I can see in the eyes of the students the excitement for Valentine's Ball to be held, their eyes are shining because one of the happy days of a student's life will be fulfilled. This is where we can experience being the most handsome and beautiful even for one night. This is where you tease, and dance, and what everyone is waiting for the most is they can dance with their special someone.
I flinched when I felt the hot air from Mar's mouth.
"What the hell," I complained, then looked around. No one seemed to see what he did. "Don't you see, they are here," I reminded him because he's reckless. What if someone sees us?
"So what?"
“Are you crazy? What if we become the stuff of news here on campus?" I'm nervous that one day we will be the headline of the news.
Mar just sighed and looked outside the classroom window. I saw how his facial expression changed to look annoyed.
I'm just not ready for others to know about my relationship with Mar. I fear for him, his reputation, and maybe even his family will be affected. Maybe this is okay for now.
I felt his hand from underneath and squeezed it lightly. He turned and gave me a serious smile.
Later, Mr. Cruz, our adviser, went straight to the front table and looked at us all.
"Y'all look so excited, huh?" he said while smiling. Some of my classmates answered excitedly. "I'm excited too but before everything, I have something important to tell you."
There was a murmur, they were all curious as to what it was.
"About what, Sir?" asked one of my classmates.
"Quiet, please," Mr. Cruz said and everyone became silent. "You will have a new classmate. He is from Thailand and he chooses to study here in our school," this statement surprised everyone. "He just needs to take some subjects here for him to graduate."
There were murmurs again. I looked at Ken and he was quiet as if he was not interested in who our new classmate would be. Why does it seem like there is sadness in his eyes?
Later, a beautiful woman caught the attention of everyone. Many wondered and there were murmurs again. Why did Sir 'He' come out as a woman? I don't know but his face is familiar, have I seen him before?
"Your new classmate is here, class." He turned to the beautiful woman or perhaps it is correct to say a beautiful man. "Introduce yourself to your new classmates," he ordered.
The beautiful man smiled at Sir, then turned to face us. He seemed too shy to speak but he smiled. "Hi," he began. He fixed some stray hairs and tucked them behind his ears. "Nice meeting you guys. Ahm...I'm Malia Sanchez, 17 years of age and I'm from Thailand. I'll be your new classmate and I'm hoping that all of you will be my friends even for a little while."
We were all surprised because he knew how to talk English fluently. I looked up at a man named Malia and wondered where I had seen him. His face is familiar
"Do you know him, Jan?" Mar looked at me up seeing my frown.
I thought again. "It's like I've seen him before, his face is familiar," I explained.
"He's from Thailand so how did you see him before?"
I shrugged. "Yes, but he's familiar or maybe he just looks like him." I snorted and faced the beautiful man who looked like a true woman.
"Did our school allow a gay to wear like that?" Mar asked in surprise.
I was even surprised because he was wearing a female school uniform and was wearing hills that seemed like she was going to ramps.
"I'm wondering too. Maybe because he came to Thailand and besides he just stayed here for almost two months so, the school allowed it," I commented.
Our new classmate sat next to Ken, quiet and just smiling at those who looked at him. Rumors about it persist. Especially to my classmates who are Malia's haters right away. As far as I'm concerned there is no case if he was allowed to be worn like that.
I turned back to that beautiful girl, she was also looking at me. He still smiled so I reciprocated that. I was even surprised when he winked so I quickly looked away.
Am I that type of beautiful girl? No, it's not possible because we didn't match each other. I just laughed at the thought.
–
"Hey."
I stopped and so did Mar when we heard that voice. The class just ended and we are now going to the cafeteria. My eyes searched for Ken but we saw Malia, our new classmate. Ken must have gone out first because I didn't see him after the class.
I was surprised and looked at Mar who was also surprised, he still shrugged his shoulders.
Malia smiled at us and gently approached me. I was even surprised when he suddenly hugged me. I was immediately startled and counted.
I was speechless. Since when were we so close that he can hug me?
"W-wait." I removed his arm from me and faced him."Are we close?” I asked gruffly.
If what I thought earlier was correct, oh my God!
Malia's happy face frowned as he just watched us wondering like me.
"Of course we are," he returned.
Just as he was about to approach me again, I stepped back and blocked it with my hands.
"Do you know me? Because I don't know you," I said frankly.
Malia's nose became more pointed and her shoulders sagged. "Eh?! Why are you so harsh to me, Jan?”
"Because I don't know you and you're acting like we are friends," I said, a little annoyed.
"We're not just friends, Jan. I'll tell you to Aunt Maddie, I'll say you're treating me like this," he seemed to be threatening me.
I was surprised to hear Mama's name from him. I turned to Mar and he did the same.
"How did you know my mother's name?" I asked in surprise.
"As I said, we're not just friends. You are my cousin and I'm your beautiful cousin," he explained and his eyes rolled.
Mar and I looked at each other in surprise.
"Wait, wait! As I remember I don't have any cousin named Malia," I clarified.
"Yeah I know but you have a cousin named Martin, right?"
