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Friday, March 08, 2002
:: CHAPTER 2 :: When it's my moment in the sun,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JORDIE!!! Rise and shine, sleepyhead!!" Michael yelled as he tugged at Jordan's comforter. "No..oooo….i…need…sleeeep. Go away, Mikey…" Jordan said as she pulled the comforter tighter around her. "Aww…come on, Jo…we have to celebrate. You're EIGHTEEN. The big one-eight. You have to do SOMETHING!" He said. " I AM doing something. It's called sleeping in. It's my birthday and I proclaim it to be a holiday. We have no classes today so go away." Jordan said as she plumped up her pillows and let her head fall back on it. She gave a meaningful glance to Michael and closed her eyes. "We DO have classes and you're the biggest bum I've ever known." Michael pulled the comforter off and said, "Get your ass up right now or you're not going to get your surprise. NOW!" "Oh, dammit, Mike. Can't a girl get her beauty sleep? It's 7.30 in the morning. And it's my birthday…" Jordan whined as she dragged herself out of bed in her Winnie the Pooh pyjamas. "I. Don't. Care. You are going to college whether you like it or not. And you are going to spend the ENTIRE day out of doors. Really, Jordie, the older you get, the less fun you are." Michael said patronizingly. Jordan narrowed her eyes at him and said through gritted teeth, " I'll see you downstairs in 15 minutes." And she continued glaring at him until he backed off to her door. "There's my girl!" Michael grinned cheekily at her. "ARGGHHH." Jordan groaned as she slammed the door in his face. Jordan took a quick shower, choosing not to wash her hair since she had no time to dry it. She ran her soapy hands all over her body, feeling the warm water fall on her. "Mmmmm….i would have had a nice long bath if bloody Michael didn't choose to ruin the quiet day I planned for myself." Jordan mumbled to no one as she grabbed her towel and dried herself. She stood at the sink and brushed her teeth, spitting out the minty foam as she rinsed her mouth. Jordan looked at herself in the mirror, scowling. And then she grinned a grin so wide that she looked quite mad. Happy birthday, Jordan. I sure hope Mikey has a better day planned out for you. If he doesn't, you can tell his mom that he spent 4 hours foosing at the college cafeteria instead of studying in the library like he said he would. And then, Jordan nodded to herself in satisfaction. When she got down the stairs, Jordan found Michael happily chatting with her parents. "Here comes the birthday girl, coming down the stairs." Jordan's father sang in tune to the Banana's In Pyjamas theme song. Jordan giggled at her dad and hugged both her parents. "Thanks, Mi. Thanks, Di. Don't I get ang pows?" Jordan grinned mischievously. Both her parents looked at Jordan and rolled their eyes, " LATER." Jordan pouted and said, "Fine." "To think that she's eighteen, with her face like that," Jordan's dad said sarcastically to Michael. Michael laughed. "What to do, uncle? She's always been the pouting sort." Jordan gave him a big thump on the arm and dragged him out of the hall, "C'mon! Let's go! We're gonna be late. Bye, Di..bye, Mi!" "Thank you, uncle…good day, aunty. Bye!" Michael waved goodbye. "So, where's my surprise, huh?" Jordan nudged Michael as they walked to college. "You'll get it soon enough." Michael replied mysteriously. "Don't you have a pressie or something for me? A card?" Jordan nudged Michael again. "Nope. Didn't bother. Guys don't do those stuff, okay?" Michael looked at Jordan in disgust. "But it's my EIGHTEENTH birthday!!! You're not going to give me something to remember it by??" Jordan whined. Michael raised his eyebrows