Chapter 50

We haven't finished creating the banner yet, and it's already 10:00 p.m. Jas hasn't arrived yet, but I can't hide my delight. I knew he was arriving soon because it had been an hour as we had talked. I'm grateful that he consented to meet Aly, and I'm hoping that they'll get along OK.
I'd like to finish the banner I'm working on now so that when Jas arrives, I won't be distracted and the three of us can converse freely. Aly is about complete, but I have yet to come up with a design. I'm putting in my best effort to be creative, and hopefully the results will be pleasant. I don't know how to enhance my creativity, and I can't make this banner without watching a video and having Aly guide me through it.
I'm going to try to make a simple banner, but I'm having those difficulties. It's not simple for me if it's simple for someone else. I can do it, however I'm not satisfied with my design because it seems like it was made by a kindergarten student. It's true that "you can't be perfect at everything," although I'm good at academies; I'm quick to grasp every lesson; I have no trouble memorizing; and I don't forget what I've learned right away, but I'm untrustworthy when it comes to projects because design is literally my one weakness. I don't care about design as long as the projects I work on are completed appropriately. Even if my designs are merely printed, it's enough for me because I trust it more than my own design.
Before responding, she smiled as she glanced at me. "Don't worry, El," She say, "I'm not sleepy yet. You know how shy I am, so I can't help but feel apprehensive about meeting Jas. At the same time, I'm excited because I can finally see what always comes out of your mouth," she added.
I ask with a chuckle. She shrugged and smiled as i asked, "What are you talking about? What are you saying that i constantly say? I'm not like that at all, Aly," I clarified.
I laughed because of what she said; I'm not sure if it was a joke, and I'm not sure if I actually do 'that' when we're together. I am not aware that I always mention Jas' name whenever I am with Aly and I laugh because that is what I do. I don"t notice that I always mention the name of the person I like and I can"t help but think of the fact that I won"t be able to forget how I feel for that person.
"Are you sure? Because I'm not sure about what you're saying," she stated and then she turned her back on me to continue the banner she was making.
"You"re crazy," I replied and I continue doing my task. She didn"t reply to me at and the silence enveloped us not until I heard a knock on the door.
I gulped and rose up. Aly looked at me and stood up as well. "Jas is probably the one who knocked," I stated.
"We don't have any expected guests except him, so that's him. Open the door and I will wait here," she said and I nodded. "By the way, aren't we going to put away this clutter?" she asked, referring to the things we used to make banner.
"Don"t worry, it"s okay with him. Just leave it there and we don't have time to fix it," I responded. We're not done yet and Jas can understand why my living area is like this.
"Okay, go ahead. Let him enter, don't make him wait," she stated, smiling. She knows that I do everything to disregard my feelings for Jas, but if she can smile at me now it seems like she is teasing me.
I just rolled my eyes at her while trying to hide my laugh. I turned my back at her and headed to the door. When I opened it, Jas's calm expression flashed on me as his right hand was tucked inside the pocket of his hoodie jacket while his left hand was carrying a paper bag.
"Good evening, El," he greeted, so I looked at his face. He was smiling a little and I smiled as well.
"Good evening, Jas. Come in," I stated and gave him a way.
I could see our clutter in the living room from where we were standing, and I knew he was uncomfortable.
"Jas, go to the kitchen first. "I'm sorry if the living area is like way; Aly and I are working on something for the tournament tomorrow," I added, my smile still intact.
"Don't worry, it's fine with me," he said, shaking his head. "I have a snack, and I'll just wait for you in my kitchen because I might spill in what you're doing."
He headed towards the eating area after I nodded. "Let's go to the dining room, he brought a snack for us," I remarked to Aly when I arrived at her place.
"I'm shy, El," she said, and her shyness is evident in her expression.
"Aly, don't be shy. Jas is a gentle soul who, like us, is an introvert. We have a lot in common, so I'm sure you'll feel at ease with him when you talk."
She took a deep breath and smiled at me. She stood up after taking a long breath.
"Let's go?" I inquired, and she nodded.
We all proceeded to the dining room together and saw Jas seated. He stood up and waited for me to start the conversation when he noticed us arriving. I know he's shy because he's not used to this situation, and I'm delighted he's having to deal with something he doesn't much like simply for me.
