Chapter 28: Kisses

"What do you want to eat?" Shan asked.

"Anything," I replied.

"Okay, just a moment." Shan stood up and went to the counter so I was left with Fire and his friends. I just focused on looking around to get over my shyness. After a while, Fritz suddenly spoke to me.
"How are you, Solene? I haven't seen you at the hangout lately."
"I've been really busy lately," I explained.
That was partly true, partly a lie. It wasn't entirely a bad lie. Aside from not wanting to see Fire, I was also looking for a job. I realized Lianne was right. I needed to stand on my own two feet. I didn't want to rely on Fire forever, and besides, it feels much better to achieve something knowing you worked hard for it.
Thankfully, I found a job, thanks to God's grace, at a bakery, and I start next week. I considered what happened with Fire a blessing in disguise.
"You're Solene?"
I turned my attention to the woman who asked. "Hmm..." I replied, glancing quickly at the woman's arm around Fire. My eyebrow rose slightly, and I looked back at her.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Sairein," she said with a smile.
I smiled back, but I couldn't shake the annoyance caused by her arm around Fire.
"Call me Poks," said another woman beside Fire. I slightly winced at the name, and I think she noticed because she spoke again.
"Don't judge me. My name is really Giselle, I just go by Poks," she added.
"Sorry," I mumbled. It's embarrassing, Solene.
"It's okay, don't be shy. We're nice, especially..." Giselle glanced at Fire and smirked playfully. Fire glared at her, and I almost laughed, but I managed to hold it in.
"You two need to stop being so clingy with Fire because Solene's here now," Mark said, almost making me fall off my chair.
Fire coughed repeatedly, and even though I was embarrassed, I offered him a glass of water. He looked at me before taking it.
"Thanks," he said, his voice raspy.
I smiled faintly and turned my attention to the table. Why is Shan taking so long?
"Don't worry, girl. He's not my type," Sairein said, pointing at Fire.
I don't know whether to laugh or what Sairein said. I felt like I was sweating, especially when I noticed Fire staring intently at me. My heart was pounding.
"I like someone else."
My gaze shifted back to Sairein as she spoke again. I followed her gaze and saw Shan approaching us.
"I thought it was Mark?" Giselle whispered, but we all heard her, that's why Sairein glared at her.
"Oh, really? I thought you were just looking at me," Mark asked, looking back and forth between Sairein and me. It felt like there was something between them, and I felt like I was being squeezed in the middle.
I looked back and forth between them, feeling like I was being squeezed in the middle.
“You two make a good couple.” I stated.
"Eh, what about us?" Shan asked
I sighed. "Crazy!"
"Seriously, Solene. Haven't you thought about us? I think we could be a great couple.” Shan fearless suggested. Fire’s jaw clenched.
"Right, Callante," I almost choked on the food I was eating because of Shan's statements.
If there was an audience, they would have seen Fire's anger. Shan was staring at Fire, and I could see his eyes were tense. His lips were slightly parted. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, but I know he's mad... he's furious.
No—the way he clenched his jaw.
"I don't think so," said Fire.
"Why?" he asked, looking at me.
"Because..."
We all looked at Fire when he stood up and walked towards Shan. His face was grim.
Then he bowed his head and kissed her on the cheek. Her reaction was a bit of a shock. She kissed him back. I could feel my cheeks burning. I was about to kiss him too.
"I just want to let you know, Martinez , I've already marked her. Don't you dare touch my girl," Fire said, his eyes still on Shan, his lips slightly parted.
I felt my cheeks burn and I felt a little embarrassed. I could feel his lips about to touch mine.

