TEN YEARS AGO...
"Mia is really beautiful, isn't she? You know Erik how lucky you are to have such a beautiful partner," said William as they rested under the Plumeria tree or better known as Kalachuchi.
"You're jealous again, why am I handsome too, right?" he answered laughingly to his best friend.
They didn't have class then because their practice was scheduled for the JS Prom cotillion that will happen next week.
"Did I say you are not? I just said that you are lucky, Mia is simple, but she is beautiful. You know what? If only I had been as handsome as you are, I would have really courted her," William sounded so serious in what he said.
Erik's eyebrows quickly met because of what he heard.
"Shut up, okay? I know you and I'm warning you already," that was true inside him.
After all, William was too humble saying that he was not handsome because after all, his friend was a good-looking man and so was Roy.
But of the two, William is the certified playboy and that is the reason why he suddenly reacted like that.
"Why is it that the way you react is like you own Mia? Didn't you say she's not your type?" he asked, still grinning, which made him immediately feel annoyed.
"Stop, don't include Mia in your strings of girlfriends. She's a very kind person, and I don't want her to end up crying just because of you, certified playboy," he answered bluntly.
"Wow, look who’s talking! Why? Don't I have the right to change just in case? And one more thing, why are you stopping me? Why don’t you try to talk to Bernie, who seems to want to jump inside Mia’s bag just to be with her?” he said laughing. "You know, if you hadn't told me that Mia isn't your type, I might think you're in love with her," William even continued.
"I didn't say she wasn't my type, I don't remember saying that," he corrected.
That's true. It's not that Mia isn't his type because the truth is he's one of those men who secretly admires her qualities, especially her kindness that fits her beautiful and angelic face. But he had something else in his heart, and that was Keira. His childhood best friend that he couldn't understand why she suddenly avoided him. And now it's like she doesn't know him anymore.
"Ten years from now when Mia and I meet again and we are both single, I will court her," that was what he heard William say without hesitation which made him quickly turn around.
Erik's eyebrows knit again at what he heard. "What did you say?" he couldn't stop saying.
"You heard me, didn't you? I'm going to be very rich and then I will change her life, I just hope she doesn't fall in love with that Bernie so I can be with her someday," William said again in a dreamful tone of voice.
Erik didn't even admit to himself that he knew he wasn't happy with what his friend said. Even though he is his best friend. He also felt alarmed that he didn't know what was for.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Anyway, yeah, maybe ten years from now you won't be a womanizer anymore, I won't worry about Mia if she ends up with you," when he said that it was like Erik wanted to scold himself.
What right does he have and does he have to tell William that?
Just a few moments after that, they were sent back to their seats again by their adviser who was teaching them dance. Just like before, Mia smiled shyly before she extended her hand to him.
She's a very shy girl. And that may be the reason why he feels like he wants to protect her because that's how she behaves. She smiles when you greet her, Mia is not a snob. But she always has her head down because she's shy.
"Let's go, Mia. Let's win King and Queen of the Night on the night of the Prom," he whispered, bending slightly to convey what he wanted to say without being heard by their other classmates and schoolmates who were there.
He heard the light chuckle that Mia let out. "Hopefully, I'm not good at dancing. You know that, don't you? I told you?"
*****
The beautiful and sweet smile on Erik's lips did not disappear because of what she said. The truth is, she is grateful that he is her partner because apart from her secret feelings for him, the young man is really kind and very understanding.
"How many times have I stepped on your feet because I was having a hard time following the steps?" Mia said in a shy tone, then from looking up at the young man's handsome face, she voluntarily bowed her head.
"That's okay," Mia heard Erik answer him before gently squeezing her hand. "I'll take good care of you," from the tone of his speech, Mia knew she was in good hands.
Their practice ended later than their normal last subject schedule. And since they live in the same village, she and Erik walked home together, again that afternoon.
"Are you okay with what you are carrying? It looks heavy," the young man asked her, referring to the paper bag she was carrying.
Mia shook her head one after the other. "I'm fine, these are my books," she replied then smiled at Erik.
The young man nodded. "Give it to me, I’ll carry it for you. After all, it’s your house that we will pass by first" he said.
"Oh no, I’m perfectly fine," she said, holding the bag away from the young man. But Erik was persistent so in the end she also followed what he wanted.
"Are you serious that you want to win King of the Night at our Prom?" that question was just one of the strange times she was the first to ask Erik.
She cannot ask questions to Erik because she has always been too shy to do that. But there are times when her curiosity gets the better of her, so she can do it this time.
"Yes, but I want the both of us to win. Because didn't our adviser say that we look good together?" Erik said grinning and the wink at her afterward.
Mia quickly felt the redness on both sides of her face because of what the young man did so she quickly bowed her head to hide it.
But she knew that Erik's actions were not the only reason why he was blushing now. This includes what their adviser said.
Maybe if she is alone right now and Erik is not with her, she would smile and let out the thrill she was feeling. But because it was not possible, the restraint she had to do to control herself was sky-high.
"Do you know how many people like you?" it was Erik again.
Mia looked up at the young man again in shock. "W-What?"
"There are people I know who are jealous of me because they say I'm your partner. You know Mia, we're not very close, but the truth is, I agree with what they say."
Mia's eyebrows met at what she heard. "Who? What are you saying?"
"I'm lucky and you're my partner," answered Erik then smiled sweetly at her.