It was another cold morning, Crisan walked halfway to school while reading the book then as she was about to pass an intersection street then suddenly she felt something brushed up on her legs and it startled her that it let out a slight shriek then she stepped back a bit to see what it was and to her surprise it was a small dog, more precisely a black Scottish terrier that was standing in front of her then an old woman in her prime who looked like she ran to catch her dog, she was panting but she was fine. The old woman life the Scottish terrier then turned to Crisan, she has bob hairstyle which was clearly dyed with burgundy with purple eye color and she looked over-all eccentric, Crisan suddenly looked impress, with her lime green coat with red boots with heavy dazzling jewelry around her neck and wrists. The old woman also looked back at Crisan and noticed her black tent style dress uniform with the school logo embroidered on the left side of the chest.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, is this your dog?", Crisan questioned the old woman.
"Oh, yes!", the old woman panted in response, "I should be the one to apologize, I was drinking tea over there then Sheepy ran off while I wasn't looking".
"That's okay", Crisan acquitted her with a smile on her face, knowing it was just an accident, "at least I came in right on time for her to stop". She looked at the dog and thought how adorable she was with her black fluffy fur and her small bark.
"You're right, thank you so much, I don't what I'd do if something happen to her", the woman thanked.
"She's so sweet", Crisan commented then she thought of something, "if it's okay, can I take a quick picture of her?".
"Of course, you kids and your grams, why don't you include me in it?", the old woman happily suggested, Crisan looked like she didn't expect that, "you know? in my age, I still like someone to take a picture of me and makes feel beautiful". Crisan was in glee, she put the book in her first and then took out her smartphone from her pocket of her uniform dress and to her, the old woman's look was an art inspiration with her outre style.
"Great, let me just put it on camera, I'll just take from the waist up", Crisan said then she tapped the camera icon on her phone, then was about to aim at her and waited a little for the camera lense to focus, the old woman quickly fixed herself then she posed by carrying Sheepy and a fierce-look on her face, " Ready?".
"Yes", the old woman answered her so then Crisan tapped the button to take the picture of her then after that, she opened her gallery.
"Done, let's see how it goes", Crisan said to her then the woman walked to her.
"I want to see", the old woman insisted and so she walked and stood beside Crisan to look at the picture. Crisan opened her photo and they both smiled.
"Looks good", Crisan commented to her, the photo did came out well.
"You're welcome", the old woman boasted, "but thank you".
"No, thank you Mrs...." Crisan stammered as she realized she didn't even knew her name.
"Audra", the old woman answered, "and it's Miss".
"Oh okay", Crisan followed, "thank you, Ms. Audra", then Crisan had this deja vu moment where she felt like she heard of that name before so she starred at her sort of instensely to Ms. Audra.
"And you are?", Ms. Audra asked her.
"Oh right, I'm Crisan", she answered.
"Beautiful name", Ms. Audra said to her.
"Thanks!", Crisan replied then her phone buzzed on her hand so she looked at it and she got a text from Tori asking where she was then Crisan looked at them time on her phone and she froze in shock because it showed that she only have fifteen minutes to get to school, "and I have to go, sorry".
"Of course, thank you again for saving Sheepy", Ms. Audra thanked Crisan as she slowly started walk and crossed the street.
"No problem, and hope to see you around,", Crisan said to her as she looked back at Ms. Audra and waved farewell to her and Ms. Audra waved back at her the she walked back with Sheepy to the tea place where she was before the incident. Crisan started to ran to school with her phone still on her hands. Later, she got to the garden of the school where Tori was waiting for her.
"Hey, Tor", Crisan greeted her.
"Make a girl wait, why don't ya?", Tori worried then grabbed her hand then pulled her to walk inside the school buiding.
"Sorry, something happened on the way", Crisan apologized. Then they stopped walking as they enter and Tori turned to her then let go of her hand.
"It's fine, I didn't mean to rush you, it's just that I forgot my Religious textbook and... can I borrow yours?", Tori asked and put her hands together like she was praying and gave her this puppy dog face, "please".
"Of course, it's in my locker, come on" Crisan said to her. As they got to her locker, Crisan opened it to search where she put it.
