4 P A R T 3
P A R T - T H R E E
… Three years later …
“That’s it for today everyone. Don’t forget your assignment to be submitted next week” Mrs. Cortez reminded us the research assignment for English Literature as the school bell rang. An indication that it’s lunch time.
“Charisse!” I didn’t even bother looking who’s calling me. She’s been like this ever since we’ve been friends. I smiled at her as Joey walks towards my table.
“Did you bring your lunch?” She asked. We sometimes bring lunch boxes and eat in the quadrangle.
“My dad’s busy today. He has an early meeting with an editor so he didn’t have the time to prepare for my lunch”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I should’ve bought us our lunch” Warren spoke.
“It’s fine. We can just buy it in the cafeteria” I just shrugged the idea.
“Do you even know how crowded it gets during lunch? I’m sure you do” Warren sighed just by thinking that we’ll have to battle our way in to get our lunches.
I smiled at his reaction and put my arm on his shoulder. “I’ll save you a seat” I said with all smiles.
“There’s many spots to sit in the quad” He said as he walks out of our classroom.
“Wouldn’t he even ask what do you want?” Joey asked
“He already knows what I want. Besides, I’m not a picky eater. I’m just allergic to chicken. Other than that, I’m all good. Let’s go” I said as I hook my arms to her.
We’re walking to the quadrangle when someone put his arms on Joey’s shoulder. “Lunch?” He asked.
“What do you think Calvin? Wait. Do you even use your thinking skill?” Joey said as she rolls her eyes.
“You’re mad again? Didn’t you even miss me? I was absent yesterday!”
“Who cares? And you’re not absent, you were excused” Joey said as she tries to remove Calvin’s arms.
Calvin is part of the Helping Hands Club. He tutor’s students who were not good in biology. He’s good in accounting subject as well. But not as good as Joey. She’s like our math wizard.
“Why were you excused?” I asked. I’m not the nosy type but I’m also not aware of my surrounding.
“Really Cha? Are you for real? We’ve been friends for 3 years now and you’re still not interested in the school events?” Calvin spoke as if he’s really shocked.
“He was in a science quiz bee yesterday. He’s the school representative for biology. Look at that tarpaulin.” Joey pointed the newly attached tarpaulin in the quadrangle.
‘Congratulations Calvin Liam Zuarez! Three-peat Biology Quiz Bee Champion!’
“You hate biology but you excel in it. Nice” Joey said and that brings out the biggest smile that Calvin has ever had.
“I’m good at everything Joey Ann. You name it!” He’s quite assertive with that statement.
“Except from courtship” We all look at Warren who’s nearly walking towards us. “You’ve been courting Joey for a year now but she’s still not answering you” He said as he sat down the grass. We all followed him.
“well at least she knows my feelings! You haven’t even told Charisse yet –” Calvin wasn’t able to finish his sentence as Warren puts a bread on his mouth.
“Don’t even put Charlie in your situation” He said
“I don’t even get it. You walk her home every day. She brings you lunch every time she has one. You even go to her house to have dinner every now and then. You are always with her and you’re saying that you don’t like her?” Joey said and that made both of Warren and I stop.
It’s true. Ever since we’ve became friends. We’ve been together always. There wasn’t even a time that Warren did not walk me home. I also bring him lunch whenever my dad cooks for me, Warren also has his. And we’ve been seatmates now for 3 years!
“I like her. Of course! She’s my Charlie. She’s my constant and that’ll never change” He said and that made me look at him. What does he mean by that? Does he like me?
“You can’t like her! She’s too good for you! I’ll find you someone Charisse!” Joey dramatically exclaimed.
“Why are you giving Charlie to some random douche and it’s not like someone is actually courting her?” Calvin said
“He’s the reason why other guys can’t even go near Charisse! He’s everywhere!” She pointed as Warren and he just shrugged.
“I kind of heard one of my classmates who’s interested at Charisse. But he was discouraged by his friends. I think everyone thinks that you guys are an item since you’re with each other always” Calvin said as he eats his bread.
“Let them think that way” Warren said and smirked.
What Calvin just said made me think. Are we an item? Is there someone interested in me? Does Warren like me? Do I like him back? And ---
“Charlie!” Warren
“Charisse!” Joey
“Cha!” Calvin
My thoughts suddenly stopped but not because of the three of my friends shouted my name but because of a basketball that hit me directly in the head. Someone hurriedly walks towards us.
“I’m so sorry! We didn’t mean it. Are you okay?” He asked. So, he’s the one who hit me.
“Do you really think she’s okay? Move!” Warren said as he caresses my head “How much it hurts?” He asked.
“I’ll take her to the clinic” The guy offered
“You’ve done enough dude. I can take Charlie there” Warren said as he tries to help me to stand up
“I’m fine. No need to go to the clinic” I said as we all stood up
“What’s the use of the school gym anyway? Is that how you guys play?” Warren sounds pissed.