and said, "Nope." "You're evil, y'know that? Insensitive and evil." Jordan scowled at him. "Oh, stop being a baby, birthday girl. We've almost reached the college. You wouldn't want your classmates to think you're a moody brat now, do you? "I'm not moody. We've reached. See you in class." With that, Jordan walked huffily into college by herself. She didn't notice that Michael ran in using another shortcut to class after she left. Before going to class, however, Jordan bumped into Jonathan. "Ehm, hi." Jonathan said shyly. "Hey." Jordan replied, blushing slightly. Damn, why do my cheeks always turn warm whenever I see him? "Happy birthday." "Oh, yeah…you too. Haha." Jordan laughed. You wimp. You could've said it first. "Not celebrating? I would've thought eighteen was a big deal." Jonathan smiled at her. "Haha, I should be asking YOU the same thing. But yeah, I'll be going out with my best friend later. He says he's got a surprise for me. I don't know…"Jordan shrugged. "Ooh…a "he" best friend. I've got a notion that boys and girls can never BE 'just friends'." Jonathan nudged Jordan. " Hahahaha…very funny. Trust me, there's nothing between me and Michael. I know him too well that it's just not 'right'. Anyways, aren't YOU going to celebrate?" Jordan winked. "Oh, nahhh…I'm kinda by myself here. And the rest of my mates have got class till late." Jonathan shrugged. "Oh." Jordan looked at him uncomfortably. You idiot. He's an exchange student. Why would his family be around? Here's your chance! Ask him out! Ask him out! He's got nothing planned!! Jonathan looked stunned for a moment and then, his face broke into a smile. "Yeah, sure. I'd like that." "Okay. Well, it's almost 8.30 now. I've got class. I'll ehm, see you later then. At the entrance?" Jordan smiled at him. Ohmigod.Ohmigod. I just asked him out. Oh.My.God. "Yup. See you then." "Okay, bye." And Jordan walked away. Jonathan watched her leave, whispering, "Bye," under his breath. And he thought to himself, "She just asked me out." Wow. And Jonathan went on his own way, a silly smile plastered on his face. *************** As Jordan walked away from Jonathan, she was silently jumping with joy, grinning to herself. I did it. I'm meeting him at 12pm. For LUNCH. To hang out. Whee. Dammit, girl. You're obsessed. Jordan thought to herself still day-dreaming as she reached her classroom. As she opened the door… "SURPRISE!!!!!" Jordan jumped in shock. And her jaw dropped. Every single one of her classmates were looking at her, all grinning mischievous grins as they shouted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" And there was Michael, with a birthday cake and eighteen candles on it. He advanced forward…with that roguish grin she knew so well. "You planned this, didn't you?" Jordan smiled at him happily. "Of course I did. Who else would be so nice and actually bother about the fact that you're turning eighteen, hmm?" Michael laughed while he put the cake down onto the front desk and gave her a big bear hug. "Happy birthday." Jordan hugged him tightly back and whispered, "Thank you, Mikey. You're the best." And then she released him and looked at her friends. Jordan giggled and said, "Thanks everyone. This is awesome." One of her classmates, a petite Chinese girl with super straight hair named May Li, screamed, "Hurry up and make a wish!! We haven't had breakfast yet, y'know!!" " Hold your horses, babes!" Jordan made a face at her and sat down in front of the desk where the cake was. "Mmmm…this is lovely. Chocolate banana for breakfast. Yummmm ," Jordan grinned at Michael. Everyone crowded around her as they sang the chorus of Happy Birthday, while Michael and some of the guys sang the monkey version super loud.
