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Chapter XXIII: Under Pressure
The bell rang, jolting me back to consciousness. I was a nervous wreck as I tried to pack my bag and get ready for a lunch break. I quickly whipped out my pocket mirror and checked my reflection. Good thing I still looked nice. I decided to tie up my hair to my usual ponytail. Izzie and Noah already went down and I stood up and went to the window to check the people going to the cafeteria. I groaned. It's like everyone in the building decided to go there for lunch. "Hey, are you coming?," Lance asked from the door. I took a deep breath then turned to face him. "Yes, I am." We walked down the stairs. I was thinking of how to tell him that I have a lunch date and it's with someone else. I quickly scanned the groups of students going down the stairwell and into the lobby. There's no sign of Alfred. I was thinking, 'He might back off. There are just too many students in the cafeteria and it will not be a good thing for us to have our lunch together.' I sighed in disappointme
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Romancing the 80's Chapter XXIV: Double Whammy
"I really would love to go out with you this weekend. I am not sure why you are hesitating. I can see that you also like me. So, what's really stopping you?" Alfred's voice was raspy, even grating. I could not immediately respond. He seemed just about to lose his temper. We had been on the line for over 30 minutes and most of it was just going back and forth on whether I will consent to his request or not. My head's throbbing so bad. I did not want to make him angry, however, I could not just accede. "I am not sure if I am ready to go on a date with someone, that's all." My voice came out pleading. I looked at the watch and saw it was almost 10:20 pm. I told Lance I would call him back at 10:00 and we're still at a stalemate. Alfred was quiet for some time, then he said, "Ok. Just so you will go out with me, you can bring a friend as a chaperone. I will also bring someone so your friend does not have to feel like a third wheel." I was surprised by this suggestion.
Romancing the 80's Chapter XV: Holiday Cheer
The following week, our class held our Christmas Party. We had a grand time exchanging gifts. I gave some to my friends and hurriedly moved to Charm's room. I saw her inside chatting noisily with her classmates. I caught her eye and she met me at the door. "Merry Christmas!" I said and gave her my present. She hugged me, and whispered, "Same to you, my best friend." That was how we patched up our differences. She asked me to call her up that night before I went back to our room. Our groups were planning to go to Holiday Plaza, so we quickly gathered our stuff. I did not see Val, Alfred, or his group anywhere. I guess they're all busy with their own last-day of school jaunts. Suddenly, Tina and her friends crowded the door and asked for Lance. I saw Lance's face turned red, but he stood up and approached her. Her friends were tittering loudly as Tina gave a package to Lance. The bubbly boys were looking so amused and getting ready to roast Lance. Tina also slipped a letter to him bef
Romancing the 80's Chapter XVI: All That You Want
The holidays came and went. Alfred called me up twice and even greeted me just before New Year's Eve. I did not get to see nor hear from Lance after Christmas. He seemed stunned when I told him about Alfred's declaration that I was his girlfriend. He did not stay long and he excused himself. I tried calling him up multiple times, but no one answered. I was really downhearted. Our classes resumed the next week. My classmates were all excited to see each other, while some were still feeling hungover from the long school break. We were about to start when I saw Lance quickly slipped in his seat. He did not look back at me. I sighed. When the bell rang for our recess, I saw him stepped outside with the rest of the bubbly boys. Izzie glanced at me. "Is there something wrong with you and Lance?" I grimaced and said, "I am not really sure. He seems to be avoiding me after Christmas." Izzie plowed on, "Why? There must be a reason for that." I mindlessly open my book and clicke
Romancing the 80's Chapter XXVII: Secrets
