BANDED 2 (JUNIOR JAM!)

Chapter 4 (Circus, Cyclone & Wheels Start Turning)

October 10, 1994, lunch time in Blue Hills Academy. Many people are still talking about the surprise that JC de Cepeda, the school’s ‘ultimate jock’ (because aside from being good looking and an athlete, he’s also an actor and one of the best academics in the school – in short, he’s irritatingly perfect!), had formed a band to challenge BANDED. Many of his loyal fans were happy, but some agreed that JC may be trying to do something that this time he wouldn’t be able to do. And also, many questioned his motive, especially our main boys and girls.

‘Why the hell would he want to form a band…?” Paolo said.

“I can think of one good reason…” Kris began, but stopped from the look in Kim’s face and instead said. “Not to brag, but we had become more popular than him… look at Sam Puerto… when Kim got too popular, she went berserk.”

“So that’s why he always looked like he’s up to something lately…” said Robbie.

“And he often disappears”, said Noy, “Not like before, when he’s everywhere in school.”

“Or maybe…” said Tina, “as he likes Kim…” She stopped when she saw both Kris and Kim staring warningly at her.

Ernie began to say something, but then Nancy… and Pinky (!) arrived at the table.

“Hey guys”, Nancy said, “Look who I found!”

“Hey sis!” said Noy, “You’re going to join us for lunch for the first time?”

Pinky blushed… well, pink, and just smiled and shyly greeted all.

“I found her alone”, said Nancy, “and she just stared me hard at first and I thought she’s mad at me. I had to drag her hehehe…”

Or maybe she just doesn’t want to talk to you Nancy… Kris thought and almost everyone in the table was thinking of the same. She may be thinking of you as her rival…

And true enough, when they sat, Robbie ended up seated between them! Everyone was suddenly either uncomfortable or holding back their laughter. It was a good thing that JC entered the canteen at that very time and made a scene.

“Hey guys!” JC said to his fellow seniors, almost shouting, “What did you think of my speech?”

“It was awesome dude!” said one of his friends, taking care to throw his voice towards our main characters.

“You really formed a band?! You managed to keep it a secret!” said another.

“But hey… who are your band mates?” asked another friend.

“Oh, freshmen and sophomores… I scouted for anyone from the lower batches who could play”, JC said.

“But hey…” said his friend who first spoke, “why didn’t you just scout from our batch?!”

“Is there anyone in our batch who can play…?” JC asked and the others turned silent… point taken hehehe…

“Anyway… I decided on this because I don’t want some people to think that they’re the only ones who could do what they did!!” He emphasized those underlined words so much that Noy fumed… Pinky, sitting beside him, felt it and immediately restrained her brother.

The other seniors cheered, but some were not amused… Sam and her girls.

“Hey Sam…” JC said after a while, “Aren’t you happy for me, saving the seniors…?”

“Really…?” Sam asked sarcastically, “Saving the seniors my a__!!”

With that, she and her gang walked away and JC was dumbfounded for a while. He then recovered and said, “He he… women…”, to which the others laughed. He then continued talking.