30 March 2014

Dear You

Dear You,

Yeah, you who is reading this whoever you might be, or might want to be, or used to be... This is absolutely not about you nor does this got anything to do with you. But, hey, you are reading this and you are still reading this so you might want to continue. Even if you don’t and you just ignored this piece of crap whatsoever, I will still continue. Because this is a selfish thing I decided to do and you are of no concern to whatever it is I want to say here. So here goes the real thing:

I had a boyfriend before. Just one official and serious relationship with that certain guy. He was my boyfriend. He used to be my boyfriend. Things did not work out between us and I decided to end it after two and a half years of being together. Nowadays that was a long time yeah? I did love him. Heck, it was two freaking years. But I just had to end it because of selfish and childish reasons.

Would you want to be tied with someone who does not give you as much time as you deserve? Would you want to be with someone who does not take the time to even speak to you when you acted all sweet? Definitely not, right? So, yeah. It ended. I ended it with him and we came to a decision of breaking it off. He does not want to at first but he could not do a thing when we were apart and I wanted it to end.We just had to go our separate ways.

But all truth be told, I miss him. I would be lying if I say that I never thought about him even a single time after we broke up. I have thought of him frequently. Actually I have always thought of him. I had wanted him to be by my side several times. I wanted to hear his voice, to feel his warmth, to get the assurance that he was still there... even if it was not for me. Sometimes I would think of the possibilities, of the parallel worlds where we might still be together. I have always thought about the what if’s of our relationship. I had always done and still doing that for the past five years. It was dumb, I know. But what can I do? He just affected me so much that his existence is impossible to remove from me.

Five long years passed by and I still think ofhim. I really am hopeless. I did like someone and we went out on dates. We were not really dating officially but I know that we both know that there might be something between us. I tried to do things that might make me forget him. But only time makes me forget. I had forgotten his warmth, the sound of his voice, the way he look at me and his eyes that I love so much. I had forgotten that feeling of being with him - that feeling which assured me that I liked him, that we really are going out. I had forgotten how it was to be with him. We never saw each other besides the one or two times that we gathered as high school classmates. We never had a proper conversation about our relationship after we broke up. There was nothing that made me know whether he hated me or not. Actually there was but he said that through chat and it was during the time that I started believing that people's words are mostly empty.

After five long years of practically being estranged with each other, we spoke with each other. It was only through comments, with me wanting to understand a biological stuff which was his field. Maybe if our friend had not tagged him in the post that I created, he would never give a care about what I wanted to know. Perhaps, it was in his interest so he said something. I tried to leave out whatever he say in our group and I felt like he also did the same. We don’t speak publicly about each other, and being born on the same year and same month with just a few days difference, we probably have the same personality and way of thinking. It was our matter. We need not involve our friends in it. We need not speak openly about what we really felt about our past relationship.

I think we spoke, or converse rather, civilly with each other, trying our best not to be too rough or harsh nor feeling close. It was his field of interest, I know. It was something that I wanted to understand. Helping each other out was the least we could do.

But, maybe, it was only me who was thinking that he hated me. He loved me. He really did and it was way more than I loved him. But times are rough and we were young. There was not a need to keep each other chained when we could have our freedom and enjoy our life without having to think of the other. We were inexperienced in love and relationships but we took ours as though we were mature adults. It could only be me, but maybe freeing each other and growing separately was for our best interest.

Life is full of second chances and changes. There could come a day when we could meet again and our circumstances would be different. He would not be that much busy with his medical career and I would not be that mindful of being given less attention. There could be a time in the future when our paths would cross again and we would realize that we still love each other. It was a hopeful future, but possibilities are as endless as the sky. Either that day could come or we were just not meant to be.

If you’re still reading this, that meant that you just got curious about whatever blabber I had mentioned. It was just my own thoughts and will not affect your daily life as you might have thought. But, whoever you are, I thank you for taking your time reading my nonsense. And maybe you could also wish me luck in love?

