Take It Easy, Tiger! Enjoy Your Life..

Part 1

"It was a great weekend, Tiger! I'll see you tomorrow at school." That is what Ray always said to me every time we were about to hang up the phone on Sunday nights. He would be referring to the whole weekend. It made me happy every time he said it although I never thought that we ever did much on any weekend.

I was a lead vocalist in a rock band and my band played in various cafes during weekends. I had been going out with Ray, a friend in my class at school, for almost three months. He usually sat on one of the tables in the cafe my band was playing. When my band was not playing during day time, Ray and I sometimes went out to see a movie or have lunch or just hang out on our bikes.

My parents were almost never home. They gave me the most sophisticated phone so that I could use the video call to speak to them, and even have it connected to the television so that their faces would show up in real size. In real life, however, I was always pretty much by myself.

The lack of human interaction at home between Sunday night and Monday morning made Ray's statement was the thing that stayed and repeated in my head until the time I walked into my classroom every Monday. Just like today.

Then, life would start to take its distinct shape for the week, starting from when I experienced the first thing that happened at school on each Monday morning.. Just like this morning..

I knew someone was crying as soon as I walked into the classroom. My real question was, who would be crying in class on a Monday morning, when hardly anything happened yet around school? What could cause the big problem?

"Hi, Shelly!" I quickly recognised the only person sitting in the classroom with teary eyes.

"Oh.. Hi Vega!" as I expected, she reluctantly greeted me back. Of course, who would choose me to see them when they were crying..

Shelly was a nice girl. She was among the girls who never saw me on stage. I guess because she didn't go out much and she didn't talk to me much mostly because noone really talked to me.

Shelly had been going out with Ivan, one of the most good looking guy at school. I always saw her walking up to him at recess and lunchtime, but I couldn't remember him ever coming here to our classroom.

I looked around to make sure that no one else -Ivan, especially- was in the classroom, then I asked her what the problem was, "Are you alright?"

Shelly looked at me for a moment, trying to decide whether she would tell me her story. Then, she must have felt that she needed someone to listen to her, so she started talking, "I wish I could just stay at home and hide from every one. NO! Actually, I wish I could move to another school!"

A few theories came cross my mind but I did not want to make any judgment, "Why? What's wrong?"

Shelly took a deep breath, "I thought Ivan and I were going so well.. I thought that a few hours part-time job on weekend was a good thing.. I thought he would appreciate my decision to try to work for some pocket money.. I guess I was wrong, very wrong! He finally told me that he wished that I had considered him as my first priority and that weekends were meant to be our time together.."

I looked deeply at Shelly, "Then, what happened?"

Shelly gave a long sigh of regret, "My parents don't want me working school nights, which is quite reasonable. I thought I would still be able to spend a good deal of time with Ivan anyway, since my job is only shopkeeping for a few hours.. But now, Ivan gave me a choice, him or my job! I don't want to choose.. but, I guess I will have to.."

I looked at Shelly with mixed thoughts. What should I say to calm her down and cheer her up? I couldn't seem to find anything to say because the exact same thing could happen to me any time and I would not know what to do, or which one to choose..

If Ivan could feel left out when Shelly was only shopkeeping for a few hours on weekends, how about Ray?? I always work, throughout most weekends (we sometimes refuse a job if one of us in not well, or around exam time, or something else, but not often).. mostly we work nights, but we have accepted jobs during day times too.

A boyfriend was not a consideration when I started singing with the band, and cafes started hiring us, but things were different for me now..

How long would Ray be able to tolerate my job? What would I do if I were in Shelly's position.. How would I deal with the pain when it happened?

Part 2

Hmm.. it's not easy to start pulling jokes on people when I arrive a little late at school. I didn't even have a chance to talk to Vega at all. My parents had a free stay at the beach Saturday night, and they suggested to have a picnic lunch on Sunday.

