Chapter IX: Never Let Me Down Again

Friday. Val and Charm were both looking at watching a movie after class. I told them I cannot go. I promised myself to devote my time reviewing for the next two weeks before the Finals. 

“We still have time to study. You can do that tomorrow, Saturday.” Val said. We were going to the ladies’ room as Charm wanted to change into civilian clothing before leaving for the mall. Val already changed into his plain, black shirt and tucked his polo inside his bag. I was just tagging along, ready to go home.  “I know, but every minute counts. Remember we need to get an average of 88% to maintain our class ranking and stay with Section 1.” I sighed.  I was getting anxious. Val was thoughtful, then said “I think my average is between 86-87% at this point. I only need to get a 90% on 3 subjects with the quizzes next week and get the same on our Finals.” I grumbled. “You forget that there might be unannounced ones coming in the next two weeks. Of course, those will also count in our final average.” Charm came out of the ladies’ room and said, “Why do you look so panicked? You managed an average of 89% last quarter, all you need to do  is to maintain that, right?” I shook my head. “I cannot allow just one subject to go below 88% at this point.  I really would like us to stay in this section.”  Val slowly answered, “Well, worse comes to worst, I can still transfer to the top section in the afternoon classes. It’s not like Section 1 is the only one we can go to, right, Charm?” Charm smoothed out her shirt, then looked up. “No, I will not be stressed out in the next two weeks. Come what may.” I walked with them towards the gate. I have not really talked much to Lance or anyone from the bubbly boys. I guess they were busy with their HE project and their other club activities.  I was a bit disappointed since Lance may have forgotten about his suggestion on having a study group. I mentioned it to Val and Charm, but they cannot meet on a Saturday to study. It means I will be all alone then. 

That night, Charm called me up to chat about their afternoon jaunt. I was taking a break after reviewing my History subject. “Hey, I’d like to tell you something.” Charm’s voice changed. 

“What is it?”

“Well, we saw Lance, Archer, Jon, and some of the other boys going around Greenbelt earlier. They were with a group of girls from St. Augustine exclusive school.” I paused to listen.  

“They looked so chummy with those girls, and our pretty boys did not bother asking Val and me to join them. Lance saw us, and seemed shocked.” Charm giggled. I was quiet. Charm chatted more, and I just listened to her. My mind was working around her information. ‘Maybe that’s why Lance was preoccupied earlier and did not tell me anything.’ Soon, Charm ended the call and I went up to our bedroom. The phone rang. I did not bother picking it up.  Then I heard footsteps and Mica peeked at me from the door.  I looked at her, “What?”

“Lance on the line. He’s asking for you. Hurry up as I need to use the phone.” I sat on the bed, then after thinking about it, I said “Tell him I’m sleeping.”  Mica rolled her eyes but went down to get back to him. I was really discomfited and would not know how I could talk to him. I fell asleep after hours of mulling over what Charm recounted.

Saturday morning. Most of my siblings left the house to meet with their friends. I was the only one left and Nanay. I dutifully did the household chores ate brunch, took a bath, and changed into casual clothes: plain white shirt and pink shorts. I set up the garden table set where I plan to study. I gathered all my stuff and prepared for a long review.  I heard knocking on our gate so I went to open it. I was shocked to see Lance. He was so cute wearing the new red-and-white horizontal striped shirt he bought last week. 

“What are you doing here?" I asked.

“For our study time, remember? We agreed on this last week.” He waited outside and smiled at me. I invited him to come inside.  He looked around our small compound, then I brought him to my small study corner. 

“Is your mother here? I think I need to say hi to her.” So I called out Nanay, and she went outside.

“Nanay, this is Lance. Lance, this is my Mom.” Lance bowed to her and said good morning.  Nanay greeted him then left to prepare some snacks. I sat down on my chair then pointed at one for him to sit on.

“I brought my Math, Science, and Pilipino reviewers and books.” He was taking out all his stuff from his backpack. 

“Ok.” I went on reading and ignored him. I could feel that he was staring at me. “What is it?”, I said. 

“Well,  you seemed off. Did something happen?” He was waiting for me to answer.

“Nothing. I just want to study and cover a lot of areas.” He became quiet. Nanay brought out a tray containing 2 glasses of orange juice and some biscuits. She then left us in the garden.

 “I’m sorry,” he said. I was surprised that I looked at him. Why is this guy apologizing?

“Why are you sorry?” I was really curious.