Tony, one of the class clowns who looked rather like the Chinese version of Barney went soprano at the end note making the whole class erupt in laughter. Jordan made a wish and blew out her candles all at once. As she stood, laughing and hugging her girl buddies, Michael looked at her. It was a job well done, he told himself. She's so cute when she smiles. He locked eyes with her for a moment and she mouthed, 'Thank you.' And he mouthed back, 'Your welcome," winking at her. May Li, the girl who was impatient before, yelled, "Breakfast for everyone!!!" as she cut the cake for Jordan. "I blame you for making me fat and damn, you're only 18," May Li poked Jordan in her side. Jordan giggled and said, "God is fair." Class resumed as usual when Mr. John, their math lecturer arrived and commented on the commotion. Jordan offered him a piece of her cake as bribery, grinning cheekily and that's when the fun ended and monotonous college classes began. Jordan took her place beside Michael and grinned at him. Michael asked, "So, birthday girl, enjoyed your surprise?" "Of course I did." Jordan propped an elbow on her desk and looked at him sideways. "I really didn't expect it from you though." "And why not? I'm the longest best friend you have. Even Jessie wouldn't think of such a thing." Michael looked hurt. "Welll…you were such a pain this morning." Jordan laughed. Michael rolled his eyes. "And you are such a bum." "And besides, Jessie doesn't study here anyway. She couldn't have organized this. AND, she messaged me this morning to wish me a happy birthday. So, you see, she remembered." Jordan continued, sticking her tongue out at him. "Haha, okay, okay. I get your point. You can get turn off your defensive mode now. I love the girl just as much as you do, woman! I can finally call you a woman, can't i?" "Good." Jordan replied in satisfaction. And the both of them started to do past-year questions together in the midst of the noisy class. Michael, being the smart one, shut out his surroundings and concentrated on doing integrations while Jordan racked her brains, trying to figure out vectors. I hate math, she thought as she nudged Michael for the millionth time with pleading eyes to ask him how to do a statistic question. Why she had to learn statistics is beyond her as she listened to Michael explain patiently using the formulas given why the probability of ten bacteria's in a whole pond full of them is 0.11 instead of 0.14. She sighed. She was engrossed in more math questions when Michael waved a hand in front of her. "Helloooo…earth to Jordan." Jordan looked up at him blankly, "Huh?" "I called you like 3 times and we're sitting right next to each other. Math getting the best of you, eh?" Jordan smiled, "Haha, yeah. Unfortunately so. What's up?" "Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what you were doing for lunch. It's your birthday after all. I thought we'd go somewhere nice." Michael asked nonchalantly without looking at her. "Oh, sorry babe. I'm meeting someone for lunch. His name is Jonathan and he's got the same birthday as me." Jordan said absent-mindedly, biting her pen as once again, she got the wrong answer to another question. I'm so gonna fail math at this rate, she thought. "Oh." Michael said, finally looking at her, with a disappointed look on his face. "Uh-hm." "That's okay, then." Michael said quietly. Jordan looked up briefly to give him a small smile and shifted her attention back to her work. *************** When it was 12pm, Jordan packed up slowly to leave class. It had been a rather tiring day. A day full of math. She had 2 hours of math and one hour of chemistry, which she ended up doing math too because her lecturer was yakking to herself with her back facing the students. She felt so brain exhausted that she almost forgot her lunch date with Jonathan. Almost. Michael, who stood quietly by the door watching her pack look startled when she suddenly smiled to herself. The thought of lunch with Jonathan cheered her up immediately and poor Michael wondered why. Jordan smiled at him and said, "Walk me to the gate? I want to introduce you to someone." "So, who's this Jonathan guy? You have that silly smile on your face. Uh-oh. Should I call the crush police? May-day. May-day. Jordan's got a crush. Eeee-yooo…eee-yooo..," Michael imitated a siren. Jordan laughed, "Cut it out, Michael. He's one of them exchange students from UK." "Ooh. A foreign man." Michael wiggled his eyebrows. She likes a Brit? You've gotta be kidding me. "Haha, yep. That he is. He's got the most gorgeous green eyes I've ever seen. He's real smart too y'know. Aaannnd, he's SUCH a gentleman." Jordan said dreamily. But she snapped out of it almost immediately to add pointedly, "Unlike you." "What did I do?" Michael replied defiantly. "Oh, forget it." Jordan rolled her eyes. "Anyways, it's our first time having lunch together. And I actually don't really know THAT much about him yet except for the things I JUST told you…but I plan to find out soon." She grinned at him. "Oh, whoop-dee-doo. I predict this will last, hmm…,"as he patted his watch, "in two hours. The moment you get to know him, you're going to lose every bit of interest in him as you always do with other guys." "He's NOT like other guys, Mikey." "Right. The only difference is he's WHITE." "Actually, he's not really THAT white, he's rather tanned for a Caucasian. But, but, that's beside the point." Jordan replied exasperatedly. "Look, I really like this guy. And I need your best friend approval, okay? Please?" Jordan did her puppy-dog eyes. "I hate it when you do that." Michael groaned. "Yay! Thank you! Okay, there he is by the guard house. The one in the dark blue polo t-shirt. Okay, be good, Mikey." Jordan rushed forwards. "Jonathan!" They were all standing