Episode 4 - Junior Days

Carlos birthday is coming to his friends are planning a surprise. So they are planning to make a VTR to be played at his party, so David is collecting messages from all of us. We submitted pictures as well from past school events. It is my first time coming to a formal birthday party I don't really know what to wear. To tell you the truth I don't have any decent clothes to wear, I don't wanna bother my parents to spend money over this petty party of some rich kid. I told Anna I'm not coming she told me she's lending me a dress.

So my problem is solved I'm coming to Carlos party with Ana's dress. She gave me a plane descent dress, it's blue. It fits me well but it is so simple. I got no choice I can't be choosy when I'm poor. So we went to the party everybody is dressed nicely and in makeup on their faces. So his party is in a hotel since their family own one. Carlos laughs with our classmates as he watches the VTR. He loves it. His close friends prepared a dance for him which is so cool, he is surrounded by smart and talented people who are also good looking. So maybe that is how Carlos pick his friends. The best in our class. That's why we are not that close coz I'm not like them. There are also adults in the party the friends of Carlos parents, they are admiring Mildred and Trisha who ikkknown not family, these two are full of grace and finesse I just wanna melt on the spot, I don't belong here.

The boys secretly drink some wine, they are offering some to me but I refused it. Ana the girl Ana tried everything. She's enjoying the party to the fullest. The food is good and there are plenty of servers it's not like the usual party I've been. Carlos parents are rich indeed. He is the only son but he has a sister who is 7 years old, they seem to be close dancing wìth each other. Where am I while all of this is happening? I'm just watching from afar on an isolated table, I volunteered to be the photographer and the run errand girl. I feel like shit. Some of my classmates noticed it and asked me to dance with them but I refused all of them, I just want this night to be over, so I asked Ana that I wanna go home already. But she said we will go after an hour. I will be sleeping with Ana tonight after the party my parents trust her family with regards to my safety now. They know Ana's family now. So Ana doesn't wanna go yet coz she's enjoying the party, but not me. I can't dance I look crazy when I'm dancing. I saw Ana dancing with Carlos they are talking happily, then she whispered something to him. I don't know what was it but Carlos came looking at my direction and then walk towards me. He asked me to dance as well. I told him no but he is so insistent, he looked at me my boss and I don't have the right to say no. It is his birthday anyway so I will just get up and sway like wood on the dance floor. I feel even more shit about output I look while dancing. Carlos is coaching me to relax and just move and whatever. I told him I can't and I'm doing my best already so let me be. Carlos is smiling I'm not sure why.

Carlos: Thank you for coming to my party.

Lourdes: Your party is so nice but I'm not really a dancing person.

Carlos: I'm not good at dancing too but I dance anyway. So you better do the same, it feels good you will see.

Lourdes: Thank you, but don't waste your time on me. I will be fine.

Carlos: But I wanna dance with you. I like looking at your odd face and figure out what is on that tiny head of yours. Is there a ghost around or something.

Lourdes: Please Carlos don't tease me right now. I'm not up for it. It is your day so I will let it pass this time.

Carlos: But your face looks so worried. You don't wanna dance, you refuse all the invites of our friends. For a night like this, you should loosen up girl and just have fun.

Lourdes: It just that everything and everyone is pretty here, I don't want to destroy your party with my ugly dancing.

Carlos: You're not destroying anything.

Lourdes: That's so nice of you. Thank you and happy birthday.

Carlos: You know what I have an idea.

Lourdes: What?

Carlos: Let's have an odd dance competition.

Lourdes: What? That's crazy.

Carlos: I love crazy.

Lourdes: I will surely win.

Carlos: We are not sure about it. You have to beat me first.

Carlos started an odd dance chain and everybody showed their odd side too now it's no longer awkward to dance for me. I got my turn and I showed off my odd dance. I think I'm gonna win this competition. Everybody is happy including me now. Carlos seems to have a solution to everything.

Carlos: I think we have a winner. Lourdes won this round. Ms odd dancer.

Lourdes: Thank you. Thank you.

Carlos: As a prize, you can pick anything you want among the gifts I received.

Lourdes: It's ok I don't need a prize.

Carlos: Please pick one.

Lourdes: I don't want them.

Carlos: Then tell me what you want, I will give it to you.

Lourdes: Really?

Carlos: Just give me the word. I will find it.

Lourdes: But I like you instead!

I really said that. He thought it was I joke since I said it jokingly. I looked at him straight to the eye while smiling. I look like I'm joking but I mean it.

Carlos: Seriously.

Lourdes: I'm serious I don't need a prize.

Carlos: You are so funny.

Lourdes: This small one is my gift for you hope you like it.

Carlos: What is inside it. you will know later.

So he started opening the gifts starting with Lourdes' gift. It is a moulded clay of his faceiit'ssssts kind of abstract on one side but the eyes resemble on him a little bit.

Carlos: It's so cool I like it. I didn't know you have a skill on the moulding.

Lourdes: It just a new thing I'm trying.

Carlos: Thank you.

He started opening some other gifts as well, people show their appreciation with the gift through clapping. That night ended so well Lourdes could have missed that last event if she left so early. Ana and Lourdes slept so soundly after the party. They shared stories in the morning. She can't believe she's been to Carlos birthday and he actually wasted some of his bisy time with her. He felt like Cinderella last night.

It was just her dream to dance with Carlos but last night she actually did it. Lourdes is the happiest girl right now. She's still in cloud nine even though Ana is talking to her she didn't heared it at first so Ana repeated her question.

Ana: What do you want for breakfast?

Lourdes: Aaah Im sorry I'm still imagining myself dancing with Carlos right now.

Ana: I see that's why you can't hear me.

