PART TEN
Another month passed and the second trials were around the corner. The gang was very busy having study groups and they managed to sit for the exams with confidence. Somehow, they were quite anxious about their exam results after working hard together.
Apart from that, Marcia and Adam were finally known as a couple. However, Hui Ming, Cassie and Marcia weren't sure if Mike and Emma were really a loving couple because sometimes they were quite romantic sitting together alone under the tree and sometimes they loved to argue over small matters like siblings.
As for Dougie, he was getting ready with his basketball team mates because the semi-finals were around the corner and they were practicing non-stop after school hours and because of that, Hui Ming was often seen hanging around at the basketball court after school.
It was recess time and the 4 girls were seated along with their 4 boyfriends. This time, The 3 girls were sure that Emma and Mike were really a couple because Emma's attitude wasn't so tomboyish and she often wore colourful clothes but her Harajuku image was still maintained, screaming out her personality of Japanese obsession.
Marcia couldn't help but to see the strange but cute couple in front of her, which was Mike and Emma. Mike was dressed in a black coloured hoodie over his shirt and a pair of baggy jeans and normal black sneakers. He wasn't wearing his cap this time and his jet-black hair was spiked up. As for Emma, her natural straight black coloured hair was highlighted with platinum blonde from the mid length to the tips of her hair. As for her clothes, she was wearing a white coloured shirt with a scary looking skull and blood like dripping kanji letterings printed on the shirt over her purple and black ruffled skirt which was a few inches above her knees. The couple definitely looked odd but cute in a way.
"Here's your choc muffin," said Adam as he placed the plate on the table and sat he sat next to her.
"Thanks Adam," said Marcia as she held Adam's hand. She picked up the muffin and started munching it.
"Alright peeps! You do know that the reunion dinner is just two weeks away, don't ya?" Hui Ming asked as she stared at her friends.
"Yup. We're looking forward to it," said Ashton as he gave a squeeze on Cassie's waist. Spontaneously, she grabbed his hand and said, "Hey, that tickles!" Ashton and Dougie laughed as they high-fived each other.
"That's mean!" said Hui Ming as she crossed her arms.
"So, have you guys chosen your dresses yet? I'm not sure of the theme y' know," said Marcia.
"Well I know!" said Emma and Cassie in unison.
"Jinx you owe me a soda!" said Emma with an evil grin and Cassie pouted.
"At first they wanted mardi gras," said Emma as Marcia pretended to puke, "but then the PTA was short of money to do that theme because they had to save money to upgrade the gym and the broken sports stuff in the store room."
"So, what's the theme then?" Marcia asked.
"Very simple yet sweet," said Emma with a grin, "Black and White."
"Cool!" said Marcia excitedly as she held onto Adam's arm.
"Haha, not as sweet as you," said Mike as he kissed Emma's cheek.
"Black and white? That's so like Ying and Yang!" said Hui Ming as she sipped her ice blended mocha.
"Black for funeral and white for wedding. That'll be awesome," said Mike as he bit his soft shell crab roll.
"Don't' be so morbid!" said Emma.
"Hey, I have an idea! Why not the four of us guys dress in black and the gals will be dressed in white?" said Adam as he stared at all of them.
"But that's very normal. All of us will be so casually dressed in our tuxedo," said Dougie.
"Not necessary! As long as we're black then it'll be cool. Hey Emma, is it supposed to be formal?" Adam said as he stared at Emma.
Emma placed her hand under her chin and thought. Then, she said, "It doesn't say about formal or not but as long as we're decently dressed and of course, no jeans, shorts or ¾ pants."
The eight of them stared at each other and nodded. They have already made up their minds of wearing the coloured outfits like how Adam have suggested. Smiling, the eight friends raised their drinks for a toast, leaving the other students passing them speechless because some of them were holding water bottles, normal cups and a carton of milk.
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Marcia rummaged through her closet and wondered what she wanted to wear on her second date with Adam. She felt like her brain was going to literally explode when she stared at the clothes and thought which outfit was suitable to be worn on a serious date with Adam for a nice dinner at a European cuisine restaurant.
