Vapor: The Tagaytay Timeline

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Navigating School and Love

It was another school day at Tagaytay High, and Vapor strolled through the gates with his usual energy. His turquoise shorts and polka-dot sleeveless shirt stood out as always, and his stylish hat tilted slightly as he adjusted it. He wasn’t one to conform to anyone’s idea of a “normal” outfit, and he liked it that way.

Beside him, Miles, his best friend, walked along with a slightly mischievous grin on her face. “So, Vapor, ready to bomb another math test today?”

Vapor blinked, slowing his pace. “Wait, we have a test today?”

Miles groaned dramatically. “Vapor! We went over this yesterday! How can you be this clueless? You're hopeless sometimes.”

Vapor scratched the back of his head, laughing. “Guess I’m just more of a creative genius than a numbers guy. Who needs math when you’ve got charm?”

They entered the school building and headed towards their 8th-grade classroom. Vapor could already see his other friends, Valore, Acre, and Geo, gathering at their usual spot in the back of the room. Valore was already looking bored with the idea of another test, and Acre was flipping through his notes one last time. Geo, always the most serious about academics, was triple-checking his calculator settings.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Vapor muttered to himself as he slid into his seat.

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The math test was brutal. Vapor’s gray eyes flickered over the paper, trying to make sense of the equations. He could feel his confidence draining away as the minutes ticked by. He glanced at Miles, who was deep into the test, and then at Valore, who was already doodling in the margins. Vapor sighed and guessed on half of the questions.

The only thing keeping him sane was the thought of seeing Rosie after class. Rosie, his 11th-grade girlfriend, was always supportive, even when he felt completely lost. Sure, their relationship got some raised eyebrows because of their age gap, but it didn’t bother them. They cared about each other, and that’s all that mattered.

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As soon as school let out, Vapor and his friends regrouped outside the building. The conversation quickly shifted from test scores to the weekend plans, with Valore suggesting something explosive, as usual, and Acre trying to keep things under control.

Then, Vapor’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Rosie walking toward him. At 167 cm, she towered over him, her presence confident and calming. Her focus was always on her studies, but she still made time for him.

“Hey, how did the test go?” she asked with a soft smile, kneeling slightly so she could meet Vapor's eyes at a closer height.

Vapor shook his head with a groan. “Let’s just say I’m not getting an A today. Or tomorrow. Or ever.”

Rosie chuckled, brushing some hair from his face. “Well, you’ll get through it. You always do. Want to grab a snack before you head home?”

Before he could answer, Amber, his 11-year-old sister, darted up from across the yard, tugging on Vapor’s sleeve. “Vapor! You promised we’d eat together today!”

Vapor glanced between Rosie and Amber, then back at Rosie with an apologetic grin. “Looks like I’m booked for today.”

Rosie smiled warmly. “It’s alright, I’ve got some studying to do anyway. But hey, don’t forget we have our date this weekend. I cleared it with my parents already, so now you just need to ask Esper.”

Vapor’s face flushed slightly at the mention of their date. He’d have to get Esper’s approval, but it was worth it.

Amber, always the chatterbox, looked up at Rosie and grinned. “You’re taller than Vapor! How do you keep up with him?”

Rosie laughed, shaking her head. “It’s more about keeping him out of trouble.”

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Later that day, after a chaotic lunch with his friends and little sister, Vapor couldn’t help but feel grateful. Sure, he wasn’t acing math tests or soaring through high school like Rosie, but he had the best people around him, and that made everything else seem easier.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Vapor felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see Miles grinning. “Good luck with your date, dude. Just make sure you actually pass the next test.”

Vapor rolled his eyes and laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll get it eventually.”

And with that, he headed home, ready for whatever came next—whether it was school, his chaotic friends, or another math test he wasn’t ready for. At least he had Rosie to look forward to at the end of it all.

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End of Chapter 16

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This version incorporates the dynamics of Vapor in 8th grade and Rosie in 11th grade, with the focus on their relationship, school life, and Vapor’s interactions with friends and family. I hope this fits better with the story! Let me know what you think.