CHAPTER 2

Opposite to what I expected, the sun did not shine brightly. Rain is heavily pouring and it’s making every students wet. Just like what I am right now but it’s okay. I don’t easily get sick.

We are in the hallway going to the faculty room and I’ve got my three friends with me. They did not like the idea of me dragging them somewhere.

Why? This.

“Where are we going, Jezcyl? We’re sitting like a queen in our room and you dragged us on nowhere.” Ali grunted.

“I just want you to come with me in the Dean’s Office.” I answered while still pulling her arm to come.

“What are we going to do there? Did you do some shits? You escaped? Made a vandal? Or maybe, scandal?” I literally hit Wen’s head.

How can she think of a scandal when I always look like a very decent woman?

“None of them, okay? List—

“Jezcyl, would not make any scandal. She doesn’t even have a boyfriend.” I gawked at Vina who’s obviously annoying me again because I’m not getting a boyfriend. See? Scandal for her is different. I’m sure she’s thinking some rated-R whatsoever.

“Shut up. I’m going to tell you a very, very great news. But I don’t think you want to hear it, so I guess…” I was about to turn my back at them but Ali grabbed my arm.

“Tell us!”

“If that’s not really good, I’m going to kick your ass.” Wen

As always, they’re curious of everything. “Then come on, I have to get an application form.” I said while smiling at them. I thought they’re going to get what I was saying but their faces are like, ‘what?’

They are curious and yet they can’t get what exactly I say. 

“Damn it. I don’t know why I have slow friends. So here it is my friends, I’m going to get an application form for the exchange students. I will apply, I’ll be going there! In Vancouver!”

I waited for their reaction.

“What?!” Vina in her loud voice. Some of the students looked at us but we did not mind them. We can always be this noisy because no one give a shit and there’s none doing their classes right now. 

“This is a prank, right?” Wen

I unbelievably looked at them. My shoulder fell and I heaved a sigh. These girls are really annoying. I want to punch their faces. Tsk! How can she think I’m pranking them? Do I look like a prankster? 

“Get your head on, Jezcyl. We moved on, you must do it too.” Ali said disregarding what I told them

I rolled my eyes again, “I’m telling you a fact, girls. My Aunt will help me, I’ll be staying at their place and she will even give me allowance. That was the reason why I run away yesterday. I just realized that I could get help from our relatives in Canada but she called us and mom mentioned it to her and it goes there.”

They were very silent and their eyes are at me. Argh! These people have no chance at all. 

“Fine. I wouldn’t force you to believe me, go back to our room and when I came back, I’m going to show you the form.” I walked away but then suddenly, the three of them grabbed me, again.

I was about to look at them lazily but then a slap woke me up, hard. 

What the heck! Did my friend just slapped me?!

I thought they’ll be guilty for slapping me but I did not even saw a bit of regret on their faces especially Ali who exactly hit my precious face. Instead, she’s jumping and happy.

“Really?! For real?!” Ali

“You’re not kidding?!” Wen

“Finally, you can get Ali a boyfriend… and you too.” Vina as usual

“Come on! Don’t keep on standing there!” I was stunned when I saw them walking past by me. Now they’re even more excited than me.

They’re talking to me like they did not do something. 

“I will let this slide but the next time you slap my face, I swear slapping you back won’t be enough.”

They giggled and hanged their arms on my shoulder. “Sorry, not sorry.”

They laughed and we walked to the Dean’s office. We’re in front of the closed door. I faced them afterwards. 

“Can I do this?” I asked them feeling nervous

“Do you want to be slapped again?” Ali asked 

“Don’t be so overreacting, girl. You’re just going to get an application form, you’re not leaving for abroad yet.” Wen stated while she rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m willing to slap you too if you keep on acting up.” Vina added

I pouted and turned my back from them. I sighed and grasp the door handle. I slowly opened the door. 

“Good morning, Dean.” I greeted him before finally entering his office. He has papers on his table and on his hands. I think he’s very busy right now.

“Yes? What can I do for you?” he stopped from what he’s doing and gave me his full attention.

“I just want to ask about the application form for exchange students in Vancouver, Canada. I’ll be applying, Sir and I am hoping that there is still a slot for me.” I did not talk after that. I just waited for his answer.

He stared at me for a while, “you sure?” he asked and I nodded at him.

