Stick-O

ANGELLE

It was Thursday morning, but the day felt so lazy. I don't know why, but I'm just not in the mood. I'm here in the classroom, quietly listening to our teacher even though my mind can't seem to digest what she's saying. Maybe it's because I'm not used to Prof not being here. It's their last day of practice today before their game against Maxine High tomorrow. But we didn't see them on the way to school. Like Link, they arrived early, and we saw them at the covered court, but they didn't notice us as they were focused on their practice.

"Be ready for a long quiz tomorrow, take your lunch now GAS 2. Bye!" Ma'am Dally said goodbye.

I let out a sigh and packed my things. Then, I headed out and walked towards Canteen 2. It's just going to be me, Ate Jove, and Lica for lunch today. Russel and John won't be joining us because they said they'll be cheering Prof on to motivate him in the game.

As I passed by the covered court, I noticed that there were a lot of people watching the practice of the MBP (Maximo Basketball Players). I didn't bother to stop, even though I really wanted to see Link. I just continued on to Canteen 2 to eat because I was already famished.

I looked for Lica and Ate Jove among the occupied tables, but they weren't there. Where could those two oldies be?

I just sat down at an empty table and took out my phone to text them. After a few minutes and still no reply from them, I hid my phone and stood up to buy some food. Whatever they're doing, I'm just going to eat because I'm really hungry.

I hope they would have at least messaged me that they won't be joining me, so I wouldn't have waited for them. Where could they have gone?!

Once I got my food, I started eating while watching the other students in the canteen eating too. Some had companions, while others were sitting alone like me.

I looked at my plate of spaghetti and sighed, feeling the laziness of the day even more. It's already a lazy day, and now Lica and Ate Jove are nowhere to be found. Where could they possibly be?!

I glanced at my phone again, and they still haven't replied. I hate waiting like this. I just want to know where they went so they won't be late in our meeting place. They're in big trouble if they bailed on me.

"Hi, Ate Ganda!" I lifted my head and looked at the little girl in front of me.

She was holding a tray filled with food.

"Hi," I greeted her back.

She's the little girl that Link always sends to give me the things he wants to give me.

"Can I sit with you?" she asked. I smiled and nodded. "Thank you," she said and sat in the seat across from me.

She looked at me and took her bag, retrieving something from it. She pulled out a jar of Stick-O and handed it to me.

"Is this from Link?" I asked, accepting what she was extending. She nodded.

I smiled and read the sticky note attached to the top of the Stick-O.

"Stick-O: Cause I'm Stick-To-You."

I chuckled and set the Stick-O aside, facing the little girl who was currently eating.

Link is so cheesy with his pick-up lines, huh?

"Where is Link?" I asked, even though I knew where he was. The little girl looked up at me and glanced at me.

"He's at practice," she said.

"Did you see them eat?"

"Yes, before their break, I saw the players in Canteen 1, that's where they ate."

I nodded and continued eating my food.

"Why are you alone, Ate Ganda?" she asked.

"Um, my cousin and sister didn't show up," I replied, slightly raising my eyebrow.

"Why not?"

"I don't know," I said, taking a sip of my juice.

"Where are your other companions? You have other guys with you, right?"

"Oh, they're at practice too." The little girl nodded.

"So that's why Handsome Guy wants me to accompanied you," I furrowed my brow at the girl's remark.

What does she mean?

"Accompanied me?"

"Oh, that's just our secret with Handsome Guy, but since I've already mentioned it, I'll tell you. Actually, he bought my food to keep you company," she said.

He knew I was alone?

"How did he know I was alone?" I asked. Does he know where the two oldies are?

"I don't know," the little girl replied.

We just continued eating our food. We chatted about school as well. She also introduced herself to me and asked not to be called "Be" because she didn't like it when people called her that.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the break, we looked at each other and both raised our eyebrows, which made us laugh. We were already content with our conversation. But we still had classes and needed to go back to our respective rooms.

"Let's continue our chitchat tomorrow," I said, and she nodded in response. "Bye, Mayjie." I bid her farewell and stood up from my seat, leaving the canteen.

As I walked back to the GAS building, I bumped into Link, who was drenched in sweat and carrying his tumbler. It was obvious how tired he was from his appearance. Was he going to get a drink?

He stopped and our eyes met, which made him smile as he approached me. I just looked at him, hiding my joy. These past few days, I've noticed that I prefer seeing him. When he's not around, it's like a "gloomy Sunday" for me, and when he is there, it feels like "summer."

If before, I didn't like him, now I really enjoy seeing him.

"Did you already eat?" he asked.

"Yes, and thank you for the Stick-O." I smiled.

"You're welcome. By the way, did you have someone with you at lunch?" he innocently asked.

Even though he knew I had someone with me because he ordered Mayjie. How did he know that Grade 8 student?

