The Sun, The Moon, and Their Stars

46 : Lasts

Kimberly

The morning looks kind. It's no longer brutally hot, and there's no hint of incoming rain, yet.

We're in the dairy shop across from Joseph's house, waiting for him here before we go to Steve's. Benjie is done with his chocolate ice cream, and I'm just about to finish my cookies n cream when his friend enters the door.

Joseph sits on the empty chair across from me and shows us his new cellphone. "It's not like the Sony Ericsson of my sister," he says. "But it has a simple camera," he adds, turning the phone over.

"Nice," says Benjie.

We walk out of the shop, head over to the corner of the street, and wait for a jeep that passes by the gate of the subdivision where Steve lives. I've known him since he was my classmate in Grade Eight and knew they're rich, but he's the kind who doesn't flaunt it. I guess that's one of the reasons why these guys are good friends.

Benjie and Joseph carry on the conversation they started from the ride while we enter the large gate the security guard opens for us. I hear the words 'clay' and 'forehand,' so I know they're talking about tennis. Then they mention the names Roger and Rafael, whoever those are.

The maid lets us in, and we go directly up to the second floor where we find Steve arranging the comic books on the shelf. He reminds me of myself when it comes to my paperbacks.

"Is our yearbook almost done?" I ask Joseph once we're seated.

"I honestly have no idea. I just gave the pictures they asked, but they did everything."

"Who are they?" Benjie asks.

"Aldrin, Francis, Mela, Mary Anne, and the layout team," Joseph tells him, counting with his fingers. Then he drops his hand on the armrest. "Why didn't you join them?" he asks me.

"Aldrin asked, but I turned it down," I say with a shrug. "One of the things I looked forward to when we graduated was not having anything to do with him anymore."

Benjie chuckles.

"Plus, I got kind of busy," I add, resting my back on the cozy couch.

Steve turns around. "So, is it done?" he asks Joseph. "When can we have them?"

"It depends on the printing. Target is by December of this year, or January next year."

Then they're simultaneously alerted by the sound of their phones.

"Daryl is sick and won't be able to make it today," Benjie says, shoving his phone back to the pocket of his jeans.

"Oh, well," Steve frowns at the screen of his.

The guys seem upset, and I get why. This may be the last time in a long time that they'll gather around here together. Steve is attending the Jesuit university near Nat. State, Joseph is set to enter the Regional State University, which is two towns away from this city, and I have no idea what Daryl's plans are for the time being.

Steve excuses himself and goes down to their kitchen to check on lunch. Benjie follows him seconds later.

Joseph leans closer to the side of the chair. "He told me about you and, uh... You know," he quietly says. "Sorry," he adds, almost inaudibly.

"It's okay."

"He's serious about you, but you know that."

I furrow my eyebrows. "What?" I lean closer. "Did he say that?" I whisper.

"Uh...no." Joseph looks like he just said something that he's not supposed to, and he's already trapped here, so there's nothing else to do but go on. He sighs. "But I know him, and I've never seen him that upset." He glances at the stairs. Then back at me. "Not even close to after the Angela thing."