Chapter V: Lance

Monday. Mica was still in the shower but told me I can go ahead.  I quickly put on my uniform, brushed my still wet hair, put on powder, and grabbed my bag. I do not want to be tardy and the jeepney rides usually get full before 6:30 a.m. I asked Nanay for my weekly allowance then said goodbye.  

I walked quickly to the jeepney stop and lined up. I was daydreaming and yawning when someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder. It was Lance. He was so cute and as usual,  impeccably dressed in spotless polo and well-ironed pants. He had his blue backpack with him. I gaped and said “Hey, you’re here. Shouldn’t you be at Kamias St.?” 

“I told you we are going to school together, right? So it means I have to be here instead.”

“Why? You walked blocks away from your house to line up here?”

“The jeepneys are usually full by the time they get to our house. It’s better to ride here.”

“Oh, OK. By the way, Good morning.”I smiled.  I was glad to hear this. It means he is one trustworthy guy who knows when to keep his promise.

As the jeepney came, Lance lightly put his hand on my back as I went in. He sat beside me, then proceeded to pay for our fare. I was surprised and said, “I’ll pay you back later.” He shrugged and said “No need.”

We chatted about our school homework and Finals coming in.  My sister Mica should be busy with her graduation needs and college entrance examinations. We also needed to submit all our group projects in order to be graded early and get the ranking for our Junior Year. 

Soon, the jeepney came in front of our school and we got off.  Students were piling by the entrance, showing their IDs to the guards.  Some were running, as the flag ceremony was about to start.  Lance and I hurriedly walked towards our section.  I saw some girls looking at us. Must be some of his fans, I thought. I saw Val and Charm at the end of our section’s line so I joined them. Lance went to the bubbly boys.  Val pinched me, saying “How come you’re with one of the cutest boys in school, eh?” 

“He lives near me, so we saw each other at the jeepney stop and rode the jeep together here. It’s just coincidental.” I said. I do not want to build up any talk about us riding together, so I decided to tone it down. People tend to assume the worst. Charm snickered.

“Really, he was glued to you last Saturday. Ever wondered if he’s into you, Nia?”

“Of course not. Why would one of the cutest boys in school be interested in someone so ordinary like me?” I mimicked Val.

Val Said “Boys have different likes and interests. Not because they’re good-looking it means they fall for good-looking girls, too. They must have their own separate criteria.”

“So, are you saying I’m ugly?”

“Of course not. I’m just saying we really don’t know what they like. Hey girl, stop thinking that you’re ugly. You are charming in your own way.”

“Thanks.” I scowled at Val then turned away.  The flag ceremony started.  Afterward, the principal rattled about the Finals and the Graduation timelines. He threatened summer classes to senior students who will not be able to complete their requirements. Most of the senior students paled at this reminder, that they all rushed to their classrooms to study more.

I was studying and preparing my own reviewer when Ayene came and told me someone was looking for me.  It was a girl from Section 4. Or was it 5? I went to the door and faced her. She was really pretty: with long hair tied in a very nice red ribbon, very fair-skinned and taller than me. She was a bit chubby, though it suited her.  I forgot who she was but I usually see her near the benches during breaks and after-school.  She looked at me then said “Hi, Nia. I’m not sure if you know me, but I’m Belinda.” I thought, ‘Oh yes. That Belinda.’ Belinda was one of the prettiest girls in school, on the same level as my friends Charm and Izzie, and our class President Dahlia. I thought she was the class muse of her section. 

“Hi, Belinda.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot. What is it?”

“Are you going out with Lance?”

I sputtered.  Me, go out with Lance? Just where do these people get their information?

“No, he’s my classmate. And a friend. But why do you ask?”

Belinda’s expression softened, then smiled brightly. “Oh, nothing, we all saw you with him earlier and he was really close to you so we thought...Forget it.  I was thinking of going out with him. My friends and I got to know about him a few weeks ago”, she blurted out.

“Oh really. Well, you should have talked to him, not me. I must go back now. I need to study.”

I turned my back and went to my seat. I was thinking. ‘Lance must be so lucky: one of the prettiest girls in our year was seeking him out. Good for him.’  I never saw Lance flirting with anyone. He would always be with the bubbly boys hanging out. Or he would be with me. I forgot the times he would stop by and chat with us. Even during my volleyball games, he would be there to watch.  But I never really thought much about it. 

I went back to studying. I need to maintain or increase my test scores in order to cement my section ranking. I do not want to transfer to another section and make new friends again.  I am happy now with this star section I am into.  I looked around and did not see Charm or Val. I forgot that it was already recess. I shrugged and just ate my candy.  It’s a hassle going down to the cafeteria. Time passed, and I noticed my classmates coming in. Izzie came to me and handed me a cheese roll. “That’s for you.” I realized I was hungry so I took it and ate it. “Thanks, Izzie. You’re my lifesaver.” Izzie sat down and said, “Lance bought it and told me to give it to you. You didn’t go down for recess so he thought you must be hungry.” I stopped munching. “Well, thank you, too. And I’ll say thanks to him when he comes back.”

