Chapter VII: Close to You

Browsing through the book rack, I was engrossed in the books of Stephen King. He was really a prolific writer and his stories contain both horror and humor of sorts. I really like him, and he belonged to my favorite circle of writers and novelists. Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, the list goes on. It was a quiet Saturday, and I decided to go to the National Bookstore in Quad, Makati. I was just alone, and I told Nanay I will be back a little after lunch. I only intended to buy some school supplies and t-shirts. I looked around the store and felt inundated with books. As there were new books displayed, I got so immersed in browsing through the synopsis and the first few chapters that I forgot the time.  It was already past 1:00 pm when I finally left the store with my purchases. I felt the pangs of hunger.  I was thinking of whether to buy something to eat or just go home when I heard my name called.  

“Hey, Nia.” I turned around. It was Lance. 

“Oh, hi. What are you doing here?”, I surreptitiously look if he was with someone. He noticed it and said, “I’m here all by myself. I want to buy some school stuff.”  I showed him my plastic bag of purchases and said, “Same here. I just bought mine. I was about to go home.”

My stomach grumbled loudly and I slowly rubbed it. “Well, I was about to look for something to eat. I have not eaten lunch yet,” I said.  

“Let’s look around and see what you like,” he pulled my hand and we went towards the food court area of SM Makati. I was happily looking around and did not notice he took my plastic bag of purchases. I pointed at the food display. “How about that yummy-looking spaghetti over there?” We went, ordered two plates and drinks, and he brought the tray to the cashier. He paid for our orders and we went to look for an empty table.  I was so famished that I forgot to thank him for paying for our orders. 

“I should have called you up and asked if you are planning to go somewhere,” Lance said.

“It’s alright. It’s really unplanned. I just thought I could replenish my pad paper and pens. But I do want to look at the new books.”

“I know you already bought yours, but can you come with me to the National Bookstore? I need to pick up some notebooks and pens plus the materials we need for our group project”, Lance said almost apologetically.

“Sure. Thanks for paying for my lunch, by the way. I was so hungry I forgot to thank you,” I wiped my mouth and drank water. I felt refueled and ready for another run to go around the bookstore. We stood up and walked towards the shop.

He went around getting his stuff, while I went back to browsing through new books. I furtively looked back at where he was. I noticed some schoolgirls looking at him, and two were even planning to come closer to where he was. I badly wanted to giggle but stopped myself. Really, these girls. I peered back at Lance. He looked so cute in his cap, white shirt tucked in blue jeans, and wearing new sneakers. He was taller than some boys around the shop, pretty slim and he looked totally oblivious of the stares he was getting from some high school girls around the store. I went around some bookshelves and continued browsing through the fiction section.  I felt someone looking at me, so I turned around. Lance was there, carrying his basket of stuff. “I am going to the cashier now. Do you need something?” I quickly walked over to him. “No, let’s go. You must be in a hurry.” 

We lined up at the cashier, and I felt ogling coming from the same bunch of schoolgirls checking out Lance earlier. I heard one whispering, “Is that his girlfriend? She's so plain-looking.” The other replied, “Maybe his sister. I doubt that she is his girlfriend.” I found this absurd and wanted to pull their hair. Or maybe kick them in the shin. Unaware of this, Lance quietly paid for his purchases, then we left the store. He was strolling so casually. 

“Are you meeting someone? Or are you in a hurry to go someplace?” I blurted out.

“No. Why did you think that? I was just looking around.” He stopped to look at me.

“Sorry, I thought you needed to be somewhere and I would not want to bother you. I can go home so you can…”  I did not finish what I was about to say as he pulled my hand then pointed towards a shop. “I’d like to check out some shirts over there.” So we went inside the store.  It was selling more of mens’ shirts and accessories. He went to look at some, then asked me “What do you think of this?” while showing a shirt with red and white stripes. He would look adorable in that, I thought. I nodded and answered, “Yes. You’d look so cute in that. The colors suit you as you are fair-skinned. Plus the horizontal stripes would make you look a bit bigger.” He smiled broadly. He ordered for his size, and as we waited, we talked about our Finals and the projects we needed to submit. He spoke about the bubbly boys’ plan to go out after the Finals. He asked me if the girls have similar plans. I shook my head and said, “We’ll see how it goes. Most of us are really focused on making sure we submit everything before the deadline. I do hope we can go out after. We deserve it.” I frowned. He went to the cashier to pay for his shirt.

I thought, ‘Maybe he plans to wear that on his date with whomever.’ I can imagine Lance wearing the shirt, and I know he would look so cool in it. I thought of Belinda. I have not really seen him with her even on campus. I was a bit curious. So I mustered enough courage and asked, “Are you seeing that girl, Belinda whats-her-name from school?” He stared at me, then replied “No. Why ?” Lance can be so frugal with words.

