Ashley

The moon is shining fully as it's light gracefully shines through the curtains of my room with a cold bliss making them dance, a reminder of the coming season

I stared at my room's plain white ceiling as I lay on my bed. It's already late in the evening but still, I can't sleep. The thoughts of home clouded my mind

I wasn't really used to living alone but the inconvenience of my house's distance from school made me need to rent an apartment near my school.

But my mom was alone. My Dad rarely comes home from another town for his job as a morning grocery salesman and an evening security guard. My younger sister, Alyn is too busy with her studies that she sometimes forgets about house stuffs. She was a stubborn high school student.

I decided to go to my room's terrace to get some fresh air.

From up here, I could see the empty road under the starry night. It was quite peacefu. I just got here so I didn't really had the chance to go around and appreciate the view

I leaned myself to the terrace and gazed at my left side.Beside my apartment , a few meters away was also a red apartment building. It's design and structure was almost like the one I'm standing right now

I was looking at that house when I saw a boy came by the terrace of the same floor as mine. He was wearing a plain white shirt and shorts and he also has a black messy hair....

Because I thought he was cute, I gazed at him longer than I should had. But to my surprise he looked at my direction so I immediately looked at the other direction...

He seemed shocked to see me. Maybe he doesn't know that there's already someone living in this house since we're just new here.

I looked at him again and found out that he's still looking at me so our eyes met for a few moments but he went back inside his room..

At first, I thought he was already planning to go to sleep since it's already late but again to my surprise he came back with a notebook and a pen on his hand.

He leaned on the terrace like he was trying to write something on it and after a few minutes he turned to me holding the notebook and there's something written on it, I read it.

"WHAT?"

Why is he even writing? why don't he just speak to me anyway? Is he mute?

I just raised an eyebrow.

"I'M NOT MUTE."

What? Can he read my mind now? Oh yeah it's almost midnight, maybe that's why he doesn't want to speak. He doesn't wanna disturb anyone...I guess?

" WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT? "

I was actually shocked upon reading that because I didn't know that he caught me looking at him. My cheeks burned.

He just turned his back and I thought he was trying to write something again. When he was finished, he showed me the notebook

"AM I REALLY HANDSOME?"

Even if I wasn't eating or drinking something that time I swear I choked after reading that..

I returned to my room to look for something to write on like he also did and went back to the terrace

I wrote something and showed it to him

"YOU WISH"

Then he replied

"I DON'T HAVE TO WISH IT, I'M NATURALLY HANDSOME"

I wrote something again looking irritated and showed it to him. This is kinda awkward, writing to guy who was just a few meters away so you wouldn't disturb the neighborhood

"YUCK, YOU LOOK LIKE A GHOST WITH YOUR ALL-WHITE OUTFIT"

He laughed and started to write again..

"YOU LOOK LIKE A WHITE LADY WITH YOUR WAIST LENGTH HAIR"

Then I replied...."WHATEVER"

My hair was a wavy long and black and I love it that way.

He laughed hard upon reading that then wrote something again...but this time it wasn't something to piss me off...

"Sorry if I'm pissing you, I just can't sleep and have nothing left to do"

I wrote back...

"It's okay, I can't sleep either"

He smiled at me, "Can we be friends?"

I smiled back, "Yeah, sure"

Since I think there's nothing wrong with me being friends with a neighbor, right?

"Are you new here?"

Err..isn't it weird if he wouldn't ask my name first? oh well...I'll just go with the flow

"Yes"

"Cool! where d'you study?"

"In TIU , you?"

"Same here" he smiled

"Really?...what a small world!"

Well It's not really new to have a student living near the school.

"Yeah so that's why I have this feeling that I saw you before"

"Whoa! really? where?"

"Hmm let me think..."

Then he stopped writing and looked up with his hand on his chin making it look like he was remembering something...after some minutes he wrote something again.

"Ah! you're the girl from the Education department, are you?"

Then he smiled like he just realized something

"Whoa! you're right I am!"

My boredome was slowly swifting away because of our little chitchat

"I actually like someone from your class so I always walk by your room and I sometimes see you there.."

"Hey, Really? Can you tell me who?"

Now I can't really tell if I asked that because I'm bored because I was just curious

"Sorry but it's a secret.."

"Oh please! I promise I won't tell it to anyone!"

