Helping the Girl Get the Guy

Twelve ♧ Her Sudden Appearance

A day after our rest day, Luke managed to feel better. Good thing, he was able to leave my room without our other companions realizing that we actually spent the night together - as friends.

I even called room service that night to have Luke's food be served at mine and even asked to keep such act in secret. It was weird, trying not to get caught because we did not want people think negatively of us. Of course, they won't simply understand that Luke got sick and I opted to take care of him.

Luke greeted me the moment we bumped into each other on the hallway. "You look better," I beamed.

"I always look good Jess," he grinningly replied causing me to roll my eyes at him.

"Anyway, we're going to visit the school today, in case, no one told you because you've got no friends around here," I said, and then, I started walking away.

I could hear him chuckling. "Hey, I do have one, she took care of me while I was sick."

I smiled at the thought of that. "What's her name again?"

"Jessica Alexandria Quinn!" Odd as it may be, it wasn't Luke who answered. It was no other than Mrs. Latorena and her voice sounded as if I was about to be sent to detention. "And Mr. Luke Robert Hemmings, come here!"

"I bet you have some explaining to do." Mrs. Latorena crossed her arms the moment Luke and I stood in front of her. I began panicking, causing me to turn my head to Luke for him to explain. How the hell did Mrs. Latorena figured out I slept with Luke? Gosh, this woman sure is crazy!

"We're...we're..." I began stuttering.

"We're sorry ma'm, it won't happened again."

"Yes! You'd better not be late for the second time! Nathan and I waited, our breakfast supposedly happened an hour ago," she replied with a sigh.

"Breakfast?" I whispered to Luke the moment Mrs. Latorena walked away.

"Keep thy mouth shut, she doesn't know anything." Luke winked, as if we're keeping a terribly bad secret.

I let out a sigh of relief as I walked behind Mrs. Latorena who still couldn't keep her cool down. "Where are we going?" I asked without even thinking.

It made her backfire, "Well, we should be having dinner but since you're late, we're heading straight to the school with our empty stomachs."

Strangely, I wanted to pull her hair. Luke probably saw the disgust in my face, he ended up chuckling.

"You want me to pull your hair first before I do it to her?" I whispered to Luke, causing him to clear his throat.

The moment we reached the main lobby of the hotel, Nathan appeared before us. "Good morning travel buddies," he grinned.

Before I could respond, Luke said, "Good morning, guess you're the only guy who's in a good mood today."

"What's the problem?" All of a sudden, Nathan was whispering words beside me. My cheeks warmed.

"You know, just Mrs. Latorena being Mrs. Latorena. She got mad at me and Luke for being late," I sighed.

"Why were you late? Did you two do something?" He raised an eyebrow at me. It took me several seconds to comprehend that.

I nudged his elbow and said in defense, "Not like that, okay?"

He stiffled a laugh. It was weird, I just nudged his elbow, and laughed in return. This was what friends do right? They tease each other, just like how Luke and I acted toward each other. Would it really be possible for Nathan to become my friend? Right. He must be. First stage, strangers. Second stage, friends. Third stage, lovers. I hoped, it would end up like that.

Luke, who untimely interrupted opened up a conversation about Sports which made me roll my eyes, hoping none of them saw it. I wanted to yell at him, I have no idea what you're talking about. Talk about something else like me being pretty today.

After several minutes, our ride to the school came. This time, Mrs. Latorena sat in front, and I was squeezed in between Luke and Nathan. They were still conversing about balls not the balls in their bodies but actual balls. I leaned back and kept my eyes shut, hoping at some point, they would realize, I existed too.

Unfortunately, they did not. We reached the school and they were still conversing, leaving me with no choice but to walk beside Mrs. Latorena, who seemed to also have a world of her own.

The school was big, and the walls of the extetior were covered with brown bricks. The structure was modern and in every corner, there were trees and plants.

"Jessica," I hear Luke say. I did not turn, thus pretending I did not hear it. Just like how they pretended that I did not exist. I started walking a bit faster, without realizing that there was a girl running toward my direction. In just split seconds, our bodies collided, causing the both of us to hit the ground. I noticed that my clothed suddenly felt wet. Great, it was because I bumped into a girl holding a matcha tea, turning my shirt plain white shirt into green.

Luke was the first to approach me while my head and my body was still on the ground. I was feeling nauseant until I heard the girl shouting right in front of my face. Okay, so she managed to get up so sudden.

"Did she just curse in Chinese?" I turned to Luke who was brushing the dirt off my skirt. Both Nathan and Luke helped me up and I was glad, I had these two with me. I've forgiven you guys for leaving me talking to nobody but thoughts, I wanted to tell them. Although, I party hated how Luke intervened, and did not let Nathan do something for me. He knew well that Nathan was my crush, not him.

"No, she said, I forgive you for bumping me, and I'm sorry too," Luke grinned, as if that was a nice joke.

"Are you okay?" Finally, Nathan asked. I nodded my head although I was feeling a bit dizzy. Mrs. Latorena, thank God, was nowhere to be seen or else, I would definitely get a negative comment from her. You clumsy girl! I bet if she was here, she would say that, out loud. In front on my friend, and in front of my crush.

Good thing, I bought a spare shirt in my backpack. I excused myself and told them I had to change clothes. Luke insisted on accompanying me but I told him, "Just because we're in a different country, it doesn't mean the restroom are for both boys and girls. This is a school, not a pub." He only narrowed his eyes at me in reply.

After dressing up for the secondth time of the day, I walked outside only to find out that the boys were gone. How the hell would I be able to navigate in this place without them? What if the girl who cursed me suddenly strangle me here? Oh goodness gracious, where did the boys go?!