Jaime and Jaime (Part 8: Tour )

 

The next two classes that we were supposed to take were cancelled as the professors don’t really arrive in the first week. So Mark, Marisol, Jaime and I had to come up with a plan to do something.

“I could play in my dorm some games see you guys” I said

“No. You stay and brainstorm” Jaime said while grabbing my arm

Stopped on my tracks I was forced to think as well.

“Let’s do the poem assignment in the library” Marisol suggested

“I already did mine” Jaime and I said in unison

“Ah the twins did it again” Mark remarked

“Let’s walk around the campus if we’re really out of ideas” I said

“Didn’t you attend the campus tour?” Jaime said

“He did, that’s when I saw him for the first time” Marisol said

“Oh you saw me, nice”

“Let’s do it anyway” Mark interfered

“Yeah, it maybe more fun with people you actually talk to”

So the four of us went around the campus and looked at the buildings that the university boasts. The big tree by the park was pretty weird as all the couples sat around it and the creepy buildings in urban legends were not really scary at 2 in the afternoon. By the time the sky was turning orange and a bit darker we decided to part our ways.

Nodding at them, I checked the time at my phone and said to myself “I could’ve gone to sleep”

Then I felt a nudge in my arm and it was Jaime who said “Hey, today was fun, thank you” then she ran away.

I guess the day’s not so bad after all

Troubled Luna (Part 10: First meal)

 

Eating at the cafeteria, Matthew tried to break the ice with Luna.

“So anything great happened lately?”

“Nothing much, there was one guy who asked me out though”

“Oh cool tell me about him”

“He’s tall, wears glasses, smart and well dressed”

“Well, I envy you. A few weeks in and a guy already asked you

“I’m actually panicking; do you know what should I do?”

“Didn’t you date before?”

“Yeah, but the feeling is different each time, how about you?”

Matthew twitched and scratched his head “I haven’t dated yet”

Luna tilted her head and smiled.

 

Troubled Luna (Part 9: Meeting Luna)

 

In the first week of classes Matthew knew a fairly amount of people despite always looking for naps and alone time. He had just transferred from another school since the enrolment in this university was 3 weeks late. Already giving up, he enrolled to another university until he got a three weeks’ notice that he actually passed. So it’s a bit of an awkward time for him.

Scrolling on Instagram during class since he finished the class activity immediately, he showed a photo to the girl beside him.

“She’s beautiful right?”

“Yeah, you like her?”

“Yeah”

The class ended with Matthew scrolling Instagram and Luna was unknowingly looking at it right now.

In the next class, it went on with a breeze with Matthew unknowingly have almost a third of his notebook filled in.

Walking outside, he was looking for a place to get lunch when he saw Luna just by the gate of their college. Walking towards him she asked “Hey, wanna go grab lunch?”

He smiled and said yes.

Troubled Luna (Part 8: Football)

 

After lunch the last class ended early because of a brownout and the professor is also hangover as Luna.

“We should get some fresh air” Matthew suggested

“Sure, let’s go to the park” Andre said

By the park the wind was blowing nicely along with the sun not burning too much. The grass is green as well as the people are few. It was perfect for Luna who was still seeing doubles in the least.

Andre brought his football so he and Matthew could play catch. Joana was left beside Luna just in case.

“How do you think the semester will pan out?” Andre asked as he throws the ball

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just we’re nearing graduation and all, I’m pretty anxious about stuff”

“We have a year left so don’t worry”

“I just feel like I have a lot of things to do in this university that I’ll regret if I don’t do right now”

“Well, being delayed is an option”

“Jerk” as Andre tosses the ball harder, “I just feel like we’re gonna miss a lot of things when we leave you know and I don’t want to regret anything as we leave” he followed.

“Yeah” Matthew said as he caught the ball and looked at Luna.

Jaime and Jaime (Part 7: Next class )

 

Waiting at the restaurant I decided to play with my Nintendo DS because for some reason I have this feeling inside me that I want to see her. After a few minutes I saw someone with a ponytail, loose rainbow sweater and boots. It was Jaime, I almost jumped out of my seat then got confused for a moment.

