Ice cream, You scream
The crowd of people rushing towards the main gate, their harmonized chattering of how it’s finally time to go home, and the back of his head. All three are common elements every after the school bell rings indicating that it’s dismissal for all students in the morning schedule.
The most important of those three was usually the back of his head. Habitually, I would watch him walk away with a crowd of people cooing at him. Today it had to be different, none of the other elements were interesting. I had to find a new common element to distract myself.
Should I focus on the conversations surrounding me? Follow the people tightly close together, camouflage into the crowd pretending that I do not care for his presence?
None of that sounded fascinating to me. It would’ve helped me more if my friends were with me but they had after school activities. Should I join an activity? That can be a new common element.
“Zy!”
Even his name stings.
“Hm, What’s up?” Maybe listening to other people’s conversations is interesting. It just depends on the person involved.
“Hindi ka mag pr-practice ngayon?” The guy asked, wrapping his arm around Mr. Sanvictores’ shoulder, who turned to face him. The side of his face was now visible; a pointed nose, a strong jawline, and his deep dimple.
“Nope,” He popped the p. That made me feel giddy. Shit, ang rupok ko. I really needed a distraction. I nervously scanned the crowd for anything that piqued my interest, I was already so close to the gate so anything would suffice.
“Ba’t naman bro?” This guy needs to stop asking questions at baka mabaliw ako dito.
“Wala sa mood, don’t worry I already asked for permission.”
“Is it because mali yung gina-”
His voice was ever so smooth. Enchanting as it was, I needed to solidify my giving up plan stat. So like an impatient car in traffic I overtook the crowd swerving until I reached my end goal: The gate.
Without looking back, I went out then ran to the overpass. When I was at the bridge I looked back to see him going up the stairs too. I forgot we were going in the same direction! To make it less obvious I was avoiding him I slowed down my pace.
“Nakakainis ka JC, I do not want to be reminded of that,” He seemed frustrated. I wanted to see what his annoyed expression looked like but I knew the consequences so I persevered and kept walking slowly to the point they overtook me.
“Dapat talaga walang ebas mga nag confess publicly eh,” The guy named JC, playfully jabbed at Sanvictores’ sides earning an annoyed laugh from him.
“Kung tama lang…” His friend turned his head around. Nang nakita niya ako his eyes sparkled with mischief. He whispered something to Zy who slightly stiffened.
My brows furrowed even more when he gripped JC’s shoulders then quickened his steps dragging his friend along. I stood there dumbfounded as they went inside a bus that immediately took off.
What just happened?
I tried to connect their conversations together and registered that they were talking about the failed confession. His friend, JC, probably knew I was one of Aizhy’s friends then he informed Mr. Sanvictores that I was behind.
That was the only possible explanation to his actions. Unless, there was another one? I shook that thought of my head.
“That’s impossible,” I whispered to myself as I walked down the stairs in a slump.
Naghintay ako ng bus, napagtanto ko that the bus they rode was usually my lift. That meant I was going to wait for a while till the next bus came. Since I had nothing better to do I pulled out my phone to check our section’s group chat that merely consists of memes and gossip.
HUMANISTA NUMBA ONE
You + 19 others
Pres AJ:
May nasagap akong chika
Emi:
MEYRON DIN AKONG NASAGAP
COINCIDENCE???
I THINK NAWT!
There are only two occasions that makes this GC active: First is about school activities, specifically essay related ones. The word count really racks a HUMSS student’s brain since it's always a minimum of one thousand words. Second and the most important one—chismis.
As our teacher said, “HUMSS kayo, dapat makakapal ang mga mukha niyo. Lahat sagapin niyo lalo na sa mga future journalist diyan! Future psychologists observe behaviors, Future lawyers need to learn about evidence and so on and so forth. Gets niyo ba mga anak?”
We really did understand that Mrs. Abulencia.
York:
Ang oa amp
P.O. Queenie:
Sabi din ng oa
York:
P.O. pero nangaaway?
Replace niyo nga yan
P.O. Queenie:
Pasapak nga York kaya wala kang jowa
York:
Aroace ako bobo
P.O. Queenie:
Ahy oo nga pala
Sabihin niyo na ang chismis
Nahiya ako bigla
Pres AJ:
Ako muna Emi awa
Emi:
OKIEEE
Pres AJ:
My heart clenched as I remembered what happened earlier at lunch time. Her pretty hands clinging to his neck. His hands rested comfortably on her slender waist. Para bang nanood ako ng telenovela na mataas ang ratings because the two leads have a great chemistry. That thought makes me want to scream.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before checking the messages again.