"So what took you so long?", Tori questioned her, then she gasped, "was it... him again?". Crisan found and took the textbook out then looked at Tori in a weird way as she gave it to her.
"No, at least this time", Crisan murmured, "I just saw the cutest dog but I almost tripped on him. Oh! I even took a photo of him", then she took out her phone out from her pocket.
"Oh! let me see", Tori said in excitement then Crisan showed what the dog looked like along with the old woman to her, "The dog is cute but who's she?".
"The owner", Crisan replied with a shrug.
"An owner with style,", Tori said sounding impress, "you don't see look like that around here".
"I know, she's nice too", Crisan added, then the bell rang.
"Anyways, thanks for this, I owe you one", Tori said to her, "see you at lunch later".
"Alright", Crisan respond then the two girls went to their classes.
Later the two girls were in school having their Geometry class, Crisan and Tori with three other girls was in front of the class writing their answers from their homework on the white board. A minute after they were all done so all the five girls went back to their seats then Mr. Hansel walked to the board and checked their work one-by-one.
"Ms. Logan, Ms. Reagan, and Ms. Salvadore", he called out to them, "Great job, plus ten points. Ms. Williamson and Ms. Kemp, I will give three points for the effort ". Crisan and Marie quietly gave each other a high-five then suddenly, the bell rang which meant that class was over for the day. The students all began to walked out of the class to head to the study area.
"Oh my Gosh," Theresa reacted, "I'm going to get one of the highest grade in Geometry".
"I know, it's awesome", Crisan said to her.
"Let's celebrate after work later", Theresa suggested to her.
"Sure, Let's do it", Crisan agreed.
In Augustus School, Gage and Courtney was discussing something while waiting for Dave by the doors where all students go in and out of school.
"So how was swim practice?" Courtney asked Gage.
"It's fine, I guess, but still we need you there". Gage said to her.
"I know, I'm sorry", she apologized.
"It's okay," Gage sighed, "It's just for one tournament".
"I know, I know," she replied, "I just wish I can still race though, if this grade issue isn't on the way".
"It'll be over before you know it" Gage said to her then Dave was there, walking to towards to them, "Look, Dave is coming".
"Hey! guys, sorry for keeping you guys waiting", Dave said to them.
"No, it's cool", Gage replied to him, "let's go". Then they got out the building and walked their way to Dave's house.
"Oh! by the way, I just talked to Mr. Jensen a while ago and he said that we don't have to memorize our line, he just wants to see us act it out", Dave happily told them.
"Oh thank goodness", Courtney said in relief, "I thought my brain is going to explode just to absorb everything".
"Well, at least there's one less problem to deal with", Gage said to them, "good thing you asked".
"It was hard since he saw me walking out the guidance counselour's room and asked about how we doing so far and I can't help but tell the truth to him about not able to remember every single lines then he said we don't have", Dave explained.
"At least now, we can ace this skit", Gage said to them.
Later at Dave's house at the basement, the three friends sat together to practice for the Romeo and Juliet skit.
"Okay, so Courtney, just sit over there and pretend to wait for Romeo", Dave said to her so Courtney sat on a chair, "also turn your back and look like you're head wandering around".
"Okay", she answered then rolled her eyes.
"Yep, like that", Dave pointed to her rolled eyes, "and Gage, stand over there and pretend you're stalking her".
"Alright", Gage said to him.
"Let's begin", Dave said then read his part as the narrator, "Romeo stands below Juliet's balcony, marveling at her beauty. Not knowing he's there, Juliet speaks, wondering about Romeo".
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun", Gage read his part while Courtney pretend to be lost in her thoughts," Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon. Who is already sick and pale with grief that thou her maid art far more fair than she. Be not her maid, since she is envious. Her vestal livery is but sick and green, and none but fools do wear it. Cast it off. It is my lady! O, it is my love. O, that she knew she were! She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that? Her eye discourses; I will answer it. I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks. Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven. Having some business, do entreat her eyes. To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars as daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright that birds would sing and think it were not night. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand,That I might touch that cheek!". Dave was watching Gage acting but he felt like something was not right.
"Ay me!", Courtney read her line.
"O, speak again, bright angel" Gage continued, "for thou art as glorious to this night, being o'er my head, as is a winged messenger of heaven unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes of mortals that fall back to gaze on him. When he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds and sails upon the bosom of the air".
