"Oy simbang gabi tayo mamaya?" Gwen ask, we all stopped walking and confusedly looked at her.

"Nasimba ka?" Lory ask. Gwen pout and rolled her eyes.

"Oo naman!" Gwen exclaimed and we all nodded.

"Kala ko demonyo kana." Tobi joked, and without warning Gwen throw a stingy slap on Tobi's shoulder.

"Ah! Aray! Puta ka!" Tobi said while messaging the part where Gwen slapped him.

"Aba! Kawasa ka! Pagkamalan pa naman akong demonyo! Anghel ako Tobias Emory! Anghel!" Sigaw ni Gwen and they burst into laughter while I just chuckle a bit shaking my head.

We are just walking to our canteen just to buy some snacks. We are 2 hours vacant because of our teachers are absent. So we are basically enjoying this.

"May palamig pa kaya?" Gwen ask as she look at the container. While I walk towards the biscuit section and bought a biscuit cracker.

Tobi grab some turon, Lory a chocolate bar, Jax a cupcake and Gwen some juice. We went out the canteen and walk towards some benches.

"Miss ko na si Ali." Jax said before she take a bite of her cupcake.

"Masyadong busy sa buhay ang babaeng 'yon. Tapos sa gabi mag cha-chat sa group chat, mga 12 pm na. Mag ke-kwento tungkol sa crush niyang walang pake sa kaniya." Gwen said and we laugh a little.

"Patay na patay siya sa lalaking 'yon." Tobi said as he took a bite of his turon.

Napa-ismid ako, agreeing with what Tobi just said. Ali is into that guy for more than a decade but that guy doesn't give a shit to her. She just give too much effort and time to that guy but he never notice her.

"Kassandra.. magasalita ka naman. Chika siz." I confusedly look at them. My eyes widened a bit indicating I am questioning what Gwen said.

"Anong sasabihin ko?" I ask.

"Ano uhm.. kung ilang beses ka umi-ihi sa isang araw." My shoulders drop as I sigh because of what Gwen said. Even Jax face palmed and probably disappointed at what Gwen just said.

"Kadiri Gwen!" Jax hissed While rubbing her forehead.

"Ako kasi mga ano lang.. 8, minsan 12 kapag nakaka dalawang bote ako ng Coke sa isang araw." Gwen said making us more disappointed and embarrassed as the same time.

"Kung andito si Ali magagalit 'yon dahil ang dami mo uminom ng soft drinks." Tobi said, Gwen gasp and look at him shocked.

"Paki ko?! Hindi ko nga pinapakialaman yung library niya na puro mpreg, o di naman kaya ay yaoi!" Gwen exclaimed making us burst into laughter. She's once again in her hysterical tone.

"Oy maganda ang yaoi!" Tobi said. Gwen's jaw dropped and just stared at Tobi, shocked.

"Oo Tobis Emory, tapos sa susunod sabihan mo nalang kami kung sino na jowa mo dito sa OLLA, ha?!" Gwen said and we started laughing.

"Ayaw ko nga ng taga dito! Gusto ko taga UST or La Salle." Tobi said, even me is shocked on what he just said.

"Putragis ka talaga Emory! Ang taas ng pangarap mo!" Gwen exclaimed.

"Babaan mo lang Tobi, mga ano lang, taga Munhigh lang." Jax joked and they started laughing.

"Mag tanong kayo kay Ali. Mag pahanap kayo ng gwapo sa Munhigh." Lory said. Gwen clapped her hand as if what Lory said is a good idea.

"Oo! Tapos pa set up ka ng date! Sogo ba?" And with that they once again burst into laughter as Gwen just suggested a hotel for a date. What the fuck?!

Tobi made a disgusted face. "Yuck! Kadiri kayo!" Tobi said as he take the last bite of his turon.

When suddenly Jax pointed at something.

"Band members 'yon diba?" She said and we all looked at the direction she's pointing.

"Ay putragis anjan na si Alejandra." Gwen said and started waving her hand.

"Babaeng marupok andito kami!" She scream as she wave her hand. They started laughing while looking back and forth to Gwen and Ali's direction. When suddenly a color guard is raised and started waving.

"Takte si Ali 'yon! Dali humanap kayo ng tela tapos itali niyo kay Tobi tutal mukhang kawayan." Gwen said and Tobi immediately pulled her hair.

