CHAPTER 31: JITTERS AND CONFLICTING FEELINGS

THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE

By Eleventh

CHAPTER 31: JITTERS AND CONFLICTING FEELINGS

“They say follow your heart. But I don't even understand what my heart is trying to say.” – Ira P.

2017 JOURNAL

A moment of silence covered the room when Adrielle uttered an invitation that was beyond Ira’s expectations. Never in her life had she ever had someone ask her out on a date. But she had always hoped that someday someone will.

However, that moment she wished to be magical turned out to be imperfect. She was in her PJs and she probably smelled like maple syrup. And who would ask a stranger on a date while washing dishes in the kitchen sink?

Adrielle would.

Ira blinked twice, waiting for the man in front of him to tell her that he was just pulling a prank. But he kept wearing a resolute face while waiting for her answer.

“Wait! Am I understanding this right? Are you seriously asking me out?”

“Don’t I sound serious?”

Ira crinkled her eyebrows.

“But why me?”

“Well, I can’t date your brother because I’m straight.”

That made Ira snigger.

“Why would you go out with someone you don’t know?”

“You date someone to know them. I’m asking you out because I’d like to know you more.”

Ira gulped.

Realizing that Adrielle wasn’t joking at all, she suddenly felt weird. Jitters were all around her inside, making her heart pump loud and fast.

[Why is my heart jittering? Is this a good feeling?]

She stared at the young man for long seconds thinking about what to answer him.

"So? What do you think?"

"I don't know! I..."

"Come on, Ira! Just give it a try!"

"Just 3 dates, right?"

"Yes! Just 3 dates!"

Ira convincing herself that this is OK, whispered.

"Alright. I'll give it a try."

Adrielle let out a silent scream and punched in the air in excitement which worried Ira that someone might see them and get the wrong idea.

"Hey, chill! It's not like I said yes to you to be my boyfriend."

"You had no idea how thrilled I am."

Truly, Adrielle was so happy that day that he can't pocket his smile.

AT GRAYSON ACADEMY

Mondays are usually hectic at Grayson Academy – the first day of school, assemblies, meetings, and weekly preps. Everyone was at their desks trying to finish work before they clock off. Everyone except Ira.

She was whirling her seat, laughing and smiling while looking at her phone. Maggie noticed her and she knew it was unusual for her to be on her phone almost throughout the day.

Dying in curiosity, she pulled her chair close to her, and with peering eyes, she began the interrogation.

“Who’s that? And where and how did you meet him?”

Ira quickly hid her phone on her chest afraid that Maggie might see the caller's ID. Then, she stared at her friend who was waiting for an explanation but she contemplated whether to tell her or not.

“J-just a friend,” she mumbled.

“Liar. You don’t have any other friends aside from me…” Skye who was sitting at the back coughed. “… and Skye. And I bet my life that’s not Joey.”

“Relax, Maggie. It’s someone you don’t have to worry about.”

“Not to worry about? Like how can I not worry after all that had happened to me?”

Ira understood where Maggie was coming from. To assure her that she had nothing to worry about, she decided to tell her about Adrielle.

“He’s my brother’s friend, okay?”

Maggie gasped. “Don’t tell me it’s…”

“Yes, it’s him.”

Then, Maggie shrieked.

“Oh, my gossssh! That guy is such a hottie! I didn’t know something was going on between you two. Ira, you sly girl!”

“Last Friday night wasn’t our first meet. It was at the…” Ira pressed her lips.

“At the?”

“At the Foundry,”

Maggie gasped again. “Oh my gosh! So you mean, he was one of the guys in the speed dating?”

Ira nodded her head.

"Oooh! That's why he was familiar!"

The two paused surprised to see Skye standing close to them with his hands resting on his waist. He was glaring at them and didn't look pleased.

“A guy from speed dating? Really, Ira? What if that guy turns out to be yet another stalker? Haven’t you learned from Maggie’s experience?”

“Did you just leave your seat to give me an earful? And if you were listening intently to the conversation WHICH YOU'RE NOT PART OF, you should know then that this guy is my brother’s friend. He’s not a stalker.”

“And how long do you know this guy again?” Skye crossed his arms.

“Two…”

“Two years? Two months? Two weeks?” he guessed.

“We just met two times…”

Skye hit his forehead with his palm and out of his frustration, he breathed in deep.

“I swear he’s a good guy. He’s nothing to worry about, okay? He even met my family.”

"He met your family and you thought that was a plus point. Right! Of course!" Skye beamed a sarcastic smile and went back to his seat, thinking about what does he expect from Maggie. After all, he knows that she has a poor judgment of people’s character and intentions and yet she contributes a great influence on Ira.

Suddenly, the door swung open and an old man in a faded black suit and rimmed eyeglasses entered the room. His eyes roamed around the room and stopped at the desk where the three of them stayed.

