Illusion

ana barton

This is an original story that’s based on a dream I had some time ago.

ALL CHARACTERS, NAMES, and EVENTS are fictional in nature or may be based on personal friends of mine. Any resemblance to real life is purely coincidental.

Rated PG-13 for language and content.

Chapter 1: The Bet

-o-o-o-

It was quite late – about 9 p.m. – that early August night. A small rain shower had just ended and the air was fresh and crisp, well, about as crisp and fresh as it could get considering that it was in the middle of a very urban and bustling area, with the main avenue just a stone’s throw away and even at this time of night was full of vehicles emitting carbon monoxide.

Anna looked up and frowned at the dark skies. There were still clouds just portending more rain later. There was just something about the rain that could make her melancholy and she wasn’t sure if she liked it or not tonight.

She was what people called plain looking with her brown eyes and average face. Her waist length midnight blue hair was more often than not tied behind at the back of her neck. And Anna just encouraged the look with her nondescript wardrobe. Even tonight, she was wearing a plain gray shirt with a pair of black drawstring pants and plain string sandals.

“Got the umbrellas and the bag,” Anna said. She turned from the outside baggage counter and grinned in amusement when she saw how her friends were struggling with their load of groceries. They’d just nipped to the local grocery store to replenish their food supplies for the weekend.

Her friends, Faye and Kristina (or Tin as she was more commonly known), lived at a dorm as they were still studying at the nearby university; Anna had already graduated from the same university and was just visiting them for the weekend to unwind. She just had one light grocery bag and Tin’s red leather messenger bag in one hand while her other hand was holding onto the three umbrellas.

“Erh, some help?” Faye squeaked out as she almost lost purchase on the rather large grocery bag; she had two large ones and a smaller one to grapple with. It didn’t help her increasingly self-conscious friend that several of the male patrons and customers were blatantly staring at her and they were probably wondering at her outfit for Faye had on a large red knitted sweater that at first glance, most will assume was all she had on with her Birks slippers.

“Probably why they’re staring,” Anna thought to herself as she handed Tin’s bag to her. But the three of them knew that it wasn’t the case, as she had on a spaghetti-strap black top and a flesh colored pair of shorts underneath the large sweater; Faye always dressed as she always did.

“I’ll carry one for you,” Tin offered. She had shoulder length brown-black hair that was in a ponytail, and had dark brown eyes, wearing a long jeans skirt and a baby tee, with rubber shoes. Her bag already slung around her body, Tin swung around rather carelessly, something that she was wont to do, and BAM! She bumped into the guy coming up the steps of the supermarket.

Anna and Faye shared an eye roll, the latter flipping her long auburn hair behind her and sighing. It wasn’t that Tin was a klutzy ditz, just over-eager at times. Faye rubbed a hand over her dark brown eyes and sighed again. As of last count, this guy was number 5 in Tin’s hit list, and that was just from the time they left the dorm to go to the grocery store.

“This always happens,” Faye muttered.

“Oops, so sorry!” Tin hurried to apologize, even as she almost lost her balance when she tried to complete the 360-degree turn.

“Tin! What’re you doing here?” asked the bewildered guy as he steadied her.

“Kuya David! What’re you doing here? You don’t live here; you live all the way over in Makati! This is not Makati. And class has been over hours ago.”

Anna and Faye sighed. Did they mention that Tin can sometimes run off with her mouth especially when she was startled? They stepped over to the side and Faye set down her bags to wait. David had guided Tin over to them with a hand to the small of her back.

“It’s not a crime to visit the grocery store here once in while, now is it?” he teased gently. He was wearing a pair of cream slacks with a long-sleeved white polo shirt and a brown pair of loafers. His light brown (almost blonde) hair was combed neatly and his black eyes fairly twinkled. And he looked quite friendly.

“Erh… ‘Te Faye, ‘Te Ann, this is David Wesley, from YFC (Youth For Christ),” Tin introduced. “Kuya David, my dorm mates, Faye Panlilio and Anna Flores.”

They nodded at each other politely in greeting.

David smiled at them winningly. “Hello.” He then turned to Tin. “I know Makati’s not here,” he told her with some amusement. “I’m with a couple of friends and we decided to stop for some junk food here before going to the movies. You? Shopping?”

“Yeah, we were just going back to the dorm.”

“You live near here, right?”

“Uh-huh. Who’re you with?”