They said I could ask Tom and Vega to join us. I would love them to have them at the picnic and I know Tom would be happy to come, but I don't want to make Vega feel that she is forced to come. I was planning to tell Vega the plan as 'casually' as possible, over a few days, if necessary..

Too bad, I didn't have a chance to talk to her before school started, but, I could always start with cheering things up -for everyone, if not only Vega- on any Monday morning. That would help the process of talking to her later..

Yess.. Vega saw me and grinned when I switched my notebook with Amanda's, when Amanda was talking to Della.

Amanda shot me a sharp look and quickly switched back our notebooks, "What were you hoping to happen, Ray? I started writing notes for you? IN YOUR DREAM!"

I gave Amanda a wide grin, "Can't blame people for trying!"

Amanda stick her tongue out.

I was sure Vega was grinning when that happened, but all other times when I looked at her, she was always very focused on the board in front of the classroom.

Finally, the bell rang. Phew! I could catch up with Vega during recess.. Ooppss.. she was already gone!

I rushed to the cafetaria. I took the quiet alley behind the classrooms. I saw two other students there, Shelly and Ivan. I always wished she knew Ivan's real intentions, making her his tutor by asking her out!

I couldn't tell Shelly, because Ivan never told me in person, I only heard it by accident when he told his friends about his plan, without any effort to be whispering.

"Have you made your decision?" I heard Ivan's voice as I walked past them.

"How could you expect me to make such decision, Ivan?" I heard Shelly's answer.

I was not looking forward to be in the middle of their discussion, so I quickly walked past them before I ended up being the only person -beside them- in the alley, and was forced to do something if he made her cry..

Ugh, I hate the thought of making a girl cry, but I also hate the thought of having to 'save' a girl from her own boyfriend.. No situation -especially considering the consequence that would follow the initial scene- would suck more than that!


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"Hey! You've been quite busy today!" I quickly walked to Vega's desk as soon as she sat down. End of recess bell would ring in five minutes. I was wondering if I could start the topic of the picnic in that short time.

Vega looked a little surprised, but she also looked happy, "I guess so. I had to retake History quiz from last Friday. I didn't want to do it after school, so I did it at recess."

"No wonder, you disappeared so quickly when recess started." I grinned.

"Yes. I'm sorry.. I didn't have a chance to talk to you about it." Vega gave me a guilty look.

"No problem. How was it, by the way?" I waved my hand telling her not to worry. If it was me, I would have chosen to do the quiz at recess too. It was a short quiz.

"It was alright. I think I did better than the first time round." Her cheeks were blushing.

I remember, last Friday was the first time I asked her if I could pick her up at her house to go to the cafe her band was going to perform for the night. I asked her if we could leave a little early because I was taking her to dinner first. My parents had another plan for that Friday night, so I considered that to be our first date.

I told her about the dinner when were still at school and it turned out that she was excited that she forgot several details for the History quiz although she had prepared all night for it. She told me at dinner that she might have to retake the quiz.

"I'm glad if you passed it. I feel guilty for ruining your quiz last Friday." I couldn't help feeling guilty and flattered at the same time.

Vega shook her head, "It really wasn't your fault. It wasn't a particularly difficult quiz either. I was just being a girl, I guess.." And again, she blushed which made me feel a little nervous to speak again. I couldn't even found a way to bring up the picnic plan..

Then, I was saved by the bell.. and the Math teacher quickly walked into the classroom, as if ordering me, personally, to run to my desk leaving the conversation at a quick, "I'll see you later, Tiger!"

Vega smiled and waved at me.

The teacher caught me still not at my desk, "Ray! Do you need longer recess time?"

By instinct, I answered as quickly as possible, "Not really. It was just a longer route from here to my desk than from the door to where you are standing. And you are quicker.. and physically fitter.. than me." I raised a thumb at the end of my comment.

I could feel the tip of the teacher's pen tapped my shoulder as I went past the teacher, "If you give the wrong answer to the first question, I will be even quicker in giving you 10 extra problem solving questions over the weekend!" And the whole class were either chuckling or giggling, including Vega.