"Hmmm okay BUT! I still won't tell you until you guess it right. I'll give clues and you'll have to guess"

I felt excitement all of a sudden...

"OKAY!" I agreed

"She's a girl"

"sure she's not gay who speaks bekimon and has make-up all over her face and also has a red lipstick like McDonalds =_=" I even drew an emoticon

"Just joking. Well, she has a wavy black long hair."

"How long?"

"Waist length"

I tried to think of my classmates who has a waist length hair and the girl who popped into my mind were: Nica, Andrea, Liana, Diane, Coleen and Jessica. There's six so I still can't tell who

"Okay, next clue?"

"She has a fair skin tone"

Now, I tried to think of the girls on the list who doesn't have a fair skin tone which means Nica is excluded

"And?"

"She's tall"

I then scratched Diane off the lists since she's quite short

"Then?"

"She loves dancing"

As far as I know, Andrea and Jessica don't dance since they're the singers of the class.

"A little more and I think I'm getting it"

There's only Liana and Coleen in the list. Almost there!

"She's sporty"

Liana is a member of the volleyball team, I know so 'cuz I may not look like it but I'm the captain while Coleen is a tennis player so I didn't had the chance to exclude someone.

"What else?"

"She plays Guitar"

so that leaves me no conclusion but it's....

"LIANA!! YOU LIKE LIANA SHIN!!"

I smiled at him as if I've won a million but he just shook his head. So I whispered enough for him to hear, or was it not whispering at all?

" I'm sure it's Liana! She has a waist length hair, She's tall in fact she's a little bit taller than me, I know she loves dancing 'cuz we're both a member of the dance club, I'm the team captain of Volleyball so I know she's a member of my team, And she plays guitar! Besides she's the one who taught me to play one"

He just shook his head and started writing something again.

"Don't you have a black waist length hair?"

I got a little bit confused so I just agave him a 'What?' look

"I see, you have a fair skin tone and your also 5'9 tall. Well, for a girl like you that's tall."

"Hey! how d'you know?" I asked wide-eyed, my voice slightly louder. It's not like you meet a stranger everyday who knows your height!

"You're a member of the dance club, your even the team captain of our school's volleyball team and you're also the lead guitarist who represented the education department last battle of the bands"

"What do you mean?" I finally asked

To my surprise, he said, "Hi Ashley, I'm Ryan...I like you, I really do "

I felt sudden goosebumps upon hearing his voice that it was like there was someone partying inside my body. Then I realized..

I just... got confessed to, didn't I?

       

Kira

I raced down the empty hallway towards my class. I held the three books I was carrying close to my chest tightly as I took longer strides.

Shoot! I'm late-- again!. I hurried my pace even more as I remembered my professor---Mrs.Miles! She's the type of teacher you would not dare to meet the eyes. She was one tall of a woman who always carry a disciplinary stick! She always looks angry and pissed and has wrinkles by her forehead. She looked like a hungry lion ready to devour you! She was known for her very strict methods of teaching--and disciplining students. And I don't want to be a part of the students of the latter!

I didn't mean to be late anyway! Can you blame me if my subject before hers was three buildings away?! Who could walk that fast?!

I stopped in front of the room. B3-6. This is it.I took a deep breath before I shakily reached for the knob and slowly turned it open, praying that my Mrs. Miles was late.....but who am I kidding? She was never late.

"Ms. Collins? You are late!"

She was there. In front of the class. Glaring at me. I gulped.

"But Ma'am---" she cut me

"No more excuses! This is the third time you were late for this week! To the detention room! Now!"

My eyes went wide. I have never been sent to the detention room! ever!

"But Ma'am---"

Before I could continue, she shot me her deadly glare and raised her brow "Or you want something worse, Ms. Collins?"

I pursed my lips. I looked at Mrs. Miles one last time with pleading eyes but she didn't budge. Hell, her eyebrow didn't even budge.

Without any choice, I turned around and started to walk towards the detention room. I wasn't even sure where that is! In my whole life! this is the first time I have to go there! How would it even affect my grades? my future? Oh I can just imagine...

The school president and three other school officials were standing at the middle of the stage with wide smiles, holding my diploma and ready to congratulate me. When I reached their place and lifted my hands, ready to claim my dear diploma, someone shouted at the audience.

"Wait!"

Mrs.Miles!

