“Ma'am, I have a new suggestion. I suggest you select partners based on the first letter of the name itself.”

Our teacher halts, and tilts her head as if she iss processing on her mind what Rico has said. A moment of silence passes by between them. Rico swallowed. Ma'am Lauchenco's eyebrows met.

“New suggestion indeed but why do I need to change the partners again, Mr. Alvarez?” Ma'am Lauchenco asked with a tone for curiosity.

So, I heard it right. He scratches his nape. The way his knuckles clench while his fingers come in contact with his skin, I couldn't help but think that he's hesitating. For what reason? I don't know either.

“Uhm . . . for the . . .”

Damn!

His audacity sucks.

Gone was the Rico full of conviction and assurance. My palms are closed while waiting for his justifications.

“For . . . For a change?”

I close my eyes to his failed answer. He's not himself today; well, it is not that I know him too well but being his schoolmate for four years, I know he won't spit such nonsensical word without purpose when it comes to anything academic.

“Nevermind, Ma’am,” he shakes his head.

He was about to turn around when Mrs. suddenly applauded. Lauchenco.

“Yeah right? I wanna consider your idea, Mr. Alvarez. I might see a new set of teamwork, hmm. ”

The teacher then began to erase what was written on the list of names. My lips parted when I saw the small grin on Rico's face before he turned around.

When Mrs. Lauchenco commences to announce the pairs, I can not settle on my seat. My knees are wobbling in extreme anticipation. I pull the skirt tight because even the palms are sweating profusely!

Something is forbidding me to calm down because even when I already exhaled a dozen times, nothing is changing. I just leaned back in my seat and simply looked back. I was disappointed to see his position. Still, he clenched his fist under his chin as he stared into space. I slowly looked back to the front. Ma'am Lauchenco starts to call the names by pair. My chest heaved as I waited for my name. Who can I match? The fact that only the two of us have the same first letter, which is F, makes me anticipate in every second that passes by.

“Dylan Lim and Erich Juarez.”

The teasing remarks, most likely shipping the two, immediately erupts. The lady frowns while the other has a red ear. I can see a glimpse of disgust on my classmate's face while the nerdy boy from section A just bows his head down.

“Next!”

I lean back in my seat. I do not want to assume but it is already obvious.

“Frederico Alvarez and Freesia Mandeville.”

I was no longer surprised there. I kind of presumed it. However, most of the students here, yes, especially Rico’s classmates. My classmates nodded, and smile in a sheepish manner. It is not hidden from their knowledge that I had a crush on Rico before. What they also know is that I went to this section because I was heartbroken from him, which is not.

I glared at Michael who had previously spread the word that I was dead to Rico. Now he was still grinning to the side. Jerk!

That is why I don't like sharing secrets anymore. They may promise not to tell it to anyone but there will be the time that they are gonna spit it randomly or purposely just to have a topic for their animated conversations. No, I am not signing up for that.

Our teacher keeps on calling names of students but I still feel like I can pass out anytime soon. Especially when feeling the familiar presence on my side.

I hear him clearing his throat. I did not turn to him but I could feel my ears getting hot. Bullets of sweat are forming on my temple.

"Can I get your number?"

I kept my eyes wide at what I heard. What to do? Act cool, self! Cooler than how you have acted a few weeks ago. I mean, I am not but it is my definition of being cool. Lame.

Number?

What number?

A hue of anxiety has been a part of me whenever someone tries to make a conversation. I always end up being tongue-tied, even if I prepared a lot of animated conversations inside my head where I could confidently utter those words without hesitation.

The back of my knees begins to soften. My palms, suddenly sweat with nervousness. Only then did I return to the runaway question when Rico flicked in front of me so I immediately looked over my body.

“I do not see a number on my body,” I answer.

I looked up at him. His lips turn into a thin line before he speaks, “I mean, your phone number.”

I halt. “Ah, right!”

My cheeks blushed with embarrassment. I quickly scraped the phone out of the bag. I laid it on my lap to cover my face. I immediately seek numbers on the physical circumference of my phone. I swallow a lot when I find none.

“I don't see a number here on the phone,” I said nervous, afraid I might disappoint him.

I shamefully gaze at him under the curtains of my eyelashes. I get rather confused when I see his slightly pouted lips and a hint of smile that reaches the corners of his eyes. He avoids my curious stare and chuckles whilst amusement is written on his face.

He whose right hand fishes for his pocket, has a ghost of smile forming on his lips. He extends me his phone.

“What I mean is your contact number.”

“For what?”

I never use a cellphone in class, unless it plays a song when I skip trips. I also don’t have social media and games so I don’t have much interest in using that. How long has it been since someone asked for my number so I could forget what he was referring to?

“To keep in touch with you ... for this activity.”