CHRISTINE BROOKS

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It's his birthday today?", I asked in shock. Mark sushed me and I covered my mouth.

"Yes and we're gonna celebrate it at Catherine's room at the hospital. But there will be an after party at eight in the evening.", Mark replied. Catherine again. I should have known. I don't hate her though. Infact, I love Catherine. There's just this stinging sensation in my chest whenever Michael mentions her.

"Oh. I see.", I said.

"Anyway, you should go to the after party. I'll accompany you.", Mark told me.

"Are you planning on something again?", I asked in a bored tone. Seriously, like I wouldn't know that he's planning on something. He keeps pestering me like some kid asking for a buck whenever he sees the ice cream truck.

"Nope.", he replied and he even popped the p sound. Oh Mark, how I wish I could cure your idiocy.

"Whatever. I want to go but you see, I have a part time job already.", I told him. His face looked like he saw a ghost or something.

"You have what?", he asked.

"Do I have to repeat what I said?", I asked. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood today.

"No. Anyway, since when? And where?", he asked.

"At Starbucks. I was just accepted and I'm a cashier there. It's just a part time job anyway.", I replied.

"So, you can't go?", Mark asked.

"Isn't it obvious?", I asked back. Mark was silent and later, he was smiling again.

"Alright!", he said. It shocked me and gave me a feeling of relief. Atleast, he won't be able to continue with his plan.

"Alright what?", I asked out of curiosity.

"Nothing. Let's go. Michael should be waiting for us at the pparking lot.", he replied. Did he just tell me that he has a secret plan? Give me a break. I already accept my fate that I don't have a chance with Michael. I've always thought about a happy ending with Michael and I but, nah. I think it's obviously hopeless. Even so, a part of me is saying that I shouldn't give up.

"Don't both of you have football practice today?", I asked.

"We're not up to it exactly.", Mark replied while we both started to pick up our bags and head to the parking lot where Michael was waiting for us.

"So you're not going to practice?", I asked.

"Nope.", he replied while popping the p again.

"What's with you and pooping the p?", I asked.

"And what's with you and all the questions?", he asked back.

"Ugh! Forget it. You're hopeless.", I replied. We both arrived at the parking lot but Michael wasn't there. We approached his car and it wasn't locked.

"Why isn't it locked?", I asked Mark. He opened the door to the back seat and hopped in.

"Wait, don't just hop in to someone's car just because it's open.", I told him.

"Geez. Are you some old lady telling me what to do. Besides, this is Michael's car.", he replied. He's got a point though but an old lady?!

"You've got some nerve calling me an old lady, free loader.", I told him. I saw his eye brow twitch and he looked at me.

"Free loader? Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment.", he replied.

"Whatever.", I said. Michael arrived holding a box.

"What's that?", I asked.

"A cake. I bought it.", he replied. I felt sad. Okay, so he bought a cake. Here's what really happened.

LAST NIGHT, 11:36pm AT CHRISTINE'S HOUSE -KITCHEN

"What are you doing?", my mom asked.

"The kitchen is a mess.", my dad said.

"I'm baking a cake.", I replied.

"You actually know how to bake? Just clean this up before you'll poison someone.", my mom said.

"It's done!", I said in joy. My mom and dad approached me and stared at the cake.

"It looks so... innocent.", my dad said.

"Hey! What are you trying to imply on innocent?!", I asked. My cake was a chocolate one and I covered the whole cake with vanilla icing. I decorated the bottom sides of the cake with brown laces and I bought some icing candies that were shaped like footballs and placed them together at a corner. Then I tried my best to write legibly on the space with darl brown icing. Basically, it was a chocolate vanilla cake. I don't know if it tasted good so I made cupcakes and made it the same as the cake.

"I made cupcakes. I want you guys to try it.", I said. I gave them one cupcake each.

"So you'll poison us first?", my mom asked.

"Whatever. Just try it.", I said. My mom and dad took a bite from their cupcakes and they smiled.

"So?", I asked.

"Delicious!", my dad replied.

"I didn't know you could bake this good.", my mom said as she was trying to chew the bite she had.

"Okay first, please don't talk when your mouth is full. And second, this is actually my first time baking in the history of my life. I just followed the instructions here in the cook book.", I replied.

"Anyway, thanks for not poisoning us dear. So, who's this for? Michael?", my mom asked. I blushed really hard and I turned away from them.

"Oh young love. It reminded me of my high school years.", my dad said.

"Whatever. It's his birthday tomorrow and I just wanted to give him something amd I didn't want to give him material things so I thought of cooking.", I replied. My mom bent down and looked at me with a supportive face.

"I'm sure he will.", my mom said. I smiled back at her and her words gave me the confidence to give the cake to Michael.

PRESENT - AT THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT

Of course I knew when Michael's birthday was. I mean, come on. Every girl out there knows her crush's birthday. But now that he has a cake, how can I give this to him? Maybe it was a bad idea to make on. I should've bought him something else. I hid the box in my bag where it wouldn't be seen clearly.