He moved his hand to get another papers. My hand was ready to get the form but he looked at me again, “Are your expenses ready? I expect that you knew about the terms and conditions. Either way, they are written in that form. Please read carefully and pass it to me tomorrow morning.” He gave me the papers and I was so much happy about it. 

It’s on my hands now!

“Thank you, Dean. If I’m chosen, I’ll be doing my best. Goodbye, Sir.” I paved my respect and went out.

My friends were outside waiting for me. When I went out, they came right away to me. They took the papers from me and looked at it. 

Ali exclaimed. s“Oh my god! Jezcyl! This is really a real one!”

“I can’t believe this. You’re really going there!” Wen

“Can I come with you?! Oh my! I’m really jealous!” Vina groaned while looking at the papers.

They are excited as I am too. I hope someday I can go there with them. It’ll surely be priceless. 

“Don’t be. When I got some friends there, I will surely introduce you so I’m telling you by now to break up with your boyfriends.” I jokingly said to them. Wen and Vina glared at me. I see, they love their boyfriends so much.

“I’m just kidding. I know you love your boyfriends!” I went near to Ali and slightly hugged her, “I’ll be getting this girl, one.” And I winked at her

Ali’s eyes widened, “Really?”

My smile faded, “Just kidding again. I think you can’t survive long distance relationship.”

She pouted, “How are you so sure about that?” I just shrugged my shoulders.

The news of me applying for study abroad went crazy on our class. They kept on talking about it and they wished me good luck. Right now, we are with our seniors, the second years. They are in our classroom again because their room is being used for another class. Though they are only on their second years, we treat them as our seniors because they are older than us.

I am sitting with my friends and we all have different doings. Our attention is on our phone while some of our classmates are noisy, they are laughing and all. I decided to open my Facebook account again and I saw three messages coming from him again. 

My eyes secretly went to search him in the class and I saw him in a corner talking with his friends while on his phone. The last message from him was a ‘Congrats!’ maybe he’s congratulating me for getting this rare opportunity. I don’t want to look like a snob that’s why I decided to reply him.

*Thanks.

Later, my phone beeped and I saw his message again.

*Thanks for replying.

I turned to look at him but he was talking to his friends. I did not replied him again. My friends turned to me, they noticed that I was moving too much. They looked at me with their curious eyes.

"Stop staring at me like that."

"You look... odd." Vina

I sighed, "I'm not. I'm just thinking about something."

The three of them grinned, "Something or Someone?" Wen teased me

"Someone? Why would I think of someone? You're crazy, girl." This is why sometimes I hate having no boyfriend. They always tease me with whoever they think I’m having connection with.

They started to tease me and tickle me. I was laughing because I can't help it.

"Yieee! Guys! Jezcyl is crushing on someone! Let's celebrate!" Wen shouted and got the attention of the whole class.

Fuck

I was covering my face with my hands with the embarrassment.

"Stop it, Wen!" I groaned but I was the one who stopped talking when my classmates teased me again. They yelped.

"So, who's the lucky guy?" Asked one of my classmates.

I removed my hands on my face and faced my classmates though I can feel the redness of my face because I am really embarrassed. 

"Don't believe Wen. She's giving you a false statement." I defended myself

Unknowingly, my eyes landed on him and I immediately turned my eyes away when I saw him looking at me.

Argghh. Damn it.

After an exhausting day, I came home and showed my parents the application form. I was filling it up when mom rushed to me and handed her phone. She mouthed me that Aunt Nelen is calling us. My lips parted and instantly get the phone from her.

“A-aunt Nelen.” I started. I am nervous.

[“Hey, Jezcyl. I heard the news from your mother. Did you applied?”]

“Yes, Aunt. Thank you. I’m so grateful, Aunt. This is a big thing for me, thank you for helping me.” I am nearly crying. I am so emotional talking about this thing.

[“No worries, sweety. I’ve got you. Don’t worry, apply there, do your best, and I’ll be taking care of the rest.”]

We talked so much and I was so very happy. I also talked to my cousin and they were also excited after hearing the news. I have two cousins in Canada and they are both boys. One is on my age and one is younger than me. They are happy knowing that I would be staying there. They’re living there for long and haven’t come back here in the Philippines for years.

I’m excited to see them as well.