Our class advisor Ms. Garcin made a surprise announcement the following week. "We are sending a representative to the February Mr. and Ms. Junior/Senior Valentines pageant. I did a quick survey amongst you and other students and teachers to see who has the most number of possible votes. And I got the name of their favorite student." We waited with bated breath she made the announcement. She was smiling at us as she looked around. "Mr. Lance Javier, we would be honored if you will represent Class III-1. I am not going to be happy if you decline, of course," she said grinning while putting on her intimidating stance. I clapped my hand on my mouth and quickly glanced at Lance. He was sitting there, looking totally dumbfounded. My classmates cheered and clapped their hands. Jon and Ira were loudly cheering and jeering at the same time. Noah was shrieking, and totally drowning the others. Archer tapped Lance's shoulder, saying "You go, Mr. Heartthrob. Time to shine." Lance looked like he
Romancing the 80's Chapter XXVIII: Simply Irresistible
The largely girl-dominated population of school resoundingly cheered on the male candidates for the upcoming Mr. and Ms. Junior/Senior Valentines pageant especially when Lance and Alfred were introduced. The boys were quiet and glowered at the candidates. The girls were all noisily calling out the names of the two and the host of the introduction program in our assembly had to yell in her bid to shush the excited students. The rest of the candidates were like backdrops for the two. Lance was wearing an immaculate white long-sleeved polo tucked in light brown pants, while Alfred donned a black, long-sleeved polo tucked in black pants. The contrasting look of the top two candidates only heightened the delirium of the girl students. I was the one behind it as I knew beforehand what Alfred would be wearing and I instructed Lance to wear the exact opposite. I was grinning like mad as I saw the effect of their complementing looks. I also assigned Ira to take pictures using his own camera.
Romancing the 80's Chapter XXIX: Calm Before The Storm
Alfred and I were dining at his favorite Italian restaurant when he broached Val and Charm. "How long have you been friends with them? And how come they are not in your class?" I explained our story and why they were not in my class. He just nodded, then said, "Why don't you bring Charm to our date next Saturday? It might be nice to have her so I can get to know her. I will bring Albert with me. He asked about her. He seems interested." I was a bit surprised by his suggestion. He told me he did not really like double dates. "I have to ask her first. I am not sure if she is interested in your friend. I'll get back to you." He smiled at me, "Make her come. Come on, babe. Use your power of persuasion. Albert will be so happy." I made a mental note to call her up as soon as I get home. "Charm, can you do me that just one tiny favor, please? You don't have to like the guy. Just come with me on Saturday." Charm said no the first time, but she sounded as though a bit interest
Romancing the 80's Chapter XXX: Final Counting
As expected, the next two weeks were a flurry of the mad, exhausting pursuit to the finish line. Alfred and I barely managed to see each other, except when he drops by my room or during quick lunch breaks. He apologized for what happened that weekend, and he sounded so remorseful I had to forgive him. Charm came up to me to make amends as she was very bothered by what happened. I had to assure her that everything's fine. We focused more on our projects and campaign. It was a tight race between Alfred and Lance until Alfred revealed his last card in the final week of the campaign. I should have known he was holding on to something. Alfred and his classmates set up a booth just near the stage area one afternoon, and they put up his posters and banners showcasing his print ads and previous competitions won. Not only that, but he also brought in his fellow models to stand and invite students to buy ballots. The students literally fell to the wiles of both male and fe
Romancing the 80's Chapter XXXI: Prom Night
Alfred and I were sitting at the cafeteria, drinking soda. He was so cool, vibrant, and as usual, babbling non-stop about his victory. "I went to my father's company yesterday and he told his friends to buy the remaining ballots from me. My mom also bought the other batch. I just came back to school today and almost missed that final counting. Good thing my adviser called up the house to remind me." I congratulated him after the furor died down. He was able to approach me after extracting himself from the adoring crowd in the faculty area. He won by a mile over his nearest competitor. I just listened to him, waiting for the chance to ask him what happened in the nearly 5 days he was away. Students kept coming to him, congratulating him over the victory that it would be impossible to talk over something so serious. Soon, the school bell rang to signal the start of the next classes. I stood up and waited for him. He was still chatting with some of his classmates. He waved at them then
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