Since that day, Ponce has been joining us for lunch. But what about her club? Her excuse was that they hadn't had any activities for a while, so she had time to spend with us.
It was the same after school—she would tag along now and then, either going home with us or hanging out somewhere.
Whenever she was around, I could feel her fierce glare directed solely at me. Yes, only me. She never did that to Escuro or Manzano.
And whenever we talked, she always seemed uninterested, as if she wanted to end the conversation right away. If it ever turned serious, she would just try to provoke me with her questions again.
It seems that the first time I spoke to Ponce, her provocation wasn't a mistake. She's truly showing hostility toward me.
Now I can't help but wonder if I really did something to piss her off—maybe it has something to do with the rumors.
Wanting answers, I sent a private message to Escuro.
[Hey, there's something I want to ask.]
Almost instantly, she replied.
[There's also something I want to ask you.]
Oh, she also has something to ask me.
After reading that, I wrote back: [Okay, you ask first.]
[No, you first. Mine will take longer because it's important.]
Mine is important too, but I won't argue over which is more important.
[I wanna know Ponce's likes and dislikes.]
[Why do you want to know that?]
[So I can know her better.]
Not far from the truth. Knowing Ponce's likes and dislikes might help me understand her personality—and maybe why she dislikes me so much.
[Don't tell me… you've fallen in love with Andrea?!]
"Huh?"
Escuro unexpectedly jumped to that conclusion.
Can't blame her, really, since my question did sound like something a boy would ask about his crush. But sorry to disappoint you, Escuro—it's not what you think.
[No, it's not like that.]
[Then why do you really want to know?]
Should I tell her? She's Andrea's best friend, so if I badmouth Ponce, she'll get defensive. I know that will be the case, but still, it's better to explain my situation, it's less complicated that way.
[I feel like she hates me.]
[What?! No way.]
[I'm serious. She keeps giving me the cold shoulder.]
[That's probably just your imagination. Andrea's a kind person. Also, didn't you two have fun chatting the other day?]
That's only on the surface. The moment you turn away, she treats me differently.
[You might not believe me, but I'm telling the truth.]
After that, she didn't reply for about twenty minutes. Just as I was about to give up, three dots appeared, bobbing up and down.
[If that's really true, then I'll help you with Andrea.]
[So, does that mean you'll tell me her likes and dislikes?]
That's all I wanted to know. I figured that information alone would be enough for me to understand Ponce.
But after I sent that message, no matter how long I waited, she never replied again.
***
Today is Friday.
After having that conversation with Escuro last night, I can't help but wonder how she's going to help me. Would she talk to Ponce? I really hope not. That would only make her even angrier. I just hope she won't do anything reckless.
When I arrived in the classroom, I sat in my seat. A little later, Escuro walked in. Our eyes met, and she gave me a thumbs-up.
What does that even mean?
Next to her was Ponce. She looked straight at me, her eyes sharp and piercing.
The corner of my mouth twitched as I quickly averted my gaze.
What did Escuro do?
The uneasiness lingered through the entire morning's classes.
When break time came, the teacher had just left the room when Escuro, Manzano, and even Ponce walked over to my seat.
It was our usual routine—everyone would come to me, and we'd go to the cafeteria together.
"Shall we go?" Manzano asked.
Before I could nod, Escuro stepped between us.
"Wait, just a minute!" she said loudly.
"Is something the matter, Escuro?"
"Yes."
What is it now? Is she really going to do it right here, right now? Whatever she's about to say, I need to stop her.
I reached my hand toward her, but she spoke first.
"Manzano."
"Yes?"
When I heard that, my hand froze.
"Ma'am Vergara talked to me earlier. She wanted the two of us to go to the faculty room."
"Really? What for?"
"I don't know. She just told me to go to her as soon as break starts."
When did that happen? I never saw her being called by Ma'am Vergara—not today, not on any other day. Or unless she was called out of class without me noticing.
"Okay, let's go to the faculty room," Manzano said.
He just believed her that easily. If it were me, I'd at least doubt it a little.
"Sorry, you two," he added. "It seems like Escuro and I have been called. You guys should go to the cafeteria first."
"That's right," Escuro said. "You two go without us. And it might take a while, so don't wait for us anymore."
"It will?"
"Yes. So, let's go already—Ma'am Vergara is waiting."
Before I could say anything, Escuro pushed Manzano toward the door. Just as they were about to step out, she winked at me and then left with him.
Don't tell me… that was her plan all along? Leaving me alone with Ponce, so I'd be forced to talk to her?
"Well, what now? Looks like it's just the two of us. Shall we go to the cafeteria together?" I asked Ponce.
But she didn't even look at me and, "Go by yourself," she said flatly.
Yeah, thought so. Even with Escuro creating this chance for us, her plan had already failed.
It looked like I'd be going to the cafeteria alone.
With Ponce rejecting my invitation, I stood from my seat and headed for the door. But before I could reach it, her voice stopped me.
"You. Wait a minute."
I turned around.
"You'll join me?" I asked her, hoping that's the case.
"No. There's just something I want to talk to you about."
