Chapter 1

“That’s fantastic everyone! You can have a break and then be back here in fifteen minutes for our final rehearsal.” Ms. Virgil clapped as the dance club she’s supervising almost perfectly executed the dance number for the school program tomorrow. Today’s practice was extra rigid for all the members since they’ve been rehearsing for almost two hours already.

Kim grabbed her towel from her bag and wiped the streaming sweat off her face and exclaimed to Melissa and Romeo, “It’s about time we’re given a break. I badly need a bathroom break!”

And she dashed out of the gymnasium towards the bathroom before her two friends could reply. She sprinted back towards the gym after she was finished and as she rounded the corner, she was not able to stop herself from colliding into the person rounding from the other side.

“Whoa… Kim? Why are you in such a hurry?” Lawrence asked as he grabbed for her before she fall down.

“Oooppssies! Sorry Renz,” Kim replied. “I’m on my way back to the gym. Our practice’s not finished yet.” Dang o dang, she thought, of all the people here in school, why should I bump into him? Renz or Lawrence Villaruel IV was a good looking boy, with clean-cut black hair, brown complexion, almond-shaped dark brown eyes, perfect teeth and a very attractive dimple on both his cheeks when he smiles. He’s one of the certified jocks at the university and girls promptly follow him everywhere. Many thought he is a good catch since aside from the fact that he is loaded with money, he’s also a decent student and a varsity of the school’s swimming team.

Kim on the other hand, thought that he’d be a good catch only to those who like airheads. She thought he would be a likable guy if he would just deflate his ego in half and do even just fifty percent of the things he said. She still could not forget how he bragged to a lot of people that he’s courting Kim when the only ‘courting’ thing he did was flirt with her when they meet in the corridors. He did not even call her or even ask her to the movies or take her out to eat. Not that she would agree if he asks, but those are the normal things a guy would if he was courting a girl. But the number one reason she disliked Renz was because Gerald didn’t like him at all. And that was reason enough already.

“I’ll walk with you then. I was also on my way there to watch the practice.” Lawrence said, much to Kim’s dismay.

“But aren’t you going to the opposite direction when we bumped into each other?” Kim asked.
“I was actually going to the library but I changed my mind. I’ll watch your dance practice instead.” He insisted. Kim just sighed inwardly. It was easier to give in than try to discourage him anyway.

“How are…” Kim started to ask Renz how he was but something suddenly hit her from the back that one moment she was upright, the next instant, she found herself sprawled on the floor. The wind was knocked out of Kim that she just laid there for a few seconds. Renz was just getting up from the floor when she finally got her breath and noticed him.

Two grade school boys were chasing each other and were running too fast when they rounded the corner they were not able to stop themselves from bumping into Kim and Lawrence. They just laughed at the two on the floor and continued their game without even a backward glance.

“Those stupid boys! And why are they playing here in the college building?” Renz barked. He held out his hands to pull Kim up when another boy came barreling around the same corner and bumped into him again. He landed smack into Kim, his face into her face, his lips right into her lips.

Kim was surprised with the accidental kiss she sprang up so fast that she got dizzy and swayed in her place. Renz grabbed her again to steady her and asked if she’s feeling all right.

She just nodded her head and with her face flaming, blurted out, “ I’m sorry…I’m going…very late for the practice!” She stammered and ran so fast as if the hounds from hell were after her.

Renz’s quizzing frown followed her back but after a few seconds, the frown was replaced by a smug look. She’s greatly affected, he said out loud, smiling widely as he walked away. She must have some feelings towards me.

*******
‘Mel, I’ll meet you at the food court. I promised Gerald I’ll meet him after his practice and I’m already ten minutes late, he would already be mad at me.’ Kim said to Melissa as they both grabbed their bags and headed towards the gym’s exit. Dance practice finally ended for the day and they’re the last ones to leave the gym.

Melissa saw the wide smile and the glow in her friend’s eyes when she mentioned Gerald. She can also feel Kim’s giddiness right that moment she looked at her friend questioningly and said, ‘Hhhmmmmmm…..you know what, I noticed something different about you lately. You seem to be glowing,’ Melissa remarked to Kim. “Especially when you talk about Gerald and then I noticed na lahat ng requests niya sinusunod mo. Minsan pa nga, hindi pa siya tapos sa request nya, tango ka na ng tango na parang mechanical dog na yung ulo, tumatango nonstop. Parang iba na yan ha, friend?’

‘Hoy, ano bang pinagsasabi mo dyan! Parang hindi mo pa alam na sya ang bestfriend ko among the guys. Katulad mo, ikaw ang bestfriend ko among the girls.’

‘Talaga? Bestfriend lang ha? Ako bestfriend mo din, pero bakit minsan hindi mo ako sinisipot sa usapan natin? Bakit hindi ka natataranta kung late ka sa date natin? Ano yun, mas lamang si Gerald kesa akin? Oh baka naman meron nang something between you two na hindi nyo lang sinasabi sa amin,’ Melissa replied, wiggling her eyebrows at Kim.

‘Hoy, tumigil ka nga! Nangingilabot ako sa sinasabi mo. Wala akong may sinasabi sa iyo kasi wala namang nangyayari sa amin aside from being bestfriends no!’ Kim answered back, but with less conviction than she intended. ‘Sige na, see you later friend.’