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?",Courtney continued, "Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet".
"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?", Gage said.
"Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague?", Courtney said, "It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face. O, be some other name belonging to a man. What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself".
"Romeo reveals himself to Juliet, agreeing to forsake the name Romeo if he can have her love", Dave narrated.
"I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized" Gage recited, "Henceforth I never will be Romeo".
Dave observed enough, "Uhm... let's stop for a second", he told them, Gage and Courtney looked at him in a strange way.
"What's up?" Gage asked him.
"I just think you two really need to... feel it", Dave suggested nervously to them, Courtney blush and Gage looked hesitant.
"Oh my God", Courtney whispered to herself, she felt reluctant about it but felt excited deep inside her.
"I'm just saying...", Dave stuttered trying to explain his opinion.
"Do we have to?", Courtney whined.
Gage see Dave's point knowing it was also hard for him, "I just think, we have to do it if you want to get that good grade", him trying convinced Courtney, "just think of that good grade".
"Okay", Courtney nervously agreed.
"Alright, let's skip the narration so let's start with Romeo seeing Juliet on the Balcony and... Go", Dave directed and Courtney was in her place sitting on a chair and turned her back.
Gage sighed then he began to recite his line, "...Who is already sick and pale with grief that thou her maid art far more fair than she...". As he was reading and acting his part but was having a difficult time just acting about it.
"Just keep going", Dave said to Gage as he kept watching Gage.
"See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand,That I might touch that cheek", Gage said finished reading his line then turned to Dave, "how's that?".
"Uhmm... could've gone better", Dave uttered cringely to Gage.
"Let me try again", Gage suggested then he read again and the other two were in there position, "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun...", he gave his best but still wasn't enough.
"Ay me!", Courtney read her line again.
"O, speak again, bright angel...", Gage went on to his line again and so did Courtney. Few minutes later after they rehearsed the whole balcony scene lines.
"I'm not feeling it", Dave gave his contructive criticism.
"Sorry, I'm not good at acting as I am with swimming", Gage said to them.
"Me too", Courtney said to them.
"That's okay, since it's you two are playing these two", Dave remarked awkwardly, Gage and Courtney looked at each other with cringe, "just picture each other as Romeo and Juliet, so let's go, Romeo read your line".
"Okay", Gage breathed and everyone was in position again, "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun...".
"Ay me!", Courtney repeated her line.
"O, speak again, bright angel" Gage recited but with not much effort of being Romeo.
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?",Courtney recited again, "Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet", it sounded like she's just reading her part.
"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?", Gage repeated but there was some improvement to it and Dave seemed to approve it.
"Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague?", Courtney recited but felt tongue-tied as she goes on, "It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face. O, be some other name belonging to a man. What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself".
"I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized" Gage read but he got back from his state of struggle, "Henceforth I never will be Romeo", Dave heard enough again.
"Stop...", Dave told them, "it's still not good enough.
"Oh! come on", Courtney whined again, "like you can do any better".
"So you want me to play Romeo instead?", Dave suggested to her but it was a rhetorical question yet Courtney felt like an ice bucket thrown at her since she doesn't want him to play Romeo.
"I'm just saying that we're trying", she nervously stated.
"It's fine, don't worry about it", Dave said to them, "and may I remind you that I played one of the von Trapp kids in the 'Sound of Music' play last year".
"Who wouldn't forget you in that mini short and suspenders?", Courtney teased and Gage trying to cover his laughter.
"So funny...", he mocked back and trying not to look affected of her making fun of him about it.
"Okay, okay let's break it off", Gage said to them yet still laughing about it, "let's call it a day, I have to go home or else my dad will be on my case".
"I have to go too", Courtney said.
"Okay, try to practice at home", Dave told them.
"Will do", Gage said to him as he and Courtney gathered there belongings, "let's just chat later to schedule for another practice together".
