Chapter Twenty One

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It's lunch time and I was feeling bored so I've decided to go to the school's rooftop alone. I don't wanna be bothered by anyone so I did my very best to escape from NJ or Tom's sight.

Usually, our rooftop is empty, that's why I am confident that there are no students up there. And when I finally reached the rooftop, I was right.

No one's there.

I began looking for a place to sit and before I did, I heard a song. It seems like the cheerleading group were practicing their dance on the school grounds. So, I looked below and I am correct.

They've been dancing with the tune, "Beautiful Life"

My original plan was to take a nap. But my mind changed after seeing the cheerleaders practice their dance. So here I am, up on the roof, watching them.

Little did I know, I began imitating their steps and is now dancing along.

I stopped dancing when I heard a clap behind me and said, "That's amazing! You can really dance!" I looked over my shoulder to see Quila, standing with her face all lit up with delight.

Me? Amazing? I don't believe her. I can't dance well! What made her think that way?

"No, not really," I answered. "And you shouldn't have seen me dancing."

She jogged towards me and clasped her hand together. "You really should join our team! I'd love to dance with you!"

I looked back at the grounds and saw that they stopped dancing. They were laughing and they looked like they were having so much fun. It made me reconsider joining the cheerleading squad, but I decided to not commit to joining their squad.

If I ever join them, obviously, I'm going to have less time for myself. First, their dance practice. Then I must have enough time for Tom and I's fake dating scheme. Then there's NJ, who kept on bugging me. It's predictable, probably because I have known him for a while.

With all that stuff, will I get to have my own time on my own? Will I get enough sleep? Probably not anymore. If I exhaust myself, I don't think I would be happy that way. In addition, I've been working on my novel.

Things to be considered when saying yes to someone: your own time, your self-care.

That said, I responded, "Let me think about it first, okay?" Then I told her my reasons for being hesitant with joining their squad.

"Hmm," She reacted as she placed a finger on her chin. "That's true and it'll be rough for you. If you can't have enough rest, it is impossible for you to function really well. You might mess up a lot."

Human beings can't function well when they are exhausted. And of course, other people wouldn't understand that most especially when they are selfish individuals.

"Thank you for understanding," I said. "I appreciate that."

Maybe I'll finish Tom and I's fake dating first. It'll be only when his grandparents and parents are around, anyway. And as if they will be staying in our city that long. Tom gave me their estimated time of arrival that's why I know what to expect.

After our conversation, we walked downstairs together and parted ways. We are just schoolmates. We don't attend the same classes.

I was about to enter the classroom when Tom suddenly pulled me.

"Hey!" I reacted as I shot him a glare.

"Sorry, can we talk for a minute or two?" He asked.

"About what?" I asked. "And please let go of me." And he did.

"It's about my parents and grandparents," He said in almost a whisper. I understand that he'd like to keep a low voice. After all, this fake dating is our little secret. "They will be coming next week."

"What?!" I reacted using a low voice. "I thought they'll arrive next month?"

"I didn't expect that either!" He said and sighed. "After finding out about Beatrice, they have decided to go to my apartment to meet her," He added. "I hope you have free time next week to become my girlfriend, Beatrice."

"It was so sudden, I wasn't prepared," I answered. "But sure, I'll go as Beatrice." Besides, the earlier we finish this thing, the earlier I could decide if I'm gonna try this cheerleading thingy or not.

"Thank you, Beauty!" He said. "You're the best!"

"Ehem," A voice coughed which got our attention. We looked at the direction of the voice to see NJ looking at him. "What are you up to?"

"It's none of your business, Nico," Tom responded.

"We're just talking about our assignment, that's all." I answered, trying to make up a good excuse.

Surprisingly, NJ bought it and suddenly, wrapped his arm around my shoulder and Tom's. "So, how's my two buddies?"

I removed his arms around me, feeling worried that another false rumor began spreading again. "Stop that!"

"Still grumpy, I see," NJ said and chuckled. "I know! Why don't we go together to the ice cream shop B and I went into?"

Tom looked at me and said, "You went on a date with him?"

Before I answer, NJ talked. "Yes, we did! B asked me to go on a date."

Filthy liar.

"He's not telling the truth," I simply answered. "He tricked me by forcing me to get up from my bed, go here at school just to find out that the school was closed."

"Let's eat ice cream. It'll cheer you up," He copied the statement I said yesterday. After saying that, he looked at me and ended with, "Remember?"