"Let's go?", I said and Michael nodded. We both went in and Michael drove away. We arrived at the hospital thirty minutes later.

"Happy birthday Michael!", Catherine greeted Michael as he entered the room and Mark and I followed from behind.

"Thanks Catherine.", Michael replied as Catherine and Michael pulled themselves in to a hug. Dylan patted Michael's back and greeted him too. They did some handshake and Mark did too.

"I'm so happy to see you Christine

", Catherine approached me riding her wheel chair.

"Nice to see you're doing fine.", I replied.

"Indeed.", she replied. I looked at her tummy and it was already big.

"Wow. The baby is growing bigger.", I said. Catherine looked down on her tummy and smiled.

"Yeah. Dylan and I will raise her well in the future.", Catherine replied. Will she even survive in giving birth? Well, I honestly want her to but I think it's impossible.

"Of course you will.", I replied and smiled.

"I brought a cake. How about we eat this?", Michael said.

"Dylan and I took care of the drinks. Mark, can you please get it? It's at the fridge.", Catherine said. Mark did the salute sign and Catherine laughed. After that, we were all eating the cake Michael bought. I sat on a chair beside the table. I can't help bit frown. I think nobody noticed. I just felt that I was baking for six hours and I wasn't even able to give it to Michael. I'm so terrible.

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CATHERINE MCMILLAN

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While we were eating the cake, I noticed Christine was frowning. Did something happen? I finished eating and I gave my plate to Dylan. I approached Christine and she looked at me.

"Is everything alright?", I asked.

"Yes. Everything is good.", she replied. I smiled at her and asked,

"Did you give him a gift?" Christine was startled and she began to fluster. Christine, you're really obvious.

"N-no.", she replied.

"Oh. That's alright. But if you gave him a gift, I'm pretty sure he'll love it especially when it's from you.", I told her. I saw a shade of light pink on both of her cheeks and I could clearly tell she liked him.

"You think so?", she askes. Bingo! My hunch was right. She has a gift for Michael but she just can't give it to him. I wonder what's stopping her?

"Of course!", I said. Christine got up and took her bag. She looked at the time and called all of our attention.

"Hey guys? I'm sorry to spoil the fun but I have to go or I will be late."

"Late for what?", Michael asked.

"I already have a part time job and I need to go.", she said. Christine looked at me and smiled.

"Thanks for the advice Catherine but I think I'll pass.", she said as she hugged me and went out of the room. I hope she's okay.

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CHRISTINE BROOKS

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"You're five minutes late. What happened?", the manager politely asked me.

"I was caught up in traffic. I'm sorry and it won't happen again.", I replied.

"That's okay. I'll let you off for now. Here's your uniform and go to counter three.", the manager said. I took the uniform and thanked her. I went to the locker room and I opened my locker. I placed my bag there and I placed the cake inside the fridge. I placed at tag saying do not touch and open please. I closed the fridge and changed in to my uniform. I closed and locked my locker and headed to counter three. Four hours have passed and it was already nine thirty. I changed back in to my uniform and approached the manager.

"I'll be ending my shift now.", I said. She smiled at me and tapped my shoulder.

"Thanks for the hardwork. See you tomorrow!", the manager said. I exited Starbucks and I arrived at a bus stop the next few minutes of walking. I sat on the bench and placed the box on top of my lap. I sighed in dismay. In the end, I wasn't able to give it to him. I bet it's the after party right now. They're having a great time now and I think Catherine and Dylan is asleep by now. I feel so sad and alone. I started to silently cry and I hated myself for not being able to give this to Michael.

"I hate myself.", I murmured.

"Why?", someone asked. I looked to my right and I saw Mark. I looked behind him and I saw his car being parked. I must have been so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't notice him coming and sit beside me.

"Why are you crying?", he asked. I looked away and I closed my eyes. Suddenly I felt someone wipe my tears. I opened my eyes and Mark was smiling at me.

"Beautiful girls don't cry.", he said. I felt like I was blushing and thank goodness it was dark with the faint light the street lamp was giving.

"Are you making fun of me?", I asked. He laughed and he placed strands of my hair behind my ear.

"Maybe?", he replied. I looked at him and pulled away. Geez! Why is my heart beating so fast?!

"What this?", Mark asked as he took the box away from my lap. I tried to reach for it but he was just too tall for me. I gave up and sat down. Mark opened the box and stared at it.

"Why didn't you give this to him?", Mark asked.

"He already bought a cake and I thought that my cake was already useless so I decided to not give it anymore.", I replied.

"It looks yummy.", he said.

"Eat it and you'll get poisoned.", I dared him.

"That's alright. At least it's you who killed me instead of just some random guy. Besides, I bet this tastes good!", he said. Before I could say anything, he grabbed the cake slicer I stuck beside the box and sliced the cake.

"Hey!", I exclaimed. He took the slice and ate it.

"Wow! It's so good!", he said.

"No it's not.", I replied. He sliced another one and lifted the slice infront of my mouth.

"Try it.", he said.

