Mark, Justin, Cesar, and Kevin walk to the Park. They find a vacant table and they sit by it.

  “Haaa~” sighs Justin as he leans back on his chair. “What a wonderful day.”

  “You bet,” says Kevin. “This is the life.”

  They do not say a word to each other. Instead, they're enjoying the silence that is between them. Mark looks at the sky and suddenly, thoughts about some special someone come to his mind.

  ‘Will the Lord really give me Sam? Am I too foolish for her? I love Sam but… she doesn’t love me back. Why do I keep chasing after her? Is the Lord really faithful with His word and promises? Or is the arm of the Lord short, unable to fulfill his promises? Is he really God who tells the truth? Why is he doing this to me? I know this will make me more mature but, dang, it's hard. It ain’t over yet if Sam isn’t married yet, so I should keep on hoping that me and Sam will be together. I will love her all the days of my life, even though it will hurt me in the end.’

  Mark looks down at eye level and sees his friends casually talking.

  “What’re your plans after graduating Junior High School, Cesar?,” says Justin.

  “My plans?” Cesar ponders for a while. “I would likely continue Senior High School here in Toledo.”

  “Of course,” says Kevin. “Since your beloved Sam is here. Ayiiee.”

  “Of course, that’s part of my plan.”

  They all laugh with him but Mark can’t grasp the fact that he’s hurt.

  “After that, I would go to Cebu City for College,” Cesar continues.

  “What course do you wanna take?” says Justin.

  “I am planning to take Mechanical Engineering.”

  “When I graduate Senior High, I’m gonna pick Accounting.”

  They all suddenly look at Justin. Their faces are filled with disbelief.

  “What?” says Justin. “Is it not bad to dream big? Haha.”

  They chuckle with him.

  “I can’t believe you’ve matured much, Justin,” says Mark. “You’ll achieve your goals and I’m gonna be with you with all that.”

  “Thanks bro,” Justin offers a fist and Mark complies.

  “BOOM!” the best buds say.

  “What college course do you wanna take, Splash?” says Kevin.

  “I’m gonna choose Law,” Mark replies. “What about you? What course do you wanna take?

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  “I dunno—” Kevin then ponders. “I haven’t even thought about it.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” says Cesar. “You’ll figure it out.”

  Kevin gives him a smile, “Thanks, Cesar.”

  After some casual conversations, the boys go straight to church. Even though they’re walking, they still keep their conversation going.

  “I’m glad your parents let you go to our church,” says Justin.

  “Haha,” says Kevin. “No problem. My parents are also Christian, so they understand. Besides, it’s our celebration today. We should celebrate this day together.”

  Justin pats Kevin hard on the back.

  “Nice one, big guy. Haha.”

  Mark elbows Justin.

  “Ow, Mark.”

  “Don’t pat him hard or else his lungs would fall off.”

  “Fall off? This man’s a giant, no hard blows gonna move this man.”

  Then suddenly a rocket falls from the sky and lands on Justin’s back. Justin wants to react but he gets his wind knocked out of him.

  Justin wheezes and grabs his knees.

  “Kevin!!” says Cesar.

  “Oh, sorry. Looks like I did it too far. Sorry.”

  Justin recovers and laughs, “Dang. It felt like I got felled by a tree.”

  “Next time, Kevin. Keep it light,” Cesar says. “Justin, keep it light next time. Got it, you two?”

  “Yes, Master,” is their reply.

  They finally arrive at the Be Opened Commission Fellowship. They sit in the middle rows beside each other. Before they can sit, Cesar is greeted by Sam. They hug each other and Mark watches at them longingly then looks away.

  Upon looking away, he notices Kevin smiling wryly at him.

  “What?” says Mark.

  Justin barges his face into his space and also smiles wryly.

  “What is it with you two?”

  “We notice it, Mark,” Kevin says. Then Kevin brings close his mouth to his ears and whispers, “You still like Sam.”

  Mark doesn’t answer as if he surrenders.

  “So what’s your plan?” says Justin.

  “Plan? What plan?”

  “You know.” Justin also brings his mouth near Mark‘s ear and whispers, “Plans to gain Sam as your girlfri—”

  “What are you guys talking about?” says Cesar.

  Justin quickly draws back, “Oh, nothing. I better get some water.”

  “Now that you mentioned it, I’m gonna get some water too.”

  Justin and Cesar go away for a while for some water.

  Mark and Sam stare at each other without saying a word. Kevin then nudges Mark to say something.

  Mark panics, “How’s your hair been?” He shakes and then droops his head.

  Sam laughs, “What are you talking about?”

  Mark embarrassingly smiles while scratching his head.

  “I mean… how’s your day been?”

  “That’s much better,” Sam nods. “I’m doing well. Look, I’m sorry about yesterday—”

  “No problem, Sam. Past is past. It’s OK.”

  Sam gently smiles, “Thank you, Mark.”

  “Why won’t you just kiss already,” says Kevin.

  Mark elbows him hard.

  “Oww! You said no hard hitting.”

  “For now, it’s justified,” says Mark. “Once you’ve crossed the line, I won’t hesitate hitting you again. I don’t care how big you are, I will hit you like there’s no tomorrow.”

  Kevin sees the fury in his eyes and then looks away in shame.

  “I’m sorry, Mark. Won’t happen again.”

  Mark sighs and turns to Sam, “I can’t believe we’re babysitting a toddler.”

  “Oh, come on, Mark. Don’t call him that,” says Samantha. “He’ll mature in time, you’ll be surprised when it happens.”

  Sam gives Kevin a smile.

  “Thanks, big sister Sam,” says Kevin as he gives back a gentle smile.

  “So, what did I miss?” Cesar says as he carries a cup of water.

  Sam turns to him, “Mark just asked how my day has been. I’m doing well since I’m with you haha.”

  Mark is hurt.

  ‘They’re flirting… even though I’m here.’

  Mark stands, “I’m gonna get some water.”

  “Me too,” says Kevin.

  The two of them go over to the water dispenser and then they pour some water into their cup

  “They look happy,” says Kevin. “Cesar and Sam.”

  Mark turns to see Cesar and Sam giggling in the distance.

  “Yeah, they look happy. I don’t wanna ruin it just because of a drea—” Mark stops short.

  “Because of what?”

  Mark pauses for a while and then speaks, “Nothing… Oh the Praise and Worship Service is about to start. We better go.”

  “Yeah, sure.”