Oh my god! I don't know what to do kanina!" I cried at his shoulders while hugging him tightly.

"I'm so scared! Akala ko kung anong gagawin nila.." I sobbed more. I felt his hand slowly caressed my back..

"Don't worry Laura.. I'm here. I won't let you hurt, okay?" He said and I nodded.

"I'm your hero.. for now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•