Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I can't breathe after all that you've told me

"Do you want to have breakfast with me?" I fumbled at the door upon seeing Aae. He scanned me while his arms crossed.

Oh crap! He saw my wake up look.

I didn't check my face in the mirror before going out. I just brushed my teeth since I usually take a bath after training.

"Good morning," I greeted him. "Why are you still here?" I curiously asked. It's already five in the morning. He was usually out during this time.

"Let's eat." He invited.

I blinked.

He's asking me to eat?

Okay, that's new. What's up with him today?

"Uh, I'm wondering if you eat the food I made so-"

I quickly nodded. "I eat them after training."

He smiled. "Good to know. Here is your breakfast then." He handed me the paper bag. I was sure it had his thermal lunch box, a chocolate drink, and a note. I wonder what he wrote today.

I hesitated. "You don't have to do this."

As much as I want free food, I felt like a burden to Aae. He'd been doing this everyday.

"I want to do it." He bent his head to the side before smiling. He's cute whenever he does that.

"I don't know how to repay you," I replied.

"How about you walk with me to school every morning?" He offered. His eyes were hoping I'd say yes.

"But, you go to school early," I protested. "I'm not a morning person," I frowned.

Getting up in bed earlier was not my thing, but I needed to get up because of our training.

"I can wait for you. We can go at exactly five in the morning, like this?" He looked at me until his gaze stopped at the sweatshirt I wore. "That's a nice sweatshirt."

"Yeah, it's my brother," I reacted. "He personalized the lyrics of my favorite song here."

I glimpsed at the lines as Aae started singing, "And I'll be your memories, your lullaby for all the times hoping that my voice could get it right..."

"Oh, that's the song you're playing when we have our first small talk," I remembered. How could I forget about it?

He was stunned for a moment. "You remember that?"

"Yeah, I remember things. What do you think I am?" I pouted.

He chuckled. "Nothing, it just makes me glad."

"What, why?" I arched my brows.

"I like the fact that you remember something about me." He flickered his eyes.

Uh, what should I say?

I counted the seconds that passed before Aae broke the silence. I usually ended up speechless with his words.

Is that a good thing? I felt awkward again.

"Let's go?" He gestured to the stairs.

"Ah yeah." I checked my watch. "Coach Chris will get mad at me if I'm late." I yanked my backpack as we hurriedly went downstairs.

I inhaled the chocolate scent in his clothes when he stood in front of the air conditioner. He turned it off before heading out. "You like chocolates?" I couldn't help but ask. "Is that a chocolate perfume?"

"Okay, make sure you eat your breakfast." He gave the paper bag.

"Thank you." I returned his smile.

Aae ran to the baseball field while I jogged to the pool.

I saw Caroline on my way. Her curve was evident as she swift her gymnastics leotards. She rolled her eyes to me.

What's up with her? I think she still doesn't like the fact that I was friends with Zack.

Nevermind.

After strength training, Coach Chris ordered me to finish a lap. However, one lap turned into two, three, until I heard him shout the change in my time record.

"Finally, 26!" Coach punched in the air as soon as I reached the end of the pool. I heard my teammates cheering.

"Thanks, Coach." I removed my goggles and swim cap. I was exhausted. My feet were numb from series of dolphin kick a while ago.

I heaved.

"Let's work on your butterfly stroke tomorrow." He handed me the towel.

I nodded and climbed to the side to rest.

"You are all dismissed. Take a shower and don't be late for your class." Coach Chris reminded. "Before you go, check the board for your scheduled meet in the preliminary games."

"Yes, Coach!" We all said in chorus.

"Good job Zee, looking forward to your butterfly stroke. I know you can make it," Lea cheered. She was a senior from another section. There were only five seniors in our team right now, including me.

I've been studying in this school since elementary with Gab along with our other classmates like Charish, Chad, and Geralt, and Caroline who graduated as our Class Valedictorian, so she had a grudge when Zack appeared in the picture. Of course, she was beaten by Zack who came from the rival school before, and now Aae.

"Thanks, Lea. Me too, Goodluck on your backstroke."

After taking the shower, I went to the bulletin board to check my scheduled meet. The opening for the Inter-High School Competition would be next month, but the preliminary games already started, so almost all the sports teams were busy with their line-up. It was a qualifying game, so you need to at least be in the Top 3 to qualify for the Inter-High School Competition and be chosen as a representative for National Competitions.

My meet would be on the same date as my brother's birthday. Is this fate?

"Zamora." I almost fainted when I heard Sir Cerezo's voice on my way to the room. Oh my gosh! What a nice way to start the day.

"Good morning, Sir." I stroked my hair. Crap! I hadn't comb my hair.

"How's morning practice?" He beamed a smile. Gosh! I'm dying.

"Uh." I tried hiding the butterflies in my stomach. "Better," I answered.

"Good to know. Anyways, Congratulations!" His words echoed in my ears.

"Thank you, Sir." I bowed a little. I wanted to hide my flushed face, but I think it's obvious.

"I'll notify you about the Literature contest. Be ready about it. I'll be giving you modules to review, okay?"

I nodded. "Yes, Sir."

He waved. I grinned my teeth as soon as he turned his back from me. I screamed inside. Omg! I was excited to work with him during reviews. He's the only reason why I was maintaining my spot in Literature. It's worth it.

"What's up with your face, Zeekie?" Zack scowled. "You look like you're going to poop." He laughed. He was holding his vest on his left hand, and a bundle of paper was occupying his right hand.

"None of your business, duh!" I answered. He followed me upstairs.

"You're my business." He smirked.

"Whatever, Zacky!" I stuck out my tongue. "What's up with the papers?" I pointed. I opened the door for him.

