Secret Rendezvous

ARCADE

AT THE ARCADE . . .

Sunshine . . . Sunshine . . .Sunshine. Jeez! I hated to hear that name again. The way Storme called me ‘Sunshine’ brought me back to our childhood. What does it mean? He still remembers how close we were. The last time I checked, he was my mortal enemy. We hated each other. What is he up to now? I know, for sure, he is orchestrating an evil plan just like before. The little naughty evil Vin is now a grown-up demon Storme.

Admit it Summer you felt kilig (thrilled) when he called you ‘Sunshine’ again. Didn’t you? He is damn good-looking! Isn’t he? He is undeniably handsome. Who wouldn’t fall for him at first glance? My subconscious mind is feeding me with foolish thoughts again.

I left them at the table and went straight to the arcade. A few minutes after, while playing at a car racing game machine, I heard Stella and Nadine's voices getting closer to where I was. To my dismay, Storme was with them too. I used to call Devin Storme, Vin when we were young. I couldn’t pronounce Storme before. I wasn’t eloquent with R or S. I couldn’t pronounce my own name when I was a kid. I often say Tom instead of Storme and he hated it. So, I called him Vin. My sweet Prince Vin is totally annoying me right now!

“Beshie! You are superb at this car racing game!” Nadine complimented me.

“I’m better,” Storme boastfully replied.

Annoyed with Storme’s presence, I looked at him, raised my brows, pursed my lower lip and said,” Who cares if you are better? Do I look like I care? Did someone ask you if you are better than me? No one, right?”

“I smell something fishy,” said Nadine, then she whispered at Stella.

“What do you mean fishy? Do you see any fish in here?” I said.

“OMG! Bestie, fishy means something not right. It means the situation right now is very suspicious,” Stella explained.

“I know what the idiomatic expression ‘smell fishy’ means, Luningning. I am not stupid nor a moron like the one beside you.” Nadine looks at Luningning and she gazes at Storme. “What I mean is why do you think it’s fishy, Nadz?” I questioned both of them.

“I’m not a moron,” Storme butt in squealing.

“It’s just very fishy, Summer. Tell us the truth. You can be very secretive and we know you are good at persuading but not this time. So, spill it princess!” Nadine accusingly said.

“Yeah, right, Nadz. Fishy! Very, very fishy!” Stella shook her head.” Enlighten me ‘coz I don’t get it. Why do you two keep yelling and screaming at each other? We just met a few days ago. As far as I can recall, we did not have a moment of you two introducing each other. Why does it seem like . . . mmmm?” Stella did not continue but she looked at me suspiciously.

“Seems like what?” I asked arching my brows again.

“Do you, guys, happen to know each other? Your way of conversing with each other it seems like . . .like—you—two—broke—up? Storme, do you have a past relationship with Summer? I mean perhaps a romantic relationship with her. Ex-girlfriend?” asked Nadine.

“Ex-girlfriend?! Nadz you are being ridiculous!” I stopped driving the car racing game and turned the swivel chair of the machine towards them.” I’d rather have an alligator swallow me alive or even choose an anaconda squeeze me to death than to be his girlfriend!”

“Fine! Okay, you’re denying it. So, what then? Because we are like in between? We deserve an honest explanation!” Stella shouted.

“Tsk! You are being overly dramatic, Luningning!”

“Girls!Sunshine is not my ex-girlfriend but I—would—love—her—to—be—my—girl. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Our families are close friends,” Storme explained.

“Correction! Let me make that right. Our families are friends, but not us. Not me and you! The last time I remember, I almost died because you pushed me in the pool, and I drowned. I ended up being hydrophobic because of you! So please, Devin Storme! Stay away from me!” I was literally screaming right on Stormes’ face.

“Look, Miss Skylene Summer Sy-Almeda I did not say we are friends. I said ‘our families are close friends. Well, our parents are friends not us. Princess Sunshine, I sincerely apologize for what had happened nine years ago. I am sorry for what I did. I was just a kid back then, and I admit I was troublesome. I’ve changed okay. I’m not that troublemaker kid anymore.”

“Whatever! Your apology will not change anything Devin Storme.”

