[Lance POV]
We graduated from senior high school. Chris did not attend the ceremony. I really miss him.
There are times when we will call each other but we never get to meet these past few weeks. He will chat and reply in some days and disappear again sometime. I always make sure to call him to know he is safe.
I tried to talk to him and ask him, but he still chose to keep his problem to himself. I know my place and I know that it's best for him that I respect his decision. He has the right to keep me off his family affairs and I would continue to be there for him whenever he needs me. I still hope I can go him and be there for him to be the shoulder he leans on.
The vacation started weeks ago. All I did was binge-watch series to kill time, read lots of books, and sleep all day long. For the first time, tonight I will be going out.
It is my former classmate's birthday party, another friend of ours from the same school I attended with Joy, JR, and JC. This is a great chance to reunite with them. I haven't seen them for months now.
I planned to go to the place with some of my friends from junior high school. I decided to ride with them since one of them is familiar with the place. To add, I am really quite nervous about driving in Tagaytay due to the steep mountain slopes, so I just decided to hitch a ride. I arrived at our decided meeting place. I was a little early. I decided to buy coffee and wait, I went to the counter and ordered.
"One iced vanilla latte," I requested.
"Anything more sir?" the girl from the counter asked.
"That's all, thank you," I told her.
She was a little bit distracted and keeps on smiling, I don't know why. She took ten long minutes just to prepare the iced coffee. She kept on talking with the other crew and giggling. Finally, she went over and handed me the iced coffee.
I sipped my coffee, I liked the bitter taste and aroma especially at times like this when I only had a few hours of sleep, to be honest, I'll surely have palpitations later, but I need the extra boost of energy to pull off something later. I was excited to meet all of them, it has been so long since I've seen my other classmates, and of course, since I've been with my best three.
After an hour, two of my friends have arrived. It was Christian and Laurence, two of my previous classmates, and also my good friends.
They're late.
Laurence tried to tease me, he's playfully hugging me and is trying to kiss me. People started to look. He usually acts like this around people, your sort of clingy friend. He reminds me of Mark, I wonder how he is right now. I told them that we're leaving.
I texted JC, as usual, excuses. He said that he'll just head directly to the resort. We got in Christian's car to go to the venue.
The place was beautiful. The resort was large and well decorated perfect for formal gatherings like a five-star hotel. There was a swimming pool just outside, perfect for pool parties and concerts. We headed to one of the rooms in the resort.
I lied on the bed and rested for a while.
Suddenly, someone entered the room. There he was, my good friend JC, I'm being sarcastic here actually. He brought two milk teas with him. One for Jeana, the celebrant, and handed me the other.
Strawberry! How can I not be touched! How can I resist it! He's really a good friend!
Christian and Laurence teased us. I almost forgot that I get teased with JC a lot, it seemed to be millenniums since I've last experienced this again. Everywhere I go, I was shipped to every boy I interact with. Although I'm never actually bothered by it, why can't I just live my life peacefully? I remembered my so-called boyfriend the whole school thinks I am dating, now he does not even want to talk to me anymore. I wish I can take him here.
JC dragged me to a nearby corridor and whispered something in my ear. He talked to me about our surprise. I am really nervous about it, but we already talked to Jeana's mom. She asked us for help, and she prepared everything already.
We need to wait for a few more hours before the party. We tried to catch up with each other, played games at the resort, and as usual, I was always the loser. I'm not the best in any game. I don't even know how to play it.
We returned to our room and rested. I started to fall asleep.
[JC POV]
Why is Lance so cute? He can't resist the strawberry milk tea even if we had those little fights. I even decided that I can just be late and ride public transport just so I can buy him his favorite drink. I really missed this boy together with our constant bickering.
He texted me this morning.
"Why are you late?" I know he's angry.
"I'm here for an hour already," he chatted again.
"Why are you not replying. I swear I'm not talking to you anymore!" He stopped chatting.
I just told him that I'll head directly to the resort, but I wonder why is he so early though?
It's good that we will all meet again for Jeana's birthday. It has been months ever since we've gone on the road trip, and it has been a year since I've seen some of our other high school friends. I miss them all.
We played lots of games. The resort seemed to have an unlimited supply of activities for the guests. After playing, he slept soundly on the bed. He sleeps a lot, both of us do, another similarity of ours. This time, I went to the venue to practice something. I went to the black piano sitting across the big room.
The two of us know how to play the piano. I think that we are on the same level. We both took lessons when we were still children. It's a common interest that made us closer when we first knew each other. We were always compared back then by a lot of people. I'll always boast that I'm better than him but unlike me, he'll always perform a piece without even a single mistake.
When I was young. I trained with classical music. My recitals consisted of pieces of musicians like Beethoven. Lance, on the other hand, loves contemporary musicals and modern ballads. He likes to play with chords, be an accompanist for a band or play popular songs to get the attention and interest of the crowd. When there is a competition in our previous school, he'll play a simple love song enough to touch every listener's heart.