“Yo, Davey! Where’s the food, dude? I thought we were going to the movies? We’re so gonna miss the last screening if you dawdle around. Oh, babes. Nice!”

Anna looked to the side and saw two guys walking up the steps towards them. The one who spoke, and was currently waving at them and grinning as well, was wearing a dark maroon shirt with black pants. She was somewhat surprised that his shoes, upon closer inspection, matched his shirt exactly. He ran his fingers through his unruly light brown hair with reddish brown streaks as he approached them. His brown eyes were bright and friendly, she thought as she returned his smile.

“Hello, ladies,” he greeted them with a wide smile though he took a while longer to stare at Faye.

The other guy, Anna noticed, was quietly standing off to one side looking them over with serious brown eyes. His button-down blue shirt and black jeans were immaculate, as was his black leather boots. His hair was a darker brown than the other was and definitely a lot more neatly combed.

“Oye, Tin. What’re you doing out here so late?” the same guy who spoke asked.

“Shopping, what else?” Tin waved at them vaguely. “‘Te Faye, ‘Te Ann, these are Russell Marcus and James Blanco; they’re from YFC as well. Kuya Russ, Kuya James, my dorm mates, Faye Panlilio and Anna Flores.”

Russell winked at Anna. “I remember you. Last year at the Chemical Society’s sports fest; you were the only girl for the home team at the mixed volleyball game against the other school’s Chemical Society.”

She grinned at him as they shook hands. “And we won. You’re part of the Chemical Society?”

“Nope, I was just visiting a girl.”

“I see,” she replied with some amusement. She then turned to Tin. “It’s getting late, and you said you had an exam tomorrow.” Anna collected the umbrellas again, her small shopping bag and took one of Faye’s larger shopping bags as well.

“We’ll take you to the dorm,” David volunteered quickly with a grin.

Anna noticed that the one called James just rolled his eyes and sighed before taking out his car keys. Apparently, he wasn’t that thrilled with the idea of playing driver to a group of girls he didn’t know, and being volunteered to the task by his friend wasn’t sitting well with him either.

“Erh…” She glanced worriedly at James.

Russell leaned into her slightly and said quite audibly. “Don’t mind him; he’s just grumpy. He’s always grumpy, come to think of it.”

That elicited a short surprised laugh from her.

They piled into James’ car – a Ford Expedition in dark blue (very nice!) – as Russell and Tin got into a discussion about someone called Bernard. The shopping bags and umbrellas went to the back, and Anna found herself sitting directly behind James. David helped Faye into the car before getting in the front passenger seat; Russell and Tin were at the rear still talking about Bernard and his recent escapades within the YFC.

David was quite polite and kept up a running conversation with her and Faye about school, the weather, and the traffic situation, while Russell and Tin kept to themselves at the back, laughing once in a while. James, she noticed, was quiet though he looked at them every now and then by way of the rear view mirror.

It didn’t take very long before they arrived at the dorm.

“We’re here! Thanks for the lift, Kuya James!” Tin said as they disembarked. They got their bags and umbrellas and the group walked over to the red gate of the dorm.

“You’re welcome,” James spoke for the first time. While Russell’s voice was quite happy and lively, and David’s was kindly and soothing, Anna found James’ voice rather… deep and calm and quietly confident. She met his dark brown eyes for a brief second before she looked away and rang the doorbell.

“So, Kuya James,” Tin asked artlessly as they waited for the gate to be opened from the inside. “How’s Maya? I haven’t seen her around in a while.”

Russell tsked a couple of times. “Tin…”

James shrugged unconcernedly. “We broke up a few of months ago.”

“Oops… sorry… I didn’t know…”

“Ne, ‘nee-chan…” Faye turned to Anna as the gate opened. “I suddenly want ice cream.”

Anna sighed. “You should’ve bought some when we were in the supermarket.”

“I know…” she pouted.

David looked to his watch then to his friends. “Since we are really going to miss the last screening, how about we just go to McDonald’s and we go to the movies some other time?”

Russell grinned. “Sounds good to me. As long as it’s still your treat.”

“So what else is new?” David retorted.

James just nodded resignedly.

“Of course the ladies are invited,” David said, looking to them.

Tin looked to the two. “‘Te Faye, ‘Te Ann?” But it was quite obvious that she really wanted to go out, never mind that she had to study for a test the next day and that she had to make a paper.

Anna looked at Faye with a raised eyebrow then the latter shrugged. “Just let us get this stuff inside.”

