FOUR

I opened my bag and searched every pocket, but it’s not there. I used it during our sports class and I can’t remember if I put it inside my pocket, so I immediately went back to school.

Varsity teams were running when I passed by the oval. I caught a glimpse of Gab and she tried to call me, but I don’t have time to stop. I ran as fast as I could until I saw a group of nuns walking towards the church. And, I know I have to stop when the bell rang for Angelus.

I spend the entire minute thinking of my earphones while the prayer still continues. Studying in a Dominican School made me hate twelve o’ clock, three o’ clock, and six o’ clock. I’m not that religious or maybe I started hating it when He let my brother die.

Finally, the prayer is done.

The sun was already set when I reached the hallway of our building. Only a few students were scattered in the building for club activities or projects. I know my classmates already headed home, so I was really surprised when I saw him inside the room.

Aae Agoncillo.

Aae was leaning on the teacher's table. His right hand was tossing the hardball up in the air while his left hand was holding the baseball bat. He caught the ball in mid-air when he sensed my presence.

He turned to me with his plain yet gentle look. His almond-eyes were always inviting since I first laid my downturned eyes on them. It felt like I've seen them before. They're enticing that I always thought they don't fit his serious look.

I made a smile that didn't reach my eye and ignored him as I always did. We never spoke. We never had the chance to talk about stuff unless school-related. We acknowledged each other by a simple nod and a slight smile every time we met in the hallway or inside the room.

He seemed distant towards others and usually spent his vacant hours reading novels. I also loved to read books. If I am only friendly enough to talk to him, we'd be close. But, A was a mile away from Z. Think of the alphabet. There's no chance for an A to be close with Z, well if they took another way, why not?

I went straight to my seat when I remembered why I came back. I tried to hide the annoyance in myself when I couldn't find my earphone. As a sign of frustration and exhaustion, I tied my hair with my favourite scrunchies.

"Hey, what are you looking for?" The air brought the chocolate scent of his breath towards me as he spoke. I've seen him drinking a chocolate bottle.

It wasn't the first time I heard his soft voice, but it was the first time he ever talked to me.

Oh, wait, it's the second time around. I remembered the first time was during our Religious class last month. Aae told me what I should do for our class project because he was our leader.

I don't know what's with me that he never bothered or at least tried to reach me out. It was kind of weird that I was the only one in class he's not talking to.

Am I grumpy? Or, maybe he didn't want to be close to me. Though, not a problem. I just felt awkward with the vibe and look he gave me.

"Oh, I lost my earphone," I replied. "By any chance, have you seen it?"

"No," he answered.

"Ah okay." I nodded. "I'll go ahead and look." I pulled my backpack and walked behind him.

"Would you mind if I join you? I mean, help you?" He tilted his head. It was a gesture of his I recognized whenever he was thinking during class recitations.

He gazed at my puzzled look when he added, "Uhm well if it's okay."

"Ah no thanks, I'll look for it myself. You should go home since it's getting late."

I hastily went out of the room.

I was too busy remembering the places where I could have dropped it, that's why I didn't notice him following me. It was when we're already at the bleachers when I felt his presence. But, I decided to ignore him. There was no trace of my earphone in the bleachers. I cursed at myself. I have had that earphone for a couple of years. I don't have any spare because I felt like betraying it if I used another. It sounded crazy, yet when I have this thing, I would not look for another. I would have it for the rest of my life as long as it was not broken or lost.

It was a memoir from my brother who passed away. It was his last gift for me. We used it everytime we listened to our favorite songs, so I couldn’t ignore the fact that I lost it. It’s the only I have that is truly close to having my brother beside me.

"Did you find your earphone?"