She grumbled as she pressed her temples and tried to focus. She took out most of the dresses and clothes and placed them on her bed and started trying the ones that she felt comfortable for her second date.
In the end, she decided to wear a spaghetti strapped dark blue top with white polka dots along with a simple skinny low cut jeans and wear a pair of simple Converse sneakers. She also decided to put some make up on her face.
Two hours later, Marcia had already showered, dressed up, made up her face and she was waiting anxiously for Adam. She couldn't wait to see Adam again.
The doorbell rang and Marcia ran towards it. She opened the door and saw Adam grinning at her. He was dressed in black slacks and a brown coloured t-shirt. His piercings were still there and he was looking great.
"Mom! Adam's here! I'm leaving!" said Marcia.
Mrs Cheong quickly went to the door to say farewell to her daughter and at the same time, greeted Adam. "Have fun at The Gondola!" said Mrs Cheong as the couple walked to Adam's father's BMW.
"Nice ride," said Marcia as she entered the car. Adam sat next to her and he shut the door. The driver started driving the car and the couple talked about the upcoming gig that they wanted to go so much.
Half an hour later, they were at the restaurant and Marcia felt very excited to be taken to The Gondola. The dim lightings, the warm and friendly atmosphere made her feel like she was taken to a very romantic place.
After ordering their food, Adam couldn't help but to admire Marcia's beauty. He had never seen Marcia so emo but so beautiful.
"Nice top Marcia. It really suits you," said Adam as he held Marcia's hand.
"Thanks," said Marcia as she blushed.
"Luckily we came on Saturday to get this great offer," said Adam as he chuckled.
"You lucky boy," said Marcia.
"Honestly Marcia. I really have to admit that you're a very cool girl the first day I entered the Bio lab. I stared pass James and the gang and I saw two funny and clever Chinese girls chatting with each other. I saw you and I thought that you were pretty and rough at the same time. I knew when I sat next to you, I couldn't help but to laugh about how you tried hard not to overreact with me," said Adam as he stared at Marcia.
Marcia blushed and said, "Oh…….really? I thought I sounded like a jerk staring at you."
"No no. I liked the fact that you're very honest and frank with your friends. You like me for who I am and not for my looks or anything like that," said Adam.
"Why?" Marcia asked with full curiosity.
"Back in my school in Vancouver, a jock fella named Johnny is good looking and one day he fell in love with a girl named Tessa and she dumped him a month after that. She was only after him just to be popular and of course, get his money. I pity that guy. Erin calls Tessa the Man Eating Machine. Girls like that make me sick," said Adam.
"Oh," said Marcia softly.
An hour later, the couple decided to have a walk outside the mall around the park area. They were holding hands and they simply chatted while admiring the shining stars in the night. It was a wonderful sight!
Then, they sat at a bench and stared at the beautiful skies. "They're pretty," said Marcia with full of admiration.
"Just as pretty as you," said Adam as he ran his fingers in Marcia's hair. Marcia felt comfortable and smiled. She loved the way he stroke her hair. "Thanks," she said.
"Oh, do you want to come for the gig that I told you earlier?" Marcia asked.
"Of course. I can't miss my fave indie bands live. Any of our friends coming along?" said Adam as he continued playing with Marcia's hair.
"I'm very sure Emma and Mike have heard of it. But I ain't sure if they're free to attend," said Marcia.
Adam didn't reply. He grinned as he stared at Marcia, who was busy admiring the shining stars. Then, he held Marcia's hand. The girl turned to look at him. She was getting nervous and she felt like closing her eyes again. The both of them leaned closer while holding hands. Then, Marcia closed her eyes and her lips met with Adam's. She felt like the whole world stopped for a minute. She felt as if the other couples passing by them were static and the sounds of the cars on the road simply died like that.
Marcia felt like she did not want to let go of Adam. She wanted to be in his arms for as long as she could. Then, they stopped kissing. "Marcia, thanks for accepting the date," said Adam as he stared into Marcia's eyes.
"It's Marc. You can call me that," said Marcia as she held Adam's hand and the both of them stared up at the skies, admiring the beautiful full moon along with its shining stars.