“Hey, did you wait long?”  she said while touching her right blue earring

“Nah, I’m good my Empoleon is level 47 now”

She laughed and showed me her DS as well with level 99 Infernape

“I guess I’m not the only DS user in this time and age”

We ordered food and ate it as it came. Mainly we talked about the university life on what it could offer us in the future.

“It’s going to get tougher from here huh” she said before she took a bite of her burger

“Yeah, but let’s think about it when we get there”

While eating a bunch of highschoolers came in and sat behind our seat. “Hey have you heard of the 8 second theory?” the one with pig tails said

“Bad idea” said Jaime and I in unison

It got awkward for a bit then we simply laughed about it.

Leaving the restaurant we went straight to class and meet up with Marisol at the door.

“You seem jolly for a second day” Marisol said

A senior student was passing by with bags under her eyes and her hair unkempt as she reek the smell of coffee.

“Ugh freshies”

Troubled Luna (Part 7: Pear Juice)

 

The next day Luna came to class wearing sunglasses, holding a coffee cup with scarf covering her entire head. Andre and Joana only recognized that it was her because she’s like that every time she get hangover.

Everyone was asking her how she was but we answered with grunts and moans.

“Where’s Matthew anyway? Didn’t he sleep at your place last night too?”

“Yeah, but he left before I could wake up, he did cook us breakfast though which is nice, to have someone cook meal for you”

Moments later, Matthew came in and was holding a bottle. Holding it up he showed it to Andre and Joana “Pear juice, freshly pressed”

He took the coffee from Luna to which the latter protested. Flicking her forehead, he gave the pear juice to Luna and she drank it immediately.

“Feeling better?”

After a big burp, Luna stopped slurring her words and finally came to her senses.

“Thanks” she said as she sat down.

The rest of the day revolved around the trio taking care of a slowly regenerating Luna.

By lunch she was a bit in her senses with only a mild headache.

“Hey, Matthew I didn’t say anything embarrassing last night right?”

Matthew smiled

“Nothing to be embarrassed of don’t worry”

Celine smiles (Part 5: Lesson )

 

“That stings” I said as I rub my gut.

“Serves you right” she said while clenching her fist against me once more.

Turning around, I remember something that I was going to ask her.

“Hey, how come you never take pictures of the stars? They’re pretty”

“What’s it to you?

Annoyed, I just turned around and went on my way when I heard her say: “Because it’s dark”

“Huh?”

“Nothing! Just go!”

About to go home Jay saw us while eating a hotdog

“Nice to see you two getting along just fine”

We both groaned in reply.

“Why the haste Ben? I heard Celine wants to teach you some camera tricks”

I tilt my head in disbelief while Celine looked at me with intent to kills.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, it’s just so that you won’t bother us in future events”

Still scrambling for words all I can say was.

“I’m good”

“No” Jay said

“Just take one on my interns”

“It would be better if the leader would be the one to teach them”

I looked at Jay, then at the ground, then at the sky then around looking for Leslie, then at Celine who tried her best not to look as friendly as possible.

I’m scared.

Newsletter Club (Part 2: Meeting Leslie)

 

Without thinking I found myself inside the newsletter clubroom, considering Ben and Michael’s recruitment.  I think it would be nice to have something other than romance for a change of pace. I saw a pretty lady just outside the door holding a cup of ice coffee and looking done for the day despite it being only 9 in the morning, she was tall, puffy and has a long beautiful hair.

“Hey , may I ask where Michael or Ben is?”

“They have 7am classes but they’ll be back shortly, who are you?”

“Oh! I’m Joyce someone interested in joining”

“I see, are you a sophomore as well?”

“Yes, same as those two”

“Well, I’m Leslie the current head writer of the club and a junior, fill this form up then we’ll interview you at the time of your choosing”

Looking around the room, there were really not much members as all I see is probably a senior at the back stacking boxes.

“You don’t have a lot of members do you?”

