Helping the Girl Get the Guy

Four • The Awkward Encounter

Luke and I waited for just about five minutes before getting a cab. Good thing, he had an application in his iPhone that allowed him to contact the nearest driver that could pick us up in school. It was like Über, but a cab instead of a private car.

I told the driver my address. Luckily, the (probably) middle aged driver agreed to drive me home first then proceed to Luke's place.

While we're inside the cab, Luke suddenly cursed. I thought student council officers were so careful with words. Guess I was mistaken.

"What's the problem?"

"I left the paper on the desk. That's the slip for the you know, exchange student program. I was supposed to photocopy it and give one to you." He bit his bottom lip.

"Oh, that. Never mind. I'll just get it tomorrow." I let out a small smile just so he would not feel disappointed.

Luke nodded, then turned his face to the window, watching the streets under the shade of the dark night.

It had been crazy two days with Luke Hemmings. First, I slapped him in the face. Second, we were wearing the same plaid top. Third, he drove me to school. Fourth, I kicked Calum. Fifth, we were offered an exchange student program. Sixth, we were locked (Calum's revenge). And lastly, we jumped into a dumpster, trying our best not to feel guilty with why the driver needed to put a face mask on due to the foul smell that Luke and I's clothes had emitted.

Who would have thought that of all the people in school, I would end up being with Luke? With someone whom I haven't spoken with until the day before yesterday. I was not sure whether it's a privilege or a misfortune but so far, I was enjoying our embarrassing times together. I unconsciously smiled at the thought of that.

The driver turned on the radio, which played a Good Charlotte's song. Luke hummed to it.

I don't want to bother him but I felt the need to know what's written on the paper. "Luke, what does the paper says?"

"It says that the school will subsidize seventy percent of the plane ticket, as well as the accommodation, and of course, food." The moment he said food, he winked.

"That sounds awesome." I tried my best to sound as excited as possible.  Yes, I badly wanted to travel. On the contrary, the remaining thirty percent that would not be subsidized was bothering me. I could not just ask my mother for money right away especially if she was saving up for my college tuition fee.

Being a single parent was never easy. My mother was the living proof. She never said anything about my father, and I did not dare ask. Besides, who cares if my father existed or not? I have a mother who loved me. That's already enough.

My eyes had started to feel heavy, causing me to yawn. I was sleepy and exhausted. Luke seemed to have noticed because I felt his hand at the side of my head, motioning me to lean on him. I obliged, with my eyes still closed.

Upon waking up, I felt Luke's hand tapping my shoulder. He whispered, "we're here." His breath smelled like bubblegum.

I squinted my eyes, and looked outside. I could clearly see my house's exterior. "Sorry, I guess I overslept."

Luke decided to accompany me until I reach the front porch. I have no idea why he wanted to do that, but it felt comforting.

"So, I guess, I'll see you tomorrow." Luke beamingly uttered.

"You too." I smiled back.

Just when I was about to turn the doorknob, and just when Luke was about to enter the cab, I shouted, "Luke, thanks for today."

"Sure thing." He winked, entering the cab with a dazzling smile on his face.

-------

The next morning, Nathan Yale passed by while I was walking with Luke. We were outside the campus, specifically near the waiting area for parents, on our way to Luke's apartment to help him prepare his stuff for the exchange student program.

Nathan yelled Luke's name, and so Luke approached him, me following behind. I immediately felt like rushing to the opposite direction since I found it difficult to be around Nathan. It's an unexplainable feeling of wanting to be near him and wanting to be away from him for the fear of embarrassing myself in front of him.

"Mr. President", Nathan begun.

"Hey Miguel." Luke said, shaking Nathan's hand. What the heck. Am I hearing this the right way? Luke just called Nathan "Miguel", his second name. I felt jealous. Can I be Luke for a day? The boy who can easily be friends with anyone.

"You know Jessica?" Luke surprisingly asked. I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping Nathan would left cheek see me blush.

"Uhm, I guess. She's smart right?" Nathan replied, crossing his arms, and looking right at me. In just split seconds, I turned into a lighted candle up, melting at his gaze. His dark brown eyes had struck me, real hard.

Smart. The adjective that everyone had given me. Not even synonymous to pretty or cute. I guess I would be stuck with that. On the bright side, being remembered by Nathan was a good start.

"And beautiful." Luke muttered, and winked at Nathan. I mentally cursed Luke for saying that.

"I see." Nathan then smiled at me. Maybe, it was a good thing that Luke said that. Now, Nathan probably believed Luke that I was beautiful. This day would make it to my diary.

"Hi." I said, waving my hand at Nathan.

"You seemed like a cute couple." Nathan blurted out.

My face turned red, all so sudden. "No, Nathan, you have no idea. It's you that I like." If I happened to be 10th level dumb, I would've said that. Luke seemed to have noticed the panic attack that was happening inside me, and so, he firmly said, "No, we are not even together."

"Well you better be. All right, I have to go. Bye Luke... and Jessica." Nathan patted Luke's back and left. The sudden mention of my name made me smile. It was true, hearts do jump when you're giddily in love.

Luke snapped me out of my thoughts and shook his head. "Don't ever do that again. You're so obvious."

"What do you mean?" I shot him a confused look.

"That, I'm madly in love with you Nathan Yale look in your eyes." Luke mimicked me, and as far as I wanted to get pissed off, I laughed instead.

"What's funny? He believes that we're meant to be and it's not good." Luke said with a serious expression on his face. It's almost as if he was the straight face emoji.

"Huh? Why?" I bit my bottom lip, feeling suddenly guilty for laughing.

"You really don't know your crush do you?" My eyes narrowed at his response.

"What do you mean?" Yes, I badly need to know. Spill it, Luke.

"Stop with that question, I'm not Justin Bieber." he snorted. Before I could even say something else, Luke pointed a finger on my mouth, and said, "Your Nathan is the school's Ultimate Matchmaker, when he said, 'you'd better be together', he'll do everything for us to be together."

Luke's words made me feel like Pacquiao being punched thousands of time in the face by Mayweather.

"I thought you're the school's ultimate matchmaker!" I shouted at him for feeling betrayed.

"I guess I'm not alone." was all that Luke said, before walking to his car, leaving me and my troublesome thoughts in the parking lot.