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Finally, lunch time! I hope I could have lunch with Vega.

Wait a minute! Vega is talking to Shelly? Is it something related to Shelly's conversation with Ivan at recess? Should I be listening? Would Vega be upset with me for eavesdropping?

"I really like him, Vega.. But I would really like to work too. This job is pretty good. The sport shop is never quiet and the customers are great. I like working there."

"Then you shouldn't quit your job." Vega stopped for a second, "I'm not suggesting you leave him either. I mean, you should point out to him that you need him to support your decisions. If he really cares about you, he will compromise."

Shelly nodded and gave a soft smile, "You're right. At least I have to try."

Vega nodded back, "You'll be fine."

I quickly walked towards Vega from behind the door -where I was listening to them-, as soon as she was walking away from Shelly, "Hey! Is she alright? I saw her talking to Ivan earlier today. She looked a bit upset. Did Ivan do something bad to her?"

Vega quickly looked at me, "Were you listening to us?"

I chose to answered honestly, "I have to admit I was curious."

Vega suddenly turned to me with a sharp look on her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Vega! I didn't mean to eavesdrop. If you want me to forget it, I will." I was really starting to regret listening..


Part 3

"Hey! Is she alright? I saw her talking to Ivan earlier today. She looked a bit upset. Did Ivan do something bad to her?"

I quickly looked at Ray who was suddenly walking next to me. I didn't remember seeing him around before.

At first I wasn't sure who he was talking about, but then I thought that it was logical that he saw me talking to Shelly near the classroom door. More than that, knowing Ray, he could've been listening to us, "Were you listening to us?"

He looked back at me, feeling slightly guilty, "I have to admit I was curious."

He WAS listening! He knew what I was saying to Shelly! What would happen now? I should've been more careful!

"I'm sorry, Vega! I didn't mean to eavesdrop. If you want me to forget it, I will."

The guilty look on Ray's face made me realise that I must've looked angry with the way I looked at him, when I didn't really mean to. I quickly shook my head, "No, Ray. It's not that.. But I'm not sure how to explain it to you."

Ray looked at me with a puzzled look on his face, "What is it then? What did actually happen to Shelly? And what does it have to do with you?"

I took a deep breath before answering his questions, "Ivan wanted Shelly to choose between spending time with him on weekends or working part time. He thinks that Shelly working part time on weekend is becoming a problem for them.."

I looked nervously at Ray, wondering what his reaction would be. Strangely, he calmly looked at me, "So.. you wondered, what if the same problem happened to us?"

I nodded in embarrasment then looked down to the tiles of the school cafetaria.

For a while, I felt like I was drowning in the middle of the busy cafetaria. I didn't feel my existence and I didn't try to reach for the surface either.

Then, I felt a hand touched my arm, firm enough to bring me back to reality and soft enough not to hurt me with the grasp, "Vega.. You can tell me. It's alright to talk to me about things like this. I want you to tell me what you think, what you feel. I want to know."

At first, I wasn't sure what I was going to say to Ray. It was after I saw his face that he was honest and sincere with what he said that I finally decided to try to explain my worries to him, "Shelly only works a few hours on Saturdays and Ivan feels that he is being left out. I work weekends, pretty much all night, and sometimes days too. How does that make you feel? I would hate to be making a choice, between you and my job."

After saying all I wanted to say, I looked at Ray, waiting for his response.

Ray finally nodded, "Vega.. Thank you. I'm flattered, really.. you were worried about my feelings! Wow!" He grinned widely.

"Ray!"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be joking. I wasn't. But, hey! When a rock star chooses a clown as a boyfriend.. Things WERE already different to start with anyway!"

I didn't really believe him. He could be just cheering me up.. And he could read my thoughts in my expression.

