Choices (Dear Jann Series 2)

Chapter 14: End Result

It was Friday and all of us were in the school gym for the cotillion dance practice for the prom night. As instructed, all the students were standing together with their prom partner getting ready for the dance. All of the students who don’t have any partner were earnestly requested to move to the corner of the gym. I was part of that group and there were about 10 of us who don’t have a potential partner yet. I looked around, and my gaze landed on Eric. I got confused, so I approached him to inquire.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him. He looked at me and shrugged before he answered.

“I honestly don’t know. May is my partner but our teacher said to join this group. She said about May not joining the prom. Do you know if she is not coming? Does it have something to do with me?” he asked looking concerned.

It was clear to me now. Looked like May was out of the list for the prom. Since the day I spoke with Ms. Lopez, May has been nowhere to be found. She didn’t come to school anymore and cut off all communication between us. There was no way for me to contact her.

“No, Eric. It’s not about you. May is just having some hard time right now so she might be unable to come to the prom.” I explained to him. 

He nodded with what I said. I was just glad he did not ask more about May. We were halted when our teacher approached us.

“Oh great. You two are already together. So we don’t have any problems now. Everyone has a partner.” our teacher exclaimed joyfully.

“What?!” both Eric and I asked at the same time. It made our teacher look from Eric to me and slowly furrowed her brows. Her look actually intimidated both of us, and we both ended looking down.

“What do you mean what? Since dear Ms. Abalos is not attending the prom and Ms. Alonzo here does not have any partner yet. Why don’t the two of you be partners instead? One problem down.” our teacher explained and left us standing in awe.

Both of us were speechless after she had left. I couldn’t believe what was going on. My plan was totally a mess because of the unavoidable situation with May. A part of me wanted to hate May but I simply couldn’t.

"Do we have a choice?" asked Eric after a long silence between us.

I looked at him and gave an expressive shrug. Maybe he saw the apparent hesitation written all over my face. Honestly, I was very disappointed.

"Look, Jann. It's okay if you don't want me to be your partner. We can tell our teachers about it. I think they would properly understand." he said shyly.

"No. It's okay. Sorry if I looked so keenly disappointed, which I am. It's just that I… well… forget it. It's okay. We can be partners." I said and smiled gently at him.

It brought a smile to his face too and went to join the cotillion practice. It was not his fault and certainly not mine. I just hoped we didn't result in this.

"What happened? Why were you with Eric? I thought you would invite Markus to be your prom date?"asked Jessa while we were having our breaktime.

"Jessa, have you seen or talked to May lately?" I asked instead of answering her.

"No, not really. I haven't heard anything from them. I just hope they are both okay." she said and sighs.

"I hope so too." I replied back.

By now, most of our schoolmates knew that May eloped with Ronald. I didn't really know how they knew about it but there was a gossip circulating in the school. According to the "source", it was Ronald's younger sister who told the school administration about the two eloping. I was just thankful it didn't come from me. I felt so bad for both of them. I really wished I could speak with May.

"Hmmm our teachers finally decided that Eric and I will be partners for the prom." I told Jessa after a long silence between us.

"So they took her out of the prom list?" says Anne who was behind me. I was startled.

"Geez, Anne. Don't sneak on me like that. You scared me." I said when I turned around to confront her.

"Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean to." Anne said apologetically.

"So is it true? May is out of the prom list?" asked June who just joined us.

Jessa and I just nodded to positively confirm the news. Everyone else looked sad and didn't comment about it. I looked at them and I felt like they needed to know about my conversation with Ms. Lopez.

"Guys, I want to tell you something. About my conversation with Ms. Lopez the other day." I nervously started.

"Oh yeah. You didn't mention anything about it." Nia said as she heeded me.

"Sorry I didn't mention anything. I guess it's fair enough for you guys to know about it." I paused thoughtfully and looked at them, listening attentively.

"May might be unable to march with us in our graduation. If she doesn't show up to clear her name until the prom, she will be kicked out." I said cautiously.

"What?!" chorused my friends.

"They can't do that." says Ruby in disbelief.

"Of course they can. It's part of their disciplinary action." I said sadly.

"That's so sad. Where the hell is she?" Theresa asked, annoyed.

"We have no idea." Jessa invariably answered.

"Guys, have you noticed Marian being absent too?" asked Anne.

"Yeah, I noticed that too." Nia answered.

"We need to speak with her before she does what May did. This is not how it's supposed to be." June said.

"Hey, Jann. Don't you dare think of eloping with Markus too." Ruby said sternly.

"Stupid. Why will I do that?" I answered and chuckled.