Yours,

Mae

The Night I Met You

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
30th October XXXX
The door bell rang against the quiet of the front room. I was a bit startled at the sudden sound, making me get back to my senses. He is here, I thought.

As hesitant as I was, I stood up from the couch and slowly paced towards the door, my heels making clacking sounds against the floor. I could see him through the peephole, standing just on the other side in his gallant figure.

I took a last glimpse of myself in the tall mirror. The hems of my floral dress fluttered at my every movement. The one and a half inch heels and the exposure of a part of my legs made me look a bit taller. My own reflection was staring back at me. This is not me, I thought.

I didn't want to prolong this burden and there was no other way for escape either. I took a deep breath to calm myself, and, perhaps, have more confidence, before I opened the door and greeted my visitor.

"Wow! Angel, you look-" He started but I immediately cut him off.

"Weird, I know. You don't have to say it out loud."

"Why would you think that?" He remarked pretty incredulously. "You look stunning! Have a little more confidence."

He handed me a white rose, the same one he had given me before. A light blue ribbon was tied on the stem, coincidentally matching the color of my dress.

"It's lovely. Thank you." I said in almost a whisper. I brought the flower close to my nose and smelled it a little. "Do you want to come in for a bit? Or shall we go now?" I asked.

"I think it's better if we go now. It’s getting late after all." He glanced at his watch before holding his arm out to me. "Allow me, milady?" He said in an imitation of a British accent.

I placed my hand in his arm in a lady-like fashion, as I let out a soft giggle. "Sorry but that accent doesn't suit you much."

"Well, that's too bad. I was thinking of joining UK's Got Talent." He responded as we walked along the corridor towards the lift.

"Anyway, where are we going?" I asked, fastening my seat belt as he started the car.

"Well, it is a surprise. So I'm not telling you." He responded, giving me a smirk that I became familiar with. His answer only got me more curious. I wonder what was in store for me tonight.

I received a text message from him this afternoon asking me if I was free during the evening. I planned to hang-out with Kyle but my dear friend replied in my stead, agreeing to the sudden meeting. I was not given any idea of what it was all about, not that I had been informed beforehand whenever he took me out. I was only told to wear something casual and I would have worn a plain top and jeans if not for Kyle. She picked out my outfit and did my make-up and hair. It was obvious how we both have different definition for the word ‘casual’.

We drove through roads that weren't familiar to me at all, or maybe it was because of the night that the roads might have looked different. I wanted to figure out the place we are going to but I couldn't get even a tiny clue. The drive was quite long and we have random small talks throughout, but he was careful not to say anything about tonight. He pulled the car to a stop and it was the sign that we have reached our destination.

Jacob, being the gentleman he was, assisted me out of the car. I heard the sound of breaking twigs when I stepped on the ground. I thought it was weird but when I looked around, we were in a place where civilization is yet to arrive. It was dark around us and only the moon dimly lighted the place. We were surrounded by trees and shrubs and I could hear a faint sound of water from a distance.

Where am I? The place frightened me and panic overcame my reasons. I was in an isolated suburb in a place I don't know. Darkness was all over the place, going through the depths of the forest. I was far away from civilization, where life is being lived to the fullest. I had no idea what kind of creatures might appear out of nowhere. I was scared. I do-

My thoughts were interrupted when I felt something being wrapped around my shoulders. I had not realized how chilly the breeze was until then. I turned to see him standing beside me, his jacket covering my arms. I could smell his faint scent from the piece of clothing that he lent me. It kept me warm. It calmed me down.

He held my hand in his and squeezed it lightly. I could feel his warmth against my palm. Immediately, the fear I had inside was washed away. I felt safe. I was not alone. I had him.

"You're cold. Are you okay?" He asked.

