Present Time

It's Monday and I have to be on school for my presentation about a certain medicine that can cure cancer for dogs. I am not a hundred percent sure if I could pull this through but I have worked hard for this since our midterms and even though I'm not confident enough I have faith in myself.

I was busy walking while reading my presentation when someone walked beside me and nudge my shoulder resulting to me almost letting the papers I was holding fly. The person beside me laughed and I immediately looked.

"Good luck on your presentation, bro." Marcus, my best buddy said. I smiled and gave him a fist bump.

"I will rock this presentation, bro. Thank you." I said and he messed with my hair. I hate it when someone does that. Touch anything in the world except my hair.

He started running and I ran after him. "I hate you, moron." I said and he laughed hard. "Run faster and chase me quick." That made me laugh and we eventually stopped in front of our room.

While we were panting and laughing together, I was preparing myself to look presentable for my presentation. I was busy arranging my paperworks when Marcus spoke.

"By the way, Nicole's been menacing me over the weekend. She's asking about your whereabouts. Why? Did you two had a quarrel?" He asked with genuine worry and sympathy.

I smiled at him, "don't worry about it. I got it, bro." Just when I was about to look back at my papers, Nicole entered our room and our eyes met. Dark circles are visible under her chinky eyes and her lips are paler than usual.

I looked away when I felt like my stomach is circling inside of me. Nicole walked towards us and she stood there, waiting for me to look at her but I did not. I pretended to read my presentation and look busy for her to leave.

"I was calling you multiple times but you did not answer any of my calls. Are you okay?" She said with worry in her voice. I still cannot look at her with the state of her right now.

She look so wasted and down... because of me.

"You see me fine so I guess I'm fine. What brought you here?" I said, still looking at the papers.

"I..." she stopped talking and that made me look at her. She was just looking at me intently, like I was some mathematics equation she cannot understand. She looked so worried and hurt.

I gulped and looked away. "Do you have not anything to do with me? You see, I'm kind of busy right now. You know that my presentation is today." I said, maintaining a straight face.

Marcus, who was beside me, looked at me with a confused expression in his face. I know he's wondering what's up and why am I acting this way towards Nicole but I do not have the luxury to tell him what is happening. I just cannot.

"Oh. Right. Good luck!" She said trying to cheer her voice up but I knew better. She's pretending and something is bothering her. I was starting to compile my papers and was about to leave the place because it suffocates me being near her.

I faced back and was about to walk through the door when Nicole spoke, "Havoc, you don't have to leave. I'm sorry if I was being a bother to you. I will leave now. My class is going to start anyway. Let's just talk some other time. I'll wait for your call."

Then, I heard Nicole's footsteps behind me. I stopped walking and looked at her back facing me. Her shoulders was down and my block mates were looking at her with pity in her eyes. I could have care less because this is what I want. This is my decision and I have to put up with it.

"Dude, what are you doing? What just happened?" Marcus spoke and I just looked at him. I can't even tell it to my best buddy. I feel so alone in this battle.

"Nothing. We'll talk this over. Don't worry." I said and luckily our professor entered the room and that leaves Marcus no choice but to keep his mouth shut from asking me further questions about the status of me and Nicole's relationship.

"Mr. Sanders, it's you who will present in class now, right? Proceed with your presentation." Our professor said once the class was settled. My heart began to race with both excitement and nervousness. This is it.

"Make us proud, bro." Marcus whispered beside me and I gave him an assuring smile. I will make everyone in this class proud.

I walked in front of the class and greeted each and everyone. I have to forget everything that I am thinking about these past few days because I have to deliver this presentation smoothly. I cleared my thoughts and filled it with information about my presentation.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm Havoc Sanders and this is my presentation."

It took me an hour and a half to present. But I'm glad it's all over now. "Very well, Mr. Sanders. I am impressed." The whole class cheered and clapped for my successful presentation and Marcus's was the loudest.

"Thank you, professor. Sleepless nights are worth it." I said and he laughed. The class was dismissed after that. Before our professor left the room, he went to me and tapped my shoulder. "The committee chose the right student. The opportunity that was given to you will make your life better so think about it clearly and make the best decision out of it."

