What Went Down
As we head for homeroom, Free and I can't keep still. Lara keeps quiet and neither of us bother her. From earlier, we saw Lara with "The Princes of Leon" and none of us has spoken about it still.
Free and I are dying for the details but it would be trouble if we force it out of Lara. She's tiny but she can punch like a kangaroo.
Free nudges me on the arm lightly.
Free
This is killing me, I wanna know what happened already!
Free and I are almost the same height and so it isn't hard to have moderate conversations like this.
Erika
I wanna know too, but look at Lara. She looks reallyyyy...
Lara sighs heavily and we both turn our heads towards the hallway and away from Lara.
Lara
I've grown a centimeter this summer.
Lara
Which means I can hear you.
She says. She raises an eyebrow and stops walking. She folds her arms and blows her bangs upwards.
Free and I both stop walking. Our classroom is only two doors away.
Free
What actually happened there? Do you know those guys?
Lara
No. One of them just happen to bump into me and...
She says and her face turns a shade of red. She looks away.
Free and I slowly face each other and lock eyes with a questioning look. Then finally dawning on us, our lips curl into a grin.
We snap our heads to Lara again.
Free
You're not in-love with one of them, are you?
My eyes swell in anticipation.
She slaps my arm and scowls at me.
Free
I think the cute one, who looks like a puppy.
We hear a bang on the wall.
Levi
You're blocking the door.
Free, Lara and I eye each other and one thing comes to mind.
"He looks like murder, and we ain't dying today."
We take a huge step backward and give him way.
He enters the room, another guy follows him. He stops halfway, looks at us and flashes us a smile.
Einstein
Oh! You're the pretty girl from earlier. I'm Einstein.
I smile and offer my hand. He takes it and we shake for a while.
Erika
Her name's Lara, tell that to your friend.
I say and nod behind him.
We tilt our heads to look at the guy Lara seem to have fallen for.
Free retrieves my hand and side-steps.
Free
If he wants her number, he can go ask her himself.
Lara
Hey! What are you guys saying all of a sudden?
Lara leaves us and heads for homeroom.
Einstein
You guys, don't bully your friend too much.
Free
Yeah? Don't you have your own friend to bully?
I shake my head and notice the classroom is louder than before.
I see the guy with the murderous looks.
I say and link arms with Free.
Einstein
Ey wait! I didn't get your name!
She points first to her and then to me.
He nods and waves. He continues inside and we stop by our classroom door.
Erika
Hey, why'd you tell him my name?
Erika
He was asking for your name.
I laugh and we head inside. We spot Lara at the back. We walk over to her.
Erika
You are not sitting here.
Free and I each took her arm and hoist her up.
Free
Nu-uh! You sit here, that brain of yours won't absorb anything.
We pull her towards the middle column, third row and sit her.
Since it's only a seat for two, I take the left seat next to Lara and Free takes the one behind her.
"No way! Eka? Lars? Free? I can't believe I hit the jackpot, Elf is going strong huh!"
The girls and I snap our heads to the front.
"Hey guys! What's up? This is so cool! We're in the same class again!"
Lara
I thought your parents already admitted you to Verland Academy? How did you get out of it?
Free
How are you still alive?
He scowls at Free and turns to Lara. I can imagine his dog ears and tail wagging.
"It wasn't easy, but when I told them Eka was attending Solaire they were quick on their feet." He smirks
I sigh. When will he learn?
Erika
You won't get anything from me.
"It's not you that I want, it's your mom's preference," He snorts.
Free
Ew!Find someone your own age.
I feel Lara's gaze plant on me.
Erika
And how will you do that?
He smirks. "I won't tell you, it's a surprise." He sings.
Free
Yeah? Want me to surprise you with my fist?!
Free stands abruptly, scaring Mckella. He runs for his seat in front, next to the door.
Free sits, growling at Mckella.
Free
He's such a pain! I can't believe he followed us all the way here!
Lara
His parents probably spent a big sum to transfer him from Verland to Solaire. I heard there was a compensation fee for those type of cases.
