SERENDIPITY

Chapter 3

I was thirteen, a freshman in high school when I met him. Christopher Torralba - he along with ten more students started joining as for class in the middle of the first semester. Our school had a special class where the students with the highest academic grade are put together. They only based the students according to their grade in elementary school, but after three months they also made as take an exam where our knowledge are put to the test. Some were cut off and some got in, to the special class - I got into the top five so I remained while Chris and the others were the one who advance in our class.

During our first year together we didn't go off as friends just mere acquaintances. Our first interaction was when we get to be in the same group in a play. I was the leader and I chose him as the lead character. We practiced for a week before we present it at the school gym but all throughout the duration of that play we only talked if it was related to work. Things like 'Play it this way.' 'You did it wrong.' 'Go to this side.' and so on.

The year ended like that for us. And even in the start of eight grade - I was too busy dealing with my issues that I had forgotten that he even existed. That he was a classmate. Until the last month of classes.

Since the last examination was done, students are free to do everything they want as long as they stay in school premises. That is the reason why my classmates are watching a horror movie called 'Drag me to hell' on the tv infront. The chairs are all disarranged and some litters of junk foods are scattered on the floor. I have nothing better to do anyway, so I'll just sleep.

I pulled a chair and placed it in the corner not caring who it belongs to. I stretch my legs and rest my back finding a comfortable position. I tried to close my eyes but I guess I got enough sleep last night. Because of that I just got my notebook in my back and a pen. It's like a diary notebook style. Colored pink with violet glitters but instead of writing my daily activities here I wrote poems. Its been a hobby for me to write a poem about random things. Sometimes it is about a movie, and anime, my feelings of happiness nor if I feel anger.

"Ahmm..... Amaryllis?" I was so engrossed thinking of a topic to write about when a boy towered over me. Turning my head up I saw that it was Christopher. "Yes?"

"Your sitting in my chair." he said reluctantly.

"Oh! sorry I didn't know it was yours. I just grabbed it in random. Here you can have it." I started to pick up all my things and was about to stand up when he hold my arm.

"Ah no no no. You can have it. I'll just get another one. "

"Thanks." I smiled at him.

"No pressure." he smiled back. I watch as he got an empty sit. And looked around to search for a place. Seeing that our classmates were all occupying half of the room and the remaining space were either filled with their bags. He marched towards me with the chair.

"Can I sit beside you? I promise I won't make any noise."

" Its not mine. You can occupy it whenever you want. And their already doing so much noise, there won't be any difference if you make more." he just gave me a lopsided smile and slightly furrowed brows as an answer and settled the chair beside mine before sitting down. And everything after was pure silence.

"Well, this is awkward."

"Hahaha you figured?" he turned his body to my direction and extended his hand. Asking for a handshake. "I'm Christopher Torralba."

" I do know who you are." I raised my eyebrow at him. Implying to explain what he was doing.

"Ahm no I was not trying to offend you. It's just that while we do know each other's name. We really did not have any real conversation other than that time in the play."

"Oh I get your point. So let us start this again." I took his hand " I'm Amaryllis Falcon." and smiled.

"You like poetry?" I gave him a shocked look as to how he know that. And he eyed the notebook that was on the desk.

"Oh! yeah it's like a hobby of mine. I write whenever I want nor if something is bothering me. You?"

" I.. I... I do like it just not as much as you do. I mean .... ahmm... I like to read it occasionally but when it comes to writing one, no."

" Hahahaha..... You don't have to stutter nor explain. I was asking you what are your hobbies?" his movements of not knowing what to do were funny. He acts like he committed a crime.

"Haha.... Haha... I like games. Video games, mobile games, I like the feeling of adrenaline when an enemy is targeting you. Also computers. Programming, editing and fixing broken computers. I like stuffs like that." he then stop and acted like he was thinking. "I also like movies. P.L.L, Game of Thrones and vampire diaries."

"Me too. Though I've never finished those but my favorite is Dynasty. Movies are also my thing and anime."

"So we have some things in common huh. Too bad we did not got to hang out last year."

"Yeah. Sorry that was a busy year for me. And we have different circles so it was kind of difficult to approach each other." I gave him an apologetic face, not knowing how to explain to him that for a moment I completely forgotten that we were classmates.

"Do you wanna hang out? I mean if you don't have anything to do nor have any plans with Alex and the others that is?"

I smiled seeing how cute he was blushing that he probably was not aware about. "No, I don't have plans." His face lit up as he grinned and his eyes slightly went big. "Great!"

After that conversation at the classroom. Chris and I hanged out with each other every passing day. Talked about the movies and series we watched. Him teaching me about modern technologies and applications. Me telling him about the animes' that I watched and recommending what to watch to him. Eat outside of campus after school and many more. We came from acquaintances to best of friends.

That drastic change in our friendship did not go unnoticed by our classmates. They started to tease as about having a relationship because we chose to be together rather than with our other friends. Sometimes he would go to my seat and join me in reading my books. And when we read horror or we would watch his favorite series together. Me leaning in to his shoulder and him holding the phone. We even go home together. But superficial things like peer pressure did not bother us. We know what we want and what we treasure.

Our friendship only deepen and got stronger as the years of our high school life go on. We started to meet even on weekdays or if we just want to go somewhere. If we want to chill we sometimes go to my house to watch movies and we also do study session in his. He was even made sure to be my first dance at prom even if I had a different partner. We were suppose to be partners, his been telling it to me for months but the teachers were the one who picked for our cotillion. My parents know him. I know his parents by name and face. His parents were abroad he live with his grandparents, his sister and older brother.

Even though we decided to have different strands in our senior years - I was an ABM student and he was STEM, that did not hinder for us to meet. He would go to my room to wait for the class to be over. Or at break time, sometimes he will just buy me my favorite foods if I would be too busy. Eat out after class. Those little things that he do for me that makes my heart thump for him. Giving in to my wimps. There was even a time when I was having my period and was craving for chocolates, I texted him and he went down to go with in my choco venture.

We were inseparable. And just like that my high school life became a memory of him. From our birthday, to valentines, to Christmas, new year and until graduation. It was all with him.

He became that one vital part of me that I did not expect and did not ready myself for. I never thought that one tiny conversation would lead to this. I had always been in control of my emotions but with him I lose control. I did not care what others think. I just want to be with him. I know we don't have any commitments but friendship was enough. To feel his warmth. To feel his radiance. I was satisfied with what we have.

That is, before I could admit to myself that I was falling.