Chapter 3

KAYLE AND CHANDLER WENT home after dinner so I had to eat alone. They looked so tired so they went to bed early. I on the other hand, prepared my things for tomorrow.

I've got to talk to my mom earlier and as usual, she was being hysterical about how am I doing right now especially that Charlie and I broke up. I had to calm her down and convince her that I'm okay. She was convincing me to go home next weekend. I miss them and I want to see them but I didn't promise because school and org stuff will surely bombard me so I didn't make a promise to go home. She understood and wished me a good night, afterwards. 

Ms. Valdez, my org adviser have messaged me earlier as well and told me to gather the members tomorrow after class for we have a meeting. I am the org President and it's actually my duty to keep them updated. Really? What about your communications committee? My mind exclaimed.

I then messaged them in our group chat and luckily, most of them are still up.

To: All

Re: Meeting c/o Ms. Valdez

Good evening, everyone! I hope y'all had a good weekend. Tomorrow after class, we will have our first meeting for this week and I'll look forward to all of you. Thank you and have a good night.

Few members have replied and said yes while the others have just reacted on my message.

Our org is a University-wide organization and our job is to protect and maintain the wellness of our co-students. We embolden them to study well by creating and facilitating motivational and encouraging events to make them realize that success can be achieved by studying in a fun-learning environment. We assist, we empowers, and we promote well-being and so, we are called Peer Facilitators, PFs for short.

Sometimes, we collaborate with the different courses within the university as well as partnerships with different groups and institutions outside the campus. And along with the university athletes and performance orgs, we are doing our bests to maintain the quality image of our school and it is indeed a privilege for me to become the president of our org.

Kayle's part of the Performance Org and Jess is part of the Student Body. Chandler on the other hand is an athlete. In freshmen years, we're not that close, we just knew one another since we're from the different organizations. Until I had to move to another apartment because my former apartment was being sold. Kayle and Chandler were the first ones to get here so I thought, they're close and all but I was wrong. They may be under the same roof but they don't talk to each other that much.

And then, after a week, Jess moved in. It was awkward at first because we don't exactly liked one another but as time passed by, we all got along and here we are, best of friends through thick and thin. We were originally five in the apartment but when Amanda moved out, we've talked to the owner if she could spare the other room and we'll pay for its rent. She said yes and now, we're enjoying the place with just the four of us.

Sometimes, mom and Travis visits me so they would take the spare room to sleep in. Kayle's mom and sister would use the room as well whenever they visit her. Chandler's visitors would also use the room as well as Jessica's. Basically, we made it as our guest room whenever someone would like to sleep over. This apartment became a huge part of our lives and it would be very sad for us to leave when the time comes.

I shrugged the idea off because it makes me emotional and then Charlie have crossed my mind once again. I pulled my blanket up and gripped at it tightly. All the memories I had with him waved vividly on my mind. Blinking my tears away, I opened my gallery and scrolled through my album. We have a lot of pictures and it pains me to see that these pictures will now just be a part of our memory.

I stopped when I came across my favorite picture of us. It was taken during a wedding of a couple we don't actually know. Yep, we gate crashed a wedding. I chuckled as I remember how foolish we were.

It was a dull day for us because we happened to ran out of exciting things to do. We were at an ice cream parlor, shrinking ourselves with the boring day we had. Even ice cream couldn't lift our moods up.

"What's the P?" I asked as I dig my spoon on my vanilla ice cream. He just shrugged, licking his own spoon.

"Shall we go home?" I asked once again. "Do you want to go home already?" He asked, putting his spoon down. I shrugged and answered "hmmm, not yet but what will we do?" I asked, kind of annoyed. "Let's drive around the city?" He suggested. "And then what? You'll just waste your engine," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Come on! What if we'll see something interesting?" He said, still trying to convince me. "Okay fine but let's get some fries," I said, smiling. "Drive through to McDonald's, aye aye!" He cheerfully said before getting cash to pay for our ice cream bill.

We immediately went to his car and he started driving going to McDonald's to buy fries and soda. When we got what I want, he started driving, exploring the whole city.

We've passed by different places and saw interesting things such as a couple, fighting and shouting at each other in a public place. We wanted to calm them down but we refused because we didn't want to get involved. And so, he continued driving.

Passing by different people, I can't help myself from admiring how complex they are. It may be weird to other people but I always had the interest to observe and watch others because I believe that each one of us has a wow effect.

