2 Chapter 2: Stars Falling From the Sky

[JC POV]

We decided to look around the mall and buy a few kinds of stuff.

This is the only time we've been together again but guess what! Joy and Lance are the only ones who are talking to each other. They are walking ahead of us almost like a real couple while JR and I are following behind them. We have no choice but to stare at their backs, we're bad at making conversation on something like this. What would we talk about? Our mobile games? Occasionally, they would look back at us and tell us to walk faster. Afterward, we're invisible again. Argh!

I don't know what makes them so happy!

We first went to a clothing store; it is divided into two floors one for men and one for women. The three of us went to the men's section and Joy just said to meet her on the counter when we're all done. We four loves shopping together it is just like the old days.

I noticed that the type of clothes that we want are unique and different. JR went to find anything black, he always dresses in a cold and serious vibe, a complete opposite of his personality. Lance on the other hand opts for oversized shirts and all-around casual looks. It suits him. He looks like a very friendly person you can always trust, and guess what, he is. You can always trust Lance, he's very capable, and will always consider you. He's the kindest person I know. I tried his type of fashion, but it looks crazy on me. I look like a joke!

I, on the other hand, have a western-influenced fashion. That's really my type of fashion. I spend time looking at magazines and I am always intrigued by the latest fashion trends. I always analyze what people wear and it just makes me very happy. I really dream to become a model one day.

We grabbed everything and went to try it on. JR and Lance are always silent when fitting. I, on the other hand, am a little noisy that I just want to show them how good-looking I am in these clothes.

They're getting tired of it!

"Hey, show it now," I shouted since all of us were in adjacent fitting rooms.

All three of us went out.

Whoa! JR was dazzling on a black jacket and a white turtleneck shirt. Lance looked cute in a yellow oversized shirt. I laughed at him. And of course, he kicked me. Ouch!

And me… I was wearing a casual long sleeves shirt.

"Hey! You three look good!" Joy shouted which made us all jump.

She was already done, carrying bags of the clothes she bought.

"So, this is what's taking you so long. You're having a fashion show," she teased.

"Haha! very funny," I sarcastically replied.

We got all we wanted and paid for it. JR and Lance paid with a card. Rich kids. I on the other hand paid with cash. I saved up for this.

I went to get Joy's bags because… I'm a gentleman. She doesn't want to at first, but I insisted. She gave up. I wanted to make it up for her, we ended on good terms, but I always know that I have a lot of shortcomings when we were still together.

We then went on to buy a few snacks. We decided to have a road trip to our favorite spot in the next town. We headed to the parking lot where Lance's car is. It was a Tesla. Oh Lord, it was beautiful, with all the doors that open upwards. I do wonder how rich Lance really is.

Lance was the first one to drive. Joy was seated in the front seat while JR and I sat in the back. We drove for miles, sang along a few pop songs on the radio, and ate our snacks. We had several stopovers to sightsee and took lots of pictures. JR told funny stories which made Joy and Lance laugh. For me, I just made sure to enjoy and treasure every single moment in this precious trip. The long hours traveled fast, and it was almost night. But the night is what we were after.

We had a stop-over to eat our dinner on a night market, everything looks so good and delicious. The smell of all kinds of food being cooked is present in the air. The night sky is lit by orange lightbulbs hanging from the stalls and lighting the entire night market. We ordered a lot of foods including stir-fried seafood and grilled pork barbecue. Lance clumsily spilled a glass of water on his shirt. We all laughed at him which made him sulk. He was forced to change to that new yellow oversized shirt he just bought. Oh gosh! He really looked cute in it. Joy who was seated beside him kept on giggling and pinched Lance's cheek. Lance protested.

We sang at an outdoor karaoke which was available at the night market. JR sang a rock song funnily which made all the people at different tables clap and cheer for him. I sang a sad love song "Longing" which earned lots of claps and cheers from the crowd and sort of made the atmosphere between me and Joy more awkward. It's not my fault, I actually liked that song and practiced singing it every time in case I really need to sing in a karaoke.

Lance refused to sing saying he's not prepared. Like me, he surely likes to be prepared in everything he does, the only difference is that he always does everything so perfectly while I always commit careless mistakes. Joy, on the other hand, never sings in karaoke, I didn't even know her singing voice even at the time when we dated.

After we finished, we drove for a few more minutes and reached our favorite spot. It was a magnificent location that only the four of us knows. It's just a few walks from the road, just near a cliff, above the city, where you can see all the city lights. Nearby sits a river where we went fishing one time.

We sat together like the good old days, Lance and Joy in the middle, JR beside Joy, and me on the other side beside Lance. We reminisced the days when we always escape to this place and talk about our dreams.

