Get Along Well The Series

CHAPTER 2: Smile

CHAPTER 2

Our class finished early and we are waiting for the bell. My friends and I are sitting at the back while waiting for the dean's reply about their proposal for the University Games. This will be our second revision and we cannot afford to have another revision. The festivities will be next week. Everyone contributed on the plan because I want to make sure that everyone can contribute their ideas.

While waiting for the notification to pop up the screen, a professor knocked and entered the room. "It's LM2A right?" they all nodded.

Everyone went back to their respective seat. "Hi everyone, I am Professor Cain Manalo from the Faculty of International Hospitality Management and I am one of the Obligations and Contracts teacher on that department. I am Atty. Cinco's close friend and she wants me to take over for the rest of the semester."

Atty. Myrna Cinco is nine months pregnant and probably she is near her due date. That's explain why she didn't see us last meeting.

"She shared to me her lesson plan so that I can be guided on how she discusses her lessons to you guys. Even though we teach the same subject, she told me that you guys focus more on doing case digest. But the thing is we need to compromise. I decided to merge your class with my class because I only have twelve students there. Sounds fun right?" No, it's not. We are already thirty-five in our class for Oblicon. This room will be fully packed every night for sure.

"We will adjust to the kind of lessons that you are currently having, so I hope we'll get along well with each other. Any questions?" he smiled.

"When will this merge happen, sir?" I asked.

"It is effective immediately, so tomorrow will be our first meeting. I am very excited because we will have the chance to learn more about law. In my class, we only focus on the terms and definition so this will be an exciting experience not just for me, but also for my class. I will not waste more of your time, thank you LM2A for your attention and see you guys tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir." We greeted.

It's not a bad idea to merge two class because some professors do that as well specially if they need to adjust because of the conflict of schedule.

"So, there will be new faces tomorrow. Sound exciting." Of course, Cherry is excited because she can flirt with those new students.

"Ready to flirt again?" Kris asked.

"If I want to flirt with someone, it has to be from their faculty. They are hot as hell and very handsome. Some of them will work in airlines, hotels and restaurants so their face value is definitely to live for." She stated.

"Why not look for someone with a good heart instead? Sometimes, those people who has the looks ends up the biggest dorks and jerk. Base on experience." I'm looking at the screen of my laptop waiting for a notification to pop off. "Majority of them are so full of themselves, so they have the audacity to cheat or fool around or something."

"Not everyone is a jerk, okay? Besides I am now looking for something that can turn into something in the future. Friendly date sounds cute right?" she asked.

"Wow, so you are not sleeping with anyone anymore? From hooking up to looking for friendly date is the glow up I didn't expect from you, Che." Every time we go out for a night party, it is expected that Cherry will go missing in action after few drinks because she is banging someone either on the guy's car or in the comfort room.

"Right? I just realized that there will be some point in your life that you'll feel exhausted on settling with less. You will eventually want for something more. Not just s*x, right? Because honestly, I can have that every night. But not every day you'll wake up knowing that someone wants you not just because you are spreading your legs for him." Wow, what a statement from Cherry. I mean I really thought she will just hoe around for the rest of our college life but I guess the river is continuously flowing.

"What happened to you, Che? You were not like that before." I am not used to this kind of Cherry and honestly, I love her more because of this maturity she is showing us.

"Nothing." She laughed. "Speaking of which, why are you quiet there, Kris? You're seems different. What are you thinking about?" I glanced to Kris and she is right. I never heard his voice ever since this morning. I was too busy with our report that I didn't notice that Kris seems like under the weather.

"I'm okay guys. Don't worry, I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed." He disclosed. This is new to me though. Even though he is having a bad day, he will do something about it and joke around but this time he is quiet.

"No personal problems? Family probs?" I inquired.

"Yeah. I'm okay. Don't worry about me. I'm good." He smiled but I know it is not genuine.

"If you have problems Kris you know that we are here always for you, okay? We got each other's back remember?" Cherry said.

"Yes, thank you for being there with me. Not everyone is blessed to have friends like you, guys." He gave us thumbs up to let us know that he is doing fine. I know Kris, tomorrow he will be okay and be back to his normal quirky self.

Minutes passed and a notification pops up my laptop. I opened the e-mail from the dean and read his reply. Apparently, the proposal is almost approved but we need to revise one of the plans. The selection process of the school representatives for University Games is rejected.

We initially submitted the list of our potential school representatives because we thought that the idea of having handpicked candidates is not that important. But I guess the dean is not impressed with the representatives that we suggested. He wants us to change that and present the revision tomorrow. He wants something that will edge the other school. To be honest I don't know what the dean wants but we need to think of something explosive and hopefully it will be approved.

