Episode 11

Chapter 10

JETHRO

I was just standing here and staring at the transparent door after that incident.

"I don’t know if I will call that a gift but honestly, you were the first person to give me a gift even though there was no important occasion, so I was really happy…"

"Glad you like it," I whispered in the air.

Tug! “Sh*t. It hurts!" I immediately squeezed my chest due to the pain. Here we are again. There is no doubt that this will happen. I am even gasping as I stared at the floor.

Why is it even more painful now? I just did that to know that if she is really the one I am looking for but a while ago...

...I think I have not done it because of that. I did it on purpose.

Tug! Tug! SH*T. It hurts even more. I got on my knees in no time. I can no longer take the pain. It’s too painful!

"So it's already happening..."

I was surprised by the speaker so I raised my head and looked at who. "Dad," I whispered.

It took a few minutes for us to just stare at each other but I calmed down myself immediately even though my chest still hurts so he wouldn't notice. I stood up even if my body is relatively weak.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him coldly .

"Just pass by to check something," he replied while he’s looking back at me.

I didn’t reply him back. "So any idea why that's happening to you?" he asked me.

I turned my back on him and had no intention of answering his question.

He suddenly let out a sigh. “I told you she's the one—”

"No she isn't," I interrupted what she said. "This... this is just a normal chest ache," and at the same time I touched my chest.

“Really? Normal chestache huh?” he asked in a serious tone. "Is a chest ache normal for a person to experience?"

I just bowed my head at what he said and did not say a word.

“You can’t fool me Jethro. What are you feeling right now?” I still did not speak and remained bent over. "Warm isn't it?"

"It's just the temperature," I objected . "None other than that," I turned away from him to get my things.

He let out a sigh again. “Come on Jethro, why are you opposing? Isn't it this is what you want?”

I did not say a word and just picked up the ice case of my instrument .

“Besides we have a lot of proofs already that she's the one we're looking for. So why won't you believe— ”

"No," was my firm answer. "I dont want to. I don't want to believe that she can melt this frozen heart.”

He could not speak. “All I know right now is that I'm contented of just talking to her. I'm satisfied with what we have now because I know…” I paused and turned to him.

"…once she will know about this, eventually, she will start to avoid me," I answered in a serious tone. "I don't know why but thinking about that, makes it more painful than what I am feeling right now," I concluded as my voice weakened slightly enough for him to hear.

He still did not speak. “I know she's my only hope but I don't want to hope anymore. I think I'm satisfied right now so please,” I said coldly and faced him.

There was silence in between us after I said that. He just sighed which was the reason for breaking the silence.

"Well, there's nothing else I can do if that's what you want," he replied.

I just looked at him and didn't say a word. "But please," he added. "…just take my advice to approach Zoltar right now so he can check that out and he might have an idea to reduce the pain," he suggested.

“I'm fine. I can handle this,” was my cold answer. "Besides, I know he's busy right now."

I walked out of the music room but when I got next to him...

"Just to give you an idea," he said so I stopped in front of him. "Yani knows how much pain you are going through better than we do, so she won't stop until she can make you feel happy…" he began.

"…she will always approach you wherever you go and this only means that the chest ache you are feeling right now will get worse," full of warning he said. “Don't wait for that to melt completely…”

"…because you were dead before that happened," and he walked away.

I already knew about that from the beginning. I was looking for her all my life and I thought there's hope when I will be able to see her but I suddenly remembered the time this has been given to me.

No one even knows what will happen in case it melts completely so I restrained myself from believing that she will melt it because… little by little I am getting closer to her…