“Nothing. Her group keeps staring at you, and me. I just want no episode like that of Charm’s.” I thought 'Where some girls gang up on Charm inside the restroom.'

“Why would that happen to you? I don’t go out with Belinda. Or with anyone else outside our class for that matter.” We continued walking. I looked at the candy display of the Candy Corner. He must have noticed I was ogling at the colorful gums and sticks that he stopped.  He pointed at the cola-flavored stick. “Would you like those? I need something tangy.” 

“Oh, yes. That’s my favorite.” I totally forgot about what we were talking about. He proceeded to purchase those lovely sour, honest-to-goodness rubbery candy sticks. He gave me the small bag while taking a bite on one stick. We reached the jeepney stop while munching on the candy sticks. We talked about our moving up, his music program with their club for the Senior Graduation Ceremony, and our class ranking.  We need to maintain an average of at least 88% overall to stay with the same section. I thought of my plan to increase my study hours and thought, ‘No more Saturday hangouts or gimmicks until after the Finals. I need to get more hours to increase my average.’ I was so busy thinking of all my plans that I did not realize we had reached the end of the route.  I was surprised to still see Lance. He should have gotten off several stops ago. 

“Why did you not get off your street?”

“I will walk you home, that’s why. You were so preoccupied I thought you needed me to bring you back to Earth.”

“Sorry, I was already thinking of how I need to increase my study hours prior to our Finals. I really need to stay focused and not go out with Charm or Val these next few weeks. So I want you to stop me from going out with them  if they insist on going someplace.”

“Why not study with me or set up a group study? That way we can help each other by reviewing as one. You can see if you lack anything. I can also share my notes with you. You can do the same for me. You’re the best in English and Reading and Comprehension.  You can share with me your tricks on writing those awesome essays.” I stopped and considered this suggestion. It was actually pretty sensible. I can work on my weaknesses and also polish my strong points. Lance was very good in Math and Science, my weak points.  He can surely help me out there. 

“That’s a brilliant idea! You can tutor me in Science and Math. I’ll help you with the other subjects! Can we do this next week, please?” I rattled on excitedly. He laughed.

“Sure, let’s meet next Saturday. We can do this at your house or mine. Let’s prepare our reviewers to save time. Then we can test each other and see our low points.” We reached my house and I turned to him.

“I’m really so glad I bumped into you and hung out with the best buddy ever. Thanks for the food. And I’d love to see you in that cute shirt.”

“Welcome and thanks for coming with me. I’ll see you on Monday, then.” He waved at me, then turned to walk home. 

As I went up to our bedroom, I thought of how nice Lance really was. He was not conceited nor arrogant. He may be cute and all, but he would always be so unassuming and level-headed. Not everyone who looks that way would behave like that. Boys from our school would walk so cockily, thinking they are Heaven’s gift to girls.  I thought to myself, ‘I’m so lucky to have a friend like him. He’s just like my brother Josel who takes care of me.’ I looked forward to our study group. Maybe I can go to his house instead, I mused.  The phone rang.  It was Charm.

“Where were you? I called up earlier but your mom told me you went to Quad. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I only planned to buy school supplies. I browsed through the new books at the National Bookstore. Then I went home.” I was about to say I saw and hung out with Lance but stopped myself. Who knows what Charm would again think about? We chatted more about our schedule for next week, then she rattled on about the new guy she was seeing. He was a senior and comes from the afternoon section. He was cute and dreamy though not so tall, she animatedly said. I just listened to her while she recounted all the details of their Friday date.  Afterward, we ended our conversation.  My sister Bree came in and said, “Who’s that on the phone? Is that your classmate Lance?” I was so surprised when she mentioned his name.  

“No. That was Charm. But how did you know Lance?” My curiosity was piqued.

“He called up earlier before lunch. He was looking for you. So I told him you left to check out the National Bookstore at Quad. He sounded so polite.”  I was astonished by this. Lance did not mention this to me at all.  Bree went on, “He told me his full name. Lance Javier. So I asked if his sister is named Terry. I found out he is Terry’s brother. Terry was my classmate in college. Talk about having a small world, “she went on. I was speechless and just listened.  I pondered.‘But Lance said he just went there to buy stuff. He forgot to mention he called our house.’

I was so glad I did not tell Charm that we met at the mall. Who knows what story she will concoct with Val. Definitely, the two would come up with something with their overactive imagination.  But it was so nice to have hung out with Lance. I got to know him well. Plus hearing his suggestion on having the study group. I just shrugged off any thoughts of the call that he failed to mention, and went to bed.