EPISODE 4

At the cafeteria, the conversation flowed smoothly as we shared our experiences and stories.

Cyle began, "Then, after a very stressful night of studying for hours for the exam tomorrow, I just... literally lost it. I ended up failing."

Phil nodded sympathetically. "That's tough, Cyle. But remember, failure isn't the end. It's a chance to learn and grow. Sometimes, setbacks can light the path to future success. Every failure has something valuable to teach us."

Sharmane added, "Exactly. If you give up too easily after a failure, you miss out on understanding the strategies to overcome challenges. It's important to persist and learn from those experiences."

We all nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of camaraderie in our shared experiences. The conversation continued, and it was clear that this group of friends was not only supportive but also genuinely cared about each other's growth and well-being.

Cyle: "Yeah, I know. Thanks, guys, for the advice. I hope I can understand the lesson better next time. But I'm okay. I'll be ready for it."

Sharmane: "Now that's the spirit!"

I glanced at my phone and realized it was almost time for our next class.

Ken: "Uh, Phil? I think we should head to class now. It's already 10 o'clock."

Phil: "Oh, okay, Ken. Guys, I think we really have to go. We'll hang out again after school."

Sharmane and the others: "Sure thing! We'll see you later!"

As we headed towards the gym for our Physical Education class with Mr. Russell Meadows, Phil's confidence seemed to grow. He was clearly excited to see Mr. Meadows, as they were very close.

Mr. Meadows: "Hey Phil! Is that you?"

Phil: "Yo! What's up, sir?"

Mr. Meadows smiled warmly as Phil approached him, clearly pleased to see a familiar face. The rest of us joined in, ready for another engaging and energetic class.

Phil leaned in with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be handling this class, Mr. Meadows."

Mr. Meadows chuckled, "Yeah, it's been quite a transition. Since my family and I moved here from Chicago, I've been getting used to the new setup. You remember Bradley, right?"

Phil's face lit up with recognition. "Of course! How could I forget? Bradley's my old buddy from fifth grade. He was always the class clown, especially with his habit of pinching cheeks whenever he got annoyed. He hasn't changed a bit, has he?"

Mr. Meadows laughed heartily. "Nope, he's still the same. Those cheek-pinching antics are as legendary as ever. And speaking of Bradley, I heard he and his family are moving back to their old neighborhood, right down the street from where we lived before."

Phil nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! It's like a blast from the past. I remember all those times we spent together back then. It's hard to believe how much has changed, yet some things stay the same."

Mr. Meadows grinned. "Exactly. And you remember the workout routines we used to do? I always told you that keeping in shape was key, even if it was just for fun."

Phil chuckled. "Yeah, those routines were brutal but memorable. I can't believe it's been so long since we did those together."

Their conversation meandered through old stories and shared experiences, filled with laughter and nostalgia. As the minutes turned into an hour, they continued reminiscing about their past without starting the lesson. The tales of Bradley and their shared workout routines created a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. I tried to stay engaged but eventually found myself drifting off, lulled by the comfort of their memories. I fell asleep for a few minutes, eagerly waiting for Phil to wake me up and for the lesson to finally begin.

It felt like waiting forever as Phil and Mr. Meadows continued their animated conversation, their chatter seeming to stretch endlessly. I was hoping Phil would notice me, but it was clear he was absorbed in their discussion.

Phil was deep in his story. "Josephine, right? She's the one who texted me first. Honestly, she's not really my type. She just happens to react to my photos first and keeps trying to get my attention. It's kind of flattering but not really my thing."

Mr. Meadows nodded in agreement. "Oh, I remember her. I saw her recently when we were camping in the woods. She showed up with her boyfriend, and they were very public about their affection. It was a bit much, honestly."

As their conversation continued, I struggled to stay composed. The detailed recollections were uncomfortable, and I just wanted to escape the awkwardness of the situation.

"Uh, Mr. Meadows?" I finally interjected, trying to break through their animated discussion. "Can I be excused for a bit?"

Mr. Meadows barely acknowledged me, too engrossed in his story about Josephine and the camping trip. The background noise of the classroom made it even harder to concentrate.

"Ugh, this is just too much," I muttered under my breath. "Excuse me, Mr. Meadows?" I said louder, trying to get his attention.

Still, Mr. Meadows continued, oblivious to my discomfort. His voice droned on about the kissing and the campfire stories. Unable to take it any longer, I slowly approached Mr. Meadows, hoping to escape the increasingly uncomfortable situation.

I looked around the room, trying to gauge if Mr. Meadows and Phil were ever going to wrap up their endless chatter. It felt like they were stuck in a loop of reminiscing about their shared history and old friends. I mean, it was interesting at first, hearing about Phil's old buddy Bradley and their childhood antics, but it was dragging on, and the rest of us were left in the lurch.