“Yeah, this was just recently established last year by me, those two and that senior out there”

“May I know why?”

“Well we want to do something but previously establish clubs didn’t do much for us”

“I see”

I grabbed the form and filled it in immediately. I asked Leslie if she has something to do so I can get to the interview right away.

“You’re eager to join huh, I like you already!”

She offered me coffee as we wait for the boys to make a proper interview. The senior won’t be in the interview process but trust the three to gauge me well. Leslie is great, she knows how to make people comfortable and it makes me forget Jake for a while but it doesn’t remove my nervousness for the interview.

Then the two boys came in.

 

Sebastian's Luck (Part 5: Pet Shop)

 

Rebecca was smiling when I saw her walking around the campus. She had Hector wrapped on her shoulder they greeted me with a smile.

“I have no classes today, apparently the brownout made the professors cancels all the classes and all” she said

“Same as ours, our classroom was even in the basement so you can expect the heat and terror when the power went out”

“Where’s Michael?”

“Newsletter stuff”

The brownout doesn’t affect the stores outside so she asked me if I want to get cat food for Hector. I really had nothing to do that day so I accompanied her. Hector quickly jumped on my shoulder as we walk.

For some reason everything feels so familiar in this moment. I feel like I’ve been in this moment before, even the way Hector brushes his tail at my back feels so familiar. Maybe I’m just longing for something that could’ve been something with Marisol.

Inside the pet shop, Hector jumped off my back and slowly traverses the store.

“He usually pick and point on the things he want so let him be, Rebecca said”

The store is more organized that I thought. Each shelf is color organized per item, the stacks and sacks of food are clean. Following Hector, the other cats and dogs are slowly watching him. The cat feeds are nearby along with the cages and toys for pets. Pointing at the ball, Rebecca quickly swooped and took the ball. This happened for a new bowl and a collar.

“Let me get that for you” I said

She thanked me as I carry her stuff. Our hands touched for a bit and for some reason it made my heart beat faster for a while.

“Sorry”

“It’s fine”

Finally, Hector found a cat feed he wants and rubbed his paw against it. Rebecca bought and Hector rubbed his head against her leg as gesture of thanks.

I carried the cat food at my right hand as Rebecca and she held the other stuff on her left.

“I’ll walk you home”

She smiled and said thanks and as we go out the store she was about to reach for my hand. Flustered, I looked at her and she immediately looked down, blushing and visibly embarrassed.

“Force habit?” I joked

“Yeah, sorry”

It was pretty awkward walking her home as when we try to break the silence, we end up speaking at the same time.

By the time we got to their home Hector entered the window. There was someone as tall as and pretty as Rebecca who greeted me.

“Oh! Haven’t seen you in a while Sebastian”

I have never seen her in my entire life

Jaime and Jaime (Part 6: Free time)

 

During Wednesdays and Fridays I only have two classes which are better than the six during Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both of those classes are in the afternoon so I had time to sleep. But after I had a nice nap, I have time to burn before class and I decided to play this new game app I saw named Fightcade. Normally, I would do my assignment but I finished it last night as I have nothing left to do.

Opening it I entered the app and clicked the Street fighter III 3^rd strike to play. I’m not one to challenge opponents as I prefer being challenged so I played the arcade while I wait for a challenge. Playing against the computer can be tedious as the challenge of a real person is really different.

Then when I decide to look for an opponent somebody challenged me. Named “Squirtle’s Master”

They were good, damn. My Ken was no match for their Akuma as all my combos and special attacks were parried and leaving them with virtually no damage at all.

“Damn you’re good” I chatted

“haha been playing for a while”

After a few games they added me to their discord channel in which they all play with friends.

Messaging the person who kicked my ass multiple times they started calling and I’m like cool we can talk while we play.

But the voice was a girl, not that I have a problem with it it’s just so familiar.

“So Jaime you think I’m good huh?”

“Ah!”

It was Jaime who was beating me up all this time and she laughed

“How’d you know?”

