Another Way Around

Chapter four

“You tried, failed, now move on and start over. You love them both, they love each other, DEAL WITH IT.”

Here I am again in front of my beloved mirror, talking stupidly.

I lazily walked to school. On my way, Gino called from my back.

“Hey Good morning!,” he greeted with a big smile.

“You look happy,” I noticed.

“You look frustrated, worst than yesterday HAHA”

“Huh? For real?”

“Yeah”

As we enter the room, Mrs. Roberto announced she has some commitments to attend. She asked us to spend our two hours in the library and gave us some things to research.

At the end of one table in the library, Jake and Matea shared in one book. Matea is writing and Jake.. he’s starring at her like she’s a star in the night.

“Stop looking at them,” Gino said

“Come”

“Where?” I asked.

“Just follow”

And I followed him. We went to canteen. He ordered spaghetti, fries, hotdog, rice, beef steak, mango shake and slices of pizza. My eyes widen as I looked at the food he ordered.

“You are insane Gino”

“I know. We have to eat all of this, look, you’re losing weight, I’m afraid you don’t have anything to lose tomorrow.”

“Nah! That’s not true.”

“Really, then eat,” he challenged.

I grabbed the hotdog and when I’m about to take a bite, he bowed down and prayed.

“Lord thank you for this day. Thank you for the provision and blessing you have poured upon us, for our family, for our shelter, for the clothing we are wearing and most especially for the life and strength you have given us for today. May you bless this food we’re going to share, may you continue to bless and keep us. In Jesus name, Amen.”

“Lets eat”, he smiled and grab the hotdog. I stared for him for a while, Gino, truly has a grateful heart. Though His family is now facing a big problem, he can still utter a thankful prayer. I realized then, I haven’t been praying for a while, I already forgot to thank God for the things he has given me. I’d been preoccupied with my failures and rejections.

“Hey, Gab!”

With a smile I said, “Sorry, let’s eat”.

From then on, I became closer to Gino maybe not as close as with Jake and Matea because they are my friends since birth but I can now handle Gino’s personality. He’s a nice guy after all, He carries his camera everywhere and took pictures of anything I don’t think would be a great subject but when He transferred it to his computer, it’s always great. He has a great future in photography I know that. We hang out a lot now, he came by to my house during weekends and do things I thought were boring before. My interest in photography increased, He help me with my research for my book concerning the life in the outer space. He is the only one who believed me on this. And of course, we spend a lot of time in the Ever Park, the park we went through during the prom night. We now talk about anything, The Gospel, ancient cities, former presidents of the United States, current foreign exchange, cancer of every kind etc..  

Weeks past and I can now say hi to Jake and Matea without bitterness but I can’t still hang out with them like before so I’m sticking with Gino.

One day while passing out of time on a bench with Gino, we saw Jake and Matea, happily walking across the road.

“What if Jake loved you the way you love him?” Gino asked in a low tone voice.

I paused a little while, shocked by his question. “I don’t know, he may be happier than he is now or tragically fallen because I’m too much to handle hahaha.”

“From the start I know you love Jake and Jake love Matea.” Gino said without face expression.

I stared at him in amusement. “What do you mean?”

“I’m a photographer, I took pictures of anything, I’m everywhere.”

“Oh my, I’m with a spy!” I said it to break the moment, I don’t want to talk about this because I’m starting to move on.

“What if you knew me since birth like you always say about your friendship with Jake and Matea, do you think you’d love me the way you love him?” Gino looking at me, very serious.

I blushed and don’t know what to say.

“Hahaha you’re blushing. We’re different and things will be a different way around if I’m in his place.”

I just laughed with him. But deep inside I’m also thinking what if I never knew Jake and it was Gino, would I love him the way I loved Jake? But a frustration strikes me again, of course he will chose Matea instead.