"V-Van..." she stutter as her gaze lock with him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Gia," he said with a smile on his face.
Georgina looks away, bite her lower lip and clenches both fists. She's not comfortable. It's been a year and a half since they last met each other. There's no way she's ready to meet him again after what happened. But why? Why he acts comfortable with her?
The Principal talk, but none of her words enters Georgina's ear, as if all sounds in her surroundings have blocked. She fidgets. Already wants to leave the room and hide from him, forget they met in this small room and acts nothing happened but she knows it's impossible.
"Okay, remember what I've said, Mr. Javier. Both of you can go now. Ms. Alvarez, take him to his room." The Principal said.
"I-I'll take care of everything, ma'am. Have a good day." She smiles at her before standing up.
She turns her look towards him, but he stares at her intensely. It looks like he wants to memorize her appearance from head to toe. It's uncomfortable. She clears her voice and looks away. It made him came back to his senses. 'This is your job as a President. Calm down,' she tries to repeat those words inside her head as they walk outside the Principal's Office.
"It looks like you didn't change Gia, excepts today you look more beautiful than before. I guess you're happy this past year." She flinches at what he utters.
No words came out of her mouth and continue to walk again. He might be comfortable to talk about this, but she's not. His presence alone makes her uncomfortable. It's not like this past year. She didn't wish to see him. It was just like she hopes not to trigger the pain between their past again. All she can say, their breakup is not as clear as water. Georgina left the country without explaining everything. He doesn't want her to leave, but still does. Georgina has her reason for choosing to act rude rather than to explain. She hurt him. She knows it well, but he's not alone. More than anyone, she's the one who hurt the most. For her to choose between family and someone she loves romantically isn't easy. It's that witch's fault. During that time, she has no choice but to broke up with him. It's for his sake and not her alone.
She shrugs her head after those memories came back inside her mind. Past is past. 'We're living in the present not in the past,' though the past always gives scars to people's heart.
"Gia? Gia, are you listening? I'm asking if we're near the room? The bell already rings." She almost jumps in shock when he touches her shoulder.
"Y-yeah,"
He chuckles. "You should relax. I'm not eating you alive."
He sounds like teasing her that triggers the other side of Georgina. She stop from walking and turn to him with raised brows.
"Mr. Javier, watch your words. I'm the Student Council President here. We're walking together because it's my duty as one." She said with confident.
He walks towards her and tucks the strand of her hair behind the ear. "You're still a student," he whispers.
"D-don't come near me." She pushes him out of instinct as her heart beats fast.
He chuckles, but she ignores it and continues to walk. Compared to before, there are only a few students left outside the hallway. The moment they saw Georgina pass by them, they run inside their respected classroom.
Few minutes of walk passed before they reach their room. Based on his schedule the Principal give to her, both of them have the same schedule and section. As soon as she opens the front door, all their classmates inside turn in their direction. Some go back to their assign seat and the rest sit properly.
"We're here. If you need something, just come and ask me. Today, introduce yourself in front." She said before heading to her assigned seat at the back.
The moment he enters the room, those women yell and giggle. Some of them stare like they saw a god or something. Her gaze turns to him again. She can't look at him eye to eye before, but now, even from afar, you can see the handsomeness he has. It's not new, but he's more handsome and man-like now than before. 'Can people change their appearance for only a year and a half?'
"Good morning to all of you. I'm Giovanni Javier. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said.
The cheer becomes loud, but Georgina shrugs her head before she gets a book inside the bag. She startles when someone sits beside her. It's Giovanni Javier with his playful angel-like smile.
"It's better to sit beside you so, I can ask anything right away. Hope you don't mind."
"Do as you like, Mr. Javier." She said formally and goes back to reading the book.
"Don't look disappointed, Wifey." He whisper that give shiver down her spine.
Georgina looks around but her classmates near them are all busy talking to each other. She sigh and relief before she turns to him with frown brows.