Leo:
Really?
Cali:
That’s embarrassing for her deadass
Candy:
HAHAHAHHAHA SABI Q NA NGA BA
Seth:
@Mayi kambal mo nagkakalat
Mayi:
Di ko yan kilala
VP Sia:
AHKJHDJKSHFJKSHJK
TANGINA
KTA NMIN YAN KNINA NILA MEL AT AI SA GATE
KRAZY
Muse Ai:
@Treasurer Mel wag ka mag seen
Exit ka app ASAPPPP
Sorry Aizhy, I’m going to ignore your request.
Escort Gen:
There goes my chance with her
VP Sia:
HAHAHAHHA GASHUNGGG
LA TLGA ERP RAIGEN TALOOO
Escort Gen:
Emi:
OMG I DONT THINK THIS IS A COINCIDENCE
RELATED CHIKA KOOOO
medj…
Pres AJ:
Legit?
Cole:
Grabeng bungad toh ha
Quatro:
@Treasurer Mel ako na lang kasi
Ignore mo na si STEM hottie
I can be your HUMSS hottie 🫵😏
Leo:
Don’t listen to him Mel
He’s having one of his ‘Bored ako’ mood
Quatro:
Mag focus ka nga sa vb
Baka ma facial hit ka diyan
I giggled out loud. Some students stared at me with curiosity before minding their own business. It’s an inside joke that Quatro has a crush on me when in reality he probably doesn’t. Everyone doubts him as he does the most outrageous things when he’s bored.
It ranges from having a fake crush on me to learning the meaning of every flower in existence. Those are just surface level though, one time he bought a car. He doesn't have a driver’s license.
Emi:
HPY
*HOY
MAY CHIKA NGA AKO DIBA
Audi Jules:
Backread lang ako
Sec Lou:
Sameee
Go ahead ate @Emi
Halo bumped Sec Lou’s message
Emi:
SANDALE DI PA NAG S-SEEN YUNG IBA
KAILANGAN GRAND
@Kirby @Kev KAYO NA LANG KULANGG
Seen by Kirby, Kev, and 17 others
Emi:
AYAN
OKAY SO
KILALA NIYO BA SI MATT???
Seth:
Jersey 3?
Emi:
OO TANGINA
NASAGAP KO LANG TOH HA
PERO NILILIGAWAN NIYA DAW SI KIRBY
KAYA PINAPASEEN KO EH
Not only was I shocked by that message, the loud beep of the bus doubled it. Matteo Syjueco, jersey number 03, known as triple O in his circle, and bestfriends with the STEM hottie is courting our classmate Kirby?
If I were to describe Matteo other than being part of Zy’s circle is that he’s the classic rough on the outside, soft on the inside character you always have in a romance novel. You know the reader’s favorite?
Let’s just say if that friend group’s life was a book series he would be the sweetest and kindest to his love interest amongst all the male leads, not to say that the others would be bad lovers! They would just cause a lot of trouble.
So this shouldn’t be that shocking, courtmanship is not rare lalo na kung si Matt ‘yan. He’s the type to follow traditions. Baka nga mag harana pa siya eh. The shocking part about this is Kirby is a guy. Instead of having a female lead, we have another male lead. A twist I had not predicted.
I’m not one to assume an individual’s sexuality however his whole friend group reeked of testosterones a.k.a. straight vibes. I know it's a harmful stereotype to associate a group of athletes with straight guys playing the long game of gay chicken but it fits.
I stepped into the bus. My face is still glued to my screen—on that message. Pero nililigawan niya daw si Kirby. I wanted confirmation especially when I saw Kirby’s text bubble appearing and disappearing.
I wanted to bite my nails off my fingers as I sat at a window seat. The anticipation was gnawing my brain. Additionally, the interaction earlier was tormenting my thoughts. Not a good combination.
Finally, he sent a message. I held my breath habang binabasa ang kanyang message. My eyes widened in disbelief.
“No way,” I almost squealed. Thankfully it was just in my head.
Kirby:
Surprisingly, yes he is courting me
Wag niyong sabihin toh pero I have a
major mega super duper ultra crush on him
SO I'M SHOCKED???
I bit back a smile, it was like I’m reading an upcoming happy ending to a romance book. Kirby out of everyone deserves to have an amazing romance after his ex boyfriend was such an asshole. I quickly typed a reply.
Treasurer Mel:
Congrats!!
