I always felt like I was just a regular guy. Growing up, my parents would shower me with their undivided attention as I was the only boy. My older sister Terry "bullied" me when we were kids, and because of her, I was a bit shy around girls. I just liked hanging around with noisy guys like Jon and Ira, as I felt they "protected" me. I had crushes, but never really told any girl I liked her. Jon joked that the girl must be the one to court me, for I usually clamped up around them. That is, until I met Nia.
During our Sophomore year, I heard heard rumors about a girl who transferred to our coed school from an exclusive girls' school. My curiosity was piqued. I felt bad hearing some of them making fun of the girl we have yet to meet. I saw new faces in the room and I asked Ira casually if the new girl had arrived. "Nope, I don't think she's here yet. Those new students came from co-ed schools as well," he replied. I sat down, feeling disappointed. Suddenly, I saw a girl stood b
I hope you all like this love story of Lance and Nia. I always believed in waiting for the right person, and being patient with love. For great rewards are given to those who loved patiently and selflessly.
1:45pm. Shit! I gathered the photocopied documents and ran towards my desk to staple the papers. I hastily placed them in individual folders and ran like hell to the board room where the Senior Leadership Group was assembled as well as the members of the stockholders. Lisa, my colleague, snatched the folders and went around the huge table placing the folders on assigned slots. I went to the coffee station and gave out paper cups of brewed coffee to the attendees. The other junior administrative assistant, Michie, looked petrified as she stood near the door. She was supposed to take the directors and corporate secretary to their assigned seats but all she could do was gape and looked at me for help. I hurriedly met the attendees at the door and directed them to their seats. Once everyone had been seated, I nodded at Michie and Lisa and we all stepped out and silently closed the door. The Board Meeting commenced. I breathed a sig
June 13, 1983. It’s the first day of school and I was supposed to come in early to check in first with the school registrar for my brief orientation and list of class subjects. I wanted to kick myself for not pushing my older sister Mica to hurry. This was our first day in our new school and it would be unpleasant if we came in late to our class. At 13, I felt nervous like an incoming kindergarten pupil.Mica and I were transferred from an exclusive girls’ school to a co-ed semi-private one. My Nanay (Mom) decided to transfer Mica as she had issues with the faculty of our previous school. And decided without telling me she included me in the process.“I want you to keep an eye on your sister. If she is all alone in that new school, who knows wh
‘I survived one week in this freaking school. Hurray!’, I thought to myself. I stuck like glue to Charm and Val, so I didn’t have to go around alone in the unfamiliar old building. We were slowly getting ourselves acclimated to the new school and its studentry. I wore our new uniform: a white blouse with a maroon school logo on the chest, maroon ribbon tied around the collar, and a skirt. One beautiful girl named Izzie lent me her book in Science and toured me in some parts of the school. Noah went with us and we had a blast going around as they made funny remarks about some teachers and students. I also got to meet the boys behind us, Archer, Jon, Enzo, Ira, and Raoul who were a bubbly bunch. And of course, Lance. He would always greet us each morning before joining the bubbly boys. This group would usually hang out along the benches under the trees, checking out girls, talking about basketball and other stuff. They seemed oblivious
As I was walking towards the girls’ locker/restroom to change into our PE Uniform, Charm grabbed me. “Hey, watch it!” Charm giggled and said, “The volleyball tryouts will be held this afternoon. Let’s go for it!” I gasped “But I don’t have a spare shirt!” Val squeezed in and said “But we do have our PE shirts and sneakers on, right? I think we’re good.” We went to the registration table and signed our names. We sat on the bleachers’ area and watched as the PE Teachers conducted tryouts for the AM and PM volleyball teams for Freshman and Sophomore. The Juniors and Seniors would have theirs in the afternoon. I saw a lot of girls trying out in their old volleyball jerseys. ‘And all I’m wearing is this crappy P.E. t-shirt.’ I badly wanted to run to the store to buy another shirt but I don’t have spare cash at the moment. Even Val and Charm were wearing other volleyball jerseys in amazing colors. I bit my lip. The teachers were calling the name
Monday. Mica was still in the shower but told me I can go ahead. I quickly put on my uniform, brushed my still wet hair, put on powder, and grabbed my bag. I do not want to be tardy and the jeepney rides usually get full before 6:30 a.m. I asked Nanay for my weekly allowance then said goodbye.I walked quickly to the jeepney stop and lined up. I was daydreaming and yawning when someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder. It was Lance. He was so cute and as usual, impeccably dressed in spotless polo and well-ironed pants. He had his blue backpack with him. I gaped and said “Hey, you’re here. Shouldn’t you be at Kamias St.?”“I told you we are going to school together, right? So it means I have to be here instead.”“Why? You walked blocks away from
Val approached me at the cafeteria and pulled me out of line. “Hey! I was almost near the food display!”I nearly screamed at him. Val ignored my protestations and whispered, “Have you seen our dear old friend Charm?”“Not really, she bolted out of the room as soon as the bell rang.”“And you did not bother following her?”“Why should I? Maybe she’s going to meet someone. And I need to buy snacks. I’m starving.”Val rolled his eyes and said, “That intense girl whats-her-name from Section 3 and her gang followed her to the restroom and I heard a screaming match!”I gaped at him, “Really? I didn’t know. Let’s go find
Browsing through the book rack, I was engrossed in the books of Stephen King. He was really a prolific writer and his stories contain both horror and humor of sorts. I really like him, and he belonged to my favorite circle of writers and novelists. Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, the list goes on. It was a quiet Saturday, and I decided to go to the National Bookstore in Quad, Makati. I was just alone, and I told Nanay I will be back a little after lunch. I only intended to buy some school supplies and t-shirts. I looked around the store and felt inundated with books. As there were new books displayed, I got so immersed in browsing through the synopsis and the first few chapters that I forgot the time. It was already past 1:00 pm when I finally left the store with my purchases. I felt the pangs of hunger. I was thinking of whether to buy something to eat or just go home when I heard my name called.
Charm was waiting for Val and me so eagerly when I came to school. I noticed she had a new hairstyle, slightly wavy and shorter. She looked so pretty. “Good morning. Why do you look so edgy today?” I sat on the bench beside her. “Let’s wait for Val first,” she breathed. Pretty soon, Val arrived and immediately came to us. “So, what’s up? Charm, I can sense that you are about to burst with some news. If it is good, go ahead and tell us. If not, I am leaving.” Charm frowned at him, then said, “I have a new boyfriend.” I looked at her. “Again?”“What do you mean again? He is my first one here in our school. His name is Gio, our senior from Section 15.” I can see how proud she was. After all, Gio was our senior and may have enough popularity points to gain her attention. “Congratulations! At least you&rs