"Modules," he sighed. "Sucks, I need to review all the subjects for the contests." He dropped the paper on Chad's table. I heard Chad whined.

"Sometimes being smart sucks. Good thing, I'm not that smart," Marco commented.I agreed.

Aae was also holding modules. I was about to congratulate him when the bell rang.

We quickly ran to our seats.

Zack wore his vest on his way to his chair.

I placed my backpack on the side when I noticed Gab's vacant chair.

She's absent?

--

Aae left a note in the kitchen when I came home saying, Make sure to eat everything I made before you go to sleep. I don't want to put it into waste. We got baseball practice and might come home late, so lock-up. - A

"Woah, what's up with him?" I wondered. He was becoming expressive these past few days. We don't talk much, but I memorized his daily routine, which I liked.

Aae would wake at 4:30 in the morning as he cooked our breakfast since he always left one for me before he goes to school. He had a menu for the day, so I was sure that tomorrow would be pancake day. He would also pair dinner with his favorite chocolate drink.

"So, what Mayday Parade lines did you leave for today?" I asked myself as I checked the fridge. Aae loved leaving Mayday Parade lines on the fridge everyday.

I paused as I read it.

We get one step closer, but we're still far away.

It's a line from the song So Far Away. It was just a line, but I felt like it was something he couldn't say to me. Is that the reason why he was writing notes?

Should I reply? What would I say?

I decided to ask for a book suggestion since he loved reading books. After attending church on Sundays, he would read books.

After eating, I went into my room to study for our quiz. I tried ringing Gab, but she's not answering her phone. She's not also online in her social media account. I was worried about her because she did not come to school today. I hope she's okay.

I heard the gate creaked around 10 in the evening. A minute after, I heard Aae play the song Angels by Mayday Parade in his speakers.

Three years of something I call love

When the phone calls and photographs are never enough

To save a heart that's been broken so close to screaming

This can't be happening, I must be dreaming

I fell asleep after three songs.

"Good morning, Zee." Tita Annly greeted me as I entered the kitchen. It was five in the morning.

"How are you, Tita?" I replied. She was reading the note left by Aae on the fridge. She looks tired. I also wanted to become a doctor even though I know how tiring it would be. But, I was sure my parents wouldn't allow me to pursue medicine.

"Is Aae broken-hearted or something?" She asked, confused. "What's with these lines?"

She pointed at the note written by Aae: Stay safe, stay strong, and let me know that you'll be here while I am gone because I'm coming home.

I laughed. "No, Tita. Those are lines from a song."

"Oh," Tita raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was a message for you. You know." She meaningfully glanced at me. "Anyway, he left food for you. Have a nice day. I need to sleep."

I nodded. "Have a good night's sleep, Tita."

Gab was still absent when I went to school. She didn't leave a message, so I don't know why. Usually, she would beep me up if she's sick. It must be something about the level ranking. She got high grades, but her parents still wanted her to get the number one spot. She's trying to beat Zack, but all of them failed for the last three years.

How to beat Zack anyway?

Where is he? I would ask him to drive us to Gab's residence to visit her if she would not show up tomorrow.

Uh, he told me he wanted to hear the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. I would hate the world if he got a perfect score on the quiz when he's not even reading.

"Zee, can you keep this for Gab? She requested for DLSU Application Form." Charish handed me the paper.

DLSU? I thought she wanted to go to San Beda.

"I have papers from other schools too, where do you plan to apply?" she added.

"I'll have UST and Ateneo."

"Okay." She gave the form to me. "Have you thought about your dream? Miss needs it for our yearbook."

"Not really. I don't know. Uh, to become a wife?" I joked. "Kidding! I wanted to become a surgeon."

"Nice," She nodded. "Wait, I remembered Zack didn't ask for any application form. Do you know what's his dream or where he's going to study?"

I wagged my head and wondered. Yeah, Zack never told me what he wanted and where he was going to study after high school. Does he even have a plan? I hoped he would go to the same school as me.

"Where is Zack?" I asked Chad while he was busy sketching Lauv. "Wow!" I commented. "You're really good at drawing. If I was Lauv, I'm going to say yes to you."

"Zack is also good at drawing. Don't you know that?" He grinned. "Better than me."

I scowled, yet inside I was proud of him. "Of course, he can do everything."

"Except for one."

"What is it?"

Chad pursed his lips to which his dimple showed. "Confess."

"Confess what?"

Chad shrugged. "Anyway, he's talking to Caroline in the hallway."

I raised an eyebrow.

What are they talking about?

I decided to go to the restroom and met Zack on the stairs.

"Hey, Zacky!" I called. "Where did you go?"

He looks annoyed as he turned to me. Oh? Did he get into a fight?

"What's up? Did Caroline upset you?" I asked. "Charish was asking about your plans in college and your dreams too for the yearbook. Yeah, I'm curious too. Where do-"

"I am going to ask a question." He seriously looked at me. There was a loud thumping in my chest and his stare was making me nervous.

"What? Why so serious?"

"Do you live with Aae?"

"Why? How did - -"

"Just give me a yes or no, Katie."

Zack calling me in my second name means he was fcking serious, and not in the mood to mess up with.

"Yeah," I said, confused. But, how did he know?

"Yeah, why? I mean, it's not that we live together. He is renting one of the rooms in Tita Annly's house." I explained.

"And you didn't tell me?"

I stared at him and realized that he wasn't annoyed, mad, or pissed. He looked warmer like he hurt himself.

"Hey, I didn't think it's kind of a big deal and-"

He cut me off. "Yeah. I get it." He smirked. "Why would you tell me, right?" He hissed as he sarcastically said, "I'm just your best friend."