…but now I’m confident that she is the one, so while it is still early, I have to make a way to stay away from her because if she found out about it, I know we will stay away from each other.

~~~

YANI

I was just standing in a place where it was snowing. I opened the palm of my hand and a small snowflake fell. Wow, it's different when you touch it. It's amazingly beautiful but, it's cold. Wait, where am I?

I looked straight and have seen the shadow of a man. Gradually it cleared up and Jethro appeared with the same face he always showed.

"Hey Jethro!" I called to him and waved. “Look. There is snow!” and smiled at him.

I wasn’t expecting what he would do next.

"Yes indeed," he smiled back. "I'm happy."

I was shocked and I could feel my cheeks warming up. Shacks. This prince is handsome when he smiles.

Suddenly, the place around us was engulfed with darkness gradually and simultaneously also, the smile on his lips faded and his face became serious.

"W-what's going on?" I asked, mixed with fear as I looked around.

"I hope you didn't come into my life."

I was shocked by what he said and I stiffened in my place.

"W-what are you saying?" I said with a trembling voice.

He turned around and walked away.

"Wait," I ran towards him.

"Stay away from me…" he stopped suddenly and turned to me while glaring at me so I also stopped.

"I don’t need your help."

After he said that, again I could not move on my place and I did not realize that I had fallen into darkness.

TOOGSH! I opened my eyes as I lay on the floor. Ouch, I fell out of my bed. I sat on my place and immediately rubbed my head.

What’s with that dream? Geez. Even though it was just a dream, I could really feel my fall. And even in a dream, he still follows me. I felt anxious when I remembered it.

We all know that sometimes dreams have meanings so what does it want to convey?

Che! I shook my head. In your dreams Yani. You are in reality now and you still have a tour. Is there a knock already?

None yet. I’ll change my clothes then because he just might be outside waiting.

What could be the next cabin? Is it cold there or hot? Or maybe I could just ask him, whoever is that prince, just to be sure.

I opened my door to check but no one was there. So, I woke up early?

I was about to go back in my room when I smelled something. Something, good. Is it food?

My stomach began to rumble in hunger. It looks like food. Let’s see it for ourselves then.

I followed the smell and I got to the dining room, where we ate when I just arrived here. I opened the door and peeked. I saw some food on the table.

Wow. That looks delicious. And the scent is tempting me but just for a moment Yani, maybe that was meant for someone. Oh great…

I looked around the place. No one is looking… and just a scoop.

I entered slowly until I reached the seat where the food was. I took the spoon and looked to my left and right again.

Okay, the coast is clear. I scoop up immediately. I would have sucked the soup when...

Screek… The door slowly opened from the kitchen.

Clink! Due to panic, I dropped the spoon and turned around at the door to see who was that.

My eyes widened because of who I saw. Oh no. It’s Fire Prince! He's the one from the kitchen! Waah! I suddenly remembered him shouting at Jethro. Oh shacks!

"Yani?" he asked as he was carrying a bowl. Shacks. This is not good.

"Yani, what are you—"

“I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to touch the food!” I panicked and I immediately bowed in front of him, stood up straight, turned around and started walking towards the door when he spoke again.

“No Yani, it’s fine. This food is actually made for you.”

I stopped and turned to him. "Really?!" just making sure.

“Yup. For you to get ready for your tour at my cabin.”

Having said that, the fear disappeared immediately and my eyes glimmered at what I heard. I’m so lucky. I immediately sat down in excitement and looked for the spoon on the table.

Oh yeah. I dropped it. I immediately searched the bottom of the table.

"If you're looking for the spoon, here." I immediately lifted my body and saw him reaching for a spoon.

"Thank you," I said as I took it.

Okay, let's pray first. In the name of the father, son, holy spirit... Thank you for the food Lord…

"Amen!" and did the sign of the cross again. Let’s eat. When I ate the food... oh God, the taste of his cooking. I never ate such delicious food before.

The prince just stared at me while I’m eating. I started to get conscious, but the food was so delicious so I ignored him, but he just caught my attention when he chuckled so I looked at him.

"Whaahs ffunnieh (What's funny)?" words I said while my mouth is full of food.