“Maybe don’t use your real name and real last name initial as your in game name”

“Still, there could be millions of us with the same name”

“Yeah, But I know when I know”

“Another round?”

Then we played until 12pm and I won one match out of the twenty seven I had. Usually it would make me hate the game but for some reason I got the urge to be better.

“Let’s have lunch before class”

“S-sure!”

I don’t know why but I got the sense that she was flustered by my message

“See you later” I said

“See you”

Newsletter Club (Part 1: Tree)

Looking at the height and might of this tree at the park, I am silently praying for a rain to come by and join me in my weep.

“So it’s over huh”

“Yeah, but I-“

“Let’s stop with the clichés, I think we can move forward from here”

“We can still fix it if you want”

“Do you even want it?”

He was silent.

“I should go”

He cut me off. “If someday we’re wiser and better can we give this another shot?”

“If I would be wiser and better, I don’t think running back to you would be my first instinct”

Cursing at me he was on verge of tears but calmed down when passersby looked in our direction.

“Break ups happen in the rain you know” I said looking at the perfectly fine sun shining upon us between the leaves of this tree.

He laughed while breaking.

“I gave you the best years of my life you know that”

“Yeah, but I don’t remember asking for them”

This guy is really an asshole. I can’t believe I let him control me like that for years.

He left after I looked down on him hard.

On the bench of the park, still in disbelief on what happened I took a pen and paper and wrote everything that I am feeling as of the moment. Quickly I was tearing to the pages as I wrote everything I could write. Then a shadow passed.

“Joyce from major? What are you doing here?” a familiar voice said

“Moping… What about it?” I answered with hostility

“It’s just I always eat there and all”

I just looked at him meanly hoping for him to leave as he is not really one to stand his ground, so much to my surprise when he decided to sit beside me.

“We can share” she said while offering me the half of his donut

Normally I would refuse but I cannot say no to sweets.

He didn’t speak the entirety of time the time we I was talking. He simply nodded and ate his meal. As he was listening, I noticed that I’m no longer crying.

I told him about everything. We weren’t very close and I only see him with his friend Ken or something. But there as something about his silence that comforts me.

“Thanks” I said to him as I compose myself to leave

“I literally just ate lunch” He answered

A few paces out I passed by his friend who exclaimed “Oh there you are Michael” But he looked at me and to Michael as well.

He whispered to me “Hey, did he make you cry?”

I laughed and jokingly said yes. He tapped Michael’s arm and said “I knew someday you were gonna break hearts” to which Michael looked at him angrily in reply.

“Hey Joyce, can you reconsider my recruitment proposal?” Ben said

As I crumple the poem that I was supposed to give my boyfriend I smiled and said “I’ll think about it”

 

 

Jaime and Jaime (Part 5:UNO)

Red 4, Blue 1, yellow 5, yellow 4, green 8, blue 6, and one change color. These are pretty decent cards.

By the moment we held on the cards, the atmosphere of the room changed. It became heavier and the LED lights of the room did nothing much for us. The room was bright but it felt dark and a spotlight is focused on me, it felt like that. Everyone have their own spotlight but would hiss at the moment someone peeks in into their respective cards.

Jaime was also in a different light. Her face was serious. Her sharp nose and eyes were scarier and the lack of earrings shows business. Movements of her fingers are precise to a scary extent. I fell asleep awake as I didn’t notice that I was staring. Interpreting it as hostility, I think, she held her cards closer to her chest.

We dropped our cards and picked up. Every movement are carefully calculated. Side glances are common as we have our temporary distrust. It was silent and normal for the entire time.

Red 7

Red 8

Green 8

Yellow 8

Change color: blue

Blue reverse

Red Reverse

Red 5

Red stop

Tensions rising up as by this moment as no plus 4 were still being dropped. We were waiting for someone to flinch, celebrate, or smile. But the faces are cold and still they might as well be carved from stone.

“Heh”

That faint sound flustered us all but we could not determine who said it since it echoed in the entire room.

It got tenser.

