Denis' POV

And as soon as we finished our prayer, we returned to our respective seats and listened to the host.

"And now, for what you've been waiting for, I present to you... Eternals University Dance Crew!" the host asserted.

     Then, all the lights turn off, and darkness rules supreme in every corner of the hall. During the interlude, there is an intense silence—that all students, including me, can hear our heartbeats. Like the sun emerging from the clouds, golden light flashes and beams towards the stage, revealing boys and girls in street clothes. Just like what my mom always says, no matter how low-quality the clothes look, if the wearer is attractive, they will always look good. Her words manifest truly to the dance crew atop the stage.

     Initially being as still as a group of statues, music plays in the background, fading in and filling up the hall, and the dancers begin to move, synchronizing with the music. Then, on the side of the stage, a girl sings, perfectly capturing the moment. Apparently, every word she utters seems to resonate within me, and I relate deeply to it, prompting me to open my ears to the song, my eyes attuned to the graceful moves of the dancers. The dance crew sways and hops around, their every movement tempting my eyes.

"Oh, oh, oh... I've felt broken for so long. Lost in the shadows, wondering where I belong. Maybe this is the moment, a chance to break free. To step beyond the heartache and finally be me. I've always been lonely, searching for a love so true. Wishing for a man who can see me through. In my sorrow, I cry out to the skies, 'Why must the world be so unkind?' I sigh. Oh, please, just one love, let him be mine! Through the highs and the lows, we'll stand side by side. With love as our compass, there's nothing to hide. So here's to the moments, the laughter and tears. With you in my life, I'll conquer my fears. I've always been lonely, searching for a love so true. But now with you, I know what to do. Life's sometimes lovely, with you by my side. Together, forever, let's take this ride!~"

     Unexpectedly, as the girl finishes her wonderful song that catches my heart's attention, all the lights turn off once again, and the darkness shrouds all of our sights. We cannot see until the lights turn on and flash towards the stage, revealing men in white ties and women in majestic gowns. They are the other half of the dance crew while the previous ones with street clothes have already retreated backstage.

     Just as I expected, music played. And it sounds romantic. The slow beat, the melody, the use of violin as the instrument, it is clearly a love song—a seductive one. This would be awkward for me, especially since I am sitting next to Harris.

The girl on stage raised her hands, swaying with the music, as she began to sing, "When the rhythm starts to play, hold my hand and don't let go. Like a red flower in bloom, let our love's colors show. Dance with me beneath the stars, as the night unfolds. Let the clouds embrace the peaks, in a story yet untold."

     Harmonizing with the song, the male and female dancers pair into duos and hold their hands together. Facing each other and peering deeply into their eyes, they dance and sway one another, melding with every beat of the music. As they dance and move about, I cannot help but feel a sense of envy and longing. With my eyes fixated on the stage, I begin to imagine Harris and me dancing amidst the dancers in the center, us being the main lead.

     I can perfectly imagine Harris holding my hand, our fingers intertwining as we dance. And I can feel his warm palm touching my slender waist. As he swings me around, I hold onto him and gaze into his sophisticated orbs that shine like the moonlight. Though this may all be just a product of my brain, it feels as though it has happened, and I am yearning for it to transpire, at least once, in real life, outside my thinking.

     As the music concludes, the dancers freeze in their position, and the lights bid farewell to the hall. Darkness blankets every surface within the chamber, and applause fills the room, reverberating within like a bell. Students clap and cheer in joy, seemingly entertained by the dance. Meanwhile, I, reclining on my seat beside Harris in the darkness, gawk at the unlit stage, still stuck in my reverie.

     Gradually, my eyes shift to the side and drift towards Harris, fixating on him. Despite the impenetrable cloak of darkness shrouding our sights, I know well I am looking at Harris, as I can feel his magnetic presence pulling me closer to him. Then, like a flash of a camera, the lights turn on, extinguishing the darkness. As the light returns to embrace the hall, Harris immediately turns to face me and catches me staring at him. Surprised, I quickly look away, my cheeks reddening and my eyes wide.

"Wow! What a lively performance! And might I say... also spicy in the end! It was such a wonderful dance from our university's dance crew and delightful singing from Mrs Mendoza here," the host praised, gesturing towards the bowing dance crew and the girl who sang for us. "Everyone, each of you all! Let us now proceed to the next program of the Christmas Party!"