He chuckled again so I was surprised. Great. Where are your manners Yani? You are embarrassing! I swallowed the food in my mouth first.

"Uhh I'm sorry for that," I said with a bow out of shame.

"It's fine."

“Oh uhm...uhh...are you hungry? You can have some. You are the one who cooked it anyways," and offered him the food.

“I'm already done. You should eat all of that because you need a lot of energy once you are inside the Fire Cabin.”

“Oh okay. Uhm… ”what is his name again? "Uhm your name is uhh in Spanish right?"

“Yeah. Fuego actually meant fire in Spanish.”

Ah Fuego pala. Okay Prince Fuego is the fire prince.

"Uhm is it really hot in the Fire Cabin?"

“Yes it is. Why? ”

"Oh just wondering what kind of clothes I will wear later," at the same time I ate again.

“You're still going to change? I thought you're ready to go,” he said and smirked at me.

I looked at my clothes and… Shacks! I'm still wearing pajamas. Just great. How many times have I been embarrassed in front of this prince? I just did not speak back and ate the food.

"You're cute while eating," he commented suddenly.

I stopped immediately. *cough*

"Yani?"

"Water..." as I coughed. I almost choked. He immediately took some water and I drank it. After drinking all of it and land the cup on the table,

"What was that?" I asked .

"I just said you're cute while eating," he replied.

“Cute? Are you teasing me?”

“No. Really, I mean it.”

I stopped for a moment and just avoided looking at him and ate again. Really mean it, pssh. Then what’s cute in my face when I am embarrassing myself in front of him. I'm sure this prince is just teasing me. Yes I know, I’m sorry again. I was just shocked, okay? You know I tend to be over exaggerated.

When I had finished the food he had prepared, we first went to my room so I could change my clothes. Because he said it is hot, of course I wore summer clothes and top it off with a long and thick jacket.

After I changed, we went straight to the back of the Main Cabin to the Fire Cabin. I feel the temperature warming up as we go.

"So here we are," as we stood in front of a large volcano.

"Wow," I said in amazement. "So where is the entrance?" I asked .

“It's up there. The mouth of this volcano is the entrance,” he replied while pointing it.

"You mean, we still have to climb up there?"

“Yup,” Shacks. This will be tiring as he said and it’s even hot. It makes me sweat a lot. When was the last time I exercised?

Anyways, I took off my coat and hung on a rock and looked up to see how I will I climb up so I started warming up.

"Uhm what are you doing?" full of wonder Prince Fuego asked.

"Warming up," I replied while stretching my arms. “You know because we need to climb this volcano.”

"We have an elevator," he said.

I immediately stopped and looked at him while he’s pointing to the elevator. Right. I straightened up and walked to the elevator.

Shacks. There we go again. Embarrassing. I warmed up for nothing and he even saw me like a fool.

We took the elevator right away and he was not like the elevators powered by electricity because he had a machine in a corner that needed to be heated to function. So cool. I mean, HOT.

Arriving at the top, "So welcome to the Fire Cabin," he said and I looked inside the volcano.

“Wow,” Really just wow! The size of the crater. This is what they mean by having a city inside a volcano. Almost all of their buildings are attached to the volcanic wall or to the ground and it’s obvious that their buildings are made of dried lava.

"So, where do you want to start?" he asked.

"Uhm where is your place?" I asked back.

"You want to go there already?"

“No. I just want to ask.”

“Oh, well it's located at the bottom of this volcano. You'll see later.”

“Okay. So let's start with the famous places here.”

“Sure thing.”

We walked on a rocky road but that looked like dried lava and as we walked, we are descending so it was very hot. Great. I’m getting sweaty.

So just like the previous tours, he will show me the Fire Academy, Fire hospital, and the different houses and stores. He also mentioned that the food mostly in the restaurants here is spicy and hot because that’s their favorite. When we were a bit close to the lowest part of the volcano, it was scary to walk because the lava was just right next to you.

The special thing about fire people is that their body temperatures are mostly 40 degrees and above and they can withstand the heat of the lava. You see that there are still people bathing in it and yes you read that right, they are bathing in lava and the prince himself said that lava is really what they use for bathing because they can't use water. Well good for them that they don't look burnt.