"Don't call me Wifey again. We're not even a couple." She said, emphasize the word not even a couple.
"Oh, you're right. The word couple is part of the past. It's my bad. I feel like teasing you for a bit." Giovanni give a brief smile that made her clench both fists under the table.
Guilt. It's the only feeling she has rather than anger because of what he said. Even though he acts, nothing happened. You can feel the madness and regret in his tone. It's better to release all of it in front of her than pile it until everything explodes one day.
Three subjects pass by she didn't learn a single lesson. It's the first time she did something like that. The bell already rings means its lunch break so, most of her classmates are in the cafeteria to eat but she's still inside together with Giovanni who's sleeping on this entire first half of class hour. She attempts to go outside with others, but her conscience hits her system. One week, she's responsible for him for an entire week.
A deep sigh escape her mouth as the last student left inside the room beside them leave. Without thoughts in mind, she turns his look to him. He's facing her side so she can see clearly his face. Fair skin, straight-edge nose, natural red lips, and long eyelashes. He's handsome. She's about to touch his cheeks when he opens his eyes.
"Are you just going to stare at me?" He said in a serious tone but she look away.
"If you're awake, then tell me. It's already a lunch break. The cafeteria is on the ground floor," she utters without looking back and stand.
He holds her wrist without hesitation. "Eat with me. I'm your responsibility, right?"
Georgina didn't argue anymore and wait for him before they went to cafeteria. In the middle of walking, she can feel the stare and giggles of those students around. She can catch the attention of other students by passing by, but now, with him, they catch more attention. It's kinda awkward to walk side by side.
"This is the cafeteria. Try to remember it," she said as they get some food with a tray in their hands. "There's a variety of foods choose what you like. You don't need to pay, it's part of the tuition fee expenses." She added.
"Then what do you think is the best food here? I heard cafeteria food is not as delicious." He mumbles without hesitation. It made Georgina flinch.
The woman in her mid-40s stop in giving her some food. She can see the disappointment on her face because of what Giovanni said before. She's one of the cafeteria staff who prepares the food for them. An awkward laugh escape from her mouth as she drags him to an empty table to lessen the tension.
"Argh! What's wrong? I'm not done yet," he protest after he sits down.
"Mr. Javier, can't you sense the atmosphere there? How come you can say those words without hesitation and consideration in front of the cafeteria staff?" She scolds him.
"I didn't say something wrong, Wifey." He emphasizes the word Wifey. It gives her another shiver like before.
"Y-you're not wrong though but..." She glares at him. "Don't say that word again. Do I need to repeat it multiple times before you understand?"
"Let me. Who knows? This will be the last time you'll hear those words on me. I'm not as heartless as you..." He chuckle. "For now, I guess."
An awkward silence lingers between them. All they can hear is the noise from other students. The sound of utensils and chairs pulling. It's those words again. She has a feeling that there's something more he wants from her. He'll not seek for her if it's simply because he wants it. She has an idea but didn't wish to confirm it.
"How are you this past one and a half year?" He broke the silence.
"Fine."
"I have a request for you," she stop from eating and look at him straight.
"What is it?"
"Can you call me hubby again? I just want to confirm something, it's nor hard to do compared to what I requested before."
A long silence echo between them again. Only the sound of their breath.
"Hubby, is it okay now? Please stop it already, Mr. Javier. We don't need to act fine," she said, continue to eat again, try to stop those tears from falling on her eyes.
"It doesn't change," he mumbles. Georgina look at him again and their eyes met. "Nothing change" he gives a sad smile as he put down his utensils.
"It's fine to get mad. It's all my fault. Get mad as long as you want."
"Gia, do you still remember what we promise to each other before? I hope it's still true." He said.
She didn't give an answer, but Giovanni only laugh before he tousle her hair.
"Treat this day as a consideration. besides before you become my lover, we started as a friend. Have a good day, Georgina."
A tears fall from her eyes as she heard his footstep.