You deserve that so much °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
I
turned off my phone. Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana, the view was blurred by how fast the bus was. Buti na lang talaga hindi rush hour today or I would’ve have been standing.
Suddenly a memory flashed by my thoughts. Me clinging on to the handrail like my life depended on it and him who was beside me, unmoving. Oh no, my brain is occupied with him again. Does everything remind me of that golden boy or what? Really? A bus?
I decided to sleep it off since it was a 30-40 minute bus ride. Plenty of time to take a nap. It’s also to forget everything for a while.
“...Isidro! San Isidro!” The repeating shouts of the conductor woke me up. This was my stop. I hopped off the bus and was welcomed by the 7-eleven near the subdivision I lived in. Compared to other 7-elevens in this city, it was quite small.
Kaya imagine my shock when I noticed Apollo Zyle Sanvictores was inside that damned convenient store. He was not alone as per usual, JC was hogging his personal space.
Oh my gosh. He's also from the upper? I mean I knew that. We rode the same bus once but this side of the upper? How come I’ve never seen him around if that’s the case?
So many questions were occupying my mind. He was invading my thoughts. Again.
It took all the control I had in my body to walk away from that convenient store. The subdivision’s entrance was now at my sight so I joyfully greeted the guard who quickly opened the gate.
Fuck gates.
As soon as I arrived in front of our house, I was met by another gate. Everything does remind me of him. This is actually getting insane. I opened it forcefully, taking my anger on the poor hunk of metal. Dabog ko ‘tong sinara na sana hindi narinig yun ni Mom.
I entered our two-story house which you would think would be spacious. In reality it wasn’t, it was a pretty cramped space nonetheless I was happy with this house even with its bright green walls.
My Mom was focused on her laptop resting on our dinner table. Her long light brown hair was clamped together by a flower clip. She was balancing a pencil between her lips, her eyes squinting at the design in front of her.
This meant she could not be disturbed even with a simple hello. It would break her flow. That’s when I decided to go upstairs to my room, lay my bag down, and grab a towel from one of the racks. A cold shower will definitely fix my mind.
Spoiler alert: It didn’t.
Another solution—study till my brain fries on its own. I grabbed the stack of modules from my bag and laid it on my study table. I did not have any prior assignments or projects. I just needed a diversion of some sort. Somehow, the upcoming final exams was good enough.
“Melvyn, can you buy some ice cream for Mommy?” I flinched at Mom’s voice. I glanced at the time, it was already 5 pm. Hindi ko namalayan ang oras, ganoon ako katagal nag-aaral?
“I’m craving~” My Mom groaned. It did look like she needed a snack.
“Okay po mom, I’ll do it in a bit. I just need to finish this chapter,” It was the last chapter so it wouldn’t hurt for her to be a little patient.
“Are you reading romance books again? I thought you just finished better than the movies? Did you buy a new book without telling me?” She was rapidly firing all these questions, it felt overwhelming.
“No po mom, I’m studying this time.”
“Oh… you always study, how about you also buy yourself ice cream and take a break,” She suggested with a wide smile. Her face then brightened, hinting that she had another idea.
“Omg, pandesal would be nice too. Do you reckon Aling Babes have some in stock?” Her British accent was evident, making me smile. My mom—Salvia is fully British. She worked here when she was in her 20’s. Doon niya nakilala ang aking Dad.
Their story was full of romance with a side of comedy. They were always my inspiration in that genre since they fit a lot of tropes. Their life was surely written by a woman who was a hopeless romantic. I mean a quirky graphic designer x well-known romance author? Wattpad worthy.
“Maybe?” I replied. “I’ll check po.”
I guess the last chapter can wait until later. Ice cream does sound tempting, “What flavour do you want po Mom?”
“The classic cookies and cream.”
“You know the ones with the cone and chocolate in the end?” She did several hand gestures before giving up as soon as she saw my facial expression. Mom, madaming ice cream na may chocolate sa dulo ng cone. I didn’t utter those words, alam kong se-sermonan ako ni Mom if ever.
“Oh and they have those weird pick up lines!”
I felt a light bulb appear above my head.
“Cornetto?” I snapped my fingers, happy that I got it right. My mother pointed at me with a goofy smile.
“Yes that one! Can you do your mommy a favor and get the cheesiest line?” She walked out my room. I followed her with a tiny skip.
“Sure po, do you want a drink mom?”
We were now walking down the stairs. Portraits were lining the walls, it was just mostly me edited in different eras. To reiterate, my Mom is a graphic designer and doing this made her happy.
“Just any soda, though I’m kind of craving something orangey.”
