"the fight"

FOUR

"Ann, phone call for you." mom called me from downstairs. who could it be? Fretzie told me she wouldn't call coz she had a date with Bret. maybe James? yeah, i think he wants to talk about my trip with Fretzie at the mall. or, could it possibly...be Ivan??? no way! impossible! a very handsome guy like him wouldn't waste time on a good-for-nothing, unpopular girl like me. aarrgghhh!!! there goes my insecurities talking again. sometimes i really dislike myself.

"Hello? this is Ann, who's this?" let it be Ivan, please...

"Who else, punk? it's your greatest friend, James. haha...were you expecting someone else's call?"

"Oh, hi James. whaaat?! of course not...i just thought uhm..i mean, nothing."

"Are you okay? you sound miserable. anyway, how was the shopping spree?" i sighed.

"Yeah, i am fine. shopping spree? oh, you mean, Fretzie...well, okay i guess. is there something particular you had in mind for calling? i'm...kind of busy..." i regretted what i said. James was being polite and nice. and i was being rude. he really deserves a better friend than me...

"Wow, too hot stuff for me now, aren't you? i wonder why..." i was getting annoyed at his anecdotes.

"There you go again James, you're being sarcastic! i told you i don't like you that way." James sounded surprised at my outburst.

"Wow, you are touchy tonight. and i'm not being sarcastic...you are...here i am, asking how you were and all, and all you want to do is slam the phone down." i denied at this, but somehow, he guessed the truth.

"I'm not doing anything of the sort. besides, like i said, i'm busy right now! do you think i got all the time in the world for you? i don't! i have other stuff to do too, you know!" the last words i uttered shouldn't have happened...i felt guilty now. James was right, i was at fault...i tried to apologize then,

"James, i'm...hello? are you there?" James was silent for a while. then he cut me off by saying,

"All right, i'll go and bother someone else who has all the time for me, sorry i called."

"James, wait!" but to no avail. all i heard was a dial tone. man oh man, i am so stupid at times! but he had to hang up on me all of a sudden. he didn't even give me a chance to explain why i was moody. that night, i had trouble sleeping. it was almost midnight but i was still wide awake. i felt super guilty for the things i said to James. tomorrow, i must talk to him. and i have the perfect solution! i'm gonna approach James during lunch and and explain. yeah, that's it! i'll ask Fretzie and Bret to sit at another table so i can talk to James alone. besides, i don't want them to see me and James having a tiff. i know they aren't used to it. i, myself, aren't. James is my best friend, and to keep that friendship alive, i should apologize to him tomorrow.

"Tomorrow..." i said to myself as i finally welcomed dream world. the next day, i saw James during first period. he didn't talk to me, didn't even give me his usual smile. he just walked past me as if i wasn't there, like i was a ghost or something. i felt bad, but what can i do? i deserved it. finally, our last period of morning classes came. it was almost lunch and i should prepare my speech. i was writing random notes in my binder when Fretzie passed a note for me and it said,

"What's up with you and James? you haven't talked all morning. fighting?" i passed a note back to her immediately,

"Had a misunderstanding, need your help." after Fretzie read my note, she gave me a nod and a hopeful smile.

"Rinnnggg!" sounded the lunch bell. Fretzie walked beside me and asked,

"What was the fight about?" i replied,

"I'll explain later. right now, i have to meet James at our table in the canteen. can you and Bret sit at another table so i can have James to myself? Fretzie squeezed my shoulders for encouragement.

"Of course, and good luck..talk to you later. don't worry, it will be fine."

"Thanks." i mumbled and hurried to our usual seats. at the canteen, i waited for James and i pretended to be reading my Math book. i waited and i waited, and finally, James came. But when he saw me, he froze and went back. i followed him and when we got outside, i called,

"James, wait! please listen to me!" i yelled. but he didn't turn in my direction. he didn't listen at all. he just kept on walking as he went to his next class.

"Riinngggg!" bummer! now what will i do? i felt terrible. and somehow, there's this funny, gut wrenching feeling deep inside that i'm experiencing right now. the next period came , and it was Literature. i wasn't feeling so great so i excused myself from class. my Lit. teacher likes me, so she told me i could go and rest at the library. i thanked her and went to the girl's bathroom. then, hating myself more, i cried. and my gosh, i cried a lot. i was miserable, and sorry, but James didn't even give me a chance to explain. what kind of a friend is he anyway? all these years i didn't expect us to fight over something so petty. just then, Fretzie came inside and found me.

