One President, Two Problems

Part 1: That Fateful Moment.

Jiro Dizon is the new class president in his class. He finds himself approaching the school gates, only to notice two familiar faces staring at him like he's eye candy. The two boys? Alexus Santa Ana, the class escort and his tag-along, Niko Valdez. Jiro gives them an unimpressed look for fun, but the two boys kept staring at him.

Jiro's POV: "Hayst, nakarating na. Kapagod mag lakad kapag nakatira ka sa apartment na yun. Mas malapit pa yung isang uni."

Understandably tired already, Jiro also remembers he's been elected as Class President and he's already having doubts.

Meanwhile, Alexus and Niko spot the tired young man walking by. They suddenly get a feeling they never thought they'd have in their lives - mixed feelings for a... boy?!

The former looks at the latter, and they both get an idea. Stare at him until he moves out of sight.

Alexus, in a playful tone: "Ayan na si president."

Niko laughs in response, and both start staring at Jiro in a very different way than what someone would expect.

Smiles on their faces and their eyes dead centered on the poor president who has no idea what's coming his way.

Jiro: "Good morning, Alex, Niko. Ngayon magsisimula mga discussions natin, ha, pay attention."

Jiro greets them with a subtle smile and a nod before looking back to where he's stepping, but not before noticing those dumb looks on their faces.

His heart starts thumping in a way he'd never expect, and thus it begins...

During class, Jiro is sat on a seat towards the back with Alexus on his left and Niko on his right.

Distracted by their professor in front, Jiro fails to notice how the two boys keep stealing glances from him, only noticing when Niko stares a little too long, responding to which Niko's eyes dart elsewhere.

Nothing else happens in the class, apart from occasional banter between the three...

Until of course their professor decides to use Jiro as an example for their lesson related to Human Relations.

The voice of their professor echoes throughout the room.

Professor: "Sabihin natin na si Jiro at si Alexus ay magkaibigan. Syempre ang tingin nila sa isa't isa ay friends lang, pero minsan pwede pang lumalim pa diyan, pwede pa silang maging... more than friends."

Jiro rolls his eyes at the thought of being used as an example like that accompanied by a small chuckle, but his classmates start teasing the two.

Opposing the idea however, is Jamie Santiago, the mean girly Vice President. She rolls her eyes in a bitter way and whispers to herself.

Jamie: "Mas importante ang pagaaral kaysa diyan."

The Professor proceeds with a question and asks Jiro for a number.

His birthday, August 13th, immediately comes to mind.

The Professor starts counting from Alexus onwards until he stops at a young boy with brown hair, Harper De Castro.

Harper is Jiro's best friend and constant tag-along, though Alexus and Niko think of him as an obstacle in between them and Jiro's prized possession: His heart.

Next to Harper sits Yves Sanchez, Harper's best friend.

Yves starts laughing at Harper.

Yves: "Ahhh, magrerecite!"

Harper responds by rolls his eyes at him before answering the prior question.

Harper: "Mamaya ka sakin."

Jiro's POV:
"Harper... Sana alam mo kung bakit kita naging kaibigan."

Fast forward to the end of the period, and everyone's eating the lunch they brought while others opted to eat outside.

Jiro finds himself alone upstairs in a room labeled 'TVL-11" with Harper, both sat across from eachother indulging in their own food.

Jiro: "Bakit ka pala naging ICT student? Akala ko binabalak mo mag STEM?"

Jiro is genuinely confused at Harper's choice of strand.

Harper: "Because, Jiro, I was forced by my mom. Hindi niya alam na nag ICT pala ako at hindi STEM, and pinaplano kong itago sakaniya."

Jiro sighs and puts on a concerned face.

Jiro: "Harps, siguro alam mong masama magtago ng sikreto sa nanay mo diba? Tapos strikto pa siya sa'yo."

Harper puts his spoon down and also sighs.

Harper: "Jiro, I just don't like how firm she was in telling me to choose something I didn't want to choose. Mahilig ako sa laptop at computer at alam na alam niya yon, natural pipiliin ko yung ICT, diba? Hindi ko sinasabing tanga ako sa Math at Science, quite the opposite and you know it, pero hindi ko lang talaga bet mag STEM."

Jiro places his hand on top of Harper's.

Jiro: "I know you don't want to become a STEM student pero atleast sabihin mo sakaniya, ayokong may tinatago kang sikreto at alam mo yon."

Harper: "But how? You know I can't express my thoughts well."

As Jiro tries getting Harper to tell his mom about his strand, just outside the room stands Jamie, fuming with jealousy at the sight of the two alone and with hands on top of eachother.

Jamie knows she can't be with Jiro, but she can't accept it.

She's become jealous and very obsessive of the boy, but every time she tried talking to him, Jiro shuts it down immediately...

Harper's sharp eyes spot Jamie spying on them, and he stands up and calls her out, leading to a nasty exchange of words...