"I think that's all," he concluded.

"Oh okay," I said as I wiped the sweat on my forehead.

"Getting tired?"

“Well not really. It's just, hot.”

“Let's go to my place. The temperature there is normal.”

"About how many degrees?"

"Well 30," It's still hot but that's okay. Maybe it’s just like in the Philippines. I'm used to it but how did that happen when it was located at the lowest part of the volcano and while we are going down, it’s getting warmer? The irony.

As soon as we got inside, the palace looks normal and it’s still made from dried lava but there are many floating fire everywhere you look. Rather, I think the floating tongues of fire are their source of light in here so if they will sleep, they will just turn it off and when they wake up, they will make a new one. The temperature inside the palace is normal as he said.

We went to his office. When he opened it, it looked like an office, big, spacious, with a table and chairs but here, there’s still a fireplace. Wow. How warm do they want to get?

"Have a seat,” he said. I sat on a couch and as I sat down, I felt very hot. It’s not the feeling of being sick, just the extreme heat that makes you feel really burning. He sat down on his chair.

"Uhm do you have any water?" I asked .

"Sorry but we don't drink water actually because you know why."

"Oh..." Right. They are fire people and water is not allowed here. They might even give me lava to drink but the heat is deadly. If I could just stripped off my clothes, I would have done it. Whooh. Is there an electric fan at least?

"Uhm how long are we gonna wait here?" I asked .

"Why?"

“It's so hot. I can't stand it anymore.”

“Just relax. Sometimes this heat can— ” he suddenly stopped there.

I tied my hair with my right hand and raised it while I wiggled my left hand as a fan because of the heat. I am already wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts but it still has no effect. I badly want to leave.

Suddenly Prince Fuego stood up on his seat with his head bowed down so I was thankful because I knew that meant he would take me back.

"Are we going already—"

I wasn’t able to finish what I was about to say because he immediately went right in front of me, knelt down and placed both his hands besides me on the couch where I was sitting. His head is bowed down but it’s very near to my face.

“Uhm Prince Fuego? Are you okay?” I wonder in question.

He did not speak. "Uhh Prince Fuego—"

"I never thought..." he cut me off and he slowly raised his head and looked at me with a smirk. “...you're this hot.”

Huh? What is he saying? "Uhm what are you talking about, Prince Fuego?"

"You're so..." lifted his hand and touched my cheek suddenly. I was surprised when it suddenly dropped onto the shoulder. "...sexy."

That's when I found out he was different now. His eyes were full of lust and his aura was different. This is not good.

"Pri-prince Fuego..." I began to tremble with fear.

"Say, you're a virgin right?" he suddenly asked and caressed my legs.

Sh*t. When he had said that, I can not move. He slowly brought his face closer.

Waaaahh!! What's going on with him?! When he was inches away from me...

"HINDI! (NO!)" I shouted and pushed him very hard so he sat on the floor.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME! BASTOS! (PERVERT!)” I shouted and ran out.

I ran away from his palace. I never knew he has that side. Sh*t. I was trembling with fear because it was the first time I had experienced that. I stopped as I went down the stairs of his palace and looked at my trembling hand while panting.

That was close. A lot of 'first' things are happening to me right now.

"Yani!" he shouted from the back.

Sh*t. He’s coming close. I ran again, but because of not looking at the road I am running to, I bumped into a fire person. The two of us sat down in the force of the collision.

"Hey!" she complained.

“Oh sorry. Sorry talaga. Hindi ko sinasadya, (Really sorry. I didn't mean to)” I apologized to her as I stood up and panicked.

“What? Did you just— ”

“Oh I mean, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—”

"Yani!" I was interrupted because I heard him shout again.

"I have to go," and I finally ran away.

I’m sorry for who that is. I'm sorry if I didn't help her stand up. I just kept running when I didn’t know where I was going. I paused for a moment as I pant.

"There she is!"

I looked back and has found guards also pursuing me. Why are there fire guards? Oh shacks! Perhaps they think I’m an intruder because of my hair color I ! Even though I was tired, I still had to run. I tried to gain strength and ran again.

But I stopped in front of a big wall. "There you are!"

SHACKS! I was trapped. Where can I jump?!