***

     Soon, as the sun ascends higher into the cerulean sky and eventually reaches its zenith amidst the atmosphere of blue, lunchtime arrives. Hundreds and hundreds of students gather and line up for food situated on the long tables, eager to fulfil our rumbling stomach's request. Dishes include spaghetti, pancit habhab, pancit palabok, fried lumpia spring rolls, morcon, lechon kawali, lechon manok, and macaroni salad. For desserts, there are chocolate cupcakes with mint icing, chocolate mousse cake, buko pandan, leche flan, and fruit salad. For drinks, we have hot chocolate, an assortment of juice, sodas, and water.

     Harris and I grab our plates and get our food served by the caterers. Once done, we grab our drinks and move back to our round table where we settle for lunch. And there, someone familiar appears amidst the bustling crowd, greeting us with a vibrant smile. It is none other than Lyvie, sparkling in her maroon dress with a slit and puffed sleeves.

"Hey, guys!" Lyvie greeted us.

"Lyvie!" Harris and I both smiled in unison.

     Possessing a past that includes having a romantic affair with Lyvie will surely and undoubtedly bring a slight tension between Harris and Lyvie. And I already can see it in Harris's glimmering eyes. Somehow, this brings me a slight sense of jealousy. But gladly, I know how to overcome it with a deep breath.

"Can I sit with you, guys?" she asked with a plate in her hands.

"Sure thing," I replied with an eager nod.

"Thanks!" Lyvie grinned, placing down her plate and settling down with us around the round table. As she grasped her spoon and fork, she looked at us with a smirk and asked, "So... how you two have been?"

I raised a brow, pondering a way to answer that question. "Hm..."

Harris glanced at me with a smile. "...We're doing good."

"Oh, yep. So good actually," I said as I took a bite of my warm meal.

"You?" Harris asked.

"Yeah, you?" I reiterated, my voice muffled by the food in my mouth.

"Well, nothing much changed. Everything is fine," Lyvie replied. Taking a bite of her fried lumpia spring roll and swallowing it, she continued, "So, how's the progress?"

"Hm?" Harris leaned his face closer, trying to seek clarification.

"What progress?" I inquired.

"You know?" Lyvie prompted, her eyebrows raising and her eyes darting between me and Harris.

Uttering a wild guess, I whispered, "...You mean... finding the key in a lucid dream?"

"Yeah, that," Lyvie nodded.

"Oh! I actually have found the key already! Now, all we have to do is find the portal!" I informed her.

"Great! Wait! Find a portal?" Lyvie responded.

"Yeah. We've searched once. But we never found anything," I said.

"I can help," Lyvie volunteered with a friendly smile.

"Okay, let's lower our voices here. We won't want anyone to learn about it," Harris interjected calmly, lowering his voice into a muted whisper.

"Don't worry about it. No one will suspect a thing. Everyone talks about hella weird stuff these days," Lyvie assured Harris with a nonchalant smirk.

"Oh?"

"I mean, she makes a great point," I thought.

"But, yeah, yeah... I mean, let's not talk about it here. Can't take the risk, right?" Lyvie mused.

"Hm, right," Harris beamed.

"Right," I nodded firmly.

     Then, at last, upbeat music suddenly began to play from the stage, capturing our attention, our eyes fixating forward. Fog machines began ejecting dense cloaks of mist, and the moving neon lights reflected upon them. The party was in full swing, and the students responded with eager cheers and lively jumps. While the others enthusiastically consumed their meals, the rest hurriedly finished their food just to dance on the dance floor.

"Oh! It's my favourite song!" Lyvie exclaimed. "Come on, you all! Let's finish our meals now so we can dance!"

"Hehe, I don't know how to dance," I replied timidly, shaking my head.

"Huh, we'll see about that," Harris smirked, leaning his head towards me.

My eyes widened as I glanced at Harris. "Heh, well, alright."

"Come on! We won't want to miss this song!" Lyvie urged as she swiftly stuffed her mouth with food, finishing her meal.

     As Harris, Lyvie, and I finish our plates overflowing with food and drinks, we head to the dance floor brimming with blissful students who hop and swing around. We squeeze through the crowd, and upon reaching the centre amidst guys and girls, Lyvie begins to dance, her eyes closed with amusement. While dancing, she turns to face Harris and me, and when she opens her eyelids, she sees Harris and me still and unmoving. Halting her flowy dance moves, Lyvie tilts her head and chuckles aloud.

"Don't be shy, you two! Dance! Dance!" Lyvie encouraged.

     With a bashful grin, I begin to move my body, and Harris does so. While Harris and Lyvie dance gracefully amidst the crowd of keen students, I dance rigidly, my body stiff. Confidence seems to refuse to fill my veins as I keep my head low. But, once Harris touches my shoulder and acknowledges me with a wide smile, I feel a change occurring deep within my heart. Finally, I can feel the spirit surging forth as my legs leap and my arms sway.