Sighing in frustration, I decided it was time for a break. I headed to the restroom, hoping to escape the incessant conversation that was doing nothing but making me more restless. As I walked down the hall, I pulled out my phone and decided to shoot a quick message to Sharmane. Maybe chatting with her would help me distract myself from the monotony and give me something to look forward to.

In the restroom, I took a moment to catch my breath and texted Sharmane. My fingers typed quickly, hoping to break the silence that had settled in my mind.

(Chat on Messenger:)

Me: Hey Sharmane!

Sharmane: Hey Ken! What's up?

Me: Just feeling a bit bored. Phil and Mr. Meadows are deep in conversation about their past, and it's dragging on forever. They're reminiscing about Phil's old friend Bradley, and while it's a decent story, it's not exactly thrilling. It's like they're stuck in a time loop.

Sharmane: Hehe, sounds like quite the snooze-fest. I know how you feel. I'm waiting for our class to start too, but Ms. Caspers is being extra strict today. I'm just trying to avoid her wrath.

Me: Yeah, Ms. Caspers can be a real stickler for rules. I'm just hoping we can get through the rest of this class without any more detours. I was thinking, maybe we could hang out later after class with Phil and the others? It would be nice to unwind and actually do something fun.

**Sharmane:** That sounds like a great idea! I'd love to catch up and hang out. I'll try to get back to class soon, but definitely count me in for later.

**Me:** Awesome! Looking forward to it. See you later, Sharmane!

---

As I finished my message, I glanced at the clock and realized how much time had passed. I sighed again, bracing myself to head back to the classroom. I hoped the lesson would finally get underway and that Mr. Meadows would wrap up his stories. It was clear that while Phil and Mr. Meadows had a deep bond and a lot to talk about, I was more than ready to dive into the actual class content.

As I returned to the classroom, I noticed Phil and Mr. Meadows laughing together while everyone else joined in. I couldn't quite understand what was so funny.

Phil said, "Instead of running around, why don't you just sit on the sidelines and watch if you're too tired to move?" The room erupted in laughter.

"Hey, Ken!" Phil called out as I walked in. "We just started a few minutes ago. Where have you been?"

"I was in the restroom," I replied, feeling a bit disoriented. "What's all this laughter about?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Phil said with a grin. "Just some jokes with Mr. Meadows. You know how he gets."

Mr. Meadows added, "Ken, Phil here was just about to do a set of ten push-ups for us. Want to see him in action?"

Phil, with a smirk, said, "Sure thing!" and promptly dropped to the floor to start his push-ups. Everyone watched with amusement.

I still didn't get the joke. "I don't understand what's so funny about this," I said.

Phil, still doing push-ups, pretended to struggle. "Man, these push-ups are so hard! I'm thinking someone should give me a hand," he said, making a show of his effort.

Mr. Meadows laughed heartily, adding, "Looks like Phil's really putting in the effort!"

Despite my confusion, I couldn't help but chuckle at the light-hearted moment.

Phil said, "Ken, my friend! Can you help me out and wipe this for me?"

I replied, "Ugh, why do I have to do that? Is this some kind of your prank again?"

Phil gave me a knowing smile and said, "If you hesitate, then why would I choose a friend who doesn't even trusted me?"

Shocked, I widened my eyes and said, "Fine, I can't believe you, Phil." I wiped his sweat, trying to get it over with. After finishing, I said, "There! It's done. Are you happy now?"

Phil chuckled and said, "Wait, you almost missed a spot." He lifted his shirt, showing me a remaining spot on his abs. "You forgot here!"

Everyone burst into laughter. I immediately felt my face turn red.

Mr. Meadows laughed along with everyone and said, "I never thought you'd get so embarrassed about it. You've got quite the raspberry on your face!"

As I felt increasingly anxious and embarrassed, Phil called out, "Hey Ken! Don't blush too much or you'll end up overripe!"

I ran away in a panic, seeking refuge from the embarrassment. My face felt flushed, and I quickly lost my composure. I ended up leaning against a nearby building, trying to catch my breath and calm down. Just then, Phil's voice jolted me from my thoughts.

"Ken! Wake up!" Phil called out, shaking me gently.

As I snapped back to reality, I realized it was all a misunderstanding from earlier. Phil's voice was full of concern. "Are you okay, dude? You seemed pretty exhausted from waiting. Mr. Meadows just started the class about 30 minutes ago."

"30 minutes ago?!" I couldn't believe it. "I'm so sorry for making you wait while I was asleep. I was just quite being bored listening the both of you with Mr. Meadows talking to each other."

Phil reassured me, "Hey, I might need to apologize too. I shouldn't have let you wait that long."

