Chapter 3: Reblog 2: Miguel
We were like in a staring contest: staring at each other in front of the cafeteria. We’re waiting who’s going to talk first. No one wanted to retreat. If you look away, you’re dead.
That’s the feeling.
I gave him a scrutinizing glare while he’s still smiling at me. Who is he and why is he like this? What does he want from me? And why is he so persistent on making me talk to him? If I want to, I would. Really. It’s just that, there’s this weird feeling. Maybe I am freaking out with what he’s doing to me. I am beyond confused.
Why is he acting like he knows me? And why does he know my name?!
No, scratch that. Maybe he read my name on my paper earlier. But still! Why did it sound familiar when he called my name?
Does he really know me?
Why am I overthinking!
“You’re going to talk now?”
Whoever he is, I am already hating his guts.
I retreated my gaze and went inside the cafeteria. But the guy still followed me! He's creeping me out!
I composed myself and ignored him. I checked the meals available in the cafeteria. He’s standing right next to me, too close for my comfort. He’s watching me like a hawk.
I want to call my brother now.
“What’s your order, Miss?” asked the crew. I was about to talk when I remembered the guy standing next to me.
I just pointed out the food that I wanted.
No, I am not giving you the satisfaction.
The crew then looked at him. “How about you, Sir Iggy?”
Iggy, huh?
“I’ll take what she’s taking,” he casually said. “And cola. Please add juice to her tray, too. I don’t want her to choke on my gorgeousness.” I looked at him, baffled. He just winked at me.
Oh, wow! I am really hating his guts now!
“You’re really funny, Sir Iggy.” She was giggling like a babe. It’s irritating me!
The crew put my order on my tray and I hurriedly went to the counter, as if I am being followed by a mad wolf. As I was about to pay my meal, “Iggy” talked.
“It’s on me.” The cashier nodded at Iggy. What was that? Does he have some kind of privilege in this cafeteria?
"Follow me,” he said and smiled. I’m still confused. Who is he, really?
I really don’t want to follow him, but since the cafeteria is crowded, I just did. He went to the area full of reserved tables. Aren’t these for professors’ use only?
He put down his tray of food on the table. He offered me a seat like I am some kind of a princess.
I couldn’t help but to blush. This is embarrassing!
And just like that, my stomach growled. Fuck. Did he hear that?
I acted as if nothing happened and sat down. I started eating. He started eating, too, but his smile is still plastered on his face. What the actual heck?
As we were eating, his cellphone rang. He answered the call.
"She's here with me. Cafeteria. Okay."
Is he talking about me?
He stared at me and raised his brows. “Hey. You look like you have just seen a ghost.”
What the fuck! This is making me anxious. I don’t know if this stranger is playing games with me or he is serious. Calm down, Sabinna.
But I cannot! This is downright harassment!
I fished my phone from my bag. I was about to call my brother when someone called my name.
"Sab!" My Kuya called me. He’s with his friends.
I sighed in relief. "Kuya, please I--"
But I was shocked when Kuya approached the man called Iggy. Not just him, but also my Kuya’s classmates!
“How are you, bro?” my Kuya asked then looked at me.
They are acquainted?!
“Just the usual, man. But your sister is kind of snob. She doesn’t want to talk to me.” He shrugged and looked at me. “I’m not gonna kill you so don’t be scared.”
“I told you she’s not gonna have a conversation with strangers. She’d rather talk to a ghost,” he laughed. I rolled my eyes on him. I looked at Iggy and he’s smirking at me.
“That’s why I’m trying to talk to her. To introduce myself. To be friends. But she doesn’t like me”
“Maybe you bullied her?” Did he bully you?” my Kuya’s other friend asked. All of them looked at me expectantly. My brother suddenly got confused when I fidgeted.
“Sab, what happened?” he asked. I heard a warning in his voice. Shit.
“N-nothing. Earlier I… uhm… I just felt unsafe around him.”
They were shocked with what I said, including Iggy. My brother instantly grabbed his collar. His friends panicked and tried to calm my brother. Iggy put his hands up, but didn’t resist. I was too shocked to move.
I should have said “uncomfortable” instead of “unsafe.” Now the tension is high. Fuck!
“What did you do, huh? I just told you to accompany her,” he hissed. I don’t like what I’m seeing. Kuya is really pissed. My brother doesn’t get pissed easily so when he does, all hell breaks loose. What should I do? Should I call his girlfriend?!