"Gaga!" Tobi said and pouted as he cross his arms.

Soon Ali is already here, panting and sweating hard.

"Walang klase?" She ask as she sit beside Gwen.

"Siyempre wala, Kung meron edi Wala kami dito." Lory replied. Ali nodded before leaning on the table.

"Oh.. ayos ka Lang?" Lory ask and Ali nodded.

"Pagod ako shet! 15 rounds 'yun." She said Gwen immediately gasp.

"Gaga hindi kana virgin?!" Gwen said and Ali was able to slap shoulder immediately.

"Sira! Practice kasi! Naka 15 na ulit kami nung performance. Tuloy tuloy, walang water break! 15 Tapos 10 minutes per isang performance. 15x10!?" She said, we all looked at each other confused.

"Compute niyo!" Ali exclaimed, Jax pull her phone out from her pocket and started computing.

"150." Jax replied.

Ali nodded. "Divide mo sa 60." Ali said and Jax nodded, typing.

"2.5" Jax replied.

Ali slapped the table. "2 oras at kalahati kami dire diretso ng practice! Ma-aagasan ang baog don!" She said and once again lean on the table.

"Sisimba kayo mamaya?" She tiredly ask.

"Tanong ko rin sa kanila 'yan kanina. Pero pinagkamalan ba naman akong demonyo!" Gwen said and Ali chuckled.

"Hindi ba?" She ask, Gwen gasped and acted so shocked.

"Mukha ka ngang galon ng tubig-

"Ulol! Gaga!" Ali immediately said.

Then Ali stand up. "Simba kayo mamaya, Mag pe-perform kami sa harap ng simbahan." Ali said before turning her back to us.

"Hoy aalis kana agad?" Lory ask.. Ali sigh and nod.

"Kailangan.. mother majorette." She said before slowly walking away, looking so tired and exhausted.

"Nakaka-awa si Ali minsan." Tobi said and we nod.

"Simba nalang tayo mamaya. At least masuportahan natin siya." Jax said and we nodded.

"Anong oras start ng misa?" Gwen ask..

"6:30pm ata." Jax replied and Gwen nodded.

"Saan tayo mag-kikita kita?" Gwen ask..

"Sa simbahan na." Lory replied and we nodded.

"6:15 ako pupunta." Tobi said.

"Ako din, malapit lang naman bahay namin." Jax said..

"Maybe mga 6:20 ako." I said.

"Basta dadating nalang kami don ni Lory, diba?" Gwen said smiling at Lory.

Lory chuckled, "Yes, magugulat nalang kayo katabi niyo na kami."

-

"Sisismba ka mamaya?" I shyly ask Jiro as we walk towards a tricycle.

He hum before shrugging. I pout and entered followed by him.

"Hindi ko sure.. pero titingnan ko." He said and I nodded..

Then the tricycle started and drove off.

"Bakit nga pala hindi ka sinusundo ng sasakyan niyo?" He ask, I scrunch up my nose and shrug.

"I just want to." I replied and he nodded.

"Text me if makakarating ka sa simba mamaya." I said. Then I saw how he scratch the back of his head. An unsure expression on his face.

"Ah ano kasi.. wala na akong load." He said and he smiled.

"No problem.. papa-loadan kita once I arrived home." I said and he nodded.

When the tricycle stopped in front of our house I paid for our fare and bid goodbye to him. The first thing I did when I lay down on my bed is to buy a load for Jiro. After that I went down stairs to ask Lola's permission.

And gladly she let me, of course I told her I'm with my friends. And that's true. But not sure if Jiro will be there.

By 5:30 I started fixing myself. I take a body shower and slip on some white polo and a pants. I grab my Mickey Mouse body bag that I got from Hong Kong and put my belongings in there.

By 6:10 I ask our driver to send me to the Church. When I arrived there I saw Tobi and Jax seating at the patio.

"Mukhang late na-naman si Lory at Gwen.." Tobi said. My brows furrowed and I look at my phone clock.

"Hindi pa naman, maaga pa." I said and they nodded.

We waited for few more minutes. Band members started arriving and even Ali. So she talk to us for some minutes until their instructor called her.

Then by 6:25 Lory and Gwen arrived.