“Chill Warren, the gym’s under construction that’s why they’re here. And it’s not like it’s intentional” Calvin said as he tries to calm the situation.
The guy who hit me faced me. He has these pitch-black eyes that matches his thick eye brows and well-defined features like Warren. Only that, Warren has a brown colored hair that matches his caramel eyes. He really looks like a foreigner. Well, what do you expect from a ¼ Filipino and ¾ Canadian?
“Are you sure you’re okay? I’m really sorry” The random guy said
“Y-yes. Thank you” I said. He was really close to my face.
“Move” Warren said as he moves in between us.
The random guy just back off and started walking away from us. When Warren was about to face me, I saw the guy looked at me again before turning around and jogged towards his team mates.
“Let’s just eat at the club room” Warren suggested as he started picking our snacks. Calvin agreed so we all started walking to the club room.
One, Two, Three. I tried to steal a glance at the guy again and I think that was a wrong move. He was actually staring at me. When our eyes met, he smiled shyly and that made me embarrassed so I turned around quickly, and I think Joey noticed because we are walking while our arms were locked with each other. She smiled at me and because we’ve been friends for so long, I definitely know that kind of smile.
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“Charisse Lee, kindly collect all the assignments of your classmates and follow me to the principal’s office. I need to discuss something with you.” Our teacher in contemporary arts said before walking out of our classroom. It’s our last class for the day.
I was about to tell Warren to not wait for me since I think the meeting with the principal will take time.
“I’ll walk you to the principal’s office, then wait for you in the library” He said as he tries to carry the assignments that was submitted by our classmates.
“I can handle it” I said as I tried to get the assignments on his hand but I didn’t succeed.
“Then I’ll bring this to the faculty room. You can go to the principal’s office. I got this” He said as he smiled and walks out of our room.
Our classmates started to whisper around. I already know what it is. But we are not together. Warren is just my friend and he’s just being helpful. Well, that’s his charm. Maybe that is why people misunderstood us. I just shrugged and saw Warren waiting for me at the door. I smiled at him. When did we start being like this?
Waiting for each other, having lunch together, going home together, eating dinner with my dad. Are we? Are we really an item?
“Charlie” his voice stopped my thoughts like he always did. “Your day dreaming again. Let’s go” He said and I followed him.
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I knocked at the principal’s office before stepping in.
“Good afternoon sir” I said as I greeted the principal.
“Ms. Lee, I’d like you to meet Mr. Leon Alvaro De Seville. He’s a fourth-year student and the representative of our sister school for photography. And since you are the representative for calligraphy, I would like you to familiarize with each other” Mr. Principal said and I was shocked to see who the photographer is! It’s him! The basketball guy!
“Is your head okay?” basketball guy said as he showed his hand as an indication of shaking hands.
“Y-yes” I answered. I was about to reach his hand but instead, he’s the one who reached for it. My God! Why didn’t I notice it right away?
“This will be the main concept of your project for the competition” Mr. Principal said and continue to discuss more about the competition. I noticed the camera that Leon was looking at. He’s not even interested in what Mr. Principal is discussing.
The meeting ended after 40 mins. Of continuous talking of Mr. Principal and our Contemporary arts teacher. Why are we even here? Leon and I stepped out of the principal’s office together.
“They’re really excited huh?” He stated.
“Why don’t they just join instead?” I replied. That made me stopped. I didn’t think before replying. Shoot!
That made Leon laughs. “You think so too?” I nodded my head
“I’ll walk you home Charisse” He offered.
“No need. My house is just 15 mins. Away from here” I declined his offer. It’s not like I’m familiar with him.
“Will he be mad if I take you home?” He asked. I was about to ask who is he referring to when I saw Warren walking towards us.
“Let’s go?” He said as he caught my arms and started to walk away. I stopped myself and turn to see Leon.
“I’ll see you next week for the trial photos?” I said and he smiled
“See you this weekend Charisse. Take care” He said as Warren started to drag me again
“Take care my ass!” Warren spoke. “Why are you guys in the principal’s office anyway? Is it about what happened earlier?”
“No. It’s about the photography competition” I answered. We were about to step out of the campus when it started raining. I forgot to bring my umbrella again.
“Charlie” I looked at Warren and saw his umbrella open. He was waiting for me. One, two, three. Now I know. I’m sure. I like Warren. Not today but on my first day of school. I like him from the start. But today is the start that I acknowledge it.
I smiled as I reached for his hand. The same hand that helped us when we first move here in Palawan. The same hand that carries my things when it’s too heavy to lift. The same hand I shook on the first day of school. The same hand I’m holding while walking home. The same Warren Gage Richards.
One, two, three “I like you” I whispered.
“What is it Charlie? The rain is pouring hard! Let’s hurry home!” He said as we walk in under his umbrella. I’m not fond of raining. It makes me think of my mom. But now, I think I’ll start liking the rain.