Tin smiled broadly. “Five minutes then, Kuya David.”

-o-o-o-

“Yo, James… you alright man?”

“I’m fine, Russell.”

“I’m certain Tin didn’t know about you and… her, breaking up,” David said cautiously. The three of them were close friends and it had even taken him and Russell quite a few days to get James to tell them the whole story of the break-up. And it had been some story, now that he thought about it.

“Besides, it’s been months, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

Russell suddenly cackled, and with a decidedly evil sound to it at that. He even rubbed his hands together in evil glee, and that was something that David knew from experience was something to be wary about.

“What is it now, Russell?” James asked.

David looked from one to the other. “I have a very bad feeling about this cackling Russ…a really bad feeling…”

“I was just thinking, O Great Wise One… that maybe you’ve just lost it.” There was definitely something evil about that.

“Lost what?”

“You know… that certain pizzazz with women.”

“I really have a bad feeling about this…” David thought to himself as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. He suddenly felt a headache coming on.

“What in the world are you talking about now, Marcus?”

“This and that… besides, man, you’ve been a free agent now for months and you still haven’t found a girl to go out with! How long has it been? Dude, you broke up in January and it’s bloody August now! That’s entirely too long to be without company.”

“Who said I’ve been without?” James asked with a smirk.

Russell waved his hands. “Fine, let me clarify that then – to be without a steady girlfriend.”

“Who said I’d want a steady girlfriend right now?”

“Argh! You’re infuriating!”

James raised an eyebrow. “That’s a big word, Russell.”

David couldn’t help it; he guffawed at the face Russell was making. It was entirely too hilarious for him to be silent about it. This was just like the two of them, really, to annoy the other whenever they can. He often thought it was a male-bonding thing.

“Oh stop snickering, Davey,” Russell groused and even cuffed him upside the head before turning to James determinedly. “The point is—”

“There was a point?” James asked in mock surprise.

“Shut up and listen to me!” He even went so far as to stomp his foot. “The point, Jamesie ole buddy ole pal, is that I have a proposition for you.” Russell slung an arm over his shoulder companionably. “And I know you’ll like this one.”

“…I’m listening…” James looked mildly intrigued.

David shook his head and purposely walked away from them. Did he mention that these two were very competitive, especially against the other? Oh yeah, they were that and even more so when it’s against other people. He definitely didn’t want to be involved in whatever hare-brained scheme they were cooking up.

-o-o-o-

Kristina led the way out of the dorm gate. “It’s really such a coincidence that we met up with them. I mean, sure they’re YFC and we meet in school a lot of times, but it’s kinda nice to meet outside without any YFC business…”

“…Miko didn’t call again, did he?” Faye asked.

“Nope,” Tin said with forced joviality. “But that’s alright. He’s probably busy or something.”

Miko, also known as Tin’s childhood buddy, was also her current boyfriend. He’s three years older than her and they’d been together for about the same amount of time. He’d already graduated from college and was now pursuing a musical career with his band, of which he was the lead guitarist.

Anna didn’t know him that well, only through her nephew’s own college band and through Tin’s stories. She might have heard of him, being that she, Tin, and Miko all lived in the same area at the province, but she wasn’t that too familiar with him.

“Hmm…”

Tin skipped out to the guys by the car. If she was surprised to find Russell looking especially smug, she didn’t show it.

“Hi, Kuya! Let’s go!”

-o-o-o-

They were soon seated around a table at McDonald’s. Russell was telling them a hilarious story about one of his professors and had the three girls with them laughing like they’ve been best friends for a long time. James looked away and studied his drink thoughtfully.

“I remember that professor…” Anna was saying. “She was really into Rizal like you wouldn’t believe; I took her class with a friend of mine when we didn’t get our preferred History class.”

James glanced at her and it could have been that they were under different lighting conditions than when in the supermarket parking lot or outside their dorm, but he couldn’t look away for a few moments.

“Yeah, and the way she talks, it was like they really knew each other rather intimately, eh?” Russell commented as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. That brought more amused laughter from those that had taken that professor’s class, namely him and Anna.

He looked away then and brought his gaze back towards his soda as he listened to them laugh. James knew of that professor’s class, of course; from all accounts, it was a dry and memorization laden class.

James hadn’t really contributed much to the conversation as he thought of Russell’s proposition and the probable consequences this little bout of competitiveness would land them. Six weeks with a Ducati – his dream motorcycle that he didn’t understand why he couldn’t have – and either of the two girls with them now; Tin was off limits for the obvious reason that she had a boyfriend. Almost of its own volition, he felt his eyes look towards the girl known with the long straight hair.

