I really had a hard time sleeping last night.

While prepping this morning, I had to make sure that my makeup did its magic because I looked like a zombie when I woke up.

It just didn’t help that JB kept pushing the idea of a two-timer boyfriend challenge. I mean, I just sort of dealt with that issue yesterday, and now, I’ll be executing it? Like, how does one do that?

So before going to sleep last night, I messaged both Ethan and Seth, and asked them to meet me at the library—one of the few spots in the university that won’t be crowded—since everyone will probably be out and enjoying the fair.

When I arrived at F.U., I can’t help but feel the stares of people as I walk by. I just had to feign confidence and not let them see that the issue affected me.

I immediately went to the library, and just as I predicted, there was barely a soul there. As I scanned the room, I saw Ethan sitting in one corner.

He must have felt me silently approaching him, because he immediately turned back to look at me.

“Hi, Ave.” He smiled.

I smiled back. “Hi. You’re, early.”

“Yeah. I got nothing to do really.” He chuckled. “Well, we still have a major assignment to submit next week, but it can wait.”

“Oh, sorry for taking your time then”, I said apologetically.

“It’s fine, really. It’s a free week, I wanna enjoy it as well.”

I just smiled back at him.

“Ave! You’re here. So let’s talk about-“, Seth stopped when he saw that I was talking to Ethan. “Oh.”

They just slightly nodded at each other, as if acknowledging the other’s presence, then they both turned to me, looking confused. I guess it’s time to break the news now.

“So, this is what happened…” I had to take a deep breath before I started. “I actually invited Ethan first, but he declined”, I looked at Seth apologetically. “So I asked you for this, since, well, you’re a vlogger too, and to kinda bury the issue that happened over the weekend.”

“Okay…”, said Seth.

I continued. “And well, just as you agreed and you said that you looked forward to it. He texted me”, I pointed to Ethan. “And told me that he wants to do it with me. So yeah, that’s it.” I sighed.

They were both still quiet a few seconds after I finished. I can see that Seth was thinking, whereas Ethan just stared at me as if trying to look for more answers.

Ethan was the first one to break the silence. “I thought that challenge was supposed to be with just a pair. One couple.”

“Well…”, I muttered. I really don’t know how to respond to that. Should I come clean? Or should I ask who wants to drop out now?

“Avery, I think your silly mistake is a brilliant idea”, Seth said, smiling.

I just raised my eyebrows at him.

“Come to think of it, everyone’s already doing this challenge. But this, we’ll put a twist on it, you have two boyfriends. This will be trending for sure.”

Oh, great. Just like what JB suggested.

“But, won’t Avery be subjected to more bashers if this happens? Girls usually have it hard when it comes to things like this”, it was Ethan.

Ethan does have a point, but I think Seth’s coming up with something.

“I get where you’re coming from, bro, but think of it this way. Whatever happened this weekend will be buried. Everyone will think that it was all a publicity stunt, clout chasing, whatever. They won’t think of Avery, as well, an actual cheater”, Seth said in a matter-of-factly way.

It made me think, then I slightly nodded. Seth does have a point.

“I think Seth is right. The issue will be buried since people won’t take it seriously anymore if they know that everything was just for show”, I said.

“Say I agree with this, how will the setup be?”, Ethan asked.

“Maybe we should do it by the hour?”, Seth mentioned. “Since this will be a two-timer boyfriend challenge…no offense, Avery. I think it’s better if you change boyfriends by the hour.”

“I don’t know how to execute it, but I actually like your idea”, I said. I then turned to Ethan, “is it okay with you?”

Ethan seemed to warm up to the idea. “It’s okay.”

“So when do you wanna do this?”, I asked.

“Tomorrow. So that the issue will be completely buried. You can upload it before the week ends, right?”, asked Seth. “And we’ll do it from 9am to 9pm?”

“Yeah, sure”, I smiled at him. “So I guess, everything’s okay now?”

Ethan just nodded, then slowly got up. “Yeah. I’ll go now. Just save the last hour for me.”

“Huh? Why?”, I asked.

“At least I’ll be the one you’ll go home to.”

He left without looking back, while I was left smiling. I can’t believe he just said that in front of Seth.

“So…you really aren’t together?”, Seth asked with a tinge of malice.

I shook my head.