Everyone was sweating buckets as the one who said it perfectly blended themselves among the crowd. I hate this feeling. I don’t really do well in tense situations and my stomach hurts in these times.

Finally it happened. Plus 4.

Jaime dropped the +4 and Mark almost swears as he was the next one next to Jaime.

It all went downhill from there as Marisol is the one beside him holding a +4 as well and after I drop my reverse UNO card he was a victim as well. I thought I have the upper hand when it was me and Mark were the ones left since he is holding 11 cards and I have three and boy I was wrong.

The game ended in my demise as I lost the UNO game with Mark picking up several power cards and was careful in his attacks.

“Now let’s see that wallet.” Marisol teased

Hesitantly, I gave them my wallet.

It contained a hundred peso bill, two letters, old IDs and an old dollar coin. They all took a photo of it and agreed to analyze it and make a report by the morning. Meanwhile, I am helpless as I cannot do anything.

“Interesting” Jaime said as she opens the two envelopes.

“Wait!” I protested

“Dead people don’t complain” Marisol said

“I’ll haunt you”

But in the end I couldn’t do anything and they read the two envelopes. Once they opened it they all look on me then they closed it again. Those envelopes were in my wallet for a long time that I forgot what was written in them. After smirking Mark said “It’s late, you should all head home”

We were surprised to see that Marisol lives just beside Mark, even Mark.

“Jaime take care of her, okay?” Marisol said

We went out and asked Jaime where she lives so I can drop her by but she said she’s fine by the laundromat near a white apartment.

While walking we were looking at the stars and for some reason I feel nervous. She broke the silence by asking who wrote in those envelopes.

“I don’t know, maybe some people long ago”

“Oh okay” she said as she plays with her bangs.

After I dropped her off the laundromat, I said thank you and had fun for the night

“Me too”

I was about to leave when she stopped me.

“Hey would you like to do that again sometime?”

“That would be great”

Jaime and Jaime (Part 4:Start)

 

The next class was history and nothing noteworthy came out of it except that there was a girl who said she admires dictators. The face of the professor was in awe that she never spoke of it again.

An assignment was given also per group where we have to look into one’s wallet and tries to assume that person is dead and determine what kind of life he/she had. I grouped along with Mark, Jaime and Marisol. For some reason Leon was not included because when it was groupings, his stomach hurt and he was left on a group with least members.

“How do we choose our prey?” Mark asked

Marisol suggested to pick the short stick but Jaime had something more in mind. Uno.

“You really intend to break the group after just meeting?”

“Come on it will be fun!”

The rest of the group agreed and we intend to play UNO after eating dinner.

“Let’s meet at the 7/11 near the student lounge, I’ll bring the cards” Mark said

“I also have cards if you want since it is I who suggested, they’re spongebob theme”

“Bring it! just in case someone rips a card off in frustration” Marisol said

“Rip a what” Mark said

We went to our own ways. Marisol went to dinner with the sophomore she was dating and Mark was preparing his dorm for the party.

Jaime and I were the ones left.

“Let’s grab dinner?” I asked

“Oh no it’s fine I’ll eat with a friend”

“Okay”

I don’t know why but for some reason that left me disappointed.

In the fastfood restaurant is where I decided my dinner will be. I could cook in my dormitory but I’d want to preserve my strength for later. Outside, I saw a girl on which I mistaken for Jaime but she wears a different colored sweater.

In the 7/11 I looked at the clock and thought “Damn, I’m too early”

I didn’t mind that though as I was immersed on playing Pokemon on my DS and then I felt a light shoulder tap.

“Who plays DS in this day and age?” mark said

“Back off” I said

“Let me see” Jaime said “Wow your team looks good” Jaime said as she winced

“Let’s go” I said as I grab my bag.

Mark’s room was amazing. It was spotless from every corner and his anime figurines look amazing. The posters also make up for the empty space and his desktop computer is no slouch.

“I’ve never met an otaku since highschool” Marisol quipped

“Let’s play losers”

I find it funny that after the first day of class I would be in the dorm of a stranger with two girls. I think things will be better here. I really hope they last. I want to remember this moment as a start of something I always wanted or a fleeting memory I’ll cherish.