"Ann, what happened? i though you both made up by now." i hugged her in between sobs,

"Oh, Fretz...he didn't even try to listen...i wanted to apologize but he just ignored me. you see, he called last night and i was expecting Ivan's call, and our conversation got a little heated and we said hurtful words to each other...or maybe i did...and now, he won't talk to me." Fretzie patted my back.

"Ann, it's gonna be okay. you and James will surpass this. give him time to cool down. for now, let's go to our last class or else we'll be late." so we went to Algebra, and Fretzie placed her arm around me and i saw James staring at our direction. oh crap, i guess by now he knows i was crying. it was too obvious, my eyes were still a bit puffy and red. will James ever forgive me for being rude and tactless? i thought to myself as i took my seat.

"close encounters of the third kind"

THREE

"Where's Bret?" Fretzie asked James as he came out from the locker room.

"Still inside, changing. he'll be out in a minute now."

"How is he?" what the heck is wrong with me, was i being nosy? i couldn't help it though. i was curious. Bret sometimes takes basketball way too seriously.

"He's fine. just a little guilty, i guess. he felt sorry for the whole team coz he missed his last shot." Fretzie frowned at this comment.

"It wasn't Bret's fault that you guys lost. besides, your teammates also came up with a lot of turnovers." James and i agreed in silence. a few minutes later, Bret finally arrived.

"Ready, baby?" Fretzie asked while Bret nodded,

"Yeah, let's go."

The four of us walked home. we didn't feel like talking. James walked beside me and Bret was with Fretzie doing his 'i'm-not-in-the-mood-to-talk syndrome'. i could tell that Fretzie was getting upset too. she hates it when Bret is like that. i remembered their first fight. it was also, after a game, a championship game to be exact, wherein they were defeated. Fretzie told Bret to get over it coz it wasn't the end of the world. but Bret couldn't accept their loss at the time and lashed out at Fretzie. it took about two weeks for Bret to finally realize his mistake and apologize to Fretzie. hey, are we all mute or something? i had to lighten up the atmosphere. so i spoke up first.

"Guys, let's go for a pizza. i'm starved!!! come on, my treat!" James placed his arm around me and said,

"Thanks Ann, i'd love that. i'm hungry too! in fact, my tummy is growling like a lion!" i laughed at his retort. James is the best, he always has a good sense of humor. all of us then proceeded to Shakey's. Bret's mood was getting better, and Fretzie was smiling now. Thank goodness!

The next day...

"Riiinnnngggg!!!" sounded the bell. at last, classes are over for the day! just then, i saw Fretzie coming down the stairs,

"Ann, you coming?"

"Where?" i wonder what she's up to now.

"I've got to go to the mall to buy a present for my mom. since the guys are practicing, you're my only hope."

"Sure Fretz, a trip to the mall sounds like fun. let's go to Forever 21." we were strolling around after getting the gift for Fretzie's mom when i saw a familiar figure walking towards our way---a guy---Ivan!!! Fretzie saw him in that same instant.

"Ann, look! it's the boy of your dreams! and my gosh, he's coming this way!" oh man! Ivan was fast approaching, i felt so nervous and i didn't know why i was feeling like this. here he comes, heaven help me!

"Hi Ann Li, remember me?" how could i forget? you were the clumsy idiot who poured oily popcorn on my favorite jeans...while i was trying not to say my thoughts out loud, Fretzie answered for me.

"Oh, of course she still does! you made quite an impression that day. by the way, we haven't met, my name is Fretzie, i'm the best friend. you're Ivan, right?" Ivan shook Fretzie's hand,

"Yeah, i am. nice to meet you Fretzie. i was wondering if your best friend here has time for a lonesome, friendly guy like me." Ivan was talking to Fretzie and yet his gaze was on me the whole time. i had to finally say something,

"Well, this best friend can talk and she says she's kind of busy right now." Ivan grinned at my reply. it didn't seem to faze him.

