Dating A Neat Freak

Prologue

Intentionally or not, it is undeniable that each person you meet introduces you to a new path in your life that you can take. Some paths help you grow holistically but others are destructive, preventing you from further developing yourself. That's what my mom always tell me but for me, regardless of what path you take, as long as it's not demeaning or disrespectful, just live your life to the fullest.

"Ready ka na ba para bukas?" my friend Matt, asked me as he went inside my bedroom. Tomorrow is our first day in Exeter High as senior high school students. I closed my phone and placed it atop the pillow beside me. "Kasama naman kita eh." I answered him.

He's Matt Kousei by the way, half-Japanese, 17 years old, and is sporty. Actually, he's the Pitcher of the baseball team at Exeter. He has some notable and commendable visual features din naman but for me, he's just cute. I sometimes call him "babbi" because of his cute chin or baba, although there were times that people mistook it for "baby". I only call him that when I need something o kaya naman ay kung nagpapa-cute ako. We first met when we were in 7th Grade.

Matt pushed me over and sat beside me when the door abruptly sprung open.

"MABUHAY PHILIPPINES!" screamed the two boys as they entered my room and spread chaos in just a span of seconds. Kenneth went on top of my bed and jumped as if he was on a trampoline. Austin on the other hand went to my study table, opened the speaker, connected it to his phone, and played some music.

"Wala lang, distorbohin lang namin mga buhay niyo; pang tanggal ba ng mga bad spirits." Austin explained as he increased the volume and laughed. Wala talagang boring na araw kapag kasama ko 'tong tatlong 'to.

The guy jumping on my bed is Kenneth Perez, a classmate of mine as well. He's part of the baseball team at Exeter, together with Matt and Austin. He's the catcher of the team and he's famous because of that. Magaling din siya sa arts and he's undeniably creative, like sobra. He's funny and his sense of humor is over the top and jives with mine.

The guy playing music is Austin Anderson. My classmate as well and is I guess, known all throughout the campus. His fame mostly comes from two things: his good looks, and his position as the 1st Batter in the baseball team. He can play the guitar and his most admiring feature, at least for me, is his gullibility. In short, uto-uto siya.

Kenneth suddenly pulled Matt to a stand and the two danced to the music, still bouncing on top of my bed. I heard a knock and the door suddenly opened. "Anak, snack niyo," my mom told me. I went towards her to fetch what she brought and when I turned around, the three boys were sitting on my bed like angels.

"Hi Tita," said the three while smiling. Natawa naman ako sa kanilang inakto. Ang babait kapag may nakatingin pero 'pag wala, grabeng kalokohan naman ang ipinapakita. I placed the snacks on top of my study table when I heard my mom speak.

"Oh nandito pala si Austin," my mom caught his attention and tumayo bigla si Austin. "Nagtitinda pa ba si mama mo ng indoor plants?" she asked.

Natawa nalang kaming tatlo sa tanong ni mama. Pinahinaan naman ni Kenneth 'yung tugtog from Austin's phone and the two carried on with their conversation. "Opo pero ubos na po, Tita. Sabihan ko nalang po kayo kung meron na." Austin answered, shyly placing his right hand on his nape.

My mom agreed and replied, "Sige, kami nalang pupunta doon sa inyo para makatingin-tingin." The two came into an agreement and when my mom left, Austin took his phone from Kenneth and increased the volume once more.

"Clauds, kain na ako." sabi ni Babbi habang papunta na sa study table ko. The other two followed and started eating as well.

Well, I think this is the right time to introduce myself.

I'm an incoming senior high school student at Exeter High, 17 years old, and the youngest among us four. I enjoy dancing but I don't usually join dance groups. I just dance if it's graded, if it's a requirement, if it's for a competition, or when I am with my friends having fun. I don't like sports or anything that can tire my body against my will.

I am Claudine Austria and these three, Matt, Kenneth, and Austin, are just some of my best of friends in high school.