Chapter 3 - The Fraud

The little bit of encouragement that Noah makes me feel. But it's worth it! Just one glance from him, I'm going to be full of excitement.

"Coreen..." I jumped when one day someone approached and called me.

I looked at Noah. He ran his hand through his hair so it was messy and I immediately smelled the scent coming from it.

The wind blew my beating heart when I saw him. Act normal, Coreen. Chill! Deep breath! That's why I can't really blame Reina if she gets stiff when Ynigo is around, well, of course she has a crush on him. The only fun thing about her, is that she has many crushes. Benjamin, Ynigo, Nash, etc. The list goes on and on... Me? Only Noah and no one else.

I swallowed a few times then asked him...

"What?"

How I wish that the time will come when I don't have to ask him why he is looking for me.

"Please give Reina's excuse letter to your teacher. She is absent, sick." He said.

I stood up from my seat.

"What's wrong with Reina?" I asked even though I almost vomited silver dust from the excitement.

"Flu. Don't worry about her, she'll be alright." He smiled at me and patted my shoulder.

My heart was immediately melted by what he did. Those were just little gestures but I immediately fell in love with him.

I always imagine what will happen whenever we are together. I always daydream that Noah and I are friends. But, he is hard to reach in real life. He is too engrossed in music. That is all he always does. He does not pay attention to other women. Neither Muse's one paid off. I guess it's just his crush. But anyway, that's a big deal to me. He has a crush!

Apart from Muse, I don't know who else he is obsessed with.

"GO NOAH!" I shouted when he performed again at the school festival.

Because of my throat-breaking scream, he noticed me. He smiled. Of course, I was thrilled too. That's the scene all the time. You know that? A little encouragement, you'll fall in love immediately.

"Coreen, thanks for the support."

My heart jumped at what Noah said to me after their gig.

"No problem. Anything for you" I grinned.

He scratched his head and bowed. I followed his eyes but saw that his cheeks were red.

"Uh, okay..." He said and turned his back on me. "Bye."

Gosh! I jumped! I saw! I saw! I saw him blush in front of me! He was embarrassed! I have an effect on him! OH MY LORD!

That's why, I worked harder. I'm updated on the fashion world. I'm updated on where I can get my hair done that's worth it... Even though I'm not getting pimples, I still try to go to the dermatologist just to maintain my skin like this.

When we Grade 10, I was excited. There was a lot of talk about the upcoming prom night of Grade 11 and 12...

"Heyyy! I really dreamed that Miguel would invite me." Reina said to me in the classroom with a low voice.

"Coreen..." A classmate called me.

"Hmmm?" I lazily looked at her.

"Come on."

My eyebrows meet, "Why?"

"Just come here!" The three of them let me out of the classroom.

"Just wait, Reina." I said and left her there in the classroom.

When I came out, I noticed that they were all looking at someone at the bottom of the stairs.

"What?"

But they will keep pushing me down.

"Hey! What's wrong?" I shouted at those who were pushing and laughing at me.

I saw Noah leaning against the wall below. He was talking to Warren, Stan, and Joey. While they were talking, Noah was glancing directly at me as if I were the one they were talking about.

"Go Stefan!"

My jaw dropped when I saw there were red balloons, flowers and a tarp with the words:

"Please be my date, Coreen Samantha R. Aquino."

My hand landed on my mouth when the girls screamed there.

"You're so lucky Coreen!" They shouted.

While I was looking closely at Stefan who was holding the bouquet and shyly glancing at me, a paper fell from above. I looked up and saw the noisy girls waiting for me to answer Stefan.

I bent down and picked up the paper.

"Say no, Coreen. And be with me. - Elizalde."

I glanced at Noah who was shaking his head at me before turning his back on me. Without hesitation I shook my head at Stefan. People's world collapsed but my world was built.

"FINALLY! NOAH WILL TAKE ME TO THE PROM!" I shook Reina at the same time.

"Ouch! Really?"

She looked at me like I a'm joking.

I showed her that letter. She frowned and...

"This is Rozen's handwriting."

It's Noah's! I saw him shaking his head as Stefan invited me.

Reina and I argued but in the end... what I believe will be followed. I was embarrassed to confirm that with Noah every time he was there so I just smiled secretly.