She hurried up the stage and gave me her famous mountain eyebrow raising. She faced the audience. I swallowed hard as beads of sweat started to dribble down my face.

"Ha! Did you know that Ms. Collins have been sent to the detention room?" she grinned at me "She has an awful attendance!"

The people gasped and the school president looked at me in surprise and horror. He then shook is head in disappointment and walked away

I looked at Mrs. Miles one last time with pleading eyes but she didn't budge. Hell, her eyebrow STILL didn't even budge! "Or you want something worse Ms. Collins?" she smirked

I shook my head--dang.

I saw the room with the "Detention room" above it. Behind the door was a teacher's table and there seated was Mr.Flinch.

"Ahem" I tried to get his attention out of the newspaper he was reading

He glanced up at me and then back at the newspaper. Without looking, he handed me a paper and pointed at the door.

I reached for the paper and saw the words:"Reflection paper" at the top of it. Should I go in? I stared at the paper and stood there like an idiot not knowing what to do.

Mr.Flinch looked up at me with an annoyed look "Are you waiting for Christmas? Go in!"

I almost jumped at his sudden outburst and hurried inside. After closing the door, I leaned on it and breathed deeply.

Mr.Finch sure is weird.

Shaking my head, I walked towards one of the chairs by the second row inside the room. The room looked like a normal classroom. Though it has less seats.

I sat. and got my pen and diary out of my bag. I sighed. I blankly searched my diary until I saw the page where I wrote my dreams. I groaned. Mrs. Miles will ruin it! Ugh! And am I the only one here?! ugh! I ripped the page and harshly crumpled it and threw it behind me.

"Ouch!"

Oh. I guess I'm not the only one. I slowly turned to see who it was and I saw someone at the corner of the room.

My heart beat hitched.

"Do you know that it's rude to disturb someone sleeping?!" he snapped at me

We looked each other in the eye.

Jerome

He smirked. "Oh if it isn't little K" he said and started to walk towards me

I rolled my eyes at him "Stop calling my that, will you? It's Kira! K-I-R-A!"

"I'm the one who's calling you so It's up to me" he shrugged

Oh how I want to rip that grin off his ugly face!---okay maybe not ugly, but still!

"It's been a long time" he turned the chair in front of me and sat.

"Yeah"

I looked down my reflection paper and started to write

Jerome. He was the annoying kid ever since I was a kid. He always teases me. He was the kid I first landed my fist on. He was my first crush...or maybe until now.

Awkward silence rested around us. Though I could feel his stare boring at me that made me feel conscious.

"What are you doing here anyway?" I asked just to get rid of the silence

He shrugged "Well, I just accidentally spilled my glue on the teacher's chair and the teacher accidentally sat on it"

I looked at him blankly. "Real mature Jerome. Real mature"

"I know, I know" he grinned

"You know, I always wondered why you don't get tired of messing around. Get a life for a change will you?"

He snorted "I won't get tired....not until...."

I tilted my head side wards and watched him with narrowed eyes

"Not until?" I asked

He looked at me seriously and I almost flinched

"Not until this particular person looks my way. Even just a glance would do" he looked at me intently

My cheeks blushed for unknown reason. My heart started to race again. I looked down my reflection sheet to avoid his gaze

"Oh trust me, that person noticed you alright" I said

"You think so?"

"I know so"

So he's messing around for years just to get the attention of someone? lame!

"Who's the person anyway?" I asked, still writing

"Hmm she's someone special---and numb--and dumb--and special"

She?

"You like her?" I looked at him wide-eyed

He raised his brow that reminded me of Mrs. Miles

"Why do you think I want to get her attention?"

I fell quiet. He--he likes someone?

Strangely, I felt a pang in my chest.

"you're dumb"

I glared at him "Shut up"

He went closer, "and numb"

I glared at him even more. How did I became numb?!

"You know---!" he cut me and went closer. His face an inch away from mine

"and special"

Did I hear that right? My heart hammered. I think I lost my tongue. What did he say? I looked at his eyes. They were like blue debts of mysteries. What the hell is he saying.

"Wha--what did you say?" I asked

"Let me add something---and deaf" he smirked

I didn't say anything. I studied his face.

"I said you're dumb...and numb...and deaf...and"

"and?" my voice was shaky

".....and.....special"

I certainly lost my tongue. And certainly, he could hear my abnormal heart beat.

