The Plan

By Halcyon Zeru

 

            Lei, Andie, Krinie and Vic were walking toward to their classroom. After recess, the subject is the boring Trig subject lead by Ms. B.S.

            “Another boring subject.” Lei sighed over her pocketbook while walking

            “Better not say that Lei, because she’s going to give the quarter exam results today.” Andie said as a matter of factly

            “Oh no! I’m going to die!” Vic said worried

            “I’m going to fail.” Krinie sighed.

            While they were walking toward their classroom, they passed Jayce’s classroom. Lei’s eyes roamed around the room as if searching a person desperately.

            “Lei, contacting from earth, hello!” Andie said shaking Lei

            “Huh?” she said startled

            “We’re going to be late so let’s go!” Krinie said

            They arrived at their classroom. Vic told Lei.

            “If I only know… it’s only Jayce.” Vic said nudging Lei

            Lei, speechless and embarrassed, went to her seat beside Andie.

            “You’re thinking about him!” Andie teased her

            “Oh no, I just want to see if Iris came to school.” she quickly said

            The class on Trig went and Ms. B.S announced the results of the quarter exam.

Luckily the four passed.

            Whew!

***

            Lunchtime at the canteen. The four were eating lunch.

            “Jayce! Jayce!” chorused the three while Lei was eating.

            “That’s not true! I wasn’t looking for that Jayce!.” Lei pressed.

            Silence came over the table as the three pairs of eyes stared at Lei accusingly.

“Okay, okay. It’s him, so what?” she said, finally admitting it.

            “You see, he also likes you.” Krinie said.

            “Yeah, he does like you.” echoed the two at Lei.

            “What kind of friends are you guys?” she said with her annoyed look

            Lei finished her lunch first decided to go to the library and finish her notecards. The three apologized to her and said that they’ll never tease her on Jayce.

            When Lei was gone.

            “Guys, I have an idea.” Krinie whispered.

            “What is it?” Andie asked as she leans closer.

“Why don’t we arrange them to meet? Since Jayce likes Lei, and Lei likes Jayce. Opportunity to meet is what they need to know how they feel for each other.” Krinie said while eating a handful of Nerds candy.

            “I think it’s a hard thing to do.” Vic said staring at her.

            “Well we have to make some sort of plan to work it out and since the high school dance is nearing, he might ask her to go out with him.” Krinie said dreamily as she pictures Lei dancing with Jayce on the night of high school dance

            “What’s the plan?” Andie said interested to make the first move.

            “Here’s how it goes.” Krinie said conspiringly.

            Discussions were made where Krinie is the coach of the plan so if anything goes wrong, she’ll be the one to run. The two, Andie and Vic are the ones who will execute the plan.

The plan is to get the two Lei and Jayce alone to talk things out. Hoping that it would turn out for their good.

***

The next day at the Student’s Lounge. They met without Lei.

            “When are we going to execute the plan?” Vic asked

            “Today Andie will make the first move. She’ll talk to Iris about Lei.” Krinie said

            The bell rung, so the four friends went to the fourth floor. Suddenly Andie said to them.

            “You guys go on. I’ll have to talk to Iris.” Andie said going to the room

            Iris is seated near at the door while Jayce is seated at the front row, the seating arrangement for the Chemistry class.

            “Uh Iris, I was wondering if Lei said something about the assignment which Mrs. Cabaluna gave yesterday.” Andie said quickly eyeing to Iris then to Jayce

            “The assignment? The same assignment Mrs. Cabaluna gave to our section.” Iris said vaguely, not catching up with Andie’s question

            Jayce’s face… She can’t forget it! The way his eyes lit up and looked quickly to her and she had a hint that Jayce is listening at their conversation. Andie hurriedly went out of Iris’ room. Seeing Krinie behind the door of the room watching her move.

            “Good work. Now tell me what happened.” Krinie said as she tugs Andie inside the classroom

            Andie told her what happened and Jayces’ reaction. She can’t help but to giggle while Vic listened intently. Lei shot a curious look at them. The three just smiled at her ‘as if they had planning something’ Lei thought.

            The following days, same routine. Jayce, not realizing that he is the object the trio’s plans.

            Lei cannot take it longer and pleaded to the three what they are talking about.

            “Oh please tell me. I’m dying to know.” Lei said pleading to them

            “You’ll know for a few days.” Krinie said smiling at her

            Lei shot a look at them with droopy sad eyes and a long face.

            “Don’t be upset with us.” Vic said patting her shoulder

            “Yeah, only few days. You’ll know.” Andie said with a smile

            Lei smiled weakly.

            “Could you please tell me. Andie what are they planning?” she said eyeing at her friend.

            “Do I really have to tell you? You have just to wait.” Andie said firmly

            “Okay. If I only know---.” her voice trails off as she sees Jayce going on their classroom giving the call slip to Vic

            “You wish it was you.” Andie joked

            “Very funny.” Lei said annoyed

            ‘If only it was I,’ she thought as Vic smiled at Lei waving her call slip.

            “She’s so lucky!” Lei sighed

            The class ended and when Krinie called Andie.

