Helping the Girl Get the Guy

Eight ♤ Jealuke

"You've got to be kidding me," Luke said, the moment we bumped into each other at the school's parking lot. I just got off the bus and he just got off his car. "So, Nathan Yale, and you, are textmates?"

I nodded giddily. "I could still remember our conversation," I placed both of my hands to the sides of my face, "he asked, so, you're just Luke's friend?', and I replied, 'yes'."

The thought of having my first conversation with Nathan Yale was deeply remarkable. I couldn't help but smile idiotically every single time I recall.

"Cool, it's nice to be friends with Luke, is that what he said?" Luke mimicked me. How could I forget? He takes his ego with him all the time. I shot him a strange glare causing him to hold a laugh. We walked toward the vacant bench and sat there to waste time because we still had fifteen minutes before our meeting with the principal starts.

"Nah, he said, 'oh, I really thought you're together. Anyway, I hope to see you tomorrow, good night Jess.' And of course, with the smiley again." It was the first time that Nathan called me by my nickname. My heart did not stop pitter-pattering. I wondered what was Nathan's reaction when he sent that. I hope he was truly smiling.

"So you think you've had the best conversation already? He only replied twice." Luke rested his back and crossed his arms.

"Correction, three times. And, in case you want to know, note to Luke, when you're in love, the simplest things matter," I said, then put a handful of salad to my mouth.

"Jess," a voice called out name, and it indeed made my heart leap in surprise.

I turned around and stuttered the word "Nathan" upon seeing him. Luke stood from his seat, and I immediately followed his move.

With all my strength, I fought the urge of wanting to kiss this guy right in front of me, because the moment I caught a glimpse of his dazzling smile, I was lost. "Wow, it's nice to see you two, my travel buddies."

"How about we all walk together to the principal's office?" Luke sugested, uncrossing his arms.

"Sounds like a grand idea," I awkwardly replied.

The three of sauntered to the principal's office. I was with the two most popular boys in the school and I couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated. Jessica Finch, the girl in the middle, only known for being smart, no more, no less.

The principal greeted us and shook our hands. "A pleasure to have students in my office not because they've committing an offense, but because they are to give a better reputation for this school."

The three of us laughed in unison. Mr. Arthur sure knew how to lighten up the atomosphere.

"I pressume that the tickets are already with you." Luke, Nathan and I nodded. We had been doing things in synchrony, as if we're three persons in one body. Yet, we were nowhere near the Holy Trinity.

"Mrs. Latorena will be coming with you, and in case you're wondering, Ms. Jessica, she'll be your roommate. As for the flight seating arrangement, Mrs. Latorena will stay in the row in front of the three of you. Jessica, you'll be sitting in the middle of Nathan and Luke." I felt like choking when he said the last sentence. I sucked my lips in sudden shock.

"Be sure to take care of your girl classmate, boys. If something happens to her, I'd take your names off your affiliations," Mr. Arthur warned, looking sternly at Nathan and Luke before breaking into laughter. "It's International Women's Day which is why I felt the need to say that. I tried to laugh as well, though it sounded like a weird joke.

"Do we get to eat on the plane?" Luke surprisingly asked.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll probably starve if we won't," Nathan offered a fist to Luke, and they ended up bro-fisting each other. I wondered what would happen when we reach Hong Kong, would Nathan fall for me, or Luke? They seemed quite close that they had forgotten my existence,

or not.

"Jess had been bugging me to tell you that sir. She wanted to taste airplane food, right Jess?" I shot Luke an I will castrate you later glare causing him to chuckle.

"Silly kids, of course, there will be food, and lots of them. Every single day, there will be dishes that will be served to your names. I want you to experience the best of Hong Kong." Mr. Arthur beamed as he take three pieces of paper containing our itinerary.

One of the places caught my attention. "Oh my gosh," I said in an instant. "We're visiting Disneyland?"

"Yes, and that's a special itinerary and a job for you Ms. Jess. It's stated that you have to write an essay for your stay and it shall be published in our school paper," Mr. Arthur stopped, and sighed, "However, on the same day and time, unfortunately, Nathan have his basketball game in the academy, so he might not be able to join you."

I mouthed an 'o' at sudden dismay. Disneyland was known to be the most magical place on earth, and it would have been much more magical if you're with the perso who makes your heart beat magically far different than normal.

"It's okay sir, it would be nicer if I do what I love most, which is to play," Nathan gave the principal the reassurance that he wasn't disappointed. Yet, his eyes told otherwise. Or maybe, I was just imagining that he wanted to go to Disneyland with me.

When we left the office, Nathan bid us goodbye for he had to attend their basketball training. "See you guys real soon," were his last words.

I was once again left with Luke who's facial expression I could not fathom. "What's your problem?" I asked innocently.

"Jess, if you don't like me to go to Disneyland with you, could you at least just pretend?" he blurted out and I shot him another confused glare.

"What the heck? I never said that I don't like to be with you," I defensely uttered taking a step closer to where he was standing.

"Really? Your face earlier says otherwise," This time, he crossed his arms in annoyance. "I thought we're already friends," he continued. And just like that, Luke was gone and I had no clue that my expression offended him that much.

His words, "I thought were already friends," haunted me for the rest of the day.