After The Credits

Chapter 5 Introductions Vlad's POV

Vlad was relaxing in his bed, phone in one hand, orca plushie in the other. He was browsing social media when a text notification caught his attention.

Well hello there, Karl.

Karl: Vlad busy ka ba ngayon?

Vlad: di naman. bakit?

Karl: May assignment kasi kami sa isang klase ko. Analysis of a foreign film

Karl: Naisip ko lang na baka gusto mong manood din. Antagal kasi nating di nanood ng pelikula ng magkasama

Karl: Mentor din naman kita sa ASF kaya eto na ang chance mo na turuan ako tungkol sa mga pelikula. Might be fun :)

Vlad: g. sunduin kita?

Karl: Wag na Vlad. Kaya ko namang maglakad pauwi

Vlad: wag kang pabebe Karl, it will be faster if I pick you up. text me where to pick you up later. I'm not taking no for an answer

Karl: Alam mo Vlad nakakainis ka minsan. Fine see you in a bit

Vlad put his phone down and began to put on his usual get up. A button-up shirt, jeans, and headphones to complete the look before getting in his car and driving to school.

Vlad: Karl nandito na ako sa UP. Wru?

Karl: Teka lang. Malapit nang matapos klase ko mga 5 minutes na lang.

Vlad was never one to patiently wait in one spot for a long time, so he got out of the car and headed for the building Karl was having class in. It didn't take long for the bell to ring, letting him know that Karl should have been dismissed by now.

Any minute now.

He saw Karl walking down the steps of the building he came from. Vlad thought Karl looked great as always. He was wearing a light gray jacket with a white shirt underneath and jeans. His straight hair was styled the same way it always had been, combed to one side. Vlad couldn't help but smile at what he was seeing. He raised his hand to call Karl's attention.

"Vlad! Tara?" Karl asked cheerfully.

I guess I'm not the only one excited for today. Then again, I guess it makes sense. It was your idea after all.

"Karl!" A voice called from behind the younger boy. Vlad looked in the voice's direction to see Karl's friend Joan with a short haired boy who was really skipping more than walking.

"Karl, I want you to meet someone. Oh and Vlad's here too! Hi Vlad!" Joan said, full of energy.

"Hoy, Joan ampogi naman ng friends mo! Single ba kayo? Charot!" The boy laughed.

He was wearing a simple red t-shirt and light brown shorts with square glasses. His light eyeshadow stood out against the brown skin of his face, but Vlad didn't know enough about makeup to comment any further.

"Oh my GOD! Ang harot mo! Anyway, this is Chomskie. We met back during that photography exercise when Vlad took over Sir Rob's class."

"Hi. Karl." He said, introducing himself with a handshake and a smile.

"Vlad." Vlad shook Chomskie's hand too.

"Joan introduced me already, but hello! Chomskie here, short for Cholo Mark, but you can also call me yours. Char!" He joked.

I doubt you're serious, Chomskie, but if you are, pasensya na, may iba na akong gusto.

"Chomskie! Tigilan mo 'yan!" Joan laughed.

Chomskie took a quick glance at his phone and widened his eyes.

"Omg malalate na ako sa susunod kong klase. Was nice to meet you both! Kita kits!" He said before running towards a nearby building.

Vlad was about to make some excuse to leave with Karl, but before he could even finish the thought, he was interrupted by a voice from behind.

Sue?

He turned around, confirming his guess.

"Vladimir! Didn't expect to see you here. Oh, you're with Joan pala. What a coincidence, I was just looking for her." Sue smiled.

"Wait, you're THAT Joan?" Vlad asked, looking at her.

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. And ASF mentee, I guess." Sue said, her voice now hushed, as if she would be caught dead if anyone outside their group of four heard her.

Karl had a very confused look on his face. Vlad couldn't help but find it cute. Joan, on the other hand, had a wide-eyed expression which transitioned into a smile.

Hold on, ASF mentee?

Vlad gave Sue a suspicious look before pulling her aside to whisper in her ear.

"You manipulated the list of mentors and mentees, didn't you?"

"Well, did you think it was pure coincidence that you were paired with the boy I know you never got over? You're welcome, by the way." Sue smiled devilishly.

"Wait lang, akala ko single ka, Joan?" Karl asked.

"I never said that. I said I have no interest in boys and wasn't looking to date them. Never said anything about girls." Joan smiled.

"Also, we kind of keep this relationship thing subtle. It's easier that way." Sue butted in.

Joan winced. Just for a split second. Most people wouldn't have noticed, but Vlad did. Of course he did. He knows this situation all too well.

I hope you know what you're doing, Joan.

"I'm Sue, by the way. Karl, right? I've heard about you from Vlad." Sue shook Karl's hand.

Another bell rang in the distance.

"I think that's our signal to get going, Joan. Bye Vlad! Bye Karl!" Sue embraced her best friend and waved goodbye to Karl before walking away with Joan.

Finally. It's just me and you.