"Alright", Dave said to them. Later that night, Crisan was in her bedroom wearing her panjama and just browsing her three-in-one tablet computer and turning on her music then she looked at her phone and opened her gallery to that picture she took of that old lady, Ms. Audra and her dog then she stood up from her study vanity and went to her painting area and then sat in front of her easel with a canvas on it then placed her phone on the side with Ms. Audra still on it. She grabbed a pencil and began to sketch on the canvas. About few hours later, Crisan just finished late at night with the pencil contruction part of her art then she added the fine details on it. The next Saturday morning at 9 a.m, Crisan was still in her bed sleeping soundly after hours of her pencil sketch then Thelma came inside her cold air-conditioned room to wake her up to eat then she suddenly saw her progress on that canvas, she took a closer look and was amazed about just seeing and was happy that Crisan finally found her inspiration then Thelma walked toward Crisan's bed and sat on her side as then gently shaked her on her shoulder to wake up.
"Crisan, dear", Thelma called out to her, "it's time to get up, breakfast is ready", Crisan moaned as she slowly opened her eyes and rubs it.
"Hey! mom", Crisan greeted Thelma then stretched her arms as she got up then sat on her bed.
"Come on, I made ham and cheese casserole", Thelma told her.
"Thanks, mom", Crisan said to her, "I'll just wash up and be down in a while".
"Alright", Thelma gently replied to her. Five minutes later, Crisan went to the kitchen and was awaited by Thelma and Marcus who already started to eat on the kitchen counter.
Crisan walked to her seat then patted Marcus shoulder, "morning! buddy", she greeted him then sat next to him and started to take a slice of casserole.
"So I saw your sketch," Thelma said to Crisan, "is that what you'll show in you school art exhibit?".
"I'm still thinking about it", Crisan replied to Thelma who looked confuse.
"What? why not?", Thelma asked her.
"I know it's not a competition but... I don't know", Crisan answered feeling unsure.
"Well, it looks amazing", Thelma told her.
"Thanks, mom", Crisan answered her.
"So what's the inspiration behind it?", Thelma questioned her.
"I... met the lady on the drawing yesterday",Crisan responded to Thelma looking impressed, "she wears very this vibrant color clothing and jewelry".
"How'd you met her?", Thelma asked her.
"Her dog and I bumped into each other and she chased him and then we met", Crisan explained to her.
"Was she nice?", Thelma asked.
"She seems nice and she lets me took a picture", Crisan said.
"That's good, sometimes you just need to becareful at people", Thelma said felt reassured.
"I understand, mom", Crisan assured her, "don't worry about it. By the way, I'll be going to Mr. Gordon's house lster with Tori to sign-up for the marathon, do you want me to sign you up too?".
"That's okay, I already signed up with Regine the other day", Thelma said to her.
"Great!", Crisan answered happily.
"So is Tori going to meet you here?", Thelma asked.
"Yep", Crisan answered.
"Okay", Thelma replied. Later after eating breakfast, Crisan went back to her room and went straight to her artwork and then looked at it for a while.
"Acrylic paint", Crisan said to herself still staring at her drawing, "I should use that after I work out some unnecessary details", then she grabbed her eraser to erased some lines. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Thelma came to see who it was.
"Hold on", Thelma said to whoever knocked then she opened it and it Tori smiling at her.
"Hi! Mrs. R", Tori greeted Thelma.
"Tori, come in, Crisan is just in her room", Thelma greeted her as she walked inside
"Okay", Tori replied and took off her coat and placed on a coat hanger.
"Crisan! Tori is here", Thelma called out to Crisan as she walked away to get back to her duty. Tori just went upstairs to go to Crisan's room.
"Hey!", Tori greeted Crisan while she was fixing some details of her sketch.
"Hey!", Crisan turned to Tori and greeted her back then Tori noticed her sketch.
"That looks great,", Tori said looking impressed as well and noticed something else, "... and familiar".
"Yeah, it's the picture that I took of that old lady", Crisan said to Tori.
"So is this just going to be a pencil sketch?", Tori asked her.
"No, I'm still going to paint it after I fixed my sketch", Crisan said to her.
"Are you going to put that in the exhibit?", Tori wondered.
"Actually, I'm not sure", Crisan answered her.
"I understand but just think about it", Tori advised her.
"I will", Crisan assured her, "anyways, I'll just go and take a shower then we'll leave". Later, Crisan and Tori walked to Mr. Gordon's house, more like a mansion, then as they got to the front door and rang the doorbell. Charles answered the door and was happy to see them.
