A Close Second

Sixty-Eighth

COURTNEY BEATRICE

"Tell me again how you're managing five classes a day, mula 8:00AM, keep tabs on your lectures and notes, have a proper lunch, attend the Film Society and play driver to Thea every school day?"

Natawa si Jake sa sinabi ko habang nag lalakad pabalik ng Film Society nila kung saan susunduin namin si Thea.

Life had been normal lately, which was equally as scary and comforting for me.

Matt and Via had kept my modelling gigs to a minimum. I still was a student after all and I had to catch up with my classes with midterms drawing near. I was on a hiatus at the studio for three months because my studies so my schedule was relatively open.

The scary part was how right it felt—like I was just a college student, focused on school and friends instead of the runway, social media, press, photoshoots, and publicity.

Ironic because it's exactly what I should be doing.

"Keith could never?"

I laugh. "Excuse me. 1.55 GPA, perfect attendance, manages to train at his parents' company, fetch me back and forth, even cook me dinner if he has to. He even manages my schedule with my manager and agency. Sorry, try again."

I was damn proud of my man.

He was running circles for me and around me—sometimes quite literally.

Jake nods, seemingly impressed. "Baka si Nico?"

"Ay, sorry. Running 1.75, making top grades for his class as of date, UESC 2nd Year Rep while being trained by his Dad in the company. He actually comes to class in time and does his best to take care of Aya even with her mood swings." Sabi ko, tone quite pleased. "Try again."

"Greg?"

I smiled. "You'd be surprised." I shook my head. "1.25 GPA. He's being mentored by top alumni in their school. On top of that, he's managing GenX perfectly and it's thriving without any outside help."

It was true.

Greg, who didn't care much for his studies and anything to do with business, was the one who was ahead of everyone taking things by storm.

It made my heart swell with pride.

"If that's how everyone is, why do you still question me how I do it?" Sabi nito sa akin, an eyebrow raised. "Is that a challenge I'm hearing?"

What was I thinking? Of course, this was Jacob Isaac Napoleon who I was talking to.

As much as a good guy he is, he did not like being underestimated.

"Taga mo sa bato, Beatrice. Gagraduate akong Magna Cum Laude."

I laughed at his insulted tone. I may have hit a nerve too far.

"I didn't mean to belittle you." Sabi ko sa kanya while he opens the glass door. "And Magna Cum Laude? Ayaw ng Summa?"

"I can't aim for perfect." Sabi nito sa akin, shaking his head. "Besides, that's Thea's territory."

To think that two weeks ago, he all but ran away and ignored his girlfriend who had no idea who he was.

It's a long way to where he was with her from before. But now, Jacob was actually trying. He was trying so hard to reconnect with her, rebuilding a friendship, going to school with her, spending time with her as much as he could given his busy schedule.

He had to take classes that we already had gone through, meaning we were at least two terms ahead. Just two though because apparently, with his connections, he managed to at least catch up with one term while doing physical therapy.