Love Genius

[Chapter 7]

"I never fight with women, but now I might just make an exception."

I laughed.

"Really? What are you going to do? Punch me? Kick me? Or maybe—"

HE KISSED ME!

I felt like I was about to choke, so I immediately pushed him away. And right on cue, I vomited—directly onto his shirt. Aaahhh!

"What the fvck?!" he muttered.

SLAP!

I froze at what I had done. I had slapped him! Aaahhh, what is wrong with me, Garnett?!

Without a second thought, I turned and ran away from him.

---

(RAVEN'S POV)

I KISSED HER!

She pushed me, and then she vomited—on my shirt! Damn it.

"What the fvck?!"

I looked at her.

SLAP!

I stopped in my tracks, stunned as her slap landed. She really slapped this handsome face of mine?!

I was about to say something when she suddenly ran away. I didn't bother to follow her—she might just piss me off even more. Looking down at my shirt, I let out a frustrated sigh. That girl is such a pain!

Tsk!

"Oh? What happened?" Dexter suddenly appeared.

"Garnett threw up on me. Argh, that freak," I replied while wiping the mess off my shirt.

"Gross, bro. You should change," he said.

With no other choice, I left the bar and headed to my car to change.

As I finished changing, I saw Garnett coming out of the bar. She looked like she was looking for something. Spotting a bottle of water on the passenger seat, I smirked. Oh, you think I’ll let that slide, huh?

Grabbing the water, I stepped out of the car and approached her. She immediately noticed me.

"Miss Freaky," I called her.

She rolled her eyes.

"Wow, such sass. Here, let me give you a shower." I started pouring the water over her head, and she looked absolutely stunned.

HAHAHAHA!

"Now we’re even, Freaky," I smirked before glaring at her and walking away.

"Raven!" I heard her call out.

I smirked again and turned around.

BOOM!

WHAT THE?!

I held my face—she punched me!

"I won’t let anyone push us around anymore! Aaarrghhh!" she yelled, her expression like that of a dragon. Then she ran off.

I touched my lip. Damn it, that hurt!

Back inside the bar, I immediately grabbed some ice and pressed it to where she’d hit me. It felt like her fist was made of iron!

"Bro, what’s going on with you? First, you had puke on your shirt, and now you’ve got a bruise on your face?" Dexter asked.

"Shut up. I’m not in the mood to talk."

He sat down beside me.

Tsk, my lip stings. That girl is so dead tomorrow!

"I’m guessing Garnett is behind this too, huh?" Dexter said, laughing.

I shot him a glare.

"Okay, okay, I’ll shut up," he said.

"Hello, guys!" Sarrah suddenly appeared.

"Oh, Sarrah? Who are you with?" Dexter asked.

"Just me. Hi, babe," she said, clinging to my arm. I immediately shrugged her off.

"What’s wrong with you, babe?" she asked.

"She punched Garnett! HAHAHA!" Dexter laughed.

"What?! That freak is here?!" Sarrah asked.

I didn’t respond, too busy nursing my lip.

"Here, babe, let me help," Sarrah said as she reached for my face. I gave her a serious look, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand.

"S-Sorry, I was just concerned," she said.

I smirked.

"Don’t call me babe. You’re not my girlfriend," I said before walking away.

---

(GARNETT'S POV)

When I got back to my apartment, the door was open. Walking in, I saw my three friends sprawled across the sofa and the floor.

I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. Hays!

Heading to the kitchen, I grabbed a glass of water, but the memory of Raven kissing me suddenly popped into my head.

I felt my anger rise and slammed the glass onto the counter. I quickly washed my face, scrubbing my lips vigorously. There’s no way I’ll let a guy like him kiss me! How dare he! Arghhhh!

THE NEXT DAY

While we were walking in the corridor…

"My head hurts," Elisha said.

"Mine too. I feel like I hit my head really hard," Hazel added.

"Garnett, why are you so quiet?" Ami asked.

I took a deep breath. Until now, I still couldn’t get over it! W-Why did he do that?! If it meant nothing to him, it meant everything to me—a kiss is a big deal!

He was my first kiss.

AARRGHHHH!!!

During class, I couldn’t focus. Ugh, what is wrong with me?! Argh, Garnett!

