Ciara's POV
When we arrived at McDonald's, Patricia inquired, "What did she say to you?"
"Nothing," I explained, "she was just sorry and said her father is coming home today, so Mr. Phillip Garcia will be in Butuan."

"Which implies, Shan's father too," Faith remarked abruptly, sighing, "does Shan already know about this?"
"I doubt it," I shrugged. "Julie never informed Shan about it. She wants to tell Shan, but she hasn't had the opportunity to meet him yet."
I quickly saw Patrick waking in our direction so I stood up in my seat and assisted Patrick in lifting the plate of food. "Thanks, Ciar. So, what's our gossip for today?"
"Shan's biological father is coming back to town," I exclaim as I shove the fries into my mouth.
Patrick exclaimed, "Ohh, Phillip is coming? I can't wait to see him!" I just gazed at him.
"I can't believe you, Patrick. You appeared even more thrilled than Shan," I remarked, thinking of what would happen if Shan found out. Is he willing to meet with him?

As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't care in the slightest about his biological father. I merely groaned and planned our vacation while dipping my fries into my Sundae Ice Cream. That will happen shortly, as our University Days are coming up this week.
Faith asked, "Do you have any other plans for the semester break?"
"We're going out of town with my parents," I told her, and she just stared at me.
"Wow, amazing!" she said, smiling. "I'm so glad for you, and you're spending time with your family."

"Aww, I'm jealous," Patty said, "I want to spend time and relax in a different town, but I can't stay here in Butuan." I can see how disheartened and lonely it is to spend time.
"Well, we may continue our adventure. After that, we're departing for Surigao," I said, shaking my head.
"Will Derek go with you to Surigao?" Faith said.
"It's also a family reunion in our family," I said, "and Grandma's going to have a birthday as well,"
I remembered that her birthday is coming up on October 30th, so perhaps that's why they've considered taking us there.
"Good! He also invited us about it," she said, "You know, my brother is close to your grandmother, so don't be sad since you can still be with your loverboy," she teased. I am so excited knowing that Shan will also be there.
Patricia grumbled, "What?! That's so unfair! How come you guys can go without us?" She is simply adorable! "Can't you guys take us with you?"
"About that, I'll ask my parents," I said as I ate my Sundae. "Patrick, is there a calendar for University Days events?"
"Ah, yeah," Patrick said, "here is a photo, I'll send it to you." I merely waited for him to send it. I glanced at the schedule after he emailed it and wondered why the battle of the bands wasn't on it.
"That's odd. Why isn't the band fight on the schedule?" I wondered, but Patrick simply shrugged. When I tried to inform Jay about it, there was an incoming message from him as well. 
It was proven about the Battle of the Bands as I read it.
"I'm not sure why. I didn't notice it, Ciara."
"Jay just messaged me. Battle of the Bands has been withdrawn due to complications with other courses," I remarked, my face falling. It's unfortunate, but it's all right. Maybe I'm not cut out for being in a band.
When I looked at the door, I noticed Josh was about to walk into the room or area where we were. We're actually on the second floor of McDonald's, so it's a little quieter and less packed here.
"Yow, Josh!" I exclaimed, and I could tell he was looking for me. Once he spotted me, he approached with a broad smile.
"Hello, Ciara. Hello, Faith Anderson!" he remarked as he sat in an empty seat. "Ciara, your performance earlier was so breath-taking! I am impressed!"
I introduced him to my friends since I know how kind Josh is. Faith was already familiar to him because they were in the same batch and were classmates in high school.
"Where's Shan, by the way? I saw him at the theater earlier," he inquired, confounded.
"He'll be here shortly as he has a basketball practice today."
"Before I forget, Jay and I were talking about the band earlier. Jay notified you about it, didn't he?"
"Yeah," I said, nodding. "What was the issue, and why was Battle of the Bands taken down?"
"Yeah. Isn't it a waste of your time to train only to have it postponed?" Patrick remarked.
"The other courses and programs don't have applicants or vocalists in the band," he explains angrily, "and University Days is this week, so they have no choice except to exclude it."
"Sadly, we haven't been able to perform despite our best efforts. We haven't been able to rehearse as much as we would want."
"Jay also mentioned something about the JPIA that would be held in Bukidnon," he remembered, pointing at me. "They hired us to play, so our practice will not be wasted."
"Wow, Bukidnon? It's lovely!" I exclaimed. "Are we going to play the same songs or switch it up?"
"I believe so, but it's entirely Jay's idea. Perhaps the songs will change based on the theme."
"Wow, I'm envious," Patricia gasped. "Can I join you? Also, when is that?"
"Yes, you can," Jay said, nodding. "You can also register as assistants or coordinators at the event; registration is still available, even if JPIA-ARC is still a long way away."
Patrick inquired, "How much is the registration fee?"
"Players are also obliged to join the ARC this U-Days," Josh stated, adding, "registration is roughly 250 pesos."
"Wow, Shan and I will be there together, too, and I'm looking forward to that!" Patrick exclaimed.
"You're so gay!" Patricia grumbled. "But I hope I can join. Money isn't an issue."
"Duh!" her twin exclaimed, "That's why you're going to register!"
"How I wish," Faith exclaimed abruptly, "I won't fit because I'm a nursing student."
Patrick immediately winked and said, "You may come along, Faith. I'll take care of you."
Patricia and I exchanged glances. Is it just me, or do I think Faith and Patrick are good for each other? Faith doesn't have a boyfriend, and, unfortunately, Patrick is gay.
Patricia is to blame for his behavior. Patrick was usually her playmate when they were younger. Patrick is her playmate, whether it's a barbie or a make-up session. So it's a shame Patrick has turned into this.
Patrick, on the other hand, will change. He still likes females, despite being feminine and queer. I believe he is bisexual.
 