"Hi! girls", Charles greeted them, "come inside", then Crisan and Tori entered.
"Hi! Mr. Gordon, we want to sign up for the marathon", Crisan said to him.
"Great", Charles replied feeling excited, "I'll just get the papers, why don't you two go to the kitchen, Marisol made some tuna sandwiches and pineapple juice for others who'll come here and sign up later".
"Okay", Tori answered excitingly then grabbed Crisan's arm then went to the kitchen. As the two girls came to the kitchen where they saw Marisol, Charles' old maid, curvy with a few grey hairs wearing a maid uniform, cooking and the snacks on the counter, "Hi! Marisol" then she stopped cooking and then was surprised to see the girls then she ran to them and opened her arms to them.
"Crisanta! Theresa!", Marisal cried out to them and hug them tightly.
"I'm happy to see you too", Crisan said to Marisol trying to breathe from her tight hug then Marisol let them go and grabbed they're hands.
"Come on, sit, sit", Marisol told them, "eat, eat". Crisan and Tori sat by the counter and started to eat.
"Thanks, Marisol", Crisan said to Marisol.
"I haven't seen you two in a while, how are you?", Marisol said to them.
"We're good, we're actually here to register for the marathon", Tori explained as they started to catch up. Few minutes later, Gage and Courtney just arrived in front of Charles' house, Courtney seemed in awe just looking at his big house for the first time.
"Can't believe Mr. Gordon lives here", Courtney said to Gage.
"He is a successful bussinessman", Gage reminded her, "I forgot, this is your first time coming. Come on, let's get inside".
"Okay", Courtney said, they walked to the front door and Gage started to knock. Crisan, Tori and Marisol stopped their discussion and heard the knock.
"I'll just get that", Marisol said the two girls nodded in reponse she then left them at the kitchen to answer the door then Tori's phone rang so she took out her phone and looked at the caller ID.
"I'll just take this", Tori said to Crisan.
"Okay", Crisan said to Tori. Tori left Crisan and went somewhere in the house to get some privacy. Marisol opened the door and saw Gage and Courtney.
"Hello! come in", Marisol greeted them then Courtney saw her maid's uniform and was taken aback that Charles has a maid.
"Hi! is Mr. Gordon here?", Gage asked Marisol.
"Yes, he's here, he's just finding those sign-up papers", Marisol answered him, "come in, just wait in the kitchen, I made tuna sandwiches and pineapple juice".
"Sure", Gage said to Marisol then he and Courtney went inside and Courtney just kept looking amazed just looking at the interiors.
"Uhm.. excuse me, where's the bathroom?", Courtney asked Marisol.
"Oh! just go left over there, you'll see a door at the end", Marisol answered her, "when you're done, just go to straight there to the kitchen".
"Okay, thank you!", Courtney replied to Marisol.
"Gage, why don't you help yourself in the kitchen, I'll just check-up on the laundry", Marisol said to him.
"Alright", Gage said to Marisol as she left him. Crisan was left alone in the kitchen then Gage came but her back was turned so she just heard his footstep but didn't know that it was him and Gage just saw Crisan's behind and immediatly knows it was her.
"Crisan?", Gage called her softly.
"Yes, Mr. Gordon...", Crisan answered thinking it was Charles from that voice and then she turned and was surprise to see Gage then quickly collected herself "Oh... sorry, I thought you were...", she stammered as her heart was skipping a beat and her hands were clenching together, "nevermind", Gage starred at her but then also quickly collected himself.
"Uhmm... it's okay", Gage replied to her, "so what are you doing here?".
"I'm signing up for the marathon", Crisan answered him.
"Me too", Gage said in a cheery tone.
"Really?", Crisan quipped feeling excited, "awesome".
"Yeah, so have you signed up yet?", Gage asked her.
"No", Crisan shook her head, "Mr. Gordon told us to wait here".
"Yeah, me too", Gage said.
"Why don't you eat first, the tuna sandwiches are great", Crisan offered.
"Sure, why not?", Gage answered then sat by the counter next to her. Crisan grabbed the pitcher of pineapple juice and a glass.
"I'll pour you a juice", Crisan said to him.
"Sure", Gage replied to her then after Crisan poured the juice in the glass she was about to place the pitcher on the counter.