"You're doing good!" Harris cheered.

I danced. "Heh, you, too!" I replied.

     Suddenly, the bright, vibrant, rainbow-like lights fade and turn into wine-red, slightly dim but lucent enough for us to see each other's faces. Then, the music shifts from an upbeat and festive melody to a more romantic and calm tone. The hopping students cease and begin to cheer as boys and girls pair, dancing like couples. I freeze in my position as I glance at Harris and Lyvie, who both seem to also stop dancing.

     Lyvie laughs as she stands before me. I assumed she'd ask me for a dance. But, it turned out, she did quite the opposite.

"You dance with Harris!" she mischievously teased.

     With a gentle push, Lyvie shoves me towards Harris, and I land on Harris' chest. At that fleeting moment, I am able to hear Harris' tender heartbeat, which causes mine to almost stop. Harris and I gaze into each other's glowing orbs, and I feel as though the butterflies inside me are about to make me explode. My jaw twitches, and I force myself to smile as Harris lifts his hand and extends it towards me.

"...May I have this dance?" Harris asked politely.

     Reluctant at first, I glance at Lyvie for assurance and support, and she responds with two thumbs up and a grin. She bobs her head up and down, encouraging me to accept Harris' request. Shy at first, I interlock my hand with Harris and place my other hand on his shoulder, my cheeks blushing. Then, for the moment I've been waiting for, he places his gentle palm on my hips, and I feel a wave of emotions crashing onto me as my eyes widen with surprise.

     As the slow tempo of the music emanates and reverberates within the expansive hall, Harris begins to swing me around, and I keep my eyes locked on his. We dance and dance, and the thought of the surroundings disappears as I only focus on Harris. At this point, it feels like only Harris and I are inside the hall, both alone in the centre. Harris then lowers me, and I hold onto him, lurching towards the floor but held by his strong arms.

     This is the exact position I've been wishing to happen again ever since the narrow accident that occurred in the ice skate park. It is when Harris grasps my body, and I teeter towards the ground. And my soft hands are all around him, holding dearly onto his precious presence.

"Hoy, BL!!" a girl squealed in joy as she watched from the background.

"Eyy!" the guys laughed.

"Huy, sis! Tingnan mo! Lalaki sa lalaki!" a girl gasped in awe, telling her best friend to look at us, both guys, dancing on the dance floor.

"Ayiee!" everyone, including Lyvie, cheered in the background.

     The boisterous commotion all around us is enough to make me snap out of my daydream. My eyes pop open, and I shake my head, trying to regain my focus. Straightening my back, I pull away from Harris and glance at Lyvie, who is grinning at us, her eyes sparkling like the stars upon witnessing our spectacle. With a bashful grin, I laugh off the situation and lower my head, unable to make any further eye contact with the crowds.

"Hey, you and Harris? You guys did an amazing job!" Lyvie praised, approaching me and Harris.

"Heh, r-really?" I muttered.

"Yeah!" Lyvie affirmed.

Some female students began to swarm around us, their grins lighting up the hall.

"Uy! Denis, diba? Galing nang sayaw n'yo! Nakakakilig!" a girl cheered, saying that our dance was awesome and caused butterflies to fly around her stomach.

"Uy, kayo, ha! Ship ko kayo!" another girl giggled aloud, saying that she shipped me with Harris, causing me to blush.

"BL pala ikaw, ha! Pero, hey! Support ko naman. Hahaha! Ang cute n'yo, hoy!" a girl said, teling us she supported whatever we are and that we were cute.

"Nakakakilig!!"

     Amidst the unfolding scene within the hall that makes Harris and I the center of attention, I glance at Harris and seek solace in his warm and powerful presence. He looks back at me in the eyes, peering straight into my heart. His gaze is too overwhelming for me to bear, and I feel like collapsing as my breath hitch. But atop all of these moments, all I can think of is Harris.

Harris' POV

     Afterward, Denis, Lyvie, and I engage in a playful banter and laugh aloud as we exit the university. Outside, on the sidewalk, we find a stall manned by a street vendor. On the stall is an assortment of street food I've never seen before. They include orange balls that appear out of the ordinary, zigzag meat thingy on a stick, crescent-shaped treats, and yellow balls that are fried. The only familiar foods for me are the fried lumpia spring rolls, which I've gotten the chance to try earlier at the party, and the hotdog on a stick.

"Woah, look at that," I pointed out, my finger fixed towards the stall.

Lyvie pulled Denis and me towards the stall. "Hm, I'm hungry. Come, you two!"

"Say, me, too," Denis agreed, stepping forward.

