Tangled in Notes

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was MESPA High’s school festival and everywhere I looked the moment I stepped inside the campus, there were different booths. I think they were all from the Student Council. I sighed. I guess we won’t have any classes today.

“Psst!”

I turned and saw Sean waving at me. He ran to me together with Kevin. “Hey, Sean, Kevin.” I smiled at them.

“So, are you planning on going to the booths?” Kevin asked me.

I frowned. “I don’t really know—”

“I heard they had, Jail Booth, Food Booth, Cinema Booth, Chemistry Lock, Wedding Booth, Soul Mate, Ice Cream Booth, Life Size Booth, Wonderland Booth, Science Booth, Barbie’s House Tour, Horror?” Sean narrated.

 “I think they have exhibitions as well.” Kevin added with a nod.

“I don’t know. They all seem interesting to me.”

“Right?” They both exchanged glares and I stared at them weirdly. It was like they were trying to keep something from me. I don’t know.

“Wow! Come on, Sean, we still need to finish our club works before Jared permits us to leave and have fun.” Kevin said pulling his arms.

I chuckled.

“We’ll see you around, Julia!” The two ran away in a hurry. I started walking around. These booths were really well prepared. The students were really into it. I passed by the booth, Wedding and I could see a girl married to a guy at the moment. I just smiled at the scene.

My phone suddenly rang. I grabbed it from my pocket and saw Ysabelle’s caller ID. I answered the call. “Hello?”

“Julia! Hey!”

“Hey, Belle.” I smiled lightly.

“Where are you right now?”

“Uhm. . .” I scanned my surrounding and I realized I was near the main park of the campus. “I’m in the park. It’s where the Wedding booth stands.”

“Main park. Go get her. Okay! Thank you so much. See you in a bit, love.”

I was surprised. Go get her? I suddenly felt like a criminal about to get caught. I stared at my phone confused and slipped it back to my pocket. I stood there for a moment and the couple inside the wedding booth was already giving each other’s rings. The two seemed like they were shy towards each other though.

“Julia Burton?”

I turned and saw a tall guy and a girl about his shoulders. “D-Do I—?”

“I’m Hazel and this is Cathy. We’re from the Student Council. Can you come with us for something you were signed up for?” The guy, Hazel, told me.

“Uh—”

I haven’t even finished my answer when they wrapped their arms around mine. They started dragging me to somewhere I wasn’t familiar with. We passed by a lot of booths until we finally reached— the SBC (Student Body Council) building. As we stepped inside, I read the tarpaulin pinned over the door. ‘We find your match. Meet your Soul Mate’.

If it wasn’t too obvious, I reckon this would be the ‘Soul Mate’ Booth Sean was telling me. But I never even signed up for this. “Can I ask you something?” I asked.

Cathy turned to me with a smile. “Yes?”

“Why am I here?”

She chuckled. “Because someone paid you to be here.”

“Oh.” Is that how a booth works? God. I felt so ignorant.

They pulled me inside and dragged me all the way to an all-white room. I couldn’t see anyone or anything except a see-through paper-wall (or whatever it was) that covers half the room. Not only that, I could see a silhouette of a man sitting across me as well. I probably looked the same with the man’s point of view.

Hazel made me sit down an ordinary arm-chair as they locked my left wrist with the arm of the chair. I scanned the room. “Welcome, to the both of you who were sent to our booth.”

It came from the speaker inside the room. It was a voice I recognize. That’s for sure. If my guess would be correct, it was Ysabelle’s.

“Here’s what brought you here. They didn’t pay for the two of you to be here together. We randomly chose a girl and a boy registered to us to come here and take the test. The pair that answers our questions as one— are soulmates. You will see a green light as a sign that you two got the answer together but if it is a red light, then you two had different answers.” 

Childish.

“Are you both ready? Okay! Get the paper and pen beneath your chairs—” I bent down and saw it there. I grabbed it with my free right hand and landed it down the arm chair. “—we’ll give you two options and you should only answer one. If you get 7 out of 10 corrects together, you’ll have a dinner date with your soulmate.”