"Here you go", she said to him as she still held the cold glass of pineapple juice that was already on the couther and her focus was at the glass pitcher she carefully puts down.
"Thanks", Gage said to her while eating the sandwich, he was about to take the glass from her hands but then he unknowingly he accidently held Crisan's hands that was holding the glass, and so they both were stunned and turned their heads to their hands and at that moment it felt like time just got slower because their hands were touch. Courtney suddenly just walked in the kitchen and saw them and their hands, she felt bothered by it.
"Gage?", Courtney called him then he and Crisan suddenly got back to reality. Crisan slipped her hand out to let go of Gage's hand and looked at Courtney and her thoughts was on her asking who is she in Gage's life? Crisan didn't remember her face at Red's.
"Oh... hey... your back", Gage stuttered looking at Courtney who walked to stand beside on the other side then he turned to Crisan, "By the way, this is Crisan".
"Hi! I'm Courtney, nice to meet you", she introduced herself to Crisan and gave her a fake smile since on the inside she's not interested with being friends and Crisan and Gage couldn't see it.
"Likewise", Crisan said softly and gave Courtney a friendly smile but something inside her felt uncomfortable then suddenly Tori came in the kitchen after her phone call.
"Hey! Carmin just called for our group work in science class...", Tori said Crisan then stopped when she saw Gage and Courtney, "Oh...hi! Gage".
"Hey! Tori", Gage greeted Tori, "by the way, this is Courtney".
"Hi! I'm Tori", Tori introduced herself to Courtney.
"Hi!", Courtney greeted trying to sound friendly yet her tone seems otherwise and Tori noticed it yet she still gave her a kind smile.
Tori was also wondering who was Courtney in Gage's life, "So are you two...? you know..,", Tori bravely asked Gage and Courtney if they are together, Crisan gave Tori some eye contact telling her that she doesn't have to ask. Gage and Courtney understood her and it felt awkward.
"We're just friends", Gage told Tori and felt indifferent about it and Courtney seem to just accept it but seems bothered by how he answered it.
"Oh... Okay", Tori reacted neutral about it then poked Crisan to give her an eye contact of glee. Crisan finally got her answer and she couldn't lie to herself that she too felt glad that Gage and Courtney are not actually an item, "so why'd you guys join the marathon?".
"Personaly, I like being active plus, I need the trainning for a swimming tournament in our school", Gage said to Tori. Crisan and Tori looked impress.
"Oh.. you're in a swim team", Crisan noticed.
"Yeah, me and Courtney", Gage said to her.
"We're in a varsity team", Courtney added sounding kind of boastful.
"Nice", Tori commented.
"Are you guys in a sports team too?", Courtney asked but sounds a bit of an interrogation but Crisan and Tori didn't seem to have notice.
"Oh no, we're not", Crisan replied to her and Tori shook her head in response.
"So why do you want to join a marathon?", Courtney questioned them.
"Well... I just think I might get anyone's attention when I'm there if you know what I mean", Tori gloated as she flipped her curly hair and check her nails, Crisan giggled lightly, Gage just smiled politely but Courtney looked annoyed then Tori began to show them a big grin, "I'm just kidding... sort of... but my reason is vanity and health awareness because you never know".
"Okay", Courtney responded to her and Gage nodded understanding Tori's point then she looked at Crisan, "what about you?", Crisan turned to Courtney and Gage's eyes was on her.
"Uhmm... I'm just going through a mental block", Crisan uttered to Courtney, Gage seemed intruiged by her answer.
"A mental block?", Courtney quipped and looked confuse, "what does that have to with this?".
"I'm into arts...", Crisan started to explain, Gage looked even more interested.
"And?", Courtney asked her feeling more confuse, Tori seemed annoyed at her and Gage looked at her strangely.
"Well, I read somewhere that doing any physical activity can boost creativity", Crisan answered her.
"Seriously?", Courtney responded in disbelief, Tori now felt more disturbed at her but Crisan just seemed cool with it then Gage gave Courtney a stare to just stop with the questions and Courtney followed then changed her tone to more peaceful tone, "I didn't know that", Crisan just smile and shrugged then she and Tori looked at each other looking rather uncomfortable yet just stay silent after that.