Marisol dropped the start card.

“RED 7”

 

Sebastian's Luck (Part 4: Heavy)

 

After the lunch I simply went home as the remaining classes were suspended due to brownout.

It feels heavy, looking at a blank Microsoft word page at my desktop my mind adrift to places of unknown. I want to scream at the void but the thought of it screaming back terrifies me and I held on to that fear because in a way I feel grounded still. 

My chest was tightening as I my lips and hands shiver. Breaths are running short so I did what my therapist said. Grabbing the mouse, keyboard, table, pen and notebook I try to feel the ground beneath me along with the textures of the items I grasped. Whirring of the aircon, fans of the CPU and the crickets outside surrounded my hearing as I smell the gum and cologne near me. I took the gum and ate it. By the time the gum lost its flavor I felt my surroundings again and I breathe easier.

First thing I did was to look at an old photo of me and Sebastian back in seventh grade. What the hell happened between highschool and senior highschool? One day we were going out and the second I know, he disappears without a trace. I don’t mind him chasing girls but I hope he has the decency to remember me in the least.

Just before I shut down my computer, I saw a message. It was Sebastian.

“Hey I finally found your facebook! Kinda weird that we’re already friends, any way just dropping by to say thanks you for the lunch earlier. It’s been a while since I did that with someone as people are too busy nowadays. Also I think you and Hector are my lucky charm since I saw Marisol (a girl I like) earlier. See you around the campus!”

It made me smile, at least I can sleep easy tonight.

Jaime and Jaime (Part 3:Lecture)

 

She and I were looking away. Look, I don’t know about her but I am sweating hard and my heart is pounding like crazy. Sweat is building up on my back; luckily I decided to wear a black shirt today. If I was wearing a grey shirt, I’d look like a sweaty old man with his young girlfriend.

In side glances I was trying to look at her as I try to cool down my face. At my third side glance, I caught her side glance as well leaving us both flustered. My face was even becoming hotter by the moment but my palms were becoming cold and sweaty so I placed them on my cheeks cooling them down. After a deep breath I managed to compose myself and sit properly.

After a few minutes she returned the gesture and sat properly as well hastily drinking her ice tea.

“It’s a few minutes before class let’s finish our meal” she said as she grab her fork with her shaky hands

“You’re hands are shaking” I said as my lips quiver and tremble with my legs

“This sisig is just really good” as most of the sisig and rice fell off her spoon

We manage to finish our meal in time and did not speak for the mean time. Outside the cafeteria we saw a girl with a group of friends with balloons and a banner saying ‘I’m sorry’

“It’s the first day and a lot of people seemed to mess up” she quipped

Glancing into each other’s eyes for a second, suddenly we twitched away and walked in a stiff pattern.

Grabbing the door to our next class, Jaime stopped me and said “Hey about earlier, lets-“

“Let’s not do that again yes” I answered immediately

Before she could answer Marisol walked to us and greeted us with a big smile and high pitch voice

“Heeyyy how was lunch?”

Flustered, none of us answered.

Marisol was to follow a question but Mark apparently read the room and said “Come on, let’s get in early so we can all seat together”

Upon entering the room we saw Leon waving at us and showing us the saved seats. He did a complete 180 from earlier this morning.

Even Marisol and Mark were flustered to his personality change. When asked about it he laughed. “I’m not a morning person really but I make up for it in the afternoon and evenings”

“Interesting, that explains a lot to be honest” Mark said.

We waited for a while. Now it’s policy of the university to have a free cut if ever the professor has not arrived for 10 minutes in of his lecture period, 20 for laboratory classes. Let me tell you we have not been more focus in a clock for a long time. The dread of waiting the clock to move the next minute is the most focused I’ve seen a group of students for a while. No one was speaking. The whirring of the fans surrounds the room and a pin dropping could be heard across the room.

“Tick”

“Tock”

“Tick”

“Tock”

And it was free cut.

