The bell rang, jolting me back to consciousness. I was a nervous wreck as I tried to pack my bag and get ready for a lunch break. I quickly whipped out my pocket mirror and checked my reflection. Good thing I still looked nice. I decided to tie up my hair to my usual ponytail. Izzie and Noah already went down and I stood up and went to the window to check the people going to the cafeteria. I groaned. It's like everyone in the building decided to go there for lunch. "Hey, are you coming?," Lance asked from the door. I took a deep breath then turned to face him. "Yes, I am." We walked down the stairs. I was thinking of how to tell him that I have a lunch date and it's with someone else. I quickly scanned the groups of students going down the stairwell and into the lobby. There's no sign of Alfred. I was thinking, 'He might back off. There are just too many students in the cafeteria and it will not be a good thing for us to have our lunch together.' I sighed in disappointme
"I really would love to go out with you this weekend. I am not sure why you are hesitating. I can see that you also like me. So, what's really stopping you?" Alfred's voice was raspy, even grating. I could not immediately respond. He seemed just about to lose his temper. We had been on the line for over 30 minutes and most of it was just going back and forth on whether I will consent to his request or not. My head's throbbing so bad. I did not want to make him angry, however, I could not just accede. "I am not sure if I am ready to go on a date with someone, that's all." My voice came out pleading. I looked at the watch and saw it was almost 10:20 pm. I told Lance I would call him back at 10:00 and we're still at a stalemate. Alfred was quiet for some time, then he said, "Ok. Just so you will go out with me, you can bring a friend as a chaperone. I will also bring someone so your friend does not have to feel like a third wheel." I was surprised by this suggestion.
The following week, our class held our Christmas Party. We had a grand time exchanging gifts. I gave some to my friends and hurriedly moved to Charm's room. I saw her inside chatting noisily with her classmates. I caught her eye and she met me at the door. "Merry Christmas!" I said and gave her my present. She hugged me, and whispered, "Same to you, my best friend." That was how we patched up our differences. She asked me to call her up that night before I went back to our room. Our groups were planning to go to Holiday Plaza, so we quickly gathered our stuff. I did not see Val, Alfred, or his group anywhere. I guess they're all busy with their own last-day of school jaunts. Suddenly, Tina and her friends crowded the door and asked for Lance. I saw Lance's face turned red, but he stood up and approached her. Her friends were tittering loudly as Tina gave a package to Lance. The bubbly boys were looking so amused and getting ready to roast Lance. Tina also slipped a letter to him bef
The holidays came and went. Alfred called me up twice and even greeted me just before New Year's Eve. I did not get to see nor hear from Lance after Christmas. He seemed stunned when I told him about Alfred's declaration that I was his girlfriend. He did not stay long and he excused himself. I tried calling him up multiple times, but no one answered. I was really downhearted. Our classes resumed the next week. My classmates were all excited to see each other, while some were still feeling hungover from the long school break. We were about to start when I saw Lance quickly slipped in his seat. He did not look back at me. I sighed. When the bell rang for our recess, I saw him stepped outside with the rest of the bubbly boys. Izzie glanced at me. "Is there something wrong with you and Lance?" I grimaced and said, "I am not really sure. He seems to be avoiding me after Christmas." Izzie plowed on, "Why? There must be a reason for that." I mindlessly open my book and clicke
Our class advisor Ms. Garcin made a surprise announcement the following week. "We are sending a representative to the February Mr. and Ms. Junior/Senior Valentines pageant. I did a quick survey amongst you and other students and teachers to see who has the most number of possible votes. And I got the name of their favorite student." We waited with bated breath she made the announcement. She was smiling at us as she looked around. "Mr. Lance Javier, we would be honored if you will represent Class III-1. I am not going to be happy if you decline, of course," she said grinning while putting on her intimidating stance. I clapped my hand on my mouth and quickly glanced at Lance. He was sitting there, looking totally dumbfounded. My classmates cheered and clapped their hands. Jon and Ira were loudly cheering and jeering at the same time. Noah was shrieking, and totally drowning the others. Archer tapped Lance's shoulder, saying "You go, Mr. Heartthrob. Time to shine." Lance looked like he
The largely girl-dominated population of school resoundingly cheered on the male candidates for the upcoming Mr. and Ms. Junior/Senior Valentines pageant especially when Lance and Alfred were introduced. The boys were quiet and glowered at the candidates. The girls were all noisily calling out the names of the two and the host of the introduction program in our assembly had to yell in her bid to shush the excited students. The rest of the candidates were like backdrops for the two. Lance was wearing an immaculate white long-sleeved polo tucked in light brown pants, while Alfred donned a black, long-sleeved polo tucked in black pants. The contrasting look of the top two candidates only heightened the delirium of the girl students. I was the one behind it as I knew beforehand what Alfred would be wearing and I instructed Lance to wear the exact opposite. I was grinning like mad as I saw the effect of their complementing looks. I also assigned Ira to take pictures using his own camera.
