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2. My First Love Likes My Crush

Rosè

Manuel caught my attention the first time I saw him. He occupied a worn leather chair at the back of the library. His chin rested between his thumb and forefinger, hard brown eyes following the words in the book. Hair as dark as my room when I turned off the lights. Something about him captivated me, like how he could look so smart, so sophisticated while some kids were playing music on the other side of the shelf behind him. All of a sudden, I could imagine those slender arms holding me. Keeping me warm as it rained outside. Soft pink lips gently grazing my forehead. But what was I thinking? He was a complete stranger!

Maybe he felt someone watching him, or maybe it was the scent of my sweat, but he looked right at me. I hid my face behind an open book and made my way out of that section of the library. What a way to leave a first impression on a cute guy.

The next time I met him, he approached me first.

"Excuse me?"

I turned around and there he was, standing right behind me. "You're the girl that sits in the corner in English class, right?"

Too stunned to speak, I nodded. My friends at the table were observing us with interest.

"I go to the same class. Um, I was wondering if you already had a partner for the assignment Ms. Cooper gave us. I don't talk to a lot of people and I saw how you handled the last assignment, so I thought I would ask. Do you want to partner up?"

It was so out of nowhere that my mind blanked out. Of course, I knew who he was. I got to school early just so I could see him walk through the classroom door. When I finally registered what he just said, I shot up in my seat, but my hand sit my nachos and some fell on the cafeteria floor. I stared at it in horror, knowing that I just made a fool of myself by doing this. And in front of my crush, no less.

I stared at it. We looked at each other and he started laughing. Red spread from my neck to my cheeks.

"Y-yeah. I don't have a partner yet, so I don't mind."

My friends giggled. I glared at them but inside I was partially happy. My crush took the initiative to talk to me, which I was grateful for since deep down I knew I would have never found the courage to approach him myself.

We spent the next two weeks in each other's company. It was usually at the park that we met, surrounded by nature while sitting at a picnic table. We went over ideas that we think could work, spent the rest of the first week collecting sources and materials, then in the second week we carried it out. I couldn't help but fall faster while with him. He sometimes brought little drinks and a treat for us to share while we worked. One day when it was raining we were forced to move our project to the library. At that moment we didn't feel like continuing, so we spent the remainder of our time there telling stories and asking questions.

I got to see Manuel as more than a crush. I got to see him as a person. I learned he liked banana sodas cause they're super sweet. His favorite animal is the koala. He hates frogs since to him they're obnoxious. And he loves the season of spring.

On Friday, we had added the last of the adjustments and were prepared to present it on Monday. Then, It rained again. Instead of running to the library, Manuel and I decided to take shelter under the patio of a cafe. "Wow, it's really pouring," Manuel said.

I giggled, removing the rubber band from my hair, and allowing my hair to fall in waves down my back. "Well, it could have been worse, right?"

"Yeah. I mean, I could have been here alone." His lips curled upwards as he looked at me. I blushed and kept my eyes on the rain.

A ping made both of us check our phones. It was mine. A message. I opened it and read it.

"Who is that?" Manuel asked.

I shrugged. "Tommy. He's my best friend."

"Oh." He was quiet for a while. "Do you like him, or?"

"No, no, no! We're simply just friends."

"Hm. Okay."

Just then, as I thought out my reply, he slipped his fingers into my hair. I slowly raised my head to look at him. He had a faint smile on his face that I hadn't seen until that day. He tucked some strands behind my right ear.

Maybe I should have known the moment he looked away and acted like nothing happened. But how could I tell if he was taking advantage of me without any proof?

Now here he was, years later, at my table chatting to Robin without a care in the world.

Robin saw me first. She immediately stopped laughing when I took a seat. "Hey, Rose. Manny was just saying 'hi'."

"Actually, I came for my answer. You can tell me at another time," Manuel winked.

I didn't spare a glance at him, keeping my gaze on my tray. I wanted to eat, but I felt self-conscious with him here. I replied to Robin with a greeting and took out my phone.

However, I couldn't help but look up at her. Something about her aura seemed guilty.

Robin sighed, throwing her blonde ponytail over her shoulder. "Maybe we can talk about it another time. Don't you want to join your friends?"

"I'm exactly where I want to be," he winked. The way he looked at her was as if she was a fine slice of cake, the kind behind the display case at a high-end cafe. "But I will give you some freedom to think about it." Then he reached out and touched her hand before getting up and leaving us to ourselves. Robin released a breath I never realized she was holding.

"Sorry about that," Robin smiled. "He asked me something and wouldn't stop bothering."

"What did he say?"

"Nothing you have to worry about," once again Robin smiled and unlocked her lunch kit to reveal some baked sushi. "Want some? My dad said he'd make you some if you liked it."

"Robin, come on." I folded my arms. "I'm your friend. You can tell me."

That and I need to know whether it is what I suspected.

She sighed and rubbed the back of her hand. I noticed it was the spot where Manuel touched her.

"He kind of asked me on a study date for our chemistry class," I watched as she bite her lip. "I thought him I would think about it, but after recalling how he treated you... I guess I didn't think it was worth mentioning."

Huh, so that's his plan. Does he really like Robin or is he trying to do the same thing he did to me? I shrugged and tried to eat, but couldn't keep it off my mind. I would never try to stop her from dating as long as it's someone she really likes, who also likes her and treats her well.

Robin continued fidgeting. I smiled in an attempt to ease her discomfort. "Robin, do you like him?"

I tried to meet her eyes but she looked. "I just think of him as a friend," she says. "I don't think a study date would be a bad idea."

I nodded. My hands reached out to hold her.

"Listen, you don't have to be scared, Robin. I want the best for you, and if you like him you like him. But that guy is not the best. Trust me, you can do better."

And that was my honest opinion. If she got with him and he hurt her, then I would never forgive myself.

Yet my words didn't seem to satisfy Robin. She smiled, the type of smile where I could tell she did it for show. Then she started eating and changed the subject. There wish there was something I could do to make her relax, but maybe moving on from the conversation was better.

From across the room, I caught Tommy looking at me. He whispered something to Denis and he busted out in laughter. I lowered my head and stuffed my mouth with food. Their entire posse was there, including Steve and Alyssa. Steve pinched Alyssa's butt and she slapped him in the face.

Manuel wasn't with them. Then where did he go?

A shout coming from the entrance interrupted my thoughts. I spun around and there he was. Some kind of cream dripped down his black shirt. His arms froze in the air as if he was trying to stop the person in front of him.

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