I felt kind of embarrassed at that. I don't even know what entered my mind when I said and did that. I must be getting crazy for trying to cheer him up.

"Stop remembering," I said. "I don't even want to remember!"

"Come on, don't be like that!" He said. "You cheered me up."

Tom is frowning at me.

I don't even know why.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked Tom.

"You were never fair, weren't you?" Tom started. "How come you cheered him up but when it comes to me, you never did."

"What are you? A kid?" NJ teased and laughed.

"Is it wrong now to want a friend to cheer you up?" Tom said.

"I can cheer myself up without any guys," I said and it came out like I was bragging. "Couldn't help that I am a strong woman."

"A strong woman with a messy room" NJ said.

"And a poor sense of fashion," Tom added.

"Remember her outfit the first day?" NJ started.

"Yes! Stripe printed socks?" Tom continued.

"Polka dots skirt" NJ continued.

"A jacket," Tom added.

"And a hello kitty shirt inside?" NJ continued.

"Oh, don't forget her big ribbon!" Tom said.

And now, they are laughing and I don't.

"ARE YOU GANGING UP ON ME?!" I said using a high pitched tone voice. "There is nothing wrong with my outfit that day up until today!"

"Do you really want to stay like that?" NJ said and looked at me from head to toe.

"Mind your own business, okay?" I said and sighed.

"Anyway, when are we going to eat at the ice cream shop?" Tom asked.

"What's the shop's name again?" I asked.

"Bubbles Ice Cream Store," NJ said. "It's a newly opened shop that's why they got discounts on their opening. They added deals and discounts for the first week of their grand opening."

"You know a lot, don't you?" I said.

"Not really," NJ answered. "I just go out a lot so I get to find out lots of things. And I just have a curious mind."

"When you are very curious, you'll have a desire to know each and every single thing." Tom said.

"Sounds like greed," I said. "After all, we can't have it all. Do you think what you're trying to learn will stay in your mind?"

"Based on experience, yes" NJ answered.

"Not until you get overwhelmed or burnt out," Tom contradicted. "If your mind is clouded with too much thoughts and stress, we tend to forget certain events, what we've learned and maybe,our future plans."

"Not if you'd note it down" I said.

"Can we change the topic?" Tom suggested. "Wanna go to PlayZone on Saturday?"

"Sounds fun to me!" Nj said. "I'm in!"

Both of them turned their looks at me, waiting for my answer.

Sighing, I said, "Fine, after you"

"I'm surprised that you agreed." NJ said.

"You'll force me if I said no anyway" I responded.

After our conversation, we went back to our room.

And you know what's surprising?

Our classmates didn't look at us nor whispered to each other.

Long story short, they didn't give our conversation a big deal and created an issue.

And that, my friends, is the real miracle I got.

***

Saturday means PlayZone time.

So now, here I am together with Tom and NJ.

"This place is pretty huge," I said as I began roaming my eyes around the area.

"Is this your first time here?" NJ asked.

"Uh-huh" I responded while nodding my head slightly.

There are a lot of people playing in PlayZone and that's something I've expected. There were loads of things that could be played.

Basketball, table tennis, poker, crane, bowling and last but not the least ...

"I wanna play that game," I said, pointing to the machine named "Dance Riot". Both of them looked at what I just pointed out.

"Looks fun," NJ said. "Come on, let's play"

"Wait! Don't forget your PZ Card" Tom said and handed us the cards needed to be swiped to make the machine work.

I took mine and went straight ahead to the dancing game. Tom told us that he'd like to play bowling while NJ chose to dance with me.

"I want to play with B," He said. "You go and play bowling. We'll find you after playing this game."

"Play with me or compete?" I asked.

"I'd rather play with you than to be in a competition," NJ answered.

"This is a 2-player game," I started.

"So?"

"And a 2-player game means competition," I said. "You understand the mechanics, right?"

"Then let's make it a friendly competition," NJ said.

"Sounds fun. Maybe I'll just stay here," Tom said and pulled out his phone from his pocket. "Go on and start playing."

With that, we began the game. We chose "Better When I'm Dancing" as our song. The difficulty is normal.

Honestly, I didn't expect that NJ would rather play this dance than play basketball. After all, he's our campus most valuable player of our school's basketball league.

Little did I know, as soon as the game started, Tom began shooting a video at us.

That's sneaky!

I'd love to snatch his phone but the game has started and there is no way I am missing this game. Not even a minute of the song to dance.

The dance lasted for about 5 minutes and as the music stopped, I could feel the exhaustion and sweat all over my body and face but it didn't bother me because I enjoyed it.