Wala naman talagang sasabihin eh Kim thought to herself as she walked towards the covered court where the school’s basketball team was temporarily practicing because the gym was being used by the dance club. There was nothing to tell anyone because there was nothing but deep friendship between her and Gerald. Nothing at all except deep friendship nga lang talaga dapat. But she didn’t know when her feelings towards Gerald changed. When was the exact time she crossed the line? She’s been racking her brains trying to pinpoint the exact time when her feelings for Gerald went beyond friendship but she could not remember.

All she knew was that she just woke up one day and realized she has already fallen for her best friend. She finally noticed Gerald’s brown eyes that sparkled when he’s happy and turned murky when he’s upset. The one hundred kilowatt smile he bestowed on her each time she did something for him was compensation enough for her to want to do anything he wanted. She had finally been aware of him physically and realized that he is drool-worthy handsome, that looking at him made her heart beat erratically, and tingles spread all over her body. Her male best friend was indeed gorgeous and she saw now what other girls had seen for a long time.

It’s not only Gerald’s physical traits that got her head over heels over him however. His innate kindness towards anyone was the one thing that she liked about him from the start. He got on so well with all kinds of people from different walks of life. He’s so selfless that he always think of others first, and would offer his food to others before taking a bite out of it. All their girl friends has gotten used to him opening doors for them, helping them carry heavy stuffs or wait for all of them to be seated first before he’d take a seat when they will eat together. He willingly helps people without being asked. These little things already impressed Kim even then.

She didn’t know if Gerald was feeling any different towards her but it doesn’t bother her at all. She’ll just try to ignore the strange but happy feeling bursting inside her whenever she’s with Gerald and be contented with the way things are at the moment.

The door of the covered court suddenly opened as she was reaching for it and Matt Evans, one of Gerald’s best buddies came out.

‘Matt! Are they finished with the practice?’

‘Yes Kim, And Gerald said you wait for him. Is Mel already at the foodcourt?’

‘Yes, she’s waiting for us there. See you later.’

She was giddy with excitement because for her, it seemed like she hasn’t seen Gerald in ages when in fact, they had lunch together earlier. She went inside the covered court and craned her neck to search for Gerald and found him after a few seconds search only. But what she saw froze her in place.

Gerald was kissing Brenda – their friend and cheerleader captain - right in front of the whole basketball and cheerleading team. Kim can only stare open-mouthed as the world tilted on its axis and crashed on her, taking all the air around her. The jeers, whistles and the applause from both teams jolted her back into reality.

She spun on her heels, trying to hold back the tears that were stubbornly falling down her cheeks. Kim, get a hold of yourself, she thought. After all, there’s nothing between you and Gerald. You have no right to feel the hurt, the pain and the jealousy that you’re feeling right now. You have no right, Kim. You do not own him.

Kim continued the chant inside her head, hoping to convince herself and most especially her heart. She took several deep breaths to compose herself, wiped the tears off her face and pasted on a smile before opening the door of the foodcourt. She immediately spotted Melissa and Matt at their usual place along with Romeo, Aldred, Cathy, Regine and David.

‘Hi guys, sorry I have no time to eat anymore. I forgot my Mom and I have somewhere else to go and I’m already running late!’

‘What? But where’s Gerald?’ Aldred asked.

‘Uhm…he’s still at the practice, so guys bye, I’ll go ahead.’

‘But Kim…wait, we’re going too.’ Melissa said and everyone stood up, gathered their things and followed Kim out of the foodcourt towards the parking lot.

‘Kim, is something wrong?’ Regine asked.

‘Something wrong?’ Kim pasted on a very bright, very fake smile and turned towards her friend.

‘No, nothing’s wrong. What made you think that way?’

Melissa, Romeo, Cathy and Regine just looked at each other and Cathy replied, ‘Uhm, it’s just that…’

‘Hello! I’m ok. Just running late for my date with my Mom.’

The others just looked at each other questioningly, for they can see tearstains on her face. But they just kept quiet and continued walking as Melissa sidled up to Matt and whispered something to him.

‘Guys! Good thing I caught up with you,’ Brenda exclaimed suddenly from behind. ‘I’ve been to the food court but none of you was there. Somebody told me you’ve already left so I ran as fast as I could hoping to catch you here and thank God I did.’

Kim greeted Brenda as cordially as she could, even though deep inside she’s hurting so much. It’s not Brenda’s fault Gerald chose her, so she cannot be angry with her friend. She had been a fool, pining over Gerald without even thinking that maybe Gerald is in love with someone else. And now she saw with her own eyes the proof that Gerald already has a girl. Aside from the pain and jealousy she felt, she’s also hurt that Gerald has not confided anything to her at all.

She continued walking towards her car as the others trooped behind her. They talked among themselves, catching each other about their day while shooting worried glances over a very quiet, spaced out Kim. Brenda suddenly said ‘Kim, may sasabihin pala ako sa iyo!’

Kim didn’t know what came over her but she just suddenly found herself blurting out, ‘Ah, alam ko na iyon. I saw Gerald kissing you.” She laughed a little hysterically and continued. “Siguro, it must be kissing day today coz I’ve been kissed by Renz too!’ And with that announcement, she ran towards her car and drove away in haste before any of her friends could utter a word.

Everyone can only gasp at Kim’s revelation, their eyes bulging out of the socket, their mouths hanging wide open. Then all their heads turned in unison when they heard someone exclaim from behind.

“That son of a bitch!”