"Love is the one of man kinds' most prized philosophies," Mr. Phillips, my English teacher, lectured. "As we enter this next chapter, I would like you to write an essay comparing your definition of love to an author, song, story, or anything else that you want." Tesha and I glanced at each other from across the table, rolling our eyes and mimicking a dramatic vomiting motion.
"Miss Kana, I can see you," Mr. Phillips crossed his arms. "I am not one to meddle in teen affairs but you could at least try to obscure your reluctance."
"Sorry, mister." I flashed a grin and picked up my pencil. My grin slowly disappeared as I noticed all the disappointing eyes on me. It was like my classmates were more upset than my teacher.
The bell rang and I gathered my books into my bag. Tesha looked up at me and sighed.
"Why are you so gloomy all of a sudden?"
I smiled without teeth and shook my head. "Nah it's nothing," I reassured her.
She studied me for a moment than began putting away her own things. I threw my bag over my shoulder and waited for Tesha to finish. We waved at Mr. Phillips and made our way to the lunch.
"So," she started. "What is your 'definition of love'?" She scrunched her nose. I laughed as I wove through the crowds of other students.
"Um, I guess it depends on the type of love you're talking about. Like is it romantic, love between siblings, friends, family? There are so many variables that can change the way you look at it," I explained.
"Yea, I guess," she shrugged. "Like I love my parents in my own way. But the way they show it is by smothering me and stuff. It takes a long time to convince them to let me do something by myself."
"You mean like going to sleepovers," I added. "And how they finally let you get your driving permit but you've only driven once in an empty parking lot?"
Tesha laughed. "Haha, remember my first dance performance, my mom scolded me because I still had makeup on my cheeks."
"I can only imagine what it would be like if you got a boyfriend," I teased.
Tesha fiddled with the ends of her long braid. "Well first of all, boyfriends are gross and I would never have one. And second of all, I know exactly what they would say."
"'Why you get boyfriend for? What you need boyfriend for? Now you get pregnant and cannot go college and be poor for the rest of your life,'" I imitated in my best filipino mom accent. We both giggled.
"That was perfect. How did you know," she asked.
I smirked, "Because that's exactly what my grandma told me the first time I told her about a boy."
We sauntered into Winston's classroom where we usually ate our lunches now. Winter Ball was just around the corner and sign ups were starting. The other committee members, despite committing to working the sign up booth, rarely ever showed up, leaving me and Tesha to cover for them.
"Hey Winston, anyone show up today," I questioned as I dropped my bag, already knowing the answer.
"What," Winston looked up from his computer. "Was someone supposed to come?"
I laughed, slightly exasperated. "Never mind, we'll do it."
Tesha and I carried a foldable table and two chairs outside on a cement slab near the door. One perk to an open campus was having lots of space to do these types of booths without getting in everyone's way. As we set the table, a few students were already making their way to turn in their permission forms and fees.
"Why isn't Mandon here yet," I remarked as I looked around, noticing my brother was no where to be seen.
Tesha nonchalantly shrugged, "I'm not sure."
I sighed as I scratched my head. "No use in texting him, he never answers back anyways."
We both sighed playfully as we greeted our incoming classmates.