"I really miss this," Lance said. "I'm so busy nowadays." He seemed a little bit sad.

"Me too," JR said. "We should always hang out." He said sensing the sad atmosphere between us four. We truly missed each other.

"Hey! We live cities away from our home for school, that's impossible," I replied. I really am a pessimistic friend.

Joy was silent, I don't know what's wrong with her. She seemed too sad on the inside. But she never shows it, I know her too well.

Suddenly, Lance shouted, "there it is!"

And we saw it. The reason why we're here. Above the sky, you can see falling stars. It's fast, some are bright but like streaks of glitters painting the night sky. This is always the best thing I see in my life. It's the third time we got to see it together. We went on this spot a few times and promised that we will always come here once there is a peak of a meteor shower. That's why we spent long hours driving just to wait for midnight on this trip.

JR lied on the ground, I followed, so did Joy and Lance. This is the best feeling. I seem to forget all my worries in the world. I just feel happy to be with them, that we're together. I made a wish. I hoped that this moment would never end. I wished every moment will be like this and that our friendships will last forever. That was my wish upon the stars, and I'll do everything just to protect our friendship.

Above the skies, the heavens have shown the most beautiful night sky. The moon smiles at us along with millions of stars.

We tried to find our stars, we each one has a favorite star.

Sadly, only Lance's star is there. How lucky is he!

It took us some time before we started to go home, but it was getting late, and we all need to go back to our own lives.

"Ok, I'm not going to drive. That's my wish since my star is there and I'm tired," he said.

We all laughed.

We went on and entered the car.

"I wish that moment didn't end," I said.

"Me too," JR replied.

"Me three," said Lance.

"Hey, since you're late, you're driving," JR said to Joy.

"Why me?" Joy complained.

"Lance has his wish and he's tired, I'm also quite tired and you won't actually risk your life with me driving," JR said. "JC… well, he still can't drive."

Yes, I can't. Don't laugh at me. I have no car, I'm not that rich, I can't drive. I promise I will learn to in the future.

"Keys," Joy said.

Lance handed it to her, "Will you really drive, want me to drive?" He asked.

"Yes, for only you I will," she smiled. What's with her, I think she hates me so much.

Lance seated at the back. I seated beside him because I forgot to tell you, I have motion sickness especially in the front seat and I can barely control it from the back.

We slept all the way home.

I just felt my motion sickness going over me, so I fought it. After a while, I was asleep.

~~~

[Lance POV]

PAT! PAT!

"Ouch!", I woke up with JC hitting me on my arm!

We sat beside each other, although this is my car I don't enjoy driving especially for long trips and at night. I quickly get sleepy, and I don't want to risk it at all. Thank God Joy agreed to drive. She's really the kindest person I know. They must have switched now because JR is now on the driver's seat and he's a bit of a show-off in terms of his driving skills. He's like someone who drives in an arcade game without caring how fast he goes, that didn't really feel great for JC.

He is also now awake. He really suffers from bad motion sickness; I think he even slept at my shoulder at some point.

"Yieee… they're awake, you're so sweet a while ago," that was JR, my crazy friend. I really think he's crazy you know. He's weird on chat, says a lot of weird things in person, sings weirdly, and teases me nonstop, especially to JC.

Joy showed us a picture from her phone, and yes, he really slept on my shoulder and I'm too sleepy to even realize it. She had this sarcastic smile.

"Yieee… you're just jealous," JC said, annoyed.

She rolled her eyes and returned to her seat. I guess she's mad at that. JC looked at me shocked and confused. I shook my head. I really don't understand what's going on between these two star-crossed lovers.

JR on the other hand just kept on smiling almost like he's too tired of us all.

We reached the point where we are supposed to part. Goodbyes are so sad it makes you feel empty especially after a wonderful experience with the people I cherish the most. They always helped me. They helped me to survive junior high school, a truly challenging phase in my life.

We stopped at a nearby bus stop. The air was filled with sadness, what was pure bliss and happiness when we were together turned into the pain of parting. JR and Joy took a cab to their place which is on the same way. Joy tapped me on the cheek while JR patted me in the head. They do treat me like I'm a child. They bid farewell to us.

JC and I were the only ones left. I waited until he gets a ride home otherwise, I'm going to drive him.

We saw a bus coming from a distance.

He looked at me gave me a small smile. He then pulled me over for a hug. It was a really tight one and I confusedly placed my hands embracing him around his waist. I was a bit shocked.

He released his arms around me.

"Goodbye Lance," he muttered and gave a really sweet smile.

He smiled at me one last time before going up the bus.

It was a melancholic feeling, but I know in my heart, I am happy.