Chapter 9 confrontation

I went to school early to catch up with lance because I needed to talk to him. I need to clarify some things. Good thing I found him at the university gym

"What's up, Iris?" Lance asked when he saw me approaching him at the gym.

"I need to talk to you," I said, trying to sound calm despite the mix of emotions inside me.

"Sure, what is it?" he asked, setting down the weights he was holding, and giving me his full attention.

"I saw you at the mall with another girl yesterday. Who is she?" I asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

Lance looked a bit surprised, but then he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Iris, that's my cousin. We bumped into each other at the mall, and I was helping her pick out some clothes for an event she was attending."

"Good thing max didn't see you because she might misunderstand it too. She's fragile at the moment. why did you break up with her?" I ask him directly. He let out a deep sigh and leaned on the wall looking from afar, "I'm leaving," he said, "where are you going?" I ask, "I'll get my college degree in the Philippines. I'll leave her for so long, I don't want her to cling to me especially now that I'm not sure when I'm coming back" I look at him, and I can see the sadness in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said sympathetically, "but have you talked to Max about this? Maybe she can understand and support you in your decision." Lance shook his head, "I haven't told her yet. I'm not ready to hurt her again." "You should talk to her soon," I advised, "It's better, to be honest than to keep things from her. It's not fair for both of you."

"I don't think I can tell her," Lance said. "Maybe you can tell her, Iris. After our graduation," he added. "Why me?" I asked him, "I know you have a better way of breaking the news to Max, and I feel guilty and uncomfortable telling her myself." he replied.

"I understand where you're coming from, Lance. But I think it would be best if you tell Max yourself. It's not fair to keep her in the dark about something this important," I said to him. "I'll support you, and we can all be there for her when she needs us."

"Please, Iris. I'm leaving the day after our graduation. Tell her," he said, " Fine, I'll tell her the truth after graduation but I want to ask one more thing," he looked at me, "Do you still love her?" I ask him

"I don't know," Lance replied, "But I know I care about her, and I don't want to hurt her. That's why I'm leaving. Maybe when I come back, things will be different."

"Do you have someone already?" I ask him without beating the bush. "No, I don't have anyone. I never cheated on Max." he frowned at me.

"Okay, fine. you never cheated, but you fell out of love. Is that what you meant?" I ask, "I guess," he said and looked away from me. Maybe he's not telling the truth, I said to myself. maybe he still loves max but was afraid to admit it to me.

There is a silence between us before I talk again, "You've become a good friend of mine too, Lance. I hope you are well in the Philippines. Don't forget about us, especially Max," I smiled at him. "I won't forget you guys, says hi to isla for me. I haven't seen her for a while." he smiled at me.

"That's for sure," I replied. "Take care and keep in touch, okay?" We shook hands before going our separate ways.

I went to our room and sat beside max, "did you not sleep well last night?" I asked her and I took my phone to browse on Instagram. "I didn't," she said, "I'm thinking about lance," she admitted. "I miss him," she added.

"It's okay, max. you'll move on too," I said, "do you want to know the reason why he broke up with me?" she fix her sit to face me, "why?" I ask, "he fell out of love," she lets out a deep sigh and I can see the sadness in her eyes. Poor Max, still so in love with lance.

the whole day at school was so busy, everyone was reviewing for the finals. I wonder how the Xefora would review for their finals when they are busy with their band practice.

sam, our classmate, sat with us during our lunchtime. "are you guys still going to college?" she asks, "of course," I said to her, max nodded at her too. "where?" she asked again, "maybe ucla if we passed," max said. We promised each other to attend the same college together with my cousin isla, too

. "That's cool! I'm planning to attend the state university," Sam said, "I'm sure we'll still see each other, right?" she added. "Definitely," I replied with a smile. It's comforting to know that we have each other even after high school.

"Did you guys hear about the rumors already?" sam ask us, "what rumor?" max asked her, "about the xefora," max and I look at each other, we don't know what was going on. "what about them?" I ask, "They are disbanding after high school,"

"I didn't know that," Max said, looking surprised. "Yeah, it's been going around. I heard they're all planning to pursue different careers," Sam replied. "That's too bad," I said, feeling a bit sad. The Xefora had been a big part of our high school experience, and it was hard to imagine them not being together anymore.

I was shocked by the rumors. I thought they want to pursue music so badly, but I guess I have to ask them myself. "there's a rumor about Felix too," Sam said, I can feel max gazing at me, "his parents are forcing him to go to medicine," she said, "how did you know all of this?" max ask sam. "my brother is a close friend of one of the members of xefora."

I listened intently to the conversation, feeling a mix of surprise and disappointment. I had always known that Felix had a passion for music, and the thought of him being forced to abandon it for a career in medicine seemed unfair. "I hope Felix can work things out with his parents and still pursue his dream," I said, looking at Max and Sam. "Yeah, that would be great," Max replied, nodding her head in agreement.