"Where are we?" I asked in response. I tried to look around again, a little braver than a moment ago. It was still the same place but somehow, I don't feel frightened of the darkness, or of the night-creepers that might appear, or of being in that place.

"You know this place." He answered in almost a whisper. I looked at him once again, the moonlight making his features standout even more. He gave me a smile, one that was different from the usual one he gave me. It was kind and gentle but it was different. It felt more soothing and warmer and it my heart skip a beat.

"I know that it's dark, but be careful with your steps." I heard him say as he tugged on my hand.

We started to walk deeper into the forest. He was walking beside me, keeping me close to him, assisting me very gently as we made our way to the place he wanted to bring me. We continued to walk until he brought us to a stop. The sound of the water continuously flowing was a lot louder and the rustling of the trees was coming from all direction. I tried to look back to where we came from, the moonlight only helping me a little. It was only then that I realized that it was a downward slope, though not steep, that we passed through.

All of a sudden, I noticed my shadow dimly formed in the ground. Light. I turned on my heel to see the source of it. What I saw was something I had not expected at all. I was speechless. You know this place. His words rang inside my head. I surely know the place. It was where he brought me the first time we went out, but it looked completely different from before.

"This way." He whispered as he tugged on my hand once again.

Unable to say a word, I trailed close behind him as I continued to look around me. We walked through a path made of lights. Through the darkness, several tiny lights were suspended in the air, as if stars were falling down on us from the sky. Different sizes of lighted balls were randomly scattered in the ground, lining the path that we should take. It was so beautiful that words were not enough to describe it.

"What is this, Jacob?" I finally uttered.

He turned to face me. "A surprise. Did you like it?"

"How could I not? It was just so...so beautiful." I answered, almost stuttering.

"Follow me." He said. Still holding my hand, he guided me through the lane of lights. I trailed behind him as I continued to enjoy my surroundings. It was unbelievable that I was experiencing something like a scene out of a film. I couldn't even put my emotions into words, nor do I understand what I was feeling.

The next thing I know was that I was sitting in the middle of yet another indescribable place. It was the same platform where we went fishing together but in my memory, the place was dusty and dirty with a lot of dried leaves and twigs lying about. It could not even be compared to what it became. White roses in jars were randomly placed in the area. Pastel colored balloons scattered in the clean wooden platform. And the lights seemed like they were suspended in the air just like earlier. It was a beautiful and warm place.  The place has a rustic and romantic vibe, and it made me feel like a princess.

I don't know what I should say or how I should react. Is this a dream? Is this reality? I couldn't be sure myself. The only thing I was certain of was before me was something I had only seen in movies or in fairy tales. I do not even know for what reason and for what purpose this place was set-up. I had vague ideas but I still cannot put it all together.

"This is for you." I heard Jacob whisper before he left to pick up one of the guitars leaning in a box.

He started to strum on the strings of the guitar that he hung around him, producing gentle notes one after another. It was my first time to see him play an instrument. He looked so happy as if he was enjoying what he was doing. He looked so bright standing there holding a guitar. And for some odd reason, it felt like he was meant for it. He doesn't look strange holding an instrument and actually playing it. Quite the opposite honestly; it suits him perfectly.

His music filled the air, making the place more vibrant. It was as if the notes themselves were alive and dancing around. The chilly breeze joined his music, making the trees dance and the lights sway gently, like stars dancing around in the air. It was like a magical moment, like everything happening right then was surreal...as if it was only a dream.

I had not notice since when Nate, Mark and another guy I've never met took over the other instruments, but the tunes they produced blended perfectly with Jacob's. So this is his band? I was not an expert of music, but I like the melody that they were producing. They were only playing covers of old songs, but they were doing a great job of giving it their own touch. At least, that is what I think.

