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It was activity
ban that day. All the club meetings are cancelled, because it’s only a week
before the quarter exams. My friends I are spending the whole time in the
canteen chatting.
“Good thing
there’s no club meeting for today. I can’t stand lecturing the bunch of noisy
club members.” Cathy said groaning
“This is a right
timing because I don’t feel like going to my club, it’s so boring.” I sighed
Just in time Elsa and Ivy came over to our table holding
their ice cream which they bought.
“Let’s go now, the library is still open.” Elsa said to
us
Before we can stand. Dean arrived calling Elsa loudly.
“Elsa!” she said loudly
“What!?” Elsa said irritably
Dean sat our table
as she began to speak.
“I just came here to copy your Math assignment.” Dean
said as she looked for her notebook
“So, you just came over to copy my assignment.” Elsa said
annoyed
“Please---It’s will be the last I promised!” Dean pleads
“Okay-okay.” Elsa said giving her the notebook that
contains the answers for the assignment
“Cathy, I’m going to buy mango shake over the counter,
would you like to come with me?” I asked as I stand up
“No thanks, I rather stay here.” Cathy replied
I went to the counter where the mango shakes were sold.
Sipping the mango shake as I going towards our table. Unexpectedly, I bump to a
guy.
“Sorry!” I quickly said as I get my hanky
“No, it’s okay. It’s my fault anyway I didn’t look on my
way. “ he said still his head bent while wiping with his hanky
His voice is quite familiar, that reminds me of someone.
I heard it before and I think I know this guy! He looked at me with amazement.
“Is that you Rachel?” he exclaimed
Oh my gosh! He knows my name and this guy is very
familiar to me.
“Sebastian the bully?” I managed to say
He smiled again.
“Yeah, it’s me. How are you doing Rachel? It’s been eight
years I haven’t seen you.” he said as he extended his hand to me to shake it
I slowly looked at him. He doesn’t change a lot since
we’re classmates. He’s just been taller and cuter and the way he dressed. We’re
still shaking our hands, now holding firmly. I realized that we are in front of
my friends and they’re staring at us.
“Umm—guys meet Ian my classmate from my old school.” I
said to them
“Hi Ian.” They chorused
“Hi!” he said cheerfully to them
I turned again to him and said
“So Ian, what makes you bring here at our school?” I
asked
“I am asked by my aunt to pay the remaining balance of my
cousin who is on her first year. Do you know where’s the accounting office?” he
asked
“Sure, it’s only 12:30 and they’re closed. Lunch time.” I
said as I glanced on my watch
“Too bad, I had to wait. Rachel would you like to talk
for awhile. It’s been years I haven’t talk to you.” he said going to the next
table and sat
“So Ian the bully, what do you want to talk about?” I
asked as I sipped my shake
“Stop calling me
Ian the bully. I have changed you know.” he said as he drums his fingers on the
table
“Okay Ian.” I said shortly
“I want you to talk about the things you did when you
left our old school.” he said as he looks at the surroundings
I relate all the things from the time I transferred here.
Found friends and the activities in school.
“So you have lived a very colorful life here.” he said as
matter of factly
“Yes I think so but—how’s your life, are you studying at
our old school?” I asked him
“No I transferred, after a year when you transferred.” he
said finally
“So where to?” I asked again
“To Don Bosco.” he said
My eyes widened by surprise when he said that he’s studying
in Don Bosco.
“What’s the fuss that I’m studying there?” he asked me
“Nothing.” I
replied shortly
“Anyway, I’m going to tell you my so called life.” he
said
He transferred a year after. Going to another school is
his parent’s decision. Since he get good grades.
“Still bully in your new school?” I said quickly
He shot a look at me and said
“Would you please –I’m talking let me finish first.”
“Sorry, go on.” I said giggling
His stay in his new school marked new challenges, he stop
bullying when he reached high school, saying that he’ll start his high school
life being nice to his classmates.
“Is that all?” I said yawning
“No, I’m not getting to the half of it.” he said as he
continues to tell his story
He continues to tell his story. He became a fencing
varsity and holds a position in the Student Board. My eyes widened in surprise
when he said he hold a position in the Student Board.
“You? You hold a position?” I asked in disbelief
“Yes, as a matter of fact.” he smiled
“Would you please tell me?” I pleaded
He looked at me, his face amused as I figured it out.
“Oh, it can’t be! You’re the president. Ian the bully
president?” I said in disbelief
“I’m the president.” he replied
“So enough of that. I’m speechless. You win.” I sighed
“Okay, it’s my turn to ask questions. How about you’re
social life? Any special someone?” he asked looking at me
My face grew hot as he asked that question to me.
“Come on. I know you well.” he laughed
“No one as of the moment. How about you?” I asked
challenging him
“Of course no one. I’m studying in all boys school.” he
said shortly
“If I know you’re school is near in Assumption an all
girls school.” I said airily
“Well you’re right. Someone, a girl I liked and it didn’t
worked out.” he said lowering his eyes
I felt sorry for him hearing that news. Ian looked at his
watch it’s past 1:00. He immediately stands up.
“I better be going, my aunt is going to kill me if I
didn’t go now.” he said quickly
“Okay, take care.” I said standing up
I went back to
my friends’ table and Dean was staring at me.