 
 
"You know, for those who want to come," Josh pulls out his large notebook from his backpack and hands it to Patricia, "there. Put your name as well as yours, Patrick, Ciara, and if Shan will come, just put his name on there."
 
 
 
"Hey, what's going on?" we turned as a voice came from behind us. "Hey, babe, I heard my name mentioned."
"Hey. Are you done practicing?" I asked as he leans in closer and kisses me on the cheeks.
 
 
 
"Yeah," he said, looking over Patricia's notepad in her palm before turning to Josh and asking, "What's with that notebook, Josh?"
 
 
 
"It's a reservation booklist for JPIA-ARC in February. Only Leaders, Organizations, and players in the Accountancy Program are eligible to attend and also we'll be performing with our band, so Ciara will be required to travel to Bukidnon."
"So you mean I can come too?" he nodded as he understood what Josh was trying to convey.
 
 
 
"You're a basketball player, so you're entitled to come. It's up to you whether you come or not, and there's a 250php registration fee."
 
 
 
"Count me in," he murmured, placing his hand around my shoulders. "As long as I'm with my baby, I'd go."
 
 
 
Patricia started out writing our names, including the organizations to which we belonged, in each name. I added CIT Band to my name, indicating that I am a member of Jay's band.
The CIT Band stands for the CPA in Transit Band. Isn't it cool? The band name was also added unexpectedly. It began with our group conversations and was known as the CIT Band until then.
We then returned Josh's notebook to him. "That's all I have to say about that. I'll see you when I see you," he remarked as he walked away to join his other companions.
"How's practice going?" I asked Shan while clinging my arms to his.
 
 
 
"It was fantastic. It was exhausting, but now that I've seen you, I'm no longer exhausted."
I was startled to see the three of them suddenly shout and the Twins, as well as Faith, looked to be teasing out. "I had no idea you were so cheezy, Shan!" Faith teased as she burst out laughing.
 
"Just shut up! This is a one-time deal, and cheesiness is out."
 
 
 
"What can you say? I'm not used to seeing you like that," Faith murmured, but it was clear that the twins had settled on laughing.
Patrick motioned me to describe what had happened before, saying, "Oh! Ciara has something to say about earlier!" I fastened my gaze on him, but the three of them persisted in pressuring me to explain what had happened.
"What's the matter, baby? What happened?" Shan asked, his expression filled with concern.
 
 
 
"Nothing much. It's just about Julie. I mean, we catted earlier," I said and a smile plastered on my face but was gone when Shan just looked at me, furiously.
 
 
 
"What?! Why?" he said, puzzled, "Did she do something to you again? Tell me, babe. I won't allow that to happen again, especially when I'm not around you all the time."
 
 
 
"No, no, no," I responded, widening my eyes and shaking my head. "She didn't do anything. She apologized for everything. We're fine and friends now, I guess."
 
 
 
"OK, I don't care about her," he just nodded.
 
 
 
"She came to talk to you about that, but she didn't see you."
"Why should I talk to her? I mean, we're not even friends, so I guess I have no reason to talk to her about anything."
 
 
 
"You need to talk to her and explain things about everything," Faith said.
 
 
 
"Why would I do that? Have you forgotten what she did to my girlfriend? I'll never forgive her!"
"Shan, we're fine now," I murmured, holding his hands. "Julie and I clarified and resolved the concerns." 
I hope he understands, but I understand how difficult this is for him. Not only because of their previous relationship but also because of their current relationship and revelations.
 
 
 
"I'm not related to her, and we're not even close," he said. I just closed my eyes and keep on gazing at Faith. I urged her to stop talking about the problem with my gaze, but she persisted in talking.
 
 
 
"Shan. She is your half-sister. Is that reason enough for you to talk to her? Well, she came to say that her father, particularly your father too, is arriving here in Butuan City this day."
"Faith," Shan said fiercely, "please, just shut talking. Julie is not my sister because Jane is my only sister. I don't care who his father is and after all, I care about is only my father, and that is John Marco Anderson!"
 
 
 
"But --" she began to add when Shan abruptly slapped the table. I turned around and noticed that everyone was staring at us. He is now mad!
 
 
 
"I don't give a damn! I'm out of here! You guys are f***ing annoying!"
As he stormed out of the room and down the stairs, our eyes widened. "Guys, he's mad. I should follow him," they all agreed, so I swiftly exited and was fortunate to catch him.