“Did you hear about the Theology professor?” Anna asked curiously.

Russell snorted good-naturedly. “Which one?”

Faye leaned back and looked at him. “They sound like long-lost friends,” she noted as she bit into her ice cream.

“Same professors, similar stories,” James replied with a careless shrug, careful to avert his eyes from the object of interest.

“So how about we continue this party tomorrow?” Russell asked suddenly. “It’s getting kinda late.”

Anna lifted a shoulder and looked to the others.

David was already nodding his head. “Yeah, and we’ll get to see that movie too.”

Anna shrugged and looked at Faye. “I don’t mind; I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”

“Morning classes only…”

“Classes all day…” Tin pouted. James remembered she was still a junior at the university.

“You’re not in school anymore?” James asked, his eyes on Anna.

“Nope,” she grinned. “Graduated last year, AB Social Science.”

“How old are you anyway?” Russ asked absently then blinked at his question. It just came out, and guys weren’t really supposed to ask that question. “Erh… not that I’m supposed to ask, but you don’t look like you ought to be out of school yet,” he continued hastily.

Faye was chuckling. James rolled his eyes at the way he turned an innocently asked loaded question into a compliment.

“I’m twenty-four,” she replied with a smirk. “You?”

“Thereabouts.” Russ waved his hand. “My birthday’s this weekend actually.” He pointed towards David who was turning towards the conversation. “He’s the baby; he won’t be 24 until next month.” Then he jerked a thumb towards James. “He’s ancient, already 24 and about to turn 40.”

James reached over and cuffed him upside the head. “Shut up, Marcus.”

“So how about it?” Russell looked around the table expectantly.

“We can come by your dorm after classes then we can catch a movie and have dinner together,” David took up the task of inviting them and cast hopeful eyes on the girls.

James chuckled softly; he was quite familiar with the technique and knew there wasn’t a girl alive who could deny David anything when he used the eyes. He finished off his cola, fairly certain about the outcome of this particular invitation.

“Kuya, is this a group date?” Tin asked mischievously. “Wonder how Miko’ll react to this…” she continued softly.

David smiled his mega-watt smile. “I suppose you can call it that.”

-o-o-o-

Russell grinned as he waved goodbye to the three girls entering their dorm gates. “So I guess the bet’s on, eh James?” he asked as they got in the car. He really was a genius, thinking this up.

James put the car in gear. “With a minor modification.”

“Oh? What?”

Neither of them paid any attention to David who sat at the back covering his head with his hands, mumbling about idiotic antics thought up by idiotic guys, as said idiotic antics would most definitely blow up in their collective faces while he would be left to smooth things over with all the parties involved. Nope, neither of them paid attention to the mad mumblings of their friend.

“I want Anna,” he replied matter-of-factly.

David dropped his hands and gaped. Russell was also surprised; he had wanted to get Anna as they already seemed to have a lot of things that they could talk about and that was definitely a plus when you’re wooing a girl.

“You barely spoke with her…” Russell began but a light of comprehension dawned in his eyes. “Is this because she and I already have some things in common?” he asked shrewdly. “I would have thought a bit of a challenge wouldn’t faze our Great Leader.”

“It’s Anna or it’s off,” James retorted.

David shook his head and went back to muttering about insane guys who’d do anything for a thrill.

“And it’s not because of that however slight advantage, either, Russell,” James continued as he navigated the roads. “Though that could be called cheating on your part as the bet hasn’t officially commenced since I haven’t agreed to it, have I?”

“So why then?” challenged Russell.

James shrugged and focused his eyes out on the road. “Just because.”

“Sheesh.” Russell shook his head. Trust this guy to go all secretive and reticent all of a sudden.

“Is it a deal then?”

“I know I’m going to regret this but,” David interrupted. “What’re the terms for the bet?”

Russ smiled widely. This was where they were going to recognize his genius. “If I win, I get this sweet car for four weeks, if he wins, he gets my new baby, the Ducati 900 Sport for six weeks. And you know he’s been drooling over my bike for a while now,” he added snidely. A girl and a car, what more could a guy want anyway?

“Shut up. You’re the one drooling over my car. Where is your car anyway? Still at the impound lot?”

“Time limit to get the girl is one week, seven days,” Russell continued blithely, ignoring him. “And the bet begins, now.”

