Remark

Senior

It’s been half the term in my course and I’m still alive – as well as my relationship with Mark surprisingly. We’re pretty solid for a cat and dog relationship. I don’t know about finals but reviewing was never an issue to me. We do receive a lot of plate requirements for every major subject but I have come to accept my fate in college and I decided to do well to actually have a fine life after all the hardship.

“The time has come to celebrate our annual school festival and we as heads of our department, we are in charge of the booth we’re putting up. For this year’s project, we’re raising fund for the improvement of the facilities and a lot of renovation. Any suggestions?”

Apparently, I was chosen as the freshman representative in our department. I don’t know how that happened but it just did and as coincidental it seems, Jonah, the senior I bumped into during my first days in school, was actually the president of the organization. The more embarrassing in my part because he’s a super superior senior in the department. Who knew a second year was leading the department? That, alone, is surprising enough.

“Can we try, like, the Kissing Booth from The Kissing Booth?” Christine raised her hand and we all turned to her. “We can have Jonah to be like, Noah Flynn or something.” She points at Jonah but he just looked away with a chuckle.

Jonah is a very well-known student in the college community. He is adored by many girls from different departments. He was like Marcus and his friends back when we were in high school. I’m even shocked that I haven’t heard anything about him but then again, what happens in one community stays in that community. Jonah was very attractive, if I’m being completely honest. For some reason, his face had this strong charisma that anyone would fall head over heels for him with just a stare. If looks could kill, it was his.

“And you can be the ugly fat girl that no one wants to kiss.” Darwin, the executive audit in finance, said.

“Who would want to volunteer and kiss random strangers from our department? I’m pretty sure everyone would rather kiss their plates all night than kiss strangers.” Gail, the vice president of the department, replied crossing her arms over at Christine who was still fighting for her idea.

“We can ask Ara? I hear she sleeps with a lot of guys.” Diane said with a hint of insult and sarcasm in her voice.

I haven’t heard of Ara but whoever she was, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to like her, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be wanting to deal with her any time soon.

“The second year, Ara?”

Christine nodded in victory and I just watched everyone start discussing. I felt very useless every time I start taking a seat in the conference room. I didn’t feel worthy of this position they put me in. I really blame Aaron for pushing me here. Aaron is a classmate I got close to. I needed a friend from my classmates, after all. If I stay here for the next five years without a single friend, I have no idea how I’d survive.

“Okay, okay.” My eyes widened at Jonah.

Okay? Really?

He put his hands over his waist and sighed with a loud scoff. “I’m not sure I’m willing to sacrifice my virgin lips over a school festival but if we can have a different guy for my place, I think it’ll be okay.”

“No one is more popular than you here, Jonah.” Gail replied without hesitation. She was right though. Jonah was like Tony Stark of the Avengers to Batman of the Justice League. “We could have Cody but he’s just impossible. Or Jeffrey but I don’t think he’s into these things. He even resigned his post from the department remember?”

Jeffrey?

“He shifted to the medical department. Haven’t you heard?”

Oh, like Jeffrey, Jeffrey.

I almost forgot Jeffrey was an architecture student before, but he did leave the leadership world, and left the course recently. I didn’t know why and Marcus never mentioned anything about it, so I guess it was something personal. Without even being conscious of building up an idea in my head, I raised my head to finally feel useful for once. “H-How about a museum?”

Everyone fell silent which made me feel terrible and uncomfortable so I immediately pulled my hand down awkwardly.

“Or n—”

“No,” Gail cut me off. “That’s a good idea. We can sell tickets.”

I nodded and felt grateful that she was backing my idea up. I was kind of thinking of The Greatest Showman a while ago and how much I really loved the movie so maybe that’s where I got the idea from. It would be cool to have his Barnum’s Museum but not the show, show. We’re not people who are entertainers.

“What do we do then?” Henry, the secretary for finance, asked.

“I was thinking, since we’re Architecture students,” My eyes landed over at Jonah who has been looking at me. “We should be able to showcase our skills if we do a museum that involves structures.” I looked at the others who were disturbingly paying attention to me. I guess I never really opened myself to everyone in this group of leaders in our department. I’m surprised like them that I’m speaking right now, honestly.

“Might as well spill everything you have in your head, Nami. If you have such great ideas, you shouldn’t keep your lips sealed.” Gail fired which felt a little embarrassing, but I still talk anyway.

“W— I,” I blinked and scanned for ideas inside my brain. “What about a museum of small things or the opposite? Where a person feels like they’re tall and feel so small.” For some reason, my eyes dart back to Jonah expecting a good response but he was just looking at me – well everyone was but his stare was different – with a creepy smile. Not creepy creepy but a little weird to me – creepy weird.

“How come you’ve been quiet this whole time?”