Is this part of Escuro's plan? Knowing Escuro, probably not.
"Alright. What do you want to talk about?"
Ponce glanced around before answering.
"Let's go somewhere first."
"Then how about the cafeteria?"
"No. I want somewhere hidden, where no people are around."
So it's something she doesn't want anyone else to hear. That's fine by me—or honestly, I even prefer it that way.
Still, is it really okay to be alone with her? The only times I'm with her are when Escuro and Manzano are also there. Knowing how hostile she is toward me, maybe this isn't a good idea.
"And where would that be?"
I know a place myself, but I wouldn't share it with anyone.
"I've got a place in mind," she said.
She led the way outside the school building. My suspicion grew with every step. She hadn't told me where yet, but based on the direction we were heading, I could already guess.
When we arrived, I asked, "Is this the place?"
Just as I expected, it was the back of the gym. I never knew she knew this spot. This was also where I'd agreed to help Escuro—now here I was, facing Ponce. Has this place become cursed or something?
"…"
Ponce didn't answer. She just looked at me coldly.
She's doing it again. Whatever she's about to say, I'm mentally prepared.
"You…."
"Yes?"
After I replied, her eyes sharpened, and in a cutting tone, she said, "What is your intention?"
"Huh?"
I was dumbfounded by her unexpected question. What did she mean by that? Before I could ask, she continued.
"Don't try to play dumb with me. I heard from Camille that you asked her about the math homework."
Me asking Escuro about math homework? When did that happen?
As I processed her words, Ponce kept talking.
"I don't know what you're planning, but I'll warn you: don't get close to her! You, just like any guy, see my friend as an easy target. But I won't let you take advantage of her kindness. So from now on, stay away from her."
Hold on—she's saying way too much. I'm still trying to make sense of it. First, when she mentioned math homework, don't tell me she's talking about the group study we had. But that only happened because Escuro asked me for help, not the other way around. And seriously, what kind of story is Escuro feeding Ponce? Come on, can't she come up with a believable story that doesn't make me look suspicious?
Now, how am I supposed to explain myself without revealing her secret—especially to her best friend?
"I think there's a misunderstanding," I said.
"Then what? You just asked Camille for help, became friends with her in the process, with no hidden intention?"
"What if that's the case?"
"That's nonsense. We've been classmates for over a semester, and I've never seen you with anyone. And suddenly you decide to make friends this time? Hard to believe. Plus, with rumors about you floating around, it seems more likely that you have a hidden motive."
Why is she so hung up on the rumors? Didn't I already clarify that they were false? It seems she doesn't believe me at all.
"Let me explain—"
"No, don't explain anymore. Just stay away from Camille."
Just like that, she ended the conversation and left me alone. I didn't try to clear up the misunderstanding further because she wouldn't listen. And the part about staying away from Escuro? That's not going to be easy because Escuro is the one approaching me, and I've already agreed to help her, so I don't think I could just back off.
***
I had just gotten home from school.
As I sat down on the couch, a message from Escuro popped up.
[So, how was it?]
[It was a disaster.]
[You guys are acting strange. Did something awful happen?]
Despite our confrontation earlier, I still ended up going home with Ponce. Along with Escuro and Manzano, we hung out for a while before heading off. Escuro must have noticed the awkward atmosphere between me and Ponce—that's probably why she asked.
[It's your fault, you know,] I typed jokingly, even though it was true.
[Eh? Why?]
[Sigh… Never mind.]
[What?! Come on, just tell me! What did I do wrong?!]
[Nothing. It's just a joke.]
[Don't be like that. Just tell me if I did something wrong.]
[It's just a joke, really.]
[Really?]
[Yes, really. And if that's all you wanted to ask, can we end this conversation? I want to rest.]
She'd better not find out, or she'll only make things worse by trying something.
[Okay, but one more thing.]
[Go ahead.]
[I want your help.]
Help her? This must be about Manzano again.
[What am I helping you with this time?]
[Well, this Sunday is Manzano's birthday, and I want to give him a gift. But I don't know what to give him.]
Sunday? That's March 3—so that's his birthday.
[So you're asking for a suggestion, is that it?]
[That's right. I want your opinion as a guy on what's the best gift to give.]
[Why ask me? Shouldn't you already know what to give him, since you've known him since middle school?]
[Yes, I know him, but I don't know what he likes as a guy. Whenever he's with us, he's always so considerate, like there's a wall between us.]
[I guess that's obvious. Since he and you guys are opposite genders, he's probably just trying not to overstep any boundaries.]
[That's why I'm asking you, as a guy, for your opinion.]
Being a guy doesn't make all of us the same. It still depends on the person's personality and interests. How am I supposed to know what Manzano likes? If she's asking what I like to receive as a guy, plenty of things come to mind—but that doesn't mean Manzano would want the same. Besides, I've never received gifts from anyone except my mom, so I can't think of any solid suggestions.
In all the web novels I've read, the girl is usually the one receiving gifts. But when it comes to clichés, I can at least come up with something similar. After thinking for a bit, an idea popped into my head.
Organizing my thoughts, I typed it up and sent:
[What if you gave him a chocolate?]