The Promise Ring (Dear Jann Series 1)

Chapter 10: Let It Be

True to his words, Marvin tried to make up with all his shortcomings. He made sure that the name of Markus was never mentioned whenever we are together. As much as possible, we don't want to include Markus in the memories that we are making together. I think it was for the best. He promised to help me forget about him anyways. Maybe this was his way. Maybe things will work out fine, if not better.

In the following days that followed, I made myself busy with school and my dancing. If not with Marvin, my world just revolved around the two. I always made sure that no matter what I was going though, my studies will always be my priority. I needed to finish my studies no matter what. It also helped me a lot whenever I felt that the memories of Markus wanted to knock on my head. I swear, I needed to let go. There was Marvin too. He never seemed to run out of the right words to say to make me feel special. One time he made the effort of checking on me at the school.

It was our usual dancing practice. We doubled our time in practicing because the competition was to be held in two weeks. It was a hip hop dance category and it was my first time to join the contest. I really had a hard time adjusting to the hip hop moves and rhythm. I was used to cheer dancing and jazz, then this, hiphop. Totally a different genre. I'm glad I was able to adjust after days of practice and proud enough to say that I am almost ready for the contest.

"Alonzo!" shouted by one of the school guards.

I turned around and looked at him. How did he know my name? With the hundreds of students on our campus, I don't think he will be able to remember all the names. Of all people, why me? What did I do?

"Who among you is Alonzo?" he said again.

Gotcha! He was just fishing. I released a sigh of relief. I really thought I was in trouble. I thought he knew who he was looking for. It made me laugh and I responded anyway.

"It's me." raising my hand.

"Someone is looking for you in the guardhouse." he said then left.

Did I hear it right? Someone was there in the guardhouse and was looking for me. I looked at my dancemates but they were already busy practicing their moves. Who could it be? I didn't have any clue. But whoever it is, it must be urgent because the person came all the way to our campus. I asked permission from my group and went to the guardhouse.

"Guys, I will just go and check it out. I will be back in a minute." 

"Okay." my mates chanted.

The white small guardhouse was located at one end of the main gate of our campus. Only one chair fit in there because it was intended for only one guard. I tried to look around it to have a clue who was looking for me but I did not see anyone. There was only the guard who called me from my practice room.

"Who was looking for me?" I asked the guard when I reached the guardhouse.

He pointed to the other side of the road. I looked and was so surprised to see him. There he was, holding a small bouquet of flowers and a small box of something, probably some chocolates. He was all beaming with smiles and slowly approached me.

"Babe, what are you doing here?" I asked, still surprised.

"Surprised?" Marvin asked.

"Yeah. I mean… you're here… a lovely surprise!" I said.

He chuckled with my reaction as he gave me the flowers and the box. He kissed me and gave me a wonderful smile again. I wasn't even able to say, "Thank you". I was really surprised to see him. I never expected that he would come all the way to our campus just to see me.

"I missed you and I wanted to see you. So, I decided to come down and ask you for a date?" he said.

Now it was my time to chuckle. A date. It was the first time he asked me for a date. Well we have been going out before, but this time it felt different. It was a real date. I held his face and smiled lovingly and unconsciously bit my lower lip.

"Don't do that. Don't bite your lips or else I will kiss you endlessly here." I needed to chuckle with what he said.

"Give me a few minutes. Let me grab my things and we'll be off." I said excitedly and he nodded.

I gave him a quick peck on the cheeks before I ran back to our practice room. I was so excited while running back. I saw some students looking my way, wondering what was going on. By now, most of the students knew me because I had been representing the school in dance competitions. Someone tried to stop me on my way, but I pushed him back. We laughed. I hurriedly grabbed my things and said goodbye to my dance mates.

"See you tomorrow, guys." I said when I got all my things.

"Hey, where are you going? We're not yet done with the practice." replied our leader.

"Sorry, I will make it up tomorrow. Need to go. Bye." I ran off before he could say more.

Questions were written all over their faces but I didn't have time to explain to them. I was just so excited to go on a date. I was like in highschool again. The thought gives me butterflies in my stomach. I needed to laugh on my way back to the guardhouse.

He was standing beside the guardhouse looking through the passing traffic. For some reason, I slowed down and stared at him. He was different. He had broader shoulders now even if he wasn't doing some workout. He even looked taller and his skin was more tan. When did he get that color? He looked so masculine as he was standing there with his hands in his pocket. He was literally the “tall, dark, and handsome” kind of guy.

I saw some ladies looking his way and started giggling. Were they flirting with him? Why am I affected? Yeah, because you're  the girlfriend, says the other side of my brain. But he did not look at them at all. I walked faster and placed my arms around his when I reached him. I kissed him on the lips and looked at the ladies. They stopped smiling and rushed going inside the gate. He looked at me surprised.