We still have two classes yet but we have an hour of free time as of now.

“We could hang out in a park” Marisol suggested and we all agreed except Leon who was looking for someone. Marisol was about to tease him but I stopped her by joking that he should run as he may lost it forever.

“Just meet us in history class” Mark said

“Sure… who are you again”

“That’s rude”

Then he ran away.

“He runs funny.” Jaime said

“Yeah, like he was about to fall any second now”

We got to the park and much to our surprise it the girl with the banner and balloons were at the park finalizing touches on the banner and laying roses on the park. Apparently, she was apologizing for something but we have no clue.

“That’s sweet” Jaime said

“Meh not one with grand gestures” Marisol said

It must be my imagination but the moment Marisol said that I think I saw Mark repeat the same words at his mouth and wrote it in his palm as if he’s making a mental note.

“They never learn” a girl behind our bench taking a picture said.

“I think it’s cute, you know romance stuff” Jaime said

“Once you grow up, things change kid”

“Kid? I’m 18”

“Yeah I know, you’re in our watchlist along with you” she said while pouting her lips at me

“What for?” I asked

“Don’t think too much, enjoy your first week”

“Yes, that’s comforting”

She left and went a bit closer to take pictures

A guy behind her apologized for her actions and introduced himself as Ben and the girl Joyce.

“It’s the newsletter, we’re looking for new recruits. But yeah don’t think about it, act as if we’re not here”

Then he left.

“That’s exciting you guys are being scouted”

“Not interested” I said

“Same here” Jaime said

“We should go back, it’s a few minutes in and the class is in the 4^th floor”

Arriving at the class we we’re still a few minutes early but the professor was much earlier than us.

She didn’t bother with introductions as she believes that those kinds of things should happen naturally. It was a class of self and society and we first discussed on how people fall in love.

“Love may be a topic too cheesy for you especially to the cynics but as a human society we progress and have yet to crumble because of the presence of love. It has different types namely Eros (passionate love), Pragma (enduring love) ,Ludus (playful love) ,Agape (universal love), Philia (deep friendship), Philautia (self-love), Storge (familial love) ,Mania (obsessive love) so don’t think about focusing on one aspect of it.”

One student in class asked about romantic love

“Do you believe in the 8 second eye contact?”

Jaime and I suddenly got chills and sat correctly.

“Some studies actually back that up but I don’t believe that to be honest. Sometimes you don’t need 8 seconds as I’ve seen people fell in love with a glance or sometimes they need to see each other eye to eye even more than eight seconds it could take years before you realize love and I doubt you could hold eye contact that long”

“Are you okay?” Marisol asked as Jaime and I twitch in our seats, visibly uncomfortable

“We’re fine” we said in unison

“What’s the problem heh” I asked Jaime arrogantly

“Nothing much, you? hehe” she answered

“Cool”

The professor went on

“But don’t rely on eye contacts solely. If you want love it’s work. It’s more then eye contacts. It’s the late night calls and drunk chats. It’s the shoulder to cry on along with celebrations of happy moments. It’s understanding that you are different people aiming for a same goal. Eye contacts are indication but what you do beyond the eye contacts says a lot about how that love will work”

I drank water out of nervousness.

Jaime did the same.

Slowly as I grab the edge of my seat, I tried to look at Jaime only to see her looking at well. Surprised, we looked down in cold sweat.

“Interesting” Mark whispered

Jaime and Jaime (part 2: 8 seconds)

 

Upon entering the room there were exactly two vacant seats. Jaime pulled my sleeve and made way for the seats.

The guy beside my seat is asleep and the one beside Jaime introduced herself to us, she has way too much energy for a morning class.

“Good morning! I’m Marisol, this is Mark and that sleepy guy there is Leon. You guys look cute, are you a couple?”

Jaime and I flustered and blushed

“No!” we said in unison

“I’m Jaime and this is Jaime, but you can call him Jay to avoid confusion”

“So are you guys twins?”

“Wrong again”

After the professor got in, we were all silent but different from the first one this is more aloof and loose in the least.