in front of the guard house when Jordan introduced Jonathan to Michael. "Michael, this is Jonathan." "Jonathan, this is my best friend, Michael." "Ahhh…the 'he' best friend." Jonathan grinned and shook hands with Michael. "Haha, yep, that would be me." Michael said looking at Jordan, puzzled. She mouthed behind Jonathan's back, I'll explain to you later. "Well, hello, Michael. I've not heard a lot about you but I'm sure I will soon." Jonathan smiled. "So, shall we go for lunch? I'm starving. I have not eaten anything for the whole day. Michael, please do join us." Michael took one look at Jordan who was silently wishing that he'd say no and smiled courteously, "That's alright. You guys go ahead. I've gotta run some errands for my mom. Have fun. I'll see you later, Jordie." "Alright. It was a pleasure to meet you, Michael." And they shook hands again. Jordan smiled, "Bye, Mike." And she gave him a hug, whispering, "Thank you. I owe u one. I'll see you tonight, okay?" "Yeah." Michael smiles weakly and waved them goodbye as Jordan and Jonathan crossed the road to the row of shops opposite the college. Michael's eyes followed them, as they laughed and joked about till he couldn't see them anymore. Why is it that you can't see me the way you see him, Jordie?, Michael thought to himself. He felt a pang of jealousy. He wondered if this was normal and shrugged it off. He thought of the day he had planned for himself and Jordan. He had wanted to take her to TGI's for lunch. It's been ages since we last shared a mud pie. He thought of the present and card that he had gotten for her. Waiting for her in his room. He sighed and tried to shut his thoughts out of his mind. He hoped she'd remember to meet him tonight. ***************
"Everything." Jordan giggled. "Hmm, you should check out the lunch specials. They usually have some good choices there. I'm gonna have the lemon-grass fish with cream sauce." She said as she licked her lips. "Mmmm…that sounds really good. I think I'll go with the chicken with mushroom sauce." Jonathan smiled. They called the auntie running the place and made their orders. Once they ordered, they chattered aimlessly, Jonathan punctuating his sentences with sheepish smiles that Jordan had grew to adore. This went on until they lapsed into a hiatus. They only resumed their conversation after their food arrived, which was delicious. And come 3.30pm, Jonathan said he had to leave because he promised his fellow friends from the exchange student program that he would meet up with them. They paid their bill, complimented the auntie for their lovely meal and left Peppercorn. Jordan walked Jonathan to the place where he was meeting his friends which was a cyber café in front of college. And so, they said their goodbyes, and parted… Jordan walked home by herself today…usually, she'd notice her surroundings. She loved to watch the leaves of the huge trees around her sway and occasionally grin when a squirrel rushed across her path. But not today….her thoughts were elsewhere. 3rd November 2005 Dear Journal, Heys. First and foremost, I'd like to wish me a very happy birthday. Haha. I'm a freak, I know. But who cares? Nobody ever reads my journal. And I don't want them to. This is a place for my most private thoughts and this is the way it should always be. Michael gave me a wonderful birthday surprise with my classmates in college. I owe him one. Chocolate banana for breakfast is just sinful. Mmmm. Maybe I can return the favour when his birthday comes next week. I've already gotten him his present. I hope he likes it. It's this really cool t-shirt that says, "I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Cracks me up every time I think of it. I'm sure he'll love it! :) I met Jonathan today. It seems odd seeing him in reality when I've tried so hard to LOOK for him, only to find him in my dreams. I find it so ironic that I feel far more comfortable with him in the company of Kayla and Jesper in the land of dreams even though it's the real him that I'm talking to, technically, and it's not just a dream although it was, somewhat. This is confusing. Whatever I'm feeling right now feels so odd. I feel light-headed, and fuzzy in my insides. I feel tongue-tied whenever I talk to him and when I finally start getting comfortable, he had to go and leave. It was weird. We talked about everything under the sun, really. I found out that he's actually adopted. Rather personal stuff, I know. I was surprised that he'd tell me something like that, but he said he had nothing to hide. And, I totally respect him for that. Throughout our entire conversation, I'd realize that once in a while, he'd lose focus. He'd be daydreaming about something or thinking really hard, as if he's trying to remember something. I found it rather cute cause I know I'm just like that too. Mikey always have to snap me out of my dreams of building kingdoms in the clouds but it's different when you SEE someone do it, y'know? I have butterflies in my tummy just thinking about him. I'm just so drawn to him. Even though, further into our conversation earlier made me realize that we have nothing much in common. He's the studying kind while I'm not. He sticks to English food whenever he can while I'd try everything and anything that is not too disgusting. He listens to punk rock while I'm in love with celtic music. He doesn't read books that does not teach him anything, like fiction. And I'm like religiously DEVOTED to fiction. They're my escapism therapy!! So you see, we have nothing in common. Except, maybe, chemistry?? Oh, I dunno….it's too early to tell. But I'm very sure that I've never felt this way before. Is this what you call falling in love for real? I wonder, does he like me too? Even if it's just a little bit, I think I'd be happy.
