Chapter 10 "My First"

The chit-chatter filled up the school as I walked blankly to my classroom.

"Ms. Driftwood, are you okay?" Mrs. Scott, our class adviser, questioned.

"Just perfect," I faked a smile.

"Are you sure dear?" she worriedly confirmed.

"Couldn't be any surer," I said.

"Okay, if you are sure. But don't hesitate to tell me dear. You may sit down then," she smiled.

I smiled back and dove into a pool of thought, how can it hurt so badly when I was the one who decided to do this anyway?

"Excuse me," a voice, that interrupted my brain which was filled to the brim with endless contemplation, said among the busy buzz of my classmates' prattle.

"Class!" Mrs. Scott called our attention. We all clammed-up and looked at her.

"Ralph?!" my eyes widened as I recognized him. He was smiling next to the teacher.

"Are you acquainted with him, Ms. Driftwood?" Mrs. Scott asked.

"He... he..." I started to stutter.

"I'm her boyfriend," he filled in, which triggered the class to shrill. I tried to deny it but my voice just drowned in the big ocean of noise.

"Settle down!" Mrs. Scott screamed. "Addie, you may have the honors of introducing your boyfriend," she continued as soon as she was sure that their attention was directed to her. The class cheered again as a few of the boys pulled me up and pushed me to the front.

The class quieted down to listen to me; I stood there when I realized something. I started to smile again, and began introducing Ralph as my boyfriend. Ralph was beaming with delight, and looked like he wanted to race to me and give me a tight hug. Ralph was quickly able to adjust to the class.

We went out together during lunch. "Addie!" I heard Ed say while Ralph and I were on the way to the cafeteria, "Can I borrow you for a moment?"

"I don't know," I said turning to Ralph, "can he?"

"I think not," he said protectively putting his arms around my shoulder.

"Who is he that I must ask permission from him?" he hissed.

"My boyfriend," I smiled as I tugged him to the cafeteria. I introduced Ralph to the group and they welcomed him the same way they welcomed me thinking it'll be okay with Ed.

Soon enough, Ed arrived and I was shocked to see Ralph dining with us. "Hey Ed!" Abby smiled as soon as he saw him enter, "have you met Ralph?"

"What the hell is this?" Ed shouted. The whole cafeteria hushed and turned towards our table. I grabbed Ed and dragged him out.

"You better watch your mouth," I said suppressing my voice.

"Did you really have to bring him there? Tell me Addie, why'd you choose him over me?"

"I don't know, why'd you choose Lin over me? I gave you a chance, you wasted it. Ralph gave me the chance to feel the love you failed to show."

"You're wrong," he said as his eyebrows met at the center of his forehead, "he doesn't even know who you are. I bet he doesn't know your favorites, or interests, or hobbies. I bet he isn't familiar with the way you laugh at my jokes, or the way you scowl when I get things wrong. I bet... I bet... I bet he doesn't know the reason why I love you..."

"He might not know those yet, but time has its way. He might not be familiar with the way I am, but despite that, he chose me over any other girl in the world." I said walking back in.

"Addie please, let me explain," he said grabbing my elbow.

"You, let go of my girl," Ralph said pushing him away.

Ralph and I decided to eat outside of school since I was repulsed by the thought of eating with Ed.

"Addie!" I turned to see Trina running towards me.

"Trina? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Just touring my relatives around. They're here for vacations,” she smiled, “come on, I'll introduce you to them."

I followed her, turned to Ralph who just shrugged his shoulders. We spent the entire break with them and found ourselves enjoying each other’s company. Soon it was time to go, I still had afternoon classes. They seemed crushed that I had to leave, so they asked me to visit the Ramos’ residence in my free time. I didn't have the guts to refuse.

Ralph and I went back to the classroom; Ralph, seemingly mad.

"Is there anything wrong?" I asked him as he spaced out in his seat.

"Even if I already have you, he still wins against me," he mumbled.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Even in the fast food chain, you still give him more attention."

"What are you talking about?"

"What's going on there Miss Driftwood?" the teacher called out, the whole class turned to see what going on.

"It's nothing ma'am," Ralph forced a smile. It was nothing, my synapses responded, just my first 'lover's spat' with my first boyfriend on the first day of our relationship. For the first time in my life, everything is ending up in a total disaster.

Chapter 9 "The Hard Way"

"Bye Eddie!" I shouted to him as he got back into his house. "Let's go home," I said to Sylvester. When I arrived home, I saw Bea at the porch. She seemed quite worried about something.

"Lin" she whispered to me as soon as she was able to reach me, "you can't go in. Ralph's in there, he's waiting for Addie."

"Why can't I go in? He doesn't know the secret. I can get in there as Lin if I wanted to," I asked curiously.

"I told him Addie was out, to buy you some time. Don't you have some Addie clothes back there?"

"Nope," I said, "But I still don't get the point."

"Common sense, girl! If you go in as Lin and you change into Addie, it would seem fishy; because, my dear, it wouldn't make sense if Addie just teleported in without passing through the front door." she pointed out.

"Ah... I can't be inside if I hadn't entered," I said finally getting her point, "why don't we get Sylvester to get me some clothes?"

"Yeah, but it would be weird if Sylvester go out with some girl clothes, or a bag. You don't see butlers do that. We can't risk that."

She's made her point, so I decided to do things the hard way.

"Are you sure about that?" she said looking up at the Sycamore tree outside my window.

"It's the only way to get in without getting fishy, open the window for me," I smiled at her.

"Do be careful, Madame," Sylvester calmly cautioned in his cold-butler voice, “I wouldn't want scratches on you. That would be a big deduction on my pay."

"We wouldn't want that," I said as I grabbed on to a branch. It was just a stroke of luck that I had my running attire from that celebrity marathon.

Branch by branch, I stepped up; not moving an inch until I was assured that the next branch I was to step on was sturdy enough to hold my weight. Sweaty and tired, I slid through the window and into my room. I washed myself and got into some Addie clothes and looked down the window. With a huff I started to go down, the words "I can do this" stuck in my mind. Finally I was able to reach the ground, the sweet, sweet, grassy ground. Thank goodness my white tee had just a bit of wood on it, no major stains. I dusted off the debris off my clothes and walked through the door. I pretended not to notice Ralph.

"Addie," he said calling my attention, "have you heard of the news?"

"Which one?" I asked.

"Lin's got a new boyfriend," he said.

"Um. Yeah, Tony Larkin right? That so-called teen sensation?"

"I guess you haven't heard the news," he turned on the T.V. and switched to Jack! TMZ (replay).

"Lin!" shouted the reporter. Lin waved and was standing beside Ed. "is this your new boyfriend?"

"Yes he is," Lin said with a beaming smile, "I'd like you to meet Edgar Ramos, the brave soul who saved my life."

"What about Tony?"

"I've told you before, and I'm telling you again. Tony and I are just friends." Lin smiled as she went on to continue her romantic afternoon with Eddie.

Ralph turned off the T.V. as I held back a smile. He looked at me and I started to cry.

"I'm sorry," he said approaching me and held in his arms.

"This is exactly why I hesitated; I knew I'd get hurt sooner or later." I said, "I'd like some time alone." I said feeling uncomfortable and pushing him away.

"I can leave you alone, but I won't," he said as he pulled me back into his arms.

"I'm serious," I looked at him.

"I'm serious, too," he said as he gently kissed my forehead.

And so I cried the rest of the night. I just had to cry even though I already knew the news. It's how one is supposed to react in the situation. I guess I was, am, and will always be stuck to doing everything the hard way.