I smiled at him and nodded. My mind says I'll take the opportunity given to me but my heart is screaming otherwise.

My phone beeped in my pocket and I saw a text from Perry. "Meet me at the school's lab. I'll be waiting in laboratory A." I sighed and gritted my teeth.

While walking I heard Marcus calling for me but I ignored him and fasten my pace in walking to reach the lab. I was already near when someone grabbed my shoulders that made me look behind me and I saw Marcus panting.

"Where are you going? Nicole's looking for you. She's already seated in our spot in the cafeteria." He looked confused trying to decipher what I was up to but I shrugged my shoulders to remove his grip on me.

I looked like some kind of puzzle standing in front of the Science Building that he cannot solve. "You're confusing me, bro. What are you even doing here?" Marcus said that made my heart thump.

"Nothing. I was just..." I cannot even make a proper excuse for my behavior and I know that Marcus is noticing how weird I am today.

"Bro, if you can't tell me, then don't. I won't force you. But Nicole is in there. Why don't you just talk to her and finish your business in this building later?" He said trying to help me solve my conflict with Nicole.

"Later, bro. I have something... important... to do here. I'll catch up later." I said trying to convince him and he just nodded his head slowly. I sighed in relief. Thank goodness Marcus is a different guy compared to others. He's understanding and knows how to respect other people's matters.

I turned my back on him and entered the laboratory A. I saw Perry standing in front of the white board and she smiled when she saw me enter the room. Perry walked towards me and hugged me. I did not do anything about it. I just let her do what she wants.

She broke the hug and looked at me, "what took you so long?" I just smiled and I fished my phone out of my pocket and called Nicole. Before she could even talk, I spoke, "I'm with Perry in the school's laboratory A." I said and ended the call.

I looked at Perry who was beside me, smiling from ear-to-ear like she won a billion dollar lottery. I can't blame her, though. She liked me ever since 1st year college and now we're on 4th year, I finally let her this close with me.

"Was that Nicole? Why are you still talking to her?" She asked that made me look away.

"It's nothing. I only want to let her know that we're over because it's you who I want now." I said and her face glimmer with happiness. My heart raced seeing the joy in her eyes.

"Do you mean it when you said you want me?" I could hear a little doubt in her voice but I smiled anyway and nodded to make her believe me. She pulled me in a tight hug and the door slammed when Nicole forcefully opened it like she's in a hurry.

"What's the meaning of this?" She said with confusion written on her beautiful face. I, on the other hand, whispered, "give us some time to talk, I'll see you later." And the girl beside me giggled while the woman in front of us is now furious. Gone were the confused expression she had a while ago. All I can see now is pure anger like she wanted to kill me right here, right now.

Perry walked and she is getting nearer and nearer to Nicole who is giving me a death glare. Something inside me shattered when I saw visible tears in her captivating eyes. How could I do this to her?

When Perry was beside Nicole, she grabbed her arm and faced her. Perry was a bit shocked because that was the first time she gave her attention, Nicole spoke, "You don't have to leave. I understand what's going on and there's nothing we should talk about."

Hearing those words from her made my eyes pooled with tears but I did not let these tears escape my eyes. I took a deep breathe and smiled at Perry who was looking at me like asking for permission to stay or to leave.

"I want this relationship to end now, Nicole. Perry is the one I want. I'm sorry." I said that made Nicole look back at me with unreadable expression on her face. I gulped when I realize I hurt her badly. What am I even thinking? That she will be happy when I told her I want someone else now and that we should breakup? Stupid you, Havoc.

Nicole, then, let Perry's arm go and smiled at her. My eyes are hurting trying to conceal my tears. That smile is so sad it made me want to punch myself for bringing this pain to her. She pulled two tickets in her uniform's pocket and my eyes widened when I saw what are those for.

"These tickets are for tomorrow. Use it and enjoy your time together." Perry's eyes widened when Nicole handed her the tickets and she left us here without further looking at me.

My dear Nicole, you still choose what you believe that could make me happy even when it will hurt you a hundredfold. I will never forgive myself for doing this to you but I have to. I'm sorry.