Jordan closed her eyes and smiled to herself. She didn't care what the world thought. She knew it was too fast to feel this way. But she also knew that her instincts were right. She was in love. ************** "JESSIEEEE!!!" Jordan squealed as she spotted the tall and slender girl with long curly hair and a fresh, china-doll face under the moonlight standing next to Michael when she went to meet them at the park near her house after dinner with her family. Jessie is Jordan's best girl friend. They first met in primary school when they were just 7. Jessie used to be this plump little girl with pigtails. She and Jordan were like peas in a pod in looks then, figuratively speaking, of course. But now, they were as alike as night and day. Jessie grew up to be undoubtedly beautiful, and TALL, which was what Jordan resented the most, but they were the best of friends still. Jordan had not seen the girl for months as she was studying architecture in another college, but here she was now, in the flesh. "Happy birthday, darling! I see, you've missed me? How could you possibly? We talk on the phone for HOURS practically EVERY day." Jessie threw her eyes up to heaven. Jordan giggled. "Yeah, I know…but it's not the same as actually SEEING you!!" And she enveloped Jessie in another bear hug. "Hey, Mike." Jordan said, mid-embrace. "Hello! Had a good dinner with your family? Uncle told me they were taking you out for a Japanese buffet." Michael grinned. "Oh yes, it was SO good. Can you imagine? I ate like, FIFTY sashimi's in one seating. I didn't even realize until my parents told me that I went back and forth to the buffet table like 5 times, taking ONLY sashimi. We went to this place called Seki-Tei and the unagi's were…"Jordan did a thumbs-up motion. "You heartless pig. Do you know how many salmons had to die for you to have your fill??" Michael said jokingly. Jordan tried to smack him but he avoided swiftly, expecting it. "You're so predictable, Jordie." Michael said in mock disappointment. "Gawd, you two are such kids. Am I the only one who grew up here?" Jessie said while tossing her head. Her curls moving like satin under the moonlight. Both Jordan and Michael stared at her and burst into laughter. "AS IF," they said simultaneously. Jessie laughed too, "Okay, c'mon, let's get down to business." "What business?" Jordan asked, smiling, "I wanna give you your birthday pressie. What else??" Jessie rummaged into her slingback, producing a small box with gorgeous ribbons and a small card that said, " To remember our times together, best friends now and forever. With love, Jessie." "Go on, open it." Jessie grinned as Michael stood beside her, looking curiously. Jordan slowly untied the ribbons. Stuffing them into her handbag so that she can re-tie them again later and opened the lid of the box. Inside, it was a silver charm bracelet glittering in the dark as Jordan gasped at it. It had a little star dangling from it. Jessie took the bracelet from her and grabbed Jordan's hand to fasten it on. Jessie smiled happily, "Yay! It fits. I was so worried it'll be to big. Your wrist IS rather tiny." She said pointedly. Jordan fingered the bracelet. And looked up at Jessie with tears in her eyes, "Oh, thank you, Jess. It's lovely." And they hugged each other tight. Michael looked at them awkwardly, laughing nervously and thinking, Gawd, these two are too emotional for their own good. Jordan, noticing him standing with his hands in his pockets, looking at the two of them hugging, said, "Oh, come here, you!" And they pulled him into a group hug. Jordan sniffed saying, "Thanks, guys. I had a lovely time today. This is the best birthday ever." And she smiled lovingly at her two best friends. "Oh, but it has not ended, my dear birthday girl! Why, the fun is only just about to begin." Michael grinned mischievously at the two girls. "What else is there?" Jessie frowned. "Wait a sec." Michael ran across the road home and came back with a huge bucket. Jordan peered into the bucket and groaned, "Oh..noooo….you didn't." "Yep, I did. And they're filled with diluted milk too. Just like old times." Michael grinned at her. "Oh, no. I'm not playing with stupid water balloons. I've got a date later, okay? I can't afford to ruin my clothes." Jessie said in bewilderment. "Oh, c'mon…live a little. How often do we get to act like kids anyway??" Michael nudged Jordan. Jordan giggled and ducked before Michael could say another word, "Prepare yourself!! I'm armed!" as she grabbed a water balloon with both hands. Without wasting another second, she threw it at Michael. *pop!