One

Ten

“What are your plans this summer, babe?” I asked Bette as we walked home from school. Summer vacation officially starts and we are going to her place before I go home.

“I don’t know yet. But I heard Mom wants to visit Granny. And you, for sure you will have a greater time at the camp.” She winked at me. I playfully shoved her and then we laughed.

“By the way, can we go out before the classes starts? That’s the only time we have that we can spend together. No little sisters, ok!”

“Okay! Plan it then, just let me know where and when. And yeah, no sisters allowed.”

...........

A few days later, I just got home from the mall with my sister when I received a message from Althea, “Hi! See you tomorrow. Save seats whoever comes early?” my heart leapt in joy and replied with a big smile on my face, “ Hello! See you and whoever comes early shall save a seat.” Oh my gosh, I can’t wait for tomorrow to come. It will be the first time that I will see her up close and we will sit next to each other! I must have been very nice lately because I thought the highlight of me volunteering at the summer camp will be working with her together. Life indeed is full of surprises.

Looking back to the day we formally met.. Few days after i saw her at the gym.

"Hi! Uhm Jade, right?"

I was at the grocery checking out the expiration date of a canned meat I was holding, when i got the biggest surprise of my life. I looked to my left and there she was. Looking delicious --wait, what?!

"H-Hi!" I stammered. "You are-- uhm.."

"Althea. Althea Guevarra. We go to the same school and i am a fan." She held out her hand to shake.

"Ah yes, yes of course." As i shook her hand. "but what do you mean by, 'you're a fan?' Ahm, are you kinda mistaken or something?

She laughed. "No. Ok. You don't remember seeing me at the locker when that idiot boy asked for his videocam back?"

"I did... I think." Darn, i just had to pretend.

"Well we saw each other again at the cafeteria.. Err not really but --you know what i mean, right?" She looked down, "I think i'm making a fool out of my self."

I feel stupid at that moment. Busted. And i know my cheeks were red. I tried to save my self by saying. "No, hey ahmm sorry i'm being stupid. Yes. I do remember you. Sorry." I smiled sheepishly.

"So, uhmm..."

"Look, Althea, i really am sorry. I'm just shy around people." (Specially you) I almost muttered.

"Nah, it's ok." She smiled sweetly and God, her eyes. I could melt right there. Feeling uneasy, i asked her what she's going to buy. Then we started to talk easily. We talked about Arnold and she complimented me for being able to stand up to bullying. Then i shared with her the summer camp and my desire to go back there every summer as a volunteer. We then paid for our stuffs and went to the bike racks. We said our goodbyes and i went the opposite way.

Little did i know, it will be the start of a new beginning...

So, i went up to my bedroom and called Bette, “Hey! Guess what had just happen”

“What?! is it about Althea?”

“How did you know??”

“I can sense your excitement, babe. Go on and spill!”

“Hmp! Well anyway, she texted me saying that she’ll meet me tomorrow at the bus station and then whoever comes in early will save a seat for the other.”

“OMG! Seriously??”

“Yes! Oh, I am so happy, babe.. And nervous, oh my god, this will be the first time that I will talk to her closely and – and can you believe it? WE-ARE-GOING-TO-SIT-NEXT-TO-EACH-OTHER!!” I screamed in delight. I did a pirouette only to be stopped shortly and my phone slipped and fell into the carpet. I was shocked to see Anne on my bedroom door with her hands to her chest watching me intently. Shit! How long has she been standing there? My heart beats faster, “Wha – ehermp What? why are you here?”