Helping the Girl Get the Guy

Six • Yogurts and Conversations

"Welcome to the classiest yogurt in town." The Indian waiter said, offering us two empty cups which Luke and I immediately took. I was stunned when I realized that Luke brought us to Pinkberry which can basically be considered as the sugar rush safe haven.

"Thank God for self-serve yogurt." I told him, then I licked my lip. "I cannot wait to mix the salted caramel with chocolate." I continued, as Luke payed for our yogurt cups before we could indulge in the real goodness. "I like the cookies and cream flavored yogurt, let's hit it." Luke said, and so we begun.

I sprinkled my yogurt with granola oats, M&M and a little bit of Malteser balls. Luke sprinkled his with crushed graham, extra chunk of oreos and caramel syrup. We were in a serious case of sugar rush.

"We will end up getting diabetes afterwards." Luke chuckled.

"We're too sweet." Maybe, I said the wrong thing. "I mean, because of the food that we're eating." I added right away.

"Here, try this..." Luke said placing a spoon filled with yogurt in my mouth. "Ugh, heaven." I beamed, and indulged in the sweet treat by Luke.

"Try mine." I said, and did the exact same thing to him. Luke closed his eyes and replied, "My goodness, I'll surely try that one next time."

"You're welcome."

While we were savoring the sweet delicacy, Luke asked, "So, about the exchange student program thing, have you paid for the thirty percent that we need to shoulder?"

I had totally forgotten about it. I haven't asked my mother if she would allow me. It would be difficult to please her. I was only allowed to attend field trips only when I was in eighth grade. What more for an exchange student program in a foreign country?

"Not yet. I'm still searching for you know, funds. Nevermind, I'll be able to make it. I won't let you and Nathan travel without me." I beamed, pretending that the fund searching was not a big deal at all.

Luke chuckled. "Oh, I hope Nathan backs out then."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Not funny." I kept my pokerface on until --

"I am deeply sorry Jessica." he stopped eating and bit his bottom lip. It was surprising to see him nervous. I could not control it -- I ended up laughing, and causing a playful smirk to appear in his face.

"Anyway, I have a spoken poetry thing on Saturday for English class, I hope you could watch." Luke said, and to hear that he was in to poetry surprised me. It was rare to hear it from a guy in the twenty-first century.

"You're inviting me to watch you speak poems? Good riddance, you never told me that you are a Shakespeare!"

Luke placed a hand on my mouth and told me to keep my voice down. "Come on, it was a requirement. Besides, you never asked what my talents are." He whispered, giving me a smug expression.

"What are your talents?" I mimicked him.

"Well, I bet I can consider myself as jack of all traits and a master of none. I can play the guitar, I can write poems -- the hell, every one can but not as good as mine. And of couse, I can sing." He beamed, flashing his dimples once more.

"You have another talent... your ego man, that's something." I laughed in return but deep inside, I was amused. Luke did not only have the leadership skills, but artistic skills as well.

"How about you?" he asked, leaning in with his arms on the table so our faces are of the same level. It made me feel that he was quite interested in knowing.

"I can play the piano. And, I write poems too but like you said, it might not be as good as yours." Honestly, I only write poems whenever I feel deeply hurt or in extreme euphoria.

Luke raised an eyebrow and smirked. "As a payment for the yogurt, will you please recite to me a poem of yours."

I shook my head. "The hell no." I begun to feel jittery. I never shared to anyone the poems that I made. Instead of obeying Luke, I placed the exact amount for the yogurt on the table.

"I hate to break it to you, but next time, you will have no other choice but to recite your poem." Luke sighed as he took the money. Good thing, he did not push me into doing something I did not want to do. "Then I am not looking forward to the next time that you are talking about," I replied.

After eating, Luke and I left the yogurt store with satisfied mouths and stomachs. That was probably one of the memorable yogurt experiences that I have had. I mean, it was my first time to have a yogurt with a guy friend. Well at least, I consider Luke as one.

We went back to Luke's Honda civic. I told him that I can walk home but he insisted on driving. The moment I reached the passenger seat, Luke asked, "What's your plan earlier? Why were you so eager to ride the bus?"

"Uhm..." I began, but no words seemed to be coming out of me. I bit my bottom lip before replying, "I-I was to... visit my mom." That was a stupid reason. I live with my mother, he must have known that.

I then wondered, what was the reason why it was hard for me to tell the truth to Luke? Was it because I was embarrassed of the fact that I was ready to tell Nathan what I really feel about him, or what is because of something else I cannot comprehend?

"Oh, then I've got four letter word for you." Luke smirked while securing the seatbelt around his body.

"What is it?" I asked innocently.

"Liar. Tell me the real reason Jessica." Luke crossed his arms and turned to face me. He did not even start the engine. How did he know? Was he aware of my mannerisms whenever I lie?

I rolled my eyes and breathed heavily before saying, "I was about to tell Nathan that I like him."

"Good thing I was able to stop you from embarrassing yourself. Once again, I'm Jessica's lifesaver." He clapped his hands, starting to praise himself.

I groaned. "Why does society thinks its embarrassing to confess one's love for someone?"

"Maybe it's not yet the right time. Be patient, will you?" Luke said as he started the engine. If awhile ago was not the right time, then when will it be? Although Luke did not answer my question directly, he had a point. Besides, for me to win Nathan's heart, it would be best if we would have some bonding experience.

I tried to brush off the Nathan thoughts and focused on something else more important -- seeking permission from my mother so I could travel to Hong Kong with the two boys, my newfound friend and my ultimate crush.

When Luke parked his car in front of my house, I sighed before releasing the seatbelt. "Thank you for today Luke, I owe you a lot already." Luke was right -- he had been my lifesaver for a couple of days already.

"Nah, don't mention it." he grinned. Before heading out, I remembered something. I just hoped Luke would not misinterpret -- I kissed him in the cheek, and said hastily, "That's what you do right? You kiss your friends?"

Luke seemed shocked but then he giggled. "Yeah right." He returned the kiss on right cheek, and it surprised me. I could not stop smiling. This was weird because we're of the opposite sex, but it felt amazing. 

"I hate to break it to you but I still like Nathan." I stuck my tongue out.

"And I still don't like you." he said while rolling his eyes. Of course, that will not change. Luke and I are merely friends, and I'm planning to keep it that way. ■