“Agreed.”

“Oh brother…” David hung his head in resignation.

-o-o-o-

The next day came around much too soon. Anna woke up groggy but pleased that she had finished the book she’d been reading the night before. Faye had already been to school and was frowning up a storm as she played Scrabble in the computer. Tin was still in school. It was early afternoon so they had a bit of time to get ready for the “group date” as Tin called it last night.

“Are we really going later?” Anna asked sleepily as sat up in bed with the covers still around her.

“Yup. Tin said we are, so you better get ready,” Faye replied.

“I wanna sleep…” After a few minutes lying slumped on the bed, she stood up and made her way to the bathroom.

“What time are they coming by?” she called out just as she was about to close the door.

“In an hour or so…”

“Hi ‘Te Faye! Hi ‘Te Ann!” Tin cheerfully greeted, bounding into the room.

“Ack. Happy person so early.” With that said, Anna shut the bathroom door on the younger girl’s surprised face.

-o-o-o-

The guys arrived an hour and thirty minutes later, the time the girls spent playing Hang-a-roo in the computer. They were really getting into it when there was a call from one of the helps in the dormitory. Tin jumped from the bed and hurried to the mirror, checking her hair out. She had on one of her favorite ensembles – long jeans skirt and baby tee – and Anna had braided her hair for her.

“What time is it?” Anna asked around a yawn as she stretched her arms above her head. She stood up and ran her fingers absently through her hair before plaiting it absently from the back of her neck. She was wearing a powder blue peasant top with black jeans and black half boots. She placed her wallet and mobile phone inside a small black sling bag and she was all set.

“Around four or thereabouts,” Faye replied. She set about turning off her computer and grabbing a brown messenger bag from her closet to complement her earth tone look of dark brown Capri pants, light brown blouse, and 3-inch high brown slippers.

“This is probably going to run on until evening eh?” Anna remarked as they left the room and started walking towards the gate.

“Probably,” Tin replied. “You don’t mind do you?”

She shrugged. “Not really. Beats hanging out here with nothing to do.”

They could see their “dates” through the open gate. Anna found her eyes, almost against her will, falling on the tall form of James leaning against his Expedition. She had to admit that he cut a handsome figure, even though his clothes were as simple as could be – dark blue jeans, white button down shirt, brown work boots. She forced her eyes off him before he caught her staring at him.

Anna looked to David instead, who had come forward to greet them. He looked quite handsome in slacks, polo shirt, and loafers. She grinned at him and thought this one looked real nice.

“Hi Kuya!” Tin called out cheerfully.

Anna silently wondered if this spate of cheerfulness would ever end. Faye smiled.

“Ladies,” Russell greeted as he opened the passenger door for them. He was wearing a large black shirt with bright green starburst pattern and a pair of olive green corduroy pants. It would seem that green was his color of the day as his shoes were also green.

Somehow or the other, Anna found herself on the front passenger seat beside James who was once again driving. Faye and Russell were behind them while David and Tin were at the back. She glanced at the man next to her as he turned the engine on and checked the road. James quirked a grin at her when he saw her looking at him, and she immediately averted her gaze.

-o-o-o-

The drive to the mall was anything but quiet. For one thing, Russell and Faye seemed to have hit it off with regards to soccer. Russell was the current Captain in the university’s varsity team, and though Faye didn’t play, she had watched a number of matches on television with her brother Terence who was an avid fan of the sport. As such, she knew more or less something about it.

Then they managed to rope Anna into a discussion about one of her more favorite topics – animé. James joined in occasionally as he said he was familiar with some animé series because of his nine-year-old nephew Jayson who was a fanatic.

They were stuck at an intersection. James reached across her to the glove compartment and retrieved a CD folder, which he then gave her.

“You ought to be familiar with these better than I am,” he said in response to her arched eyebrow. He grinned at her before putting the car back in gear when the light turned green.

Anna looked to the others; Russell and Faye were in conversation with David and Tin about something or the other that involved the words school and grades and graduation. She turned back to the front and opened the CD folder.

“Nice…” she breathed out. “Sweet… L’arc en Ciel, and you even have Sophia!”

“You like it?” James asked without directly looking at her.

“Very much so, yes.” She looked through the CDs and took one out. “May I?”