"Akala namin kaming tatlo lang ang sisipot." Jax said.

Gwen wrapped her arm around Jax's shoulder.

"Anak ganito kasi, may mag problema tayo sa buhay. Gaya ng pinilit ako ng nanay ko na isuot ang bagong design ng dress sa tindahan niya. Edi nagkagulo muna kami kasi gusto ko ay pantalon lang." Gwen said and we laugh for a little before entering the church.

The mass started, without Jiro texting me. So I assume he can't make it. Which is sad and upset me a bit.

When mass ended the band perform. With a box in front of Ali where you can put donations that they will give to the church.

Ali explained this to us already. I grab a twenty pesos bill from my wallet and put it on the box. I saw Ali smiled at me and I smiled at her back.

But her smile look so tired. She needs some rest.

As usual, we are just five for now. Not until our town fiesta came, Ali would be always at her practice.

Day by day, our Christmas party is getting closer. So our classroom is full of Christmas decoration that all of us helped to do.

"Laura, kapag ako nabunot mo sa exchange gift, 'wag picture frame ang iregalo mo, ha? Kung hindi ibabatikal ko sa'yo 'yon." Gwen said and we started laughing.

"Grabe naman yung ibatikal. Pwede namang hampas lang." I said and Gwen shake her head.

"Kapag talaga picture frame ang ibibigay mo sa akin. Picture mo ilalagay ko don tapos ilalagay ko sa altar." Gwen said and we burst into laughter.

"Grade 10 quiet! Wala pa ba 'yung mga band members?" Our teacher ask. My brows furrowed.

"Dadating ang band members?" I whispered. Gwen shrug.

I look at the door and my eyes widened. There Ali enter the door, panting so hard. She walk towards her seat, which is beside me before dropping and leaning on the arm rest.

"Huy Ali.. okay ka Lang?" I worriedly ask.. her shoulders go up and down and I can hear her deep breaths.

"Andito na ang band members. Good, ipapa-ikot ko na ang bunutan." Our teacher said before handing the fish bowl at or classmate who's in front.

"Uy Ali okay ka lang?" Gwen as who's looking at Ali worriedly.

Ali's panting and deep breaths really sound stressing. It's like she sounds so in much hassle and tiredness.

Gwen is the first one to among us six who draw from the bowl. Then Jax, Tobi, Lory then my turn.

"Ali.. ikaw na." I said handing Ali the bowl.

She raised her hand and wave. "Ikaw na bumunot, sandale Lang." She said, I pursed my lips before picking another paper before handing it to my classmates.

"Ali oh.." I said tapping her arm slightly.

Then she finally look up, her face covered in sweats.

"Sino nabunot niyo?" She immediately ask while fixing her hair.

"Si Tobi sa akin." Gwen said showing the paper to us.

Tobi laughed. "Ay Gaga, gandahan mo ha." Tobi said.

"Sige t-shirt na puti." Gwen replied.

But she just earn a slap from Tobi.

"Yung akin?" Ali ask and I immediately handed her the paper. When she look at it she frown.

"Sino?"I asked.

She sigh. "Nico." She said.

"Kilig ka?" I ask, her eyes widened and shake her head.

"Band members pwede na kayong bumalik sa practice niyo." Our teacher announce. Then Ali stoand up.

"Alis na ako, bye." She said but I immediately stopped her.

"Pahinga ka muna." I said and she shake her head.

"No time for rest." She said before running outside the room.

"Workaholic amputa." Gwen said.

-

"Oy! Andito na si Laura!" Tobi said, I chuckled before putting down my bag and my gift.

Its our Christmas Party. And just like typical Christmas Party here at our school, everyone look so good on their dresses. Everyone is wearing a good looking clothes.

"Si Ali? Gwen?" I ask.. Tobi shake his head.

"Wala pa.. kami palang tatlo." He replied And I nodded.

Soon our other classmates arrived. Ali and Gwen too. Then the party started. We started in games, then we eat then the gifts. Our teacher started first, she got our president so she gave him her gift. Then our president is next to give his gift and it goes on.

Until someone called my name. I stand up and receive my gift. Someone handed me the mic.

"So.. ang napili ko po ay.. mabait, friend ko, tapos uhm... moody. Si Lory po." I said, I saw how shock is Lory before walking towards me and receive her gift.

