A Million Sunsets With You (A Boys Love Story)

CHAPTER 10

It was Tuesday, and the school administrator announced that the school's Founder's Day was fast approaching. There were lots of competitions and events prepared, and one of those was the debate contest. Everyone was so busy selecting their respective representatives for the contests.

Josh was one of the chosen contestants to represent the 2nd-year college students in the debate contest. He had no choice but to say yes. His English teacher, Mr. Cruz, approached Josh and said, "Josh, I believe in you. I know you can do it. Just be your authentic self and show them what you are capable of." Josh was sitting on the chair, facing his teacher. "Sir, I'm really not that confident, but I'll try my best to win this competition and give my all." Mr. Cruz lent him books to prepare for the upcoming debate contest. "Here, Josh. Just read them if you have time. Those books are just all about societal issues, and if you want to read current events, you can actually access them through different social media platforms. Just always know how to fact-check information." While listening to his teacher, Josh received the books. "Thank you for this, Mr. Cruz. This helps a lot." Minutes after talking to his English teacher, the bell rang for the next subject. Josh stood up and said, "Oh, it's already time for my next subject, sir. Thank you for these books."

The English Department was really not that far from the room for his next subject. He hurriedly walked through the pathway. After a minute of walking, he was already inside his classroom. Jane was there, talking to Leo and Nisha. Jane saw Josh approaching them. "Oh, Josh. Where have you been? We've been looking for you." Josh sat in the vacant chair near Nisha. "I came from the English Department for I was called by Mr. Cruz." Jane composed herself and asked, "Then how's it? What's that for?" Leo, who was sitting beside Jane, lifted his right foot and added, "Oh, maybe you were chosen by Mr. Cruz to join for the debate contest. Am I right?" Joshua covered his mouth and answered, "You two really are so talkative and bigmouth. Well, Leo was right. I was one of the chosen contestants to represent the 2nd year college students for the debate. I'm really not that confident though speaking in front of the crowd." Jane stood up and congratulated Joshua for what she just heard. "I'm happy for you." While they were talking about the events, someone came inside the classroom. "Hi, everyone!" Everyone quickly arranged their chairs and stood up from their place. "Good morning, Sir!" Jane was at the front seat, whispering to Leo, "Maybe he is the substitute teacher of Mr. Minghay." Leo nodded to Jane. "Maybe." Everyone was really not familiar with the face of the person who just went inside their classroom covered with hoddie and facemask, the person said, "Good morning, everyone! Sorry for that. I'm really not your teacher. I went here to check if this is really our new classroom, but I was wrong." But before the person went outside the classroom, he added, "Oh, Joshua Santos? Right? It's Alex Perez, the one you've met many times." He removed the hoddie covering his head as well as the facemask. Jane exclaimed, "Oh my God, Alex Perez." She then approached and hugged Alex. Joshua was speechless, and in a stiff voice, he said, "Oh, Alex Perez. Ah, Alex Perez." Every girl in the room, including Jane, took a picture with Alex Perez. Jane went to Josh's place and teased him. "Wow, you both knew each other. You are so pretty, like a Disney princess." Josh rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Jane. We aren't that close." Leo was just hearing their conversation say in a snotty voice, "He is not that handsome, though. Why are you girls so obsessed with him? He is really not that special." Jane interrupted Leo. "Whatever. Why does it feel like someone is jealous now? Is it about Alex Perez knowing Josh? OMG!" Jane laughed so hard and giggled in front of Josh and Leo. Josh guffawed so hard and was just trying to control his breath. "What's with that face, Leo?" Leo pinched Josh's right cheek. "Nothing. You are just so cute." While the three of them were talking, Alex Perez said, "Thank you, everyone. Josh, see you around." He waived at them and to Josh. Josh waived back to him. "See you, Alex." Leo transferred to another seat far from Josh's and Jane's place. Nisha was aware of Leo transferring to another seat; she said, "Josh and Jane, look what Leo is doing. He transferred to another seat." Before Josh wanted to go to Leo, their teacher came. They all stood up and greeted him. "Good morning, sir!" Their teacher put all his books on the table and arranged them accordingly. He also prepared the projector and his presentation for their lessons to be tackled.

It was already 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and everyone was so busy packing up their things to go home. Josh, Jane, and Nisha noticed that Leo was nonchalant. He didn't even speak a word for their conversation. He was just agreeing to them. Josh poked the right side of Leo's body. "Hey, why are you so quiet? Is there something wrong?" Jane chortled as well as Nisha. They laughed at Leo, and Nisha uttered, "I knew it. That's because of what happened earlier. I think he was jealous of what's really going on between Josh and Alex." Jane went near Leo and whispered, "Don't worry, Leo, Josh will be yours if you will not be that slow. Putting your words into action is everything. Learn to go fast, not in a slow motion manner." Josh hit Jane's head and said, "What are you saying to him? OMG, Jane. Don't listen to him, Leo. Jane is just a crazy person." Jane rolled her eyes. "Whatever. What I want is for Leo to confess his feelings to you, and you are too." After a very long conversation, the tricycle arrived, and they went home.

When Josh arrived at his house, his mom was waiting for him in the kitchen, cooking for their dinner. He approached his mom and kissed her. "Oh, mom, why are you early today?" His mom was chopping the chicken and replied, "I am too early for me to cook for our dinner. I miss doing this to you and to your dad." Josh interrupted his mom. "By the way, where's dad?" Leo put his bag on the sofa and removed his school ID to help her mom. "Your dad will be here in a few minutes. He has still negotiations to be made for our business." Joshua washed the chicken, whom his mom just chopped. "Okay, mom." It was at this moment when his dad arrived. He quickly opened the door and kissed his dad, bringing food. "Good evening, dad." His dad gave him the foods he brought and hugged him back. "Good evening too, son." Josh's mom, who was at the kitchen, said, "Just take a shower first, you dad, while I'm still preparing the foods."

Josh went to his room to take a shower. The dinner was already prepared. When they were already at the table, his mom asked, "How's school, son?" Josh, who was eating his favorite fried chicken, said, "It's going fine, mom. Nothing to worry about. By the way, before I forgot, I was one of the chosen students to represent the 2nd year college. I still need to study even harder." His dad lent him the rice. "Oh, that's nice, son. We are even prouder."

After a few minutes of eating, Josh went to his room and started to read the books that were given to him by his English teacher. While reading them, Josh didn't know that he had fallen asleep. He was snoring so loudly while his right hand was holding the book that he was reading.