Chapter 7

JAZMIN

Flashback starts…

"KIDS, dinner's ready!" Mama called from the dining area.

We rushed to the dining room. Yes. WE. Who else is with me? No other than my two BFFs. They are having dinner with us.

We are here at our new house. Yep, new house. I rented a new house owned by Pearl's aunt. It's bigger and more presentable. Her aunt abandoned the house because she married a Korean, so her husband wanted her to move with him; that's why she left the house vacant.

Pearl has their house nearby, and Ben rents an apartment nearby. But actually, they're crashing here every day. Pearl's aunt didn't give too much trouble with the rent because she knows Mama and me. 

And I can say I can afford to pay for it now because Frozen Treat (FT) is paying me big time. It's a dream come true. Little by little, I have everything that Mama and I dream of. I smiled in anticipation, realizing it.

By the way, we finished our junior year at our old school, and we are preparing for our senior year. Yeah, we again. Ben and Pearl will finish their senior year at UST as well.

They are very supportive friends, and because they can afford it, they can easily switch schools though they have sacrificed a lot of things from our old school. Ben's basketball team and Pearl's Squad. But they said they could do it also in UST. Even if they are not the captains, they could join the team.

Aww, I love my friends. What am I going to do without them? I think I'm going to cry because of their sincerity.

"Chop Suey! Yum!" we said in unison.

Mama laughed at the way we reacted. After we prayed, our worms were full of Mama's delicious foods. She is the best!

"Are you ready for school tomorrow, kids?" she asked, smiling.

"Yes!" we said and then laughed after realizing that we did it again for the second time.

Ah! School!

~*~

THREE of us have different schedules. I've only got second and fourth periods with Pearl and third periods with Ben. Half of the day, we introduced ourselves to the class; we just did the same process. We are here now at the cafeteria eating our lunch made by Mama.

It was a fantastic first day because everyone was friendly, and they were looking at us with awe. 

I'm the small one in the group. I'm only 5'4", Pearl's 5'6", and Ben is 6' flat. We smiled at our classmates when they passed our table, and I only remembered the faces. I'm not good at remembering names at first sight.

"So you'll sign up to the Culinary Team, Bonnie?" Pearl asked.

"Nah, I don't know if I'll have time for that. You know, I got a job, and I think that I should concentrate on the actual thing," I said calmly. Pearl just nodded.

"So, you two signed up for the tryouts?" They just nodded and smiled. "I know they'll be amazed by you, guys. You're the best Basketball player and Cheerleader I have ever known."

"We know!" they said cockily, and we laughed. 

Oops! The students watch us with questioning looks. We forgot we're at a public cafeteria. 

Then suddenly my eyes went to the cafeteria entrance, and I saw the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life. I'm not the type of person who is easily pleased by someone's looks, but this girl caught my attention.

She just stood there, roaming her eyes to the place as if finding someone. I can't help myself to check her out. Oh God, I think I have a crush on her.

She's wearing skinny black jeans and a pink tank top matching her pink heels, pale white skin, brown long wavy hair, right sexy curves, beautiful blue eyes, pointed nose, and kissable lips. Her Spanish/Mexican beauty added emphasis to her hotness.

Is she a model? Oh my God! When did I become like this? I feel that my throat is so dry, so I sip from my milkshake without taking my eyes off her, and then her gaze goes in my direction. She caught me looking at her. No, she caught me checking her out! Ah, I'm busted. 

Then to my surprise, she smiled the sweetest smile ever! My jaw dropped, and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

'Hey, Bonnie? Where is your friendly manner? Smile back, or she'll think you're a snob,' I said to myself. But I just stare at her beauty, still open mouth. I take back when I said she's just beautiful; she was a goddess, for God's sake!

Meanwhile, my two BFFs are just talking and seem oblivious to what's happening to me.

Then the staring contest with the girl was finished when someone hugged her back and kissed her.

Ouch! Why do I feel like this? I quickly turn my gaze to my plate and play with my food with my bangs, hiding my eyes from her.

"You okay, best?" Pearl asked while patting my shoulder. I sat beside her, by the way.

"Yeah. Let's go. Let's finish this last subject," I said sweetly, smiling at Pearl. Then I walked to the trash can to throw away my leftovers and didn't look back. The two of them just followed me.

The bell rang, and we went to our different classes. Yeah, it's the last period, and again I don't have the same classes with both of them. Haaay!

