š¬ SCENE ā CLINT'S CLASSROOM, MORNING
The room buzzed with the usual noise.
But this time?
Clint was right in the middle of it.
Smiling. Talking. Even laughing.
> Random classmate:
"Ayos 'yan, Clint! Hindi ka pala boring, bro!"
> Clint:
"Sabi ko nga eh. Di lang talaga ako mahilig sa recitation.
Pero mahilig ako sa recess."
Laughter.
Real laughter. From the room ā and from him.
---
At the back, Janet walked in with her two friends.
They were chatting ā until she caught a glimpse of him.
Clint.
Laughing.
Talking.
Alive.
Her steps slowed.
> Janet (inner thought):
"Huh?"
"Bakit parangā¦ ibang tao 'to?"
She stared.
As if waiting for the old Clint to reappear.
---
> Friend 1 (teasing):
"Oii Janet, di ka na nakikinig ha?
Si Clint ba 'yung tinititigan mo?"
> Friend 2 (giggling):
"Wooo. Crush reveal ba 'to?"
Janet snapped out of it ā eyes wide.
> Janet:
"H-Ha? Hindi ah.
Ang ingay niya kasi. Nakakagulat lang."
But her heart?
Still processing.
> "Bakit biglang ganito ka?"
"And bakit parangā¦ gusto kong mas makilala ka ngayon?"
---
Clint glanced her way.
Quick. Brief. But with a grin ā
Like he knew someone was watching.
She panicked.
Looked away.
But smiledā¦
just a little.
---
š¬ DAY 2 ā JANET POV | BUS STOP, MORNING
The breeze was cooler today.
Janet hugged her arms as she walked toward the bus stop ā still half-asleep.
Thenā
She saw him.
Clint.
Same spot.
Same silence.
Same calm stare into the distance.
She stepped beside him.
Not too close.
Just close enough.
> Janet (inner thought):
"Andyan na naman siya. Parang routine naā¦"
---
Clint turned.
> Clint:
"Hai, Janet. Good morning."
His voice was low. Calm.
But the way he said her name?
It landed.
> Janet (soft smile):
"Hai."
She looked forward.
Cheeks warming.
Heartā¦ twitching.
> Janet (inner thought):
"Bakit parang ang smooth niya ngayon?"
"At kailan pa naging normal 'to?"
---
The bus arrived.
Brakes squeaked. Doors hissed open.
Before she could step forwardā
Clint motioned quietly.
> Clint:
"You first."
Janet blinked.
Then nodded.
> Janet (softly):
"Thanksā¦"
She stepped in.
Took the window seat.
---
A moment later, Clint sat beside her.
Not too close. Not too far.
Just enough for the silence between them to feelā¦
comfortable.
She glanced at him.
He looked out the window.
> Janet (inner thought):
"Okayā¦ Clint. What are you trying to do to me?"
---
š¬ SCENE ā CLINT'S HOUSE, LATER
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
Clint's mom opened the door with a warm smile.
> Janet:
"Hai po!"
[Polite bow. Shy wave.]
"Is Clint home?"
> Mom:
"Oo, hija! Come in, come in ā he's still in the shower."
"You don't have to wait outside, nak. Halika na."
> Janet (half-laughing):
"Ahā¦ I'm okay po. I'll justā"
But the mom was already pulling her inside.
> Mom (teasing):
"You're already here. Might as well sit down.
Ako na bahala sa'yo."
Janet stepped in, smiling awkwardly.
---
> Clint (from upstairs):
"Mom! Where's myā"
Then silence.
At the top of the stairs ā Clint.
Shirtless. Hair damp.
Eyes locked on hers.
> Clint (blinking):
"...What the hell."
> Mom (grinning):
"O, anakā¦ may magandang naghahanap sa'yo."
She turned to Janet, lowered her voice with a smirk:
> Mom (whispers):
"Hindi mo naman sinabi na may giā"
[Catches herself.]
"May bisita ka pala."
> "Sige na. I'll give you two some privacy."
She walked away.
---
Clint stood frozen.
Towel over his neck.
Face unreadable.
> Clint (half-muttering):
"...What was she about to say?"
> Janet (smiling):
"I don't knowā¦"
"Maybe something sweet?"
---
[BLACK SCREEN]
---
š¬ Author's Corner
Did Clint just accidentally charm the girlā¦ or was that intentional? š
Do you think Janet's the one falling faster ā or is Clint already way ahead?
Let me know in the comments š
Add this story to your library so you don't miss the next sceneā¦ and the growing tension š³
Until next time,
ā Kent š¤