I gulped hard. This is really absurd but unique in a way that I never thought that they would come up with something like this. It was very teenager.

“First question. Technologies or books. When I count to three, you must stop writing. 1, 2, 3!”

Books.

I looked up at the street-light-like hanging over the ceiling. I wanted to burst into laughter when it lighted green. So, if my guess is correct, that meant, he answered ‘books’ too right? Wow. This booth was really something.

“Writing or Reading?”

I looked up. Writing or reading? To be honest, I wasn’t sure.

“2,”

I quickly wrote ‘writing’. I was never fond or reading. I tend to get lazy because of how long and adverse the words are. “3!”

I looked up once again and the light went green.

I smiled. I had a weird feeling. It was a feeling that, somehow, I wanted to accomplish the 7 corrects and meet the man behind the silhouette. It felt true.

“Reality or dreams?”

It was an easy question for me. I chose ‘dreams’ and after a few seconds, the light blinked green again. I felt happy that we were the same. It was weird because I never thought someone was just like me.

“Alright! As of now, the two of you now scored, 3 out of 10! Fourth question, Rain or Rainbow?”

A rainbow. A rainbow always reminded me how good my daddy was. How much he told me he loved me. I smiled at the thought and wrote down, ‘rainbow’.

I looked up and patiently waited for the light. It’s funny how sad I got when it went red. It was as if I really wanted to meet him. I hate myself for that. “Aw! That was too bad. But not TOO bad right?! You still have a lot of chances.”

I guess so.

“Straight or curve?”

It would be curve for me. Straight is boring. And if it would be compared to life, it IS curve because of the problems we face. It’s not easy to cross life without hard work.

I sighed in relief when the light turned green.

“Black or white?”

Even before, I preferred black. I think life’s not so pure. Whatever we do, there would always be obstacles. Black.

I was surprised when it was another green light. Wow. Normally, people are against things I prefer but this guy, he was like a shadow of me. Strangely, I was starting to feel very anxious about him. I was so desperate that I wanted to get everything right and meet him.

“Wow! You two are the best at this so far!”

My heart was beating louder and louder.

“Reveal or Hide?”

I smiled at the question. It appears to me that the questions in this booth are really connected to how I feel. It’s like they were really made for me. I’m sure we’ll have different answers this time.

The light went green.

What? I pressed my lips together and stared at the paper where I wrote my answer. This man. This guy is really making me want to know him now. He was making me curious of him. I chose to hide and he chose it too? What fate.

“This will be the last question and if you two get it right, you will have your very special dinner later, 7 pm.” The announcer paused. “The one you love or the one who loves you.”

I, uh, I- I’m not so sure. If I were to choose, I’d pick the one I love. Because if I choose the one who loves me, I’ll only hurt his feelings for not really loving him for real. It’s like, I was only forced to love him back because the one I love doesn’t love me back, you know.

I waited for the blink and—

“CONGRATULATIONS! You two got 9 out of 10 questions! Right now,” the door to my left suddenly opened and I saw Cathy coming close to me. “Someone will now remove your locks and will wrap you a bracelet that will be your guide to where your rooms will be this 7 pm.” I looked down and Cathy indeed wrapped a bracelet around my wrist. It was a red colored paper with the name ‘Pucca’ written in it. I frowned for a moment. Why would they put that name in it?

“Yes, the characters written in your bracelets will serve as a label over the door to your rooms still sponsored by yours truly. I hope you have a good time with your soulmates later, fellow students. Don’t worry! Our team would help you find your room once you enter our building. Thank you!”

I turned to Cathy if there would still be something she’ll add. She just smiled and led the way. Cathy and I walked out of the room and she led me out of the building. “Thank you.” I said once we reached outside.

“You two. I think you two would really end up together.” Cathy said giggling. “Or not?”

I smiled and blushed. “Do you know the guy?”

