"What do you mean, Why not?" Aila asked Ken.
Ken smiled at her, even if Aila appears really annoyed at what he said.
"I mean, I want to call you mine" Ken answered seriously.
"No. Because no one owns me, I belong to me, you can't call me mine/yours"...
Aila said with a tone of certainty.
"Seriously?? Is that so? Real talk... You actually don't have a boyfriend? So all this time I thought you have a boyfriend from your old school that's why you ignore all the guys here."
Ken's face was showing amusement on Aila's revelation.
"Really Ken, Aila is not just single: she's part of the NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) Club!" Reese joked about Aila.
Aila's exasperation just doubled with the two ganging up on her.
"You two! Please stop it!"
Reese and Ken burst louder laughter with Aila's displeasure.
As they were walking down the hallway, Aila noticed Rachelle's group looking infuriated at what they had witnessed.
Aila just shrugged it off as if she did not notice how mad Rachelle and her group were; which consequently made Rachelle more irate.
(In the classroom)
"I need your Physics notebook, I'll copy your notes, please," Ken begged Aila
Aila handed her notebook to Ken, then it was exactly when Vince arrived.
"It looks like you two are very close now..." Vince commented on the two.
"Why bro? Are you the only one who can be close to her?"
Ken answered unfazed with Vince's comment.
Aila felt the tension between the two men, so she immediately butted in.
"Hey, will you two please stop, this is not a contest, no one will win me over like this, acting like a bunch of kids... I see you both as my friends, okay?"
Aila sighed at her obviously irked seatmates.
Ken made himself busy copying Aila's notes.
Which is a very rare sight for Aila, he never really pays attention to his studies since she knew him, until now.
Vince however, saw this as an opportunity; a chance to talk to Aila. The two had a fun conversation. They mostly talked about their families, but of course, Aila is cautious about the details regarding her family.
As they were talking, she found out that Vince's father was a principal at another school; the reason why Vince is always formal and appears always upright. His father is strict and controlling, something Aila cannot fully relate to since she barely sees her family.
"How about you? What do your folks do?" Vince asked Aila innocently.
"You know, working here and there nothing in particular really, just happy to make ends meet." Aila lied to Vince.
Vince nodded and didn't ask further seeing how Aila was not really comfortable with the topic. Aila could not help but notice how Vince is matured compared to most teens their age. She admired how filial Vince is, that one thing she can totally relate to.
"Good luck with the play tomorrow Aila, it will be our last practice later, are you excited?" Vince asked Aila, just to divert the topic about families.
"Not really, I'm actually quite nervous, I'm really not good in acting and dancing." Aila humbly replied.
"What? If you're not good, then what do you call the rest of us?" Vince exclaimed, knowing Aila is just being humble with her answer.
Aila smiled at Vince not knowing how to answer.
(After class, the three went together to the rehearsal studio)
Ken and Aila are practicing their dance, this is the scene where the Prince invited all the single women of the kingdom for a ball.
Vince watched them silently, his heart is about to explode from jealousy.
He went outside to take a breather. He suddenly heard two women talking, it was quite unusual for him because their tone was suspicious.
"I have a plan for tomorrow Tracy, we will destroy that flirtatious woman's ball gown!"
It was Rachelle, Vince figured out her voice in an instant.
"That is a very brilliant idea! I can't wait to see how devastated she will be tomorrow, Hahaha!"
Tracy agreed without a hint of hesitation.
Vince heard about the vicious plan of Rachelle and Tracy loud and clear, but he had a plan of his own.
He left before the two women could see him.
"Tomorrow I will be your Prince Charming Aila, I will save you from those witches. It will be me who will defend you, your real-life Prince charming."
Vince confidently exclaimed in his mind.
(The day of the play)
Vince arrives at the Venue earlier than his co-actors, he made a sound plan to help Aila without alarming the witches.
He wants to see how disappointed the two will be when they find out their evil plan was a failure. He carefully watched when Rachelle and Tracy ruined the ball gown of Aila using a pair of scissors. He took a video of them to have proof of their wickedness.
The whole cast and staff were too busy that they did not notice what Rachelle and Tracy did. He waited for the staff to find out about it themselves.
"OMG! Who did this? What will Aila wear now!!" The wardrobe team was furious at what happened.
Aila needed to change her costume already for the next scene.
"Mission accomplished sis" the two culprits laughed and went outside as the whole production staff is in chaos.
Aila looked at the ruined ball gown she was supposed to wear...
The entire production staff is still in a commotion.
"Calm down, Aila, I got you," Vince whispered softly to Aila and he handed over another gown.
"You saved the day, brother Vince!" Aila's tearful response, she hugged Vince, even though she really did not want the role, she also could not afford to let all the effort of the production staff go to waste.
Aila hastily changed into the new gown.
The wardrobe team was in awe when they saw her.
She really looked like a princess.
Meanwhile, the two evil witches are totally unaware of the new ball gown. Aila stepped out on the stage and the whole venue was captivated.
It's like she knew how to dance like a princess by heart. She looked absolutely elegant, how she carried herself is exquisite.
Rachelle and Tracy could not believe their eyes.
"What happened?" Tracy asked Rachelle.
Rachelle was so furious, she walked out, without even finishing her scenes. On her way out, Vince went up to her and said.
"I knew about your plan, I believe I shall see you in the school's guidance office on Monday!"
Rachelle was startled by Vince's words. Vince laughed at the worried expression of Rachelle.
The play ended peacefully, the audience did not even notice that one character was missing.
The instructor met with his cast and production staff after the performance.
"Congratulations to all of us guys, there were obstacles along the way, but we overcame it, thanks to Vince. About the sabotage, it is a very unfortunate incident, however, I cannot tolerate it just like that. I will make sure to file charges on Monday"
Aila was all set to go home when Ken approached her.
"Aila, I'd like to introduce you to my mom and sister."
Aila smiled and bowed at the two women.
"It is nice to meet you"
The two women did not seem impressed with Aila. Ken noticed their indifference towards Aila, so she talked to Aila to ease the cold air.
"You did really great back there, I couldn't have thought of a better partner than you." Aila smiled in appreciation.
"Thank you, I also would have not been able to perform well if it was not you who was my prince"