I finally averted my attention to Serena, a fourth year representative, who was sitting next to me. I scratched my head and looked down. “It just sort of came out, I guess. I’m sorry?” I squinted my eyes, unsure why I was getting scolded for suggesting when they were literally in need of one that doesn’t involve physical contact.

“That’s actually a pretty good idea. Unlike other people’s stupid ideas.” Henry eyed Christine really emphasizing the word stupid causing me to laugh. Henry and Christine were both third years and I think they’re really close. For five months, I have observed this just by sitting in this chair quietly watching everyone until now.

“The Kissing Booth was not a bad idea.” Christine crossed her arms and leaned back to her chair. “It just so happened that Nami’s idea is better right now.”

I smiled at the compliment.

“Doesn’t really change the fact that it’s a bad idea.” Darwin butted in and raised his brows. The three of them were third years. I guess it makes sense that they’re exchanging words like this comfortably.

“Those in favor of doing the Museum, raise your hands.” Jonah said and slowly, everyone raised their hands. My heart felt so happy that it was jumping up and down. I was really proud that we’re about to do something out of my idea. I feel so – useful. “You’re not voting for your own suggestion?” He said and at first, I wondered if he was directly asking me that question. I found out late that he was really pertaining to me so he chuckles and raised his hand. “On Friday, let’s all meet again so we can start planning everything. Museum it is.”

When the meeting finished (finally), I stepped out of the office and was on my way to my locker when someone suddenly called out my name. I turned back around and see Jonah marching his way towards me. “Senior,” I greet unconsciously not bowing my head for respect.

“I just wanted to personally tell you how brilliant your idea was. A museum never really came to my mind and I was on the verge of agreeing to kiss strangers for a school booth.”

I looked at his face and nodded with a soft chuckle. “Thank you? I mean, I wouldn’t want to kiss strangers too so I do understand.”

“So you were trying to save my virgin lips. Is that it?”

“Let’s just say I was trying to save all virgin lips and not just yours.”

He laughs and looked down, pressing his lips together before looking back up to me. “But why are you asking your thank you? You’re supposed to just say it. You don’t feel grateful when you’re asking it. That’s just weird, don’t you think?”

Oh. “Thank you,” I say under my breath repeatedly.

He just stared at me for a whole second before deciding to speak again. “Anyway, I’m really looking forward to working with you more often so I hope you’re more active during the next meetings.” He took a step back, his hand over his pocket and acting all awkward. “I’ll see you around, Nami.” He smiled before turning away.

I watch his back walk away from me. Why is he acting so strange? I asked myself but then I shove the thought away with a sigh proceeding to my locker. When I opened it, I wasn’t even surprised when I saw another note inside, folded the way it have been for last few months. I looked around me hoping to see someone looking my direction but there was none. I picked up the note and opened the familiar feeling of the paper under my skin.

7 billion smiles and yours is my favorite. Even if they’re not for me – they’re still my favorite.

-CM

The notes weren’t for sure from Mark but he’s the type who would say those to me. I’m just not sure who was giving me these notes. I slip the note inside my bag and walked out of our department only to be welcomed by the man I’ve always looked forward to every end of my classes.

I wait for him to notice me and when he did, he flashes his crooked smile before completely shifting his body to face my direction. I smiled as I stared at him. He was in his green sweatshirt, his white collar coming out from the round neck. “If you miss me so much, why won’t you come run to me, princess?”

I chuckled at his statement and jogged my way towards him. When I reached him, he spreads his arms so I jump into his chest and hugged him tight. It’s funny how I missed his scent so much. He hugs me back and swayed side to side. I feel him kiss my head and I close my eyes in satisfaction. “I was trying to miss you more, that’s why.” I replied and slowly pulled away from him.

He doesn’t take off his hands over my waist and just looks at me.

“What?” I asked when his stare got longer. “Is there something on my teeth? Is there booger hanging over my cilia?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I just really missed you.” Then he stares at me again. I pressed my palms over his cheeks, squishing his face like a plushie. He pouts and puts up with the cutesy act he’s been doing. “And yeah, you have a booger.”

I quickly covered my nose and felt the heat run up to my cheeks. Embarrassing.

He chuckled and slowly pulled my hand down. “I was kidding.”

I felt my shoulders relax. What a relief.

“But you do have something on your teeth, princess.”

My eyes widened as I try to press my lips together to hide my teeth. “Seriously?” I mumbled but I was sure he didn’t understand since I kept my lips sealed.

He laughed harder. “You’re too cute and gullible, princess. What if someone asks you to jump in their car?”

I slapped his head and gave him a glare. “That is different from this, okay?”

“Sure.”

I crossed my arms, rolling my eyes away from Mark. “I guess jerks will always be jerks.”