I got my gown ready... everything... Even though our prom is next year, I didn't expect that I would have the opportunity to go this year and be with the ultimate love of my life.

"Hey..." My heart skipped a beat when he visited me in our classroom.

My envious classmates became even more jealous. My knees trembled when I faced Noah.

"Uhmm..." Shit!

"The prom is tomorrow. Maybe our driver will pick you up." He said

I nodded and grinned. "No problem."

"Alright..." He turned his back on me again.

I almost passed out with excitement! I can't wait!

That's why, the next morning, I woke up early to get ready for Noah's prom. The camera, gown, sandals, make up artist are ready.

"Coreen, please just give it to Noah." Mom said to me as she put down a gift.

"Yes, Mom."

"That boy is really smart, isn't he? Among their siblings, he is the only one who is serious about studying." She said.

Noah is really great. Even my parents praise him.

"I mean... of course Reina is trying hard, isn't she?"

"Of course."

Mom and dad are impressed with Noah. Because even though he is involved in the band, his grades are still high. He is top in Grade 11.

Manong, where is Noah?" I ask their driver when I went inside.

"It's already there." He said.

I nodded and waved to mom and dad.

I'M SO HAPPY! It even beat my marriage. Noah was waiting for me in front of the altar, I, on the other hand, was waiting to be with him. I'm so happy! Too much!

But when I arrived, I realized that I was late. Langya I think almost all the students have entered. I immediately rushed inside. It's a waste of my make-up and clothes if I'm going to get dirty.

There, I saw Noah wearing a black coat and tie. I waved at him. He nodded. We are just waiting to be called one by one to enter and walk the red carpet. My heart beats 100kmph.

"Stefan Andrei Cruz and Careen Fuentes." Said the emcee.

Stefan and his date walked the red carpet. Our school's prom is the best.

Noah Reigan Elizalde and..." I immediately positioned myself on the stairs to be next to Noah. I didn't want to be late, of course...

Noah was shocked by what I did. A woman approached my side. Our gowns almost collided.

"and...Trisha Roncesvalles."

I couldn't move from where I was standing.I broke into a cold sweat as I watched them walk the red carpet. I'M NOT NOAH'S DATE?

I just stood there and watched them sit together. I felt someone stand by my side and take my hand. At the same time as he took it, my heart was broken. He's not... Noah is not my date.

"Rozen Gaiser Elizalde and Coreen Samantha Aquino."

"You... You fooled me!" I shouted.

I knew he was a devil but I never thought his devilishness would reach this level!

"I didn't." He grinned even more.

I withdrew my hand from him and left him there alone. I picked up both ends of my gown so I could run faster. I can't go home because I don't want to spoil Noah with my parents. I need to be somewhere else... not here. Too embarrassing! I thought Noah was the one to be with me! But I'm wrong! It was Rozen all along!

"Coreen! You can tell me if you don't want to go to the prom, we won't go!" Turns out this monster was following me.

"I HATE YOU SO MUCH!" I shouted while wiping my tears that had been falling for a while.

I stopped running so Rozen caught up with me. He pulled my arm and made me face him.

"I damn hate you so much!" I hit his chest at the same time. "You fooled me! You made me believe that Noah is the one I'll be with! That's it? It's just you!?"

"Oh! Why?" He laughed. "Am I still not challenging?"

"You're a playboy for pete's sake! Stop this Rozen!" I yelled at him.

"Aren't you challenged by me being a playboy? You can try to make me fall for you, Coreen?"

"WHAT? AND WHY WOULD I DO THAT!? Shit!" I mumbled to myself while wiping my cheek.

He waved his handkerchief in front of him. I didn't accept that, I stayed crying here in the garden of Plaza Maria Clara.

We are in front of the fountain and I am about to get out of it. I want to go home. That's why I want to cry all the anger and annoyance I feel right now.

"I hate you so much, Rozen Elizalde."

He bent down to touch my face. I sat on the edge of the fountain. He wiped my tears with his handkerchief.

"If that's the case? What should I do for you just to fall for me?"

I glared at him. He can't be serious, right? He doesn't look directly into my eyes. He kept wiping my cheek.

"Damn... You're really beautiful." He sighed and lowered the handkerchief.