“Of course! We see everything from the monitor.”

“It’s just a booth though.”

“I know but you two never could’ve matched answers but you did. It’s so destiny. Don’t you think? I tell you, someday, these singles would thank our booth for setting them up.” She winked and finally turned to go back inside.

I looked at the paper bracelet they hang around my wrist once again. I raised my gaze and started walking. I went back to the cudgel house.

When I reached there, no one was around. Maybe they were out trying every booth at the fair. I sighed and proceeded to the rooms. I entered mine. I seldom use our rooms in the club. I find it uncomfortable staying with so many boys.

My room in the club house was small yet decent and clean. It was a mental hospital like room but less mental. It had furniture and a single person bed. A side table with a moon night light and an empty cabinet. As I said, I don’t sleep here even if I work for the club late.

I quickly laid down my bed staring at the ceiling. I do hope I’d finally meet my destiny. I thought. “Okay. Let’s get working.” I rose up and stood walking towards my study table.

I looked at my watched and it was already pass six thirty. I sighed and closed the book I was reading for my examination test this week.

I stepped out of my room when I heard loud murmurs enter the house. I smiled when I saw Sean, Kevin, Alder, and William together.

“Julia!”

I waved and smiled wider when they noticed me standing in front of them watching. “Hey guys.”

“It’s nice to know that you’re actually using the room given to you.” Kevin said with a smile.

I nodded. “It would be a waste to stock such cozy bed in there.”

They chuckled.

“I’ll make bread with Nutella. Who wants one?” Alder asked.

“Me!”

“Count me in.”

I looked down.

“What about you, Julia?”

I looked up and saw William looking. I shook my head. “No thanks. I still need to fix myself for the dinner tonight.”

“Dinner?!” Sean exclaimed leaning his face close to mine. “With who?”

“I don’t really know. Someone registered me in the ‘Soulmate Booth’. I have no idea.”

They looked at each other as I watched them exchange whispers.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“It’s just that. . .”

I frowned.

“Didn’t he told us he was going to a dinner—“ Sean stopped tapping his finger with his chin.

“What time is that dinner you’re talking about, Julia?” Alder asked.

“As far as I can remember, it’s supposed to be 7 pm.” Their eyes went wide. “What?”

“It could be someone else, Sean. I heard the dates were made for many soul-mates for one night.” William said but really, I couldn’t understand their topic.

“It could still be, her.”

“It’s red!” Kevin exclaimed pointing below me. I looked down and realized it was the paper bracelet they wrapped. “Too.”

“You guys are being too assuming.”

“You say that because you have a date yourself.” Sean frowned.

I looked at William as he raised his wrist. He had the same paper bracelet in his hand only his, was green in color. I looked up close and his character was named, ‘Peter Pan’ He smirked and I let out a thin smile in amusement.

“I’ll see you guys in a bit then.” I stepped back.

“I still think it’s her though.” Sean continued.

“We’ll see you later, Julia.” Alder smiled and I smiled back walking away.

I hurried back to my apartelle and searched for a suitable dress to fit the night. Unfortunately, I only had my pink dress. I wore it once for our ‘back-to-school’ party. “It’s better than nothing.”

I looked at myself over the mirror. The pink dress went a little- little for me but it was fine. Its back was laced but it was a good thing my hair was long so that it could cover most part of it.

I wasn’t into heels so I wore my white silk flats my Aunt gave me for my sixteenth birthday. I had my sling bag over my right shoulder and a simple lip gloss finished my look for tonight’s dinner date.

I grabbed the castle I kept in my drawer and gripped it tight. Yes. After it broke, I kept the pieces safely. “This is it, dad. Please help me find the best man for me.” I smiled at my own thought and finally walked away after placing it back to its place.

On my way back to the campus, I realized I left my bag in the cudgel house. When I went there, I froze when the guys stared at me jaws dropped. “Uh. . . I, uh, left my wallet in the room so. . .”

“Wow! Julia! That soul mate guy of yours sure is lucky to have you as his date!” Sed teased and I chuckled.

