Vapor: The Tagaytay Timeline

Chapter 35

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Chapter 35: Hormones and Heartbeats

Vapor woke up feeling oddly restless. His dreams from the previous night had been a jumble of emotions, leaving him feeling both exhilarated and nervous. He couldn’t shake off the buzzing energy coursing through him. His thoughts quickly wandered to Rosie, his girlfriend of a few months, and he found his heart racing faster than usual at the thought of her.

“Why am I acting like this?” Vapor muttered as he got dressed for school. Splashing water on his face didn’t seem to help. It was like his body was reacting differently, almost out of his control, and Rosie was at the center of it.

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At school, Vapor spotted Rosie waiting by the entrance, flashing her usual bright smile. She waved him over, and as soon as he reached her, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. His heart fluttered—something that had been happening more often lately.

“Hey, Vap!” Rosie said with her usual cheer. “You seem... off. Everything okay?”

Vapor shrugged, trying to play it cool even though his stomach was doing flips. “Yeah, just... stuff,” he said, averting his gaze.

Rosie raised an eyebrow. “Stuff, huh? You’ve been acting a little weird lately. You know you can talk to me if something’s bothering you, right?”

He wanted to tell her everything. But how could he explain that every time he was near her, his feelings were amplified in a way he couldn’t quite control? Instead, he put on a forced smile and nudged her lightly. “I’m fine, I promise. Just need to get through today.”

Rosie clearly wasn’t convinced, but she let it go for now, giving him a knowing glance. “Alright, but you better spill later.”

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Throughout the day, Vapor’s mind was clouded with thoughts of Rosie. He couldn’t focus in class, and even his friends noticed his distracted state. Every time he saw her, his heart would race, and he found it harder and harder to act normal around her.

During lunch, the two of them sat together as usual, but Vapor barely touched his food. His mind kept replaying their moments together, making him more flustered by the minute.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” Rosie asked, resting her hand on his. “You’ve barely eaten.”

Vapor blinked, realizing his tray was untouched. “Uh... yeah, just... thinking,” he stammered, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Rosie chuckled. “About what?”

Vapor hesitated. He didn’t want to freak her out by telling her how his emotions were going haywire, but he also didn’t want to keep everything bottled up. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve just been... thinking about us. About how things are... changing.”

Rosie tilted her head, her expression soft and understanding. “Changing how?”

“I don’t know,” Vapor admitted, his voice quieter. “It’s just... every time I’m with you, I feel things more intensely. It’s like my body’s reacting to everything you do, and I don’t know how to deal with it.”

Rosie’s eyes widened slightly, but then a gentle smile spread across her face. “Vapor, that’s totally normal. You’re growing up, and your hormones are just doing their thing. It’s nothing to be scared of.”

Vapor’s face flushed red with embarrassment. “So... I’m not going crazy?”

Rosie squeezed his hand. “Nope. You’re just fine. And we’ll get through it together, okay?”

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That evening, Vapor walked Rosie home after school. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything, and for the first time in days, Vapor felt a sense of calm. Being around Rosie made everything easier, even when his emotions were running wild.

“I’m glad we talked,” he said quietly as they neared Rosie’s house. “I was worried I’d make things weird between us.”

Rosie smiled, leaning into him. “Nothing could make things weird unless we let it. I’m here for you, always.”

They paused outside her house, and Rosie reached up, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. “I love you, Vapor.”

Vapor’s heart swelled at her words. “I love you too, Rosie.”

For a moment, they stood there, wrapped in the warmth of the sunset and the comfort of each other’s presence. Vapor felt a wave of relief, knowing that no matter what, Rosie was by his side.

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The next day, Vapor felt more at ease. Though he was still adjusting to his heightened emotions, he was relieved to know that Rosie understood and that they could face these changes together.

At lunch, they sat down at their usual table, but their moment of peace was soon interrupted by Miles, who slid into the seat across from them with a teasing grin.

“So, what’s up with you two?” Miles asked, her voice dripping with playful curiosity. She glanced between Vapor and Rosie, clearly fishing for gossip.

Vapor groaned inwardly. Miles, being her usual nosy self, was always quick to poke fun at them. But today, Vapor felt a bit more confident—and a little sassier. “What’s up with us? Nothing you’d understand, Miles,” he shot back with a smirk.

Miles blinked in surprise, but quickly recovered, crossing her arms. “Oh, so you’ve got jokes now? Watch yourself, Vapor. I’m still the class queen of sass, and you don’t want to go toe-to-toe with me.”

Rosie giggled, resting her hand on Vapor’s shoulder. “Careful, Vap, she’s got a point.”

Vapor grinned, feeling more like himself. “I think I’ll be just fine, thanks. But don’t worry, Miles—I’m sure one day you’ll get to experience what it’s like to have someone as amazing as Rosie.”

Miles rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Alright, alright, I’ll let you two lovebirds be. But I’m keeping an eye on you, Vapor. You’re not getting off that easily.”

With a dramatic huff, Miles walked away, leaving Rosie and Vapor laughing in her wake. Vapor leaned back, feeling more relaxed than he had in days. He wasn’t sure when he had started to develop this sassy side, but he kind of liked it.

“Looks like I’m rubbing off on you,” Rosie teased, nudging him playfully.

Vapor shrugged, smirking. “Maybe a little.”

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End of Chapter 35

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This updated version reflects the dynamic between Vapor and Rosie, while incorporating Miles as the teasing but supportive friend. Vapor’s growing sass adds humor and character development, and the plot continues to focus on Vapor coming to terms with his feelings and the changes he’s experiencing.