Lourdes: Forgive me. So eggs will do Ana you don't have to prepare too much.

Christmas passed, then new year, then Valentines. I'm still single. I remember I clearly told Carlos I like him but he has no action about it. Anyway, it's fine, I can't handle it when he reacted differently anyway. Now, is a new school year. Ana had a short fling with Martin before he left to college. He is now at the capital to study Robotics at the University. What will happen next to a side character like me. I'm getting bored with our usual routine, hope something exciting will happen. To me or at least to Ana, I get excited when shes excited about something. I even noticed that I'm liking the guys that she likes as well. I told her about it, and she's cool with it. Ana is really the best.

I haven't opened my mind of what I really want to do in my life I just wanna have fun on a day to day basis. Like last year I've been doing some sculpting but now I got lazy doing it. I stopped for months already. My hands are not bad I can draw a little I'm not the best of it but my output is pretty decent I cannot say it's a talent, but I can somehow depend on it. I will add drafting on my classes, Ana is on computer class, most of my other classmates are scattered on Nursing and Business class, including Carlos, his family is a business owner anyway.

I'm not the only one on drafting class, Tristan and Tommy were here too. They are better than me in this field. They seemed to be good at everything, they are helping me on some things I don't understand.

Tommy: Ghostbuster. how come your rating is so bad? What are you not getting on our lesson?

Lourdes: I don't get almost everything. I just keep on staring at our teacher but, the truth is I'm not getting it.

Tristan: Why don't you raise a question. You have to ask those things you don't get so the teacher can help you.

Lourdes: I don't want to slow down the lesson.

Tommy: That's not cool for you.

Lourdes: It's fine, I'm not gonna use this subject in the future. Maybe I will be a waitress when I grow up or a hotel attendant or something. Let's face the truth I don't have a bright future just like the two of you.

Tommy: You're so negative ghosty, maybe you will be a fortune teller, not like that.

Tristan: Ask us then we will help you.

Tommy: Not me, just ask Tristan.

Lourdes: Don't waste your time over me. I won't get an F in this class. I'm number 27 on the ranking we are 45 in the class. So I'm actually proud of that.

Tommy: So you look on those shit. That ranking is useless you should be checking on your improvement, not other students who are worst than you. uh ah, Not a good habit ghosty.

After this little chat, we joined our original classmates since the major subject is coming. I don't really have much interest in learning. I'm more interested in that looking people here around me. Maybe without Ana, I can't go on anymore. I'm so dependent on her already, right now I need a dose of Ana. On Social Studies we will be seated next to each other.

Ana: Where do you want to eat for lunch?

Lourdes: Where ever but I want to eat chicken leg with soy sauce and garlic.

Ana: Hmmm... Adobo. Adobo is good. There is always adobo at the eatery of Aling Marie. We can just go there since it's close.

Mildred: I want Adobo too. Hey guys what do you wanna eat my lunch? Ana and Lourdes will go for adobo at Aling Marie's. Let's join them.

Tristan: Count me in.

Tommy. Me too.

Vedad: Who says adobo?

Trisha: I'm coming too.

Mildred: How about you Carlos?

Carlos: I want a grill with pickled cucumber. If Aling Marie has it then I'm coming.

Mike: What the... The grill I want some. Your mom is grilling right now for sure bring me with you on lunch, lease.

Carlos: I can't. I don't know how many people my mom prepared only.

Mike: Just bring me then. I miss Tita's cooking.

Carlos: I'm gonna check on mom if I can bring you with me.

Carlos made a phone call to ask his mom if he can bring Mike with him by lunch. His mom said he can bring whomever he wants to bring.

Carlos: Amm mom said I can bring whomever who wants to come.

They all cheered except me.

Lourdes: I'm staying then. I'm really craving for adobo today.

Ana: Please Lourdes let's join them. The grill is not bad as well and besides, we get to keep our lunch money. If you're not coming I'm still coming with them for a grill. Please don't make me feel guilty for abandoning you.

Lourdes: It's fine. I will just eat alone.

Lunch came they formed a group of those who are coming to Carlos house for a grill. I'm heading outside alone towards the eatery. I'm about to pass their group when Tristan and Tommy carried me towards the car going to Carlos house. I ended up coming anyway. I'm not really into grill today and besides, I don't wanna join them just because it's free, plus I told them beforehand that I want adobo for lunch, now I'm here in the van against my will. My classmates are singing cheerfully. They are happy, like at a party. When we get to Carlos house food is set. His parents ate ahead of us, now we are the only ones on the table. It's like a birthday party with plenty of grills. As far as I know, they are only 4 in the family how come they prepared plenty of grills just for lunch. We are all seated to eat grill but Carlos is not yet seated so we waited for him before we start eating. He came with other food on a plate he is holding. He is heading on my direction, then he placed the plate in front of me.

Carlos: Hmm the maids are eating chicken adobo at the back so I asked some for you.

I can't help but to smile at Carlos, I thanked him for that adobo. He can be so sweet sometimes, even though it has no other meaning. He is so considerate. My classmates laugh at me actually eating adobo over the perfect grill prepared by Carlos parents.

How sweet of Carlos to remember what I want. I am really touch. Sometimes This things that Carlos are doing, this thinhs are making me think that he likes me too. He is so nice to me. If only he is not nice to everybody I will really think that way. He changed so much. Before he didn't even notice me. Then he became one of those guys who made fun pf me then now he turned out nice. Do I have a chance on a good looking smart giy like him. God if you give me Catlos as a boyfriend I promise I will study harder. Please Lord! I will be so happy and grateful for that. I promise to put up a dozen of candles at the church just give him to me as a boyfriend. Please!

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