"Okay, I found the papers, I think my assistant put it in my briefcase by mistake", Charles said as he suddenly came in the kitchen and was holding the sign-up papers then was surprise he saw the four kids together in his kitchen, "Gage, Courtney, hi!".
"Hi! Mr. Gordon", Gage said to Charles.
"Anyways, here's for you, you, you and you", Charles distributed the sign up papers to them, "just fill up the details and signature". Minutes later, after filling up the sign up paper, they gave it back to Charles.
"Here you go, Mr. Gordon", Crisan said to him as she return the sign up paper.
"Thank you,", Charles said to her, "anyways, I advice you kids try to make time to train for the marathon".
"Of course, Mr. Gordon", Gage answered to Charles as he and Courtney stood up to get ready to leave, "anyways, we'll go ahead, me and Courtney have a movie to catch".Crisan suddenly felt disheartened just hearing what he just said even though she know that he said that they're just friends.
"Sure, no problem", Charles said, "I'll see you two next week".
"Yes, Mr. Gordon", Gage respond him then he looked at Crisan and Tori, " So I'll see you guys at the marathon?",
"Yep", Tori just nodded at him and smiled.
"Yeah, we'll be there", Crisan told Gage with a faint smile, "don't be a stranger".
"You too", Gage expressed friendliness to Crisan who felt more content, Charles seem mysteriously uneased at the two but try to hide it, "I'll see you around" then seconds later, Gage and Courtney left. The girls stayed for a while for some blueberry pie.
"Regine gave this to you, Mr. Gordon?", Tori asked.
"I can't lie since you both work there", Charles admitted then his phone rang, "I'll just answer this", he went to his office leaving the two alone to eat.
"What are the odds you'd meet him here again?", Tori started to tease Crisan.
"I know right", Crisan said to her.
"He seems like a nice guy", Tori stated to Crisan.
"He is, isn't he?", Crisan agreed.
"So what do you think of the friend?", Tori asked.
"Honestly, I don't know, she seems...", Crisan stuttered.
"Like a bitch, I do see that", Tori blurted.
"I was going to say disdainful but I guess it's the same", Crisan thought, "but I think she's just that... guarded".
"Come on, don't tell me you didn't notice that she was like a territorial poodle back there on us?" Tori pointed out.
"I did notice", Crisan said.
"I guess that's that", Tori shrugged it off, "by the way, you didn't tell me that Gage is in a varsity swim team".
"I didn't know it too", Crisan admitted
"Although his pecks should've said it all", Tori thought, Crisan giggled, "So he's nice, cute and an athlete. Wow!".
"I know, he's wonderful", Crisan replied.
"You don't see guys like him everyday, and I'm not saying this because we are studying in an all-girls school", Tori pointed out to her.
"You think I have a chance?", Crisan wondered.
"Well... anything is possible", Tori told her, Crisan nodded in response.
"What's possible?", Charles asked them as he suddenly came walking back to the kitchen then the girls suddenly panic, of course, it's their little secret .
"Uhmmm...just telling Crisan that I'll be running a lot faster than her", Tori lied to him and Crisan just act through it by shaking her head.
"I see", Charles chuckled at the two and seem to have no idea what they were truly talking about then grabbed plate and fork to take a slice of that blueberry pie, "So what do you think of Gage and Courtney?", Crisan and Tori looked at each other quickly thinking that he might heard what they where just talking about.
"They're okay", Crisan answered by trying to keep her cool.
"Nothing to complain", Tori stammered.
"Yeah, they're good kids", Charles told them then pretend to clear his throat, "at least you two had a chance to be acquainted".
"Yeah, of course", Tori answered then suspected that Charles must've heard what she and Crisan were talking about, "we like making new friends".
"Yep", Crisan followed and also felt paranoid.
"That's great, it's important that we all get along with each other", Charles advised them, "what are you girls been upto lately?".
"We've been working for an art exhibit in our school", Crisan said.
"Sounds exciting, you two are the most creative people I know", Charles said to them.
"Thank you, Mr. Gordon", Tori said to him. Some time later, the two girls gone to their respective homes, Crisan walked inside her bedroom then she looked at her sketch of Ms. Audra then she sat on her study vanity and saw her book "Eternal With You" but something gave her feeling that what happened that day was a good day.