“Of course. Whatever the lady wants,” he replied quietly with a slight grin as he operated the CD player with one hand. Their fingers touched briefly when she handed him the disc and Anna looked up at him quickly when he went still. James shook his head once before popping the disc inside the player. Soon enough the distinctive sound of Gackt’s Mizerable came on.

“Oh man, not the Marlboro song!” groaned Faye. “That’s been playing in the room ever since you arrived, and you aren’t tired of it yet?”

Anna grinned. “Nope, not going to in the near future, if you want to know.”

“I did not want to know that,” she grumbled. Her disposition was improved a notch though when she noticed Russell grimacing as well. “I gather you don’t like this kind of music much, do you?” Faye asked. She glanced to the front and saw James place an arm on her friend’s seat as he pointed out a few CDs he liked. She turned back to Russell with an arched eyebrow.

“Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate their musical qualities but there’s only so much that I can stand sometimes.” He shifted in his seat to face her.

David and Tin were in a world all their own at the back by now, with the latter telling the former of her worries about her relationship. Faye glanced at them once before returning her attention to Russell.

“So what kind of music are you into?” she asked.

Russell grinned and leaned closer to her. “Music with you.”

Faye blinked then looked at him like he was from outer space. It was a full minute before she could speak and when she did, she turned to Anna in front.

“Oi, any Ayatsuri Sakon in there? Humming Bird?”

Anna glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. “I’m looking. Why?”

“Gravitation? Bad Luck?”

“Anti-Nostalgic? Super Drive?” She held up a CD.

“Either will do please.”

The guitars from Anti-Nostalgic were enough noise for the duration of the ride to the mall.

-o-o-o-

James parked the Expedition in a vacant slot in the multi-level parking building of the mall. It was still quiet at the back with only David’s and Tin’s whispering carrying over to the front.

“What do you happened?” he asked Anna quietly, leaning into her slightly as he handed her the CD to put in the folder. “They were talking before, weren’t they?”

If he hadn’t been involved in showing Anna how to work his CD player, he probably would’ve heard what Russell said. He saw from the mirror that Faye had her eyes closed as she apparently listened to the music and Russell seemed to be thinking deeply.

Anna glanced at them. “I have no idea what happened.” She placed the CD folder back inside the glove compartment before turning to the back. “Oi people. We’re here.”

The people at the back started and looked at each other before they nodded.

“Anything the matter?” Anna asked as they got out of the vehicle.

“Nope, I’m fine.”

“I’m fine.”

“Okay…” she replied.

Russell had by that time recovered his normal self. “So what movie should we watch?”

“Let’s see what we’re in time for,” David suggested diplomatically.

-o-o-o-

“Men in Black II,” David read aloud as they looked at the schedules.

“What’s Mediggo?” Anna asked, looking at a poster.

“I think there’s a trailer showing over there,” James said, gesturing to the right. Anna looked over to the direction he pointed out and went over there.

Faye looked on with a raised eyebrow as she watched Russell gave James a thumbs-up sign before the latter went after her.

“Interesting… end of the world, prophecy… Book of Revelations… I really have got to read that again…”

“You want to watch this?” James asked as he approached her from the side.

Anna shrugged. “I’ll have to go along with what the group wants, but this seems rather interesting, doesn’t it?”

“We can watch it if you want, though.” He knew he shouldn’t have said that when he saw her frown as she looked at him.

“What makes you think I’d go into a dark theater alone with you when I don’t know you that well?”

He was saved from answering when Tin skipped over to them. “‘Te Ann, Kuya James, can we watch MIB2? I haven’t seen it yet.”

She smiled at her. “Me neither. So? Shall we get the tickets then?”

-o-o-o-

The theater was fairly vacant, considering the time and that it was near the middle of the week. They were seated at the Premiere section, at the center about 6 rows down from the projector itself. James managed to get the seat on Anna’s right but Russell had to settle with sitting next to James as Faye had grabbed Tin to sit on her other side as she sat on Anna’s left side; David sat on Tin’s other side.

“What did you say to Faye on the way here?” James asked quietly.

Anna was talking with the others about the trailers so they couldn’t hear what the two of them were talking about.

“One of my usual lines, what else?” Russell replied.

He grinned. “Didn’t work, did it?”

“It’ll work, just you wait,” he muttered darkly. “And what about you, lover boy? I thought you would’ve spirited her away to watch ‘whatever the lady wants’ or is it that you’re really losing your touch?”

“Shut up, Russell.”

Russell snickered as the opening credits of the movie began.