"You shouldn't worry about it. Our situation is different. I already knew about your job when I asked you out. I was ready for this situation and so far, I am having a great time. How many guys can sit and have dinner or a cup of coffee watching their girlfriends' band performing every weekend? How many guys can have a famous girlfriend and still have time to spend with other friends or family on weekends? I seriously consider myself a very lucky guy!"

I was very surprised to hear the things Ray was saying. I never thought about our situation from that point of view. Somehow, I started to feel relieved, "Did you really mean that, Ray?"

Ray nodded without hesitation.

"What if one day you are not interested in watching my band anymore?" I nervously asked.

Ray looked at me with a funny expression, "What if you decide to break up with the band before I get bored? Have you thought about that possibility?"

Ray had me thinking from a different point of view again. The four of us had been good friends, but we had agreed from the start that this was our learning phase, and we were prepared for whatever future that might be waiting for us.

I looked at Ray as he looked back at me, "Am I making any sense to you, Tig?"

I softly nodded. I understood that I didn't even know what my future would bring me. This was just a path that I had to walk on. Ray and I didn't own each other, we were not supposed to. If we really cared about each other, then we should give each other enough space to grow.

"Thank you, Ray. I feel much better now."

Ray raised both his thumbs, "Great!" Then, he suddenly looked a little disturbed.

I looked at him with concern, "Is everything alright?"

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Well.. here is the thing. I've been waiting to ask you, if you already have a performance schedule for Sunday lunch time?"

I thought for a second then confidently shook my head, "No. Dion is having a drum competition, so we're having a day off."

Ray gave a sigh of relief, which puzzled me, "Why? Do you have any plan for Sunday?"

He carefully answered, "My parents have a free stay at the beach Saturday night, and they are planning a picnic lunch on Sunday. You and Tom are invited. I didn't want to mess up your band schedule, but I'd love it if you would come to the picnic."

I almost grinned looking at Ray's expression, "When you tell me about any plans early enough, like this, we can still make changes. Thank you for inviting me. I would love to come. By the way.. have you asked Tom? How is he anyway?"

I remember last night Ray told me on the phone that Tom's thumb was stuck in the bowling ball when they were bowling yesterday. The doctor said he should feel better soon, but writing was pretty uncomfortable for him for the time being.

Ray smiled, "I think he is feeling better now. I'm going to bring him pizza after school. Would you like to come?"

I quickly nodded, "Sure. It's a good thing I took the quiz over recess, wasn't it?"

Ray nodded, "Yes, it was." Then after pausing for a second, he continued, "Vega.."

"Yes.. What is it, Ray?"

"We're seventeen and this is high school.. It's the best time.. so, just take it easy, Tiger! And enjoy your life!"

I was smiling widely to him, "You're right! Thank you again, Ray!"

Then, I caught a movement not for from where we were standing. Shelly was walking fast to the direction of the bathroom. Ray saw her too.

Ray quickly looked at me, "I think you should talk to Shelly. She's a nice girl and Ivan thinks too highly of himself."

I looked back at Ray, not sure of what I would say.

Ray smiled, "What you said to Shelly earlier was right and I guess she listened to you."

I smiled. Ray was not like Ivan at all. Ray might be a clown, but he believed in personal space -despite his ealier eavesdropping-, friendship and a balanced life. Ivan might be one of the most good looking guy at school, but he thought less about other people's feelings..

Ray was right. We were different. A moment later, I could feel Ray tapped my arm, and I turned to him, "What is it?"

"I guess I was wrong before. You don't need to chase Shelly. Here she comes."

When I finally caught her sight, she was already close enough to speak to me, "I don't want to waste my time for someone who doesn't care about me, Vega! It hurts a lot, but I guess it's better that it happens now than later!"

I looked at Shelly and repeated some of Ray's words, "We're only young once! So, just enjoy it!"

I hugged Shelly and she hugged me back as she whispered, "Thank you, Vega."

Well, I guess, I can have friends too. Tom, Shelly.. and of course.. Ray.

- 10-11 March 2009 -