"Any of you wanna indulge in a light snack as well?" Lyvie asked as she began filling a plastic bowl with those strange fried orange balls.

"Oh, with pleasure! I want some Kwek-Kwek, too!" Denis beamed, grabbing himself a plastic bowl and filling it with those orange balls.

"What is that?" I asked, inspecting the unfamiliar treats on the stall.

"Oh, try this, Harris! It's very good!" Denis suggested, showing me his bowl of orange balls.

"What are those?" I inquired curiously.

"Kwek-Kwek!" said Lyvie.

"Hehe, Kwek-Kwek?" I chuckled softly. Apparently, I find the name of the food kinda funny.

"Basically, they are boiled eggs fried in orange tempura batter," Denis explained briefly.

"Hah, frying boiled eggs? That seems out of my world," I giggled, taking a plastic cup from the stall and grabbing the tong.

"Hey, it's quail eggs. They're yummy! I tell you!" Denis stated firmly.

Lyvie gave me a gentle nudge, showing me bottles of sauces—one with a dark undertone while the other with a transparent, vinegar-like look. "Hey, it's more giving if you combine these two sauces on your Kwek-Kwek," she suggested.

Following Lyvie's suggestion, I poured those two sauces into my plastic cup of Kwek-kwek.

"Kuya, magkano?" Denis asked the street vendor politely, questioning the price of his snack.

"Ilan 'yan, 'to?" the vendor inquired, wondering how much Kwek-Kwek Denis had taken.

"Nine pieces po!" Denis replied.

"Tss, thirty-six pesos, Denis!" Lyvie told Denis with a bewildered look on her face.

"Ay, hehe," Denis chuckled softly as he handed fifty pesos to the street vendor.

     Finally, for the moment of truth. Denis, Lyvie, and I take a bite of the Kwek-Kwek. As soon as it touches our mouths, Denis begins to leak tears from his eyes, a soft moan passing through his lips. Raising our brows, Lyvie and I look at Denis, wondering why he is silently crying like a mother who just lost her child.

"...What's wrong?" Lyvie asked Denis.

"Anak ng! Ang init!" Denis exclaimed, saying that it was scalding.

"What?" I asked.

"He said it's too hot," Lyvie stated, translating Denis' words for me.

"Hahaha!" Denis, Lyvie, and I laughed aloud.

"And that's why you should blow your food before you eat it," I told Denis.

Denis' POV

     Soon, Harris and I return home from the school's lively party. By the time we got home, the sun had already set, and the moon had ascended to the middle of the ink-black sky full of stars. As we pass through the front door, we see that dinner has already been set on the dining table, and everyone is just waiting for me and Harris. Without wasting a beat, we settle down for dinner and enjoy every mouthwatering bite.

As we chowed down on our meal, my mother asked, "How's the party, 'nak?"

"Did you enjoy it?" my father added.

I paused from eating, quickly swallowing my food. Taking a deep breath with wide eyes, I said, "It was... splendid!"

"Man, I wish I was there," Presley lamented.

"Me, too," Chloe chimed in.

"Oh, if only," I chuckled. "And guess what happened?"

"Hm?" my mother and the others paid attention, their ears perking up.

"Harris, you tell them," I smiled.

With a smirk, Harris revealed, "...Denis and I... hehe, we? We slowed dance, dancing to a romantic song."

"Man, now I really wish I was there to witness it," Presley groaned in envy.

"Gosh, talk about me suspecting a thing between these two," Chloe uttered, her eyes widening.

"W-wait- Harris, shh! You're only supposed to tell them we danced!" I panicked. Lowering my voice into a hushed whisper, I said, "... not slow danced."

"Well, we did both, didn't we?" Harris' smirk widened as he crossed his arms and raised a brow.

My face flushed, deepening in a reddish colour as I averted my gaze.

"So, you're back to your true nature, Denis," my mother giggled in amusement.

"Mom!?" I gasped in disbelief.

"Hehe," my mother laughed, covering her mouth.

"Denis, Denis..." Meredith called out to me sternly. "How about you and I... and..." she paused deliberately, glancing at the others.

Chloe, Philip, Presley, and Felix continued, "And all of us..."

"Yes, how about we talk after dinner?" Meredith ventured.

I gulped in anticipation and worry. "...Okay—"

"Great," Meredith smiled.

"Will Harris come with us...?" I queried.

"Oh, no, no, no," Meredith replied.

"Eh, why?"

"Cuz... Mrs Ella? Mr Robert?" Philip called.

"Yes?" my parents responded.

"Harris will be staying close to your parents," Philip stated, turning to face me.