It's so embarrassing! Ugh, Solene! Don't blush!
I was with Fire's friends, and I felt so embarrassed. Because of Fire's actions toward me, I forgot that I wasn't just anyone.
Sh*t, Fire! You really kissed me in front of everyone! I'm so embarrassed because of what Shan and his friends did. Why did he kiss me in front of Shan? I'm so jealous, it's impossible, but it's really impossible. Why is he jealous? What are those impossible things?
"We're done, Solene. Maybe it'll get worse," Giselle said.
We were silent. I didn't look at Shan for a good reason. I'm still embarrassed, so I just kept quiet.
I've been kissed many times, but it's the first time I've been kissed in front of everyone. And it's not just that, he's also threatening me.
Shan wanted to say something, but the guilt was still there. I felt it even more when I looked at Shan's questioning face.
"I confirmed something," Shan said, his expression serious. Earlier he was smiling, now he's serious.
"He likes you," he added.
"Ha-Ha?" I want to laugh. If Fire was the one flirting with me, he wouldn't have kissed me. Why did he kiss me? There's no romantic movie where they would do that.
We're following the rules. "You can't fall in love with me, Solene, I'm loyal to no one."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but that guy definitely likes you. You may not notice it all the time."
"Are you kidding me?" I can't believe what he said. It's impossible for Fire. There are so many women around him. Is it a miracle?
"Trust me, Solene, he likes you. And when we saw each other at the supermarket, he looked at me. He left."
It's impossible. What did he hear?
I can't compare him to the guys I've been with. I don't want to blame myself, so I won't believe it.
But it's really different in my heart. I want to believe Shan. I want to believe that Fire is like Shan. But if I continue to believe in Fire, I'm sure I'll be the only one hurt. I don't want to be hurt, so I won't believe it unless I hear it from him.
Now, let me think about what to do next.
"It's impossible, what you said, Shan. Fire doesn't like me," I said, clarifying my statement.
"Why, Solene? I don't think it's impossible. I mean... you're very likable."
I noticed Shan's intense gaze. I couldn't understand why I reacted that way to his simple glance.
I smiled sadly. "Fire doesn't like me, Shan. A kiss isn't enough to show his feelings."
What Fire said earlier was just a show. He only kissed me to make me feel better about Shan. But you like him?
We looked at each other, and Shan spoke. I didn't want to be with him, but he was always in my thoughts. He's always there, just a little push away. I'm always being touched, but I can always escape.
"Wow! I just got my heart broken without even sweating," she said.
"What?"
She smiled, but there was something different in her eyes. "Wala!"
She looked straight ahead, and I did the same.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
She laughed before answering. "On campus. Do you have class?" I nodded as I asked again.
"Wait. Why are you here?"
"Because I have class, too..."
"At the university you're attending? Special child?" I asked, teasing her.
"Don't be silly. I've been transferred last week. Guess who's my classmate?"
I was shocked because earlier he looked so serious, but now he looks silly. "Who?" I asked.
"Fire Dustin Callante," he answered.
I was surprised because I didn't expect for them to be classmates.
I just talked about what happened. We laughed a lot. There was no end to his stories.
"Why did you choose to be an architect?" she asked me in the middle of our conversation.
I smiled and thought about why. "Because I love drawing. It's my mother's dream for me to be an architect. My mom herself wanted to be one, but she had me so she wasn't able to realize her dream.
"It seems you're paying your mother's debt," he whispered. I nodded. "I'm doing this because I really wanted to take a course in fine arts. But because of the high tuition fees, I decided to become an architect."
He nodded. "What if you became a businessman?" I asked, a sad smile on my lips.
"What? My first choice was to be a pilot. It was my father's decision. If I were to choose freely, I would want to travel the world freely." He paused, as if remembering something. "And I made a promise to someone."
"Eh, why didn't you follow someone like me who's longing for his father's attention?"
"It's not easy, Solene. I need to live up to his expectations, even though I'm messed up. All I know is that Shan is good to my eyes."
I was relieved when he stopped talking about his life.
"Your Dad loves you, Shan," I said, trying to cheer him up.
"I hope so," he said, rolling his eyes. "Let's not talk about my life anymore."
"You're starting to get abnormal again."
"Whatever! Let's just forget about it."
I suddenly stopped walking. I turned around and looked at him.
"Thank you, Shan. Even for lunch."
"Anything for you," he said, then turned away.
He was happy, but he stopped suddenly. He looked at me and quickly grabbed my hand.
"Why?" I asked.
"He didn't kiss you for nothing. He kissed you because he was really jealous. Trust me, Solene." He bowed her head. "And by the way, I want you to know that..." she paused. He was about to tell me something but decided not to do it. Instead, he walked towards me and planted a small light kiss on my forehead.
I was shocked. Why did he kiss me? Why is this happening?