It's funny how things just happen so quickly and so unexpectedly, that you forget how it used to be before that one big thing happens. How things can change in a span of three days and two nights. How two people can go from friends to lovers in months.

This is how we happened, in my perspective.

I've always had a crush on him, that I used to always deny. (Well, not always. He bloomed over the summer from 9th to 10th grade, I tell you.) I used to deny it because ever since the 9th grade, I had already been taken. I was with someone else. Mikey was my classmate for two years in a row, 9A and 10B. We found out in September last year that we were actually childhood friends that used to go to each others' parties when we were around 1-3 years old. It was something that we bonded over, I guess. But that was as far as I thought we'd go. Close friends, with a minor history. We'd graduate from high school, he'd leave for college in the States and I'd be studying in some local university. We'd forget each other, only remembering each others' existence during homecomings or reunions. I had reason to think so. We've always been associated different crowds. He was a COOL GUY party boy, while I was the type to stay home or ride my horses. I had a boyfriend, while he had his share of relationships, too. "Realistically", I told myself when I'd think of him or even dream about him, "can we ever even get THERE? Or are we too different for that to happen?" I never even told anyone I felt something for him. Everyone knew he was one of my "top 5" but never "top 1."

Things changed a whole lot a year ago from today, thanks to our school trip in some dive resort in Batangas. He had just came out of this... thing he had with one of my friends, while I was having huge troubles with my boyfriend. I texted him the day before we left, that I had kwento and I needed advice for it. I said I'd talk to him about it during the trip, which was kind of my way to make sure even a little something something happened between us that trip.

On the bus ride, going there, I sat in the seat in front of him. We were playfully talking, and he was playing with my hair. "He's just being friendly," I thought. And that was what was on my mind the ENTIRE time until he told me he liked me. But anyway. I remember how I was kind of jealous when I saw him with his most recent flare talking by the village. That was the point I realized that what I felt for him was becoming more than attraction. I kept my feelings in my head (heart?) until that night. I fell asleep in my room while my roomies, Maia and Niki were up chatting. I woke up to their laughter, since the other girls came in, and I just pretended to be asleep. When the others left, I remember just saying it, right then and there. "Guys, I have a problem. Don't judge me, because I know I have a boyfriend, but... I think I like Mikey." And a fast flurry of "WHAT?!"s, questions and reasons why I shouldn't overcame the room. I had a boyfriend, they reminded me. They told me not to do anything about it and to try and not mind him the next day, which I agreed to...

The next day came and I had it in mind not to mind him. I'd purposely take different paths, and avoid any contact whatsoever. I even remember passing him on the path going down to the diveshop, without saying a word. I was proud of myself, but I only kept it up for about an hour or two. Before I knew it, we were talking, and I guess flirting too. I taught him how to play Speed, the most amazing card game in the world, and bonded over that. I asked him to help me fix my dive gear (even if I still recalled how to hehehe) just so we could talk. Things were obviously not going according to plan.. Whoops. I couldn't help it. I was really beginning to like him. After the dive, photos were taken of us, and people started teasing. Night came, and I was still as troubled as hell. I told a couple other girls, who told me that maybe he was filling the void that my boyfriend failed to fill. I thought it made sense, I thought I'd get over him after the trip and that would be it (WRONG AGAIN). Anyway, I remember playing that game, where one representative of each group were blindfolded, and directed by their teammates to transfer water from a bucket to a small water bottle, using a glass. I love these kind of games, so I was our group's representative, and Mikey was his groups' as well. I don't remember much, cos well, I was BLIND.. All I remember is fighting him, and blocking his way to the bucket. My classmates told me my head was INCHES from his balls. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I don't regret it...  ;)

It worsened that night. This was THE night that made the trip the most memorable. I snuck out with a lot of other people after lights out to play some cards and to chill with the boys and other girls. "bababa ba?" We played Pusoy Dos, and while some others left or chilled on the deck with the deck chairs (omg everyone's fave), Mikey and I were up to no good, playing speed. We had a mini competition WHICH I WON, by the way. He was delirious though so I gotta give him credit. I remember staring deeeeeeep into the windows of his soul every time I dealt the cards. It meant more to me than just winning. Just being able to bond with him like this.. It made me happy, happier than I've ever been for a while. The night progressed, and for some reason, we unintentionally got some alone time. For about 3-4 hours, we were alone, at night, chilling in random places in the resort, talking about the most random things, getting closer and closer to one another. I remember everything. How easy it was. How we got food from my room upstairs, how we fed Charlie the cat, how there were weird sounds coming from the back of one of the kubos, how he scared me, and how I clung on to him. I remember sitting on the steps that traversed the resort, talking about things even I don't remember. I remember his stupid cold Ovaltine, and how he promised me it was going to be amazing... when it wasn't. HAHAHA. Oh, and how could I forget. I remember how he went up to the deck and said aloud for me, Sands and Nads to hear, "holy shit this is amazing." We rushed up and sat on the deck chairs, and saw what he was talking about. The sky. It was beautiful. All the stars were out. I swear to god I've never seen anything like it. I remember the delirious Mikey saying things like "this is AMAAAAAZING" and "I'm going to fall asleep here omg I'm not gonna sleep in my room anymore." And I couldn't agree more. It was amazing for me as well, but for more reasons than just the stars. It was the fact that the first time I've seen the sky like this was with HIM. We were beside each other under this great night sky, and I couldn't help but think how perfect the moment was, despite nothing romantic between us actually happening. I couldn't help but think that those stars were shining for us.

And ahh, I still remember giving him a huge hug before we said good night, and how he told me to wake him up the next morning. We slept at 4 and we had to wake up at 7 (good going aye). HAHAHA I remember how Mikey and the rest had trouble getting up, and how they were sentenced to an early morning dunk in the freezing water. Hehehehehe and he gave his stuff for me to hold, too.. Fast forward to lunch time, since it was our last lunch there. We had AMAZING timing, and came out of our cabanas, all packed, and earlier than everyone else. And can I just say, he looks too cute with a Snapback on. :) We walked to the clubhouse thing together, and ate a very silent lunch together.

After lunch, we boarded the bus and friends planned for me to sit beside him, which I did for a bit until this whole bus/lights thing happened, which made us have to separate. Nothing happened on the bus since he was sleeping (ON MY PILLOW) the entire time... It ended with us arriving in Beacon School at around 6pm. We got off the bus and hugged each other, saying bye. And when we got home, we couldn't help but talk about how fun the trip was and how we got close unexpectedly.

Anilao changed everything for the both of us. We became each other's textmates, bus buddies and best friends all because of it. We began to like each other.. and look at where we are now. Mikey and I have been dating for almost 10 months now, and have been officially together for 7. We've gone through our share of fights and good times, and I'd never trade this past year for anything. He's my world. He's my everything. It's like we've been in love for forever, and it's so weird to think that a year ago today, we were just good friends. It all came so fast and unexpectedly, but boy I don't regret it. I love him. He's worth it all.