"Do you know how hard it is to catch that particular person's attention, Kira? Your attention?"

He---he likes me? W--why am I feeling.......happy?

"what?" that's all I managed to say

He burst out laughing.

"Yeah you are dumb...and deaf...and numb"

He cupped my face and went closer. and I stilled like a freaking statue as I felt something from his touch! Was that electricity?! Oh my God! Am I on drugs?

"And you're definitely special"

My heart...my heart is really beating fast.

"I don't think this is a good idea", I whispered, playing with my fingers under the long table

"Just try it, Jem. We already talked about this, right?"

I stared at Tanner. O' how did I ever got myself a bestfriend like him. I mean, we're total opposites. He's popular, he's social, he's got the looks and he's so happy-go-lucky-- All the things that I'm not.

"Tanner---"

"We agreed that I'd teach you to get rid of your boring side, remember?" he smiled widely

I sighed, "Does that mean eating and drinking in a library?"

"Hey, I'm the tutor here. Let's do it. Get it out"

"Tan, I don't--"

"The chips, Jem"

I held my bag tightly and heave a sigh when I gave up. Fine, I'll do it

I looked at Tanner before I slowly got the cheetos out of my bag along with the two bottles of coke.

I gulped and looked around. There were only few people inside the library and they seem to mind their own businesses. I sighed once again. Phew, no one seems to---

Ssshhikk

I slowly turned my head to see Tanner who now holds the now opened cheetos while munching loudly. He even smiled at me and offered some.

Oh God.

The people closest to our table looked our direction and I just wanna hide under the table and tell people I'm just a normal student studying for exams. But before I could even try to do so, Tanner grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him.

No no no no no.

"Hey, bestfriend. I thought you wanted to eat here? Here, have some" he smiled evily at me and put the cheetos inches from my face.

I couldn't count how many times I gulped before I finally decided to get a piece. I looked at Tanner, hoping that we could just back out but he was just happily anticipating my next move.

So I closed my eyes for a while and put the chip inside my mouth and munch it. I imagined the crispy sound as the soil cracking that would just eat me.

I didn't dare to look around and grabbed my coke and drink it. But before I could completely gulp it down my throat--

"Ehem"

A tall woman, probably in her late forties, was standing in front of us. I couldn't even speak.

"Yes?" Tanner answered casually like eating in a library is a normal daily routine

The librarian's eyebrow raised like it was threatening to touch her hairline. Pfft.

Oh my God, Jemimah. A ready-to-pounce-librarian is standing in front of you and you still think her eyebrow is funny?

But it looked like a thin line--- nevermind. I looked at Tanner. How is he so relaxed?

"Do you want to go to the office?"

I froze. I never had a bad record. Will this be the first time?

"Ofcourse not!" Tanner answered, "I mean who does? Jem? Do you?"

I shook my head stiffly.

He shrugged, "Then I guess no one here wants to go, eh?"

The librarian narrowed her eyes at us, "Kid, who said you have a choice? Both of you are going with me. Stand up"

My eyes widened in-- shock? no. I'm not shocked at all. I knew this was coming. Is this excitement I feel?

I looked at Tanner. What do we do?

He looked at me and showed his me his big grin. I know that grin. Oh no.

Below the table, he suddenly held my hand. My heartbeat doubled. What? Is this still excitement I feel?

"Oh. But I just answered whether we wanted to go to the office or not"

Now I really feel like the librarian's eyebrow would touch her hairline.

"TO THE OF--"

I felt Tanner tighten his hold on me, "Oh Mrs. McGonagall, isn't that Dumbledore?!"

The next thing I know I was running like crazy. I barely even grabbed my bag!

Then I realized we were running for our lives out of the library. He called the librarian Mrs. McGonagall! Pfft-- I didn't know that I wasalready laughing slong with Tanner. My heart was racing though I'm not exactly sure about the particular reason.

Tanner was grinning while we dashed as he holds my hand. I watched as if everything was in slow motion. Tanner was holding my hand. He smiles and I hear my heart beat doubled as the sound of Mrs. McGonagall's shout was slowly fading in the background.

Is this just excitement? --or mixed with something else?

I came back to my senses as I felt someone clapping in front of my face

"Earth to Jemimah! are you that excited that you're smiling into space?"

