The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Winter Ball

" Did he say yes? " Ana asked eagerly as he leaned across the table at the cafeteria.

Kate flipped her hair on one shoulder and said, " Of course he did. "

Ari and Ana squealed and then quieted down when Tatyana threw them a dirty look from the table nearby.

" I knew he would, " Ari said knowingly referring to her chemistry lab partner, Arthur, whom Kate asked to be ber date to the Winter Ball.

The guy has been asking her nonstop about Kate. The first few minutes of their experiments would be spent on answering Arthur's 100-questions about her friend.

" He's such a sweet heart, " Ana cooed and sipped from the straw of her orange juice. " I think you'd really like him, Kate. "

" I do like him, " Kate admitted and then made a face. Dropping her voice to a whisper, she said. " You don't think he's such dork? I mean, all he does is read those science and history books like it's the funnest thing to do. "

" So what if he is? " Ari shrugged taking a bite of her grilled cheese sandwich. " He's a cute dork then. Being smart is a plus point. "

" Aaron is a member of the Chess Club, " Ana reminded them and then grinned mischievously. " And a good kisser. "

" Get out of here, " Ari said laughingly pushing Ana jokingly off her chair.

" My point is, " Ana went on. " You can be a dork and a cool boyfriend at the same time. "

" Who has a dorky yet cool boyfriend? " Marco suddenly materialized out of nowhere and plopped on the empty chair beside Ari.

" Were you eavesdropping?! " Ari asked accusingly as she glared at him.

Jonathan and Raphael suddenly appeared by their table and settled their lunch trays in front of them.

" As if your boy-crazy conversations are eavesdrop-worthy, " Marco rolled his eyes and then reached for some fries from Ari's tray.

" Get your own fries, " Ari protested.

She slapped his hand but not before he managed to sequester a piece.

" Do you already have dates to the ball? " Kate asked the trio eagerly her eyes lingering mostly on Marco.

Ari pocketed her knowing smile. Like every other girl in campus, Kate wanted to know who Marco Sebastian is taking to the Winter Ball.

Kate has probably one of the biggest crush on him. It was actually a surprise she didn't ask him to the Ball.

" Nat didn't need to ask, " Ralph chuckled referring to his girlfriend. " But well, she did. "

" He's calm now, " Jonathan smirked. " But you should have seen him last week when Natalie hasn't officially asked him out yet."

" Hey, " Ralph scoffed. " I wasn't worried. "

Marco let out a low laugh, " Sure, you weren't. "

" How about you Jonathan? " Kate eyed the blonde member of the trio. " Any girl insane enough to have asked you out? "

" Got a few offers, actually, " Jonathan responded evenly glaring at Kate. " I've yet to choose whose offer is most promising. "

" Good luck to her, " Kate snorted ungracefully. She must have realized Marco was in the table and was quick to compose herself.

Ari didn't know when it started. But Kate and Jonathan have a standing dislike for each other. Ari asked Marco about it years ago but even he couldn't figure out what their beef was with each other.