Bini: In Parallel Universe

LVI: How You Get The Girl

Stacey's POV

The lunch crowd buzzes around me, trays clattering and utensils clinking. I spot Maloi across the room, a vision in pastel pink from her ruffled blouse to her heart-shaped dangly earrings. Her laugh tinkles like wind chimes as she chats with her friends, their faces glowing over their phones.

Ugh. How can someone be so effortlessly adorable? I take a fortifying bite of my admittedly not-so-aesthetic cafeteria burger. Gotta stay strong.

Okay, Stacey, deep breaths. You are the Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja, the coolest chick in this entire university. You aced that calculus exam yesterday, no sweat. You can totally talk to Maloi. Just gotta play it cool.

I push my tray away, pretending I'm done. Time to make my move.

I sighed dramatically. Maybe not that dramatic. But gotta show I have options, you know?

"Hey, Jho, you coming to the skate park later?" I asked, trying to calm my system before approaching Maloi.

Jhoanna looks up from his phone. "Yeah, sure, Stacey. You know it. I'll just ask for Colet's permission."

Perfect. Now for the main event. I saunter over to Maloi's table, trying my best to look nonchalant.

"Hey, Maloi! Don't mind if I steal a seat for a sec, do you?" I asked, playing it cool but I'm mentally cursing myself. 

She smiled at me. "Stacey! Of course not. What's up?"

My heart does a little happy jump at her smile. Score!

"Not much, just finished that brutal calc exam. You know, the one that makes everyone cry?" I smiled at her too, I tried my best to show her my killer smile. 

She gasped. "The one with the triple integrals? Oh my gosh, I haven't even started studying for that!"

Triple integrals? Amateur.

"Yeah, it was a doozy. But hey, if you ever need a tutor, you know who to call."  Emphasis on the "call." Maybe I can lure her to my world of skateboards and equations.

Her beautiful eyes widen.  "Really? You'd do that? That would be amazing!"

Yes! Fist pump in the air, Stacey!

"Absolutely. Anytime. Just, uh, hit me up." I answered.

Smooth, right? Maybe not the smoothest, but hey, I got my number out there. Maloi takes out her phone, and for a moment, the world holds its breath.

"Thanks, Stacey! I really appreciate it. Here, let me save your number." she said and handed me her phone. 

She types my name in her phone, her fingertip lingering on the screen a beat too long. Is that...? A blush?

She looked up, meeting my gaze. "So, uh, maybe you could, I don't know, show me those epic skateboarding moves you're always talking about sometime?"

The world explodes in confetti and rainbows. Maloi wants to see me skateboard! This day just keeps getting better.

"You got it. How about after my session at the skate park today?" I grinned.

"Sounds perfect!"

And just like that, the coolest chick in the university scores a date with her kikay crush. Operation: Maloi is a go!

That's how you get the girl, man!