As I continued walking along the school's vicinity, I saw the soccer field. A lot has changed since then, gone were the few patches of grass where it once was, and replaced with a more colorful, and green patch of artificial grass. Seeing the area where I first saw him made me chuckle at the memory of what happened a few months after our meeting.
After the tour, we usually were together when he didn't have soccer practice. I introduced him to my SenSev friends, and surprisingly, the girls leave me whenever he is around. Not that they are jealous of him, but they said they didn't want to disturb us or anything. I laughed at them and pleaded for them not to leave but they still do. Until I got used to it, and I began thinking that they didn't like the idea of having another person around me.
Some girls in our school are actually envious because of my friendship with Geoffrey, or Geoff as he asked me to call him. I usually hear them say things behind my back, but I am just so lucky that my friends are always on the rescue. Even when my girls leave me whenever he is around, we still have that special bond that no one can ever replace.
Like that time when somebody from the other section went in and called for me while I was busy reading a book.
'Who's Hannah Lee?' a girl called up. My classmates then turned to look at my direction, and hearing my full name being called up actually ticked something in me.
'Yes, I'm Hannah,' I said as I stood up to go up to her. 'I'm afraid I don't know you.'
She smirked at me. 'So you are that girl seen around with the hotshot varsity,' she said. Looking at me from head to toe, she then quipped.
'I wonder what he saw in you, since you are not beautiful at all,' she said and it actually made me feel angry. I was caught by surprise and did not say anything, but then I heard Mae's voice from behind me.
'And that makes you? Hideous?' She shot back. 'I have a mirror here, you can go and check for yourself if you look better than her,' she said as she handed out the mirror. I truly wanted to laugh at that moment, but I felt my heart was racing and still in palpitation.
I just chose to take the higher road most of the time and let them be. Besides, Geoff and I are just friends so if they want him, they better be friends with him too. It's not as if we have a special relationship to begin with.
Maybe it's one of the things my friends wanted me to learn, how to answer bullies like them.
'Hannah, can I ask you something?' He said while we were walking around one afternoon after classes. We were at the covered walk, just beside the soccer field. It was quiet, as few people stayed in this area. He didn't have practice so he asked me to walk around with him as he didn't want to go home yet.
'What is it?' I replied, nonchalant about the others who glanced our way while we walked past them.
'Can I walk you home from hereon?' He answered, asking for my permission. 'I mean, you have been coming with me ever since I moved in here, so at least I want to return the favor. Sure I made friends with my teammates but honestly, I would rather hang out with you than them,' he continued and showed again his dimpled smile.
Hearing what he said made me think of things, but then I stopped myself. I have learned from my dad that as long as a guy doesn't say anything about pursuing, it's nothing. Besides, we were too young.
We were too young to be thinking about being in a relationship. Or were we?
'Sure. That way at least I have someone to talk to while going home,' I answered absent-mindedly after a few moments. I didn't want to turn his offer down because for me, it's a win-win.
From then on, he walked me home every afternoon, even after his soccer practice. Even when I know he is tired from all of his activities. Having him beside me left me feeling secure, especially when I had to pass by some alleys, and strays, going home. With him, I felt like he was my defender.
'I haven't seen your friends already,' he said, as he stood beside me while we were walking. He stayed near the street, so I won't be hit by anyone, or anything.
'I see them in class and I actually miss them,' I replied.
'Is it because of me?' he asked, his glance cast down and hands on his pockets, dimples showing. He then glanced forward and we could almost see my house.
There was something in him that left me intrigued but then I figured it may not be the right time to entertain it. Instead, I smiled and answered him.
'No, but I actually don't know why we don't hang out anymore,' I said, and my heart actually felt a little hurt by my friends' actions. I didn't quite understand what happened but I know things will be fine in time.
'Maybe it's time to hang out with them again,' he replied as soon as we arrived at my house. 'Well, here we are,' he said, smiling at me. I smiled back at him and said goodbye. But before I could turn around, he caught my arm and held it gently.
'Hannah,' he called. I looked at him then he chuckled. 'Thank you.'
'For what?' I asked.
His smile never wavered.
'For simply allowing me to take you home every day.'
I laughed at that memory. Who could have known that it was his way of subtly telling me something?