[Lance POV]
I dreamt of the entire night. I saw us four standing outside looking up at the fireworks in the sky. I vividly saw the smiles on their faces. I was holding JC's hand while Joy clings to me and JR rests his arms on JC.
In front of me, seemingly far away, was a figure I am familiar with. He stands looking at me with melancholic eyes and a gentle smile. He had tears in his eyes. I felt my emotions suddenly change. From the joy of enjoying the fireworks up above, it turned to worry and doubts. Tears started to fall from my eyes. I started to weep.
I woke up from the dream with tears from my eyes. I looked everywhere and it seemed that everyone is still sleeping. I got up and started to prepare my things. Today is the day I will part again with my junior high school friends. I will never see them again for months and years to come. I just miss being with them all the time, especially with my best friends.
I received a text message on my phone. It was from Chris.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I guess he's fine now. He asked me where I was again.
"Still here in the resort," I replied.
"What's the exact address and name, and who are you with...?" He texted.
"Why do you need to know?" I asked. I wondered what he is thinking.
"Pretty pleaseeee. I just miss you a lot," He typed.
"Golden Sun Resort, Tagaytay City. Here with my jhs friends," I replied back.
"Ok, good morning! *heart emoji*" He sent.
I was used to him being like that. The previous weeks have been hard for both of us. I constantly worry for him, but I also know that I need to give him space.
I immediately prepared and showered. I got dressed in simple attire, I think, something I prepared for going home.
"You're overdressed again!" Christian said out of nowhere
"No, it's a simple one," I replied.
I was wearing a blue three-fourths shirt and gray slacks with my usual white shoes. It's a simple and comfortable attire especially since I would be commuting today.
I dried my hair in front of the fan and lied down. I hate fixing my hair. It takes too much time to rule them out. I started to pack my things in my bag.
Meanwhile, JC and JR are still playing the computer game. They've been in there since last night. They've just slept for a while and played again immediately after waking up. They didn't even mind me anymore, so much for the so-called reunion.
I gazed outside the window looking for Joy. She stayed with the other girls last night. I never got the chance to talk to her.
I quickly fixed everything and checked for one last time before leaving. Oh my god! My charger was missing. I looked for it everywhere in the room, half panicking. JR and JC laughed at me frantically. Suddenly, someone called my name.
"Lance! Someone's looking for you." It was Rachel, she just got inside the room.
I accidentally hit my head on the bed. Ouch! JC and JR laughed frantically again as if there is no more tomorrow.
"Who?" I asked.
"Someone hot and handsome!" she replied.
"What?"
~~~
[Chris POV]
The past weeks were rough. I never had the courage to talk to anyone even to Lance. I was secluding myself inside my room. Last night I got the courage to call him. I am happy that he is enjoying his time with his friends. I know that I could not be with him all the time. I just wish him all the happiness in this world.
My problems seemed to have no end. My dad left me no choice. I missed Lance a lot but I'm afraid of how I am going to tell him. I only wish I was brave. All those last days of high school we spent together, and all the memories that we've made are the only thing that keeps me going in this dark and lonely road.
I texted him again this morning. I traveled for four hours just to be here. I immediately rode a cab to the resort he just texted me. I badly want to see him right now.
The place was great, there was a large pool, small cottages, and a beautiful main building. I walked around trusting fate to let us two meet together accidentally so I can surprise him, but he was nowhere to be found. I went to one of the cottage rooms at the far end of the resort. There were girls who seemed to be dressed for traveling. They were holding their suitcases getting ready to come home.
"Hey, look…," one of the girls said.
"OMG! He's hot!" Another replied. I've heard these never-ending phrases again. They have never mattered to me, but I do appreciate the small gestures of admiration from everybody. Although sometimes, I find it hard to reject the proposals I always get. The worst part is, I never will be with the one I truly love.
"Gosh! He's really handsome, is he a model or something?" the first girl shouted.
"Hey, he's coming over here!" One of the girls with cute locks on her hair screamed and giggled.
"Who's that?" One girl in the corner suddenly said. The girl was quite beautiful, she has a very slim figure and is pretty tall. She has long black hair and has a kind face.
I went to them which caused unnecessary panic among the girls.
"Excuse me. Is there any chance that you know Lance?" I asked them.
"Lance?" said the small girl with the locks.
"Yes," I replied.
"Uhm, yes, he's our friend", said the other one.
"Can I see him?" I asked.
"Rachel! Call him!" One girl shouted. They pushed the girl named Rachel as they continue to chuckle. They kept on smiling at me. I just returned the gesture with a kind smile. I'm used to it by now. This always happens and I just do my best to remain polite to people.
The one called Rachel went inside one of the big rooms in the resort. I tried to glance at the room from far away, but I cannot see Lance. I just went to another cottage and was seated for a while. I will wait for him here. I heard the girls still talking about me. I know! I'm just too handsome. I winked at them.
~~~
[Lance POV]
I immediately went to the door and asked Rachel.
"Who's looking for me?" I said.
She pointed to one of the cottages and there! I saw it!
Why is he here? What is he thinking?
Oh, God! I know what my friends are thinking right now but I don't care anymore. Inside me, I just want to run to him and hug him. But I thought twice about it, I don't want to create a scene from a cliché romantic movie in front of all my friends. I am not ready to be bothered by their constant questions.
