Caught By Love

"Veronica! You're really annoying! Give it to me!" Kimmy chased after me, almost in tears, but I just laughed.

"Catch me first!" I yelled back, still laughing. I heard her wail, probably tired from all the running. "How will you lose weight if all you do is sit and eat! You need cardio exercise, you idiot!"

I quickly dodged a guy I almost bumped into, then hopped onto the stair railing and jumped off. I paused for a moment to look back at my friend, then smirked when I saw her panting heavily.

"You're such a cheat! What chance do I have against your agility?" she wailed again.

I just rolled my eyes at her before running off again.

My run away from that girl led me to the school's quiet garden. I even grinned when I noticed the pechay I'd planted a few weeks ago was growing nicely.

I exhaled before looking up at the sky. When I looked back the way I came, I still couldn't see Kimmy. She's probably super slow. Tsk.

I smiled before walking towards the big tree, carrying that girl's bag. When I got close, I immediately threw it, and it was perfect because the strap caught on a small branch.

Ha! She'll surely cry blood again and crawl on her knees to me just to beg.

"Why are you doing that?"

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at the voice of that guy. An unfamiliar student appeared before me, probably in college judging by his uniform style.

Definitely a rich kid. His complexion and appearance also showed he was well-off, unlike my male classmates who look grungy, especially after playing basketball on the school court. Behind him were seemingly his friends who also looked wealthy. They looked mestizo.

But I didn't care about them. I raised an eyebrow at the guy, then crossed my arms. "Doing what?"

"Why did you throw your friend's bag? You always do that," he said, making my forehead crease.

"Always do that? Why, do you always see me here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, which made his companions laugh.

The guy immediately blushed for some reason I didn't know. He must be crazy. Tss.

When he didn't answer, my gaze wandered over him. I also didn't miss his name carved on his perfectly ironed uniform.

G. Marquez . . .

So tacky, just like him.

"His name is Gabriel, Miss Pretty," one of his companions informed me, but I ignored him.

I don't care about his name. What would I do with it? Have it hexed? And what "Miss Pretty"? They're trying to fool me!

"Veronica! Stay right there!"

We all stopped when we heard Kimmy's voice, frantic, probably thinking I'd run off again. I just laughed at her and turned away from the guys.

"Yes, I'm just here," I replied casually, putting my hands in my pockets.

When she approached me, she almost wanted to pull my hair out of frustration.

"Where's my bag, huh? You're really crazy! Give it back!" she yelled, fuming and stomping her foot.

"Find it first," I teased her. I wasn't satisfied until she cried and knelt before me.

"Just give it back!" She was so annoyed. She was about to cry.

I grinned again before pointing my lips at the branch where her bag was hanging. "Get it if you can." Then I burst out laughing.

I was about to leave, if I hadn't noticed the guy who spoke to me earlier stand up, then show off. He looked for a long stick to play the hero, which made my blood boil.

"Here, Miss," he said, handing Kimmy her bag.

I was left standing there, speechless, my forehead deeply furrowed as I glared at the guy. Who did he think he was?

"T-Thank you, mister," Kimberly said shyly, grabbing my wrist.

"Sorry, my friend is just naughty. She always messes with me."

The shameless guy smiled at me and ignored my glares. "You can join us for lunch. My treat."

His calm voice further intensified the annoyance in my system. His face, actions, and tone were too kind. And I couldn't understand why I was annoyed by that guy's whole being. Maybe it was because of what he did earlier.