3. Friday Night

Nothing feels better than hearing the bells ring and going out of the classroom on a Friday afternoon. But before the day ends, Mr. Bates never fails to spoil the good mood.
"Class, don't forget, we have a long quiz on Monday. Better read up those chapters," he said. I looked around the class and sees everyone busy packing their bags, like pretending they didn't hear anything. I see Jesse writing on her notebook, maybe taking a few keynotes from the board. Andrew was texting with his cellphone, as if there was no professor inside the classroom. I just continued to put my books and other things back in my bag.
After packing, I stood up and went towards Jesse's seat. She's just packing her things.
"You're heading home after class?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I guess. I don't have anywhere else to go, why?" She responded, looking up at me and pushing back her glasses.
"Nothing, I just asked." I just thought of asking that.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Andrew suddenly showed up behind me and startled me.
"You guys are going home on a Friday night? Oh, come on! There's no school tomorrow," he said.
"Why? Where do you plan to go?" I asked him.
"Well, wanna go watch a movie?" He asked me and Jesse.
"Well..." I didn't respond immediately. I looked at Jesse who's looking back at me.

"I guess..?" I replied with a tone of a question, meaning, I'm not so sure about his plan.
"Great! How about you, Jesse? Wanna come too?" He asked Jess.
"I think I'm gonna pass this time, but you two have fun, okay?" Jesse replied.
"You sure?" I asked her. Trying to persuade her to come with us by giving her a certain look, like trying to communicate through telepathy.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Jesse calmly replied.
"Alright then, if you say so. But next time, you promise you'll come with us, okay?" Andrew said. Jesse just gave us a faint smile and nodded.
Andrew started walking out the classroom and I was a bit left behind, saying goodbye to Jesse.
"Take care," I said, as I started to walk towards the door.
"Thanks," She replied.


We took the cab to the nearest mall. People have been looking at me and Andrew as we walk because we're wearing our uniforms. We're wearing beige colored coats, white polo shirts, plaided skirt for me and pants for Andrew. I'm wearing my all-time favorite shoes - white All Star Chucks.
We walked and walked, till we reached the theaters. We both stood in front of the ticketing table and with our heads up, we tried to look for a good movie to watch.
"What do you suggest?" Andrew said.
"You're call," I replied.
"Let's watch Black Swan," Andrew suggested. I just gave him a 'so-so' look.
"I wanna watch Sucker Punch," I said.
"What? Sucker Punch? Oh come on, Black Swan," He insisted.
"I have a better idea. Why don't we just watch what we want to watch? Sounds good, eh?" I suggested. He didn't respond immediately.
"What? I don't see you come up with better ideas. Watching both will cost us a lot," I said.
"Oh alright, you watch Sucker Punch, and I watch Black Swan," Andrew finally agreed. I couldn't have it any other way. Plus, I wonder what it feels like to watch a movie alone. The last time was when I saw Secret Garden the Movie with Jesse.

So we bought our tickets but both our screenings are not starting until an hour passes. So we decided to go get something to eat.
"You know what? I feel like we're having a date," Andrew said with a smile on his face. I looked at him with a blank face and a popcorn in between my lips, looking like a bum.
I threw the piece of popcorn I'm holding at his face.
"Gross," I said.
Andrew laughed at my reaction. "What?! I was just kidding! You're so not my type," He said.
"Thank God for that," I said, chewing on the piece of popcorn.
Andrew looks at his watch and said, "Come on, the movies are about to start. Don't finish those, save some for later."
We both got up and went to the theaters.

