>> A lively upbeat music enthralled my ears as we entered the restaurant.

The whole area is dined in by the customers eating dinner. Most of the occupied tables are piled with small stainless-steel pale of beers and plates of food.

Everyone is at their bliss moment; laughing and telling stories.

“Table for 3 please, reserved for Kristine Mendoza.” Kristine approached a waiter who suddenly passes at us.

“Okay, ma’am.” The waiter answered and guided us to the table near the patio-style lounge at the back area of the restaurant. Fluorescent light bulbs fill the ambience, giving a relaxing vibrant.

Over there, I saw two guys sitting while fiddling on their phones. The first one is a good-looking man on his 19 years of age; has a neat trimmed hair and semi-opaque shape face. He’s wearing a blazer and T-shirt, pair of jeans and sneakers on.

He has a vibe of boy-next-door, and by any girls would be stunned to look at him for the first time. He’s the one who saw us and gave a smile.

He’s charming and attractive; as a girl, I like his smile.

But it’s different. Why...? Because I keep glancing at Ella who remains quiet until now, and seem to feel awkward from the situation.

The other one has a mature, nerd-type vibe. He’s wearing a black polo shirt and cotton vest as a top, and pair of khaki trousers and sneakers.

His thick framed eyeglasses suit on his round face, and fair complexion of skin. As a girl, I also feel charmed by his looks alone. He glances at us but didn’t give any smile.

He seemed stoic or not showy to his expression. “Hello, guys!” Kristine greets as we enter inside.

“Hi, you’re Kristine... If I’m not mistaken, right?” the guy with alluring boy-next-door vibe speaks. He stands up and offers a hand to shake at Kristine. “Yes, you knew me since... I changed the picture on my profile.”

“Ah, yeah... I’m Brent and this is my companion, Allen.” The guy, whose name is Brent, said as he introduces himself.

“It’s nice to see you...” Allen, on the other hand, didn’t leave on his seat but greet us with the stoic expression.

“I’m Kristine. And these are my companions: Jessie and Ella.”

Kristine introduces me and Ella to the two. I wave a little as Ella nods to the two. Brent focuses his eyes on me, but when he sees the other girl, he diverts off and looks at her.

“It’s nice to meet you two.” He greeted.

“Same,” Ella muttered; however, she showed reluctance.

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“Let’s have a seat!” Kristine beckons us. We both take the couch to sit down. As the sequence comes, me and Ella are sitting at each other, as Kristine sits beside her.

This is kind of stifling; and I see that there’s someone missing. Someone’s missing at the boys’ side.

Brent and Allen are sitting opposite from us. I wasn’t sure how to say about this meeting. “Before we start, I want to say thank you for attending this acquaintance meet up.”

Cracking the silence, Kristine then speaks. “It was my idea since, and meeting these people will be a good opportunity to widen our horizons.”

Brent nods as he remains smiling. Allen did the same thing as well.

I feel a little awkward now, because the one I’m partnered with is with Allen. He did show snobbish looks, but from time to time, our eyes meet.

“So, what’s your course, Ella...?”

After the introduction, Brent asked Justin a question. Breaking the ice, huh...? That’s a good way to start a conversation.

“I’m taking Education course.” She replied timidly. Brent nods after, his smile remains.

A few minutes later, the waiter entered inside holding a tray carrying the bucket of beer and some snacks. Kristine, as the host, distributes the beers amongst us after.

I get the cold bottle and take a gulp. Allen did the same thing since we’re facing together. He still remains quiet until now. What should I do...?

“Uh... hey, Allen...?” I cracked the silence between us. Allen put the bottle down on the table and looks at me. “Yeah, and you’re Jessie?”

“Uh, yes... I’m Jessie, and—"

“I don’t have any particular hobbies to share.” Before I asked further, he rebut in nonchalantly. “And my course, I’m taking Criminology.”

His expression remains stoic; I seem that he’s not trying to make a proper face to show façade.

“Uh... I see, well... I’m taking Business course and Kristine is my classmate.”

“Oh, I see. You two are getting along, huh...?” Brent chides in. “Yes, Jessie and I are classmates and close friends. She’s quite timid but a diligent student.”

Kristine, as well, holds a conversation.

From the moment she comes in, the mood become a little light. However, Allen didn’t give any response after Brent started the conversation.

Time passes by; Brent and Kristine, as well as Ella talked about lots of things. Meanwhile, I got trapped in the tranquility of awkwardness while facing Allen.

“Don’t you seem to make conversation with a guy...?”

Out of the whim, Allen suddenly speaks. I got astounded as his eyes meet mine. “Huh...?” I asked. The way how he glares made me feel anxious.

“I feel bored when you’re here and not giving a topic to talk about.”

“Uh...”

His eyes, the way it upturned to look ‘bout suddenly freezes me out. What...? What now...? I don’t know what to say...? “Uh...” I utter again.

Damn, I can’t cut it through. My hands tremble out of anxiousness. Ella, who is sitting beside me, took a glance at my way.

“Is this your first time, Jessie...?”

Her mellow voice heeded in my ears. I felt assured from the way she asked me. I nod to respond on her question. “I see. It seems that she pushed too hard for tonight.”

Justin then grabbed my hand and holds it tight. She stands up and pulled me off the couch to the exit. “Ah, wait—"

“I’ll walk her home. And I’m a little drunk as well. I have a little tolerance in the alcohol. We’ll see you, thanks.”

Kristine got astounded, but her face show glee at me as she sees her companion dragged me out of the group. What’s that supposed to mean?

Ella drags me off the bar and restaurant without saying anything at all. I feel her warm hand holding me, as I walk along to follow her pace.

I feel like we’re eloping, wandering somewhere without any care in the world. I feel that she’s taking me in, and it made me feel glad.

“Wait...” however, my consciousness dragged me off once more to halt on this moment. We both exited the bar and restaurant, as she halts from walking.

“What’s the matter...?” she faces me. At the light of the place, I saw her brimming with elegance. Her eyes glitter like a gemstone, and I got tranced.

My mind’s become fuzzy. The anxiousness I’m having a while ago suddenly vanished. Only her elegance and impeccable looks remained.

This is overwhelming; my feelings tells me not to leave this place yet.

“No, I...” I mumbled. No, this is confusing... there’s no way I can be attract with this girl.

I still love Chesca. But...

“If you want, want to have a drink with me...?”

As my train of thought gushes through, a sudden invitation left out of her mouth.

“Huh...?” I mumbled out of surprise and wonder.

“I apologize for asking you this. It’s too sudden but...”

Ella faces me and looks directly in my eyes. Her gaze made me frantic; my feelings quiver out.

Why...? Why do I fret out...? “You see, I pique an interest to you. So, if it’s okay, let’s go grab a drink, just the two of us...?”

This is odd; a girl same as me asks to have a drink just the two of us. What now...? DO I NEED TO SAY YES...?

“Well, i-if you insist...”

I answered bashfully. Agh! I agreed upon her invite. Will this be the night I can get a good partner? I still love Chesca, and these feelings won’t be gone soon.

I do have angst about the sudden events happening tonight. So... I can’t guarantee anything. Let’s take this slow first.

“If you’re kind to have me, then... Okay.”

And that night, a sudden change in my life happens. It’s a drastic change that I, as a person, wouldn’t even expect to happen in a whim.