They continued to play song after song as I listened and enjoyed the little pleasure I was given. Most of the time, I find myself staring at Jacob. To be honest, I find it difficult to tear my gaze away from him. But every time he would glance at my direction, I would force myself to stray my sight elsewhere, like the lights hanging above, the balloons on the floor, his friends playing or the roses around me. One time I found Nate looking at me with that big grin of his. I tried to glare at him but it probably did not come out right. I was too delighted to pull out the act properly.

No matter how much time passed by, the magic in the air doesn't seem to disappear. Everything still seemed sparkling, even the scent of the roses was still around. Cinderella has until midnight, but would it be the same for me? This dream-like reality...I wish it would last even just a second longer than it should be. Or perhaps, I really am just dreaming? If so, I wish for this dream to continue on forever. Whether it was in the realm of dreams or reality, I could not deny the delight I was feeling. I had not felt like this recently. Again, it was all thanks to Jacob.

I still wonder what this was all about. It should be difficult putting all the stuff together and arranging the place as such. I couldn't even imagine just how much time and how great an effort they put in for this. Are they practicing for something? Like some kind of event? But who would do such an event at the riverside in the middle of nowhere at an odd time of the day? I just couldn't come up with any logical idea befitting the set-up of the place.

This is for you. Jacob's words drifted inside my head. I felt my cheeks warmed up a little against the cold of the night. That couldn't mean that this was all for me right? He only meant their playing...their music. I had requested to hear their music and to see them play before. That was the only reason that I was brought here. He likes you.

Suddenly, Kyle’s words as she was fixing me up earlier came to mind. That couldn’t be it either. I- I’m too plain, dull and boring. I was certain that I’m not his type either. I am getting too full of myself if I even assume that he likes me. But…you wouldn’t normally spend time every day with someone you just met right? Kyle made me realize things that I have not paid attention to before. What is he really thinking? I really don’t understand his actions. I don’t know him at all.

Their little performance eventually came to an end without me noticing. Jacob introduced the guy I didn't know to me. He was called Martin and, and as it turned out, he was at the bar that Kyle brought me to, working part-time. We stayed at the place talking and laughing as the night went deeper.

"Can I show you something else?" He whispered suddenly.

<< Chapter Sixteen

The Night I Met You

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jacob
"Jay, can you clear table twenty-five and nineteen?" Max asked as he stood behind the counter printing out the bills for a few tables.

"Got it!" I answered and proceeded to the said tables.

I was doing Max the favor of helping out in his cafe. He called me over this morning due to the lack of manpower and he needed the most he can have, because, as he said, it was a busy day for the cafe. Mind you, busy is an understatement for the actual situation - it was a battlefield.

Since the start of the operating hours, it has been literally full house, with a few reservations yet to come and walk-ins that are willing to wait in order to dine. The latter is what I don't understand. Why don't they just go somewhere else instead of waiting for who-knows-how-long if they were so hungry? Well, I couldn't blame them if they were frequent customers though. Everything in the menu is just to die for. The best part, Max is having a special menu for today which resulted to this battlefield. I didn't mind helping him though because I have been doing so since long ago and I didn't have anything planned for today.

"Bill for table sixteen." I told Max as I went pass him heading for the kitchen, carrying the soiled dishes I cleared from the tables. "Follow up, order for table eight!" I called out.

"Coming right up." Martin answered.

Martin has been a regular part-time worker in the cafe, although he was a regular part-time worker in all his other jobs. I was the one who introduced him to Max when I couldn't come when he needed help. My old friend liked how hard-working and efficient of a worker Martin was. My younger friend got a good deal out of working in the cafe anyway, so it was just a give-and-take kind of case.

"Jay, can you attend to table thirty?" Max called out.

"Got it." I answered and attended to the request from the said table.

It has been a few hours since the cafe opened and the situation just didn't slow down even for a while. I wouldn't say that the cafe was popular and Max was not really doing big time advertisements, but he has a lot of patrons. I wonder if they will really show up. They will be a life saver if they did. I will definitely use them for manual labor accepting no excuses at all. And as if on cue, came in my three best friends. I greeted them in a very welcoming manner, the way I greeted customers, but the only difference is that I led them to the lockers instead of a table. I handed each of them a uniform and briefly explained what needs to be known and done. They have worked in the cafe before and they still do sometimes when they were free.

