Zec (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER II : Inception

There are no warning signs... We just met and that's it... I'm completely in love with you...

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June 2002. 

"Cez, wake up before you get late on your first day at school!", Mama slightly shook my shoulders to wake me up then left my room. 

I remembered that this day is very special! My mind completely awakened! Our freshmen year would be a blast!

My crush enrolled on the same school I'm going to! I am so giddy! Last night, I slept late because I stalked her Friendster profile. I learned from her friends' comment on what school she'll attend to. They were also leaving messages saying, 'good luck' and 'we will miss you'. She have so many friends and I stalked them all to check all the updates related to her. Satisfied with the information I got, I slept late last night with a big smile on my lips.

I showered then went to the kitchen and drank my hot cup of coffee as quickly as possible. I didn't like eating heavy breakfast. Hot coffee or hot milk is fine. I kissed Mama goodbye with too much excitement on my face. She's looking at me like three heads suddenly popped out of my body.

When I arrived at the school gate, I checked my watch. It's only 6 AM! I am too early! I saw that the gate was still half closed and there's a security guard at an open window. I greeted him, "Hello! Good morning! Mister Guard were there any other students inside the school?"

He answered, "Good morning! Yes, there were few students before you. They said they needed to be early to check what class sections they were in. You could enter too if you want."

"Alright! I will check my class section too! Thank you, Mister!". 

I am going to go find my room before exploring the school ground. Maybe my crush isn't here yet. I didn't want to send a text to her to avoid telling her that I already knew about her being enrolled in the same school as me. She didn't even tell me that news and never posted anything about it except her group of friends. I am updated because of her useful friends! Ha-ha!

I walked and checked every hallway to see the list of students posted per classroom. I couldn't find my name on the lower sections area, so I presumed I'm included on one of the higher sections. After another thirty minutes of walking, I found my name on the last room at the left wing of the main building. I'm included in one of the highest sections! I went inside the classroom and I was surprised to see HER! 

She greeted me, "Oh! Hello there, Princess and My Madrid Queen! It's nice to see you again!"

My heart somersaulted. I felt that there were butterflies in my stomach and my soul floated outside my body! Her smile's brighter than the sunrise! My knees wobbled like jelly when she walked closer to me. What kind of magic is this? Answer me, girl! Is this still a simple crush? Or am I starting to fall in love with you?! Miss Milena Suárez... You're one of a kind! 

She invited me to sit next to her while we wait for the other students and our class adviser. And for that whole day, my mind's soaring in fantasy island!

Few weeks passed and I'm still not recovering from the shock! I couldn't believe that we're classmates! I thanked all the Gods and Goddesses for listening to my prayers! They gave me the chance to be part of her life. Seeing her every school day made every seconds of my life extra meaningful. We eventually became best of friends! We're always together even on weekends! Along with our deepening friendship, my feelings for her grew too. 

But I think she wouldn't like me more than a friend. She's boyish but she never had a romantic feeling for a girl. Even though boys and girls were swooning over her at school, she doesn't even care.

Our class ended early today. We're cleaning up the room when I randomly asked her if ever there's a chance that she'll accept a girl's confession to her. 

She replied, "Whoa! Princess?! Why would you ask something like that? And, is it necessary to be specific about the gender? Do I look like I'm into girls? You know, since I was a kid, I already planned my wedding! I'm just waiting for the man of my dreams."

She's like me. Planning about wedding stuffs at an early age. But everything could change, right?

I asked again, "But is there a chance that you'll be in love with a girl?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'll cross the bridge when I get there. I never experienced feeling something special for a girl. I'm just boyish in my appearance because I don't like cosmetics and fancy girly clothes."

"But is that okay with you? A girl confessing her love for you? And would you still agree to be friends with her even after you rejected her feelings?" 

"Hmmm... honestly, when I grew up, I realized that I don't really care about the gender. The important thing is the personality of the person that I'll fall inlove with. But if I rejected the feelings of that someone then maybe it's too awkward for us to be friends. Hey, wait a minute! Are you confessing to me now? We only started being friends!"

She laughed like a mad girl. Ouch! I expected that answer, but it still hurt. I wanted to know if I had a chance, but by the way she reacted, I'm scared that she'll avoid me and stop being friends with me. She's right that we've only known each other for weeks, but I couldn't stop myself to develop feelings for her! I already felt something special for her from the very first day we met. 

I masked my hurt feelings by laughing with her and then I changed the topic to avoid myself confessing to her in no time.

"Lena, the students from the other building invited us to play badminton with them later, 7 PM at the court. Do you want us to join them? The match is for doubles. And I want to have a great partner like you." I bit my lip to stop myself adding, "My badminton partner and my partner in life if you would like." 

She replied, "But I don't want you to be my partner! I don't like it! Never ever!" Then she laughed.

I frowned at her answer. She's rejecting me too much!

She saw my sad face and said, "Hey don't be sad Princess! I don't want you to be my partner because I only wanted you to be my opponent. You're great! I told you that! I am impressed by how you play at the court! I enjoy playing when we're against each other! We're so meant to be!"

I turned my back away from her to hide my flushed face. I quickly grabbed my bag and left her at the classroom! I hate her! She started annoying me then saying sweet things to me! She didn't even know the effects on me when she's being like that!

She followed me outside, "Hey, Princess are you mad? Don't be mad at me, please? Okay I'll be your partner for later. I needed to go home first and take a nap. See you 5 PM at the court! Our opponents will regret that they challenged us!"

She pinched me on my side and kissed my cheeks before running on the hallway.

I ran after her and shouted, "Hey, Lena! Don't run or you might stumble and fall!"

She stopped running and confusingly looked at me. She shouted back, "Don't worry, Princess! I am sure of my footing! I can't be tripped easily! Come on! We need to hurry back home so we could go to the court early! Let's warm up first! I want you to be my opponent! And I wish you would beat me this time, my idol!"

She laughed and ran again. I sighed. Milena stop running! I don't wanna see you running away from me! I am worried that you might fall and someone else caught you! My heart would never accept that!