"Class, I have an announcement, especially for the Freak Squad," Ma’am said.

The four of us exchanged glances.

"We’re going to have an exchange program for two special sections: the Star Section and the Moon Section."

We exchanged looks again.

"I already have a list of those transferring to the Star Section," Ma’am said, glancing at us.

"The four of you are included in the transfer to the Star Section."

Our eyes widened in shock.

"My goodness!" Elisha exclaimed.

"Yieee, I love it!" Hazel said, squealing with excitement.

"Tss, why are you so happy about transferring there?" Ami asked.

"No reason, I just want to," Hazel replied.

I let out a deep sigh. Ugh! I hope the groups from the Star Section transfer here instead. Tsk!

"The transfer will start tomorrow," Ma’am added, surprising us.

"Really?" Elisha asked.

"Oh my gosh!" Ami exclaimed.

---

BREAKTIME

While we were eating in the canteen…

"Do you think the Star Prince will transfer? Or the Star Princess? I hope they move to the Moon Section instead," Elisha said.

"Even just the Star Princess. I hope they transfer here," Hazel chimed in.

"Tsk, you just want to be in the same section as Jerome," Ami teased.

"N-No, I don’t!" Hazel stammered.

"Tss, don’t get a crush on anyone in that group! You’ll just end up hurt, like Garnett," Elisha said.

I glared at the three of them.

"Oh, sorry, did you hear that, Garnett?" Elisha asked nervously.

"Can we not talk about them?" I said firmly.

"Speaking of…" Hazel trailed off.

I looked toward the door, and just as Raven walked in, his arrogance practically made the air heavier. I immediately averted my gaze and focused on eating.

Suddenly, someone dropped a test paper on the table in front of me. When I looked at it, I realized it was the back of the test paper I had written on.

I lifted my head.

"The one thing I hate most is when people mess with my test paper," he said.

I chuckled.

"Mess with it? I just wrote on it," I replied.

"That’s still messing with it!" he snapped, clearly irritated.

I stood up and glared at him.

"We’re eating here, so don’t be rude," I said.

"Why would I care if you’re eating?!"

I clenched my fists tightly.

"Just tell us if we need to leave," Ami said calmly.

"I feel like this will turn into World War III," Hazel muttered.

Raven and I were glaring daggers at each other.

"Tsk! Go ahead, show everyone the real you, Mr. Alvarez," I smirked.

He swallowed hard and glanced around. Only then did I notice how many people were watching us.

He turned his gaze back to me and smirked.

"How was last night? Did you sleep well, Ms. Sardoncillo?" he asked smugly.

I froze at his words, and when I looked at the three, they were clearly shocked too. Argh, this guy is infuriating!

"I guess not?" he teased further.

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at him.

"What about you? Why is your cheek bruised? Oh, I know! Is that where I punched you?" I asked, smirking.

He stopped, glancing around nervously.

"Does it hurt? Want me to add another?" I asked mockingly.

"Shut up," he whispered.

"Then you shut up too."

I was shocked when he suddenly grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the canteen.

"Hey! Where are you taking me?!" I struggled to free myself, but his grip was too tight.

We ended up in the locker room. As soon as we entered, he locked the door.

"What are you doing?! Why did you bring me here?!"

"Because you’re pissing me off!"

I sighed.

"You’re this mad just because I wrote on your test paper?"

His gaze suddenly turned serious, and I couldn’t speak. He started stepping closer to me, and I instinctively moved back.

"Look at my handsome face. You punched me. Did you think I’d let you get away with that?" he said.

I found myself backed against the wall, swallowing hard.

"W-What?! W-What are you going to do?!"

He raised his right hand, looking like he was about to hit me. I closed my eyes tightly. Oh no, Garnett, what have you done?!

Wait…

Why hasn’t he hit me yet?

I slowly opened my eyes.

He was just staring at me.

DUG DUG DUG DUG DUG DUG

M-My heart!

W-Why is it beating like this again?!

He continued to stare at me, his expression softening.

I swallowed hard and looked away.

"Tsk," he muttered before suddenly laughing.

I turned to him.

"Hahahahahahaha! You’re so easy to mess with, Garnett! Hahahahaha!" he laughed loudly.