"What the heck man?!" Exclaimed Nate at the same time Chris said, "Is this your idea of a joke?"

"We're short on staff, as you can see. And it's full house so you couldn't dine anyway." I informed them. I received both incredulous and questioning looks from the twins. Sometimes they are the hardest to handle, but at the same time, the easiest to convince. "Same deal guys. So, off you go."

"We better get a good compensation for this." Said Nate and proceeded to work on the floor with his brother.

"Thanks, bro." I tapped Mark on the shoulder when the two were gone. He was my so-called accomplice in the scheme of bringing in helper, although he is also one. He is the most who doesn't mind being willed by me. But being the evil schemer that he is, I don't really just go along with whatever shit he came up with.

With additional help from the three, the chaotic lunch time successfully came to an end. Of course, it was not without wrong orders, broken glasses, and a couple of fussy customers giving us more problems. At least it was much better than what would have happened had the three not came to help.

"Everyone, big thanks for your help today. Go have your deserving break now. I will still need your help tonight." Max announced and everyone scattered around the restaurant, and the lockers.

"Man that was hell for real." I remarked, slumping down in one of the sofa seats where the three have already been seated.

"And of course, you have to drag us down to hell as well eh?" Chris remarked in his very own sarcastic manner.

"What are friends for right?" I answered quite honestly. Had the three not been good and trusted friends of mine, I wouldn't even dare ask them to help me at a time when hell rose above ground.

"Thank you boys. You're such a great help." Max said, serving each of us a cup of our own coffee, mine a plain black one.

"No problem, Max. Just give us the usual. I'm famished!" Nate stated, taking his iced coffee.
"Right away, sirs." Max said with a big grin and proceeded to the kitchen.

"Is this always this busy here?" Mark asked as he stirred his spiced cappuccino.

"No idea dude. I only help out once in a while. Today was the busiest I ever experienced." I answered.

"If it wasn't, I don't know what would busy mean here." Chris stated.

"It wasn't, actually." Martin joined us, dragging a chair from another table.

"Seriously, man?" The twins chorused. Martin just nodded his head and I noticed him keeping his smirk to himself. I understand him though. It was always funny how the two exaggerated their synchros even if they don't mean it.

The very familiar sound of the back doors opening and closing rang through the empty and rather quiet cafe, the opposite of what it has been just half an hour ago. It was followed by the appetizing smell of the food that Max cooked himself. Even if the dishes that he was selling in his own cafe were really good, his own cooking was just extremely delicious. He had always cooked for us after operating hours whenever we helped out in his cafe. That was our payment terms. Martin's was different since he needed cold cash.

The moment the dishes were served in our table, no one hesitated to grab their own share of the meal. I couldn't blame them. With how tiresome the last few hours have been, and the gourmet that have been presented to us, I don't think anyone would care about manners.

"By the way, where's your girl?" Mark asked out of nowhere.

"If you're talking about Angel, she's probably home. And she's not my girl just for the note."

"Who?" Martin asked out of curiosity.

"Umm.... Ah! You saw her at the bar. The girl with short hair."  I briefly described, remembering that time in the bar where Martin was working part-time as well.

"Oh. She's your girlfriend now?" Martin asked.

"No." I said at the same time the other three answered "Yeah." I just stared at them blankly. For the past two or three days, my three friends have been implying that Angel is my girlfriend or that I like her. Well, yeah, I do like her but she is not my girlfriend.

"She is not. Please keep that in mind." I simply stated and the three just said their own remarks all at the same time.

"Fine. Not yet." Nate said.

"Oh, c'mon dude!" Chris said.

"You like her right?" Mark asked.