“Just stay there miss. We just have to take you to Prince Fuego," said a fire guard while gradually coming closer to me.

Shacks! They have been instructed by Prince Fuego. I confronted them and because I could not think of any other way, I just attacked them with fire but they also immediately avoided it.

"Please, leave me alone," I begged .

“Calm down miss. We won't hurt you,” said another one of them.

"Please don't take me to Prince Fuego," I said tearfully .

“It's his orders. We're just following him," and they walked closer to me.

I wanted to cry but I restrained myself and would have attacked again when a woman came in front of me and made a fire wall between me and the guards.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" shouts one of the guards.

She immediately grabbed my hand and hid. After losing to the fire wall,

"They're gone," said one .

“They must have run somewhere. Come on. Let's find them,” and they ran away.

The fire girl who pulled me peeked out secretly to make sure.

"Wala na sila, (They are gone)" she said while peeking.

I was surprised. "Pilipina ka? (You’re a Filipina?)" I asked .

She looked at me. “Oo. Hindi ba halata? (Yes. Is it not obvious?)"

“Hay buti naman. Salamat, (Oh good. Thank you)” and breath with a relief.

She looked back at me seriously. “You have nothing to be thankful for. It's your fault in the first place.”

I was surprised again by what she said. "Huh?"

“That’s what you get for flirting. Why are women so flirty these days?”

"Wait, what are you saying?" I asked with irritation at her. Is she here to save me or to curse me?

“From the way you dress, it is obvious. After all, you look like you're not from here either. I can't believe there is a Filipino like you here.”

"Just a moment, you saved me a while ago and now you’re telling me I’m flirty?" I said. "Not because my clothes are like this doesn’t mean I’m flirty. The prince said it was too hot here in the Fire Cabin so I wore summer clothes. These are the most sensible summer clothes I have. It’s not even that ‘revealing’”

I looked at her and even though she’s a fire girl, it was obvious from what she was wearing that she’s a bit conservative. No wonder she judge others like that.

"Then why are you here?" she asked.

“I am here for the tour. Then my tour guide is Prince Fuego,” I replied .

"Why are you going on a tour here when you are not a fire girl?"

“It’s uhm, a long story. Right now I need to get out of here. Please show me the way."

She just looked at me seriously and raised her eyebrow. "What are you, a lucky onr?" she said in a sassy way

"Eh?"

“I saved you because I thought you were one of those girls that Prince Fuego ‘touched’ and then you’re also a Filipino. But all along, you just have a tour here. I still thought—”

"Wait, how many girls have Prince Fuego ‘touched’?" I interrupted her.

"I don’t know. I don’t care about that prince. All I know is, because of his appearance, women will chase him and I always see him flirting with them.”

"Ah I just found out about that."

She didn’t say anything after it and suddenly stood up, turned around and walked away.

"Hey wait..." I said taking her hand at the same time but I took it back immediately because it was hot. “...please, just tell me the way out of her. I don't want him to see me. I’m only asking you this for now,” I begged.

She turned back to me and looked at me while thinking. Soon, she sighed.

"Whatever," and she started walking away.

"Uhm does that mean yes?"

"Follow me," she answered with a serious tone and so I followed her. Oh thank God.

Because she’s a fire girl, she knew her way around in their cabin. When we got to the top,

“Uhm thank you again. By the way, I am Yani,” and I offered my hand.

She just looked at my hand. "Uhm you?"

"You don’t need to know because we will not meet again," she replied.

"Why?" I wonder in question.

"Isn't it traumatic for you being ‘touched’ by a man?"

I was surprised by what she said. “Oh that. Uhm, he not really touched me but... I just don’t want to see Prince Fuego first but who knows, maybe we’ll meet one day."

She first looked at me from head to toe and let out a sigh.

"Flare," and just clapped my hand back and walked away.

I was dumbfounded after that while my hand was still raised as an offer. Wow. The greatness of her hand shake. And what? I didn’t quite understood her name, Fle... what? Pssh. Fire people are hard to understand. Let’s get out of here.

I made a ball out of air and rode it. It went down and disappeared when I got to the ground. I grabbed my jacket hanging from the rock and walked straight back to the Main Cabin. I first went straight to my room and changed.

