CHLORIS POV

SIENNA was dead serious. I don’t know what’s really gotten into her. She’s the only person in our circle who didn’t give her vote to Flame.

The girls and I faced her as one. But Sienna just shrugged us off. “He was weird. And perfect. I mean, too perfect to be real. I know there was something fishy about him.”

I crossed my arms on my chest. “Tell me honestly, Sien. Do you like Flame?”

“What?” Sienna was wonder-stricken.

“Do you have a crush on him that’s why you acted that way? You can’t accept it to yourself, so you just keep on seeing the negative side. You keep on insisting he was such a no-good type of a person, and you keep on insulting him so you can save yourself from liking him?”

Sienna’s eyes widened in surprised. It was as if she didn’t anticipate it. But that was the nearest reason why she keeps on insulting Flame in front of me.

“What the hell, Chloris? You can like him all you want. Put him in your pocket for all I care. What’s good in him, anyway? He was genius, alright. But he was still a weirdo for me.” Sienna turned back to Flame’s direction. It was when Flame looked into our course also. And I couldn’t be wrong that I heard Sienna gasps right that moment before turning to us again. “I wouldn’t like someone’s whose weird like him. I would rather choose Macko, the nerd, instead of that Flame, guy.”

Then why she sounds so defensive? She was scowling exaggeratedly. Or was it just me who keeps on insisting on my theory? But then, I reprimanded myself. We’re friends. And Sienna knew how much I like Flame. I believe she wouldn’t dare to compete with me.

“All right. I am going to believe you, Sien.” Finally, I surrendered.

“You should.” She answered. “I’m not your enemy, okay?”

“That’s enough, girls.” Deidra suddenly weaned us. “We’re friends, and we’re not enemies.”

I didn’t answer anymore and leave my friends there. I sit on my chair, beside Flame.

“What is that?” I disturbed his silence. I noticed he was reading something. I pushed his hand away to have a better view. “You should share that with me.”

“You loved mangas, not ebooks like this.” Flame attempted to move his phone away from me. Yet, I didn’t let him.

“Come on. You’re so judgemental as if you know me too well. I’m into that kind of stuff also.” I said, sticking my tongue out when his handsome face turned to me. Gosh! Just by looking at him is so distracting. He’s such a perfect epitome of male human species. And to cut my obvious way of patronizing him, I pulled his phone near me. I read the story too.

Flame was drowned into reading when I noticed our position. Our arms were sticking together. I gentle leaned my head on his shoulder while smiling to myself. And because Flame is taller than me, it is an easy-peasy. He wouldn’t notice me doing this crazy little thing. Success!

My happiness grew bigger when Flame put his arm around my shoulder. Oh, Goodness! This is perfect.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Deidra taking pictures of us in that position. Later I would ask Deidra for a copy. I simply looked-up on him, who is so busy reading. As usual, he didn’t mind anything and anyone as long as he can read peacefully.

“FLAME!”

I was running after him. Flame was about to ride his motorbike. Time to go home. And even though my usual routine is to go back alone, I decided to ask Flame to throw me home. I know he wouldn’t say no. He was too sweet to turn me down.

"Could you give me a lift?" I asked him, acting cute in front of him.

He seems like he was thinking about how he'll going to answer. "I am going somewhere. It's out of the way. You might get late to go home."

I felt dismayed, but I did not let him noticed. I am not the kind who gave up quickly. I smiled at him.

"It's fine. I'll go with you."

Besides, no one was waiting for me to come home.

I wanna add but decided not. I smiled again, instead. "It's better to be with you than to go alone. I mean... You know... This morning, I..." I shrugged, making him think I’m a bit hesitated yet I have no choice. "I am afraid it might happen again."

That was a half-truth. What happened this morning was frightening. Yet, I am not that scared anymore. I just used that as an alibi, so Flame wouldn't turn me down.

"I might take longer."

I think he's just challenging me.

"It's fine. I still wanted to go with you. I feel like it's safer to be with you than to go alone."

Shucks! I sound like I am flirting! But I already said it. Too late to take it back. I might seem defensive.

Flame knotted his forehead. "Have you called your parents to tell them what happened to you this morning?"

I shook my head. "Mom was too busy to hear my story, I guess. And I don't have a dad."

Flame stared at me intently. I don't know what's running inside his head when he gave me a sad smile. I even think that I saw sympathy from his very eyes. Did he feel sorry at me? I looked swiftly away from him. I didn't mean to sound pitiful. That's the last thing I wanted.

I am about to defend myself when I heard him talk.

"We're the same. I used to come home with only the house help waiting for me. That is why I never went home early." He sighed.

I was surprised to hear that. I mean, I didn't expect Flame to share a piece of his private self.

"Flame..." I softly whispered. Somehow, we're the same. Maybe, subconsciously, that's one of the many reasons I wanted to hang out with him.

Flame rides his motorbike. "Let's go?" He gave me his hand. I smiled and accepted it.