Freshman

Chapter 4: The Girl

Break time struck like lightning, fast but takes up a lot. Wouldn't you believe it, Jen was a real player! I knew you dear readers have expected it from the start, but at that time, I couldn't help but be astounded of the thought. I was young, benign, and naive. How could I have guessed that the guy was a player?

It all started in break time, after Life Labs, Hasha and I decided to pay the concessionaire a visit. I knew Hasha would haul all the food in the concession aire, as she always does, so I came prepared and asked my mom to pack some lunch for me. I had no business in the conessuonaire anymore, nonetheless, a trip to the concessionaire wouldn't be all too bad, right?

My friend and I trudged over to the concessionaire. Hasha was skipping giddily, while I dragged my feet. I didn't want to waste my energy on walking.

"Girl! Girl!" Hasha halted and pointed profusely. "It's your babe! Go and say 'hi' or something!"

"Babe?" I winced, as far as I knew, I never owned a pig. "I don't have a babe."

I turned to where she was pointing at, and saw none other than the man who always wears the black jacket with a neon orange stripe along the sleeves. If you guessed the dark dude who kept on flirting with everyone on campus, then you're right. It was none other than Jen Tado. Jen the flirt, Jen the jokester, Jen the troublemaker, Jen the coal skin, Jen the kind, Jen the tease, you name it!

"Ha-ha, don't fake it anymore," Hasha whispered. "I know that you have a crush on Jen."

"What?"

"You heard me," she smirked. "I know you like Jen."

"I'm sorry, come again?" I leaned in. "Ha-ha, did I hear you right? I think my ears need some cleaning. Did you just say you thought I liked Jen?

"HOW DID YOU F*CK*NG GET A HOLD OF THAT SH!TTY GOSSIP?! DID CJ TELL YOU?! IF HE DID, SO HELP ME I WILL–"

"Woah, chill." Hasha snickered. "I overheard you guys talking about it. You know, when you, Maine, and CJ were talking about crushes...."

"Oh yeah," I slapped my forehead. "How stupid...."

"Don't worry, you can trust me!" Hasha said eagerly. "I won't say a word. I keep secrets to myself, I swear."

I gave her a half smile. I have never been the kind who was open with a lot of people, and I had just only met Hasha for like.... A month, so I hesitated on trusting her.

I could've told her about my interest in Steve, but after careful contemplation, I decided to take this one as a pass. After all, I'm playing a game, right? I was still at the verge of all this crap that my lie had stirred up, and I'm just playing along and seeing where this goes. It would be too late to back down from it now. I just had to keep this secret to myself, so no one would get mad or hurt– for now. I must hide my feelings for Steve, and pretend that I liked Jen. Simple, right?

There he was, with a cooky grin on his face, and a little hop to his step. On his left hand was a closed fist, and a box of chocolates on the right. Oh, are those for me? I expected too much at such a small amount of time that I completely forgot that he didn't like me.

As if to answer my thoughts, he walked over to a group of girls. I was quick on turning, and immediately caught a glimpse of a girl that Hasha introduced to me as Flourdes. She wasn't wrong in particular, but my God, WAS she beautiful.

[Flourdes, from class 7A. A dame with wavy hair, pale skin, and a face to die for.]

Hasha gave me the latter, and laid down information that only she knew. Honestly, I had never seen this girl around, but only heard of her from Oldame's cry of longing. Much of my classmates gaped at her beauty, but little did I know, he had caught the heart of Jen too.

She was.... What I could describe as a diamond among the boulders, but one more thing– it didn't hurt to mention that she was as flat as a board, right? It bothered me in someway, but that didn't take half as much as her beauty would show.

She was surrounded with girls with the same likeness. As Jen slowly, but steadily walked over to them, he readied himself, and I swear I saw him make a sign of the cross before handing over the box of chocolates.

I was a wee past them, close enough to see clearly, but far enough to barely hear. I didn't hear much of their conversation. To be frank, I heard ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AT ALL. Not to mention the damn noisy ass students that passed by. All I saw was, as soon as Jen finished his proclamation of affection and flirting, he walked down the hall with his hands empty and his head hung low. He walked over to an empty class room and leaned his back on it. He sighed heavily then slid down on it, crouched down, and hid himself behind his legs. I heard a runny nose and soft sniffles from where I stood, meanwhile a full on conversation between two normally pitched voices of human beings was muffled. What the f*ck is up with my hearing today?

Mother told me it was rude to stare, but I ignored her anyway. Hasha and I continued to gawk at the little scene. Presently, Hasha nudged me and told me to comfort him, pat his back, give him advice, complement his skin tone, or what ever just as long as I cheered him up.

As much as I am a self appointed Saint, now wasn't the time to approach him. I only had fake feelings for the guy, it would be vile to show fake sympathy for him too. Although, I must admit, I do pity him at the moment.

Why, if he wasn't such a player, I could've accepted his affectionate gesture– if I loved him that is. He was actually a pretty sweet guy, minus all the flirting. I bet anyone could fall for him in an instant if able. Maybe I was the one who fell?

He got busted by his first love in HTEC. It must be tough, but as they say.... ce'st la vie. There's no avoiding heartbreak. This is high school for heaven's sake. Even before high school, we experience heart break. Not only from puppy love and serious romantic relationships, but also family, friends, and resentment to one's self.

Who knows? If I approach him, I might fall for him like some cliché and stereotypical teenage love, or could be shut down badly and experience severe heartbreak. This was high-school after all, anything could happen. We'll experience the love that'll be full of thrill or disappointment, friendship that'll be worth your trust and ends in betrayal, puberty that'll scar your body for life, and most of all; an unforgettable experience that will be told in the years yet to come.