CHAPTER 22: COLD AND WARM

THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE

By Eleventh

CHAPTER 22: COLD AND WARM

“Sometimes I wonder what kind of vibe do I give off to people. I think I'm cold though, but I wish I was warm. I kinda think I'm as cold as Elsa, the Elsa who can't let go. Pft! That was supposed to be a joke but why does it sound true?" – Ira P.

2017 JOURNAL

When you’re a kid, you associate love with visible things and tangible moments imprinted on hugs and kisses. As Ira reclined on her chair, sipping on her vanilla coffee, she tried to recall any beautiful moment with her mother, but even her face she could not remember. She could hardly describe what kind of a person she was.

[Cold. She was always cold. Cold hands. Cold eyes. Cold heart, maybe? Or maybe it’s just me.]

Even when she closes her eyes, all she sees is an image of a woman whose face is all shadows, shutting the door behind her. Sometimes she sees her slender back wearing her favorite yellow cardigan and her long black hair swaying behind as that woman held her brothers’ hands, while she, feeling jealous of the scene, walked behind them.

“Come here, little one! Let me carry you.” Her father would say. And he would let her ride on his shoulders while pushing the stroller where Orion peacefully slept.

“Wake up, sleepyhead!” a familiar voice snapped Ira back to reality.

When she opened her eyes, she was startled to see her brother, Eros, leaning on the wall. He wore a white loose shirt and fit tattered jeans, folding his arms while watching her.

“Eros! What are you doing here?” startled, she got up from reclining.

“I can’t believe I’ll catch my sister slacking off at work. Sigh! So disappointing!” he teased.

“Shut up! Come on! What brings you here?”

Eros did not answer as a lovely young woman entered the room with a bright smile on her face. She appeared stylish in a black v-neck shirt tucked in her white high-waist jeans.

“Good morning! Are you teacher Ira?” the woman greeted sweetly.

Assuming that the woman is one of her students’ guardians, Ira stared at her brother with a puzzled look, wondering why she came in with him.

[What is your relationship with her?] her eyes spoke.

“Yes, ma’am! And you are?” she replied.

“I’m Camille Mendez. I’m here for Carmina’s report card.”

“Oh, right! Have a seat, ma’am… and sir!”

Eros scoffed at his sister’s look when she called him sir. He bit his lower lip to stop himself from laughing as he sat beside Camille. Ira searched for Carmina’s card through the pile and handed it to her guardian the second she found it.

“Wow! She’s smart.” Eros remarked, peeking at the card that Camille opened before him.

“She is. And I’m proud of her.” Camille agreed smilingly.

“You should reward her,”

Camille looked at Eros. “Should I?”

Eros responded with a coy smile that made Ira grimaced.

[Ugh! It’s so cringing to watch my brother flirt.]

“When I was in grade school, my mother used to buy me Lego toys every time I get good grades. It motivated me to keep on achieving the top.”

Listening to her brother, Ira thought he was lucky he had a memory of her. After all, he was old enough to remember their mother’s last moments on earth.

“Alright then. I should ask her what she wants.” She replied. Then she turned to Ira to thank her. “Thank you, Teacher Ira!”

“You’re welcome.”

The visitors headed for the door. As he stepped his foot out of the room, Eros looked at his sister once more and bid farewell to Ira whose puzzled look didn’t fade.

“Don’t be late for family dinner. Today’s a special day!” he winked and left without waiting for Ira’s answer.

But Ira was more concerned about something else as she rushed to get her phone and messaged her brother.

[What the hell are you doing with my student's mother?]

Eros laughed upon reading it.

“My sister thought you were a parent.” He told his friend.

“Sister who?”

Eros scoffed. “Never mind.”

As they were walking through the hallway, Eros caught a glimpse of Maggie walking with her face covered with the brown folder she was holding in her hands. Then a pen slipped through her fingers and fell on the floor.

Eros picked it for her.

When Maggie was about to thank him, she turned pink when she realized who he was.

“Th— oh, hi! It’s you. D-did you come to see your sister? Erm, thank you, by the way.” Maggie stuttered as she consciously took the pen from Eros’ hands.

“Yeah, I did. And you’re welcome.” Eros replied with another coy smile.

“Eros! Let’s go!” Camille called from afar, realizing that he was gone at her side.

“I need to get going. Have a great day!”

Eros smiled once more before he went away, leaving Maggie in a blissful daze.

“Snap out of it, Maggie! That’s your friend’s brother!” Maggie said, slapping her face. “Ugh! Why is that guy damn attractive!”

Maggie shook her head and breathed in deep before she went on her way. When she entered Ira’s room, Ira could already tell who she met in the way by the wide grin on her face.

“Lemme guess…”

“Yes is the answer.”

Ira rolled her eyes. “Ugh! Stop it, Mag! My brother is a walking red flag.”

“Aren’t you too judgemental of your brother?” Maggie remarked, placing the brown folder on Ira’s table.

“My gawd, Maggie! I’ve seen my brother go out with so many different girls. Isn’t that a sign already?”

Maggie crossed her arms. “Did he tell you he was dating them?”

“He didn’t but…”

“Thaaat means, my friend, your brother is just a friendly guy. I could really tell!”

Ira rolled her eyes. “Ugh! Puhlease! You don’t know my brother, Maggie! Look at him! He's even going out with someone who has a child."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"The lady he was with? Duhh!"

"Nah! I think they're just friends." Maggie believed. "Because if she was dating him, she could have held his arm. But they didn't link arms when they walked. Eros even paused to say hi to me."

Ira became frustrated at Maggie who couldn't pocket her smile.

“Maggie! I’m serious. Don’t you ever date my brother!”

