Dating alys perez ( English)

(Alys' POV)

"Are we clear now, Perez?"

Kei had been briefing me about my schedule for a while now.

Honestly, I was still super confused!

I used to think NYU was just a small school—but NO!

It's practically a whole town!

SCA and Brent are NOTHING compared to this.

I feel like I'll just suddenly get lost one day.

The buildings are all far apart.

It's like being in a subdivision, except instead of houses, it's all school buildings and cafes.

I nodded at Kei even though, truthfully, I still had no idea what I was supposed to do. Hehehe.

I was scared she might get annoyed at me if I asked her to repeat the instructions again!

We got ready and prepared to head to school.

Since Kei was ahead of me in units, we weren't classmates.

And anyway, there's no block system here—it's all a broken schedule.

Basically, you're on your own.

I wore the boots we bought! Hehehe.

I don't even know if they suit me or match the weather.

It's not even that cold yet since it's only April, but SO WHAT—I wanted to wear my rock star boots!

Since the school's nearby, Kei and I just walked.

I was starting to enjoy walking around here in New York.

It's fun because there's not a lot of dirty pollution, and you can buy all kinds of things from vendors while walking.

I think corndogs are slowly becoming my favorite!

"Look who's getting lucky today," someone muttered.

I turned around—

And saw Tripp!

I ran toward him.

Good thing I was getting used to wearing heels—I didn't trip this time!

"Tripp!"

He smiled at me and waved.

Thank you, Papa God!

I know You'll never leave me hanging!

It's a good thing we're classmates.

"Where's your class?" I asked him excitedly.

To be fair, Tripp looked SO HANDSOME today.

He was wearing pants, a white shirt, and combat boots.

Hehehe. Looks like Marco's gotten into boots too!

We walked side by side.

I don't even know where we were heading.

But surely I wouldn't get lost—Tripp was with me.

Tripp is smart too, but Drake's different.

Drake's a gifted kid.

Tripp's intelligence is on a more normal level.

We're going to the same class?!

We walked to our room together, but when we got there, a note on the board read:

> "NO CLASSES TODAY. Next meeting, submit a paper about Advertising Schemes. 12 TNR, double-spaced. Minimum of five pages."

O ___ O

WHAT ON EARTH. I think the next meeting is in two days!

What kind of school is this?! I might as well call this place Purtagory!

Tripp suddenly laughed at the look on my face.

"Hey, are you okay, Alys?"

I was still totally out of it.

HOW am I going to finish that paper?!

"Come on, let's get started. Did you bring your laptop?"

Even though I still wasn't in the right headspace, I managed to answer yes.

Kei told me I should always bring my laptop since I'd need it a lot for school.

Good thing my laptop's a MacBook Air.

Super easy to carry!

Though it kinda freaks me out—it's so light, it feels like it could break at any moment!

Tripp led the way.

We headed to a coffee shop.

Yup. Confirmed. Tripp Marco Palma is my official coffee shop buddy!

I'm noticing it now—we always seem to end up at coffee shops together.

He placed our orders and told me he'd order for me since he already knew what I liked.

AWW, TOUCHING.

I opened up my laptop.

Because I'm a sensitive soul, I quickly changed my desktop background.

I mean—I know Tripp has a crush on me, and Drake is his cousin.

I don't want to be the reason for a fight between them!

I'm not like Shaira!

I started browsing the internet.

Thank God for online libraries—I found a bunch of eBooks about advertising there.

Lord, I know I've been a bad kid, but this punishment is TOO MUCH.

A paper?!

After a few minutes, I managed to type my name and student number.

In fairness to me—progress!!

Marco stretched his arms.

"I'm on my third page. You?"

O ___ O

Dude. We've only been here like 30 minutes?!

NOT FAIR!!!

When I didn't answer, he stood up and peeked at my laptop screen.

"Tsk, Alys. We've been here this long and this is all you've typed?"

Tsk.

SORRY I'm not a genius.

And besides—it takes time, okay?!

My brain needs some warm-up before it works!

He pulled up his chair and started typing on my laptop.

I just ate my strawberry salad.

Yup! It's super cool here.

The bowl was full of strawberries, syrup, and cream.

And my milkshake too!

Hehehe. All courtesy of Tripp!

He didn't even ask me to pay back!

Then Tripp suddenly looked at me.

"Tsk. How did you even get accepted here?"

"Hey! That's mean!"

He kept typing.

"How are you supposed to survive here if you don't take things seriously, Alys?"

"Sorry, Daaaad. I was always talking to Drake, okay? That's why I didn't get to study in advance."

He just shook his head, but kept working on my paper anyway.

After a few minutes, he finished the draft.

