In My Heart Is Where You Are

Nineteen: Someone To Count On

​​The last two weeks of their third year, first semester, had been very tough.

Aside from final exams, students had various requirements for most of their subjects. They were either in the form of paperwork or a presentation, of whatever they were working on for the past semester.

Alex and Blythe presented their joint project to the class, with a panel of professors in tow. Fortunately, it went very well. Most of the questions asked on them were satisfactorily answered. As a result, their professor scored the presentation as excellent, guaranteeing them a passing mark for the entire subject.

"We did it!" Alex beamed, pulling Blythe to him for a quick embrace.

"And we passed the subject! This is awesome!" Blythe said in glee.

"I wish you're still around next semester to see this project progress." She sighed as she let go of him.

"I know. I'd really like to see it with my own eyes." Alex said softly. "But, hey, I know you can pull this through. You got the talent, you know." He assured her.

They left the audio-visual room to their usual spot in the Sunken Garden, which they joked about privately as their 'love lounge'.

"I am seriously going to miss this!" Alex murmured.

Blythe turned to him. "What in particular?"

"I will definitely miss UP. I enjoyed studying here, as well as playing for the most awesome football team I have joined." Alex counted with his fingers.

"I can't believe I'll be leaving in two weeks."

"I can't believe it either," Blythe agreed. "I've been wondering what the last three semesters will be like without you. I just know it's going to be much different."

"It will definitely change things." Alex held her hand, "but I'm sure you will make it through. I can see your success after graduation."

"Well, I'm taking that as a compliment." Blythe shyly chuckled. "Let's just hope for that."

Alex nodded and faced her again.

"Hey, I know it's a little too early to tell you this, but I really thank you for everything. I'm happy with the fact that we were once classmates in college, and even shared each other's lives at some point. Although it saddens me that we have to go our own ways, I'm still thankful. I will treasure everything we have shared."

"You're always welcome." There was no hint of sadness in Blythe's voice. "I'm as grateful as you are for all those good and bad times. I'm very happy that we've been friends in our lifetime. You're one of the coolest guys I have known here in UP!"

Alex and Blythe shared another embrace. They spent the rest of the afternoon on campus on the last day of their classes.

❤️🩵

Four days before leaving for Australia, the UP Maroons football team hosted a send-off party for Alex. Among the invited were his block mates–including Blythe–as well as her brothers and her friends.

Blythe became the de facto photographer of the event as she brought her camera with her. She was enthusiastically taking pictures of the guests, much to their delight.

"I guess that's her way of staying upbeat despite being sad over Alex's impending departure." Jonas mused to Marvey.

"So it seems." Marvey nodded while watching Blythe adjust her camera before taking another shot. "I guess she already accepted the fact and started to carry on."

Marvey pursed his lips, however, at the sight of Alex placing his arm over Blythe's shoulders. What they were quickly talking about, he wasn't so sure.

"Are you jealous?" Jonas asked.