“My gawd, Ira! Do you really think your brother would ask me out? Hellooo! He’s a model. He must be surrounded by a lot of pretty girls. I don’t think he would even ask for my number.”

Ira shrugged her shoulders and pouted her lips.

“Mmm… you have a point. He’s a picky guy. Anyway, why are you here? Don’t you have a parent waiting for you?”

“Ooops! I almost forgot. About Gardner, I see he has a lot of misbehavior recorded in this folder. Would you like to explain? I think I have to discuss this with his guardian.”

Ira checked the folder. “Aaah. This kid. He always makes trouble in class like tripping his classmates when they walk in the field or slapping them with his wet towel. He does a lot of stupid and sometimes, dangerous pranks.”

Maggie pressed her lips and felt alarmed. “Mmmm… it’s troublesome, indeed. Alright, thank you! By the way, let’s have lunch together.”

“Sure.”

“How about dinner?”

Ira shook her head. “Today is Mom’s death anniversary. We’re having family dinner tonight. And I think we have some guests coming too.”

“Right. Your family always have family dinners.”

Ira sniggered. “Yeah, we do. Wanna join us?”

“Nah! I have plans tonight. And I guess you have a long line of parents waiting for you already so I need to go now.”

Ira rushed to check outside and sighed at the sight of the chairs in the waiting area filled by parents and guardians. Maggie waved her fingers as she slipped away.

That morning, Ira barely had a moment to breathe. Parents and guardians kept coming like a surge. She didn’t even finish her coffee. Many times her patience was tested too as some of them acted entitled.

The morning ended. Another set is coming in the afternoon.

Ira trudged through the door, carrying her things to the faculty room. Upon entering, she wailed as she declared, “I’m sooo haaangry! I want to eat a lot! Hnnnnggg!”

“Iraaa! I am so sorry!” Maggie was frantic when she welcomed Ira. She was carrying her bags and ready to go. “I know I said we’re gonna eat lunch together, but…”

“Noooo! Where are you going? I’ll come with you!”

“I’m sorry. You can’t. I’ll explain to you later. Okay?”

“How about me?” Hungry, tired, and deserted, Ira was teary-eyed.

Maggie stared at her, feeling sorry for her friend. Then when she saw Skye, she called his attention. “Hey, Skye! Where are you eating for lunch?”

“Anywhere?”

“Please-take-Ira-with-you-because-she-doesn’t-have-any-friends-besides-me. THANK YOU!” Maggie spoke so fast that she seemed like she wasn’t breathing at all.

Then she ran away.

“MAGGIE! WAIT! Siiiigh! Don’t leave me with this twerp!” Ira yelled but Maggie didn’t even look back.

“So are you coming with me or not?” Skye’s cold voice echoed in her ears, much colder when she met his remote eyes.

“I’ll go! I don’t want to eat alone.” Ira feebly answered as she trudged following Skye to Café Piazza.

AT CAFÉ PIAZZA

The wind chimes belled as the door slowly opened and two of Laura’s favorite customers entered, greeting her with a warm smile.

“Oh! Hello there, my favorite diners! I am glad to see you. You haven’t been coming to my café lately. Busy?” Laura greeted.

“Very!” Ira feebly replied as she threw her bag and leaned her body on the soft sofa. She chose the table next to the window where the couch is big enough for her to rest her body.

“Looks like you guys had a long day! What can I get you?”

“Everything in the menu?” Ira whispered with her eyes closed.

Skye sniggered as he shook his head.

“We’re very hungry right now, Laura. Any recommendations?”

“Mmm… everything is good here in Café Piazza. BUT today, we are adding one meal to our menu. Unlimited chicken wings with four flavors – classic flavor, parmesan cheese, spicy barbecue, and hot buffalo.” Laura answered.

“ONE ORDER FOR ME!!!” Ira suddenly yelled as she heard Laura’s recommendations, catching people’s attention.

“Mmm… she does look hungry.”

“Make it two, Laura! Thank you!” Skye muttered laughing. "Aaand, can we have extra buffalo wings for the first set?"

"Sure!"

As Laura entered the kitchen to take their order, Skye went to sit with Ira looking as calm as always. He sat there with crossed legs and folded arms watching his colleague slumping on the sofa.

“How are you doing that?” Ira asked when she opened her eyes catching Skye sit there like he wasn’t worn out at all.

“The what?”

“You look like you weren’t tired at all!”

He sniggered. “I am tired, Ira. Parents, exhaust me more than anything. But unlike you, I am quiet when I am tired.”

“Tsk! Whatever! AAAAH! I wanna eat already! I can imagine the yummy fried chicken. By the way, how many more parents do you have to wait for? Did you have a lot of mothers today? I just noticed that mothers are the ones who always attend activities like this. And do you have entitled parents too? Ugh! They are such a pain in the ass. And did you know that my brother came with a guardian of mine? I wonder what he’s up to! Ugh! He’s such a flirt. And can you believe that Maggie likes my brother? And…”

“And I noticed that when you’re tired and hungry, you talk a lot and you’re way more lively than when you are energized?”

Ira paused to think what Skye just said.

“Really?”

“Did you not notice that you’ve been talking random things at once?” Ira gently shook her head in disbelief. That made Skye laugh hard. “AHAHAHAHA! Oh my gawd, Ira! You’re funny!”

That was the first time Ira saw him laugh without sarcasm. In that short moment, she felt like she saw a different Skye, someone she can’t describe. Perhaps, a friendlier version? Easy-going? Amusing? Warm? It was like he took off his obnoxious outer shell, perhaps because he was too tired to tease. Too tired for satire. Too tired for brutal honesties.

[Maybe if he would laugh more and smile more, I think he could be warm too.]