“Royal?” I asked as I took some money from the Jar on the kitchen counter.
“Perfect,” She whispered it like a forbidden oath.
“You’re such a great thinker. Now, put that thinking to rest and buy,” She cupped cheeks peppering me with kisses before pushing me towards the door. “Quick, quick! The pandesals might be a goner when you go to Aling Babes!”
“Wait, what about Dad?”
“He can go eat a rock,” I heard her say pshh. I guess they had a little quarrel.
“Rocky road?”
“Sure!” She kept pushing me towards the door until we heard a low laugh from the stairs.
“Narinig ko yun, honey,” He smoothly slid himself beside Mom who puffed her cheeks. Definitely a quarrel. He noticed Mom’s cheeks and smiled. He took a quick peck on her cheeks which shocked her.
“Armel,” She didn’t even call dad honey. Lagot. A bad sign.
“Dad, rocky road?”
“Mhm, make sure it has extra marshmallows,” Dad was sticking to mom like glue. It was a funny and lovely sight.
“Okay po, uh… soda?”
“Sprite, anak.”
“Noted po,” I smiled. Finally going out to see the forsaken gate. With resentment, dinabog ko ulit. This time wala akong pake kung narinig ‘yun nila Mom.
Come to think of it, distraction din ito. Walking with almost fresh air of Antipolo city, our subdivision is lined with colorful houses. Some pastel, some nearing the neon spectrum. Even if the sun is getting ready for its well deserved rest. It was still bright and the sky was the perfect shade of orangey-blue.
I slowed down my pace. I did not need to rush so much as Aling Babes’ Sari-Sari store is just around the corner. I opened the store’s door as it was one of those advanced sari-sari stores where you can enter. Yes, it even has a cashier. Mind blowing I know.
Mukha nga itong convenience store eh. Aling Babes—the owner of the said sari-sari store was sitting behind the counter on her phone. May airconditioning pa, honestly it was weird to say it was a sari-sari store but the placard says “The Babe’s Sari-Sari Store.”
There were quite a few people buying food treating this as their grocery store. I bee-lined towards the ice cream section, carefully picking the cornetto cone and reading the lid.
Traffic ka ba? I glanced at the answer below. Di kasi ako makagalaw pag nandiyan ka.
Involuntarily, I snorted. It wasn’t kilig-worthy but it sure was comedic. Okay my humour might not be the best out there still pick-up lines are funny. The reason? It’s somehow romantic but it falls flat. Whoever blushes at a pick-up line can be deemed as easy to get.
I picked up another—Araw ka ba? Ang liwanag ng mundo ko pag nandiyan ka eh!
And another.
Sana Science class na.. Para you’re in lab with me.
Oh wow, I’ve been picking up cheesy lines related to him. That’s so low of me and I was making fun of people falling for pick-up lines. Focus self! You’re here to find the cheesiest line for your Mom, not your supposed past crush.
Desperately I took another cornetto, this time I knew it would be a coincidence if it was related—Sembreak ka ba? Ang tagal kitang hinihintay ha!
Fuck off!
I knew I pride myself for not cursing much yet fate has something against me. Yes, Mr. Sanvictores might’ve been my crush since junior high doesn’t mean stupid threads of fate can tie me up in a knot!
I made one more attempt when I heard Aling Babes’ old high-pitched voice.
“Pollo, aba napadayo ka?”
Pollo? That’s a weird name, it's very similar to polo-shirt. I silently cackled at that thought. Oh, I’m aware that I’m so out of it.
“Yes po Tita, my fave icecream is not available at seven-eleven. Kakagaling ko lang doon,” That’s a familiar voice. ‘Di ko iyon pinansin, let me just pick up this one.
Basketball player ka ba?
Oh.
Wanna go to the ball with me?
I giggled, this is a great invitation if your loved one was part of a basketball team.
“So ano ako second option?” They both laugh, their conversation after felt like a blur when I realized that was Zy, his laugh is distinct—like wedding bells chiming in a beautiful, thought out melody.
Wait a minute…Ano ba ‘tong naiisip ko? Nevermind, I need to keep looking at pick-up lines for my mom.
I took one, brushing off the ice covering the pick up line whilst I felt a towering presence on my side.
“Commute ka ba? Kasi dati cute ka lang, ngayon commute ka lalo.”
I knew who the owner of that voice was. It was Zy reading the pick-up line on the cornetto I was holding out loud. I felt his arm lightly brush against mine, his eyes were supposed to be at the cornetto I’m
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