Calix's POV:
*Continuation of Flashback...*
I saw her. Mica was with her classmates. Turns out, she's in Section A.
I like this spot by the tree. I can see her clearly, but they can't see me. I don't know why I'm doing this----watching her from a distance.
"Hey, Calix!" David shouted.
He's been staring at me for a while now. He's telling me to come down, but I'm not listening. I like it here; why does he have to interfere?
"What?!" I snapped at him.
"Do you want me to drag you back to the room?!"
This David guy is so annoying. If he weren't the class president, I would've punched him already.
I climbed down from the tree branch.
"Fine.... I'm going back."
I didn't wait for his response. I quickly walked back to the room.
Ella greeted me with a frown.
"What happened to you?"
"Nothing!" she replied, crossing her arms.
"Why? What happened now?"
"It's Yuri.... he suddenly got mad at me! Then he called me a *Baka*! Do I look like a cow?!" She complained.
I don't think Yuri meant *Baka* as in the animal. It's a Japanese word, but I can't remember the exact meaning.
"Just let it go...." I said, messing up her hair.
"Oh, by the way... Mica asked me to give this to you," she said, handing me another letter.
This must be the tenth one already. She keeps giving me love letters. I don't want to admit it, but I feel excited and happy every time I received one.
"Okay, thanks...." I said, taking the letter.
There are times when I avoid Mica. I don't want her or anyone else to notice that I'm enjoying her letters. It's not that I'm ashamed, but.... well, I just don't want to make it obvious.
"What are you doing with that letter? I thought you didn't like love letters?" Ella asked.
I avoided her gaze. What excuse can I give? She might figure it out.
"Uh.... it's.... for..... uh...."
"For what?"
"For.... uh.... kindling?"
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**Later that afternoon....**
I was hiding behind a car, watching Mica standing by the gate. I knew she was waiting for me.
But I don't understand why she's with Mykal and Kiko. She's just smiling at them. It's so annoying!
They stayed there for a few minutes until it got dark and the two finally left. There was no one else at school, but Mica was still there.
Why haven't you gone home yet?
The only light around her was from the streetlamp. Sigh..... I don't want to approach her, but I had to.
"Why are you still here?" I asked her.
She was a bit startled but quickly looked down. "Uh... well....."
"Let's go," I said, grabbing her hand.
Her hand was cold. My heart started beating faster, and I felt something in my stomach.
Why am I feeling this?
We walked in silence. I was still holding her hand. It felt like I couldn't let go.
Is this normal?
"Calix...." She broke the silence.
"Hm?"
"Uh..... maybe you'd like to eat something. Just for a bit," She said, pointing to a night market and food court.
The food looked delicious. But I don't have any money. My dad hasn't sent me any yet.
"Next time....." I replied.
"My treat."
"No! That's not right. The guy should treat."
"The guy should treat if he's courting someone. Are you courting me?"
I thought for a moment. She had a point. But it's still embarrassing.
She suddenly pulled me toward the food court.
"It's okay..... You can treat me next time," she said.
Even though it was embarrassing, I agreed. I was hungry, and besides, I wanted to spend time with Mica.
I'll make it up to her later.
---------------
**The next day...**
I've been here on the second floor of our building for a while now. Lunch break is almost over, and she still hasn't shown up. We had an agreement that she'd cook for me today.
I don't want to eat in the cafeteria. The girls there won't leave me alone. They always insist on eating with me, even if I already have someone with me.
"Have you been here long?" She greeted me.
"Not really...." I replied, smiling at her.
We went to the second room at the end of the Hall. The chairs and tables here are still in good condition.
She prepared the food.
"Let's eat...." She said, smiling at me.
I started eating, but Mica was just watching me.
"Why aren't you eating?" I asked her.
"I'll eat later..... This is for you," she replied.
I don't like this. I'm not used to being watched while I eat. I prefer eating with someone.
It was obvious she wouldn't eat until I was done. I scooped up a spoonful of food and held it up to her mouth.
"Hm?"
"Say 'ahh'....." I instructed her.
She suddenly blushed. Even though she was embarrassed, she reluctantly took the bite.
I felt something different. I couldn't stop smiling for no reason. I also couldn't take my eyes off Mica.
We've been like this for weeks. She still gives me love letters. She prepares lunch for me. And until now, no one knows about this except Ella.
She's confronted me several times about Mica. If I don't plan to take her seriously, I should stop leading her on.
But I can't help it. I feel like... I'm starting to like her.
"Calix..." Mica called me.
We were on the second floor again, eating lunch.
"Hm?"
"Uh... what are we?" She asked shyly.
What are we? Humans, of course. I smiled at her, about to answer, but she spoke again.
"I mean... what do we call this? Are we friends, or...?" She clarified.
I knew what she meant. Based on what we've been doing, it feels like we're more than friends. But that's all we are, and that's all I can give her for now.
I'm starting to get scared. Scared that if we start a relationship, everything will fall apart. I feel happy when I'm with her. I can't help but look at her, and even at night before I sleep, her face is all I can think about.
"I'm sorry.... I'm not forcing you to be in a relationship with me. I just want to know where we stand. You know I like you, right? I just don't want to get my hopes up if----"
"You.... What do you want us to be?" I asked her.
This is wrong!
I know she'll ask for a relationship. Even though I don't want to, I'm willing to give it to her just to make her happy. I don't want her to hope, but I also don't want to hurt her.
I'll give her what she wants.
"I want...." she started. She thought for a moment before speaking again. "I want to know how you feel about me."
How I feel? What do I feel?
I looked into her eyes. Even without her saying it, she's hoping we feel the same way about each other. I hope we do, but what if we don't?
Yeah.... I'm starting to have special feelings for her. But I'm not ready to commit to that yet.
I'm confused.
"Give me some time..." I replied.
I want to be sure about my feelings. I don't want to hurt her. I'm alone right now. Just like I asked Mica for time, she gave it to me. Enough time to think carefully about how I feel about her.
----------------------
**Later....**
"Hi, Calix!" Some freshmen girls greeted me.
I just smiled at them. I'm not in the mood to flirt today. It's a shame because they're pretty.
"Calix....." Someone called me.
I turned around, and Aiko, my ex-girlfriend, immediately kissed me. She hugged me tightly. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I was so in love with her back then.
"Please.... Be mine again, Calix," she whispered in my ear.
Maybe in the past, I would've said yes. But now, with my mind so confused...
"Sorry, Aiko... But I can't be yours again," I replied, pulling away from her hug.
"But why?" She asked, almost crying.
I glanced at a group of girls watching us. Section A, and I could clearly see Mica. Her eyes looked sad. I knew what she was thinking.
But that's not what I'm going to do.
"Because I'm already in love with someone else."
Is this the right thing to do? I'm starting a relationship with Mica even though I'm not entirely sure about my feelings.
What if I'm wrong?
"Calix..." Mica called me. We're at her house now. Her hand is resting on my chest as I lie on the sofa.
"Yes, Baby?" I asked. I've started calling her "Baby" since we became official.
"Thank you...."
I looked at her. "For what?"
"Because you chose me out of all the girls who like you."
I chose her. Maybe what I'm doing is okay. My feelings for her will grow over time.
I kissed her forehead and went back to watching TV.
For now, we'll keep this a secret. It's not that I'm ashamed of her. I just don't want to tell anyone yet, especially Ella. Because, like I said, I need to be sure.