"Mabait ako?" She whispered and I laugh.

Then Lory gave her gift to our other classmate. Then it's Tobi's turn. It turns out that Tobi got Jax. Then Jax got Ali. Ali got Nico of course so it's just Gwen and Tobi who hasn't received their gift yet.

But Nico got Gwen. And among of us all students, Tobi was the last one who received his gift.

By 1:30pm we decided to go home. I took some rest and sleep. By 3:30pm I woke up and grab some food to eat. When my phone suddenly beeped.

From Jiro:
How was your day?

A smile grew on my face as I read his message.

To Jiro:
Fine.. I received a decent gift.

I laugh a little because of how I describe the cute body bag I receive from the exchange gift.

From Jiro:
Are you free? Let's grab some snacks.

I smiled and started typing.

To Jiro:
But fetch me.

From Jiro:
Of course.. meters away from your house.

My smile grew wider. I jump out of my bed and walk towards my closet to get some good clothes. I put on some Polo Sports shirt and a pants.

I put on my light pink vans and ready to go.

I went downstairs and told Lola I'll just meet with my friends. Lie.

I went out and walk to the tree where Jiro and I would meet sometimes.

And there he is, on a black shorts and white shirt. His hair brush at the back making him look good.

"You look nice." I complimented.

He shyly smile. "Thanks. Let's go?" He said and I nodded.

We call for a tricycle and get inside. He told the driver to go to the park which confused me a bit.

We arrived at the park. And there I saw some booths for Christmas.

"Woah! Why didn't I notice these here?" I said as I started walking through the booths. Some are food booths, some are souvenirs and shirts.

"Look here." He said and I followed him. It's an accessories shop.

"I've been eyeing to this pair of bracelets." He said pointing at a couple bracelet in the color of blue.

"Do you like it?" He ask..

I pursed my lips.

I don't really wear accessories. But if it's important of means something to me. I would wear it.

So I nod and smiled. He bought the bracelet. I saw it was a hundred and fifth pesos. Which made me feel bad. He probably save up for that.

"Here." He said showing me the bracelet.

But I didn't reach for it. Instead I reach my hand forward. Indicating he should put the bracelet on me.

He chuckled. "Okay.. I didn't expect that." He said and I bite my lower lip.

Gladly he isn't looking to he would probably scold me about it.

"It's looks nice to you." He said. I look at my wrist and realize it does look good on me.

"Look." I was confused at first when he suddenly intertwine our hands. And the bracelet has a half heart shaped pendant. But when our hands met the heart attached to each other.

"Isn't it cute?" He ask.. my eyes widened and started nodding.

"It is!" I excitedly said.

But is this called excitement? Or is it kilig?

Whatever it is I'm happy to feel this kind of happiness.

Me and Jiro explore other booths. Some good booths, some ice cream and drinks. Until we are both full.

"I like that cheese ice cream." I said as I lightly rub my stomach.

"It's the banana chip for me." He said and I gasped.

"Yeah.. it's good too." I said.

He look at the sky. "It's getting late. Let's get you home." He said before one. Again reaching for my hand. Intertwining it with his.

"It's really cute." He said and I smiled. Feeling my cheeks heat up.

His hands really feel so warm. And I like this kind of feeling. I feel safe when he intertwine our hands.

I want to feel this warm always. I want to be with him, at his side always.

"Uh.. Jiro." I called. He just hum and continue to walk.

"How long have you been courting me?" I hesitantly ask.

He stopped walking and turn his body to face me.

"I think.. almost three months." He replied and I nodded.

"Do you.. really.. like me?" I ask.. his brows furrowed before chuckling.

"Of course Laura. I really really really like you." He said. I smiled and slightly nodded.

"Uhm.. would you mind asking me to be your girlfriend?" I shyly ask.

To be honest I don't know how this works. I ask Ali about this a while ago but seems like I forgot what she told me and advice me.

I hear him chuckled before clearing his throat.

"Laura Kassandra Milendez.. would you be my girlfriend?" He ask..

I feel my cheeks heat up, I bite my lower lip and started nodding.

"Yes... I would be your girlfriend." I shyly said. I saw how his smile widened.

"And I am your boyfriend now." He said and I nodded..

I chuckled "And you are mine now." I said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•