So there, we went our separate ways and entered the theaters. It's dark and the movie is about to start. Good thing there's an usher with a gigantic flashlight, lighting my way to my seat.
The moment I sat down, the opening credits started to roll - just in time.
I held on to my pack of popcorn, opened it and started eating it. Halfway before I finish the popcorn, I just rememebered, "Shit! I forgot my iced tea!" Oh well, I guess I just have to watch and eat without drinking.
Funny though, even if the movie already started 10 minutes ago, that's when the theater started to be packed. While watching, three guys sat in front of me.
So there, the movie was rolling, but these three guys in front of me keep on talking while watching - like immature kids reacting to every bomb that blows or the characters jumping off a cliff and not dying.
I couldn't resist myself so I lifted my right leg and kicked the back of the chair in front of me.
"Hey!" He turned around. I could only see his silhouette, his butt lifted from his seat. I shrank on my seat and covered half of my face with my bag, only my eyes are seen.
"What the hell did you do that for, huh?" He shouted. I looked around and saw people looking at us. People are starting to shout at him to shut him up.
Suddenly, the guy beside him stood up and made the angry guy sit down.
"Chill. Let it go, she's a lady, for Christ's sake. You gonna pick a fight inside the theater just for that?" He said. I looked at the guy and i saw is silhouette too.
I recognize something, his spiky hair, and the puffiness of his cheeks are clearly seen through his silhouette. I'm positive. I know who he is.
He turned to me and whispered, "Sorry for that."
I replied with the bag on covering my mouth, letting out a muffling sound, "It's okay."
So, I continued watching and I noticed that once in a while, he slightly turns his head and looks at me through the corner of his eye, but I didn't pay any attention to that and just continued watching the movie.

At the end, as the credits roll, I started to head for the door in fast walking speed. I didn't want to see who that mad person was. So I continued walking through the crowd. The moment I got out of the theater, I squinted my eyes for the bright lights blinded me. The moment I got out, I took out my cellphone and texted Andrew.
I'm done. Where are you? Message sent.
While waiting for his reply, someone taps me on my left shoulder. I turned around and I saw him, Jason, standing behind me. The moment he saw me, he smiled and let out a small laugh.
"I knew it was you," He said. I just smiled, feeling embarrassed.
"Sorry about what happened earlier," I said, looking down on my hands.
"No, no, it's not your fault. We were actually a bit noisy inside the theater so we are the ones who should apologize," He said. How can someone look to perfect while apologizing?
"It's okay," I said, smiling. I looked behind him and I noticed that he's alone.
"Where are your friends?" I asked them.
"Oh, uhm, I told them to go ahead. I thought it would be best if you guys don't meet each other after what happened inside, he might tease you or something," He said.
Gosh, this guy is unbelievable.
"Oh," I was seriously left speechless.
There was an awkward silence for a second, then someone texted me. It was Andrew.
"Waiting for someone?" Jason asked.
"WAS waiting for someone, but apparently, he told me not to wait for him anymore. He told me I should go ahead," I replied.
"Oh, would you mind if I walk you home?" He politely asked.
Seriously, with that face? I just couldn't say NO....

2. Awkward

Oh, you've got to be kidding me..

"I'm sorry," he said. I was frozen the moment I saw his face. He was standing there alone, facing me, with an apologetic smile on his face.
I can bet that Andrew and Jesse are frozen like me, too. While staring at him for a few seconds, I can feel Andrew poke my arm, "give him his ball back, Jobes," He said while still looking at the guy.
I went back to reality the moment Andrew called my attention. I looked at the ball, and then at him. "Oh, here," I said, handing him the ball back.
"Thanks, and sorry again for bothering you guys," he said. He flashed his smile and walks away. The three of us are watching him walk away.

"Tell me, how cool is that getting hit by Jason's baseball? You're lucky, woman," Jess told me.
"What's lucky in getting hit by a baseball?" I replied.
"Are you crazy? That was Jason! The most popular guy in school. He's cute and he's a great dancer!" Jesse told me. "Yeah!" Andrew added, "face it, you were struck."
"No, I'm not," I said, tucking my hair behind my ear.
"Yes, you are. I saw you freeze the moment you see him," Andrew said.
"How are you sure?" I said, trying to lure away because what he said was true.
"Well, first, you're the type of person who would get back at that certain person if he's not Jason. Second, you froze the moment you saw him. And third, you tucked your hair behind your ear," Andrew explained. I listened to every single reason he said, and much to my dismay, everything he said was right.
"We know you too well, Jobes, you can't hide it from us," Jesse added.
"Fine, alright. I admit it," I just told them that to shut them both up, or else, they'll be teasing me for the whole day.