"Her name is Aly, Jas. She was the first girl I ever made a friend with," I explained.
Jas paused for a moment and then placed his hand in front of Aly. "Hello, Aly. Nice to meet you. My name is Jas, and I'm El's childhood friend," he said.
"H-hi, nice to finally meet you too, Jas," Aly said, holding out her hand to Jas. "El always told me about you."
Jas quickly put her palm inside the pocket of her jacket once Aly withdrew her hand.
I could sense their reluctance for each other as we sat in front of the dining table. I'm not sure why they're shy, so I'll have to accommodate them. I know we'll be surrounded in silence if I don't speak. I'd like to help them overcome their timidity, but I'm not sure how.
When I saw Aly bending over, I laughed, and Jas glanced at me and asked for help to break the stillness that had engulfed the three of us. I was ready to ask Jas what he had brought when I noticed his paper bag on the table, but I stopped myself since he spoke first.
He asked, "I have a snack, do you want to eat?"
When I looked at Aly, she was still hunched over. I know she's uncomfortable because she hasn't seen Jas in a long time. She was like that when she first met Ivan's friends and talked to them, so I understand her, but she doesn't have to be shy of Jas since she has no reason to be.
I'm grateful Jas is doing his best to overcome his shyness, because if they don't talk, I'm not sure I'll be able to talk to anyone else.
"Hey, Aly, don't feel bad about Jas. You don't have to be ashamed of him." She forces a smile when she looks at me.
"You don't have to feel ashamed about me because I'm bashful as well. Let's help each other tear down the barriers that are preventing us from socializing," Jas said as he took the snack into the paper bag he was carrying. I couldn't help but smile at what he said and I knew that Aly's shyness was reduced because of what he said.
"You really are a hardheaded. I already told you not to buy foods, but you disobey." I am not saying this because I didn"t want him to make an effort. I just don"t want him to get used to buying food every time he comes here. I also know that he is allocating his money and I am worried that he is using it because of me.
"I know what you"re thinking. Don"t worry, El. I use my extra money here," he stated like he was reading my thoughts. He was quick to guess what I was thinking and he was able to answer what was on my mind? How did he do that?
"What did you buy?" I asked and when he finally put the food on our table, I just saw that he brought burger and mc float. "You are loyal to Jollibee, Jas," I joked and he laugh as well. I can feel that he was comfortable with the atmosphere and I hope that Aly will also feel the tranquility while with us. I want her not to feel the tension because I prefer her to be happy too and feel no nervousness in the chest.
Jas stood up and he placed the burger and mc float across from Aly and me. Aly tried to be comfortable with Jas; she smiled and she looked at me smiling too when Jas placed the snack for her in her table. When Jas got back in his chair, we started eating while the three of us talked. I can no longer feel the awkward atmosphere between the two because Aly is already interacting.
"Aly, I would like to ask you something," Jas stated, smiling.
"What"s that, Jas? Ask me about science, not just math because I don't know anything about it," she replied and the three of us laughed.
I can also notice that Aly has a hard time when it comes to Pre-Cal and the Gen-Math subject because she has time to ask questions and I teach her. She is can solve, but when difficult problems need to be solved, she has difficulty. He excelled in all subjects except mathematics. She told me before that she could not understand why when it comes to physics, she can do computations but when it comes to math, her brain function is said to be weak.
"It's not about subjects or lessons. It is easy to answer," Jas stated.
"What is your question and you will ask me if it's okay with El," Aly replied.
I am also curious what question Jas will ask Aly. There"s a little bit of nervousness in my heart and I can"t say the reason why I"m nervous.
Jas cleared his throat. "I heard earlier that you said El always mentioned me to you," he stated, smiling. I gulp as he asks, "What is El telling you about me?"
"She"s just joking earlier," I immediately middle. I"m not comfortable with the topic because I don"t want Jas to know anything he shouldn"t know.
Jas shifted his gaze to me and his smile became wider. "You look defensive, El. Should I know anything?" I shook my head and he laughed even harder. "With that expression, I think I have something to know." He looked at Aly again and like him, she was also smiling.
Aly looked at me and I shook my head again. She looked at Jas again, "With so much she said, I don't remember anything."
Jas chuckle and he bit his lower lip. He combs his hair with his finger and asks, "I"m curious, did he say he likes me?"
W-what? What did he say he asked?