Teenage Dirtbag (Opposites Attract-JhoCey Spin-Off)

10

The cool breeze swirled around Sheena as she adjusted her scarf, fidgeting nervously outside the restaurant where she was set to meet Guill for their first official date. Being a resident doctor was a dream come true, but tonight, nerves got the better of her. And she wasn't going through this alone.

"Ano ba 'to, Sheena! Ang OA mo, first date mo lang, parang mag-oopera ka," Stacey teased, standing beside her, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.

Sheena gave her a side-eye. "Hindi ka nga kasi kinakabahan eh! Hindi mo gets!"

Stacey laughed, amused at her friend's anxiety. "First of all, ikaw ang humila sakin dito! Second, sino ba naman ang mag-aakalang magiging Pilot si Guill, noh? Look at us—successful women dating successful men. Cheers!"

Sheena rolled her eyes but couldn't help but giggle at Stacey's dramatics. "Basta, mag-behave ka mamaya ah! Si Guill kasi, ano... tahimik siya, tapos gusto ko i-impress."

"Girl, don't worry! I'll be chill...ish," Stacey grinned mischievously.

Soon, a black SUV pulled up in front of them, and out came Guill, dressed casually in jeans and a button-down shirt. His usual stoic face softened as soon as he saw Sheena, but his hands were shoved awkwardly in his pockets. He wasn't exactly the type to openly display his feelings.

"Hi, Sheena," Guill greeted with a shy smile, his voice deep but a little unsure. "I hope you weren't waiting too long."

Sheena blushed, suddenly feeling a little warm despite the cool air. "No, no! We just got here."

Stacey smirked at the quiet interaction, but before she could tease, another figure emerged from the car—a tall man with dyed crimson red hair, wearing a leather jacket. Jan Cristiano Robles.

"Wow, plot twist!" Stacey muttered under her breath as Jan waved awkwardly.

Sheena leaned toward her, whispering in panic. "Sabi ko nga ba! Akala ko tahimik lang kami ni Guill eh, pati ba naman si Jan?"

Jan approached with that same confidence from the engagement party, flashing his charming smile. "Hey, Stacey. Didn't expect to see you here."

Stacey turned to Sheena with a suspicious look. "Anong nangyayari? Double date ba 'to?!"

Sheena bit her lip, caught. "Surprise?"

"Susmaryosep, Sheena," Stacey mumbled, rolling her eyes but shaking her head with a grin. She wasn't about to back out now.

The group made their way inside, greeted by a cozy ambiance of soft lights and relaxing jazz music. As they settled into a booth, Stacey purposefully chose the seat farthest from Jan, positioning herself next to Sheena. But Jan wasn't about to let the distance stop him. He slid in next to Guill, which placed him directly across from Stacey. Their eyes met briefly before Stacey broke the gaze, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"So, Stacey," Jan began, leaning slightly forward. "How's life been treating you? I hear you're modeling full-time now."

Stacey didn't even look up from the menu. "Masaya naman. Unlike sa iba dyan, hindi ako bigla na lang nawawala ng parang multo," she replied with a sweet yet pointed tone.

Jan winced but quickly recovered. "Ouch. You're still holding onto that, ha?"

Stacey flashed him a sarcastic smile. "Well, di naman ganun kadaling kalimutan kapag may mang-iiwan bigla after prom."

Guill and Sheena exchanged awkward glances, unsure whether to laugh or stay quiet. Sheena nudged Guill under the table, signaling him to talk. Guill cleared his throat softly, looking at Sheena.

"So, Sheena... How's being a doctor?" he asked quietly, avoiding any mention of the tension happening across the table.

Sheena smiled shyly. "It's fulfilling, pero nakakapagod din. Ikaw, kamusta ang pagiging pilot?"

Guill's face brightened just a little. "It's... rewarding. Hindi lang ako sanay na nasa spotlight," he admitted, glancing around as if someone might be watching.

Sheena blushed at his modesty. "Parang same tayo. Ayoko rin ng attention masyado."

Meanwhile, Jan wasn't letting Stacey get away so easily. "I get it, Stacey. Hindi ideal yung nangyari after prom, but—"

Stacey cut him off, still refusing to look directly at him. "Jan, ilang taon na yun. Tapos na tayo dun. Ghosting? Check. Moving on? Check. Explanation? Next na siguro."

Jan sighed, clearly getting frustrated. "So you don't want to know why?"

Stacey finally looked up, her eyes challenging. "You had your chance. You could've explained years ago. Pero anong ginawa mo? POOF! Naging Casper ka."

Jan opened his mouth to say something but paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. Before he could speak, the waiter arrived with their drinks, interrupting the conversation. Guill and Sheena exchanged another awkward glance, grateful for the brief distraction.

The drinks were poured, and the waiter left, leaving behind an even heavier silence.

Jan took a sip of his beer, his eyes fixed on Stacey. Finally, after what felt like forever, he spoke again, his voice quieter and more serious this time. "My parents separated after prom night. My mom... she took me to the US without telling anyone, not even my dad. It all happened so fast. Wala akong choice."

Stacey's face faltered for a moment, the sharpness in her eyes softening slightly. But only slightly. "And you couldn't send a text? An email? Kahit postcard man lang, Jan?"

Jan bit his lip, guilt evident on his face. "I was... 17. I didn't know how to deal with it. Ang gulo ng buhay ko noon. I didn't even know kung babalik pa ako."

Sheena, ever the soft-hearted, glanced at Stacey, giving her a subtle look that said, "C'mon, give him a break."

Stacey crossed her arms, trying to stay annoyed, but deep down, something shifted. She had wondered about him for years. That didn't mean she would let him off the hook easily, though.

"So, ngayon?" Stacey asked, her tone still sharp but with a hint of curiosity. "Bumalik ka kasi? What, ready ka na mag-explain?"

Jan met her eyes, his voice steady. "Bumalik ako kasi I wanted to fix things, especially with you."

Stacey felt her heart skip a beat, but she quickly brushed it off, refusing to let him see her flustered. She leaned back in her seat, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, so ano ako sa buhay mo para bigyan ng ganyang explanation? Ano mo ba ako?"

The question hung in the air like a grenade, the tension thick as Jan's eyes widened slightly. He seemed taken aback, his usual confident composure faltering.

For a moment, he looked like he didn't know how to respond. And for the first time that night, Stacey saw the old Jan—vulnerable, unsure, and caught off guard. She crossed her arms, waiting for an answer.

But none came.

Jan was stunned into silence, leaving both of them to stew in the awkwardness of the moment.

Stacey glanced at Sheena, who was desperately trying not to giggle at the tension between the two. Guill, on the other hand, just smirked and shook his head, clearly entertained by the entire scenario.

The night wasn't over, but it felt like something huge had just begun.

### End of Chapter 10