After all the fuss happening, the bell rang. Jess and I started to pack up our books and place them in our bags.
"I swear, the next time we do this, I'm gonna bring a wagon and drag all these heavy thick books behind me. Carrying them would be like punishing ourselves physically," I whined, again. Jess just let out a small laugh with my whining.
"When will you ever stop whining, Jobes?" Jesse said with a smile in her face.
Andrew interrupted us by saying goodbye, "Hey you guys, I need to go. I'll see you two ladies around," He said.
"Bye," We both said. I raised my hand and waved goodbye.

It's a huge campus, and seeing the nearest building from where we stand felt like it's miles away from us. Yes, I'm somewhat a lazy person.
I saw Jesse's walk starting to get faster. She had no problems in walking fast because she has long legs and she's tall. Unlike me, short legs, SHORT.
After walking a distance away from me, Jess turned around and faced me, walking backwards.
"Jobes, you gotta go faster than that or we'll be late in class," Jesse told me.
"Pffft, alright," I said, trying to speed up. Jesse seems like she's having fun walking backwards, looking at me walk while carry a pile of books.
While walking, my eyes widened the moment I saw Jesse who was about to collide with another person.
"Jess, look out!" I shouted. But it was too late.
"WOAH!" Jesse stumbled backwards and throwing those books into the air. The tall man she collided with fell to the floor too. I approached them.

"What the hell?! Weren't you looking? GOD!" Jesse exclaimed while picking up the books scattered all over the floor.
"Well, don't blame me, you weren't looking too!" the tall guy talked back at Jess. He stands up, dusts himself, and picks up his backpack.
Jesse was left kneeling on the floor, picking up the pile of books. Papers were scattered on the floor as well.
The tall guy looks at her for a few seconds, then he kneels and gathers the papers and gives it to Jess.
The moment I approach them, both of them already stood up.
The tall guy gives Jess her papers with one hand, looking away. Jesse gives him an irritated look and takes the papers, not saying anything.
Jesse started to walk away and we both looked at her for a few seconds.
"Sorry about that, she didn't mean it," I told the guy.
The tall guy just gave me a faint smile and starts to walk away from me as well.
I watched the guy walk away. As I was looking at him, I heard Jess call after me.
"JOBES! Come on!"
She frightened me with her loud voice, and I immediately walked fast to catch up with her.

"Who do you think that guy was?" I asked Jesse, feeling intrigued.
"I don't know, and I don't care," Jesse said, looking straight with a serious face.
"He seems nice," I said with a smile in my face.
Jesse just lets out a smirk and shakes her head twice.
"Why not? He seems nice, well, at least to me," I said again.
There was an awkward silence between us. I can't stand awkward silences, especially between me and Jess. So I tried to tease her just to get rid of the silence and get her to talking.
"I think he likes you," I said.
Jesse stops walking and faces me, giving me the 'unbelieveable!' look.
"Jobes, you watch too many Korean dramas. You need to get away from your fantasies," Jesse told me. She starts walking again.
I catch up, again..
"You both suit each other," I told her. To put aside the teasing, I really think they suit each other well.
Jess stopped and turned to me again. I was expecting a bit of scolding or at least telling me to stop the teasing. She just shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"We're gonna be late, come on," She told me. We both walked faster than usual.

Aish this woman.....