A lot has happened today but I felt really bad. Again, not bad as in sick. What happened today left me in a bad mood. Let’s go out to cool down my head.

I was by the door of the Main Cabin, when I saw people outside. They are two, a woman and a man and because of the color of their hair I know they are both ice persons.

The man is leaning on the fountain and because I always see him, even if I only see a side view of his body, I know him. It’s Jethro, with his arms crossed. The ice girl was standing in front of him with her head bowed.

I opened the door slowly and peeked. It's not that I really want to hear what they are talking about but they are talking a bit loud so I can hear it.

"Prince Jethro, the truth is uhm... I really like you since I met you even though uhm... you are like that," said the ice girl.

Wow. As in wow. This girl is surprising. She has the courage to confess to a man like him. I just looked at the prince who was looking cold back at this girl he’s talking to. What will he say?

"So?" Jethro said. Seriously, that's it?

"Uhm so I want to know what you feel about it," said the girl.

Oh my Gash! Is this an act or what? It's like I'm watching a soap opera. Let’s see what will happen next. What would a numb prince like him would say back?

There was a faint silence. Jethro closed his eyes before he spoke.

“Nothing.”

I stopped for a moment. So there you go friends. Isn’t it painful? That was probably the worst answer. Surprised to hear the answer, the ice girl was about cry but it was obvious she’s trying not to.

“Don’t rush Prince Jethro. I'll give you time—”

“I don't need time. I'm a prince and I'm always busy,” he replied.

Aba. 'Don't need time' he says. At least he has a point again because he’s a prince... A NUMB PRINCE!

"But Prince Jethro—"

"You are confessing to the wrong guy," he replied again. "There are other guys out there."

"But, you are the one I like," and the ice girl's tears began to flow.

“You're just wasting your time. If I were you, go home and do something worth it," coldly, Jethro said.

Woah, that hurts so bad it penetrates the heart. This guy is something. The ice girl can’t do anything but cry and ran away.

And that is where the story ends. Lesson learned: Never ever confess to a numb person. That will be your worst nightmare when that happens. So brutal right? He is indeed. Top one. The best to reject a girl.

I dared to go out and approached him. “Can’t you think about what you are going to say first before you speak?” I said as I approached him.

He was slightly surprised before turning to me and giving me back a serious look.

"When are you still there?" he asked coldly.

"Since you two were talking," I replied.

He did not speak. "Poor girl," I added . "She has the courage to confess to you, yet you still refused her."

"I don’t like her," was his simple answer.

I paused before answering because… he has a point guys. "Bu-but even so, I hope you at least said good words like 'I appreciate your courage' or whatever."

"Why do you care? Don’t tell me what to do or what to say as if you knew me. You don’t know what you are saying,” he said numbly.

Eh? What? “Wow hah. It's like your head is hot right now. Did I do something to you?” I asked .

“You are too inquisitive. Know your place before you even speak to someone," he replied and then he stood upright and turned away.

I froze in my place after he said that. That took a toll on me. He has a point. I seem to be really nosy about this. I’m embarrassed.

"And by the way," he says with a liningon me and gave poisonous to think. “Can you stay away from me? You are annoying.”

I was completely silenced by what he said. He continued to walk away while I bowed my head.

I understood what he said earlier but with the last words he uttered, my hand became a fist with anger.

I made a snow ball in my hand and threw it at him. He was hit in the head so he stopped without looking at me.

"You imbeciles!" I shouted. “Why are you all like that?! Prince Fuego almost ‘touched’ me a while ago, I met an unfriendly woman in the Fire Cabin and now you telling me to stay away from you?! I still thought when I saw you, at last, I could talk to someone sensibly! But in the end, you’re just like them! You all ruined someone’s day, thanks a lot!” and I ran away.

I run again without knowing where I am going. Just great. I can no longer control myself.

I slowed down and started walking. I arrived at an open space with only snow on the ground. I sat on the snow, hugged my legs and rested my head on my knees.

That guy is really something. I thought he’s a good person? Why is he suddenly pushing me away? Did I do something wrong again ?