After our class, we went straight to our office to discuss the revision. They don't have any ideas on their mind right now, so now I have to think of something to present tomorrow morning. I don't want to disappoint the dean because he took a risk of hosting this year's University Games instead of next year. He said that he believes in us and I don't want to destroy that faith that he has.

Not to be boastful or anything but we are receiving feedbacks from our page and through our drop box outside our office about our service so far this school year. Majority of the feedbacks are positive and even the board of trustees are impressed with how we manage the office this year. Currently, our term is the most successful that the student council has ever been for the past five years.

"What do you think about running a poll on our page?" I suggested. And what about it, Ave?

"And?" To be honest my brain is not working anymore because ever since the classes resumed after Coventry Week, the pressure in my studies and duties is taking over my little coconut head.

"I don't know, really." I admitted. This sucks.

"The top three couples who will win the poll will be our representative. The highest will be the representative for Mr. and Ms. University Games followed by Muse and Escort for the parade and opening ceremony and the third place winner will be for the representatives for the Variety Show. Those famous couples in the campus will be our front runners for the poll." Finally, Kris spoke.

"What if we screen them first. Like an audition? The top three couples from the poll will face on stage for a live Match Up Game. The game will serve as the gauge for the chemistry and from that we will choose who will participate in this and that." I added.

"Actually, that's a good idea. We need representatives that has a great chemistry and aura. Let's do that." Cherry agreed.

To be honest, it is not a bad idea. I hope the dean will approve this plan because to be honest, if this turns out to be rejected, I don't know anymore what to do.

Kris and Cherry already went home and I am the only one in the office right now finishing the proposal. My attention is focused on my laptop when someone knocked on the door. I looked on my left to see who it is and I saw Xavi. He entered the room and approached me.

"Xavi, what are you doing here?"

"We just finished our training and I came here to say thank you for approving the proposal immediately. Coach Diego is pressuring me to come up with an idea for his quarterly report. Thanks to Max, he managed to think of an idea, and got the stamp of approval spot on." He smiled brightly.

"The idea that he come up with is so good, there's no reason for me to reject it." I replied.

"Well, actually that's not all." Judging his actions, it's like he is going to ask for a favor or something.

"What is it?"

"I am having trouble catching up with our lesson today. Can you help me?" okay Xavier, I am shookt. Why are you asking me this right now? I mean this is a Kris-ponsibility, not mine.

"Why asking me? Kris tutored you before, why not ask him instead?"

"We haven't catch up for months and I just thought that maybe you can." I am not falling into his charms right now. I have many things to do and I have to finish my proposal.

"Okay. But just for today okay?"

"Just for today sounds great." He smiled.

I already told you before that Xavi is my type of guy and to be honest, I think Kris wouldn't mind if I developed something for Xavi because we don't have any sis code or something. He even suggested before some guys that I can hook up with that either he hooked up before or he encountered before but want more than just sleeping together.

Yeah, it's so weird just thinking about it. But don't worry, I did not accept Kris offer, but I tried gay dating apps because he suggested and it did not turn out well. And although Xavi is my type, I'm not really that into him, so I'm good with being friends.

"So, how's your dating life?" out of nowhere I asked Xavi.

"There's no one right now. Coach Diego gave me the responsibility to be this year's team captain and it's a big shoe to fill in. So, dating is out of the equation."

"Still haven't talked to her?" her ex-girlfriend.

"Yeah. I think that's for the better." He replied while answering the equation that I gave him.

If Kris won't give us answers, I shall ask Xavi instead. "What happened between you and Kris? You were so close together last year, we almost thought that you two are together or something."

He smiled. "I don't know. Maybe he gave up on me too." He said.

"Yeah, you were a jerk during that time. I mean I cannot blame Kris if that's the reason why he distanced himself to you." He looked at me. "Just being honest."

"Truth hurts. But I guess I deserved it." based on the tone of his voice, I know he is hurt about what happened.

"Don't worry, he still cares for you." I'm trying to cheer him up. "He was looking for you the other day."

"Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Alright, let me break it down for you. Kris had or has, I don't know, a crush on Xavi ever since we were in first year. Kris became close with the varsity members because he is their number one supporter. Every exhibition games or competition, he is present. The reason for that is because Kris saw the team's potential and he wants to be with them on their journey to success. Men's volleyball doesn't have that kind of followings in Coventry University unlike basketball because they are not winning competitions. So, he became the source of their energy, cheering for them every game.