“Not until I punch him in the face for being a pervert.”

He chuckled.

I ran down path of rooms I ran to a while ago and got my wallet back. When I was about to step out of the room, a tall guy blocked my way out. He quickly moves his hand his back. I looked up and saw Armin smirking. “You sure did prepare a lot for that date of yours.”

I smiled slyly. “What about you?” I looked at him. He was wearing a formal black suit and some blue un-fixed neck tie. I chuckled stepping closer to him and ran my fingers around his tie. “You know,” I started fixing his tie. “If you were to meet a very special girl, you should at least fix yourself tidily before she realizes you weren’t clean and neat.”

“Is that so?” he said.

I looked up to him and smiled. “Of course!”

He chuckled.

“There.” I stepped back away from him.

“Thanks.” He smiled.

I winked and frowned after a few seconds. “Let me see what character yours is.” I was about to grab his hand then he pushed my head away.

“No. You can’t.”

“Aww! Come on, Min. It’s not like— Look!” I raised my wrist and showed him mine. “Mine is Pucca.”

He flashed me a very mysterious yet charming smile. “I didn’t ask though.” He chuckled as he started walking away.

“You’re always unfair.” I crossed my arms pouting.

He turned back to me still wearing his smile. “I was going to go there with you then I realized I shouldn’t so, see ya later.”

I frowned until he vanishes from my sight. I returned to the living room where the guys were. “Found your wallet?” Spencer asked.

I nodded and smiled. “Yes.”

“Good luck with your date, Julia! I’m sure he’s very happy right now.” Sean exclaimed and they all started teasing.

I scanned the area and there were some who weren’t there. I looked for Joshua but he wasn’t there.

“You know, it took me a minute to realize that ‘Ah! You two were paired.’ But it’s really no big deal. You’ll love him.” Kevin said wiggling his brows.

“But I think she already does right now. Even before.” Sean said making it more confusing. I already do? I don’t even know I had someone I love right now.

“I’ll go ahead then guys.”

“Okay. Bye, Julia!”

“Take care!”

I chuckled. “I will. Thank you.”

The Student Council was a perfection. I didn’t think it would actually look like America’s white house at night. The building was spot lighted by angle and their fountain had violet, blue lights. It was very enchanted.

I just stepped in front of their door then it opened revealing Cathy in front of me. “It’s nice to meet you here again, Julia.” She smiled as she widened the gap of the door, enough for me to enter.

I just smiled in response.

“I knew you wouldn’t dare ditch your soul mate.”

I smiled as we walked pass by a hallway. One door had a paper stuck in it with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ written in it. When I passed by the door saying ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’, I realized, William was in there.

Every door I passed by were labelled with famous love teams in the television. It surprised me when we stopped in front of a door that was decorated with crepe papers and rose petals.

“The price for getting the highest score.” Cathy said making me feel butterflies in my stomach. I was getting so excited and nervous and anxious and – I don’t know.

The door was labelled with ‘Garu and Pucca’. I was getting so much butterflies in my stomach the moment Cathy told me it was time for me to go inside. As the door opened slowly in suspense, — a tall guy blocked my way out. He quickly moves his hand his back. I looked up and saw Armin smirking. “You sure did prepare a lot for that date of yours.”

My brows creased. I could see the guy’s one arm from the table right now.

“No. You can’t.”

“Aww! Come on, Min. It’s not like— Look!” I raised my wrist and showed him mine. “Mine is Pucca.”

He flashed me a very mysterious yet charming smile. “I didn’t ask though.” He chuckled as he started walking away.

“You’re always unfair.” I crossed my arms pouting.

He turned back to me still wearing his smile. “I was going to go there with you then I realized I shouldn’t so, see ya later.”

“Let me see what your character is.” I was about to grab his hand then he pushed my head away.

My hands slowly opened the door until it finally revealed the man I was supposed to be destined with. Don’t tell me it’s—

“Julia?”