He handed me some links and told me to read them—then I could polish the paper myself later.

When I checked, it was basically done!

The only thing missing was the conclusion.

MY PAPER GOT FINISHED BEFORE HIS!

And it's not even mine?! 😭

"Tripp?"

He looked up at me.

He was still wearing the nerdy glasses I gave him back when we went to Timezone.

"Thank you," I said.

He smiled.

Shaira Pugits, you are the dumbest dumb to ever dumb.

You REJECTED this gorgeous, perfect, helpful guy?!

Unbelievable!

I waited for Tripp to finish his own paper, then we left the coffee shop together.

He even carried my stuff because my shoulders were killing me.

We strolled around the busy streets of this city.

Then I asked Tripp if we could ride the subway—I've never tried it before!

Every time we came here with Mom, we were always in a car or a plane when visiting other states.

The only places I've ever been in the U.S. are Miami, when we'd visit Aunt Glorie, Andrei, and Cutie Pie Allison, and California, when we'd stay with Daney Baby, Nana, and Dada.

Because Tripp was such a good boy today, I treated him to street food!

Yay me!

---

"Don't chat with Drake for now. Finish your paper, okay?"

I gave him a Roger sign.

"Yess, boss!"

He smiled again.

He says I look cute when I call him "Boss." Hehe.

Then he turned around and walked away.

He dropped me off at the dorm.

Apparently, Tofer's already looking for him.

Thank God I didn't run into Tofer today!

That guy is a whole walking tear-fest!

---

"Where were you?"

"OH MY GOSH!"

Kei was right behind me.

She scared the soul out of me!

"U-uh, I went to school earlier?"

She shrugged and started walking toward the exit.

"Someone's waiting for you."

O…kay?

---

(Tripp's POV)

"Tripp!"

Aish!

Christofer Ann Palma, the number one pain in my life.

He ran toward me.

"What now?" I asked.

He pouted.

Tsk.

Sometimes I seriously doubt this guy.

Always pouting, always gossiping.

He's practically my walking news app—half of what I hear about my cousins in the Philippines comes from him.

This one got divorced, that one got pregnant.

Too much information.

I took off my shoes.

"Drake's here!" he blurted.

I froze.

Drake?

Ah.

Of course. Drake's here—because Alys is here.

Seriously, Tripp. Why are you even surprised?

She's his girlfriend.

His. Not yours.

Tsk. I'm such an idiot sometimes.

Tofer followed me to the kitchen while I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

"I told Uncle Steve that Drake should just stay here, but he said no. He wants to stay at a hotel instead! How rude! Why doesn't he wanna be with us?"

Pfft.

I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing.

Seriously?

Is he actually wondering why Drake doesn't want to stay here?

If I had the choice, I'd pick a hotel too.

Every. Single. Time.

"You wanna know why he doesn't wanna stay here?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Because you're here. You know he's allergic to you."

And there it is—he pouted again.

This guy is ruining the Palma bloodline. I swear.

"Drake's so mean. Alys is super nice, but Drake's mean. They don't match at all. You and Alys look better together."

I CHOKED.

What the actual hell did he just say?

Tofer's gone completely nuts.

Again.

I walked back to the living room and grabbed my laptop.

Started typing.

I was sure Alys wouldn't finish that paper—so I decided to finish mine now, then help her with hers tomorrow.

How's she even supposed to graduate if she stays like that?

I mean, yeah, I'll help when I can.

But it's not like I'll always be around, right?

…

Or will I?

---

(Alys' POV)

"Hi, Girlfriend."

O _ O O _ O

"D-Drake?"

I slowly walked forward.

Oh. To. The. M. To. The. Gee!

Is this really Drake?!

He smiled and stepped toward me too.

"Stupid. Won't you hug your boyfriend?"

And just like that—I ran straight into his arms and hugged him.

Gosh, the nostalgia!

It's like, for two whole weeks, I'd only seen him through my monitor—but now he's really here, right in front of me!

I hugged him tightly for a whole minute.

God, I missed my Drake Sebastian Palma!

We sat down on my bed.

I had a million things I wanted to ask him.

"Why? How? WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

"Easy on the questions, Noob. Can you let me sleep first? My head hurts," he said, lying down on my bed and closing his eyes.

While he was sleeping, I just stared at him.

His face.

His super pointed nose.

His eyes that are even smaller than mine.

And his lips.

No, Alys. Avoid temptation!

Remember—you're only allowed on your 20th birthday!!

I just sat beside him as he slept.

I reached for my phone and took a selfie with him.

Hehehehehe.

"You're so freaking handsome, Drake. No wonder I've got so many rivals," I said while taking his fourth sleeping selfie.

Me approves!