Then, Kris tutored Xavi because he is struggling with his studies and the latter promised his dad that volleyball will not be a hindrance to his grades at school. The good thing about Xavi is he is cool with it even though they were being teased because of their closeness. Some people thought that there is something going on between him and Kris.

But I guess Xavi only treated him that way because no one is taking care of him and cleaning up his mess. Then one day, Kris drifted away from him. Maybe he got exhausted, I don't really know. I don't want to meddle with his personal issues. I am just waiting for him to share his side of the story.

It took us one hour to finish the lessons that he is having difficulty catching up and I managed to finish the revision that I am doing while waiting for him to finish answering the sample questions I gave him. He offered me a ride home which pretty much what he is doing to Kris before their fall out which I accepted because it's already nine in the evening.

When I got home, I thanked him for the ride and walked inside our house. My mom is watching television while folding the laundries. I kissed her in the cheeks and went straight to the dining table to eat the dinner she made for me.

Looking at her while enjoying herself watching the television, I am really thankful that my mother is healthy. She is the only thing that I have right now and I don't know what to do without her. When my father died, I am preparing myself to stop my studies and work first to earn the money I will need to continue. I thought that she already exhausted our savings for my father's medical fees, but I was so surprised when I learned that she didn't used my tuition for college as my father's request.

There's a point in my life that I thought maybe we could save him if my mom disobeyed my father and allotted the money for his surgery. But my mom told me that they made a promise to each other that everything that they saved for me, it will be only for me to use and no theirs. That's why I am striving to study hard and hopefully graduate with honours.

After I eat, I joined my mother in the couch and helped her folding the clothes. I brought it up and put mine in the closet while hers in her room. I went for a bath before ending the night with a prayer.

Our first class today is cancelled because our professor went for a meeting with the department chair. We decided to spend the rest of the period in our office since there's no internet access in the building.

As I open my e-mail, the dean of student affairs replied to me thirty minutes ago. I opened it and read the content of his reply. I was relieved that he approved our revision and instructed us to start the poll as soon as possible.

"Kris, Che, the revision is approved." I energetically told them.

"Ohhhh, thank God. I mean I cannot think of any other gimmick for that selection process." Cherry sighed.

"Do you want me to take care of the poll immediately?" Kris asked.

"Yes please. You can post it later this evening after our class. Most students are active during nigh time so let's take advantage of that opportunity. Can you create a pubmat first and post it maybe this lunchtime? A teaser for what will happen later this evening." I instructed Kris.

"Sure. I can handle that." He went back to his cubicle and opened his laptop so that he can start creating a poster teaser for the poll later this evening.

"Xavi went last night here. He helped me finished with the revision." Kris looked at me and I can sense a little shock on his reaction. "He asked for my help because he can't catch up on their lesson in Accounting."

"Really?" Kris replied, seems uninterested before focusing back his attention on the monitor.

"Kris, are you Xavi okay? I mean you're so close before, right? What happened between the two of you really?" I don't want to play the friendly cupid for that two but I saw how treat each other. I really miss Kris' quirky, funny, and carefree self.

"I guess I got tired of his drama. I'm not his keeper that will always clean his mess." Just as I thought. "But I'm not angry at him or anything. He's not talking to me, so I do the same."

"He's not talking to you because you stopped talking to him." Cherry reminded him. "You really have the nerve to ghost Xavi. Girl, your waistline is not 24. Drop the drama, say sorry and fix whatever relationship you have with him."

Kris did not reply. Why do I have this feeling that Kris fell in love with Xavi at some point. But if he fell in love with him, why did he give up on him when Xavi needed him the most? Or is this the classic one-sided feelings and when Kris felt that Xavi is not reciprocating his feelings, he said f**k it, I'm leaving without a word.

Thinking about it, is it possible for Xavi to develop something for Kris? I mean it's not impossible right? But I guess he did not because if he did, he should be chasing Kris all this time when he went MIA on him.

When it is time for our Oblicon class, one by one new faces are entering our room. They look friendly if you're going to ask me and just what Cherry expected, the boys are good looking.

"So far, did someone caught your attention?" I whispered on her ears.

"Nah. I guess my destiny is not from their faculty." She replied.

So far there are eleven new students in the room then suddenly the final new face arrived. My jaw dropped when I saw Max entered the room. What is he doing here?

We barely fixed the issue about that stupid photo. Thank God someone released the CCTV footage outside the campus. And by someone, I mean Kris got a copy of the footage and submitted the photo as a counter attack on the allegation of us smooching in broad daylight.