Free
Selfish, spoiled brat!
She slams her fist on the desk. Her eyes blazing on Mckella's back.
I wave and slump in my seat.
Free
And what about that surprise he's fussing about?
Lara
That worries me too. You know how he is.
I didn't answer, instead I notice the familiar guy from before enter, followed by his friend.
I smile and leave my seat swiftly to sit next to Free.
I raise my arm and call on to the guy.
Lara
Hey! What are you doing?!
He turns to me, confused.
Before I can ask him to seat next to Lara, a girl appears.
"Hi. Is this seat already taken?" She asks. Her voice tender and small.
Lara pulls her down on the seat. She smiles nervously.
The girl introduces herself and Lara too. They begin to talk.
I roll my eyes and lean back on my seat.
The guy passes us and take the seats behind us. Free and I eye each other.
We often use unspoken words.
I glance at Lara and she catches my eye.
She glares at me, "Don't even think about it! I'm not in love with him and I don't like him!"
I turn to Free, "She doesn't like him."
Free is surprised, she snaps her head to Lara, "What's not to like?"
She waves us off, "Don't do anything stupid or I'll send your Farewell Party photos to your mothers."
Free and I quiver and lock eyes. We nod.
We shift in our seats and sit facing the board.
I feel a light tap on my shoulder.
Orlando
Excuse me, but you called my friend 'Hey,' just a while ago. Did you want anything?
I think of something to say.
I look at his friend. He really does look familiar.
Erika
Oh, it was nothing, I thought you were someone I knew.
I say and laugh briefly. I turn away.
Noah
Then you're someone I know. Erika Mansser, right?
My heart skips a beat and my stomach churns.
My friends look at me with concern.
Noah
We met at Planet Distillery a year ago.
Noah
We talked through the Phone Joint in the Kids' Play Area. Don't you remember?
Planet Distillery is an annual conference for Wine Companies around the country.
The Phone Joint? Kids' Play Area?
I didn't know there was one.
I attended the event with my mom, but I have no recollection of meeting a guy. Sure he was familiar, but that's not where I remember him from.
Free
Weren't you with your mom the whole night?
I nod. I was afraid she'd drink too many wine from the 'Taste Critic' segment and go absolutely bonkers with no one to mediate her.
I stayed with her the whole night.
And if he talked to me through a toy phone for kids then he couldn't have seen me.
So how?
Then? Wait. Nu-uh.
Don't tell me?
My face lights up and I lock eyes with Lara.
I grin.
She was there. I asked her to go there. She got lost and came later than expected, and she never told me where she was.
Lara turns away, she fidgets with her fingers.
I let out a breath, amused.
Erika
Sorry, what was your name again? I easily forget names, especially ones I've never seen before.
Free
What's this? His name is so common how can you forget?
She whispers and I nudge her stealthily.
Erika
Remind me again how we came to talk through the phone joint?
Lara panics, looking at me.
Noah
Oh, uh, you said you got lost and then decided to rest for a bit. You wanted to cool off and maybe even try some wine to forget this guy who, um...
Noah
Are you sure you want me to continue? You asked me to keep it a secret.
Without taking my eyes off Lara, I nod.
Erika
Right. I must've had a few drinks before we caught up. Nevermind.
Erika
It's nice to meet you, again.
He smiles gently. As if on cue, our homeroom teacher enters the room.
Free
You drank wine and didn't bother to snatch me a whole bottle?
We decide to eat outside the university rather than the cafeteria. There is an array of food restaurants, cafés and eatery round like a belt outside the campus and we didn't like to miss it.
We settle for a café. It's quieter than the places we have looked into. We expected the places to be packed since it's the first day of school and there are new-dwellers like us who like to explore.
We sit near the window with a good lighting for Free's selfies and food selfies.
I have already told Free that it was in fact Lara who met Noah that time in Planet Distillery and not me.
Erika
You could've told us though, why keep it?
I was really worried when you showed late and just went home.
I sulk, shoving a handful of coffee flavoured cake inside my mouth.