"Hey listen Ann, I uh...um never mind. maybe i'll just call you." Ivan said sheepishly as he went away in a hurry. what was wrong with him? i wondered. what was he gonna say? will he really call me? does he have my phone number? gosh! why am i obsessing about it? excited? heck no! i don't like the guy, so why should i be? but how come i feel this tingling sensation inside?

"Ann, for the third time! Can we go home now?" Fretzie pretended to be annoyed at my being deaf. then she snickered.

"Huh? oh, sure. let's go then!" i calmly replied. so off home we went.

"and then they were three"

TWO

"Ann, over here!" i heard Fretzie calling my name. she was seated at the right side of the gym, together with the Wildcats' fans. i sat beside her and asked,

"Am i that late? who's leading?"

"The game started a few minutes ago. we are leading by three. thanks to James' three points, that is."

"What? James scored a 3-pointer? man, i missed it!" we were both quiet now, concentrating on the game, hoping that our team would win. i was looking around for James when a guy walked in front of us. he was carrying a bowl of popcorn when someone else suddenly walked past him and made him spill his popcorn on me.

"Hey, watch where you're going, cyclops!" he bellowed to the guy who was no longer around. then he gazed at me,

"I'm so sorry, miss...um..."

"It's Ann. and it's okay.. really." but deep inside, i thought he was kind of clumsy. he surprised me by extending his hand,

"Hi Ann, my name is Ivan. Nice to meet you." what a careless, impulsive guy! i mean, who would wanna get to know him in a time like this? but i nodded anyway,

"I'm Ann Li...i think i already said it." he smiled as he turned away,

"Nice knowing you...see you around Ann Li." then i noticed something as he waved good bye.

"Fretzie, his watch!!! he had a gold watch!" too intent on the game, Fretzie didn't catch on right away.

"What's the big deal about his watch Ann?"

"Don't you get it? it was the same watch the guy in my dream was wearing." Fretzie paid attention to me then,

"You mean, he was the guy in your dream? Wow! he's gorgeous!"

"I think they both have same watches, okay? but he wasn't the guy in my dream. i mean, it's impossible. i didn't even know him until now. so how could i dream about someone i didn't know?" Fretzie, being the romantic that she is, encouraged the idea.

"Oh, come on Ann, i think that 'Ivan' guy was the mystery guy who wore a gold watch in your dream. and maybe, you didn't see his face in it coz you didn't meet him yet."

"What are you saying, then? that it's destiny?" Fretzie didn't answer. but i could tell from the smile on her face that she was thinking that. but duh, who could answer that stupid question anyway? it doesn't make sense...well, coz we were so talkative, we didn't notice that the game was already in second half. this time though, the Wolves are leading by 10 points. i was shocked. what happened? it was such a big lead! now i really concentrated on the game. i never took my gaze off the court. i saw Bret, attempting for a 3-point shot, and he scored! Fretzie shouted as she clapped her hands. with the way she shouted, i was certain she'd make it in the cheerleading squad if she auditioned for it. the score was now 60, 53. then, James blocked his opponent and his teammate got the rebound. he passed it back to James, and James attempted for two points, and made it! i really jumped and yelled,

"Go, James, go!" after some time, the lead was finally down to three. but there were only ten seconds left. and to make matters worse, the Wildcats were in penalty. Bret got the ball, but he was heavily guarded, he dribbled and shoots for three, but dang it! he missed!

"Oh no!" shouted Fretzie and the rest of the Wildcats fans. two, one, buzzer! the final score was 69, 66. Fretzie sighed sadly,

"I can't believe the Wolves won, Ann. Bret and James must be really upset...i know i am."

"Me too...come on, let's wait for the guys outside." i replied to her as we got out of the gym, feeling so tired and down.