"I already tasted it.", I replied.

"Come on. Try it.", he begged.

"Fine.", I replied. I opened my mouth and he placed a bite-sized piece of cake in my mouth. He smiled at me and I suddenly felt concious. Wait. Isn't this what couples do?!

"Now the cake is mine!", Mark said.

"Initially it was for Michael bit since we already ate it, then I don't really care anymore.", I replied.

"That's great. Now, I have my own birthday cake.", he replied. What was that?

"Wait, what? What are you trying to say?", I asked.

"It's actually my birthday today too. Sorry I didn't tell you. I never told anyone about this. You're the first person to know.", he replied. So it was his birthday today too?! So all this time, during the time that he knew I was planning to bake a cake for Michael's birthday, during the time we ate at the hospital awhile ago, he was hurting?! Well, I didn't know about it until now but if I knew, I would've made one for him too.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know.", I apologized.

"You don't need to. It's my fault I didn't tell anyone.", he replied.

"How can I make it up to you?", I asked. He became silent. He closed his eyes and inhaled and exhaled deeply. Then after a few minutes, he opened his eyes and looked at me straight in the eyes.

"What's wrong? You look serious all of a sudden.", I asked. I was beginning to start nervous. I didn't know what Mark was thinkimg or planning to do. Knowing this guy, he has way too many tricks up his sleeves.

"Christine, let me tell you something that will change the way you will look at me.", he said. Change what now?

"What is it?", I asked. He leaned it really close to me and we were now an inch apart. My heart was beating really fast and I'm feeling the same thing I feel when I'm with Michael. What is this??

"I love you.", he bluntly replied. My eyes widen in shock and I clenched my fists really tight to control the nervousness I was feeling. He lovess me?! Since when?! Wait, if that's true, then have I been hurting him all along? All this time?

"Are you serious?", I asked. I wanted to know if it was really true.

"Do you want me to prove it?", he asked. What will he do?! Gosh this is making me insane and confused. I simply nodded. There, he kissed me on my lips. He kissed me for pete's sake!! I was as stiff as I log and he wasn't moving. Little by little, the nervousness I was feeling was fading away and I was staring to calm down. He didn't pull away and so did I. I think he was trying to calm me down and let me feel comfortable with me. It was like he didn't want my trust in him go away. I was already calm and I felt comfortable with him already. He pulled away and smiled at me. I just looked at him in awe.

"How was it?", he asked.

"It was... really calming.", I replied.

"That was my very first kiss. Although I've kissed girls already but what happened just now, I could call it my first kiss and I'm happy that I got to share it with the person I love.", he said.

"Have I been hurting you all this time?", I asked.

"Not at first though but just a few months ago, I started to feel hurt about bringing you and Michael together. I felt jealous and then later I discovered that I have fallen for you unexpectedly. But making you happy was what I wanted so I continued what I usually did. Then it suddenly developed even more and I've fallen even more for you. So, you could say that, yeah but that's okay. I'm already a bit immune to it actually.", he replied. I felt so guilty inside.

"I'm sorry I hurt you.", I apologized. It was the only thing I knew that was right. Suddenly, what my mom said way back came to me. That if you love blindly, you won't know that you are already hurting someone and that someone might be the one for you. Mom was right, I was madly and blindly in love with Michael that I never knew I was hurting Mark already, the guy who brings Michael and I closer. I hugged him and he was shocked.

"Christine? Wait, I'm not expecting for any answer.", he asked.

"Well, can I answer?", I asked. I have this feeling that Mark will make me more happier. I have.this feeling that Mark will always be there for me and will never hurt me.

"You'll answer me?", he asked and I nodded.

"Okay? But let me ask you properly.", he said as he pulled away but he was now holding my hand.

"Will you be my girlfriend?", he finally asked.

"Yes.", I replied. Unlike mom, I didn't say yes to him because I wanted to try going out with him. But I said yes because I feel like we could be happy together and I felt that sense of security and belongingness with Mark. I know that he's an idiot and stuff but deep down, he's a really nice guy. Mark pulled me in to a hug and I could feel the happiness he was feeling. I honestly felt really happy too. Not only was he my very first boyfriend but I feel and know that Mark and I will work this out and be happy together.

"I promise to never hurt you and I will always make you smile. I will protect you and love you with all my heart and soul.", he said. His words made me happy and I didn't know until now that having someone you know that really loves you can already give you that happiness you need.

"Let's make this relationship a memorable and long lasting one.", I told him. He cupped my cheeks and kissed me. He pulled away a few seconds later and smiled at me.

"That will be our promise."

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Waaaaaaa!!!!! Sweetness overload X3 I'm so happy that Mark finally owns Christine and Christine now realizes true happiness :')

Hey guys! Here's a very looong chapter :) This chapter is an add on before we move on to something serious :) I felt like things were always serious so I thought that I should make a romantic chapter first to make you guys fall in love and be happy ;)

On the next chapter, there will be inevitabilities >:) So stay tuned!!

-SophiaMission