I'm the first to arrive in the classroom. I quickly found it because I studied the school map before going here. Yeah, I was prepared. 

I sat in the back corner and started doodling something on my notebook. I heard students coming, but I continued doing it a while ago.

"Okay, class. You have a new classmate. Come here in front of Miss Ramirez and introduce yourself," The teacher said, who called my name.

I walk towards him. I heard some of my classmates whistling; some shouted "sexy." Great, I'm more uncomfortable now in this class.

"Children, keep quiet. And boys, don't be such a perv," the teacher said, looking at me sincerely. I smiled at him.

"My name is Angel Bonnie Ramirez; I'm your new classmate," I shyly said, looking down on the floor.

"Mr. Cortez?" A guy said while lifting his right hand.

"Yes, Noah?" Mr. Cortez said.

"I think something's missing in her name," The "Noah" guy said with a poker face. All of us darted at him with a questioning look.

"What is that?" the teacher asked him.

"My surname!" he shouted and grinned while looking at me. Mr. Cortez and my classmates laughed, and some of them threw crumpled paper at him. I bit my lower lip to hinder myself from laughing. I like this guy, and he is cute too.

Then I roamed my eyes to my classmates and saw familiar blue eyes staring at me while smiling. I felt butterflies again in my stomach. Wow! She has a different effect on me. The big difference, I guess.

"Since Noah claims you, Miss Ramirez, you got your spot there beside him." I nodded, got my things at the back, and sat beside Noah. I turned to him, and he was smiling warmly.

"I'm Noah," he introduced himself, which I already knew, and handed his right hand to me.

As a friendly person, I took his hand with mine to give a shake and said, "Bonnie."

"Okay. Welcome class to Calculus," I heard the teacher say, and my classmates groaned. I laugh at myself. 

This is easy, I thought to myself.

During class, I had a small talk with Noah, which I enjoyed because he is such a funny person. I think we could be great friends. I like how he delivers his corny jokes and picked-up lines. But still, I manage to listen to the lectures. I do not forget my plan that my purpose why I'm here is to graduate and be successful. 

I stole glances at the girl, but she only looked at me once, that was when the lecture began, and she never looked at me again. I'm still figuring out what's happening to me. This isn't normal, right?

The bell rang, and I glanced once again at the girl. She's staring at her phone, quickly gathers her things, and then storms out. I think she's in a hurry.

Yeah, hurrying to see her boyfriend, my mind said. I felt someone stabbing my chest. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Hey." Noah's still here.

He is standing in front of me now. He asked me if I wanted to hang out with him this Friday. I said I had worked at FT and would not be out till nine in the evening. He said that it was okay and got my number instead. I gave him my number, and we walked outside together.

Everybody's looking at us. I don't know why, but maybe because Noah is the soccer team captain and a handsome young man. His funny personality is also one of his plus factors. I can't believe that I'm teaming up with one of the popular kids at school on my first day. This is my best first day ever. Noah is also excellent, and he's a good talker. We separated in the hallway, and I walked to the exit.

This is my first day working at FT, and I need to impress them with my punctuality, so I need to go now, even if I'm one hour early from my shift. I only walk from school to FT because it's just a ten-minute walk. I'm so lucky that FT was just nearby at school. I was happily walking when I felt my phone vibrate.

I got a text from Ben, Pearl, and Noah. I texted my two BFFs that I would work and replied to Noah. I was texting while walking when I bumped into someone at that position.

"I'm so sorry," I said to the person and noticed a familiar face. It's the goddess! I can't breathe!

"It's fine. Be careful next time. I'm Ezra," she said, smiling that smile again. The kind of smile that gives me butterflies in my stomach. Oh! I think I'm going to faint because of nervousness. Why am I so nervous? And gosh, her smile. 

'Is she the daughter of Venus?'

"Me? I hope so," she chuckled.

'Aww. Ezra's laugh is so cute.'

"Thank you," she cheekily smiled, revealing her straight white pearl teeth.

'Wait! Did I say it aloud twice?'

"Thrice, actually," she giggled.

I facepalmed, hiding my face from the embarrassment. If only I could see my face, I know I am as red as a tomato now.

"You're so cute," she said, pinching my cheeks. I dropped my hands. She's standing so close to me. I stood there, totally frozen.

"Ez, come on, we're going to be late," said the person behind my back.

