Chapter 4 - The Q&A Portion

In the middle of the drive, Jada’s phone rang. "Girl!” It was Honey. “We’re stopping at Bistro for dinner.”

They reached the location in as little as ten minutes. The area looked lively even though it was a weekday. It was Jada’s first time at Clematis, and she was amazed by the atmosphere. There were street parties not far from where they stopped.

After parking, she walked over to Honey. “I’ll just go to the restroom,” she whispered.

When she was done, Jada immediately looked for the group, but she had no trouble finding them. With Ada waving at her frantically, she easily spotted them.

They were seated at the al fresco. The area looked chill. And with Ada and Bambi’s antics, they would not bother the other customers.

As she walked towards them, the pinks clapped and whistled. “You look different tonight, byotch! You’re like a ramp model!” Ada started.

Bambi nodded without looking at him, “You’re mouth-watering!” he added with a hearty laugh.

Jada was embarrassed. She sprinted the last steps when she noticed the nearby diners looking at her. “Ssshhh!” she hissed as she sat down.

Kobe was seated at the head of the table while Jada was at the foot. To his right were Honey, Ada, and Bambi, and on Jada’s were their teammates. Lyken is right on Kobe’s left side.

"Let's order!" Kobe offered, waving a hand at the waiter.

He let the group give their orders, and when done, one of their teammates turned his attention to Jada.

"Hi, I'm RJ Tan, and you are?"

"Jada Miller." She returned the handshake, although she felt awkward, seeing as how Ada and Bambi nudged at each other while looking at them.

Even Lyken and Kobe glanced at Jada and RJ, as well as the two other guys, Steve and Robin.

“Jada? That’s it?” he asked, brows furrowed.

“Jadaleen, actually.”

“Unique name. Pretty actually, suits you.”

“Are you blushing, Ja?” Ada butted in. Jada’s eyes widened in shock and embarrassment. Moreover, she was annoyed.

"You guys are Psych students, right?” RJ asked.

“We’re PT students,” Bambi chirped, pointing at himself and Ada, but RJ just nodded at him.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Is she the one you're talking about, RJ?" Robin asked in a loud voice.

Jada looked at RJ. His face was flushed.

RJ was as good-looking as the rest of the boys. He stood at 6”1, with a fair complexion and an athletic build. His Chinese lineage was evident in his charming almond eyes.

“Shut up, dude!” he snapped, lightly elbowing Robin.

“You shut up!” Kobe countered. “You already knew they’re Psych students, why are you still asking?” he chuckled. Honey and Jada glanced at each other, foreheads creased. “Why does it seem like we’re both interested in Psych freshies?” Kobe added, rubbing his chin while eyeing his friend.

Unable to relate to the conversation, Jada looked around the table, and her eyes landed on Lyken. He was looking at her, too. As usual, he had a blank expression on his face, unbothered by the topic.

“RJ is a Psych student too,” Kobe continued, looking at Jada. “The other day, during practice, he came late. He said the PsychSoc meeting just ended. Then he told us that the freshmen representative is a goddess,” he narrated.

Honey and Jada exchanged meaningful looks.

Jada had no idea why the organization’s president appointed her as the representative. She only found out when the positions were announced. No one even asked her if she was interested.

"Hush, man, you’re such a babbler!" RJ shook his head.

Bambi and Ada high-fived. Knowing they were about to start teasing her, Jada shot them a death glare. With all these talks about crushes and whatnot, she felt like she could not stay at the same table as them any longer. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there.

“Then? What happened?” Ada pried.

“Then we asked who the chick was. Yesterday, he pointed at Jada. It was actually funny since I’m crushing on Honey too, and they happen to be friends. But we just laughed at him because we really thought Jada was a tomboy,” Kobe narrated nonstop.

Jada laughed with everyone else. But Lyken remained straight-faced, even when Steve hit the table as he laughed.

“But, of course, I was proven wrong tonight. You’re looking gorgeous, Jada. I'm very sorry.”

“I told you, man, my radar won’t fail me.” RJ was smug, but all three of his friends nodded in agreement.

But, again, except for Lyken. He had been quiet since they arrived. He never bothered joining the conversation. He just sat there, listening.

And Jada was not the only one who noticed. “Lyken, why are you so quiet?” Ada called out, but he just smiled lazily.

"Is he brokenhearted?” Bambi whispered to Honey, but it was enough for everyone to hear.

“Not yet, I guess,” Robin replied, nudging Lyken.

The conversation continued as they waited for their food. When it was served, everyone fell quiet except for RJ. He continued talking to Jada between munches.

"So you're from Boca?"

Jada simply nodded. She was not much of a talker. Jada only started opening up when they became friends with Ada and Bambi.

During her younger years, she spent most of her time with her father’s sister, Aunt Magda. She was very strict with one’s behavior. That is why Jada grew up quiet and shy.

"Have you had a boyfriend while in Kensington?" RJ asked frankly, and Jada was a bit taken aback, but still shook her head in response.

Even Kobe, who was just listening, reacted. “Wow, dude! That’s some level-up question right there,” he chuckled.

Ignoring Kobe, RJ continued, "I see. So, do you plan to go back?"

“I don’t think so. My parents are busy with their businesses here. We just had a family emergency back then. Then we needed to take care of my Aunt, so I had to stay and continue my studies there," she explained at great length. Even she was surprised.

As they continued talking, Steve and Robin kept exchanging glances. Jada noticed but chose to ignore it. She was comfortable talking to RJ. Whatever issue they have with him was none of her concern.

After a moment of silence, RJ suddenly recalled something. “Do you personally know Kristoff? Our org president?”

Jada shook her head. “It was my first time meeting.”

"I see. He seems interested in you. I thought you two knew each other.”

Hearing him say that, Ada laughed. “You haven’t even started courting, and you’re jealous already?”

RJ’s face turned crimson. He shook his head in response and continued eating. He was obviously embarrassed by Ada’s question.

After dinner, they headed to the nearest KTV bar. It was not that far from the restaurant, so they decided not to take their cars.

Honey and Kobe went in first, followed by the varsities. Jada, on the other hand, was stopped by the pinks at the entrance.

“What’s up with RJ? What else did he talk to you about?” Ada pried.

“You guys were there. Don’t pretend you weren’t listening,” Jada smirked.

“You byotch! Don’t keep us hanging! Tell us more!” Bambi rolled his eyes and stomped his foot.

“Stop imagining things! There’s nothing to talk about!” Jada chuckled, leaving the two behind.

When she entered the booth, they were already seated. Jada looked for a good spot to sit, and RJ waved at her, tapping the space beside him.

She walked over and sat next to him. But she did not notice Lyken sitting on the side. Ada squeezed between RJ and Steve, while Bambi forced himself between Steve and Robin.

‘This is going to be a long night.’