I gave him a serious glare. This guy is the worst!

"Get out of my way!" I pushed him aside and stormed out of the locker room.

Arrrrrghhhhh!!!

---

(RAVEN'S POV)

Now we’re on the rooftop, and I still can’t stop laughing.

"Hahahaha! If only you had seen Garnett’s face earlier when she thought I was falling for her again—you’d be laughing too! Hahahahaha!" I said, laughing hard.

"You know, bro, the grumpy look suits you better," Jerome commented, making me stop laughing.

"Why? Is it bad to laugh?" I asked.

"No, it’s just that your happiness seems so shallow," Calvin said.

"Tsk, I just feel like laughing, okay? What’s wrong with that?"

"This is the first time we’ve seen you enjoy yourself this much," Arvin added.

I smirked.

"No, I’m just happy to see Garnett annoyed," I said.

"Happy? Or is it something else?" Calvin teased.

I frowned.

"What do you mean by ‘something else’?" I asked.

"Maybe you like her?" Arvin said.

I burst out laughing.

"No way! Hahaha, never!" I replied.

"Well, considering you don’t even like Sarrah, who’s sexy and beautiful, why would you like Garnett?" Jerome said.

"But Garnett is really cute," Calvin remarked.

We all turned to him.

"Don’t tell me you like her?" I asked.

"Ha? No way," Calvin said quickly.

"Tsk, we know you, bro. You rarely call a girl cute," Jerome pointed out.

Tsk.

"Tsk, stay away from Garnett," I said.

"Haha, why? Are you jealous?" Dexter teased.

"Crazy! Garnett is just my plaything," I said.

"Sure, sure. What are you planning now?" Jerome asked.

I smiled and glanced below, spotting her walking with her friends.

"Nothing much. I’m just going to keep messing with her," I smirked.

AT HOME

"Kuya, please help me." Ravelyne pleaded.

"Tss, can't you see I'm busy?" I said, engrossed in playing a cooking game on my phone. It's just for fun, okay?

Ravelyne peeked at my screen.

"What the hell? Are you playing as Mr. Chef?" she asked.

"Get out of here, Rere," I replied.

"Don't call me Rere!" she protested, visibly annoyed—hilarious.

"Rere or Ravelyne, it's all the same."

"No, it's not! Ugh, kuya, just help me out already!"

I sighed and looked at her.

"What?"

"Mom and Dad want me to go to Mamita’s place first."

"At Grandma’s?"

"Yes. It’s fine, but being there alone with Mamita? I’ll be bored out of my mind."

"So what now? What do you want me to do about it?"

"Come with me."

I smirked.

"No way."

"But kuya, why? Don’t tell me you have a girlfriend now?"

"Crazy. I have school, so why would I go with you?"

"Hays..." She slumped onto the sofa. Finally! Peace and quiet.

"Ravelyne?" Mom called from upstairs.

"Mom, I’m here."

Mom came downstairs.

"Let’s go; I’ll help you pack your things upstairs."

"Mom, are you really kicking me out of the house?" Ravelyne asked dramatically.

I laughed. "Drama queen."

Mom chuckled as well.

"No, sweetheart, didn’t I tell you earlier? We’re just sending you ahead because Mamita misses you."

"Promise you'll follow soon?"

"Yes, and your brother will follow, too."

"No, Mom. Quezon Province is full of ghosts."

"Mommy, look at Kuya!"

"Quezon Province is rural, forested, and full of witches and fairies," I teased further.

Ravelyne’s eyes widened.

"Raven, stop scaring your sister," Dad interrupted, walking in.

I laughed. Dad approached Mom and gave her a peck on the cheek. How sweet.

"You’re home early, hon," Mom said.

"The meeting finished early, but we have to leave early for the charity event tomorrow," Dad explained.

After that, Mom and Ravelyne went upstairs while I resumed my game.

"Son," Dad approached me.

"Dad?"

"I need you to deliver something to Ms. Sardoncillo. I was supposed to hand it over myself, but I might not make it to school, so I’ll leave it to you."

"Sure," I said.

He handed me a white envelope.

"What’s this?"

"An invitation for all the scholars under my program."

"An invitation for what?"