1. Under A Tree

It's just another ordinary day, sitting here in the school grounds with leaves falling to my hair from the stems above me. It's quite boring, trying to kill time by burying my face in the pages of my thick books.
Ahh, I just need a moment of rest. After hours of reading, putting my book down and resting my chin on top of it never feels this good.
Suddenly, my friend across me looks at me, seeing me looking miserable with a sleepy expression.
"Yah, are you just going to sit like that the whole day?" She asked me.
"Are you just going to read books and study your entire life?" I asked her back. She just gave me a smirk. "We've got a report to finish, if we don't finish by tonight, Bates is gonna get us. You know that, Jobes," She told me. Gosh, I hate it when she does that to me. But that's what I love about my friend. She thinks of what's best for the both of us.
"Alright," I said, sitting up straight with a hint of laziness.
I just looked at the things around me before continuing the research I was doing.
"Why are we here again?" I asked.
"What do you mean 'why are we here'? To do this report, of course," she told me.
"No, I mean, why.... heeere?" I asked again, this time pointing to where we are located.
"Huh?" She asked, looking puzzled with what I asked. I sighed.
"You've been burying you head in those books since you were born and you don't understand my simple question of 'why not in the library'. Jeez, Jess," I responded sarcastically.
"I just thought that it's nicer to work out here, you see, you can get more information and inspiration from the environment rather than sitting in a quiet noble place with stocks of books everywhere you turn to," she said.
"You got a point there." Okay, so I rest my case. She does have a point.
Jess just raised her eyebrows and pushed back her huge black-rimmed glasses.

So I sat for a while, and then returned to my books.
After a few moments, Jesse speaks while highlighting some words in the book.
"I'm hearing Son Dambi's Queen," She said without looking at me.
After hearing her say that, I quickly checked my bag and get my phone. I picked up.
"Speak." That's all I said. It's Andrew on the other line.
"Landmark?" He asked.
I looked around me and thought for a while, "Under a tree," I replied.
This time, I can see mouthing the words "who is that". So I mouthed "Andrew" back. She just raised her shoulders and went back to reading.
"There's a gazillion trees here in school just so you know, can you please be more specific?" Andrew asked me again.
I take a look at the tree and replied, "It's brown, green leaves, and is as tall as the world's tallest man who ever lived," I said.
I can see Jesse in front of me, trying to hold in her laughter.
"I'm looking, I'm looking," Andrew said, "Ah, there you two are," Andrew spoke from behind me.
"Good one, Andrew, you managed to find us out of the gazillion 'under-the-trees' here," I said.
"Ha ha, very funny. Besides, the leaves are brown," Andrew said as he sits beside me.
"Sorry, I'm color blind," I continued teasing him.
"Gosh, I feel like I'm such a loser," Andrew exclaimed to himself.
"Don't worry, you're still the BEST loser we've ever known," Jess said, and we laughed.
"What on earth happened, again?" I asked him.
"I tried asking Ji-eun for a date," Andrew said. "AND?" Jess continued.
"And I ended up complimenting her hair and make-up," Andrew finished.
Jess and I both looked like statues after hearing him say that. After a few seconds, we both laughed at what Andrew said.
"And now, she might think I'm gay!" Andrew said, while the two of us are still laughing.
"Aren't you?" I teased Andrew.
"Oh shut up, Jobes." He said.

After a few seconds of laughing, we gathered ourselves up and went back to what we were doing originally. This time, Andrew tries to help with our report, even though he's not part of our group.
While reading, a baseball suddenly hit me behind my head.
"Sorry!" I heard the culprit say. Must be a guy.
That hurt, A LOT.
The moment I turn around and find out who you are, you're dead meat.
I bent my body and reached for the ball on the ground. The moment I sit up again, I saw Jess staring straight at the man behind me. I wonder who it is that made Jess stare like that.
The moment I turned around, I froze. He was there looking at me with a smile in his face, but feeling apologetic for hitting the back of my head with a baseball.
"I'm sorry," he said.

It felt like the whole campus froze in that time frame.....