Maybe because of me being nosy earlier.

I raised my head and looked up at the sky. I suddenly remembered my dream earlier. Is this what that means? That I really need to stay away from him? Doesn't he really need me?

Maybe… because I'm the only one who thinks he needs me.

After a few minutes of thinking, I heard footsteps of a shoe that I thought was approaching where I was so I looked at who, that surprised me.

We stared at each other as my face is full of surprise looking back at him. Why is he here? I frowned because of it and avoided his gaze.

"What are you doing there?" I asked him angrily .

He didn't say a word and just looked back at me.

"You said I should stay away from you," I added. "And here I am doing it, but why are you suddenly approaching me? You’re confusing me.”

Hayst. I'm talking to the wind. He’s not even talking back.

"If you have nothing to say, can you leave now?!" I said angrily to him.

"Not because you are angry, you can throw a snowball at me," he replied coldly.

I was a little surprised by what he said so I looked at him in no time. There was silence in between us. I think he was angry at what I did.

"Eh uhm you should be thankful that I just threw a snowball at you," I replied.

"Even so."

I let out a sigh. "Well then, if that's the reason you came here—"

Toosh! He threw a snowball at my very face. I was surprised by what he did and immediately wiped my face.

"What is that for ?!" I angrily said.

He didn't say a word and made another snowball and threw it at me again.

"Hey wait—" good thing, I avoided that. "What is your problem?!"

He ignored me again and made another snowball in his hand. I got up immediately.

"Oh, you want a fight?” at the same time I also made a snowball in my hand and threw it at him but he dodged it.

“Hah. Don't worry because more will come,” I challenged him.

We threw snowballs at each other and each of us took a different approach when dodging. We were like children playing a snowball fight.

"Wait..." I stopped for a moment while panting. He also stopped and waited for me.

"I’m tired—" and quickly threw a snowball straight at his face. “Boom! I hit you. Haha,” I laughed .

He wiped his face and I looked back at him while a smile etched on my lips. After wiping, he also looked back at me but I also immediately averted my eyes from him.

I just returned to reality when he whispered something.

"What's that?" I asked because I did not hear it.

"Nothin," he answered back coldly. Okay? I know he said something. All I heard was "you smiled". You smiled? Who smiled?

I looked at him looking up so I looked too. Wow. It's snowing. I opened the palm of my hand and a small snowflake landed.

“Hey look. The snowflake is cute—” I turned to him.

My eyes widened at what I saw. I feel like time has stopped and all I can hear is my heart pounding and the breeze of the cold wind parting the hair that is blocking my face as well as his so I can clearly see…

Just great. That was dramatic but really... am I dreaming? I pinched myself. Ouch, nothing happened. This is true. IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!

"Yo-you’re..." I stammered while pointing at him. He did not say a word and shifted his gaze to me.

"YOU smiled!" I said aloud while still pointing at him.

He was surprised by what I said. “Oh Em Gee! You really smiled!” I said smiling.

He averted his eyes from me. “Shacks! You look handsome when you smile!”

It was only then that I realized what I was saying. Oops. There was silence in between us and both of us were shocked at what I have said.

"Uhm wh-what I mean is..." I stammered. Shacks, I said that?! He turned around suddenly and was about to leave.

"Hey Jethro..." I called .

"I need to go," he said and started walking.

I watched him walk away.

“What I said is true. Promise!” I shouted so he stopped.

Oh Shacks. Did I just said that out loud? What are you saying Yani?! Why is my mouth moving on its own? I should have said that on my own!

Not by a spoken word again after I said that. Well not until,

"Just so you know," he began. "It only snows in a certain place..." he turned to me and smiled. "...when I'm happy," he finished and finally walked away.

Loading... I processed what happened first.

Eh? Wait what?! Is he serious?! And he smiled again! But just wait, this looks like de javu. It looks like I saw this scene before...

Yes, that's right. The dream. It didn't exactly happen just like in my dream but almost everything was in it.

But I began to worry because my dream did not end here. Something else happened… something bad will happen. I need to stay away from him. Will that ever happen?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***