I thought for a moment, racking my brain.
"Yes, it's me, your long-lost cousin, Martin but don't you dare to call me that name if you don't want me to pinch your groin," he said laughing. "Oh? You already know?”
As I heard what he said, my mouth opened and my lips smiled when I remembered who Martin was in my life. I checked him further and it was confirmed that he was my cousin. That's why his face was familiar to me when I saw him earlier.
"Martin, it's you!" When I hugged it, its palm met my face. I saw his frowning face.
"Prepare your groin, I'll pinch it," he threatened while raising his hands.
I laughed at what he said and Malia is infected too. We laughed and then I hugged her tightly.
"I miss you so much, Marti-Ouch!" His slap on my back made me jump. I laughed and so did he. We were still jumping while laughing like music to my ears. We were enveloped in excitement for each other.
Then we separated from the hug and looked at each other, then laughed again like crazy.
"I miss you so much, Jan. I've been wanting to visit you for a long time, that's why I want to meet you again," said Malia with an addictive laugh.
My eyes narrowed. "Proud? Look how beautiful you are right now," I complimented her.
"Aysus! You're more pompous, aren't you," he said meaningfully and turned to Mar who was right next to me, smiling.
"Huh? How proud you are," I said shyly.
“Gosh! Hey, who's that man beside you? Hmm!”
I hesitated to face Mar, he just smiled at me. I turned back to Malia. "What are you saying, he's just my friend," I said softly but based on his face, he wasn't convinced.
"'Truth?"
"Yes, what are you thinking, huh?" I said laughing.
"Okay," he agreed. He faced Mar. "Hi, I'm Malia, Jan's cousin," he introduced himself and held out his hand.
"Mar, Jan's boyfriend." I quickly pinched Mar, making him startle and laugh. "I mean, Boy best friend," he repeated.
I pretended to smile at Malia who was holding back her smile. Mar accepted Malia's hand.
"What are you coming with us to the cafeteria?" I asked.
"Of course. Let's go, let's go," he said enthusiastically.
–
The three of us rented a table in the middle of the cafeteria. Mar ordered our food.
"You didn't say you already have a boyfriend," Malia started again.
I frowned. "You're crazy! He's not my boyfriend," I refused.
"Just a best friend?" he said. "But he's cute and handsome, huh," he praised.
I smiled. "Of course," I said immediately, unable to hide my smile.
"Aysus, why are you excited about that?"
"Huh? Am I thrilled? No, ah.” I bent down so as not to see the sweet smile on my lips.
"Don't deny it, I might take him from you," he threatened.
"Can you do it?"
"You're challenging me, Jan."
"It's not like that but I can't do anything about it," I said seriously.
"Aysus! As a matter of fact, nowadays it's hard to find a loyal man, especially someone like us," said Malia sadly.
"True," I agreed.
"Looks like you missed each other, ah."
Malia and I both turned to Mar who was smiling while holding the tray containing the food. He shared it with us and sat next to me. I can see Malia's meaningful looks from the corner of my eyes.
"By the way, why didn't Jan recognize you right away?" Mar asked curiously while we were eating.
Malia smiled. "It's been 10 years since my family migrated to Thailand, so Jan and I haven't seen each other since then. We've been sisters since we were young. We know each other who and what we are. I'm not like this before so Jan didn't make me recognized," he explained, showing the joy of remembering our past.
Mar just nodded at Malia's story.
"Why didn't Mom and I know that you were going back to the Philippines?" I asked.
"We want you and Tita Maddie to surprise," he answered.
I smiled. "I'm surprised, Malia. You're a lot different now, that's why I didn't recognize you. I even thought that you might be attracted to me when you winked at me earlier," I laughed as I told the story.
"Yuck! It's disgusting, Sis!" He laughed jokingly.
Mar and I just laughed.
After we ate, Malia said goodbye to go to the restroom and Mar left us to wait for her.
"Why didn't you say I was your boyfriend?"
I could feel the sadness in his voice. I felt his hand and squeezed it slightly. "I'm sorry, Mar, maybe this isn't the right time yet. When I'm ready, I'll tell them too." I smiled at him to make him feel better.
Mar just smiled at me and held my hands tightly. We quickly let go of each other when Malia suddenly arrived.
"Damn!!"
I frowned when I saw Malia's annoyed face. He seemed like he was going to explode with so much annoyance.
"Hey, what happened to you?" I asked.
"There's someone arrogant in the restroom. He bumped me and he blamed me for what happened when it was his fault," he snapped angrily.
"Malia, chill," Mar said calmly.
"I wanted to, but he's annoying," he returned.
I smiled. "Don't stress yourself, Malia, your beauty will fade away," I joked.
He was suddenly worried. "Huh? Seriously, Jan?”
I laughed. "I'm just joking but seriously, you look ugly when you're pissed off."
"Jan!" Malia said like a child.
"Oh, come on, let's go in, we're going to be late," I warned.
Mar and I just laughed while Malia was annoyed by what happened.