"For a charity event tomorrow after your class. There’s no exact address, so you’ll have to bring her along."

What?!

I stayed silent.

Tss. That girl will be there tomorrow? Hmm, what fun ways can I think of to mess with her? Haha! Never mind. Tomorrow it is.

---

GARNETT’S POV

We took a deep breath before entering the Star section. Upon entering, only a few students were present—mostly us from the Moon section.

"The Star section isn’t here yet," Elisha observed.

"At least we’re not late," Hazel added.

"Let’s go," I said, and we took seats at the front.

Soon enough, the Star section students started arriving. Oh my god, I hope Raven isn’t here.

One by one, the students entered, all glancing at us.

"Omg! It’s the Star Prince," Ami whispered.

Calvin entered first, clearly surprised to see us.

"Wow, you four are here?" Jerome asked.

"Good luck, Freaks," Arvin added smugly.

Tss. Full of arrogance, as always.

And last...

Raven entered. He immediately looked at me, smirked, and approached. He leaned close, causing me to instinctively lean back.

"Here," he handed me a white envelope.

"W-What’s that?"

"An envelope."

Tss.

"I know. I mean, what’s it for? Why are you giving it to me?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me? Not me. My dad asked me to give it to you. Just read it," he said, walking away to sit in the other row upfront.

I sighed, took the envelope, and opened it.

"What does it say?" Hazel asked.

"It’s an invitation from Mr. Alvarez to attend a charity event later to cheer up the kids there," I explained.

"Are you going?" Ami asked.

I nodded and smiled.

"Yes. I have to go. It’s the least I can do to show gratitude for the Alvarez family’s support."

"Can we come along?" Elisha asked.

"I don’t know."

"Let’s ask Raven later," Hazel suggested.

"No way! Tsh!"

I glanced at Raven, who was smirking at me from across the room. Tss.

Moments later, our professor arrived.

"Good morning, Moon and Star classes," Sir greeted.

"Good morning, Sir," we all replied.

"So, Moon section, how’s the new environment?" Sir asked.

The Star section burst into laughter. What’s so funny?

"Sir!" Hazel raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Barrientos, Hazel, Sir."

"Okay, Ms. Barrientos?"

"I just want to ask why we had to transfer to the Star section?"

"Simple, Ms. Barrientos, to add some thrill between the two special sections," Sir answered.

"Sir." Jerome raised his hand.

"Mr. Batolina?"

"Of all people to transfer here, why them?" Jerome asked, laughing.

"Of all people who could’ve been born, why you?" Hazel retorted.

The class erupted in laughter.

"Excuse me? I’m not talking to a stranger," Jerome replied.

"Tss. I’m not talking to an animal," Hazel shot back.

We all laughed harder.

"Alright, Ms. Barrientos and Mr. Batolina, get out of my class," Sir calmly said.

We were shocked.

"Hala, Sir," Hazel said.

"What?!" Jerome exclaimed.

"Get... out," Sir ordered.

Hazel glanced at us, looking frustrated.

"Good luck, girl," Elisha teased.

Jerome smirked and left first, followed by Hazel.

Hays. Now I’m nervous. I really need to be careful, especially now that Raven is my classmate.

---

BREAKTIME

While packing our things...

"Where’s Hazel?" Ami asked.

"She’s probably just outside," Elisha said.

"What? Let’s eat outside," I suggested.

"Sure, let’s change things up," Ami agreed.

As we were about to leave the classroom...

"Sardoncillo!"

I stopped and turned around. It was Raven.

"Let’s go," he said.

"What?" I asked, confused.

He frowned.

"Did you read the invitation or not?!" he snapped.

"I did. So?"

He sighed.

"The event is happening now. If Dad hadn’t told me to bring you, I wouldn’t have bothered."

I glanced at my friends, who gestured that they’d go ahead without me. I nodded and turned back to Raven.

"I don’t need a ride. Just tell me the exact address," I said.

He smirked.

"What if I don’t?"

"Really?!"

He suddenly grew serious.

"Are you coming or not? If you don’t, I won’t tell you the exact address. Good luck finding it in the entire city. You’ll embarrass both me and my dad."

Ugh, this guy is infuriating!

I sighed deeply.

"Fine! I’ll come with you!"

To be continued ...