[quick author's note: sorry for the chapter, this was challenging for me to write... but don't worry, the other chapters after this will be much longer.] 

"HELL YES!" I run towards Patricia and embrace her tightly. "Pat! I got in! To the great Gracilis College! Can you believe it? Gracilis College accepted me as their student!"

Gracilis College is one of the schools that is considered as a school that is deemed as 'above average' of the community colleges in Songjiria. Like its name, Gracilis College is a very simple school and it is constructed in a way that gives the school a slender and thin appearance instead of the typical massive and wide buildings that colleges tend to have.  

It's also simple in the way that it functions as a whole. After researching thoroughly on the college, I discovered that the college has thought of every possible variable for its students and provided every type of financial aid if their students require it and all of these are prepared in such an efficient manner that it is highly impossible to not be able to comprehend the packages offered.

The college has also outlined the various pathways their students can take after graduating. For example, if a student chooses to drop out halfway through their term, they can re-apply for re-entry into a school as long as they have completed a course online related to their course to prove their commitment to their passion.

It's so detailed that I sometimes wonder if El Professor from 'La Casa de Papel' is the Principal or manager for the college.

"Oh my god, babe, I have always known that you can do it! I'm so proud of you!" Pat screams in joy and piggybacks me while she runs around my loft. "She made it, she made it," chants Pat loudly while she drops me off at the sofa when she can no longer bear my weight.

"This calls for a celebration! Let's have a girls' night out today!"

"Girls' night out?" I repeat, and even though I want to celebrate this miraculous event with Joaq first, I remember my promise to Pat, to stay by her side and never leave her alone again. "Of course, let's call Lae and Libby!"

Excited, Pat starts playing a random song on her 'Oldies' playlist and The Drifters's timeless classic, 'Save the Last Dance For Me' starts playing in its nostalgic, romantic tune. 

Bobbing my head along to the melodic rhythm, I swipe out my phone and hastily send off invites to the sisters. The moment I see Joaq's name on my WhatsApp, I smile and send him a text.

Heyyy Joaq! Guess what- I got in Gracilis College!

Five minutes later, Joaq replies: what??? I'm so happy for you, so happyy for u! Let's celebrate! Where do you wanna go today? EN&D?

Guilt floods me at once when I see that statement. Visions of us dining together at EN&D, clinking our fancy wine glasses and eating over-the-top food, having a goodbye kiss at the end of the dates makes me feel all warm and cheery. But I already promised Pat a girls' night out...

My finger hovers over the keyboard, not knowing what to type. What does one do in such a situation? Ugh, why doesn't school educate us in terms of our social life too?

Another text from Joaq shows up on our chat, and I know not whether to feel relief or be upset when I see it.

Oh no, I said too soon. Sorry Iri, I have to deal wif a client tonite. He's very fussy... i can't make it today, i promise to celebrate wif u on another day ok?

sure, I type back. We dont need to go out, let's just chill together.

Okay, he says. I love you, Iri, and i'm so proud of u! 

"When do you want to head out, Iri?" Pat queries when she sees me putting my phone down. 

"Ooh, you make a promise, that you'll save the last dance for me...."

"Let's head out now, Pat. I can't wait to get this party started."

"Save the last dance... the very last dance..."

The door closes shut, and yet the lyrics, the somewhat slowly wistful tune is still playing on in my mind like an endless loop.

"For me....."

___

Two days later

There's no other place like home when you're in your lover's muscular arms, and all the things you hear are just the mere chirping of birds and his soft snores. The feeling I get when I cuddle up in his arms and play with the tendrils of his curly hair is indescribable.

It's just a very innocent, pure euphoria.

The elation that fills one's soul and heart up from the sweetness of it all.

I never really thought that I would be someone who would find peace in being with someone else when all I was was someone who wanted to use people to accomplish my own goals. To shut out people when I got tired of them and felt that I didn't need them.

Yet, here I am, basking in Joaquim's love and embrace.

There is no place that I would rather be. 

Yup I know that this is a really short chapter compared to the others but this was rather hard for me to write as I wasn't really feeling very happy when I did this cos of some personal troubles. 

This chapter will probably be longer in the future though so don't worry. :)

sigh I really miss my friends and going out... btw, I recently watched 'Love Wedding Repeat' and I loved it so much. Any film with Sam Claflin in it is great. However, I could see why people dislike it too. The humour in it is rather dry and may even offend some people because of the nature of their jokes. However, if you're like me, who enjoys slapstick comedy and somewhat immature humour, give this movie a watch! 

It's very lighthearted, and relieves my stress easily and made me laugh during the time I watched it. Laughing is rare me during these dark times of covid19, so 'Love Wedding Repeat' was something that I welcomed with open arms. 

If you've watched it, please let me know what you think about it! 😊💖💕