"Sure. She's a nice girl alright." I simply said in response.

"Let me rephrase it. You have feelings for her right?" Mark asked again.

"Bro, you're turning sappy again. And no, I don't."

"Really, Jay? You don't like her even after clinging to her that much last night?" Nate asked in a teasing manner. It would seem that he was not tired at all so I can push him to work more tonight.

"She seemed to like you too. At least according to what we saw last night." Mark made the follow-up.

"What did you guys do last night?" Martin inquired.

"Games at his place." Nate answered him.

"Whoa! Hang on. She was at your place? Seriously?!" Martin exclaimed. He appeared to be very shocked about the news. "And you're claiming that you don't like this girl?"

"What's wrong with having over a friend who happens to be a girl to hang-out?" I asked.

"Nothing. It's just that you having over a girl at your place who is not your girlfriend is unheard of." Nate answered emphasizing the words.

"To be more precise, you don't bring a girl over at your place." Mark added simply. "You never did."

"What do you mean I don't? I do-" I was cut off by my own thought. I tried to remember the last time I brought over a girl at my place. Turns out that I never did. " ....I don't?"

I only received nods of agreement. I have never noticed that until now. Maybe I was doing that unconsciously. I should ask my sister about it just to confirm.

"Wait a minute!" Chris called our attention. "Who was this girl that you are talking about? Even Martin knew her."

"Danica, bro." Nate answered.

"That, I know. But I haven't met her so I couldn't ride on your talk very much." Chris informed us.

"She was at the bar, that's how Martin knew her. I also brought her at the tracks recently. And you saw her that night here." I said, trying to make him remember the times that I was with her and the guys.

"Didn't see her face very well that night last week. Besides that..." He shook his head to continue.

"No kidding?" I asked.

"Dead serious, man." He answered simply.

"That's right! You're always not there when we're with her. You would love the girl bro." Nate informed his brother. He seemed to be fond of her as well.

"Pretty and clever." Mark said.

"And she was brought to your friend's house." Martin remarked.

"Okay, now that got me interested. I have to personally meet this girl, your Angel, Jay." So, Chris had really never met Danica. That was just strange.

"Given the chance." I answered. "But it depends if she would want to meet you as well."

"Did you ask for permission when she met these two?" Chris asked.

"No..." I answered honestly. Now that I think about it, I just did whatever I want. I brought her to places without even getting her opinion first. I hope she doesn't think bad of that at all.

"Going back to the topic..." Martin pulled me out of my thoughts. "How are you progressing with this girl?"

"Once again, we're not dating at all." I answered, a bit annoyed at how they are implying my relationship with her.

"They're just together like every day since they met. And he brought her to Philip's, the tracks, here and his place." Nate sarcastically remarked.

"It's called hanging-out. You know how she's heartbroken."

"And you have to do that every day?" Chris asked.

"C'mon guys. I'm just comforting her." I answered groaning.

"Sounds to me like your trying to convince yourself more than us." Chris answered.

"Whatever you say, dude."

"Are you sure she's not your girl at all?" Martin asked again.

"For heaven's sake. Drop it." I remarked wanting badly to end the conversation.

I hate being interrogated and I don’t understand why I am being interrogated. It was just off since I am just hanging out with her all this time and they jump to the conclusion that she was my girl. I would want her to be mine in all honesty but she was way out of my league. She was too great of a girl to be wasted on me.

"That was odd. Besides your cousin, every girl that I see with you is your girl. And here you are claiming that she's not. That's just..." Martin said thinking of the proper term to use.

"Out-of-character?" I offered, remembering how she mentioned it just the other day.

"Exactly, dude." Everyone chorused.

I let out a long sigh in defeat. "Okay. Just to shut you up. As you all know, I've been together with several girls before with various situations and different characters. But Angel's different and I couldn't get myself to think of her as one of those girls. She was like a younger sister to me. And because of her situation, I couldn't leave her alone as well. She might just turn suicidal for all I know."

