A Perfect Match?

Welcome to the city of San Carlos, where a hint of modernization is being seen. Aside from the bustling urban economy, people are starting to embrace modernity and are becoming open-minded about some issues once considered taboo. In the middle of the city, there stands San Carlos High School, where students of diverse personalities go to study and socialize. Like a typical high school, there are nice students and there are also naughty students. But thankfully, teachers and school authorities keep the school under control so the school does not become chaotic. Meet the main stars of the story.  There is Herbert Dale Arenas. For short, we will call him Dale. This teenage boy has become one of the most popular kids in school. At 5'9", he is relatively tall for a Filipino boy of 15. He has brown skin - typical for a Filipino. He had dark eyes, fairly tall nose, short barber's-cut hair, and reddish lips, which is especially startling since red lips is atypical for a man. His body is slim yet muscular - similar to those young professional boxers you have seen, similar to that of Manny Pacquiao when he was fighting Erik Morales or Marco Antonio Barrera. But it took more than his physical appearance for Dale to become popular. What really made him popular is his intellectual makeup. His wit brought him to represent his school in various quiz bees and writing competitions in the city, regional, and even national levels.  Back in school, Dale became one of the top members of the editorial board of the school publication. He has been admired even by his seniors in the publication for his skills in writing and editing articles. The publication adviser even said that he has the greatest potential of becoming the editor-in-chief. But of all subjects, Dale's favorite is history. He loves discussing about certain topics as the Philippine Revolution, Commonwealth, Martial Law, and the like, He also had a considerable understanding of social and political issues even at his age. He often says that he dreams of becoming a statesman someday. Dale has indeed become a superstar in their school. Every day, as he walks into school, he is being greeted by practically every student. In order not to be rude and to maintain his popularity, he would greet them back. Many girls in their school often fantasize about being with Dale, but he has never been in a relationship. He feels that he is not yet ready for such a thing. But actually, Dale, like any other teenage boys, has his own infatuations. However, he does not openly discuss them. Whatever the case, his infatuations are rare. Despite his popularity, Dale does not actually have super close friends with him. He is practically friends with everyone. He tries to maintain a friendly approach towards everybody. However, when you say best friends, Dale does not have one.  On the other side of the story, there is Katrina Bautista, better known as Kate. She is just a typical high school girl who does not enjoy popularity, unlike Dale. She is the type of a teenage girl with a very limited circle of friends. There is nothing very amazing in the way Kate looks. The 14-year-old girl stands at a height of 5'1". She has a somewhat fair skin, but not really fair to the point that you would assume that she does not get sunlight.  Kate's facial features are usual for a Filipina. She has dark eyes, flat nose, thick and pinkish lips, and shoulder-long hair.  Kate is your typical high school girl who would prefer hanging out with her friends after class. She is one of those high school kids who are already satisfied if they do not see a red mark on their report card. She does not really mind competing with her classmates in terms of academics. Of course, like any other teenage girl, Kate develops infatuations. She actually has developed a crush on a number of boys - and actually, even girls. Despite this, she did not try relationships simply because she does not feel like being into it. Whatever the case, at this point she is already beginning to think that she might be bisexual. Kate's circle of friends is indeed very limited. She only has two close friends, Leah Fajardo and Jane Suarez.  Leah is a high school girl who is often up-to-date when it comes to fashion. During days when they are not required to wear school uniforms, she would have a flamboyant display of her outfit bought for her by his parents who own a flourishing business in Baguio. Because of this, she would catch the attention of everyone in school. Leah is one of those girls whom you would refer to as having black beauty. She has a dark-brown skin, round and black eyes, pointed nose, maroon lips, and long, curly hair. Because of these, she was nicknamed by some guys at school as the Indian Girl. She stands at 5'3" and has a pretty developed body shape, and so, it is often said that she looks mature even if she is only 14 years old. Meanwhile, Jane is the opposite of Leah. She prefers to dress herself simply but beautifully. And yes, she is a personification of the saying, simplicity is beauty. Jane's physical features are also very typical of a Filipina - brown skin, oval and dark eyes, flat nose, thick and reddish lips, and waist-length hair. At 13, she stands at 5'1". When it comes to academics, Jane is the most studious of the three. She takes her studies seriously. And so, especially during exam weeks, she does not have much time hanging out with Kate and Leah. Indeed, Dale and Kate lead two different lives. But there is actually one thing that they share - and both of them have hidden this from other people for so long a time.  At first, both of them are actually uninterested about the thing they have in common. Dale and Kate were practically leading their own lives apart. Kate was so preoccupied of her own affairs that she did not even bother about Dale's existence, and so does Dale. But after all, they go to only one school, and pretty soon enough, their roads would cross, and whether they like it or not, they will certainly have an interaction.