Drake was taking so long to wake up.

So I grabbed my magical laptop and tried reading the draft Tripp made.

Grabe.

Marco is seriously smart.

No wonder he got accepted here.

I'm starting to suspect my mom bribed someone just to get me in.

I tried editing Tripp's draft… but honestly, I think I just made it worse.

Then—

"What are you doing?"

I nearly jumped.

Drake's awake!

I closed the laptop quickly.

Turns out, he'd been asleep for three hours.

It was almost evening.

"Ah, uh, nothing. Is your head okay now?"

He nodded and moved closer, putting his arm around my shoulders.

//////////<

When will I ever get used to this~~~

"I missed you, Noob. Let's eat out?"

I nodded.

Sigh.

Alys Perez—you may be failing in academics, but in love life?

A++!

I'll take that!

---

We placed our orders.

Drake picked a kind of fancy restaurant—he said he doesn't like diners because they're loud and cramped.

Eh, fine.

It's not every day my boyfriend comes to visit.

He was supposed to come around Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving?!

It's only April!

"What's up with you? Since when did you start wearing boots… and makeup?"

I just smiled.

Hehehe.

Because honestly, everyone here wears makeup.

Even my girl crush Kei wears makeup.

I was starting to look like the palest creature in the city, so I decided to go with the flow.

Ate Karen even helped me buy a full makeup kit and taught me how to use it.

My fave?

Smokey eyes!

Totally gives me Kim K vibes! :>

The food arrived and we started eating, but of course, we chatted too.

"Drake, why are you here? I mean—I'm super happy—but it's also kind of shocking!"

He just shrugged.

"My conscience tells me you're missing me too much. So here I am."

"Oh my gosh! Please tell your conscience a big THANK YOU!"

Drake shook his head at me.

Well—what can I say?

But honestly?

I just kept watching him eat.

I missed him so much.

I missed those whole weeks we had dinner together every night because, well… we were "secret lovers," remember?

We'd end up sleeping at dawn because he'd come to my unit at midnight, and we'd eat and talk until 3 a.m.

So the next day, both of us would be totally out of it.

We ordered dessert too, then stepped outside to walk around.

Turns out, Drake was staying at a hotel.

"You should just sleep at the dorm, Drake…"

He flicked my forehead.

"Are you suggesting pre-marital sex, Alys?"

O__O

"What?! No! Geez, that's not what I meant! I just missed you, that's all!"

He smiled and kissed me on the forehead.

I swear, whenever he kisses me there, I feel so loved.

Mommy once told me that a kiss on the forehead is more special—because it means the guy truly respects you.

I told her, "So Daddy doesn't respect you then? Because he always kisses you on the lips?"

And she said, "Your father's an idiot."

LOL. Classic.

Drake walked me to my dorm, and then he kissed me on the lips.

Hehe.

But just a short one.

"See you tomorrow, girlfriend?"

I nodded, even though I wasn't totally sure.

My schedule tomorrow is completely packed.

Oh well... Let Batman handle it!

---

(Tripp's POV)

"Perez, Alys."

Where the hell is Alys?

We're classmates for this class, but she's nowhere to be found.

The professor finished checking attendance—but still no Alys.

He finished the lecture—but still, no sign of her.

Where are you, Alys?

Before he left the room, the professor made an announcement:

"To those who are absent today, tell them to submit a five-page essay explaining the reason for their absence. Don't come to my class without it."

Then he walked out.

Nice one, Alys.

Class has just started and you're already giving me a headache.

I decided to go home to the apartment first since my next class isn't until three.

Talk about luck.

"Typical Alys," I muttered.

"Putting her boyfriend before her classes."

---

(Alys's POV)

"Are you sure, Noob? I could wait."

I shook my head at Drake. I don't think I'll die from just one absence, right?

Besides, he's only here for three days! Today's already his second day. Tomorrow's the last.

But today, my class runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. What would I even do with him after 7?!

Drake said he was willing to wait until my class ended, so I ended up lying and telling him our professor had announced that there was no class today.

I'm sorry, Mommy and Daddy. I swear this is just a one-time thing!

Drake and I went to a cinema house and watched an old movie.

It was so cool—it was in black and white!

"Alys?"

"Oh?" I said as I sipped my Kool-Aid.

"I moved back to the house."

"Really? Then that's great!" I said.

Tito Steve misses him so that's totally fine, right?!

He nodded. "And Katrina's there. And I'm telling you this because I don't want to keep things from you. I hate secrets."

I smiled at him. "Good, Boyfriend. I don't like secrets either."

We finished the movie and went outside.

There were so many things we could do here that I didn't even know what to do first!