"When you look at those people, you realize how complex the world is because it is made up of different stories," I said without looking at him and I felt him glancing at me while smiling.

"You always have the unique interest in human nature and I'm always amused by that," he said and I looked at him, smiled and reached for his arm. "That's why I'm interested in you," I joked and he blushed.

He continued driving until we passed by a church. At first, we were hesitant to get out of the car but we convinced each other that if we don't do something stupid and funny while we're young, there's nothing we could be laughing at when we're old. And so, we composed ourselves and went out.

We were laughing because we'll gatecrash a wedding and it was thrilling knowing that this was the first time we'll do something like this. So without any single word, we entered the church and some people were looking at us. We sat beside an old woman in the back part and she looked at us as if we're some kind of criminals. I tried my best not to laugh because I don't want people to think of me as someone mentally incapacitated even with the old woman's facial expression.

The people were wearing a light shade of pink and the procession, I guess has ended because the groom and bride was standing side-by-side in front of the priest.

"Excuse me, no offense but how are you related with the groom and bride?" The old woman approached and kindly asked us.

I was about to laugh and tell her that we're gate crashing when Charlie butted in and answered the old woman's query. "We were their group mates in our science project in college, ma'am," he politely answered and the old woman nods. Well, that's a lie.

After a while, the groom and bride were exchanging vows and all the other people were crying. Charlie and I on the other hand were holding our tears back. And then, the priest announced them as husband and wife afterwards.

Charlie and I took pictures of us with a pictorial in our background and as we were about to leave, someone approached us and told us the location of the reception. We laughed, imagining ourselves to eat in a wedding reception without having an invitation card. But since this is a one time experience, we went to the reception and ate like we were part of the entourage or like we're members of the family.

After eating, we left the reception and took a photo outside the hotel before totally leaving.

It was indeed a fun and exciting experience and I would probably do it again with him but I know, deep in my heart that it will never happen again.

I felt tears running down my face and there, I cried myself to sleep.

The next day, I heard shouts from Kayle behind my door. I opened my eyes, flinching from the bright light of the sun, filtering in through my window. I rolled to the side, propping my head up to my hand and sat up.

I reached for my phone with eyes still blinking the sleep away and learned that it was already 5:30 in the morning. I crumpled my body up and start cleaning my disheveled bed.

"Good morning, princesa," Kayle greeted me as soon as I opened the door. "Good morning, Kay," I answered back, still having sleepy eyes.

"Time for breakfast, come on," she patted my shoulder and walked ahead.

I lazily followed her and on the way to the kitchen, I smelled the stomach-triggering bacon she's cooking. Kayle went straight to the stove and I walked up towards Chandler to gave her a morning hug.

"Good morning, geared up early?" I asked, walking towards the sink.

"Yep, have a morning training. You know coach Romero, he hates late comers," she answered and I could picture her famous roll eye.

I bent down to reach the faucet and catched water using my palms and start gargling the water. After spitting the water out, I dried my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Oh yea, 10 jumping jacks for every minutes of late," I said, getting a mug from the rack.

"Right, a punishment he couldn't remove from his system," Kayle butts in. "IKR," Chandler answered, laughing.

I put 1 teaspoon of coffee, two teaspoons of creamer and three teaspoons of sugar on my mug. I poured the hot water on it and start stirring the coffee. Latterly, I walked towards the table where Chandler was and sat in front of her.

"How's bacon?" Chandler asked Kayle who's back was facing us.

She then turned around and winked at us. "Coming up!" She excitedly yelled and then turned her back once again.

"You'll see Charlie today, are you ready for that?" Chandler asked, snatching my attention away from the bacon.

I sighed and smiled a little, "I think I'll be fine if ever I've got to see him," I truthfully answered and she smiled at me. "Call me when you need backup, I'm good at uppercuts," she said, playfully smiling at me.

I chuckled and thanked her thereupon. And then, Kayle walked towards us, holding the plate of bacon. "Who's ready for bacon?" She asked, chuckling. "Me!" Chandler and I shouted in unison like little kids.

Kayle sat beside me and we began to eat our breakfast.

"I've got to talked with Jess earlier this morning and marvelously, she's okay," Kayle said while munching. "Really? That's great then, it's the first time she's not burning with fire when it comes to her family," Chandler commented, looking at her bacon. "Well, Jess can handle situations like that," I said, shrugging. "You're right, she's Jessica Chen after all," Kayle commented, ending the topic about Jess and her family.