-o-o-o-

“The ending’s still the same,” Faye commented as they exited the dark theater.

“Yeah… the first one was with the marbles right?” Anna replied. “The universe thing?”

“Yeah…”

“Wasn’t that alien girl in The Practice?” Tin asked.

“Yup, the Assistant DA, I think…” Anna said.

“Anyway, I need to go to the powder room,” Tin said. Faye and Anna followed her with barely a glance at their male companions.

“We’ll wait outside,” David replied easily and with some amusement.

“Tin… how well do you know these guys?” Faye asked as soon as they were inside.

“They’re officers of the YFC, so I interact with them on a fairly daily basis. Kuya James is actually the President, and Kuya Russ is the EVP, and Kuya David is the Secretary. Why?” There weren’t anyone inside so they had the place to themselves. They used the facilities quickly then converged in front of the sink and mirror.

“Is Russ always…” Faye gestured vaguely with a tube of lip-gloss in hand.

“Always what?” Anna asked as she released her hair from the braid and brushed it out before securing it in a loose ponytail.

“Trying to pick up girls?” Tin asked with a grin as she opened her compact. “Yup, he’s the playboy. One time, he even had a couple of girlfriends going at the same time, or so the rumor goes. What’d he tell you anyway?” She looked at her friend through the mirror as she powdered her face lightly.

“This and that… ‘Music with you…?’ What kind of line is that?” Faye ran her brush quickly through her hair before gathering it at the base of her neck and securing it with an elastic band.

“Not a very good one,” Anna admitted. She shook her head as she placed her comb back inside her bag. She sprayed on some cologne absently before putting it back inside her bag as well.

“So what was Kuya James telling you earlier by the way, ‘Te Ann?” Tin asked curiously.

“Oh nothing…”

Tin shrugged then snickered. “They’re really nice guys though, you know.”

The two looked disbelievingly at her. “We’ll just have to take your word for that, kid.”

-o-o-o-

“So who wants dinner?” Russell asked. He had managed to wedge himself between Faye and Anna. The latter was forced to step back and let him take her place in the crowded hall so as not to get into a discussion. Needless to say, Faye glowered at her friend for her seeming betrayal.

“It’s still David’s treat, by the way,” he added cheerfully.

“How come?” Tin asked. “I would’ve thought it’d be your treat seeing as it is your birthday this Saturday.”

“Erh… I was kinda the ‘it’ too last night so…” David shrugged.

“Carry over of responsibilities eh?” Anna asked, grinning.

He grinned. “Something like that.”

“So, where are we gonna eat?” Russell asked as he looked around. He considered making another stab at James’ ‘whatever the lady wants’ line but thought it best for his health not to considering said person looked like he was just waiting for the opportunity to punch his face in.

“How about we go upstairs and check out the restaurants there?” David proposed. “There are a lot more choices up there.”

“Sounds good,” James seconded. He made sure he walked beside Anna though there wasn’t that much conversation between them. Proximity was always a good thing anyway.

They ended up at a Japanese restaurant. After having decided on the eat-all-you-can buffet – their decision being affected in a big way by Russell – Anna, Tin, and Faye got up and walked to the buffet, closely followed by James after smirking at Russell who was left at the table with David.

Russell was about to speak when David held up a hand. “I don’t want to know. You started this, you be responsible for this. And if you don’t, you’re picking up the tab tonight, birthday boy.”

He pouted. He hadn’t brought enough cash for tonight and his father had already warned him about using his credit card too much.

-o-o-o-

James followed alongside Tin as Anna and Faye made their choices at the buffet table.

“Kuya James?”

“What is it Kristina?”

She chuckled. “You’re still the only one who consistently calls be by my real name.”

He waited as the two females ahead of them debated over the sushi platter.

“I’m sorry about bringing her up yesterday. I didn’t know.”

“That’s alright.”

“Are you alright though, Kuya?”

He smirked. “I’m fine. It’s been a while since then; I’m over her.”

“Tin, you wanna get your food now?” Anna called out.

“Coming, ‘Te Ann.”

-o-o-o-

They were just sitting there looking in disbelief at the dishes that they managed to consume.

“I am so stuffed,” Tin groaned.

Russell chuckled as he ate dessert, ice cream.

Anna and Faye looked in morbid amazement as he downed spoonful after spoonful of melon ice cream. “How does he do it?”

“Do what?” David asked.

