Chapter 3

I don't know why my heart beats like that. All my life I hadn't felt that way before.

Those smile is so handsome. Everything about him is very attractive. I can't deny that he's a full package. From those thick eyebrows, long eye lashes, pointed nose, and red kissable lips. I just watched him then while I was close to my behavior as if my eyes were only on him.

Do I have a crush on him?

I don't know. I just find him attractive though. I never had a crush on someone either. I don't know this weird feeling I feel right now. I can't explain it. 

I am in my room, reading my notes for our reporting tomorrow. Cheska sent this notes yesterday yet I didn't review it i just recently saw her message to me.  

The next day I hurriedly going ro school. I did not realize the time. It's already 7:54 in the morning and our class starts at 7:30.

I was outside our house now but there's still traffic and a lot of people. I will have a hard time getting into it. I rapidly walked to passed them but I suddenly collided with a bulk. The books I was carrying fell so I picked them up.

"Sorry, I didn't see you." I just heard its voice so I looked at it. I was stunned to recognize it. "Jane?"

"James..." I had nothing more to say. I just nodded and quickly went to school.

Why do I always see this man?

I even met Clifford and was about to call me when he saw I am in a hurry.

I turned the lock on our room when I got in front of the room and was shocked to see the man standing in front. Zaine.

"Ms. Valdez, you're late," said our teacher Mrs. Villas. She's strict but for no apparent reason she didn't frown like what she used to. The expression is always like that whenever there's late.

"Good morning everyone, I'm sorry, I'm late." I just went to my place when our adviser just nodded.

I looked to the front when I saw Zaine there, smiling while discussing a lesson. We are not in the same class but why is he here?

He is good at speaking and knows the words that come out of his mouth. Because of this, I admire him even more. I just listened until it was over. Our adviser even admired him for his ability in explain the topic. Maybe he is in the 1st section.

"Look at Mr. Madrigal. He is good at sports, he is even good at studying." Our adviser said. Someone's still clapping in front of me as if there were his fans. I just shook my head while smiling.

"Ms. Valdez." I looked and quickly stood up when Mrs. Villas called me.

"Ma'am?"

"Join Zaine in my faculty. Get the attendance notebook I left there," she said. I just nodded and approached Zaine who was already outside.

"Zaine." I call him. He looked at me and smiled slightly.

"Hi." He greeted. At that moment I seemed to be stunned by his smile. "You're Jane, right?"

"A-ah, yeah."

"Nice to meet you, again. Shall we?" I just nodded and started walking with him. It was just quiet. I didn't know what to say to him so I just kept quiet.

"Where is Cheska?" He suddenly question that made me frown. I still answered so that he would not be misled.

"Ah, I don't know," I replied. "Because I'm late."

"Sorry." We have reached the faculty so I entered first. He followed with me quietly again.

"Will you stay here?" I asked him when I got ma'am's notebook from her desk. I did not notice that I was intimidated by him.

"Yes, I have to wait for something."

"Ah, all right. I'll leave you." It's good I didn't stutter. My heart is beating so hard now.

"Sorry for asking about Cheska, earlier. Maybe she's just really absent." I was suddenly nervous at what he said. If Cheska's absent today, I will report to Filipino alone later.

"Ah, sure." I left him there. I also immediately returned to the room carrying the attendance book that ma'am have told me. I don't even know why they always order it from me. I was always quiet in class and did not participate. But they will still ordered it to me.

I also don't want to be called a favorite because the teachers always tell me to.

Our class ended immediately when we got the attendance today. Cheska is really nowhere to be found. I suddenly felt nervous. We still have free time because ma'am used the time of our second subject earlier. My classmates got up and approaced their groupmates. Maybe these are the groups for English.

I saw Berna, Fatima and Hailey approached me while Jake and Dem were holding a manila paper.

"Jane, how is it? Cheska is absent. You will report, right?" Hailey said while smiling. I know Cheska is gone. "You have nothing to contribute though." she added.

I just looked at her from head to toe. She didn't look like she also contributed to the group, she only knows how to do make up.

"What do you think?" She asked again. I just ignored her and turned to Jake.

I read our reports and only half of them I remember because that was all Cheska gave. Our English is at 1pm and I only know half of it. I did not expect Cheska will absent.

"I will report later." I said to Jake and Dem when I finished reading our visual aids. They just nodded and smiled slightly.

"I'll keep it." Dem replied and left. We even discussed possible questions that other groups could ask to prepare us. When we heard the bell, it signaled us to adjourned.

As usual I am eating alone now. I had an early lunch because I plan to review our report in English again. I'm still a little nervous now.

"Jane!" I turned to the one who called me. I had not seen it yet so I just ignored it when someone suddenly tapped me on the shoulder that made me stood up in shock.