It was quiet for a while before Mark broke the silence. "Jay, listen. First, you sounded like you are trying hard to convince yourself and that makes you look pitiful. And everyone here probably thinks the same." I noticed that everyone agreed to what Mark just said.

"Second, for all those years that I've known you, this is the first time that I don't understand what you are trying to do or what you are thinking. Why don't you try it out with your Angel? She's beautiful, funny, smart and perhaps much more."

"Much more." I agreed.

"See? So why don't you just date her for real? Every day, I hear nothing from you but Angel this and Angel that. And you are actually with her every day as well." Mark continued.

"It's barely a week since I met her." I reasoned.

"That didn't really matter to you before." Mark countered.

"Well, it does now." I simply stated.

"And why is that so?" He questioned.

"Because I barely knew her." I answered.

"Didn't matter to you before either." Mark countered again.

"It does now."

"And why is that so?"

"Because..." I groaned again, frustrated that I couldn't keep my ground. "So what's your point?"

"To make you admit to yourself that you like her for real." Mark simply answered.

"And to make you realize that you are changing because of her." Nate added. "C'mon dude. We already noticed how you are so into her. It was on a completely different level as compared to the girls you were with before. Even if you don't actually admit it."

"Just tell us. Do you like her?" Mark asked again.

I stared at them one by one. They are silently awaiting my response. I have already thought about it before. I already knew that deep inside me, I really like her. A lot. At the same time, I also knew that I don't want to admit that fact to myself. It felt like if I did so, I wouldn't be able to stop myself anymore. Which I don't really want to happen. She was a great girl. And I don’t want her to be wasted on me.

I let out another sigh, leaned back in the couch and closed my eyes. Her image instantly flashed in my head. Her little habits that I doubt even she was conscious of. And her smile. I wonder what she was doing today. I hope she was spending time with her cousin and that friend of hers. I'm afraid that if she was left alone she will only be thinking about her dip-shit ex. We have spent almost every day together. Today, I haven't had the time to think until now so I never realized how much I wanted to see her. Maybe, if Max had not called me I would be with her right now. I would instantly come up with an excuse just so I could see her.

So there's no turning back even if I don't say it out loud eh? "I do. I want her badly but I don't deserve her. She's too great of a girl and she'll just be wasted on a player like me." I answered honestly. This kind of talk among my best friends and Martin was rare. Because guys don’t usually talk about these matters.

"We understand that bro. But believe me, you're a great guy. Maybe a little less than me but you're great. We haven't found our match, at least me and Nate, but you found yours. Presented to you in wrapping paper with a ribbon on top. So why not go for it. A great girl is a rare gem." Chris said.

"I'm afraid to lose her." I answered honestly.

"Isn't that out of the question? C'mon! Of course you're not going to lose her. Because you're never letting even a tiny chance for that to happen." Nate answered.

"That's more like it. At least that's how I know you." Martin added.

I was quiet for a while as I looked at my friends, trying my best to keep my smirk from forming. Sometimes, I was just thankful to have these people as friends. They always give me a push whenever I was hesitant or afraid to go for the things I wanted. "You know I love you guys, right?" I suddenly stated.

"We know, but no thanks. I'm not really up for bromance." Nate answered.

"Ah. C'mon I know you want it too." I stood up from my seat and sat next to Nate bringing my face close to his. Despite his playful character he just doesn't want this kind of boy-to-boy action.

"Cut it out, Jay. I'm damn serious." Nate warned, trying his best to keep me in a proper distance. The rest of the guys were just laughing at us.

"Why? I just wanted to tell you something."

"Oh, please! Your face doesn’t have to be that close if you wanted to tell me something. Get off!"

"You're so boring. Anyway, I've thought of something. You guys up for it?"

"What's it about?" Chris Asked.


"A special gig." I answered.

<< Chapter Fifteen