“Stop talking, will you? Listen! I need you to hear me out. When I saw you the other day, I had this gut feeling that it’s you, Sunshine, so I asked around who you are at the orientation. I want to apologize. I need to mend whatever pain I caused you. I am so sorry. Please, let’s forget the past. Can we start all over again? Please? Can we be friends?” Storme pleaded.

I looked at Storme and he stared back at me. Our eyes locked with each other. My heart started to beat so fast. I felt his sincerity. His eyes showed how sorry he was. Annoyed at him? Yes. Mad at him? I don’t think so. Well, yes, I hated Storme so much that my blood boils each time I see him. But who am I not to forgive him? Why would I resist?

“Give me some time, Vi—Storme. I guess we can be civil. D—don’t assume we are okay, though. But I—I can consider the friendship with some conditions,” I responded, still looking at him straight in the eyes.

“Any condition, Sunshine.”

“Oh, yeah? Really? Any conditions?” An evil grin plastered all over my face. “Great! Here are my conditions.” I folded my arms across my chest, and I grinned. “First thing don’t call me Sunshine. I don’t want to be called by my full name. I am now living in an ordinary world. Call me ‘Summer,’” I paused a bit and arched my right brows. “Nobody calls me that name anymore. No one knows I am one the daughters of the university owner. Can you promise to keep what you know about me to yourself?

“Yes, Sunshine! I mean Summer. I swear!”

“Okay! Good! We are clear about my identity secrecy. Lastly, you are going to follow everything I asked. My wish is your command? Understood Vi—Storme?”

I almost forgot not to call him Vin. Devin Storme is just now Storme. Back when we

were young, we used to be Vin and Sunshine. Two kids conniving on little silly pranks. We clash and banters each day since then but we are inseparable until that day happens.

“You mean everything?” Storme asked with a tone of disagreement.

“You want us to patch things up or would you like us to remain enemies? You choose? I can give you a hell of a fun college life. I’m pretty sure you will get your ass back to California in no time.”

“No! No! Fine! I will do everything you like, Sunshine.”

“I said call me ‘Summer’. Summer! My name is Summer. The sweet charming Sunshine you know is long dead!”

“I’m sorry Summer. I swear, I mean I promise to do everything you wish just for you to forgive me. For us to be okay.”

“Hmm? You are sure, Storme?” I asked him in doubt.

“Yes,” Storme assured me.

“I will do anything for you Summer. Everything for you to forgive me.”

“Ah, okay.” I nodded thinking what should be my next move.” Anything? Everything huh?!” I rejoiced. This is kind of an easy avenging scheme for me. ” Mm-hmm. Let me think . . . Oh! Ah! I know what you can do. Am . . . buy me 1000 tokens.”

I smiled victoriously, expecting, Storme wouldn’t abide with my demands, but he is

more than willing to do so.

“I’ll be right back,” Storme was about to walk towards the arcade tokens booth.

“Oh, not so quick my dear. I have more demands,” I stopped Storme.

“Tell me.”

“You see that huge pink stuffed bear at the redemption booth? I want that! Don’t you dare fool me. You need to get that from winning and not buying that bear.”

“Gotcha! I’ll get your tokens now.”

“Not so eager lover boy. I have one more wish.”

“What is it?”

“After you get that pink stuff toy. You must ride the bumper car with the pink bear. Get it?” I bit my lips and crossed my arms. Deep inside I am smiling gloriously.

“What? Ride on the bumper car with that pink stuff bear? No way!” Storme protested.

“What no way? Do it! Didn’t you just say you will do anything and everything for me to forgive you? But if you don’t want to do it that’s fine. Just be ready for the most memorable college year of your life. I’ll give you hell. Mark my word, Storme! Sweet little Sunshine is dead but gremlin Summer is alive,” I said threatening Storme.

“Excuse me! We are here, see us?! We are not invisible bubbles here. We can clearly see you are fighting. Worst of all, you are enemies but flirting with each other!” Stella annoyingly screamed at us.

