It's funny that sometimes a person needs to move on from someone they haven't dated.

When the last school year had ended, I had decided that I really should start moving on. Still, it wasn't easy because even though I didn't see Kane every day, it was hard to get her out of my mind. I already accepted my fate-that I didn't have and would never have a chance on her-but it didn't make much difference. She was still Kane, the amazing girl who didn't know how amazing she was, and I was still me, her good, old friend.

During the summer, I had taken up a workshop that could help me improve my photography skills. I needed some time to get Kane out of my head, so might as well use it to improve my skills. I also went on to out of town trips and outings with my family and cousins. I was glad to say that somehow it had helped me to stop thinking about Kane.

But today was the first day that I would see her after two months. I entered our classroom, and most of the chairs were empty. It was still early and so far there were only ten people in the room and Kane was one of them.

Of course she was never late especially during the first day of class.

I sat on my usual spot. I was not sure who would take the seat to her right. Vino and Bianca usually exchanged seats depending on our subject.

"Hi Jeff! How's your summer break?" she asked.

It was hell at first because I was trying to get you out of my head.

"It was fun."

I was not entirely lying because I had fun anyway.

"I see." She nodded, and then her eyes travelled down to my arms. "You look tanner."

As if on reflex, I looked down on my arms. I was definitely one or two shades tanner now.

"You mean sun burnt?"

She giggled. She looked cute whenever she giggled.

Oh shit.

Luckily Miguel arrived and unknowingly saved me from having a longer conversation with Kane. I'd love to talk to her but I didn't like my feelings for her to come back.

I didn't want to nurse another broken heart this school year.

***

I could see that Kane and Vino had grown much closer. I noticed how caring Vino was, and I was glad that he's keeping his promise that he would not break Kane's heart. At least I knew that Kane was in good hands. Even though I had to go through a heart break, I was happy to know that Kane was happy with Vino.

"Prom is in two weeks. What are your plans?" Lily asked.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and she asked us if we wanted to hang out and everyone agreed to go to her place.

"I'll take Bianca as my date," Miguel answered.

"You never asked me," Bianca snapped.

"Because you asked me to be your date. Come on. Am I not the one who's giving you a favour here?"

Bianca chuckled. "Fine. Fine."

She told us that two guys from senior year and a guy from our class had asked her to be their date. These were just three of her many admirers in school. The whole gang knew she was not interested to date anyone yet.

When each guy had asked her, she answered 'Miguel is already my date' even though Miguel hadn't asked her yet. She was lucky to have Miguel as her best friend. He was always willing to save her from such situations. She was also lucky because Miguel didn't have anyone to bring as his date because he just recently got dumped twice in the last couple of months.

"Let's not ask Vino. We know his plans," Lily said.

Vino beamed at us and turned to Kane. The latter just covered her mouth with her hands, obviously trying to stop herself from smiling and blushing. I hope she was aware that she was not doing a good job trying not to blush.

"You're my date, right?" Brian asked Lily.

"Aren't you dating the sophomore girl? What's her name again?" Lily asked in return.

"Well, sort of. But I don't want the school to know that we're kind of going out so it's better if I go to prom with you."

"So... I'm the one who's giving you a favour?" Lily grinned.

"Don't look at me like that Lily Margaret!"

"How dare you Brian Jake?" Lily cocked an eyebrow at Brian. "What if I don't want you to be my date?"

Miguel and Vino sniggered. I imagined Brian going to prom without a date. It was like holding a cloud in your hands. It was impossible. There was no way it was going to happen.

"Please!" Brian said desperately.

"I'll think about it."

Brian groaned, and Lily laughed in victory. She liked having arguments with Brian especially when she wins.

"How about you?" Lily asked me.

"I don't want to ask anyone," I answered.

"I can be your date. I don't want to be Brian's anyway."

"No. You should be his date and don't worry about me."

"Don't tell me you want to take pictures during the prom," Bianca snapped.

"I can do that."

"Jeff, the school is hiring an official photographer for our prom!" Kane said.

"Man, no," Brian said. "I think there's a sophomore girl who has a secret crush on you."

Lily laughed and hit Brian in the shoulder.

"Dude, it's a secret and yet you know about it?" she asked.

"Yeah, how come you knew?" Bianca asked.

"I have ears. I listen to people," Brian responded.

"I'm fine without a date. Besides, it will look like we went to prom as a group of friends."

I realized that it was such a lame excuse. They tried on persuading me to get a date, even suggesting girls from each year level but I insisted that I was okay without a date.

Just like Bianca, I wasn't interested in anyone.

***

It was the night of our prom and it was already time for the slow dancing. The DJ started playing a love song and the boys began asking their date to dance with them. Miguel and Bianca made their way to the dance floor. Lily and Brian were still on the dance floor, now swaying slowly to the music. Vino and Kane remained sitting. He was showing her something on his phone.

Normally, boys would ask their date to dance when the first song comes on. I didn't know what was going on with Vino but I bet Kane was waiting for him to ask her. If I were her date, I'd ask her to dance with me as soon as the first romantic song comes on.

Right now I couldn't ask her to dance with me because that would be very offensive to Vino. When the first song ended, Amazed by Lonestar came on, and I noticed that Vino smiled as Kane looked up. She knew the song.

Vino stood up and asked her to dance with him. They walked over to the dance floor and everyone was watching them. A couple more made their way to the dance floor.

I understood why Vino didn't ask Kane during the first song. He planned this whole thing. Like what Brian once said, Vino was the man of good timing.

I already convinced myself that I no longer like Kane, at least not in a romantic way but at the moment, I felt a pang of jealousy and hated myself when I felt it. Then I looked at Kane and Vino, and they were smiling at each other. Her smile looked so genuine.

Vino can make her happy.

***