"After we eat, leave the dishes with me and start preparing for school," Chandler said while munching her bacon. "But you have a training, Coach Romero won't be very happy if you're late," I reminded her.

She shook her head while chugging her glass of water, "don't worry, I'll be quick. Besides, our school is just a few steps away from our apartment, I will surely be there in no time," she said, looking at me.

I shrugged in defeat.

After a little while, we've done eating and Chandler did the dishes. Kayle on the other hand went straight to the shower room to take a bath. I went inside my room to prepare my clothes and check my school bag if I put everything I need for school last night.

My phone buzzed and I received a message from Jess. Surely, she sent it to all of us.

From: Jess [Mon, 6:22 am]

See you at school! Missed you, xoxo

I smiled upon reading her text because I can feel her sincerity and sweetness through her message.

To: Jess [Mon, 6:23 am]

Missed you, see you later! xx

I exited the conversation after replying to her text message. And then, Chandler shouted she'll head off. I nodded at her and she mouthed see you later!

After a while, Kayle walked out from the shower room and motioned me to get inside. I've got with me my bathrobe and my underwear. I opened the hot shower and start soaking my body. I shampooed my hair and soaped my body afterwards.

The hot water was soaking my body right and nice making me wanted to just stay here and bath with this calming water. It calms my erratic heart due to the fact that I might see Charlie later and I'm not really sure if I can meet his gaze. I'm nervous I might do something embarrassing in front of him and I can't afford to shame myself.

Shaking the thought away, I turned the shower off and start drying myself with the clean towel. I slipped into my bathrobe afterwards and start brushing my teeth. Later, I went out from the shower room and went straight back to my room.

I removed my bathrobe and changed into my white tube as my top and slipped into my korean-styled corporate pastel blue short and then I put on my blazer and rolled it up afterwards. I applied lotion on my arms and legs before slipping into my white chucks. I wore my watched on my left wrist and put on a red liptint and mascarra. I lift my hair into a lousy but clean bun and start getting my things before leaving my room.

"Ready to go?" Kayle asked me as soon as I walked inside the living room.

"Yep, let's go," I said and she smiled.

We closed the main door right after we made sure that everything's alright inside. We walked side-by-side on our way to the campus. And since our apartment was just steps away from school, we arrived in no time.

"Hey, I'll swing by our office. Ms. Rhodes told me to pass by, maybe it's about the upcoming theatre perf," Kayle said once we got inside the campus.

"Sure, say hi to Ms. Rhodes for me. Laters!" I replied and she winked at me.

As soon as I reached my room, my classmates greeted me and I greeted them back. Gabby walked towards me and flashed the sweetest smile a bitch could ever do.

"Good morning, Fawn. I saw Charlie earlier and I'm afraid to tell you that he looked...happy," she said in the most annoying tone ever.

"Really? Well, I'm afraid I've missed it. But I hope he's really fine because last time I checked, he was head-over-heels with me," I answered and smirked at her.

Her eyebrows furrowed and her fists were tightly clenched. Dark aura was emboldening her and I can sense her anger. "Was," she emphasized.

"Yea, was. At least he loved me and made me feel that I'm special. And at least he told everyone else that I'm his girlfriend and was proud to have me. Unlike you, he never laid eyes on you, like ever, right?" I playfully smiled at her and gracefully walked out of her sight.

Our classmates were laughing because I burnt her out and I heard frustrated groans from her. I just shrugged it off and left it that way.

Gabby and I are classmates in one minor subject which was Philippine History. She's studying Political Science and I study Communications. Charlie was in the same building as we were since he's majoring in English. And surely, we would see each other anytime. But today, I'm glad I haven't ran into him yet.

Also, I wasn't able to see Jess yet but I've got another message from her saying that she's already in the campus. She studies Forensic Science and as a part of the Student Body, I'm sure she have swung by their office first before going to her class. Kayle on the other hand is in the medical field. She studies Medical Technology and the pressure she's experiencing was not a joke. Chandler studies Architecture and we truly admire her physical strength as an athlete.

After a moment, Mr. Ignacio arrived as our history class was about to start and my classmates were again drooling over him. Yep, he's the young and hot teacher I was telling before.

"Good morning, kids," he greeted us.

Kids, he loves calling us kids because according to him, he's older than us and we're like his nephews and nieces. Well in fact, he's just three years older than us. How could he call his college students kids? I rolled my eyes heavenwards and I saw him chuckled. I guess he caught me rolling my eyes at him. He just ignored me, anyways.