“I was not able to call you or tell you anything. I am guessing Charm told you something. I was trying to call you last night but your line’s busy. And when I finally got through, your sister told me you’re sleeping. Can I tell you where we went yesterday?”, he said in a rush. I nodded.

“We planned to buy our final materials for the HE project as we needed to submit it by Monday. We bumped into Jon’s cousin Inna who’s attending St. Augustine School. She was with her classmates. We all had a late lunch in Greenbelt and we all got introduced to her and her group. We saw Charm and Val while we were looking for a place to eat. I can already see by their reaction how they thought about us. I assumed one of them will call you.” He was gazing at me as he recounted what happened.  He usually was too prudent with words. For unknown reasons, I felt relieved. He had been so earnest in telling me this. I went back to looking at my books.

“It’s fine. It’s not as if you are obligated to tell me. I can also go anywhere without telling you. But I really appreciate your honesty. “ I gave him a slight grin. He looked so uncomfortable I wanted to laugh.  I offered him the drinks which he accepted. I also wanted to be honest with him so I said, “You’re right. Charm did call me up last night and mentioned seeing you and the boys going around the mall with some girls from an exclusive school. I thought you met up with them, so I did not anymore think about the study group you suggested. I was a bit annoyed with you, really.” He tinkered with his pen, then looked at me.

“It’s not as fun as when I was with you. I was a bit uncomfortable. I really usually have a hard time talking to girls, especially when I just met them. With you, I’m more relaxed. It’s so easy talking to you. And I saw the expression of Charm. I was afraid she’d add more to the story and you would believe her.” I was quiet, mulling over this. Then I sighed.

“I did think of the worst. Like you will no longer push through with this study time you suggested. I’m really looking forward to you walking me through that latest Math formula.”  he grinned broadly. “I am looking forward to being your tutor. So fire away. What do you need to know?” We changed the topic and concentrated on Math.  He made it look so easy and uncomplicated. The afternoon went by so fast. I checked the time: it was 6:00 p.m. I groaned. 

“I think you have to go. It’s 6 pm and I would not want you to go home late.” He nodded then packed up his stuff.  He stood up, went inside the house to say goodbye to my Nanay, and went outside.

“I hope we covered enough. How about doing our review Friday afternoon and Saturday morning? We can get more than with that schedule," Lance said.

“Sure. That makes sense. Is that ok with you? Did you make plans with the other boys?”

“Of course it's ok. Let’s do our review at the school library. Very few use it, anyway.” We went to the gate, I remembered something and looked at him.

“That’s the cute shirt we bought. It really suits you.”  He beamed at this, and I see him getting red at this remark. I laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re still shy. You just said it’s easy to talk to me.”

“Yes, but you just complimented me. I don’t do well with compliments.”

“Ok, I will stop complimenting you. I won't be able to handle your inflated ego.” 

We went outside the gate and looked around. It was beginning to get dark. He stood there for a while, then said “If something is bothering you, you can ask me. You can call me at home or ask me at school or anywhere. I will always be honest with you. I was really worried last night you would stop talking to me. Some people always assume the worst and tell you that without confirming.” 

“Sure. That’s what friends are for. We need to communicate and accept each other.” He smiled.

“I was actually thinking of you while we were with those girls from St. Augustine. I Imagined you wearing the same uniform. You did come from an exclusive girls’ school, right? It made me lose my nervousness with them. “ I scowled at this, and he stopped.

“So you’re thinking how cute they look in their girly, enchanting uniforms?”

“Not really. They were too chatty for comfort. And I could not relate with their interests.”

“As we are on the other girls’ topic, what happened to Belinda?” I muttered. He looked surprised, then said, “Why do you ask? I only saw her on campus a few times. She would always come by to say hi and tell me stuff. Nothing more.”

“So you never went out with her?”

“No. Why would I? She’s not exactly my type. Did she tell you we were going out?” He kicked a pebble on the street.

“No. I just assumed because she told me she wanted to go out with you. So what’s your type? You don’t like Belinda, and I don’t see you with anyone else on campus. You don’t seem to like those St. Augustine girls…Then I gasped. “Are you…? Are you a closet Val?” 

He frowned, “No. What are you saying? I just want to keep it to myself first.”

“Sorry. I was too nosy.  Thanks for studying with me. I’ll see you on Monday, then.” I turned to go back home when he pulled my hand.

“I do not have plans on going out with anyone just yet. So stop thinking about it and focus on our Finals, OK? No false assumptions. Or gossiping with Charm and Val for that matter.”

I nodded. “OK, Sir”, giving him a military salute.

He chuckled, then waved me goodbye.