Celine smiles (Part 2: Neon Keychain)

“What happened to your arm?” my sister asked as we go to school.

“Long story, by the way isn’t your class that way?”

“Shoot!” as she ran away and dashed to her class.

My arm was still hurting from last night. Luckily, I got enough sleep since my class for today starts at 11:30am. I came to school early so my mom would send me and my sister to school. I could wait in the house but I’m all for free fare. I also asked her to pick us up since it’s Friday night. The conversation went like this:


“Can you pick us up by 8pm? Friday night’s the worst”
“You’re in college”
“Yeah but just this once please”
“Fine but no Burger King on the way home”


I’ll be safe for today, I just need to get over the hump yesterday. That girl was scary. I mean I understand her for being terrified. I should say sorry in the least for frightening her. But I guess it’s for the best anyway.


My sole class ended at 2:30 pm and I spent the next 30 minutes finishing some papers at the lobby so I won’t have to do them over the weekend. After finishing them I went to our org room to finish some stuff.

Upon entering the room, I smelled the freshly brewed coffee of our President, Leslie. Everyone greeted me as I sneeze and cough at the dusting boxes on our shelves. Oh, if you’re wondering we’re the ones assigned to the newsletter the college release every week. I work at the write ups along with a few interns, Michael at the website, layout and other tech stuff and Joyce at the other stuff; she’s a jack of all trades. We’re a pretty small group considering that not much want to do this, but where here for the extra credit.



“Hey ben, they said we need photographs for the upcoming sports event you think one of your interns can do it?”

All my interns held their head down.

“Joyce usually does these kinds of things why can’t she do it?”

“Haven’t you heard? She’s joining the pageant so she’ll be busy and stuff”

“One of my intern can draw can he just draw them?” I said pointing to one of the freshmen

“Yeah try drawing a basketball game frame by frame”

We came to Leslie and asked her if she could do the photographs. When we asked her she stood up, went outside, and took a photo of the sky. She showed it to us and it was the blurriest thing we’ve seen. I did not speak but Michael was visibly annoyed and on the verge of tears. We all just scratched our heads until Leslie suggests that we should meet the Photographers club if they would be willing to lend a few hand.

Michael was left in charge as Leslie and I went to the cafeteria in which the president of the photographers club agreed us to meet.

“That was quick”

“Yeah, I am awesome”


Walking towards the cafeteria, I felt my scar from yesterday was throbbing. Leslie asked me what happened to it and when I told her what happened she laughed.


“That’s what you get for wearing all black at night”

“Hey! It was you who set the meeting at 8pm what’s up with that!”

“Hehe”


It was throbbing more so I tightened the bandage around it and asked Leslie for help. Rolling off a new bandage as we wait for the Photographers club she asked “So what’s the girl like? Is she cute?” she teased. Honestly I could not remember as I feel like I’m too terrified to recognize someone that pitch darkness. I was also busy defending myself so there’s that but there is one thing I noticed and remembered about her.


“She has curly hair and a neon keychain”

“Like that?” Pointing to the girl hiding behind a guy at the entrance of the cafeteria.


Tilting my head, I shook my head no. Not because I can’t really remember anything, it’s that there are a lot of curly people in the world and I didn’t really get a good look at her. Also, I’m trying to deny if the reality does come where I meet her again.


“Hey Jay over here!” Leslie calling out the guy and girl she just pointed at

“Keep your voice down, people are looking” Jay said while sitting down and apologizing to the people.


The girl with him also sat down and her curly locks bounced as she sat down. She had big eyes and freckles on her cheeks, light lip tint and modest earrings. We locked eyes for a moment and looked down immediately.

“Ben this is Jay a childhood friend of mine and you are?”

“Celine” the girl said

“She’s cute, finally got a girl huh Jay?” Leslie said as she leaned closer to the girl



“Wait what no, she’s a newcomer to the organization and you said you needed help so she’s the one I’m offering so she can get experience”



For some reason that visibly relieved Leslie as her shoulders got loose and she leaned away from the girl.


“I was hoping you’d be the one to help us Jay” Leslie said while sulking and pouting her lips


“I wish but since there are 4 sport events that the colleges will conduct, we have our hands full for now. Celine is a natural don’t worry about it.”


“Can’t you lend us some more people?”

“Unfortunately none, but I’ll try to ask the other members. Isn’t Joyce usually the one assigned to this? I’m surprised you called us”

“She’s busy”

"Pageant?"

"Yeah"

I tried to butt in the conversation since Celine and I have been feeling left out.

“So Celine can you show us some photos you took in the past?”

“Sure, I have some here in my portfolio”


She grabbed her brown bag and I noticed a Carabao keychain colored neon hanging out


“Shit!” I said as I jump on my seat, raising my bag and revealing my injured arm

“Ah!” Celine said as she cover her mouth and point at my bandage and bag