I looked around and some people are looking at us. One of the security guards noticed the commotion.
Shit.
“Kuya, calm down,” I told my brother and held his arm gently. He looked at me and slightly pushed Iggy. He sighed and tried to calm down. Iggy fixed his collared shirt then looked at me. One of his friends approached him and told him something I couldn’t comprehend anymore.
“Guys please don’t fight. We all know that he’s kind of a bully and an idiot so I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm,” one of his friends wearing a baseball cap explained.
“Yeah bro that’s right,” their other friend wearing eyeglasses seconded. He nudged Iggy, urging him to talk.
Iggy rubbed his nape and smiled apologetically at me. “I’m sorry if you feel threatened by me. I didn’t mean it. I was just so happy about something that recently happened to me and I was just trying to… well… entertain you? But I guess I failed miserably. I’m sorry.” He faced my brother. “I’m sorry Terrence. But I swear I didn’t harass Sabinna.”
“Is that true?” my brother asked me. I nodded and smiled to assure him. His jaw clenched.
“He just wanted to start a conversation, that’s all,” I said. “You know I don’t like to talk that much, right? That’s why. But he didn’t harm me. Promise.”
He observed me for awhile before nodding. I really can’t blame my brother. He’s just being protective of me.
“I’m sorry, Sabinna. This will not happen again,” Iggy apologized again. I nodded and gave him a small smile. Iggy offered his hand to my brother to shake hands. He accepted. Witnessing that, their friends sighed rather exaggeratedly and laughed.
“Oookaaay so have you guys calmed down now because I’m starving?” said their friend and snicked. I sighed as the tension is gone.
Fuck. First day of school is indeed memorable.
All of them were talking and laughing like there was no tension between them earlier. Maybe that’s how boys handle their conflicts. Unlike girls who don’t like confrontations and will keep mum about their own opinions about each other.
Boys don’t have much drama.
The time for my next class is approaching. Iggy accompanied me to find my next class. Apparently, he is also my classmate in this subject.
Unlike earlier, he is now silently walking beside me, minding his distance. Many students were greeting him as we walk down the hallway. He really is a popular guy.
“You seem popular, Iggy.”
He looked at me, brows raising. His lips parted. He looked kind of shocked that I finally started a conversation with him.
Well, I observed him earlier and he is quite friendly. He is also a good friend with my brother. Maybe it’s time to ignore my first impressions of him. Our first meeting started in a chaotic way so maybe I’ll give him a chance.
“Not really.” He’s blushing. Well, that’s cute.
“Are you not feeling awkward?”
“Sometimes. But I’m used to it.”
I nodded. I don’t want to ask more about him yet. We have a full semester together as classmates to get to know each other. I don’t want to appear nosy.
As usual, when we found our classroom, people greeted him. He’s like a sun giving light to others. His smile is so bright you could see yourself smiling, too. It’s actually contagious.
I looked for a seat. Iggy was still talking to the other students and laughing about something so I easily found one. I settled myself and observed him from afar. I wonder why he’s so popular? Maybe he’s a varsity player? Or a top student? Maybe both.
The bell rang so they settled themselves and found their own seats. Iggy looked for me and sat down beside me.
I didn’t notice that he smells nice.
Our professor came later on and introduced himself. After that, he instructed us to introduce ourselves, too.
Way to go, social anxiety.
It’s now my turn. I tried to calm down myself. Breathe, Sabinna.
“H-hi. I’m Sabinna Rodrigo. 18 years old.”
The class looked at me like they’re waiting for me to talk more. Our professor smiled. “Ms. Sabinna is a little bit shy. Don’t worry. All freshmen are like you. You’ll get yourself familiar soon.” I just nodded and sat down. I hope no one’s looking at me right now.
It’s now Iggy’s turn. Suddenly, all the attentions were at him.
He really is indeed popular.
"Miguel Enrique Anzures. 20. Engineering student. In love."
Miguel? That’s his real name?
The girls gasped and swoon over him.
“Who’s the lucky girl, Miguel?” asked one of the girls. She blushed profusely when Miguel smiled at him.
“Does your dad even know that?” our professor asked jokingly.
He smiled widely in return.
The girls continued to ask him but he just laughed. He then sat down and the class continued on introducing themselves. He smiled at me when he saw me looking at him. I looked away.
Who is he, really?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone