C11 CHAPTER 11

Midterms are right around the corner and it's heavily felt by BSBA students. Requirements and outputs, whether online or onsite, are due left and right. They are busy, especially since exams are next week.

They didn't lack on reviewing and follow-up readings. Even though midterms are next Wednesday, Dwayne and Akira, along with their friends. Their pace in reviewing wasn't too overwhelming, avoiding overload, nor was it lacking in thoroughness. Just right.

It's better than cramming last-minute reviews and risking not being able to answer.

It's Saturday and Dwayne was patiently waiting for his study buddy to arrive. He was sitting on their living room sofa, scrolling on his phone.

"Dwayne, are you sure you're not coming? Your aunts will surely look for you," Dwayne's mom asked, finishing packing her bag and ready to leave. His two sisters and dad followed.

They were supposed to go out as a family today. You know, that annual or occasional visit to relatives in other places, like a mini family reunion. As a recipient of the outstanding student award, he declined to join. He claims the need to review for the upcoming midterms and the need to study.

"I'll pass, Ma. I need to study," he stood up to get a drink from the kitchen. "Take care,"

Nonetheless, Dwayne escorted his family outside until they got into the car. He waved goodbye. When he returned inside, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. It was Akira messaging that she's on her way.

Meanwhile, Dwayne and his friends' group chat was lively again. They had decided to come over to Dwayne's house to hang out and play Outlast, which Dwayne wasn't thrilled about. They even changed the group chat name from 'SB loiterer cuties' to 'Board of Decisions' real quick.

Dwayne was just taking out what they would use for their study session with...I guess you already know. The housekeeper opened the gate. Dwayne planned to have their study session on the veranda, so he could see it from above. His housekeeper quickly entered and escorted his study buddy to the front door of the house.

"the traffic is so exhausting!" Akira complained when Dwayne opened the door for her.

Dwayne chuckled and let her in. "Let's study on the balcony to get some fresh air as we work," he said, pointing to the opened glass sliding door as they both go up the stairs.

"Sure, anywhere is fine," Akira lowered her tote bag onto one of the chairs on the balcony. They immediately sat down and began.

They planned to create their own copies of their notes as reviewers. Writing them down helps solidify the knowledge because they proofread it afterward. This way, they have something to read to refresh their memory before the midterms. Yes, that's how diligent students get every midterms and finals season. This takes perseverance to pass.

They also made index cards as flashcards as an alternative for reviewing, making it more effective to remember. It actually turned into a game show. Whoever couldn't answer the question on the index card would be hit with a rolled-up piece of paper.

"Hey, that's not fair, you're just dogging me with questions!" Dwayne complained when Akira threw another paper at him.

"Stupid! That was the answer to the last question, not this one," Akira teased him, laughing. "Come on, keep up!" She burst into laughter.

They switched roles, and Dwayne asked, "Oh, withdrawals credit is not the answer, dummy!" It's Dwayne's turn to laugh and throw the balled-up paper.

They did a few more sets of questions, and they continued for the next hour. They also noticed the frequent buzzing of Akira's phone. She lowered the volume to avoid disturbing them, but it kept buzzing. After they finished the index card game, she finally paid attention to it. Dwayne was about to suggest that she answer it because it had been ringing since earlier and might be important, but Akira beat him to it.

"my goodness, Almario is so persistent," she pinpointed Jayden, who had been calling earlier, playfully shaking her head while remembering that he hadn't changed. Dwayne glanced up at her words. "If he weren't my best friend. Excuse me," she excuses herself to move a bit away from the table where they were.

Dwayne just nodded in response because he was more interested in the questions running through his mind.

"I'm in a study sesh, Jayden Kade, better make it quick," Akira answered the call with a slightly amused tone. Actually, Jayden's call wasn't important. He just wanted to check on her. It's a thing between them since they became close. It's become their habit during their four-year friendship in junior high school.

Dwayne silently watched as she occasionally laughed. He watched her, and her laughter never failed to melt his heart.

While he was busy falling for his 'study buddy' he gradually realized the name that kept coming out of her mouth: Jayden Almario.

Best friend. So, in other words, there's nothing to worry about with that Jayden. Or at least he thinks there none. Are you sure? Insert eyes emoji

As Akira returned to her seat, their gate opened again. This time, a car entered. It was a very familiar car to Dwayne. So he glanced down from the balcony, furrowing his brows as he watched the car park in their yard.

"What the F-" He whispers loudly enough for Akira to hear , which leaves her puzzled.

She watched as Dwayne hurried downstairs. Out of curiosity, she glanced at the balcony and noticed four guys getting out of the car. Maybe cousins or relatives...???

"I thought I told you guys not to come today?" Dwayne questioned them, raising an eyebrow.

Marco: Come on, dude.

Charlse: Great, we really felt the welcome, Dwayne Kenzie.

Ian: Relax, we came for the Outlast and NBA, not for you HAHAHA!

Dwayne just rolled his eyes in defeat. "Fine, just don't be disruptive. I'm studying," they reply with a playful "copy that," and a salute gesture.

They followed him upstairs where the Xbox was set up. It was like a receiving area with sofas and stuff near the balcony.

"Chill, okay? We won't disturb you while you study—" Charles paused when Marco tapped him loudly on the abdomen with the back of his hand.

"Maybe you mean we won't disturb 'them' in their studies," Marco chuckled lightly, pointing to the person on the balcony who was reading notes.

Dwayne mentally facepalmed, realizing where this was headed. "Is this why you didn't want us to come?" Andrei teased Dwayne, nudging him.

They stood there foolishly as they watched the person on the balcony reading. Around the same time, Akira noticed their presence, so she stood up and stopped what she was doing.

"Uh, guys, this is Akira. Akira, these are my friends—"

But it seemed Charles was more excited to introduce himself. He beat Dwayne to the introduction. "Hi! I'm Charles, it's so nice to finally meet you!" he greeted, followed by the others.

"Hi, I'm Ian."

"Andrei."

"Marco."

Akira seemed a bit culture shocked by their rapid introductions, especially by the energetic Charles. "Hello, I'm Akira," she chuckled lightly.

"Don't worry, we won't make a ruckus so we won't disturb you," Andrei smiled at her.

"Nah, it's all good. We're just doing note-taking, revisions, and readings for the SP paper, then we're done anyway," Akira returned the smile.

Dwayne placed himself between them as he remembered that he and Akira were in the middle of something. "Yeah, that's enough," leaving his friends in the receiving lounge on the second floor like toddlers left to play in the mall's playground.

Dwayne and Akira returned to studying, hearing faint snickers and chuckles from his friends, so he gave them a glare. They resumed where they left off.

During their game and Dwayne and Akira's study, Dwayne couldn't escape his friends' sneaky comments and jokes. Who wouldn't, hearing them occasionally sing a teasing love song.

Fortunately, Akira was too busy to even notice Dwayne's slight irritation and his friends' victorious smiles whenever he was teased.

Finally, they finished note-taking and revising the paper. They were free for the rest of the day. As others say, 'rest the brain to absorb what they have studied'. And then they deserve to chill because they succeeded in the hell week of requirements before midterms. I believe dasurv so much.

"Are you sure you don't want to have dinner? We can order out," Dwayne suggested after Akira finished cleaning up.

"No, it's okay. I have to go home. Mom cooked," she declined. She remembered her mom's message to eat at home because she cooked dinner. "I'll go ahead. Bye, Dwayne's friends," she waved to them, chuckling a bit because she might say the wrong name even though she already introduced herself earlier. She was a bit tired to remember.

Charlse: Bye, Akira!

Andrei: Bye!

Marco: Take care.

Ian: Nice meeting you~

Dwayne escorted her outside even though Akira refused a ride home because he had friends over. So Dwayne hailed a taxi for her. "Take care. Message me when you get home," Dwayne made sure. To be safe, he took a photo of the taxi's license plate number. Better to be safe than sorry.

The taxi ride was silent, with nothing but the faint sound of the radio playing requested songs. Akira took a deep breath. Why was her heart beating so fast? For the past few weeks, even. Maybe it's because of all the coffee she's been drinking? Honestly speaking, NO. She's starting to notice that ever since that incident at Yellow Cab with her former classmates.

Akira didn't really want to feel that way. Well, she shouldn't because first of all - it's wrong. It's wrong for her to feel that way towards someone she thinks she'll be with for the rest of the semester. It would be difficult to act once it becomes real that Dwayne is the reason, especially since the dude is always sticking around her.

After what Westlee did, she felt scared. She wasn't ready to enter into something permanent again. She wasn't ready to open her heart again. It's easy to fall in love, yes, but the aftermath is difficult. What if something like what she had with Westlee come along again? What if she ends up hoping for motives that aren't really there in the end? She doesn't want the same thing that happened with Westlee to repeat itself again.

It's tough, but one thing is clear for now, she's not ready to open up to anyone yet. She's not ready to try again. What's between Dwayne and her shall remain as it is. Nothing more than friends. Blockmates.

But what if Dwayne Kenzie Alvera is really like this? Sweet, caring, and concerned...to everyone...