"foursome"

ONE

If you've ever said that life in high school is full of fun, i'll put that thought to rest right now. in fact, high school life is tiring. there's this rule in my school that one should never be late for class or else you'll suffer the consequences like cleaning classrooms, etc. i mean, gosh, what are the janitors for? then, you have tons of homework to be done. everyday, you have to study coz you'll have lots of exams. and talk about the never ending projects and seat works! whew!

well, come to think of it, there are fun times. it's just that it seldom happens, like, on the second month of the semester, we'll have the Acquaintance party. i really think this party is useless coz in our school, we all know each other and therefore, we don't need to be acquainted. besides, the population in my high school is less than three hundred, so you see, this party is an excuse for the band freaks to rock on and for the lovers to dance all night long. i'm not saying i don't like parties such as these, in fact, i love it (doesn't everybody?) it's just that sometimes it's a big problem. you know what i mean, new outfit, new shoes, new everything! but when the night is over, then it's back to school blues again!

i am Ann Li, an honor student, but i'm not a nerd, okay? i don't wear big glasses or whatever. i may have looks, but i don't belong to the 'most popular girls' in school. i'm just ordinary, and i also work for our school paper. i'm not the athletic type so i decided to be a part of the 'press'. a lot of people say it's a boring job, but for my part, it's nice, so i don't really care what other people think. you know what the other exciting thing there is in high school? 'Boys'! there are a lot of types: the nerds, the jocks, the band freaks, and some handsome ones, of course. most of the students here in my high school has a partner already, maybe except me? i don't know, but i really don't care if i don't have a boyfriend yet. there are a few, who courted me, but i had to turn them down, coz i feel like i'm not ready yet. besides, i'm certainly not ready to be heartbroken again. let's just say, i learned a lesson in love, and i learned it the hard way...i had this boyfriend over a year ago, who dumped me for another girl...i was super glad he moved to another school last semester. but the girl, whom he dumped me for, is unfortunately, still my classmate. her name is Devon. she is beautiful, i have to admit that, and a cheerleader. everywhere she goes she gets noticed, with the help of course of her mini skirts that show off her long, tanned, perfect legs. but she's not smart, so i don't know what my ex-boyfriend had seen in her, except for the obvious physical beauty. but what a pity. it was a miserable experience though, but duh i'm over that now. i believe i'm wiser now and more mature. i do have crushes, like Leonardo di Caprio, Johnny Depp, etc...

one day in class, i was thinking about my dream the other night when my teacher in Geography called me,

"Ann, what is the capital of Jordan?" man! i didn't even know there was a country called 'Jordan' that exists...i do know a famous one, 'Michael Jordan', but what the heck! just then the school bell rang. whew! saved by the bell! finally, it was lunch time! just then, my best friend Fretzie called me.

"Hey girl, what's with you in Geography class? you seemed to be a thousand miles away, you know, like in another planet."

"Oh, hi Fretz..nothing much...just thinking about my dream last night." uh oh, prepare for more questions.

"Really? What was it all about?"

"I'm not sure. i was in some kind of a party, or a ball. i was dressed like a princess, and i was dancing with this guy. i knew he was handsome, but i didn't see his face. you know how dreams are sometimes, you can't really see the other person but you are certain what that person looks like. but anyway, we were dancing a slow tune and it seemed like a fairy tale." i said dreamily as we took our usual seats in the canteen. i could tell i got Fretzie's interest.

"You didn't see the guy's face? how awful! hmmm..maybe the guy was your soulmate! oooh, isn't it romantic? i wonder who that 'mystery guy' was."

"I wish i knew. all i could remember was his gold watch." there was nothing more to share. i was disappointed about my dream then. just then, Fretzie's boyfriend Bret, together with our best friend James, approached us. by the way, James is my closest among the boys in our class. he makes me laugh, comforts me when i have problems, helps me with my math homework, did i ever tell you i abhor math??? and oh, he makes me happy always. but as i've said, he's my friend and nothing more than that.

"Hello girls...hi beautiful." Bret was giving Fretzie his best smile while James sat beside me. this time, James did the talking.

"Sorry we're late, but we had an emergency meeting."

"What club?" Fretzie asked as she took a bite of her tuna sandwich.

"Not a club, but the varsity team, my dear." Bret replied as he finished her sandwich. i looked at James,

"Why, do you have a game coming up?" i had to ask him, i'm a fan of their basketball games. James answered,

"Yeah, we have a game this afternoon against the Wolves." i was filled with elation. the Wolves was our biggest rival in everything, be it academics or sports. it would be one challenging, fun game.

"Oh, i'd love to see you guys play. Fretz, we should go, okay?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." we finished our lunch then and proceeded to our next class. i was almost bored to death. at four, we were dismissed. finally! i agreed to meet Fretzie at the gym in thirty minutes, after i change. for once in how many weeks, at least there's something to look forward to, again.