Chapter 4

"Girl!” Honey exclaimed from the other end of the line. “We’re stopping at Bistro for dinner,” she informed Jada.

They reached the location in less than an hour, as there was no traffic. The area looked lively even though it was Wednesday, a weekday.

It was Jada’s first time in Toledo and she was amazed at how busy the area was. Aside from the bars and clubs around, there are street parties as well.

When her cousin, Faith, left for the States after her OJT, they went out too. But they would only go to the bar that is closest to their house.

“Sure! I’ll just follow you guys,” Jada responded before ending the call. She saw Lyken and Steve’s car stop by a restaurant and she did the same.

After parking, she walked over to Honey, “I’ll just go to the CR,” Jada whispered, and went ahead when she nodded.

When she stepped out of the comfort room, Jada immediately looked for the group. She spotted them easily after seeing Ada crazily waving at her.

They were seated in the back part of the restaurant, right outside the venue. The area looked chill. That’s probably why they chose to sit there.

Aside from that, they won’t be a bother to other customers, especially when Ada and Bambi get started with their antics. They can be loud and annoying for those who don’t know them.

As she walked towards them, the pinks clapped slowly while looking at her. Jada even looked behind to see who they were doing it for.

“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 suddenly felt the need to walk faster as she started feeling embarrassed after what they did. She even noticed the customers seated near them looking at her.

“Ssshhh!” she hissed as she sat down.

Kobe was on the host’s chair, while Jada sat at the other end of the table. On his right were Honey, Ada, and Bambi. Seated on Jada’s left were their teammates. Lyken was on Kobe’s left side.

"Let's order!" Kobe announced as he called on a waiter standing close to them.

He let the group tell the waiter their orders and when he left, one of his teammates immediately turned his attention to Jada. He extended his hand and introduced himself.

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

"Jada Cuevas." Then she returned his smile and shook his hand. Jada feels a bit awkward though, as 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.

“Jadanela actually,” she answered timidly.

“Unique name. Pretty actually, suits you,” then he smiled while nodding his head. Jada smiled in return, though she could already feel her cheeks burning as the pinks wouldn't take their teasing eyes off of them while they were talking.

“Are you blushing Ja?” Ada called her out.

Jada’s eyes widened in shock. As she was annoyed, she kicked his foot under the table, which made him laugh really loud.

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

“We’re PT students,” Bambi butted in, pointing at himself and Ada, but Steve just nodded at him.

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

Jada looked at RJ and he was now blushing. The guy was good-looking as well. He stands at around 6 or 6 feet 1 inch tall, with fair skin and a nice build. His Chinese lineage can’t be denied with his charming almond eyes.

“Shut up dude!” he snapped at his friend.

“You shut up!” Kobe countered. “You already knew they’re Psych students, why are you still asking?” he chuckled. Honey and Jada can’t help but look at each other with their foreheads creased.

“Why does it seem like we’re both interested in Psych freshies?” Kobe added, rubbing his chin while eyeing his friend.

Jada’s forehead was still creased when her eyes fell on Lyken, who was looking at her too. As usual, he had a blank expression on his face. As if he can’t be bothered regardless of the topic.

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

Honey and Jada exchanged meaningful looks as Jada’s the freshman representative. She was obviously who he was referring to.

In all honesty, Jada has no idea why the President of the Organisation chose her as a representative. He just pointed at her during the meeting and assigned her the position without asking for her opinion.

"Hush man, you’re such a blabbermouth!" RJ snapped, shaking his head at Kobe.

"Girl, your hair's too long!" Bambi teased before laughing with Ada in unison. Jada shoots them with a death glare to shut them up.

She feels like she won’t be able to stay longer at their table if they continue talking. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there.

“Then?” Ada pried.

“Then we asked who the chick he was referring to. 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 tells them all, nonstop.

Jada wasn’t able to hold back her laughter when everyone at their table, except for Lyken, of course, started laughing. Steve even clapped the table as he did.

“But I was proven wrong. You’re looking gorgeous tonight, Jada. I feel so stupid for thinking you’re a tomboy. I'm very sorry.”

“I told you, man, my radar won’t fail me,” RJ stated smugly, and all three of his friends nodded at him in agreement. Again, except for Lyken.

He’s been mum ever since they got to the restaurant. He was just there listening to the conversation, but he never bothered to chime in.

“Lyken, why are you so quiet? Speak up or it might get spoiled,” Ada teased, but he just responded with a lazy smile.

"Is he brokenhearted?” Bambi whispered to Honey.

“Not yet, I guess,” Robin replied when he heard it, then nudged Lyken.

The conversation continued while they were waiting for their food. When it came, everyone fell quiet except for RJ, who resumed his interrogation with Jada.

"So you're from the States?" he asked and she nodded.

She doesn’t normally talk a lot. Jada only started opening up when she became friends with Honey, Ada, and Bambi.

Back in the States, she stayed with her Aunt Magda. She’s an old maid and a bit strict. Not so much about one’s way of dressing, as she said, it’s a person’s way of expressing themselves.

However, she’s a little conscious when it comes to someone’s actions and manner of talking. That’s probably why Jada got used to being quiet and shy.

"Have you had a boyfriend while in the States?" Jada was a bit taken aback by his question. Even Kobe, who’s been listening, can’t help but react.

“Wow, dude! That’s some next-level question right there,” he chuckled. Jada smiled and shook her head in response.

"I see. So do you have plans to go back?" he continued.

“I don’t think so. My parents are busy with their businesses here. We just had a family emergency back then. That’s why we went there. Then we needed to take care of my Aunt, so I had to stay and continue my studies in the States. But I'm pretty sure they've no plans to go back anymore," she explained at great length. She was even surprised.

RJ nodded in response to her explanation while Steve and Robin kept exchanging weird glances. Jada was curious about their actions but she chose to ignore them.

She eventually got comfortable talking to RJ. He got some sense, not like the others who are full of air, who only talk about themselves.

“Do you personally know Kristoff? Our org president?” he asked again.

“No. I first met him during our meeting,” confused as to why he asked.

"I see. He seems interested in you. That’s why I thought you two knew each other.”

Ada laughed after hearing what RJ said, “You haven’t even started courting and you’re jealous already?” jesting at the guy who started blushing again.

Instead of responding to Ada, he just shook his head and continued eating. He was obviously embarrassed, so Jada kicked Ada again under the table, but he just laughed at her.

After having dinner, they stayed a bit longer at the restaurant before heading to the nearest KTV bar. It wasn’t that far from where they had dinner, so they got there in less than five minutes. They didn’t even have to take their cars.

Honey and Kobe went in first, followed by the varsities, while Jada stayed outside with the pinks. They stopped her from going in as they couldn’t wait to get some juicy news.

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

“Nothing, what’s there to say?” she asked, confused.

“You byotch! Don’t keep us hanging,” Bambi snapped, rolling his eyes at her.

“I told you, there’s nothing to be curious about. You guys are crazy,” Jada chuckled, before leaving both of them behind.

When she walked in, they were all seated on the rounded couch. Jada was looking for a good spot to sit when RJ waved at her, tapping the space next to him.

She refused to be shy so she walked over and sat next to him. Jada didn’t notice though that on her right side, Lyken was quietly sitting.

Ada squeezed in between RJ and Steve, while Bambi forced himself between Steve and Robin. Honey and Jada can’t help but chuckle at their friends' foolishness.

‘This is going to be a long night.’