It Started with A Trick

I watched her intently as she walked. She suddenly captured my attention. Her silky black hair, flowing and bouncing behind her; her deep, meaningful eyes looking very… mysterious; and her face that seemed to brighten the whole room.1

Her kind face, her angelic voice, as if every thing she says is a sweet melody. Always ready to help; to give a shoulder to lean on.2

But I don’t think those are the reasons why I love such a person. I just force myself to have reasons. I still have no idea how a girl like her could capture my heart in less than a minute.3

I tried to snap back to reality; my reality, that she and I will never ever be more than just friends; or even be ‘friends’.4

But her loveliness won’t let me go. It was too much to bear; too much for a guy sick in love.5

She put down her things and wandered towards her friends, her hair flying behind her. I stared keenly, suddenly forgetting the fact that I was talking with my best friend. 6

Someone then smacked me on the head. Hard.7

“Shit!” I shouted in pain. I suddenly got everyone’s attention. And I mean everyone, even her.8

“What was that for?!” I said, turning my attention back on my best friend.9

“What’s up with you? I’ve been babbling for the last five minutes and you’re not even listening!” Chris explained, obviously irritated.10

Everyone laughed, and even though everyone did, I heard her small, tinkling laugh than others.11

“Well, you would have at least just poked at my shoulder or something than smacking me on the head! You know how heavy Math books are!”12

Chris looked at me, eyebrows raised. “You know pokes don’t work with you when you’re staring at Maxine.”13

If I can melt, I swear to God I would’ve.14

Then, people started teasing me, and I sneaked a glance towards her direction. She was blushing, and her friends weren’t helping her either. 15

I threw my jacket towards Chris and said loudly enough for everyone else to hear, “You know I don’t like her.”16

Boy, what a liar I am, I thought.17

He rolled his eyes, snorted, and said, “Yeah, and you forgot that the sun appears in daylight. Boy, you sure make the best jokes around, Kyle.”18

I sneaked a glance again towards her, and I caught her looking back, but quickly turned away. Was it because of something I said, I thought.19

RING!20

There goes the bell, I thought.21

Homeroom began. Since she was sitting near me— much to my delight and mortification— I don’t have to get in trouble for turning around and sitting with my back on the teacher.22

There I was, suffering for over an hour after complete humiliation because of Chris. Damn him and his schemes. Sure, we’re best friends, but sometimes, he finds it quite hard to stick it to me occasionally.23

The bell rang again after my “One Hour of Mortification”.24

I was quite surprised when she came up to me and said, “Hey, Kyle.”25

“Hi” I replied.26

I’m really good in these games.27

“By the way,” she started, “I love your poem. It’s really… uhmm, well… deep.”28

I was frazzled. “What poem?” I asked her.29

She laughed her little tinkle. “Here,” she said, and handed me a piece of paper, folded.30

“Maxine!” her friends called.31

“Be right there!” she said.32

“Well, I should be going now. See you!” she waved her hand and bid goodbye, and walked away, leaving me dumbstruck.33

I then remembered the note I had in my hand. I stared at it and in front said, “Maxine ---Kyle”34

Have I already told you how I love Chris? He’s the best friend a guy like me could ever have. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy with the idea of having a best friend who humiliates you twice in just an hour?35

I opened the note and read the poem inside. 36

Can You See It In My Eyes?37

You don’t know how I’m feeling
I have yet to vocalize
Desire deep inside me
Can you see it in my eyes?38

I tremble when you’re near me
Heat travels up my thighs
And I want you with an urgency
That I just can’t describe.39

Dare I reach out to touch you?
Do you think you’d realize
How much I want and need you?
Can you see it in my eyes?40

I long to say “I love you,”
But am scared of your reply
Terrified like a child
I’ve become paralyzed.41

The camouflaged emoticons
Lead to pain and silent cries
And yet I just can’t tell you
Don’t you see it in my eyes?42

Confessing through this poem
My dilemma summarized
The feeling’s quite cathartic
But will lead to my demise
Isn’t it obvious?
I love you!
But can you see it in my eyes?43

“Oh…that poem.” I told myself.44

I cursed Chris under my breath.45

“Shit, damnit. Boy, Chris, are you ever in big trouble.”46

“Hey Kyle!”47

I turned around.48

Here she goes again.49

“Yeah?” I asked her. 50

“By the way, I would love to be your friend.” She smiled, and then walked away, her hair bouncing once again.51

“Okay,” I told myself. “On second thought, I might just treat him for the next three months.”