Free
I feel betrayed. If you were feeling that low, you should've hauled us out.
Lara sighs and sips from her vanilla frappè.
We stay silent for a while.
Lara
Sorry. I didn't think it was a big deal.
I mean, I was hung up on him for a month after we broke up and took it out, mostly, on you guys.
Free
Yeah I remember. You cussed him out so much you could've invented a new language.
I snicker.
I even learned words I've never heard of before.
Lara didn't seem to hear.
Lara
I didn't think it was fair. It was also my fault we broke up.
Free
He cheated on you, it's not your fault.
Lara
It is so. If I had been more attentive, loving and sweet.
If I'd only cooked him meals or came over his house when he'd asked, then maybe he wouldn't have -
I don't let her finish and already shove a spoonful of lemon cake.
Free takes a photo of ,'Stuffed Face Lara'
Lara finishes the cake and drinks.
We mimmick Lara's face and take a picture.
I grab a napkin and wipe lemon cream off Lara's chin.
Erika
Seriously, it's not your fault.
Erika
People who go expecting something from their partners are the worst.
Lara
But still, I knew he was already lonely but what did I do?
Erika
You're not responsible for what he felt.
He was too demanding and expectant of what type of girlfriend you should be.
Erika
You don't owe him anything because he approached you first.
Free
You only fell in love with him.
Lara looks down, twirling the straw from her drink.
I brush her hair aside and pat her shoulder lightly.
Erika
So, spill the deets.
Free hurries to put her phone down. She sits up and we both anticipate Lara's answer.
Lara laughs lightly, shaking her head.
Lara
Okay so, I was following your hefty directions from the entrance hall to the grand hall when I made a wrong turn. It led me to the Kids' Play Area which was behind the Grand Hall.
There was this little girl who wanted to play inside but she was shy so I went in with her.
Lara
...so then there was this life-size dollhouse. She wanted to go in but she wouldn't let go of my hand so we went inside.
Free
How life-size was the dollhouse?
Erika
Yeah I'm curious too.
Lara
I don't know! My brain can't calculate that many numbers!
Lara
Maybe like five times the size of our classroom?
Lara
I absolutely have no idea, can I continue?
Lara
So there was this corner, a phone and small chair. She sat there and pretended to dial. That's where Noah answered.
Lara
The little girl got scared and zoomed out of the room.
Lara
Turns out the other side of the wall corner had another room. I picked up the phone ready to curse out who ever did that and heard him talking. At first I thought he was drunk but no, he was mimicking a basketball commentary game.
Lara
So we talked about it, the game. I recognized it from one of Daniel's replays so we had a few to talk about.
Erika
Why did you give him my name instead of yours?
Erika
And my family name at that!
Lara
Oh uh, that! I'm sorry!
Free
If Noah had known her real name and decided to look for her she'd be in trouble.
Lara
That's right. I wasn't even an exclusive attendee for that event.
Erika
Still, you could've just given him my nickname, that was fine.
Lara
He asked 'who I was with' and I said 'no one' then he asked 'would you like to meet in person' and that's when I panicked.
Lara
I told him I'd just broken up from my ex and that I've been hiding from him. I told him I'd share the story if he promise to keep it a secret and give up the idea of meeting in person.
Free
There's something weird about that Noah.
Free
I mean if I was him, I could already tell you were lying.
Lara
Well then I'm glad he's a bit gullible.
Free snorts and we all laugh at Lara's remark.
Erika
How did you manage to leave?
Lara
When he tricked me, I ran as fast as I could and found you.
Free
If you didn't get the chance to meet in person, how did you know it was him?
Free
Don't tell me you recognized his voice?
Erika
Wow Lars, your dedication burns me.
Erika
That was some tv drama scenario
Free
Should we drop by the convenience store to check for some popcorns?
Lara
You guys are really too much.
We laugh and finish our lunch.
We arrive back at campus in time for our Electives.
This is the part of the day where we part ways since we have different units for this.
We stand outside my elective room. The Kitchen Hall, for my culinary elective.
Lara's class is in the Studio Hall, for both her painting and photography electives.