(Note: Handsome Guy is used as a nickname or term of endearment for Link without specifying a real name as "Link" or "Linky" was provided earlier as well)

"Um yeah, weren't you the one who sent Mayjie to accompany me?" He was slightly surprised by my question.

"Ah... yes,"

I smiled at his admission, sheesh. Why does he look so cute when he's surprised? W-wait, did I just say "cute"?

"Thanks, you didn't have to do that. I'm fine being alone," I said.

"Geez, how could I let the girl I love eat alone?"

I bit my lower lip, trying to contain my excitement. I can't believe I'm feeling this way.

"You're saying that?"

"I should have been the one to accompany you, but we had practice, so I talked to Mayjie to keep you company."

"We were supposed to eat together with Ate Jove and Lica, BUT the two oldies didn't show up," I weakly chuckled.

"Lica and Jove ate with Andre earlier. Didn't they tell you?" he asked.

So all this time, I was waiting for people who had already eaten?! It's so annoying. They should have just told me that they won't be coming!

"They didn't tell me, I was waiting for them. But thanks," I smiled.

"Are you going back to your room?" I nodded in response. "Let me walk you, just a quick moment." He was about to leave, probably to get some water, but I stopped him.

"It's okay, I can go back to my room on my own. Rest up," I reassured him. He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm not a child anymore. By the way, good luck with practice!" I cheered him on before I continued walking towards the GAS building, leaving him behind.

My heart raced even more because I saw him. And now, I had to stop myself from turning around and looking at him. I didn't want him to think that we just had a conversation and I missed him right away. Haha, just kidding, I was really overthinking it when it came from Mars.

But at the end of my thought, I turned my head and saw him looking at me. When he saw me look, he smiled and waved, which made my smile widen.

I turned back and continued walking to my room, feeling like a fool.

•~•~•~•~•~•

Three subject teachers were absent from our class today. Sir Archie was busy coaching the MBP and Ma'am Clara was taking care of the players' report, in case the MAPEH teachers didn't finish it. If the report was incomplete, the players wouldn't be allowed to play. As for Ma'am Gamboa, we didn't know why she didn't show up.

"Prof looked so handsome, right? He was all sweaty, I wanted to go up to him and wipe his sweat!" I overheard one of my female classmates say.

I turned to look at the two girls behind me and smiled.

"But Kervin is even more handsome!" another girl said while doing her eyebrow makeup.

"Oh, they're all handsome, we're so lucky to study here!" the first girl said, gushing.

"But, you know what? Link and Gipsy broke up," I heard one of them mention.

Suddenly, I became interested in the conversation between my two classmates. They also stalked Link's profile?

"Really? How did that happen?"

"I don't know. I just noticed when I visited Link's profile that Gipsy wasn't in his bio anymore, and his status changed to single."

"What a waste! Many teachers liked them as a couple,"

"Yeah, it's such a shame. They've been together for so many years."

I blew out a breath and looked at the cover of the book I was reading. Why do I feel like it's my fault that Link and Gipsy's "love story" didn't work out?

And hello, they just found out now that Link and Gipsy are no longer together?

"Hello, GAS 2!" a little boy caught our attention by the door. "Sorry for the inconvenience, we just have an announcement regarding the MBP's game tomorrow." He continued.

"Go ahead!" our class's PIO responded.

"For those who want to come and support the MBP tomorrow, please enlist at the guard house. The game will start at 2 PM. Just a reminder, this is for those who want to watch and support. Thank you!"

After the announcement, my classmates went back to doing their own activities. So, if I go to the game, does that mean I won't attend class? Our dismissal time isn't until 4 PM. Should I watch the game?

BZZZT! BZZZT!

Feeling the vibration of my phone, I took it out of my pocket and checked the new message.

From: Link

Are you going to the game tomorrow?

I didn't have a chance to compose a reply to Link when another message came in.

From: Professor A

I listed you as one of the attendees, Angelle. Come :>

Huh? He listed me already? I still don't know if I'll go.

I chuckled and hid my cell phone. I'll just ask permission from Mama to skip class for a while to support Link.

After our last subject teacher dismissed the class, we packed our things and left the room. I headed straight to the covered court to check if Link and Lica were there, but there was no practice happening. Only students waiting and walking out. Where could they be?

I tried waiting for Ate Jove and Lica, thinking they might still be here, cause I had no one to go home with. Maybe Link and Lica already went home, knowing they needed to rest for their game tomorrow. Huh! Who will keep me company?

"She lets me down. Then gets me high. Oh I don't know why She's just my type. She's my device I don't think twice Oh I don't know why She's what I like But I, I, I love it I, I, I love it."

I was surprised when my phone suddenly rang. I took it out of my skirt pocket and checked who was calling.

Link calling...

I answered it immediately. "Hello,"

"Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm still at school, waiting for Lica."

"They went home earlier, they went with Andre," he replied.

I let out a sigh. So they thought I would wait for them next time? They already have so many things they've done wrong to me!