Chris was sitting there, looking good with his slicked-back hair and talking to my friends. His sharp features are highlighted. I examined Chris's look from far away, unlike JC who has light skin and sharp features, and JR who has a somehow gentle face, Chris looks quite intimidating and handsome with his bronze skin. Again, he is your definition of Tall, Dark, and Handsome. I tried to call him that before and he hates it! He looked really good today; my worries started to go away. He seemed to be back again to how he was before. I am glad that he has been recovering from the problems he encountered. He looks really good today, wearing a grey three-fourths shirt the same as me and khaki slacks with white shoes almost the same as me again.
He was wearing a grey three-fourths shirt like the one I'm wearing and khaki slacks with white shoes, almost the same as me again.
"Shiz!" I panicked. It seemed like everyone heard it. I immediately went and fixed my things, put everything inside my bag, and trying to immediately leave.
"Who's that?" Rachel asked.
"No one," I replied panicking.
"Lance, you didn't tell us you have a boyfriend!" Rachel shouted.
Everyone heard it. JR and JC who has been playing in the far end of the room heard it.
Even the other boys went out to see. They ran to the window, and some of them, to the door. They were slowly judging him.
"Shit! He's handsome," Christian said. "More handsome than JR and JC combined."
My two best friends gazed angrily at him.
The other boys are looking teasingly at me. I immediately went to the door and pushed them back. JR and JC are looking at me with confused looks as if asking for an explanation. I just gave them a confused look.
Chris saw me at the door and walked towards me.
I almost ran to stop him. I badly wanted to hug him, only if these people are not here looking at me like I'm some sort of a male lead in a BL series.
"Wait! I'll just fix my things! Why are you here?!" I said panicking and all.
"I came to fetch you, a date maybe," he confidently replied.
I was shocked. Why is he so happy and teasing me again? Is he actually alright with his family problem now? With that, I'm just very glad and happy. He is back to his usual self.
I looked around me and saw JC with an angry face almost as if he will attack me, and JR looking at JC's face with his arms around his back, teasing him. Oh God, what is their problem?
At the nearby cottage, Joy was there with a pouting face, confused, and the other girls are looking at me like they arere going to devour me whole for stealing their Prince Charming.
"Wait here, please. " I begged him, using my pouting face so that he cannot protest.
"Alright," he said.
I went back to our room and finally managed to pack everything up. I wondered why everything was so messy. I knew. Have never taken them out of my bag. I think someone pulled a small prank on me and I am pretty sure I know who he is.
Everyone tried to tease me and even tickle me every now and then as I went back and forth inside the room, but my two best friends are quiet in the corner. After I'm done, I told them goodbye. I hugged some of them and went to JR and JC. JR patted me on the back almost a hug while JC keeps on pouting. He's a little cute, he's sulking. I went to him and offered a small hug he has no choice but to accept it.
I went outside, Chris was now looking at the sights near the pool.
The girls went to tease me and hate me at the same time. The others said that JC and I are still their "OTP". I hugged some of them as I say goodbye.
I went to Joy.
"Who's that?" She's clearly not that happy.
"Just a friend, my classmate," I said.
"Really?" she said.
I nodded.
She then went hug me slowly at my waist, a very tight one. This is the first time she hugged me like this, I returned it with a tight hug. Her friends teased Joy. I wondered why they did; they pretty sure know we were best friends since high school. I guess it caught Chris's attention, he went to us with an unhappy look on his face.
"Are we going now?" he said with a serious and deep voice.
I went to him and bid my friends goodbye. As we walked together. He seemed to have seen me struggling with my bag. It is quite heavy; I should've listened to the travel tip "travel light". I always bring my entire house with me wherever I travel. I always feel like I should be prepared with anything in case I needed it.
He suddenly stopped walking. Oh no! I know what's going to happen next. He always does this on campus. He likes to do this, especially in front of many people. We trended once because of this. The people at the campus were used to this already. But not my friends, not now, not when the others are still looking at us!
In the brink of an eye. He gets my bag from me and carried my bag for me.
It was a very sweet gesture, but the damage has been done, they teased us, cheered, and shouted from afar. Christian has been shouting nonstop at us as we left. I just buried my face in my palm in embarrassment. Now, they might actually think that I have a boyfriend.
We went to my friend, Jeana, the celebrant, and told her goodbye. She hugged me and asked who Chris was. I just said that he is my classmate. As expected, she had the same looks like the rest of them doubting me. Why can't they just believe me? We're not really dating, are we? We went to the bus terminal not talking about everything that happened. I asked him where we will go. H asked me if I want to eat, I said no. He said OK, he knows that I don't like eating in the morning.
"Take me to Taal, I always wanted to go there. Please," he said.
This is the first time he asked me for a request, this was the first request that he had back then, and he has been very kind to me. And I know that I need to at least do this for me even if I'm still tired. I want to treasure this moment with him.
We went to the bus going to Taal with the condition that he'll carry my bag for me since he forced me to go somewhere when I'm supposed to be going home. I'm not taking advantage of him! I'm just a bit weak. And I packed a lot of things. We waited on the bus, and after some time, I started falling asleep. He puts my head on his shoulder.
"Sleep on my shoulder," he gently spoke.
I didn't argue with him now. I'm tired, I don't care who sees us now, but I remembered another person, the sulking JC not long ago. He has motion sickness. I always offered my shoulder to him whenever we ride busses and cars, after a while, it has been normal for us, for me. I don't care what anybody thinks.
This time it's different, I am not used to be sleeping on somebody else's shoulder. I guess that last night has taken a great toll on me. Last thing I know. I was back in dreamland.