Darren Espanto? My ex-friend. (Darren Espanto and Juan Karlos Labajo)

Chapter 17: Farewell Party

Lygienel's POV

4 long months had passed since the Dance. I just can't believe that it was already March. Today is our Class' Farewell Party, the last day of our Class. We are allowed to invite other students from the other section of the 8th Grade.

"I just can't believe that it's already March," Rinoa said. We are all sat in circle. We're already doing the open forum. After the open forum, we will do the Farewell Dance and then, we will do the confessions.

"Yeah.. Lygienel, you're not leaving, right?" Hayley said, stopping herself from crying. Everyone turned silent. Juan Karlos, who's beside me, he's also silent, just looking down at the floor.

"Guys.. alam nyo namang kailangan kong pumunta ng Germany eh," I told them. Hannah patted Darren's back as Darren looks down on the floor like Juan Karlos. Yeah, Darren invited Hannah to our party. "Madali lang ako dun, kapag natapos ko na yung high school dun, babalik ako," I promised them.

"Mamimiss ka namin, Gie," Claudeline cried. Those 4 months were not really that stressful. I regret that I judged Claudeline in an instant. Claudeline may be a noisy girl, but she is a great, funny, open to all and a true friend. I just smiled at them.

"Mamimiss ko din naman kayong lahat. Specially si Juan Karlos. Halika nga," I said, hugging Juan Karlos. Juan Karlos hugged me back, sobbing quietly. "Are you crying?" I silently asked him. "Di," he answered.

I tightly hugged him. I looked at Darren, to see him still looking down at the floor, not saying a single word. "Let's dance first," Rinoa told us. We all agreed as everyone stood up. I patted Juan Karlos' back as we stood up. Juan Karlos looked at me, exposing his bloodshot red eyes. I caressed his cheeks.

"Let's dance," I told him as I held his hand. Good thing, we all have out partners. Claudeline invited her boyfriend, Mark, Hannah's classmate. Then, we all danced to the slow song. Juan Karlos looked at me, tears filling in his eyes. His hands were on my waist, my hands were wrapped around his neck.

He looked down as he sniffed. I hugged him, tears filling in my eyes, too. "Please don't cry, Juan Karlos. Please," I begged him, hugging him really tight. "P-please don't l-leave me, p-please," he said, crying. I gave up, I cried too. "Shh. Juan Karlos, please," I said, patting his back. His head was buried on my neck as he cries.

I pulled back from the hug and caressed his cheeks. "Look JK, I'll go back I promise, it's just going to be for a while. I promise. And once I promise, I never break it," I told him. Juan Karlos nodded at me, his face really red from his crying, and his eyes were filled with tears. I hugged him again.

As we danced to the song, Juan Karlos calmed down. Then, Darren asked if he could sing and announce something really important. We all argreed and nodded.

"Well, I'd like to sing a song. It's called Puppy Love by Paul Anka. I dedicate this song to my someone special. I know you guys know who I am referring to," Darren started. he cleared his throat by coughing a bit. Then, he started singing.

''And they called it puppy love

Oh, I guess they'll never know

How a young heart really feels

And why I love her so" Darren sang. I just looked at him, listening him singing.

''And they called it puppy love

Just because we're in our teens

Tell them all it isn't fair

To take away my only dream'' Darren continued singing. Then, Darren looked at Hannah and he smiled at her.