"Aren't you going home yet?" he asked, to which I didn't respond.

"I'll go home too," I said in an indifferent tone.

"Wait for me, let's go together," he said, furrowing my eyebrows at his words.

Is he going to accompany me? Is he still here?

"Where are you?" I asked.

As I stepped outside, I headed to the street food stall and bought some skewered fishballs and a choco drink while talking to Link on the other end of the line.

"I've seen you, just wait for me."

I turned around, looking around to see if I could find him, but there was no sign of Link.

"Oh, where are you actually?" I wondered aloud.

"In your back," he replied.

When he said that, I turned to face my back and smiled upon seeing him. But quickly, I frowned to hide my smile.

I put my phone away in my skirt pocket and walked closer to him, trying to play it cool.

"Do you want to eat first?" I shook my head.

"This is enough," I replied.

"By the way, why are you still at school?" I asked, chewing on my fishball.

"I waited for you," he said. I looked at him in surprise, but quickly recovered and took a sip of my choco drink.

He glanced at me and smiled. "Even so, you've never been a bother to me," he said, which made my heart flutter.

I didn't say anything, and we walked in silence along with the other students.

"By the way, why were you still at school?" I asked again as I nibbled on my fishball.

"I waited for you," he said. Furrowing my brows at his words.

"When I saw you, I knew you didn't have anyone to go home with," he explained.

So it was my fault that he hadn't rested yet?

"You haven't rested yet, and I'm bothering you," I said, feeling a bit annoyed, as I sipped my choco drink.

He glanced at me and shrugged his shoulders. "I know you're not okay walking alone." He said.

"I can handle myself. By the way, good luck with practice!" I cheered him. I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

I didn't say anything else, and we walked silently together, along with the other students.

"Hey, Angelle,"

Both Link and I looked at the guy, recognizing him as one of my groupmates.

"Oh, what's up?" I asked with a smile. He was also part of my group.

"We've decided to have our shooting film in Cavite," he said. Oh right, we have a shooting film to do.

"Isn't it far?" I asked after taking a sip of my choco drink.

"That's the thing. Christina suggested we use their place for the shooting because it has a creepy vibe, perfect for a horror setting," he explain.

"If possible, can we change the location?" I smiled, and he nodded in response.

"Alright, I'll update you if my parents agree."

"Okay, sounds good," he said before bidding us farewell and returning to his friends.

The shooting location for our film is quite far here. And I'm still not sure if my parents will allow me to go to Cavite again.

"There are plenty of places here with a creepy vibe, why go to Cavite?" Link asked, and I shrugged my shoulders as I threw the plastic choco drink cup into the trash can. "Just tell them to do it here," he added, and I looked at him.

"If Mama and Papa agree, then it's okay to go to Cavite," I replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Is Prof also part of your group there?"

"Yeah," I gave him a brief answer.

He didn't say anything else. And when we reached the terminal, we took a tricycle to go home. Walking can be tiring, you know. But I've gotten used to it, it's been my daily routine for a few months now.

When I arrived home, I immediately went up to my room and changed into my comfortable clothes. Link had told me to come to his house after changing, so I agreed since I had nothing else to do at home.

After I finished getting dressed, I informed Mama and headed over to Link's place. The gate was open, so I entered and found them watching a movie, along with Ate Jove and Lica. It seems that when I arrived home, they were already out visiting neighbors.

"Angelle is here," Russel announced, and they all turned to look at me.

They gestured for me to sit with them. "Cousin, come here. We're watching a movie," Ate Jove said.

"Sit beside me," Lica added, and we all looked at the guy who had just come down from upstairs, carrying a jar of Stick-O.

Link approached me, giving me a smile, which I reciprocated with a smile of my own.

"Why did you tell me to come here?" I asked.

"We're going to watch a movie," I raised an eyebrow.

"I thought it was something important," I said, slightly annoyed.

"I didn't want you to miss out," he said, pulling me to sit next to him on their sofa-bed-style seating.

We sat down, and he opened the Stick-O, handing me a piece.

He took a bite of one as well. I looked at him as he chewed on the Stick-O. Out of the blue, a smile formed on my face as I looked at him.

It felt like we were in a movie theater because the lights were turned off, and the only thing illuminating the room was the TV, which was quite big, adding to the theater-like ambiance.

"I might melt," he said, looking at me, bringing me back to reality. I swallowed hard at the close proximity of his face.

We were sitting on their sofa-bed-style seating, and we were so close to each other. How did we end up in this position?

"Do I have something on my face?" he asked, his brows furrowing sl

ightly as I didn't react to his comment.

"Huh? N-no," I stammered in response.

He smiled, pulling me closer and hugging me tightly, causing me to freeze. What is this guy doing?!

But then, it felt nice. One of the best feelings in the world is when you're hugging the person you love, and they hug you back even tighter.