He was slightly panting-- Oh I'm also panting. I'm smiling? I blinked and looked around. We were at the grass field overlooking the wide soccer field. Did we lose Mrs. Mc-- the librarian?

"See? Wasn't that fun?"

I looked at the grinning Tanner. There goes my heart again.

"Y-yeah" I smiled

He sat on the grass and he patted the space beside him and I sat.

"Ahh I'll miss this"

I tilted my head, "Miss what?"

"This. Me and you hanging around each other. I mean, we'll both graduate in a month. And who knows where we'll work?"

Oh yeah. Graduation.

"We'll find time"

He smirked, "You gotta promise that one now. I'm afraid maybe someday you'll just walk past me once you get yourself a boyfriend and a big time job"

My eyes widened, "Hey! It's you who'll do that to me! You'll realize you're too popular to be hanging out with someone like me!"

He laughed and ruffled my hair. Ugggh why does he do that?

"That won't happen. Let's keep in touch, yeah?" he grabbed a stone near him and stood up to walk towards the tree we were hiding from. He suddenly started carving on the trunk

I stood up and followed him, "What's that?"

He didn't reply. He just carved and I couldn't help but stare at him. I remembered how we first met. How he played a prank on me then apologized over and over. It was funny, really. He looked creeped out everytime I ignored his apology or just nod and walk past him

"There," he pointed at his work "Now we shouldn't forget our promises"

I stared at it. I felt warmth swarming my insides.

Tanner and Jemimah, 2017.

I nodded, "You're the one who wrote it so better not forget!"

He laughed and put arm around my shoulders and ruffled my hair, "Tell me when you fall in love so I could laugh at you, ha!" he joked

I felt like my heart stopped for a moment.

I managed to smile at him.

You can laugh at me now, Tan. I think I already fell for you.

--

"Congratulations"

I smiled at the director and received my diploma and we shook hands as rehearsed.

My mom was still in the verge of tearing up that I almost laughed at her. She was really looking forward to this day, maybe even more excited and happy as I am.

We both faced at the camera and smile as I hold my diploma in my hands before we descended the stage

Finally.

"Congratulations, Jemimah" Aunt Wendy, Tanner's mom, greeted me

I smiled, "Thanks, Wendy. Where's Tanner?"

"He's outside. Go get him, honey"

I smiled and nodded at my mom before walking away. Mom and Wendy always said that me and Tanner were soulmates and we always just brushed it off

Who knew I'll be falling for my best friend?

A month ago, I realized how important Tanner is to me. Not the bestfriend kind of important but something else. He was a part of my daily routine. My happy pill, my ball of craziness and my bestfriend.

I realized how what I feel for him. It was more than a friend's love and I just hope he feels the same.

His craziness didn't end on the library ruckus we made. For a month, we were like twins who were always together doing random things. We rang doorbells and ran, played pranks on people, and many other things that makes no sense but made me feel how happiness and excitement really feel

I promised myself that I'll tell him how I feel today. I don't know where to start but I wasn't used to this feeling and all I want is for him to know

I turned to the right side of the venue and there I saw Tanner. He was laughing with the other guys in a circle. He looked like he was telling a story enthusiastically- he looked so happy that I can't help but smile.

I walked towards him with renewed vigor but then slowed my pace as soon as I saw someone beside him. My heart raced for an unknown reason. My smile slowly faded.

Who is--

"Jem!" he waved at me "Come here!"

I tried to smile but I barely found the energy to walk but I did, slowly. All the while staring at the person beside him

As soon as I was close enough he immediately put his arm around my shoulders and ruffled my hair. I couldn't even laugh.

"Jem, you know her, right? Claire? She was the one I was talking about!"

You said she's your ex.

"Guess what?"

I don't wanna hear it.

He removed his hands from my shoulders and hugged her, "We got back together!"

I felt emptiness eat me. My shoulders suddenly felt cold. All I could see was Tanner holding someone else in his arms. I..

"Jem?" he waved, "Are you okay? Are you crying?"

I'm crying?

I grinned and pushed his shoulders, "Geez, Tan. It took you so long to get back together"

It might take me longer to move on though

He laughed and pulled Claire closer to him, "I know right! I've been a coward not to approach her earlier"

I wish Iwas brave enough to confess to you earlier

He smiled, "But I'm happy that everything's fine now"

But I can't possibly confess to you now. I'm happy that you're happy.

"I love her"

I love you, bestfriend.