Although the issue went down, there are still these delusional shippers from school who keeps shipping us two. That's the effect of watching too much bl dramas.

Well, it's kind of an awkward situation right now because he is literally sitting on my left. If I only know that he'll be my new classmate, I should have let other's take the seat. Since the approval scene in the office, we never really had the chance to talk about the issue. I don't know if I should say sorry for the misunderstanding that I cause him and his relationship or he should say sorry to me for not clarifying the issue immediately.

"Hi." Max initiated the conversation. Great, because I'm not talking to him first, it's so awkward.

"Hi."

"How are you?" Not great.

"I'm fine." I continued writing my case digest for our Introduction to Law subject.

"Ave, I'm really sorry if I didn't clarify what really happened that day. I thought you would just shrug it off because we both know what happened that day. I mean it's not a bad thing, right?"

"The issue already died because we took care of it. Maybe I should be careful next time because I don't want to create any ruckus, I don't want to put any malign in our school's reputation. And sorry if the issue caused some trouble with your relationship."

"No, there's no need for you to apologize." I looked at him and smile. Okay, that's great. Maybe his girlfriend trusts him so much. "I'm not in a relationship."

I glanced back at him and he is staring at me. "Oh, okay. Good thing to hear. The last thing I want to happen is to cause some misunderstanding to other people. If that's the case then we're good."

The class went smooth. Our new classmates behaved well in the class. Not that I am expecting them to be wild or anything. Surprisingly, Max and I talked more to each other during the class. When he is having difficulty of understanding the articles, I am explaining it to him with examples.

After out class, Cherry and Kris told me that they will take care of the poll. Since it's only 7:30 in the evening, I decided to stay for one more hour in the office or so to finish the case digests.

I started writing my digest on a bond paper. I was so focused on writing my digests that I didn't noticed that an hour and a half already passed. I am already sleepy but I really want to finish this right now. Another thirty minutes went by and I am almost done with my digests when I noticed someone is behind the door knocking.

I looked to that direction and I saw Max again wearing their varsity uniform and carrying his bag.

"Do you need something?" I asked him

"It's already past nine in the evening and you're still here?"

"I just finished my case digest for my other major subject. And my work here is done," I arranged my things so that I can go home already. "What brings you here?"

"Here orange juice, your favorite." He put the juice on my desk.

"What for?" I picked it up and it has a note on it. Sorry. "For what?"

"Again, I'm sorry about what happened. It's just that I don't know how to handle that kind of situation. I don't want to post anything that people may think I'm being defensive." I gave him a weird look, seriously stop apologizing, he's good.

"How many times do I have to tell you that it's okay. You don't need to put a note on this one with your apology. An orange juice is enough." I smiled at him.

I understand where he is coming. Maybe it was his first time being in that kind of situation so he doesn't know how what to do. I picked up my bag and turned off the lights in the office before locking it.

Right now, while walking with Max going to gate three doesn't give me any awkward vibes. I have nothing to worry about. He's not in a relationship, so walking with him or seeing with him won't hurt me.

"Are you not worried being seen with me?" Max asked.

"No, I'm not. Why would I. Let me ask you, are you not worried being seen walking with me?" I raised my eyebrow while waiting for his answer.

"I don't really pay attention to what other people say. So, I'm not." His face is being illuminated by the moon. I looked up and it is full moon tonight. Stars are visible in the sky too. I smiled because this is the first time that I heard a man like him not giving s**t about what other perceive about him.

"I wish I can do the same." I replied. I'm not worried to be seen walking with him. But I wish I can also do the same thing about not worrying with what people will think about me. People's perception is something that I need to take good care of because I'm one of the faces of our school.

"I know you can." He smiled.

He offered me a ride home and as far as I want to refuse his offer, it's already past nine thirty in the evening and I might struggle to find a jeepney ride home. When we reached our house, I thanked him for the ride and offered him a treat next time.

During our ride, I got to know him more even though I didn't ask him to tell his life story. He said he just want to share it so that I won't feel awkward. He mentioned that he has two older siblings and he not their biological sibling. His mother married their father because guess what, they are high school sweethearts.

Growing up, he is scared that his mother will leave him so he is aggravated about the idea of marrying another man. He became rebellious when he was a child which is why he is not fond of his step father.

I didn't know that he has that kind of backstory. He said his first love made him changed to a better version of himself. I want to ask what happened to them but since he said he is not in a relationship, I just assumed that it did not worked out.

Who knows, maybe their paths will cross again one day and it will be sweeter the second time around. Just like his parents love story.