"Oh, sorry!" Chelsea apologized. She entered the room yet she is in another section. I think, A?

"It's OK." I tolde her. I was just shocked.

"Jane, come on." I frowned at her. " Let's eat."

"I already ate." I even showed her what I am eating today. She just nodded.

"We don't have a review on MTAP right now. Let's just go to the luch together, huh?" I would have nodded when it shook me. "Don't refuse. We are your friends now."

I just sighed and nodded. I can't do anything either. Whatever excuse I have, she will still push it.

"All right." I answer with a smile. 

Smiling, she bid goodbye and left. I just smiled to myself. Maybe they were different from my friends back then. Maybe, they can be trusted. Maybe, with them I can find the fun I was looking for.

I wish.

***

At lunch time, Chelsea continued to ralk with me because we are here in the canteen today with her friends. There was also a man who was unfamiliar to me and a cold stare.

The tables here are big that the seven of us can fit. Cheska is not here because she is absent. I am facing Luke who smiling widely typing on his phone.

"You have old-fashioned lovelife, Luke?" Clifford chuckled. 

"Tsk." Luke said and pocketed his phone. Nathan and Zaine ordered our meals.

"Jane," there was food placed in front of me so I looked at it. Luke. Smiling, he pushed Nathan's orders to me. "Eat that."

"I have food." I was embarrassed.

"Just taste it. Chelsea's mother cooked that."

I was surprised at what he said.

"Okay." I also ate the Menudo he gave. I just ate quietly while my companions are talking some things.

"Cheska seems to be coming." I finished eating when I heard what Nathan said. He was still leaning on his chair while holding a phone in his left hand.

"I thought she was absent?" Chelsea asked.

"She said it will only half day. There was an emergency at their house earlier." Nathan replied. I nodded at what he said.

"Why is he texting you?" We looked at Zaine when she said that. He frowned as he looked at Nathan. Also notice his silence from earlier.

"She might have forgotten you, Zaine." Luke teasingly said. I just shooked by what he said. There he is, still have time to joke. Zaine just ignored him.

"Just busy maybe." Chelsea said. She stood up and said that she'll be helping her mother. I'm done eating so I put my things inside my bag.

"Guys!" We looked at the woman approaching. It was Cheska with in her uniform. She still looks good. The students are also looking at her.

"Cheska." Clifford even waved his hand. Cheska sat down next to me and smiled at me.

"Hi Jane." She smiled at me. Shee is smiling now but I notice something strange about her. I do not know what is it. 

"Hi."

"I'm sorry just now. There's just an emergency." She said. Se even looked at Zaine suddenly I don't know why.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Zaine asked her. seriousness is evident on his voice.

"Ah, I'm low battery. I just texted Marie earlier. "

 She eyes are red and he is pale now. I think they also saw it.

"Are you done eating?" We nodded. "Shall we go to the room first?" Cheska pulled me upright. Confused, I just took my bag and bid goodbye to them.

Cheska and I were about to go to the room while her arm was on my arm. I just let her. She is just quiet now compared to when we were together.

"Are you all right, Cheska?" I could not help but ask. She looked at me and then sighed. She also slowed down.

"Just having trouble at home."she bowed. "Because my real parents came. My mother told me that my father needs me now in the States because he got sick."

That seems like a big problem.

"Are you coming?"

"I don't know. I'm confused. If I go with them, I'll leave you here."

In that case, we are in the same situation. My parents will take me too. I do not know why I am saddened by that thought. I can't avoid it. The simple life I dreamed of, will disappear after I graduate.

"Think Cheska. Weigh what is more important and what you have to sacrifice. Choose."

"It's hard."

"Just tell them your problem. I think they will understand as well." I explained. She just nodded.

We passed Ms. Santos' office. Someone familiar came out from the door as it swang open.

Mr. Waltridge? This is Tita Gisselle's boss. Why is he here?

He looked at me, and I think he recognized me because he smiled at our direction.

"Good afternoon, Sir." Cheska and I greeted him. He just nodded.

"Ms. Valdez, Ms. Salvador. Good afternoon."

Does he know us?

"We'll go first, sir." Cheska said goodbye to him.

"Oh, sure." it nodded.

Cheska and I have moved away from here. We even heard the door of Ms. Santos reopened. I turned around when I saw the man I did not expect. He is talking to Mr. Waltridge as if they know each other. They also seem close.

"Do you know hik?" I looked at Cheska with her forehead furrowed. "Why does he know us? I only saw him in picture."

"Maybe, he read our student profile?" I absentmindedly respond. I still can't believe I saw that man here.

" Maybe." We reached the room and Cheska went inside first. I even looked at the hallway we passed. I saw him for the second time today.

Why did we meet again James?