While Free's class is in the auditorium, for her theatre elective.
Erika
Oh, before I forget, you should tell Noah about the mishap.
Lara bites her lip anxiously.
Erika
I don't want any hassle with him, and it's obvious you like him.
Erika
The faster you clear the misunderstanding, the better you can get closer.
Lara
I'm not ready for that yet!
Erika
I said to re introduce yourself, not date him.
Free
Eyyy, Lara, you're so bold.
Free
How can you think of jumping into another relationship when your GWA is on the verge of extinction?
Lara slaps Free's shoulder and I hurry inside my room to get away from them.
I enter the room and find it half full. I take a spot in the middle where it's most convenient for me to hear and listen.
I place my bag underneath the table and take my phone out.
I look up and see a pair of round brown eyes staring intently at me.
She beams and blushes. "Oh wow, how respectful, I guess Theodora raised you well," She grins wide.
You talk as if you know her.
"I'm Jilly Deeds, I'm your professor for this elective," She says. "But you may call me Jilly, if you want," She smiles.
I roam my eyes to see we've quite caught a few eyes.
Erika
Is that offer valid to the whole class? Or just me?
She freezes up and squints her eyes rapidly.
She cackles loudly, sounding like a dolphin.
She didn't answer my question and rolls her way to another topic.
"Well, I was just really excited. The moment I heard Theodora Mansser's daughter was attending this elective gave me such joy," she squeals.
Who is this woman? I have no recollection of her whatsoever.
"Oh! More than a fan, I'm one of her food critics," She says and I do a double take.
Erika
I know all my mom's critics, you're not one of them.
"Oh, from a long time ago, and not only your mom but your father too, Anjo Reeves," She smiles.
I feel a wave of burning intensity course through my veins.
What's there to critic when they haven't served for seven years?
You're not a critic, you're a lonely fanatic.
"Ill tell ya, in our time they were the best duo, you should have seen them together when they competed in their high school..
Her voice echoes and all I see is blur.
Why would she bring this up in the middle of the class?
I want to wipe that stupid smile on her face, drag and bury her back into reality.
Noah
Miss, I think that's enough.
The Professor stops her chatting and turns to Noah.
Her eyes glimmers and she beams.
I turn away and repress the itch from my palms.
"Noah Berklev! Another well-known figure!" She squeals.
Noah
Please Professor, let's not mix personal interests with school work.
Atleast he's got some sense to be bold.
"Oh sure sure of course! My apologies for being super hyped," She cackles and then leaves us to entertain the other students.
Noah
What language was that?
He sits next to me and I turn to him.
Erika
It's none of your concern.
Erika
Anyway, are you really in this class?
Noah
You can tell me even if it's bad, we're friends now so it's okay.
Erika
It's not something bad, I just didn't expect you- well I guess I could see it now.
Erika
Anyway, we aren't friends, don't use that word too lightly.
Noah
Then do you want to be friends?
I stare at him for a moment and study his face.
He's definitely Lara's type.
But an upgraded version.
Erika
Why do you want to be friends?
He stays quiet for a time.
Noah
Because we've been through the same situation.
I raise my brow and press him to go on.
Noah
I was cheated on too.
Noah
I didn't give her what she deserved, just as you failed to be the person he needs.
Erika
'Failed', I said that?
Oh Lara, you were hurting so much all that time and you kept quiet.
I let out a heavy sigh and shake my head.
Erika
Look, I need to tell you something.
The Professor claps and gathers our attention.
"Okay guys! Before we start, let's proceed to introducing ourselves first!"
I sigh and face the clouds.
Comments
patato joice
na mistaken identity pa, hirap nito tap9s may gusto na si noah sa kanya... 😥😥
2021-05-04
2
KittyCakes 🧁🍭
i like it..good job author 🐱
2021-04-15
2
nekobites
ooooohhh good heavens give erika strenghts
Free gives me something to laugh every F'ing time love this girl
its that the moment they starting to get serious when Lara going to spill i got serious mode too XDD
2021-04-08
4