Meanwhile, Mr. Meadows added, "To wrap things up, remember that workouts aren't just about pushing your body to its limits. It's about balancing energy and recovery. If you're aiming for a strong, toned physique, it takes consistent effort and patience. But if you manage your time well and stay dedicated, you'll see the results. The goal itself will wait until your steps finally get there. That's all for today. See you tomorrow."

I thanked God it was just a dream. I couldn't afford to lose Phil's trust. I had too many plans to be with him.

Later, Sharmane and the others met us at the cafeteria.

Phil said, "You seemed so tired earlier. I'm sorry for making you wait."

Sharmane greeted us with, "Hey Phil! Hey Ken!"

Phil responded, "Hey Sharmane! Hey guys!"

I said, "Hey!"

Sharmane asked, "What's up? How's class?"

I replied, "Well, it's frustrating. I think we had a conversation earlier, right?"

Sharmane looked puzzled. "Conversation? When? I don't remember. Sorry."

I realized it was just part of my dream. "Oh... I see, it was all just a part of my dream."

Phil inquired, "A dream? What kind of dream are you talking about? Are you referring to earlier during class?"

"Kind of," I admitted. "It was just pretty weird, you know."

Sharmane encouraged, "Well, why don't you share it with us? It might help to talk about it."

Phil responded warmly, "Hey Sharmane! Hey guys!"

I replied, "Hey! Sharmane, what's up? How was your class?"

Sharmane looked puzzled. "Class? I don't remember having a conversation earlier. Sorry, Ken!"

"Oh," I said, realizing it was all part of my dream. "I see. It was just a dream."

Phil was curious. "A dream? What kind of dream are you talking about? Were you dreaming about earlier during class?"

"Sort of," I admitted. "It was a pretty strange dream."

Sharmane encouraged, "Well, why don't you share it with us? It might help to talk about it."

Phil said, "Exactly! Tell us; we can help, Ken! We don't judge."

I took a deep breath and began sharing my weirdest dream with them. It was so embarrassing, and I worried they might find it awkward or that Phil might react uncertainly. As I recounted the details, their reactions were priceless.

Ken: "So, that's it. Phil woke me up later on. It was about 30 minutes into Mr. Meadows' discussion."

Phil, trying to suppress his laughter, said, "Man, that's a hell of a dream."

"Are you laughing, Phil?", thenI lifted an eyebrow.

Phil responded, "That's the most interesting dream I've ever heard, Ken!"

"Interesting? How can a weird dream like that be interesting?", confused on what he just said.

Phil explained, "Well, I could almost picture your face turning red, like a raspberry. It was hilarious."

I responded, "It's not funny!"

Cyle said, "I can't believe you were blushing, Ken. Did you try any check-ups or something? It could help."

Sharmane added, "Maybe it could make a difference. Did you do any check-ups about this? It's really weird, and since no one can bring you, especially if your parents are busy at work."

Phil suggested, "Busy? Why don't we go with you? Sharmane and I both have free time on Fridays and Saturdays. What do you think?"

Cyle replied, "If I'm not busy those days, I can join."

Jorgie said, "Same as Cyle. I might be free then."

Jasmine apologized, "Sorry, we visit my grandmother every Friday. You might have to go without me."

Sharmane then asked, "What do you think, Ken?"

Ken hesitated, "Uh, I'll need to think about it. I want to decide carefully."

Phil reassured him, "Ken, you can't go through this alone. We can't let you do that. Besides, we can hang out after your check-up."

Sharmane agreed, "Exactly. After the check-up, we can spend some time together."

Cyle's suggestion was a good one. "That's a better idea," I said. "Maybe I should talk to my parents first. I can't handle the feeling that going to the mall sounds so much fun."

Then I agreed, "I'll let you all know later through Messenger after I've had a chance to discuss it with them."

Cyle nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! If I'm not busy on those days, I'll definitely join you. I'll need to check with my parents too."

Sharmane chimed in, "That sounds great! I'm glad that you guys agreed."

Phil looked genuinely excited. "That's awesome! We'll be here for you. You can always count on us. Just let us know what your parents say."

I appreciated their support. "Thank you, everyone. Thanks, Phil," I said, giving him a hug. "I really mean it. It's been a rough day, and it's good to know I have friends like you."

Phil smiled warmly and responded, "As always, Ken. We've got your back no matter what."

As I left, I reflected on the day. I was still blushing from Phil's comment earlier, and it felt surreal. I couldn't believe how supportive everyone was. They seemed to understand me perfectly and were always willing to lend a hand whenever I needed it. It was as if they turned my troubling day into something golden, and I hoped my parents would be okay with our plans. I worried a bit about their reaction but was grateful to have such amazing friends.

Sharmane's offer to join us on Saturdays if possible, and Cyle's willingness to check with his parents, made me feel a lot better. I was relieved to have their support and couldn't wait to see how things would turn out.

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