"H-huh?" I stammered.

"Ah, yes. And we'll also want to have a little word with your dear friend, Harris," my mother, Michaela, smirked playfully.

"Whatever is in your minds, it's making me hella nervous as heck," I admitted.

"I can say the same," Harris whispered timidly.

"Well then, you should haven't told them we slowed danced," I whispered back, my eyes fixated on the others.

"Whatever the topic we'll be, I'm looking forward to it. So come on now, people! Let's finish our meal so we can proceed to our discussions!" Chloe urged, clapping.

Intentionally, Harris and I slowed our eating process, but Felix was quick to notice our motives.

"Hey, Harris and Denis are slowing their eating process!" Felix exposed us.

"Felix... shut up," Harris growled nervously.

"Hey, maybe whatever they'll talk about is not that bad, right? Like, how bad could it be?" I mused, directing my words to Harris.

     Indeed, how bad could it be? That is the exact question that has been stuck in my mind as we skip to the moment I am on the backyard terrace with Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix. And also Reese, our cat. Everybody kept circling me, and now, I knew how bad the conversation was going.

"You and Harris? Dancing? And not just any type of dance... it's slow dancing! Do you even have any slightest idea what that means?" Meredith asked me.

"It means Harris might have a thing for you," Chloe speculated.

"Does he? I thought he was just like that," Felix wondered aloud.

My eye twitched as I listened intently, my eyes locked in the distance.

"I don't know, man. But it seems like you're just being in denial of your feelings," said Philip.

"But, am I really into Harris? I mean... he tried kissing me! And I... God, I almost did it to him, too, when he was asleep on the couch," I explained in a rush.

"Pretty much it. Yeah, you like him," Presley confirmed.

"But, how can I be sure I 'like like' him? And not just a like... but like like! Like! Two likes!" I sought clarification.

"You gotta listen to your heart," Felix advised.

"But I'm listening... that's why I considered Harris' words and gave myself a chance," I sighed.

"Look, Denis. Give yourself a deep breath," Meredith suggested.

I took a deep breath. "Hm..."

"And... now... flow with the current!" Meredith continued. With her hand cupping her mouth, she whispered, "Imma reveal something to you that will blow your mind; men like you have different love stories to find."

"If you think you have a chance with that brother of mine, just remember that you maybe do have a chance, and things will be fine!" Chloe continued.

"You just gotta win his heart," Philip and Presley stated in unison.

"Yeah," Felix nodded.

"And maybe... this is the day you start," Philip mused.

"It's night," Presley corrected Philip.

"Oh," Philip murmured.

"If he caught your heart," Felix pondered. "Hmm... maybe don't go apart?"

"If you want love, you gotta be smart," Chloe added.

"Yeah, it's all just like abstract art," Presley sighed, a frown forming on his lips.

"Hmm, you just need to open your heart!" Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix advised.

"Denis, listen closely to what I have to say," Meredith urged. "Don't try to play a part; just be yourself. Loving someone genuine brings fewer troubles, just a few. That's when you'll find your blues fading away. If you can't stop thinking about him, it's likely you miss him. Just go with the flow, like the tide of the ocean, and you'll discover your true self."

     Absorbing my friends' words, I lower my eyes, burdened by my whirling thoughts as I contemplate my emotions towards Harris. But as soon as I process their wisdom, I feel lightened, and my breath begins to stream through my nose smoothly and easily. I exchange glances with Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix and smile at them, and they return the bright grin.

Harris' POV

While Denis talked with my family on the backyard terrace, I reclined on a sofa inside the ground-floor living room with Denis' parents, Michaela and Robert. And there, we conversed.

"...So... may you tell us why you had the intention to slow dance with our son?" Michaela inquired calmly with a polite smile.

Robert interjected. "What's your motives?" he questioned sternly.

"Robert..." Michaela murmured, placing her hand on Robert's palm.

"I... uhm... I just want to be like... that one guy who will... who will..." I mumbled, explaining my feelings, "...give Denis light. I was there for him two years ago during his darkest phase. And I am so willing to be with him until then. I want to continue supporting him like a good friend. But... yeah... I think he just sees me as a friend..."

"You won't be so sure about that," Michaela smiled. "...Denis is that type of person who quickly falls in love," she disclosed.

"Oh?" I took in the information.

"Yes. That's why... please promise us... if you two ever become a thing, don't break his heart just like what other men did to him..." Robert pleaded.

"I will, sir," I promised.

"Here's a little advice from his mother... Denis...? He is a swift boy. He does things fast... really really fast. But you? You have to intercept it and calm his pace. You need to take it slow," Michaela stated.