“He was called to the office. I think they need to prepare for the Music Club Program for the graduation ceremony. He might be delayed in coming back.” Izzie then opened her notes and we both studied. It was already the next lesson when Lance came back.  I thought I can thank him later before going home.

I was tucking in my notebooks in my bag and quickly combed my hair.  Val and Charm went out again, as they needed to talk to some people from other sections. ‘I hope Charm is not quarreling with anyone.’  I got an old, clean rug from the cabinet and wiped my seat. Most of my classmates were leaving, as we still have Home Economics (HE) class in the afternoon.  I stepped out and went to the stairs. I saw Lance coming up. 

“Hey.  Thanks for the cheese roll. You saved me. Again.”

“Welcome. Don’t ever forget to eat. You need food especially when studying.”

He stopped me then said, “Are you going home?”

“No, we still have HE class at 1:00 pm, remember?”

“Oh, yes.  Are you getting lunch, then?”

“Yes. But I can’t find the two. I might just buy bread and coke and eat in our HE Room.”

He grabbed my hand and said “Wait up. I’ll go with you to the cafeteria.”

He ran to our room and seconds later, he had his backpack. We went down the stairs and proceeded to the cafeteria.  Very few students were there, as some already went home. Only a handful of students were taking their lunch. I looked around and said “So where are Charm and Val? They didn't tell me where they were going earlier.”

Lance paid for our lunch and we brought our tray to the empty table. “Let them be. They’ll show up at our  HE class  later.” We had our lunch, then I took out my wallet and gave him Php 50. “Here’s for my lunch.” Lance looked at me, then said “Keep it.”

“Should be KKB (Dutch Treat). I might get used to you treating me.”

“Maybe. But that’s fine with me. So just keep it.”

I shrugged then said, “OK.  will pay for our rides later.”

Lance did not say anything.  I noticed he was looking behind me, so I turned around. Belinda was staring at us from across the cafeteria with her gang. 

I whispered to him “Oh, Lance. I think that girl wants to talk to you. I’m going to the HE Room so you can talk.” Lance was about to say something, then stopped. He nodded at the girl. I waved at him, then left.  Belinda immediately went to the table to talk to Lance. I stole a glance at them. They looked good together. ‘Oh, well. Belinda might just be the right girl for him.’ I went inside the HE room. Some of the girls were there. Val and Charm were still missing. I sat down and took out our HE notebook. There might be a quiz later and I need to prepare.

The afternoon class went by so slowly. We studied crocheting and I was nowhere as efficient as Izzie and the rest.  I almost threw my colored yarn in frustration.  Charm was seated in another row and chatting with some girls. Before we knew it, the school bell rang to signal the end of the class. I hastily put all my crochet stuff in a small bag. I called out to Charm. “Let’s go.”  Charm replied, “You go ahead. I need to meet with someone. Look for Val, if you like.”

“Val skipped his HE Class, I think. I did not see him in their room earlier.”

“Bye then. See you tomorrow.”

I went out. I saw Charm talking to a boy from Junior Year.  I did not want to bother them so I went straight outside.  I looked at my watch. It’s almost 4:05 pm. Guess I better head home. I was walking towards the jeepney stop.  I thought of Lance. ‘Hmmph, he told me we can go home together from now on. He must be distracted by Belinda.’  I rode the next jeepney that stopped by and checked out my notes. So many things to review.  

At home, I was about to eat when the phone rang.  I answered “Hello?” 

“Hello, Nia?” 

“Who is this, please?”  I was raring to eat as I was starving.

“Lance.” I almost dropped the phone.  How did he get my number?

“How did you know my number? I did not give it to you, right?”

“I asked Charm. Why did you leave without waiting for me?”

“What? Did we agree on the time? I did not see you after HE class.”

“You promised. Well, I thought we agreed that we would always go to school and home together, remember? Your room is next to ours. Our class was delayed by a few minutes. When I went to your room Charm told me you already left. So I asked for your number. I even tried to run and see if I could catch up. You walked too fast.”

I giggled. “Yes, I usually move like doing a walkathon. I did not know you wanted to go home with me.”

“We agreed on that, remember?”

“So, what do you want? I thought you’re busy so I did not wait for you.”

“Nothing really. Just would like to know if you got home alright.”

“I’m OK. I’m about to have dinner. Then I will study. So please don’t bother me. I’ll just see you tomorrow, then.” I said goodbye and put down the phone.  ‘So what’s that about. He must want to talk about Belinda.’  I gulped down my food and went to my room to study.  I smiled at the way he said I promised to go home with him.  He was the one who made it.  I mulled for a bit and thought, 'Maybe he will not be able to do so for long.  He just might start going out with that girl. Good for him. Belinda is really pretty, although not so bright. Too lightweight. She's lucky to have someone like him.