After playing the dance, we decided to try playing table tennis. The first match will be Tom against NJ. I am just watching them.

The tennis racket was attached just beside the table. There is a belt like some kind of a lock wrapped around it to keep it safe and secured. The only way to unlock the belt is using the PZ card.

Tom used his.

As soon as he swiped his card, the belt unlocked. They grabbed the racket and began to play but not without saying their battle cries.

What are they? Kids?

But I must admit that they are funny and fun to watch so I didn't give any comments.

"You may have Beauty, but you're not winning this match! Brace yourself!" Tom said while pointing the racket to NJ.

"I won B and I am not letting you win this match either. Are you prepared to cry?" NJ responded with a grin.

I facepalmed at them for dragging me to their battle cries. And what was NJ talking about? Him? Won me? Ha! Was he trying to make me laugh? That will never ever happen. No one owns me but myself.

"Good grief," I answered. "Just start playing and don't drag me along to your childish battle cries." I ended and let out a laugh.

Trust me when I say that they are so loud as they play table tennis. They attracted the people walking. Whilst they don't feel embarrassed by their childish act, I do!

I felt someone poke my shoulder so I turned my head just to see a stranger. She asked, "Are you with them?" Then pointed to NJ and Tom.

I looked at them then back to the stranger and answered, "No"

"Such a shame. I want to know their names,``she said. "They are beautiful creatures, don't you think?"

Why is this woman even talking to me? And why did she assume that I know them? Whatever, doesn't matter. I just went back to watching them. Thanks to this woman, I wasn't able to watch the whole game.

When I looked back at them, the game had ended with Tom smiling while his racket up the air and NJ, looking defeated. They were both breathing heavily in exhaustion.

Tom placed both of his hands on his waist and said, "Who's gonna prepare to cry again?"

"Shut up," NJ said then chuckled. "It was a good game. I lost."

I thought the woman who spoke to me had already made her exit but I was wrong.

"I thought you didn't know them?" She said, "Never mind that. Can you tell me your name?"

"What? Why?" I asked as I spun my head and shifted my body facing her.

She showed me a business card.

"I'm Cherry Marley, a manager from a dance studio," She introduced. "I saw you dancing with that guy earlier so I've thought of confirming whether you're with them or not."

I was lost for words. Not only did I lied, but I was also busted for the dishonesty I've shown.

She must have noticed that I felt kind of awkward and anxious because she said, "Don't worry, I'm not mad. And to be honest, I am not really aiming for these cute guys. I'd like to speak to you."

"O-kay? What for?" I asked. She was still showing the business card so I took it from her and looked at it.

"I saw that you can dance," She started. "That said, I would like to invite you to join our dance troupe."

I haven't even decided whether to join the cheerleading group or not and now, a manager from a dance studio is trying to invite me? I think they are inviting the wrong person.

I declined her offer. "I appreciate the offer but I must decline."

Her face showed a disappointed look for the outcome. "That's too bad," She said. "It's such a waste to hide your talent," She continued. "Please keep my card so if ever you change your mind, you know how to contact me." She turned her back against me, bid goodbye and walked away.

"Who's that woman?" Tom asked.

"Cherry's her name and she's a manager of a dance troupe with a dance studio," I responded then showed him the business card. "She gave me that card."

"Well, that's amazing! What did you tell her?" NJ asked.

"I declined the offer." I answered.

"Wait, what? Why?" Tom asked. "You have just been discovered and now, you declined her just like that?"

"You realize that you just wasted the opportunity, right?" NJ said.

I heaved out a sigh and said, "How many times have I told you that I am not interested in being in the spotlight? I only dance for fun. She's probably fishing for the wrong one. There are a lot of better dancers than me."

"Great. Brace yourself for her incoming excuses for choosing not to become a dancer!" NJ said and he's right. Normally, I would say my reasons but this time, I didn't. I am quite tired for the day so I chose not to explain anymore.

"Whatever. Can we just go?" I asked.

"Where's the next stop?" NJ asked.

"To Bubbles Ice Cream Shop" Tom answered.

"You know, the shop where you and Audrey went to," I said. "You told me that yourself, remember?"

I turned my back against them and continued, "Let's go!"

I started walking when I noticed a couple walking that reminded me of something.

Today's Saturday.

Next week is the arrival of Tom's parents and granny.

Meaning, next week will be Beatrice's job as a girlfriend.

I guess I'll be meeting new people next week.

I hope everything will turn out fine.

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