The next morning at breakfast, my mood is at rock bottom. Seriously. Mom—Sorayah—is flying back to the US. She says she has business to take care of and will only be gone two days.
Okay, I know what you're thinking: "Hiyas, it's just two days. Stop being such a baby, you're 17."
But it's not my fault! I can't be apart from her. She's my whole world, so yes, I'm sad.
— Sweetheart, stop sulking, okay? We'll call each other every day, every night, don't worry, Mom says, placing her hand over mine.
— Mmmh…
— And you know what? I'll bring you back a little something.
— REALLY?! (Just like that, mood instantly switched.)
— Yes, she laughs.
Dad, on the other hand, cuts it short:
— Alright, Hiyas, hurry up, I'll drive you today.
After breakfast, he drops me off. Still sulking because I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye to Mom.
In class, I slump over my desk.
— What's wrong, Hiyas? You're way too quiet today, Jonas notes.
— Mmmh.
— Is it Jace? Tami asks suddenly, all alarmed. Is it because he didn't invite you to the party?
I bolt upright.
— WHAT party?
— What do you mean "what party"? The party to celebrate the basketball team's victory, Jonas explains. It was at Alex's place last night.
— Really?!
— Yeah, Tami adds. That's why we waited for you, so we could all go together. But since you left with Jace, we thought you two went there. And since we didn't see you… well… we thought, you know…
Jonas stares at me with a smirk.
— …that something happened.
— NO! NOTHING happened! He just dropped me off, then left.
Tss. Stupid Jace. He did it on purpose, just to keep me from going. That guy is irrational.
At that moment, Lucie Lawrence's crew starts chirping about Jace.
— Did you see him at the party last night?
— No, he wasn't there.
— Idiots, Lucie scoffs, don't you know Jace Ramos never goes to those parties?
Oh. So mister didn't want to go, and therefore decided I wouldn't either. Seriously, he makes zero sense. And I really wanted to go too…
Jonas: Hearing that, everything makes sense. It was our first time going, we couldn't have known…
Just then, the history teacher walks in—and with her, no more oxygen. Straight into lessons, homework, overload.
And honestly? I didn't listen to a single thing. My brain was busy thinking about Jace—his behavior, his words, his weirdness. He's just impossible to figure out.
Ugh, Hiyas, while you're wasting time thinking about him, your grades are sinking, and he's still at the top of the class.
After history, the principal shows up.
— Good morning, young people.
— Good morning, Mr. Moricio.
— Alright. As every year, we're organizing a school trip. The goal: to relax and discover our greatest treasure, which is…
— NATURE! the whole class shouts in unison.
— Exactly, he smiles. As usual, we'll mix the sections. The draw will be posted at noon.
The classroom erupts with screams. Me? I don't get it. Since when do teens like walking in nature instead of being glued to their smartphones?
Tami leans over:
— This is THE trip of the year, Hiyas. We play, we have fun, no homework.
Okay. Now I get it. Conclusion: it's AWESOME. Thank you Mr. Moricio, you're my new hero.
At lunch, I run into Jace. Charles calls out:
— Hiyas, you weren't at the party last night, we didn't see you.
— Of course not, someone stopped me from going, I say, purposely looking elsewhere.
Jace steps closer, whispers in my ear:
— You don't seriously think I'd let my girlfriend go to a party full of guys alone, do you, ant brain?
Wait. Pause.
Is he… is he actually… jealous?!
My heart explodes. Zero ability to answer.
Later, we see which section we'll be paired with. And guess what… Section A. Yep, Jace's class.
Oh right, I forgot to tell you: Felix, Alex, and Charles are in Jace's class too. Great. We can rename Section A: The Basketball Section. Lol.
And the destination: Tagaytay. Dream landscapes, perfect weather. I WANT to go!
Except…
— NO! Dad roars when I tell him.
Seriously?
— Dad, please…
— I said no.
— But everyone's going!
— Not Jace.
Of course. Him again.
— How do you even know?
— The principal called me. I asked Raphael. He told me Jace never goes.
And then, the fatal blow:
— If Jace doesn't go, who'll take care of you? You're fragile, Hiyas.
My illness. Always that. I'm so sick of it.
And then panic hits: did he tell Jace I'm sick?!
— Dad! Did you tell him?!
— What are you talking about?
Phew. No.
So I try one last card:
— If Jace went, would you let me go?
— …Maybe.
Mission accepted. I HAVE to go, and that guy is not stopping me.
The next day: no school. I tell Dad I'm going to the Ramos house. Ezekiel drives me (because duh, I always pick Ezekiel—he's too nice).
An employee opens the door.
— Hello, is Jace home?
— Yes, miss, he's in his room.
Perfect. No waiting. I head straight upstairs. Knock knock knock. No answer. Whatever. I go in.
— J-Jace? You there? JACE?!
And then... he appears. In shorts. Shirtless. Yes, SHIRTLESS.
Me? Frozen. Literally incapable of looking away. (Huhuhu, my hormones have betrayed me.)
— What do you want, ant brain? he says, like nothing's out of the ordinary.
— I-I…
…and I totally short-circuit. Huhuhu