"Sir, aren't you tired?" Nica, one of the girls who are obsessed with him asked. "No, why?" His eyebrows crinkled out of confusion. "Because you ran inside my mind for like 24 hours," she answered, blinking her eyes like an idiot.

I heard noises of tease from  others and even the guys were cheering for Nica. Call me stupid but I laughed with them.

"Ms. Monteflor, have you ever tried walking by our dean's office today?" Mr. Ignacio asked, smiling a little.

Oof, looks like he's pissed.

"Not yet sir, why?" She innocently asked. "Because I'll send you there if you won't stop joking like that." And then, he knowingly smiled at her. "Sir, I'm just kidding!" She exclaimed, still chuckling. "Right, so let's get started," he sternly said.

Without looking at us, he opened his laptop and started setting up the LCD projector. After a moment, he finally looked at us. We all quieted down and stopped everything we're doing.

"Here we go again, sir Ignacio's serious face," Andie whispered beside me and I chuckled in agreement.

"Okay, so today, we will be talking about the authenticity and credibility of facts. But before anything else, what do you think is the meaning of Historical Fact?" His eyes were wondering and anytime, he would choose someone to answer his question.

"Ms. Ramirez, what would be your answer?" He smiled at me and I stood up.

Why does he always choose me everytime he's asking a question? I mentally rolled my eyes and composed an answer on my head before speaking up.

"Historical fact, based on my initial knowledge means the factual account of past events where it answers the very basic question, "What happened?" Yet beyond merely listing the events in chronological order, historians try to discover why events happened, what circumstances contributed to their cause, what subsequent effects they had, and how they were interpreted and all these were carefully tested in accordance with historical methods," I answered and he nods, smiling.

"Very good, Ms. Ramirez. Your answer was close to the definition I prepared. You may take your seat now," he smiled and so I smiled back while sitting down.

"A historical fact thus may be defined as a particular derived directly or indirectly from historical documents and regarded as credible, and as said by Ms. Ramirez, it is done after a careful testing in accordance with the canons of historical method," he continued as he flashed the meaning of it through the projector.

I wrote down important deets about it and continued listening.

"So let's now tackle The Problem of Authenticity or External Criticism," he said, flashing the slide on his powerpoint presentation.

"The question of authenticity in law courts becomes a difficult problem only on rare occasions when the writer or witnesses to the writing cannot be produced. But for historical documents, those occasions are not rare," he paused, observing his students. "They are in fact frequent for manuscript sources and if doubt as to authenticity arises less often for printed sources, it is because usually some skilled editor has already performed the task of authenticating them," he continued explaining.

Some of us nodded while some were about to sleep.

"Now, we'll move on to Forged or Misleading Documents," he said without looking at us, focused on his slides.

"Historical documents are being fabricated for several reasons. Sometimes they are used to bolster a false claim or title." he explained, looking at us.

His gaze landed on Andie who's now, sleeping on her desk. I nudged her and she blinked her eyes, pushing the sleep away. And then, Mr. Ignacio's gaze once again roamed around the room, continuing his discussion.

"A well-known example of that is the Donation of Constantine which used to be cited on occasion to bolster a theory that the popes had a wide territorial claim in the west," he explained, observing his students once again.

He continued discussing more and more examples about forged documents and I jot down every little deets about those. Andie on the other hand, tried her best to listen and focus on Mr. Ignacio's discussions.

After a while, he cut his discussion down because it was time to dismiss us.

"Next meeting, we'll have a short quiz. Let me see who truly listened to my discussion today," he said, smiling at us like he won the lottery.

My classmates groaned but obviously, they couldn't do anything about it.

"See you around, kids," he said before totally leaving the room.

I on the other hand stood up after fixing my things.

"Can you lend me your notes, please?" Andie begged as we walked out from the room. "I'll send you pics later," I said and she smiled like she was given the most expensive jewelry. "Thank you, Fawn! You're the best! See you around!" She said, kissed my cheek and ran towards her next class.

I shook my head and chuckled.

Walking to my next class, I messaged my friends that I'll see them at lunch and they immediately replied.

Kayle and Jess said yes while Chandler said she couldn't make it because she gotta run an errand. I then wished her a good luck.

Looking up, I saw Charlie. He was laughing with his friends and Andrei was there as well. I walked past them and I'm 100% sure he didn't see me.

Gabby was right, he looks happy.