VOLUME 1: TEENAGE DREAMS

Entry #9: A March Memory

A MARCH MEMORY

"A person has three faces: One that they show to strangers; one that they show to their friends and loved ones; and lastly, the one that they show when they're alone. Some say that the last one is the most real of all..."

I.

March.

It was that time of the year again. The hint of summer could already be tasted in the air. The warm breeze a welcome to her skin, bringing the salty taste of the nearby sea to her senses.

It was almost a nostalgic feeling. The promise of a summer bliss. If only not for the memory that tainted it for ever. She could still remember it, as if it just happened yesterday...

II.

"Done!" she breathed a sigh of relief. The final exams of her senior year was over. To her, at least. She secretly scanned the room, her classmates were still bent on their papers, still tackling the toughest subject for them-English. It could be said the same for her, she found the subject darn hard, too. But to her classmates, they thought she had it all in a breeze. An effortless breeze. She tried to hide the weary smile peeking at the corners of her mouth. The truth was, she hadn't slept at all, opting to read the story pieces their adviser told them would be the core of their test. She knew it's worth it. She was confident at her answers.

She was almost done scanning the room when she caught his eyes. She saw him looking at her, and her heart skipped a beat.

Chad.

He smiled.

She smiled.

She cocked an eyebrow.

He flipped a page.

She understood.

Then she raised both her eyebrows. What numbers?

They were only looking at each other's eyes, and yet they understood. They could talk just with their eyes. Yes, they understood.

She saw the page and flipped her own papers, too. She made it look like she was answering a different page, while carelessly displaying the page he needed. Anyone who would go looking at her would easily see her answers.

And that's exactly what happened.

Her nearby classmates, one by one, stole glances her way. She felt dreadful. It should've been only Chad. But she couldn't take it away now.

It's okay, she convinced herself. It's really okay. What's important was Chad would be able to pass. We would go to college together.

Together.

The thought cheered her. It didn't matter if all her classmates copied all her answers in all subjects. What mattered was Chad.

Her best friend.

Her best friend she secretly loved for the whole four years in high school.

III.

"Taaabs!"

She looked up as the final bell rang and she came face-to-face with Chad. Tall, dark, and handsome, you name it and he was it.

"So, are you ready for tonight?" he asked.

"Yes! See you there!" she said in excitement. Chad smiled at her, then ruffled her hair. She frowned.

"You are so not going to ruffle it this night or else!" she warned.