Alfred and I were dining at his favorite Italian restaurant when he broached Val and Charm. "How long have you been friends with them? And how come they are not in your class?" I explained our story and why they were not in my class. He just nodded, then said, "Why don't you bring Charm to our date next Saturday? It might be nice to have her so I can get to know her. I will bring Albert with me. He asked about her. He seems interested." I was a bit surprised by his suggestion. He told me he did not really like double dates. "I have to ask her first. I am not sure if she is interested in your friend. I'll get back to you." He smiled at me, "Make her come. Come on, babe. Use your power of persuasion. Albert will be so happy." I made a mental note to call her up as soon as I get home. "Charm, can you do me that just one tiny favor, please? You don't have to like the guy. Just come with me on Saturday." Charm said no the first time, but she sounded as though a bit interest
As expected, the next two weeks were a flurry of the mad, exhausting pursuit to the finish line. Alfred and I barely managed to see each other, except when he drops by my room or during quick lunch breaks. He apologized for what happened that weekend, and he sounded so remorseful I had to forgive him. Charm came up to me to make amends as she was very bothered by what happened. I had to assure her that everything's fine. We focused more on our projects and campaign. It was a tight race between Alfred and Lance until Alfred revealed his last card in the final week of the campaign. I should have known he was holding on to something. Alfred and his classmates set up a booth just near the stage area one afternoon, and they put up his posters and banners showcasing his print ads and previous competitions won. Not only that, but he also brought in his fellow models to stand and invite students to buy ballots. The students literally fell to the wiles of both male and fe
Alfred and I were sitting at the cafeteria, drinking soda. He was so cool, vibrant, and as usual, babbling non-stop about his victory. "I went to my father's company yesterday and he told his friends to buy the remaining ballots from me. My mom also bought the other batch. I just came back to school today and almost missed that final counting. Good thing my adviser called up the house to remind me." I congratulated him after the furor died down. He was able to approach me after extracting himself from the adoring crowd in the faculty area. He won by a mile over his nearest competitor. I just listened to him, waiting for the chance to ask him what happened in the nearly 5 days he was away. Students kept coming to him, congratulating him over the victory that it would be impossible to talk over something so serious. Soon, the school bell rang to signal the start of the next classes. I stood up and waited for him. He was still chatting with some of his classmates. He waved at them then
I always felt like I was just a regular guy. Growing up, my parents would shower me with their undivided attention as I was the only boy. My older sister Terry "bullied" me when we were kids, and because of her, I was a bit shy around girls. I just liked hanging around with noisy guys like Jon and Ira, as I felt they "protected" me. I had crushes, but never really told any girl I liked her. Jon joked that the girl must be the one to court me, for I usually clamped up around them. That is, until I met Nia. During our Sophomore year, I heard heard rumors about a girl who transferred to our coed school from an exclusive girls' school. My curiosity was piqued. I felt bad hearing some of them making fun of the girl we have yet to meet. I saw new faces in the room and I asked Ira casually if the new girl had arrived. "Nope, I don't think she's here yet. Those new students came from co-ed schools as well," he replied. I sat down, feeling disappointed. Suddenly, I saw a girl stood b
I was startled to hear my office phone ringing continuously. I picked it up quickly and breathlessly said, "Hello?" "Hello, Nia? Izzie here. What time are you ready? We need to go see Noah immediately at the precinct." I checked my watch and responded, "I can wrap up now and go there. I'll meet you at the mall then we go directly to the precinct. How about the others?" I heard Izzie sighed and said, "Ayene, Leny and Carly went there an hour ago. Ira and Enzo will also proceed there in a bit. I'd like to talk to Noah. He must be really scared." "Don't worry. Buy some snacks, towels, toiletries for him, and I'll be there in a jiffy." I quickly drove to the mall to pick up Izzie. I saw her waiting for me at the mall entrance and quickly stopped at the curb and opened the door. She came in, hugged me and closed the door. She started chatting about Noah. "I told him to resign from that stupid job. He was so stressed out for months, an
"I will not take No again for an answer, Nia," my friend Naomi said crispily over the phone. I was staring at my computer and typing endless memos for my boss who was the senior vice president for Corporate Banking of a leading universal bank. My head was tilted, skillfully balancing the receiver while leafing through the pages of the draft. I was hired as an assistant and working with the bank for nearly 3 years. I met Naomi while I was an intern for a professional advertising executive and she was then his assistant. I liked her because of her feisty nature. "I already met the guy and he seems promising. But do I need to go into another date with him? I am very busy," I answered. Naomi set me up on a blind date with Ervin who was an account executive working for a big pharmaceutical company. "He has been asking why you don't want to give your personal as well as your professional contact number. I think he's got the hots for you. Why don't you give him a chance? Just
