Chapter 16: Chapter Fifteen

ROEDEN was in high school when he first met Avon. They belong to the same class, and they have the same circle of friends. Everything was going smoothly until one day she confessed that she likes him. She fell in love with him, fast and deep. He was too young back then; he did not know what to do. Everything was new to him. He did not even expect that Avon would shower him so much attention. Roeden did not know how to deal with her. So, instead of giving her the same amount of attention, he avoided her. But it only made the situation worse. Avon was far different from other teenage girls. She was too obsessed with the concept of a happy ending from those romance novels that she had read. She mistook admiration for love. Her concept of being in love was crazy. Suddenly, his solitary life turned into a chaotic one. Roeden wanted that peaceful life back; he thought he must have the upper hand. That was why he was forced to accept Avon in his life and resorted to offering her a friendship. She rejected the idea at first, but later on, she accepted it. Roeden thought the odds were finally in his favor. But it was the other way around. That friendship drew them even more. Soon, he found himself at the edge of the cliff, trying his best not to fall…

Because Roeden was a man with pride, he could not take back what he said. He was so afraid that their friends would laugh at him for friend-zoning her, yet he fell for her. Instead of admitting his feelings, he built a wall between him and Avon. But now that he fully realized what he lost for the past years, he could not help but regret it. If only he was brave enough… They were both happy by now.

“Roeden…”

He turned in Avon’s direction, who was still fast asleep. The sun had risen high up in the sky, yet she was still sleeping soundly until he heard her uttered his name in her sleep. Roeden did not have the heart to wake her up. She must be exhausted after what they did last night. Avon needed her strength back. That was why when her phone rang, he jumped out of bed and brought it outside the room so that its sound would not disturb her sleep.

“Shit…” he cussed after he saw the word ‘mom’ on the caller ID. He was having second thoughts if he would answer the call, but then he realized that her parents must be worried about her because she did not go home last night. He heaved a deep sign before sliding his finger to the left.

“Where are you, you little brat?” said Avon’s mom on the other line. “You didn’t even bother to give me a text or a call to tell me where you are. We thought you were at Carmela’s house, but you weren’t there when we called her. Your dad and I are worried sick about you—”

“Hi, Tita Yolly. It’s me, Roeden.” He cleared his throat. “A-Avon’s with me, Tita. She had to spend the night here at my place because it rained so hard yesterday, and it was hard for her to go home. I’m sorry for not notifying you ahead of time. I thought she already told you.” He prayed that her mom would buy his explanation, which is true anyway.

“R-Roeden!” Tita Yolly sounded really surprised. She even laughed afterwards. “Oh, Roeden, thank you for helping her out. Where is she, anyway? Why is it you who answered my call? Ah, perhaps she asked you to do so because she knew that I would scold her.”

“She’s still sleeping, Tita. She slept late last night, trying to finish her work.” Roeden bit his lower lip. It was a lie he had to tell. How could he tell her mother what they did last night? That was scandalous and inappropriate.

“Oh, right. Why am I expecting her to wake up early in the morning? Anyway, tell Avon I called her. Thanks again. `Bye.” Tita Yolly hung up.

He drew a long breath. Roeden was relieved that the call did not last long because, honestly, he did not know what to say anymore.

“Roeden…”

He flinched when he heard Avon’s voice in the living room. When he turned his head in the direction of the bedroom, he found her walking towards him, wrapped in a blanket.

“What a beautiful sight to greet me this morning,” Avon said as she slowly lowered her gaze down there.

His eyes widened after realizing that he did not have any clothes on at the moment. Roeden ran towards the sofa and grabbed a throw pillow that he used to cover his front. And that made her laugh out loud.

“So, the legend is true after all…” Avon grinned from ear to ear. “Boys do raise the flag every morning…”

Roeden wagged his hand. “Not every single day.”

“How many times in a week then?”

“Asking me how many times it goes up is like telling me to count my breath!” She laughed heartily. Roeden could only shake his head. “Fix yourself as I prepare breakfast. I will take you home.”

“No need to take me home. Just drop me at the bus station—”

“Are you avoiding me now?” His brows furrowed. “Let me remind you that we made a promise last time.”

“I’m not avoiding you, and I didn’t forget that promise, okay.” Avon crossed their distance and clutched her arms on his neck while his arms wrapped around her waist. “I don’t wanna be a burden. You still need to go to work, you know. And you should work hard because I want four children. Raising four children nowadays isn’t an easy task. Therefore, I need a rich husband.”

She made him laugh at that. Now that Avon was back on telling him about her dreams, he knew the old Avon was indeed back. Was it the sign he was waiting for?

He pressed his lips against her forehead. “Keep on telling me about your dreams, Avon…”