            “I’m thinking, we must make the final cut.” Krinie said quickly

            “How in the world should we make the final cut?” Andie asked

            “Here’s what to do.” Krinie said excitedly

            Krinie told Andie that she had to do the talking and Vic would stand on the other way to make the plan goes smoothly tomorrow and tell Lei that they’ll meet her at their classroom during the extension time. Vic would make sure she comes. Also to find Jayce and to talk to him and let him wait inside the room.

            “That sounds good. I’ll call Vic to let her know we’re going to make the final kill of our scheme.” Andie said

            Andie called Vic to tell the final kill tomorrow.

***

            The following day at school, Lei is still pleading to them, saying that she’ll give them whatever they wanted. Tutor on all subjects. Anything!

            “Don’t worry Lei, you’ll know it.” Krinie said grinning

            “I think this thing, you’re planning is something I will never forget.” Lei said sarcastically, already imagining something for the worse…

            “Um—maybe.” Andie said quickly

            Classes began while Lei kept on trying to figure out what the three has been doing for the past few days. She’d seen them giggling and staring at her and she’s really annoyed and desperate to know what they are planning.

            “Cheer up Lei. Don’t worry we’re not planning what you are thinking.” Andie said modestly

            “If I only know--.” Lei said flatly

            Classes continue, until it ended. Recess time.

            “Lei would you please meet us at our room after recess. We’ve got something to talk about. Things we didn’t told you about the past few days.” Krinie said softly

            Lei thought for a while.

            “Why in our room? We could talk at the library.” Lei said

Krinie look straight at her with serious voice.

            “Just be in the room after recess, because I had to get back those things at Gate 6 and the two are having their oral exams.” Krinie said

            Lei eyed her suspiciously and she finally said.

            “Okay but promise to tell me.”

            “Promise.” Krinie said quickly as she went out of the room

***

            “There’s Jayce!” Vic said in the computer lab lockers getting his things.

            Vic went to the other way to make sure Lei won’t see them talking to Jayce. Andie went straight to Jayce as he looks up to her.

            “Jayce.” Andie called him as she approaches him

            “Yeah?” he asked

            “Can I talk to you alone?” Andie said quietly

            They went to the vacant room beside the computer lab. Jayce followed in silence.

            “What do you want from me?” he asked her eyeing her intently

            “My best friend Lei wants to talk to you about something---.” Andie muttered

            “What about her anyway?” he asked quietly

            “Oh, I don’t know. It’s just urgent. If you don’t want to, it’s fine.” Andie said as she walks away

            Jayce called her. Yes!

            “Wait!” he called her back

            Andie stopped and looked back. The first time she saw Jayce concerned look for Lei. It’s a jackpot!

            “I thought---.” Andie said finding the words to say next

            “Where? What room?” he asked her

            “Our room. Go up now.” Andie said

            They left the room immediately to meet Krinie at the Guidance Center.

            “Lei is going up on the room now.” Krinie said quickly

            “Also Jayce. We finally convinced him.” Vic said

            The bell has just rung for the recess time. It was 3:00, a prayer was being played at the PA system,  they are all attending a private Catholic school.

            The three agreed to watch over the window and to be a little late to give way to Jayce to come in to the classroom.

***

             Lei was sitting on her chair. She started to stand up and walk around the platform.

            “It’s already pass recess and the bell has already rung. They are not coming at all! Could they drop the Jayce thing?!” she said loudly

            Lei turned when somebody walked in and the person- Jayce.

***

            “Oops! Bad timing, he just barged in where Lei is giving her speech to us.” Krnie said as she peered over the window

            “It worked anyway.” Andie said as thy watched the two

***     

Oh my gosh! Lei thought as her pulse beat faster. He heard all what she’s saying throughout the time.

            “Sorry, I’m expecting my friends to meet me here.” Lei managed to say

            “No Andie said that you want to talk to me with about things----.” he said quickly

            “Things?!” she said in disbelief, flushing

            “Yes, things.” he said again

            “Oh things.” Lei muttered again

            Jayce looked at her seriously as if she didn’t know what she’s saying.

            “Anyway—if you wan’t like to talk it’s fine.” Jayce replied

            As she heard those words, she quickly said

            “Wait!”

            “Yes?” he said turning back to Lei

            “You’ve been nice to me all along and a great person.” she said quickly

            Jayce just smiled--- a smile that Lei’s heart wanted to melt.

            “Thanks. I was wondering if you would like to go the dance?” Jayce asked her shyly

            Lei’s eyes widened in surprise. Is Jayce actually asking her to go with him at the high school dance?!  She must be dreaming!

            “I would like to go with you.” she said

            ‘Now I know what those three has been up to... What a clever idea.’ Anyway she’s going to meet them at the Gate 6 so why worry?

            She just nodded and they went out together talking and hearing their laughter along the hall.

***

            The three went out from their hiding place. Krinie beamed at them.

            “Ladies we’ve done a very good job!”

            “This serves a celebration!” Andie exclaimed

            “It’s the mission accomplished.” Vic said proudly

            “So let’ s go.” Andie said as they raced down to the hall

            The bell rang for the end of the extension bell. The three quickly go down and meet Lei at Gate 6 to tell the whole story of their plan. After all succeeded on Jayce going to the high school dance with Lei.

~*~