Time really flies, and how! I am now a Senior in college, and in just a few months will graduate hopefully with Latin Honors. Soon, I'd be able to keep my promise to Nanay. It was a long arduous journey, but I did it. I only need to pass the remaining exams and defend my thesis. I was so grateful to Jena, Eden, Arnold, and the rest of my classmates who made life in college bearable. As expected, life there was more serious and I learned that you have to take ownership of your decisions and not rely on others. I realized my inner strength and determination to finish what I've started. I sacrificed Lance, and nothing's going to stop me from my goal. A stumbling block indeed came, but I was able to overcome and moved on. A few months ago, I was roaming the University Belt with Jena and Arnold looking for additional sources for our thesis. The place was teeming with students from other universities and colleges. I was able to get copies of the books I needed and was waiting for
One year later.I was walking towards the Main Building/Science library of the University of Saint Thomas to look through additional materials for our group presentation scheduled for next week. It was a hectic year for the Freshman AB class, and I was looking forward to a relaxing summer. I saw my classmates, Arnold and Eden already in our favorite table and I quickly sat on the chair across the two. Both smiled at me and proceeded to discuss the materials they were able to get from the undiscovered section of the old library.On the last Friday of March that year, the class of 1986 graduated. Surrounded by excited classmates and proud parents and companions, I felt empty that day. Even when my Nanay shed tears and Bree took pictures of me on the stage with my diploma and mother in tow, I barely mustered a tiny grin. Because we all brought our family members, my classmates and I were only able to say quick goodbyes before we left the venue. I quick
Classes were resumed several days after the peaceful EDSA Revolution of February 25, 1986. My classmates were very excited to see each other again. The school officials welcomed us back during our morning assembly, with the principal asking the students to go on studying and not worry about the political situation. He also reminded us seniors of our remaining projects and upcoming examinations, which effectively gave us the direction we needed. My clasmates worked like crazy, and we extended our stay at the campus in order to finish all our projects. Every minute with them counts. Lance and I went home late, and we see each other during weekends, too. Bree talked to me one night. She looked subdued, and I was a bit concerned. "How are you doing at school? Ready for college?" she asked. I nodded vigorously. "Of course! It's just the final examinations and we are all set to graduate. Don't worry. I just need to wait for the documents i need to submit to UST and I
Lance and I quickly went out to join our group. were on the dancefloor, gyrating to the class favorite song, "Always something there to remind me." ValAll of themand Charm were with us, along with some of their friends and we made a circle. Pairs danced off amidst loud cheers and laughter. Charm hugged me, and thoughts of Alfred were forgotten. It was the Seniors' night, our special event before graduation, and no one can take the excitement away from us. Lance and I embraced and danced, and our friends rejoiced with us. I saw Izzie dancing with Archer, Noah and Val stealing the show along with Jon and Ira, and that was how Class IV-1 spent their last JS Prom together. At past 1:00am, we left the campus. We saw a store still open, and we stayed for half an hour drinking cold soda and eating biscuits while we recounted everything that happened that night. We said goodnight to each other, and went home. Lance and I sat inside his car, and we talked about what
That year's JS Prom was austere. The antsy political situation was felt everywhere and our principal almost cancelled the event. However, the majority of the students and their parents implored the school authorities to push through with it. Certainly, it was an annual event that most juniors and seniors look forward to and make up the bulk of their high school memories. We were encouraged to wear second-hand gowns and tuxedoes or rent-out from shops that give out discounts and promos to students. Noah comically said even with the end of the world coming, we must have our prom. I looked a myself at our old mirror, checking my simple make-up and my altered pink gown. Lance will be coming any time now, and I quickly picked up my purse and ran outside. I saw him parking the car and I quickly went to the passenger side. I slid in, and kissed him on the cheek. "I think we need to go now or we'll be late for registration. Archer already went to Izzie's house ea
Lance's act of courage was the trending topic the following week, as the bubbly boys and girls of Section IV-1 excitedly recounted to everyone who cared to listen how he quickly ran down the treacherous slope to save me from harm. He became even more popular and awarded a few days later with the CAT Medal of Bravery which was a first. It may have been an embarrasing time for me, but Lance would tell everyone that he only thought of saving me, and he thought of nothing else. I imagined how he must have looked like, almost flying down the hill to be able to catch up to a helpless me. So dreamy and handsome, and so brave. I felt so lucky to have the bravest boy at my side. The next few weeks was both busy and exciting. The holiday season was coming and everyone of us was rushing to complete school activities and projects. We also took college entrance examinations in our chosen universities and colleges. Izzie was becoming distracted, with her university res