* *splash!* It splashed a little at Jessie too, who shrieked madly because she felt it on her toes. Michael stood stunned, and drenched as Jordan was laughing hysterically a few meters away. "Why, you little brat…" he grabbed a balloon and chased after her. And so the goose chase went on for a bit, both Jordan and Michael drenched within a matter of minutes as Jessie looked on. Eventually, she got bored standing by herself watching all the fun as Jordan shrieked yet once again, when Michael scored another hit. And so, she took off her shoes and took a balloon. Aiming at Michael, she threw with all her might. When the balloon made contact, she screamed, "Boo-yaH!!" *************** Dear journal, I just realized how much Michael means to me. He's my bestest friend forever and ever. He remembered our old game of playing water-balloons. We used to do it every year. Made it a big thing in between our birthdays. We had such fun then…we graduated from plain ol' water to diluted milk. Makes it even more sticky and well, we'd stink like milk REAL bad after playing. But it was all good. The chasing. The fun. The joy. The laughter. The whole thing sent my senses reeling. And I traveled back to the time when I was still 6. We played it every year until we were 15…and then we just stopped. I guess it got a little too childish then. It wasn't cool anymore. But oh, the memories are so sweet. And I'm so glad I got to relive it today. Right after the game, it was still only 9pm and Michael said he wanted to come over after we cleaned ourselves up just to talk. Which was good because I wanted to tell him how things went with Jonathan. And so, I said yes. He arrived a little earlier than I expected I was admiring the bracelet Jessie gave me when he knocked on my room door. Before he could say anything, I said, "I think I'm in love," as I plopped on the bed. Michael looked so odd just then. I guess I must have shocked him. But he smiled anyway, putting down the big paper bag he was holding, and plopped right down beside me. It was our telling secrets position. He listened intently as I told him what a hopeless romantic I'm turning out to be and how I really mean it this time. All through it all, he smiled encouragingly at me. He didn't laugh at me one bit. Really, journal, I don't know what I'd do without Michael. He's a true best friend indeed. After I was done venting out my feelings, he said, "Okay. Now it's my turn." I thought he was going to tell me that he was in love too! Until he gave me my third surprise of the day. The doink got me a pressie after all!! He got me this adorable brown teddy bear about 15 inches tall. It was so cute and gawsh, so soft. I'm gonna sleep with it every night. I've named it Micky by the way. I squealed when I saw it. Mikey has never given me a soft toy before and it was a refreshing change to not have something USEFUL. Soft toys are just to look at. Oh, and hug too. :) Michael left at 10.30pm. We had a nice long chat about everything else and gossiped about Jessie. Haha. We're gonna make Jessie go on a double date with us. We'd like to get to know this ERIC a bit better. And give HER our best friends approval. I feel extremely contented today. It's the best day of my life. And I have my BEST friends and family to thank for it. Thank you, God. For blessing me with so many meaningful people in my life. With love, this is the birthday girl signing off for the night. Posted by born2smile at 10:16 pm drop some rays...** Permalink Posted by born2smile at 09:41 pm drop some rays...** Permalink Posted by born2smile at 09:36 pm drop some rays...** Permalink Posted by born2smile at 09:25 pm drop some rays...** Permalink :: November ::
:: Bulan Sudah Datang :: - PMS, i tell you! >.< :: I Did It!!! :: - The satisfaction of completing NaNoWriMo 2005. Whee!
Posted by born2smile at 09:21 pm drop some rays...** Permalink |
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