Everyone else made a small chuckle too which lightened the mood for a while. I looked at them, and I could see the concerned faces for our other two friends. I knew I was lucky for friends like them.

"Ruby told me what happened with your prom date." Markus said as we were hanging out by the store again.

"She just couldn't keep her mouth shut." I answered and he chuckled gleefully.

"It's okay. I will try not to get jealous at all." he said and took my hands in his.

"But promise me not to dance too much with him." he said, and it was my time to chuckle.

"I don't know about that, but I will try not to. I really wished you were my prom date. Oh well. Too bad my plan didn't work." I said and touched his cheeks with the back of my palm.

"It's okay. I will be your date always anyway. That is just one night. We will have more nights together. That I promised." he said lovingly.

He smiled sweetly as he hugged me tightly. It was a comfort for me after everything that had happened. It felt so good to be in his arms.

The most awaited prom finally arrived. Excitement was in the air, and everybody was busy preparing for the big night. I was looking at myself in the polished mirror as I was waiting for Eric to come and pick me up. I was precisely wearing a long black gown and high heels. I twirled my long ebony hair and put on some light makeup. I was satisfied with how I looked and suddenly wished Markus was there to see me. I was still hoping he was my date that night.

“Hey, where is Eric?” asked Anne as she came and checked on me.

“I have no idea. He said he was on his way here but that was like 30 minutes ago. I haven’t got any message from him.” I replied starting to get annoyed waiting too.

“Same here. I don’t know where the hell is my partner.” Anne replied and walked away to check the door.

We were in her house waiting for our partners to come and pick us up. I hated waiting, but I still kept my patience high since I wanted to enjoy the night that we always waited for. Few more minutes, and Jessa arrived to join us to wait for her partner. What was wrong with those guys? Weren’t we the ones who should be late in dates?

“Franco is here.” announced Anne who was still by the door.

Few minutes later, Eric arrived too as well as Anne’s partner. We all went to school for the prom. When we arrived, the instrumental music was already playing and the lights were a little low. Some of our classmates started dancing on the dance floor. Others were just seated on their assigned tables. We looked for ours and joined them as soon as we spotted them in the corner of the school gym.

“Hey, you’re finally here. You guys are looking great.” says Ruby when she saw us.

Everyone else beamed as they wore their best gown. As the night started, we enjoyed every moment of it because we know it was once in a lifetime experience. We also performed our intermission numbers that we had been practicing for weeks. At the end of the night, our class was declared as the “Best Performers of the night.” It was a success for us and I was very proud of myself since I was the one who choreographed our class performance. I felt so happy about it.

While waiting for the night to end, I kept on looking at the audience. I was hoping to see Markus watching us, but I never got a glimpse of him. Even when Eric walked me home after the prom, I didn’t see Markus anywhere. I kept reminding myself, it was just one night. I was sure to see him the following day. I slept with happy thoughts that happened during the prom.

Just like what I wished for, Markus came to see me the following day. I was hanging around with my friend, Marie. We were playing the guitar and singing along with it when Markus showed up. It brought a beaming smile on my face and was a bit speechless when I saw him. I couldn’t believe how much I missed him.

“Hey stranger. You’re here.” I said as I winked at him. He chuckled and beamed.

“Hello, too. How are you?” he asked as he stared lovingly at me.

I couldn’t help but smile back at him. The butterflies inside my tummy started steering around again and giving me some blissful feelings. I wanted so much to run to his protecting arms but for some reason, I couldn’t move my feet. I just wanted to be there and stare at his face.

“Ehem!” says a voice beside me.

“I am still here, Jann. Want to tell me what’s going on?” Marie said as she woke me up from my daydreaming.

“Sorry.” I said and looked at her beaming.

“Markus, I want you to meet my friend, Marie. Marie, this is Markus, my boyfriend.” I said as I introduced both of them.

I could see the surprised look in Marie’s face, but she smiled anyway and took Markus’ hand and shook it.

“Nice to meet you. Wow. This is the first time Jann introduced a boyfriend. I mean, formally introduced.” Marie said smiling at Markus. I could see Markus beamed too.

“He’s really good-looking. Are you sure, he’s your boyfriend?” Marie whispered in my ears teasingly.

“You’re so mean. Do I look that bad not to deserve someone like him?” I whispered back.

“Stupid, I was just joking.” she said and laughed.

“Okay, guys. Looks like I needed to go because I got no space here. I will leave you two lovebirds to enjoy the night.” Marie announced and started packing her things.

Once Marie left, Markus held my hand and looked at me lovingly. We were under the dark sky overcast with stars. I can’t believe I could really love someone like I was feeling at that very moment. All I know is I wanted to stay with him for as long as I could.