Waiting For Summers

CHAPTER 3

I am driving.

Apparently, Laura decided to go to our house using her bicycle. I turn on the radio as we drive towards Paco's place. "So how do you feel going to a party?" Laura smirks. She always knew that I never want to hang out with a lot of people who I don't know. She drags me anyway. I remember that one time that our class during middle school decided to have a team building. I told my teacher that I was not feeling well. She listed me anyway. "If you will not come, I will not come to our study group," she pouted, "you know I don't really enjoy without you." So, I decided to join. We played dodge ball and amazingly, our team won. That is one of the best days in my life. I felt great. I felt happy and free.
"I don't know. This is different Laura," I look straight ahead, "there will be a lot of people there and you know me around people." My grip to the steering wheel grow firmer. I know I am growing anxious as I keep on driving, knowing Paco's house is almost near.
"I know and you have to get out of your shell, Jared. We are in our junior year when our class starts and you haven't done anything fun," Laura reminds as she tries to fix her hair with my rearview mirror. She fixes the mirror immediately as soon as I look at her with my what-are-you-doing-do-you-wanna-die look. "Chill! Just trying to look good," she raises her hands like surrendering, "we're already here, y'know? Park there."

Paco's house is as big as one of those celebrity houses featured in MTV. It has a big front yard with bushes well-trimmed and benches that made it look like a mini park. In each side, there are tables and chairs Greek in style where you can enjoy your breakfast in the morning. At the center, you can see a fountain with a statue of an angel sitting down looking up in heaven. "This is huge, Laur," I say in awe, "never thought they are this rich."
She pulls me inside, "Pretend you're not overwhelmed, okay?"

We go straight for the living room or living rooms — I'm actually confused which is which. They look all the same to me especially we only have one. "Wait here, I'm gonna grab us a drink," Laura stops, "do not leave."
I  nodded as she walk towards the counter where the drinks are. I look for a familiar face. None. My friends in Literature Club are probably not invited here. They look like nerds. Well, we do. Here, everyone looks like a bunch of jocks and cheerleaders and elites. I look at the time. 6:30PM. This will be a long night, I think.
A few minutes later, Laura comes back with Paco. They're already holding red solo cups enjoying whatever drink is inside. "Paco, you do remember Jared, don't you?" Laura introduces me as she gives me the cup she is holding, nodding her head telling me to drink it. "Oh yeah, Physical Education, Grade 8, right?" he reaches out his hand to shake mine. I try to shake the memory out of my head. I shake his hand, "Yep, that's me!" I awkwardly smile.
"I'm gonna leave you two, okay?" Laura taps me at the back, "I'll just get more drinks." She makes her way to another living room.

"I like your friend, Jared," Paco smiles, "oh not in the romantic kind-of-way. She's just daring and wild-spirited, like—"
"Like she's got no troubles? Like she's carefree," I continue, "she's the one who actually encouraged me that I can do it."
"Do what? Climb that long rope at the center of the gym?!"
I nod shyly. We both laugh hard.
"I wouldn't have done it without her. Told me to look at the goal and never look down. And that's what I did." I drink the beer that I'm holding.
"Yes, ever since we became friends, she taught me how to have fun," Paco agrees.
"She taught you to live life and love life?"
"Uh-huh, she taught me, if I love someone, I tell them."
"Brave. Sounds like her."
"Yep, that's her advice. Now, I'm with Monica 'cause she told me not to waste my time anymore. If you love someone, you tell them. Life is too short not to take risks," he shrugs his shoulder. "How about you? Anyone you like yet?"
I struggle to answer. "I —," I don't know who to say.
"Hehe. I'm surprised you haven't felt anything for Laura yet. Probably you like her, you just don't know?" He playfully punched my shoulder. I am still struggling on what to say when we hear a glass shatters on the floor in the next room. "I have to go Jar. I have to see what that is or my Mom's gonna be so pissed," he taps my shoulder. Phew! Saved by the bell. "Had fun talking with you though," as he runs to the other room.

I am left alone  speechless. He leaves me wondering. I just don't know?! Nothing like that ever occurred in my mind until now.