Page 19 of Chasing Mr. Prefect
I just laughed despite myself and nodded. As the branch was empty, my favorite spot—a booth in the corner with softer seats—was free for me.
I took a good photo of all my food and captioned it on my Instagram story before posting it. I had just dug into my box of fries when my phone beeped, notifying me of a reply.
Cholo Valiente
Hoy! You’re outside?
No, I have a McDo branch in my living room.
Obviously.
Shaking my head, I watched three dots appear next to his name, probably to come up with a smart ass answer.
Cholo Valiente
Can I join you? I forgot to get groceries
I rolled my eyes at my phone screen.
It’s a free country. Chos.
I put my phone down and savored my meal. Ten minutes later, Cholo appeared at the entrance. He wore a different shirt now and his slippers were as worn-out as mine.
He smiled as he passed me then went straight for the counter, joining me when he got his food.
“Why are you still up?” I asked.
“Rizal term paper,” he replied, looking at his fries. “I forgot it was due at midnight. Then these other things. I won’t have time this weekend because of family errands.”
“Hala siya,” I said, trying to be sympathetic.
“You? Why are you still up?”
“I finished the new poster,” I replied. “Summer said something annoying. I couldn’t sleep until I got it right.”
“Can you show me?”
“Hala. Is this a work hangout?”
“Sorry. You don’t have to show me. I need to turn my chairperson mode off.”
“Yes, please. I want to relax.”
I opened my apple pie and munched on the crispy corners, leaning on the booth I was sitting on. I sat there and just relaxed while Cholo started on his chicken meal.
“Question,” he started. “Why do you pretend like you don’t remember me?”
I gave him a look, trying to gauge if he was teasing, but he was serious.
“My memories of you aren’t exactly great, you know,” I said. “Every time I see you, I get reminded of how you called me Maleficent one day and how it stuck. Did you forget I became the villain in every single school play after that?”
“Not at all. I remember a lot of stuff but not that. You haven’t forgiven me for that, have you? Even after you hit me about a thousand times with your Sailor Moon lunch box?”
“That’s very…specific.”
“How could I forget? You had a good aim. Your box always landed on my face.”
“I had a good reason. If your memory is as sharp as you say it is, you’d remember why.”