Since there were lots of boutiques, Drake and I did the one thing that would definitely make us both happy. Hehehe. We went shopping. :>

It was tiring but fun.

Gosh! We shopped for hours, and then I got a text from my professor.

I don't even know how they got my number! Maybe from the registration form? Ugh, whatever!

The text said I had to go to class or I'd be dropped for being absent.

Seriously?!

"Drake, I have to go. Turns out I actually have class. Hehehe."

He shook his head. "Tsk. Bad girlfriend. You lied to me?"

"Sorry! I just really wanted us to bond today," I explained.

We were walking when he suddenly held my hand.

"Why do you always act like I'm going to disappear? I'm not going anywhere, Alys. I'm right here, beside you, holding your hand. I won't leave."

I smiled at him!

The TDPW spark never fades!

"I love you, Drake," I told him.

It was the first time I ever said "I love you" to him in person. Before, it was always just on Skype.

He stepped closer, then bent down slightly since he's taller than me.

"My love for you is crazy—and I don't even like crazy. Being in love with you makes me do crazy things, makes me reach different heights, and honestly? It scares the shit out of me.

But I love being in love with you, Alys Perez. And as long as I live, I'll keep loving you.

To the moon and back, Alys. To the moon and back."

After that, he hugged me.

It felt kind of weird hugging in the middle of Madison Square, but who cares?!

Drake said he loves me!

---

Next Morning

"Good morning, Sunshine!"

After Drake's cheesy confession—ahihihi!—I went back to school.

Thank God I showed up!

Our professor gave a pop quiz, and I was able to answer it!

I'd read the paper Tripp made for me and almost all the answers were there.

He's seriously my savior!

I rushed out of the classroom.

I felt kind of rude for not even saying goodbye to Tripp, but Drake's leaving tonight, so today's our last bonding day.

My heart nearly dropped when I saw Drake getting into a taxi.

Where's he going?

"Drake?" I called out as I walked toward him, slowly, because I was nervous.

Is he leaving? No way.

Why would he leave me, right?

He just told me last night that he loves me.

To the moon and back, Alys.

Hold onto that, I told myself.

He said something to the driver, who went inside—but the taxi hadn't started yet.

"You're leaving?"

He just nodded.

Why did it feel like he was back to being the cold Drake who didn't care about me?

Stop overthinking, Alys. You're just being paranoid again.

I smiled at him. "Where are we going?" I said as I held onto his arm.

He looked at me and slowly removed my hand from him.

"I'm going home."

"I thought you were leaving tonight?!"

This is so unfair! Did your flight suddenly get rescheduled or something?!

"Stop acting stupid, Alys. You know what I mean. I'm heading home."

I was starting to cry—slowly, but surely.

Why is this happening again?

What did I do wrong this time?

I tried to smile even though I probably looked ridiculous with tears streaming down my face.

Seriously, Alys! Of all times, why did you have to start crying now?

"Why… Drake? Did I do something wrong?"

He didn't answer. He just looked at me.

"I'm not good for you, Alys. I won't lie to you, because I hate lies.

Stop thinking about me. Stop wasting your time on me.

You're here. Study. Make your parents proud. Make me proud."

"But I am going to study!

Why do you have to break up with me?!"

I didn't care anymore if people were staring.

I was getting dumped by the person I love the most!

"Lower your voice, Alys."

I didn't listen.

"Drake, I am going to study, okay?

Please don't do this. Please don't leave me…"

What use is pride anyway?

I've only ever begged like this once in my life—and maybe, this is the moment.

If it's Drake I'm begging for, who am I to say no?

"I've made up my mind, Alys. Let's call it quits."

He turned around and started walking toward the taxi.

"Step inside that cab and I swear I'll forget you, Drake Palma."

He stopped. He turned to face me.

"You can't forget me, Alys.

Deep down, you will always love me."

My tears just wouldn't stop.

If he knew that—if he really knew—why is he doing this to me?

Is this really about school?

Is this because I missed class yesterday?

Is he serious right now?

"Even if it's hard, I will forget you, Drake.

Walk away from me now, and I swear to you—

You'll never have me again."

The tears kept falling, and I could feel strangers staring.

Some even started taking pictures, but I didn't care anymore.

He held my face in both hands and gently lifted it.

"I'll wait for you, Alys.

Maybe we're not together now,

but you'll always be my Alys."

"You're so cruel, Drake!

You're so cruel!"

Even while breaking up with me, he was still like this.

How am I supposed to forget someone like him?

He smiled at me.

"Study hard, Alys.

Go back to the Philippines and make me regret letting you go.

Show me.

Show me what an idiot I am for breaking up with you."

Then he got into the taxi.

You'll regret this, Drake.

I swear, you'll regret this.

---