“What?” I asked to her
“You know that guy?! He’s the one I’m pointing awhile ago
and here you are knowing that he’s you’re long lost classmates.” Dean gushed
“It’s accidental.” I firmly said as Cathy shot a look at
me
“Cathy, I know that look.” I said
“Nothing. Can’t you believe that you’re seeing your long
lost classmate?” she teased
“Stop it!” I snapped opening my notebook
They spent the whole day teasing me about my former
classmate Ian. I said it’s not a big thing and they shouldn’t fuss about it
that I met my long lost classmate.
“Come on Rachel, tell me why did you call him Ian the
bully?” Cathy asked me inside the library
“Well, as far as I can remember that when we’re still
classmates, he always tease girls and make them cry. Once he tried to get my
snack and I told my mom. She went on my school the following day scolded him
and the teacher punished him.” I said
“So that’s why you called him Ian the bully.” Cathy said
slowly
“Yes, Ian the bully.” I said wistfully
“Maybe he was a bully before. But now look at him he’s
changed.” she said hopefully
“Would you please stop it. Maybe---maybe he changed.” I
said
“See you’re admitting it! It’s the proof that he became a
recognize figure in his school.” Cathy said teasingly
“Looks like you’re the one who is interested to him.” I
said shortly while writing notes on my notebook
“It’s not like that. Rachel give him a chance to
prove---it’s been eight long years and he should be able to change.” Cathy said
slowly
“Hey, hey Cathy you’re getting personal! I’m not ---I’m
not--.” I said finding the words to say next
“Interested?” she replied back
“No!” I firmly said
“Since the prom is nearing. He might ask you.” she said
dreamily
“Oh I quit!” I said irritably closing my notebook
***
The next few days. I resumed to my schoolwork and club
for the upcoming inter school competition. I hurriedly went out with Cathy.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I am not going
to the prom.” I said quickly
“Why? It’s suppose our memorable night.” Cathy pointed
out
Just as I said no to her. A black Accord car stopped. To
my fright it is Ian and his car window is open. He went out of his car and
greets me.
“Hi!” he said cheerfully to me
He’s in uniform and a large brown envelope he is
carrying.
“Hi.” I managed
to say
“I better go now, my bus would probably leave me.” Cathy
said quickly and with a quick goodbye she walks away
“What’s gotten to her?” Ian asked looking at the
direction Cathy went
“I don’t know. She’s just like that.” I mumbled
Cathy you’ll pay for it!
“You’ll probably wonder why I’m here.” he said
“Yes, I’m wondering.” I said looking at the surroundings
“I overhead that your prom is nearing.” he said slowly
“Yes.” I said quickly
“Is that so---I was wondering---anyway I’m here because
of this.” he said quickly as he raised his long brown envelope
“Why?” I asked
“You see. I was here because my school is sending
representatives for the inter school competition. I’m getting their permits.”
he said casually
“So you’re school is joining? I’m also doing the
preparations. I’m an officer.” I said
“In case then. Do you know where I could give this?” he
said as he gives the envelope to me
“Let me see.” I said as I open the envelope
I told him who’s the authorized to give permits for the
students who are joining the inter school competition.
“Thanks.” he said as he went towards Gate 6
“You’re welcome.” I said
He looked back at me and smiled.
“See you sometime this week.” he said as he waved back to
me
***
Friday, the inter school competition. I was one of the
emcee of the said competition. It was during the intermission number when I
descended to the stairs Dean pulled me.
“Rachel, you’re so lucky. Look at that guy.” Dean pointed
out
“Dean, for goodness sake stop it! You guys suppose to
watch not to drool them.” I said annoyingly
“Rachel would you please introduce us to them?” Dean
pleaded to me
“Alright.” I said quickly
So I did I introduced them. To my relief Dean’s friends
left me and the program was resumed again. The program was held whole day.
Seeing my school compete against other schools. The program ended and our
school was the winner. Everybody clapped and sang the Alma Matter song.
“Congratulations Rachel. You make the program lively and
interesting.” Mrs. Reyes said
“Thank you. I’m also glad that our school won again four
consecutive times.” I said proudly
I said goodbye to her. It’s nearly quarter to six and the
bus has already left me. I had no choice but to commute on my way home. As I
was walking in the parking lot. Someone called my name. It was Ian.
“Rachel, wait!” he said as he catches up with me
“Yes?” I asked him
“Would you like if I give you a ride back home? It’s
getting late.” he said to me
“Oh no, I might bother you. You had company.” I said
embarrassed
“No, they bring their cars with them.” he said casually
“But you had to
go to ATC. It’s Friday and it’s gimmick day.” I said to him as an excuse
“Silly, I’m going home. Anyway, I got something to ask
you.” he finally said looking at the surroundings, only few people, mostly
teachers going home
“Ask me now.” I said nervously as I firmly hold my bag
“You see I-I, oh geez…how can I put this…”he muttered
As I was about to speak, he said straight to me.
“I want to ask you out for your prom.” he said finally
I stared at him for a while.
“Me?” I said slowly
“Yes, you.” he said straight to me
I stared at him again. Unable to say the next word.
“If you don’t want it’s fine.” he said
“Oh no, I-I would like to.” I said embarrassed
He smiled and offered to carry the books I’m holding.
“Would you like for me to take you home? I can talk to
your mom for why you are late and I’m going to tell her that you’ll be going
out with me at the prom.” he said as I laughed and tapped him hard on his
shoulder.
“Sure classmate. Classmates again, Ian.” I said smiling
We went to his car. He paused and looked at me with his
cutest smile.
“I’m glad that you didn’t call me Ian the bully, but
classmate. We’re classmates again Rachel.” Ian remarked
Wait
till you here this Cathy. I’m going to the prom with my classmate Ian!
~*~