“Is this your first class?” Mark whispered

“No, you?”

“Technically, no because our first class was cancelled. Please wake that guy up”

Jaime patted his shoulders three times and he woke up immediately.

During the roll call, Marisol along with the professor and other students laughed as they discover that we share the exact same name.

“If you guys get married, then you remain Jaime Flores”

“Like that will happen though”

After that, Jaime didn’t talk to me for the rest of the period. I didn’t mind though as Mark and Marisol kept me company.

“I think there was a junior that’s also named Marisol but I can’t remember”

“Oh yeah? I bet I’m prettier.”

“Dunno, haven’t seen her yet”

“Oh yeah, let’s compare schedules!”

Mark, Marisol and Leon matches everyday which crosses mine and Jaime’s for three subjects, one in the morning and two in the afternoon.

“For our assignment due on Thursday, write a poem about your greatest desire, and you are now dismissed” the professor said.

Walking outside the room, Jaime was still not talking to me until I quipped “Atleast the scary professor doesn’t give assignments in the first day.”

She chuckled.

Suddenly, I felt lighter and warmer as she smiled after the period.

“See you after lunch!” Marisol said as she grabs Mark and Leon.

“We won’t be seeing them in a while”

“Yeah” she said while fiddling with her bracelet.

The next class was plain boring as it was just me and Jaime knowing each other in class and I kind of miss Marisol’s presence. When I said it to her she looked sad for a second and gave me a stupid grin after.

“It’s not that, it’s just it seems like nobody wants to talk to us here”

“You have me”

“I guess that’ll do”

She punched me in the arm “Stop acting like you settled, it’s not my choice to be stuck with you”

As I’ve said, the class was uneventful because there was no class as the professor did not come. An early heads up would have been nice.

“Early lunch?”

“Sure”

Walking toward the student lounge, there were some guys are fighting there. It’s the first day of class and they decided that they hate each other. Jamie seems to be the type terrified of those acts, seeing how she was flustered by the shouting and stepped back a bit.

“Let’s go to the cafeteria instead”

She was jollier as it was peaceful there and the food is good, while eating  I realized we don’t really know each other much so I asked her some stuff.

Gleefully, she answered when the topics are about food, music, tv series, and video games. But when it came to the subject of family she frowned and looked down.

“I like ketchup on everything!” I exclaimed trying to change the topic

She laughed “That’s why you like fried foods as you’ve said”

“Yes”

Family seems like a taboo topic, I should probably avoid it.

“Ever dated anyone?” For some reason I felt dumber as these words escaped my lips.

“A few in the past but they were more puppy love than a serious relationship, you”

“I’m a serial womanizer”

“Really?”

“No, I’ve never dated anyone. I don’t remember making an eye contact with a woman for more than eight seconds”

“That is oddly specific”

“There was this study where they said if two people have eye contact in eight seconds , they will fall in love”

“That’s dumb”

“It’s science”

“Try it with me”

“Huh”

“Let’s see if it works”

“What if it does?”

“We’ll know it when we get there”

Closing are eyes real tight we counted up to three then opened our eyes.

We looked into each other’s eyes.

For the first second I wondered who could fall in love in this scenario, it was rowdy, we smell lick chicken and her eyes doesn’t say “fall for me” instead it says “Blink you goddamn loser!”

The second second I got the urge to blink but I was keen on her eyes that everything around me blurred and the noises were slowly muting.

Third second, everything around me was muted and blurred. Fixated only on her eyeball where I saw a reflection of myself. I was fixated on my reflection in her eyes and then

By the fourth to fifth second I zoomed out and slowly noticed the features of her face. Her sharp eyes, cheek and nose makes her cute but dangerous look. Her red lipstick greatly blends with her complexion.  The mole under her eye just made her even more beautiful. Her earrings were small and golden.

Sixth second, a streak of her violet hair fell and it didn’t faze her at all. At this second, I cannot discern her emotions. All I know is that she looks wonderful

By the seventh second we both look away.