“Storme, if you plan to be hanging out with us, just to remind you, Summer is the weirdest and craziest person I know and don’t be surprised. She likes to walk-out.” Nadine explained. “FYI, Summer is quite talkative. So, when you say a word. Be ready for a non-ending answer. But, we rather have her talking rather than being quiet. It's stressful when she’s not talking at all. Disappearing for no reason is her thing too.”

“He doesn’t need to know that. Why do you need to intervene, Nadz?”

“It’s better to clear things out with your boyfriend,” Stella commented.

“I am telling both of your right now. Don’t step in on any of my concerns or issues with Storme. Our issues are from our past and got nothing to do with both of you. Please! I don’t want you two putting yourselves into something you are not involved in.”

“Bestie, Storme needs to know certain things about you. Important things about you. Only me and Nadz know you more than anyone else,” said Stella.

“Luningning! Don’t be so tenacious. You’re annoying me. Don’t forget Red is my best friend not only you and Nadz.”

“Who is Red?” Storme asked curiously.

“You don’t need to know,” I replied.

“Oh! Jared? Red is my half-brother. Summer’s best friend. Oh no! Not a friend, lover I think,” Stella said.

“Luningning can you zipped your big mouth? Do you intend to feed Storme all the information about me? Because if you do? Forget that we are friends.”

“Easy there tiger! I am not a tattletale. Storme, aren't you lovers before? Childhood sweethearts?” asked Stella.

I give Storme a deadly stare. Telling him to shut his mouth or else. He opened his mouth to tell something. But I told him no with my big eyes and raised brows.

Jeez! Almost. I thought Storme was going to blabbermouth. Nadine and Stella shouldn’t know about our past. Vin and Sunshine past. Not just yet. I’m not ready to show them the real me. The filthy rich me. I wanted to remain the ordinary Summer. The Summer that can blend in. The ordinary student like them who has freedom. Not the Skylene Summer who is trapped in a cage. Whose future is already planned before I even decide what I wanted to be. Where I wanted to be. Who I wanted to end up with.

“Okay, so we get it. Storme is not your boyfriend, Beshie. Then, he is what? Your childhood sweetheart,” Nadine added.

“We are not sweethearts but yes, we are—,” he looked at me with his annoying teasing grin,”—childhood friends nothing more nothing less,” Storme explained.

I’ve chosen to be quiet. I did not respond anymore. Silence can’t kill curiosity but it can

kill the issue.They can think whatever they want. All I know, me? I am on operation revenge!

“It’s my pleasure to meet you again, Skylene Summer,” Storme said so manly in an American accent that almost melted my heart.

“Let’s forget the formalities. Go buy me my tokens and get my stuff bear. Hurry!”

Storme followed my demands. He bought me tokens. He started playing games. I saw him hit the jackpot on the Indian Joe machine and a couple more games. I continued playing car racing. Nearly an hour after, Stella and Nadine pulled me towards the bumper car. I saw Storme hopped into one of the bumper cars with the pink stuff bear. I slyly smiled seeing him complying with my demands. My revenge just started!

After the bumper car ride, Storme walked towards us. He handed me the pink stuff

bear and said,” For you Sunshine. Sorry I mean Summer.”

“Sweet!” I muttered. I took the bear from him and asked, “Did you really play games to win this or you bought it?

“I did not cheat. I won and redeemed it,” Storme explained.

“Mm-hmm . . . I don’t believe you. You’re so cunning! I must ask at the redemption booth to make sure.

“Summer, I’m conceited, arrogant, displeasing, boastful, vain, naughty. Call me playboy whatever you want to call me, but I am not a liar. I got this for you.”

I did not listen to him and still walked my way to ask the attendant at the redemption

Booth.

“Hi! Excuse me, Miss. Did he redeem this stuffed toy, or he bought it?”

“We can’t sell the prizes here. This young man redeemed that bear in exchange for 5000 tickets he won.”

“Okey dokey. Thanks!” I smiled sheepishly, a little embarrassed that Storme is telling the truth.” Just making sure he's not fooling me,” I said.

I don’t know if I said it because I wanted to make sure he complied with what I wanted according to my demands, or I just don’t trust Storme.

“Miss, you should be thankful. You have the sweetest boyfriend.”