“Mr. Doromal and Miss Pardilla, in my office.” His voice was very grim, as always. After he uttered those words, he quickly disappeared from sight.

The two instructors looked at one another with a puzzling look.

“Did we violate a rule? Or did a parent complain against us?” Ira kept muttering as they walk to the office. Skye remained quiet. “Hey! Why do you think Mr. Fuentes wanted us in his office?”

Mr. Fuentes, the Assistant Principal, is the school staff that most of the instructors don’t like to meet in the hallway because of his judgemental eyes. He’s not very friendly and pleasant to talk to.

“We’re here,” Skye announced.

“You do the knocking…” Ira pushed Skye towards the door.

“What are you? A student? You act like you’re about to enter the principal’s office because of misbehavior.”

“I do feel like that.”

Skye shook his head and ignored Ira’s anxiousness. He knocked on the door three times and opened it. As they entered the office, they were astounded at how plain everything is. Everything in the room was gray. Gray couch, gray table, gray chairs, gray walls. Speaking of walls, they were almost empty except for the white round clock that has no numbers on it, just the hands. Ira finds it odd. The only colored object in the room was the mini green potted cactus on his table.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Fuentes.” He greeted.

The old man made a grunting noise. He looked up and nodded once.

“Does that mean we should come in?” Ira whispered, her fingers fidgeting.

Skye noticed it so he tapped it gently to make her stop. That was when Ira noticed that she was restless. Skye led the way to Mr. Fuentes’ table and she followed behind.

“Have a seat,” he said. The two sat on the chairs placed in front of Mr. Fuentes. “I’m sure you have heard about Mrs. Carlos leaving Grayson Academy, thus vacating her position as the Department Head of MAPEH. Your desire to apply for the said position has been made known to the administration and would like to inform you that after a series of evaluations from your colleagues and grade level coordinators, the board of directors has accepted your application.”

Ira’s eyes lit up with excitement. To be promoted has always been on her bucket list. Meanwhile, Skye remained calm.

“Mrs. Carlos will leave at the end of the year. While she’s still here, you will work with her for the upcoming Intramurals next month."

"Uhm, excuse me, sir! Isn't the Intramurals going to take place this month?" Ira interfered which displeased the old man.

Mr. Fuentes made another grunting noise and continued.

"As I was saying, you will be working with Mrs. Carlos with the event which was MOVED next month. In the process, you will be assessed and evaluated and in the end, the best instructor gets the position. Any questions?”

There was silence in the room.

“Does that mean, Mr. Doromal and I are competing against one another?” Ira clarified.

“Well, of course, Miss Pardilla! What do you expect?”

Ira’s excitement died down. She slowly faced Skye and stared at him intently.

[Skye and I against one another? Is that okay? I mean, it’s okay to compete with a friend, right? Surely, we’re gonna have a friendly competition, right? I wonder if he’s fine with this.]

Then she lowered her head and wandered her thoughts.

[Why are my feelings conflicted? I never cared about him before.]

Ira’s wandering thoughts disappeared when Skye suddenly spoke and broke the silence in the room.

“Sir, if I may ask, why are we the only ones competing for the position? Surely, our seniors have been eyeing promotion and must have applied for the position. I guess they are more deserving than us. And perhaps, our other colleagues too.”

Mr. Fuentes made a grunting noise again.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Doromal you are wrong about your seniors. None of them applied for Mrs. Carlos's replacement. It’s a sad reality that those who went before you are mediocre and lazy people who dislike getting out of their comfort zone and trying on a new challenge. It’s a pity that they think they’re too old for the job.”

Mr. Fuentes paused for a while to check the two instructors’ faces before he continued. “As for your other colleagues, well… they didn’t receive a good evaluation. That means they’re not good enough! And…”

“And I think we heard enough, Mr. Fuentes…” Ira cut him off. “Are there any more instructions you’d like to tell us?”

Mr. Fuentes pushed his eyeglasses up and answered. “No more. Mrs. Carlos will tell you the rest perhaps tomorrow.”

“Got it, sir. Thank you! We’ll go ahead.” Skye bid farewell.

Noticing that Ira was clenching her fist, he pulled her up and gently pushed her out to the door. As soon as the door was closed, Ira stomped away from the office with a grumbling face.

“Ira! Wait!” Skye called.

“Can you believe him? Calling our seniors mediocre and lazy and our colleagues not good enough? How can he say that to the professors of this academy? That was downright insulting, you know? That was very unprofessional!” she grumbled. She got all worked up that she was shouting and swearing in the hallway.

Skye knew that there was no way he can stop her with his words so instead he gently pulled her close to him and cupped her face with his cold hands. Then, he whispered.

“Calm down. Cool your head.”

Locked in his hands, there was nowhere to look but in Skye’s eyes. They used to be cold but at that moment, they were very warm. Too warm that her face turned red.