"What was that?" he asked.

"What is what? You don't like me kissing you now?" I asked childishly and pouted my lips.

"No, not that. The one with the ladies a while back." he said.

"They were flirting with you." I pouted my lips and furrowed my brows so he could see my annoyance.

He looked at me and laughed like I said the most stupid thing he ever heard. He pulled me closer to him and wrapped me with his arms. He kissed me on the forehead and led the way, away from the guardhouse.

"You're so cute when you get jealous, babe?" he said as he pinched my nose.

"Don't get so full of yourself, Mr. Bravo. I'm not jealous and you're not handsome." I said as I raised my eyebrow.

"Oh really. So tell me, why were you drooling over me a while back. You even slowed down just to stare at me." he said.

I blushed with what he said. It was true. I was staring at him earlier until I saw the ladies looking at him as well. But I wasn't drooling! I really thought he didn't see me. Was I staring at him that much earlier? My cheeks felt like it was on fire. He started laughing again so I tried to push him away. 

"Excuse me. I wasn't drooling over you. I slowed down because I got tired of running and that's it." I said hoping he will stop teasing me.

He held my hand and drew me closer to him. He still had that teasing smile on his face. I have to admit, he is really handsome. He really looked different and I find him gorgeous in his own way. It made me blush some more.

"Okay. I'll stop. One thing for sure…" he left me hanging.

"What?" I asked.

"You're so pretty even when you are sweaty all over. You're stinky too." he laughed again.

I wanted to cry because I felt so embarrassed. He was right. I was still sweaty from my dance practice and because I was so excited to go out with him,  I didn't bother to change my sweaty clothes. Did I really smell? Geez, I wanted to vanish from his sight. Tears started blurring my vision.

"Hey, I was just joking." he said lovingly.

"You're such a baby." he added.

He pulled me closer to him and wrapped me with his arms. He smiled and kissed me full in the lips.

"I love you, babe. I love everything about you." he whispered.

He just knew how to make me feel better after teasing me so bad. I smiled at him and kissed him again.

"Are you sure you still love me, even if I stink?" I asked.

"I love you so much, Jann. Hmmm, but a little shower won't harm." he said.

We looked at each other and started laughing again. I don't care whether he was serious or not. This was better. Everything was in its place. It was indeed a new beginning for us.

We went down Session Road and all the way to the "Yellow Cab". It was a pizza house. We were seated all the way to the corner of the store, which was okay, so we don't get to see everyone who comes in and out of the store.

"Let me go wash up for a while before we eat." I said.

I headed to the washroom and checked myself in the mirror. I look like a real disaster. No wonder he never stopped teasing me about it. My hair was everywhere and there were streaks of sweat on my face. I washed up and changed my dancing clothes too. Put on some powder to freshen me a bit and a gloss on my lips. One more check on the mirror, then I went back to our seat. He beamed when he saw me. I sat beside him and he landed another kiss on my lips.

"Now, that's better. I can now breathe." he said.

"You're so mean.” I said.

"You know I am just joking right?" he asked, worriedly.

"No, you were serious." I replied back. 

He chuckled and held my hand.

"I already ordered for us."

"Really? What did you get?" I asked.

"Surprise."

"More surprises? Really? What's wrong with you today?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to make it special for both of us." he said.

Few more minutes and his order came. I was a bit surprised with what he ordered. I know it would be a pizza, but it still surprised me.

"Here's your order. Two pepperoni slices, two iced tea, and a box of regular chicken wings. Enjoy your meal." the server said as he placed our orders on our table.

I looked at him with questions running on my head. He smiled and held my hand again.

"Surprised again?" he said when the server left.

"Actually, yeah." I answered.

"Hmmm, I know that you like "Yellow Cab" pizza more than the other pizza chains here. I also know that you prefer pepperoni and iced tea. That's why I ordered it. For you." he explained.

"Why? How did you..." he didn't let me finish my asking.

"I have my ways, babe. Don't ask and let's just eat. I am pretty hungry waiting for you." he said.

There were still questions that I wanted to ask him, but as he said, don't ask. We ate and started chatting but half of my head was still wondering. How did he know about "Yellow Cab"? How did he know that I love pepperoni and iced tea? I don't remember mentioning those to him.There was only one person who knew all about this. 

I was afraid as to where my thoughts was leading me. Could it be real? Could it be that Markus told him? The last time we spoke, he promised he would speak with Marvin. Did he do it despite my warning to him? Did he tell him my favorites? Why would he do that? Daggers were striking again on my chest. Let it be. If this is his way to "make up" with what he did to Marvin and I, then let him be. I will stick with my promise too. I will focus my attention and love for Marvin. If it's the only way to let go, then let it be.