I practiced the piece from one of Jeana's favorite dramas. I feel happy that this time, I can share the stage with Lance. For the first time…
[Lance POV]
I was woken up by someone slapping, pinching my cheeks, and making fun of my face. It was JR! He was making faces in front of me.
"This Monkey!!!"
I hit his head. They all laughed. These people, I swear, are always making fun of me.
I'M DONE!
I left and stormed out of the room and brought all of my things with me. I went to Jeana and begged to stay in the vacant room adjacent to hers. She laughed at me but quickly agreed. She told me to help her prepare. Mrs. Cresta, Jeana's mom, was also there and she was laughing when she knew the reason why I left our room.
It was almost time for her party, so I also went to the vacant room and prepared. I took a shower and contemplated on the morons who kept on teasing me. I hate them. As I was walking out of the shower, I almost slipped and fell. Goodness, I might have had an accident which would cause a problem at my friend's party. How unfortunate am I?
I wore a light pastel blue shirt, a simple one I bought together with a light cream-colored suit. Afterward, I dried my hair, and I was ready. Thank God, I am in a separate room now, I can prepare myself well.
My high school classmates requested the big rooms so that we can stay together for the night. The individual rooms will be occupied by the other guests, but I guess that there are rooms which are still vacant. There's no way I'm going back there!
Jeana went outside, she was just done doing her makeup, she looked beautiful. She was wearing a crimson red floral gown for her first entrance.
"You're beautiful," I told her.
"Thanks!" She replied with a big smile on her face.
I told her that I'll go first to the venue.
I entered and saw someone who immediately ran to me and hugged me. It was Joy. What did I do to deserve a Joy in my life in this world full of JCs and JRs! Thank God the bullies were not here. I went inside with her. She wore a simple pastel pink dress. She dazzles still, a real beauty.
As I went to our table, the boys are there looking at me like hyenas smiling at their prey! Again! I gave them an angry look. They laughed again. I swear! I'm done!
I'm just not minding them at all. I sat with JC near the table away from our other friends, from JR and the other boys!
The party started, Jeana entered while singing a sweet melody, an OPM song called 'Destiny'. She really has a good voice, almost as if you're listening to a recording. Then there were the messages, and the gift-giving, followed by the meal. Now I'm hungry!
Joy went to us and insisted on a picture in the photo booth. JR, JC, and I followed her. We took four sets of goofy, funny photos. I think the photographer was growing tired of us already. I also went to get two sets of solo shots.
JC asked for another picture of us boys including JR and the bullies, they teased me again, of course. I'm just don't care about them anymore.
Joy was watching us, laughing, and giggling at the corner. She was so kind, my forever protector and defender. I feel at ease when I'm with her. She's like... Uhm... my mom. I need to call her that one day.
Mrs. Cresta went to us. I think it's time for the surprise performance. No one knows about this except for me and JC.
JC went inside. I went with Jeana's mom backstage and she handed me a black case.
Inside, was a prestigious-looking wooden strad violin.
~~~
[Joy POV]
Surprise Performance? Shocks!
I entered the great hall. The emcee announced the surprise.
JC walked towards the center and sat on the piano. He gave a small vow. He received large applause and cheers from the crowds. Our friends were literally shrieking and shouting!
He looked so good, really really handsome! That sharp look on his face was enough for all the girls to fall in love with him instantly. He was wearing a bright blue long sleeve shirt and black suit together with black pants meticulously paired with brown leather shoes. It just fits him so perfectly. Then, he smiled, I felt something from it.
He started to play a few chords. I think I know this song, "You Are the Reason". He played the intro which made the crowd listen in awe. There was something with how he plays, it was the opposite of how he looks. The melody was soft, gentle, and caressing.
Just after a few seconds, a sound came from the other side of the room. It was the most amazing sound I've heard. It was like a tune from heaven itself. It complements the gentleness of the piano. The sharp sounds of the strings of the violin blessed the ears of the crowds as someone I knew well enters the center stage.
There was this young boy, playing the violin...
He had a sharp look in his eyes, looking at me piercingly, it contrasts the gentleness of his face and the soft features of his. His smile can ease all the negative emotions inside everyone. He's like a real angel playing a song from the heavens. More than that, he was just too cute! He made everyone giggle. All the people admired him and wanted to have the chance to take care of this innocent young boy.
Everyone cheered! Even Jeana was speechless. The music was out of this world. It was like watching a concert by expert music performers.
I immediately realized something, they're complete opposites of one another, similar but different, like two sides of the same coin.
Just like the instruments the other person plays, JC was the confident one, the one with the handsome and sharp looks, the one who will do everything to protect you. Lance, on the other hand, was the gentle one, his soft features and adorable face is the ones to be protected. They completely complement each other, just like the melody playing in my ears right now.
Lance then walked near the piano towards JC. The song just reached the chorus. Everyone now brought out their mobile phones and swayed them with their flashlights turned on.
It was just perfect. The moment was.
I looked at him and I think I fell in love.