Lunch Dates

Part 8

"Whatever. Thanks anyway," Jane teased.

They were all busy helping themselves to the cookies when Arm arrived with a bouquet of flowers.

"Hi guys," he said sheepishly. "Can I please speak with Jane in private?"

Jane almost choked on her cookie while the others exchanged amused looks.

"We'll leave you two here then," New said and signaled the others to leave with him.

Chimon, Nanon and Ohm followed him while sneaking glances at Jane and Arm.

Before they separated to go to each other's classes, Ohm told Nanon to check his messages.When Nanon, checked his phone, there was a text from Ohm: "I want two boxes of the same cookies next time, just for me."

Nanon looked at Ohm and rolled his eyes at him. After he had walked far enough, he replied, "What am I? Your personal baker? Fine, but I'll add poison to one of the cookies then. Good luck."

---

"What are the flowers for?" Jane asked Arm. They were already alone under the trees.

"I'd like to thank you for helping me last time," Arm responded, looking like a shy schoolboy.

"No need for these. I would have done the same thing to a stranger," Jane's tone was still hostile.

"I'm sorry for what I did, Jane," Arm hesitated a bit before continuing. "And those flowers are not just to thank you. I also want to say.. I like you."

"What?" Jane's eyes almost popped out after hearing what Arm said.

"You're kind. And loyal. And fierce. And beautiful too."

"Arm Kristoff Lopez I have no time for your jokes," Jane glared at him.

Arm smiled. "You know my complete name?"

Jane was taken aback. "Don't change the topic."

"I'm serious, Jane. Can we at least be friends? I mean I'd like to be more than friends but just for now?"

Jane was blushing. She took a deep breath.

"Arm, you have no idea what you're doing. So I'm giving you a chance to change your mind. Look here," she said looking Arm in the eyes. "I'm a transwoman. I have undergone full transition and I pretty much have all female body parts except for uterus and ovaries. I mean I am a woman now, but I was born male. So better think about that before you say one more thing."

She picked up her bag and gave the bouquet back to Arm.

"Don't worry, I won't take it against you if you change your mind. At least I told you the truth. Bye Arm," she then strutted away.

Arm sat on the bench not knowing what to do. He wanted to chase after Jane and tell her he doesn't care if she was trans. That he still liked her even if she wasn't a natural born woman. But he also wanted to be sure about it before saying anything. He grabbed his phone and texted Tay. "I need to talk to you asap."

---

Tay was walking towards the student publication office when he read Arm's text. He replied, "I'll see you at Starbucks in 30 minutes."

He was near the office's door when he came across New. He was supposed to say hi but New seemed to be in a rush. He didn't even say hi.

"Dude, check Twitter!" Off shouted to Tay when he saw him entering the office.

"Why? What happened?" Tay asked while bringing out his phone from his back pocket. "Just check the number one trending topic," Off replied.

Tay put his bag down and sat on the nearest chair. He checked Twitter and read the number one trending topic out loud: "Senator Quizon".