“Hey,” He pulls me back by my wrist and slips down to lock his fingers with mine. “You’re not really mad are you? I was just being really clingy because I miss you that much.” He looked like a puppy and who doesn’t love puppies? Right – me.

“It’s almost the semester break. We can be together the whole break.”

He doesn’t reply. I looked at his eyes and I couldn’t read them today. I don’t know if he felt sad or worried or angry or happy but it was one of them. “Anyway, did you have a meeting again? What happened?”

I finally released his face and looked away. “School fest. What is your department doing for the festival?” I turned to him and he shrugged.

“I didn’t attend the meeting so I don’t know,”

I frowned at him and he just looked chill. Mark was surprisingly a part of the officials of their department as well. I think he’s the peace officer or something. I just know he’s a part of their board. “Speaking of which,” I pulled out the note from my bag and show it to him. “I received this again. From the same sender.”

Mark opens the paper and reads it out. “So are you starting to fall for this locker admirer of yours?” He teasingly asked but I glared at him to know how pathetic he was talking right now. “You better not because you’re my princess.” He leans closer to my face. “No princess can have two princes at the same time. Unless you plan to be legendary?”

“Whoever is slipping these to my locker is a creep. Why on Earth would I fall for people like him? However,” I paused and poked his face away from me before I initiated the walk. “It’s pretty cute when guys get coward and do things like these because they’re shy.”

He scoffed out loud which made me smirk. “It’s not cute. It’s hella creepy and you better be burning those notes or I’ll do it for you.”

“Why would I burn them? I can just keep them out of respect for their efforts.”

He frowned at me. “Why would you want to keep them? What if there’s some kind of tracker with— I knew it! You’re falling for that creep!”

I looked at him with a sly grin. “You’re like telling yourself that, player. Can you remind me how you planned your way to get closer to me?”

“This is a different case.” He quickly defends himself and I chuckled at him. “I mean, who doesn’t know that we’re together? We’re very open to everyone. Even the principal knows about us. No one—”

“The principal doesn’t care about his students’ affairs.”

“Well the point is that, it’s not like we’re hiding this from people for them to not realize that they’re trying to hit on someone who’s obviously taken already? By me, might I add and if that girl is you. Especially you.”

This is really cute, Mark. Really. I stared at him playfully. “Your jealousy is the best. I can do this all day if I wanted to,” I laughed but he kept a scowled look on his face. “I’m not falling for anyone else unless they’re you, okay? Stop thinking about it and sleep tight tonight. I don’t want this haunting you in your dreams for the rest of your life.”

“I’m not jealous. I’m just objectively stating a fact.”

“Objectively. You mean, subjectively showing your jealousy.”

He mocked me before rolling his eyes and I knew then how frustrated I got him. He was definitely annoyed by me now and I live for Marcus Lee Dyer feeling and acting this way. He was just too cute when he’s this way and I enjoy watching his like this so much.

“Why are you upset then?” I continued asking the moment I caught up to his speed. He literally just left me and walked pass me. I started ticking him by the stomach which he coldly rejects. “You’re so jealous. This is so fun!” I exclaimed clapping my hands together.

Still, he hasn’t said anything. I peeked over at his face and he was just frowning. You cutie. I thought and stared at his annoyed face. I should annoy him more. What should I do? I look around me and when I looked at the ground, I instantly yelled imagining myself getting eaten by piranhas. “NAMI! ARE YOU OKAY? WHAT HAPPENED?”

When he ran back to me and sees me standing fine and okay, he immediately changes. “There was a dead jelly fish.” I smirked at him and he just sighed, balling his fist. I got him mad alright – which makes me really entertained.

“You do not joke about physical injury,” he says glaring at me with eyes almost breathing fire. “You know how protective I am of you, Nami. What if you really get into an accident and I won’t believe you then because I don’t trust your words anymore?”

“You’re one to talk.”

He sighed and turned away from me.

I grabbed his arms and hugged them tight. “You’re shockingly cool when you’re such a butthurt, Mark.” I chuckled and grasped on his arms when he tried to shake me off. “Seriously though,” I looked at him but he wasn’t looking back. “Why do boys always deny when they’re jealous? Is that like a thing to you guys?”

“It’s not jealousy Nami. It’s more like a feeling you get when you don’t want to lose that one thing you really love.” He finally looks at me and his eyes were telling me how much his hurt. I realized how much I crossed the line but I don’t regret anything because I really do love seeing Mark get all baby when he doesn’t like what’s happening to him. “It’s imagining life without the person who makes it up for you.”

I bit my lips a little in guilt now that he was telling me all these. I gulped and smiled at him. “And you won’t,” I finally tell him and his expression softened a little, fortunately. “You won’t lose anything,” I added. “But admit it, you were jealous.” I chuckled and he finally gives in and lets out a silent snort.

“Maybe a little.”