They turned to him and saw that he was also still eating chocolate ice cream. Next, they turned their eyes to James who was also still having mocha ice cream. Then they looked at one another.

“How…?”

“They’re guys,” Tin reminded them. “Bottomless stomachs…?”

“Oh yeah…”

“We forgot that…”

-o-o-o-

It was past midnight when they managed to get back to the dorm.

“So what’re your plans for this weekend?” Russell asked as they got out of the car.

“I have make-up class,” Tin replied with a grin. “Why? Are you planning on treating us to dinner since it’s your birthday?”

Anna and Faye looked at each other and nodded. “Appointments,” they replied.

“This was really fun, everyone,” David said.

“So it was…”

Anna reached up to ring the doorbell but found that James had already done it for her. “You really have appointments this weekend?” He leaned against the gate and looked at her with his arms crossed. They seemed to be awfully close to each other so Anna took a discreet step back. His face was in shadow and he looked rather dangerous, especially when he’s staring at her that intently.

“Yeah… an event to go to this Saturday, and a meeting on Sunday. Then I go home.”

“Oh… you mean you don’t really stay here full-time…?”

“Yeah, I’m just here for a weekend visit actually.”

“I see… Listen, I’d like to apologize.”

Anna looked up at him curiously. “What for?”

James looked around and thanked his lucky stars that the others were at the other end of the driveway and weren’t listening in too eagerly to their conversation. “Earlier, at the movies. I shouldn’t have suggested that we watch Mediggo alone.”

“Oh…” She lifted a shoulder and grinned slightly. “That’s alright.”

Meanwhile, Russell had managed to corner Faye again but the latter had the presence of mind to grab Tin and drag her to her side. David followed, shaking his head, either in amusement or consternation.

“So, you’re going someplace this weekend?”

“Yeah, Anna and I both.”

“Can we tag along?”

“Why? You don’t know where we’re going. What’ll you do there? Besides, don’t you have YFC stuff to do?”

He shrugged, obviously taken aback at her response. “I just thought it’d be nice if we just tag along….”

She was saved from answering when the gate opened. “Thank you for the wonderful night,” Faye said looking at each of the guys. “We had fun.”

Anna nodded then they started to file inside the gate.

“Bye, Kuya! I’ll see you in school tomorrow!” Tin waved a cheerful goodbye then closed the gate on them.

-o-o-o-

“So where’re they going this weekend?” Russell asked as soon as they were back on the road.

“Anna wouldn’t tell me exactly where,” James replied.

David just shook his head and closed his eyes as he leaned back in the back seat.

Russell glared at him. “You could help us out, you know.”

“Why should I? I’m not getting anything out of this deal and I’m quite happy with my life so you can’t entice me with anything that would make me help you, so no thank you.”

James looked at him square in the eyes through the rearview mirror. “Your choice of my game CDs for information.”

David looked taken aback. “…You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” He knew James was a serious enough gamer and not a person to easily let go of his possessions.

“I never back down from a challenge, you know that David.”

He shook his head. “Like I said before, you started this, you be responsible for this.”

“You think Tin knows?” Russell asked after a few minutes.

“She might. We’ll just have to ask her tomorrow.”

-o-o-o-

20 September 2003

Author’s Notes: I wrote this a while ago, and it has been posted in our Late Night Stories site (http : www . freewebs . com / latenyts2rys), but I had an almost sudden urge to do some editing. It’s still basically the same but different at the same time.

Terminology:

Animé – Japanese animation

Ate or ‘Te, Kuya AND (O)nee-chan, (O)nii-chan – honorifics, if you will, the former in the vernacular and the latter in Japanese, meaning older sister and older brother, respectively.

Ayatsuri Sakon, Gravitation – animé titles

Hang-a-roo – a computer game, like Hangman but with better visuals.

L’arc en Ciel, Sophia, Gackt, Ayumi Hamasaki, Humming Bird, Bad Luck – they’re Japanese pop/rock artists

Makati – an economic center in the main city

McDonald’s – that wonderful chain of fast food restaurants that are open until quite late, which is a definite plus especially in a students’ life when exam time comes around there’s a need for furious group studies and last minute cramming.

Mizerable, Anti-Nostalgic, Super Drive – J-pop/rock song titles, and the latter are part of the soundtrack for animé Gravitation.

Prof – short for professor

Rizal – Jose P. Rizal, life of the national hero is a required course subject in some universities.

YFC – Youth For Christ, the teen offshoot of the religious group Couples For Christ.