Before I could react, Ezra kissed me on the cheek and whispered, "Bye, Bonnie." Then she left. 

I felt goosebumps and shivers down my spine.

I stood there for forty-eight years and never blinked. Joke. I stood there frozen for ten seconds and started to walk again to the exit with a smile on my face. I don't care if people think I'm a fool smiling at myself. I'm just so happy that she knows my name. I'm mentally squealing with joy right now.

I arrived at FT humming random tunes. Ahh! Best first day ever!

The staff at FT are amicable. They all welcomed me warmly except for Denisse, a working student, and another associate Chocolatier. I don't like her even at first glance because she has this plastic smile on her face. But overall, the staff are friendly.

Mrs. Mendez personally toured me in FT and introduced me to her staff. I love my job already.

The Chief Chocolatier, Mrs. Tan, was the best Chocolatier in the country. What a privilege to work with her! That's why I was so nervous when she asked me to cook my chocolates for her, but I obeyed and made the best chocolate I could.

"Hmmmmm, this. This is great. You have a bright future in this industry, Bonnie. I will train you, don't worry." I'm flattered. She complimented my work! I can feel my dreams are getting nearer and nearer in my hands. No one can stop me, even the witch, Denisse.

I'm in the locker room and packing my things because my shift was over when the witch came in, and she said Mrs. Mendez is calling me to her office. She said it with a devilish smile and warned me that I should not be rejoicing because I'll be fired anytime soon.

I just smiled at her sweetly and walked to the Manager's office. I will not let her ruin my day with her jealousness.

I knocked three times and went inside when I heard Mrs. Mendez says, "Come in."

"Hun, I'll talk to your Dad about it. How's that?" I don't know who the other person Mrs. Mendez is talking to because a bookshelf was covering them. Then Mrs. Mendez noticed me and gave me a sweet smile; she waved her right hand to me to go near to her.

I complied. I saw my chocolates on Mrs. Mendez's table then nervousness filled me again. Is she going to fire me? But she's smiling at me. I didn't even bother to look at the person she talked to a while ago. My eyes are glued to the chocolates and her.

"Bonnie, I would like you to meet my daughter, Ezra." That's when I snapped my head towards the person she called daughter. Then she was, staring at me also, and we both smiled.

"I see you've known each other?" the older woman asked.

I nodded and naughtily smiled at Ezra. Sending my 'the one steal kiss on my cheek' look. 

Ezra looked down and blushed. Now, it's your time to feel like that.

"Oh, at school, I guess?" Mrs. Mendez asked.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, now looking at her.

"I see. So much for that; I would like to talk to you about this." She pointed out the chocolate. Then nervousness filled me again. I wiped my bangs unknowingly.

"These chocolate candies are the best candies I have ever tasted. I am not regretting hiring you at FT. I want this chocolate to be part of featured chocolates this month. Please just inform anything or everything you want to add to the recipes and ingredients. Don't hesitate to inform Elsa or me, okay?" 

I'm just smiling all the way while she's speaking. Elsa is the first name of Chef Tan. I wish I had a recorder; I would like to record what she has said to me.

I nodded and cheeky smiled, revealing my two dimples. I don't know if it was my imagination, but I saw Ezra look at me with awe when I did that, but I'm probably hallucinating.

"Bonnie, I would like you to have dinner with us this Friday. Don't worry about your shift because you're with me. I would like to introduce you to my husband. I'm sure he'll like to meet the future jewel of FT. And Ez, Bonnie can teach you a lot of things about the chocolates; you should learn from her," the older woman said in delight.

"Ma, you didn't bother to ask her if she wanted to. You're so bossy," Ezra finally speaks and looks at me apologetically. I just smiled at her, reassuring her that it was fine.

"Oh, sorry. I just got excited by the thought," the woman said, looking sorry.

"It's fine, ma'am. I'll ask my mother's permission first if that's okay? Then I'll inform you tomorrow." The woman nodded.

Then after 'the talk,' I walk out happily from her office.

When I went home, my two BFFs were there again, but they were not sleeping over; they were just waiting for me. I told them everything that happened at FT except the "Ezra" part. And asked Mama for her permission for dinner with The Mendez, which I am grateful for because she approved.

They are so happy for me, and after a bit of chit-chat and eating moments, my BFFs went home, and I slept with Ezra in my dreams. Aaah! Best day ever!

Flashback continues in the next chapter…