Before Seth and I got out of the library, he asked me if I can also appear in a video for his channel. I agreed to it since he agreed to appear on mine, so I think I owe him that.

He said it will be a dance tutorial vlog, since it’s a bit quick to do. He’ll just teach me a couple of moves from viral dances on tiktok. And we decided to do it this afternoon, in one of the rooms at CFAD.

Good thing I always bring spare clothes with me in my car. This square neck puff sleeve dress that I’m wearing would be uncomfortable to move in.

Since I still feel a bit uneasy with crowds because of the issue, JB had to meet me near the library so I’ll have someone to accompany me going to CFAD.

“So your suggestion worked”, I told her.

“What? Having two boyfriends?”, she asked with a huge grin.

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah. Seth insisted that it will be good for the views.”

“See? Your manager really knows what to do”, she proudly said as we were walking.

It really helps that she’s here, I managed to focus only on the things we’re talking about and not the people’s stares.

When we arrived at CFAD, Savannah and our other classmates were already there. We helped out a bit on the activities for our department. But since there were others already in charge, we’ve decided to just check out the games were our classmates will be joining.

Come lunchtime, we decided to go to this open area that has a lot of food stalls and tables that were set up just for the fest. There are lots of options since there are food chains from outside that were allowed to rent here.

We were still walking around and I was talking to JB, asking what food we should try, when I suddenly saw her roll her eyes.

I looked at the back and saw that it was them—DABS.

“What’s your problem, De Luca?”, she scoffed.

“I’m just disappointed with your friend”, Kel said, shaking his head.

“Huh?”, JB grimaced.

“They haven’t talked to each other for months, and now she wants him to be her side chick?” He pouted. “Good luck to my friend.” He pretended to wipe a tear from his eye.

Ethan just glared at him, while Zach hit the back of his head playfully. Cal, on the other hand, didn’t seem too care and was busy approaching a food stall.

Some people were looking at our group, so my classmates just turned to me, wondering what just happened.

“What was that, Ave? Haven’t you stopped talking for a while now?”, Savannah asked.

“Nothing. It was for the vlog. You’ll see”, I replied.

After eating, we just went around and watched other activities, until Seth texted me to see him at CFAD. I guess it’s time to vlog.

I changed to a more casual fit before going there, I wanted to be prepared. Less hassle and the filming will be continuous.

JB accompanied me. She really upheld the fact that she’d be my manager. When we got in, the room’s almost cleared out and there were no scattered chairs. Seth’s also with two guys—probably his friends who help him take videos.

After introducing me to them, and showed me the viral videos that we’d follow, we started filming. Though I haven’t danced to those, they were familiar to me, so even though it was a bit awkward at first, I was able to follow.

“In fairness, you’re actually good”, Seth said.

“Yeah, right. It felt very awkward”, I chuckled.

“At first”, he said. “But it went well towards the end.”

“Well then, thank you”, I said.

“It’s nothing. I’ll be posting the video anytime this week. Probably before yours. I’ll just hit you up if we need to promote it.”

“Sure. You ready for tomorrow?”, I asked.

“I’m always ready”, he chuckled. “I’ll meet you at the parking lot by 9 then? I’d be your first boyfriend anyway.”

“Okay”, I chuckled. “I’ll go now. Thanks again!”

“No problem”, he smiled as he waved at me and JB as we left.

JB and I immediately went to the restroom because I needed an outfit change. I didn’t sweat that much, but I wanna go back to the dress I was wearing earlier.

“Ave, Seth’s very cute. And he’s way more attractive when he’s dancing”, JB said from the other side of the cubicle.

“Crushing on him already?”, I asked while chuckling.

“Just a little. My boyfriend’s still more handsome for me”, she proudly said.

“Yeah, right. That mystery boyfriend of yours that you don’t even bother showing us”, I said as I got out of the cubicle.

“We’re on LDR”, she pouted.

“Then just date, Seth”, I teased.

“I’m loyal, Ave. Even though Seth’s appeal is way too magnetic, especially when he’s dancing. Gah!” She said with dreamy eyes.

“Now I understand why his fans were mad at you”, she said, laughing.

I just can’t help but roll my eyes at what she said.

We then spent the entire afternoon just going around the campus. We went to a basketball game were our department was playing, Ethan and Kel were there, but we didn’t approach them. Then we also passed by this marriage booth when we found out that Savannah’s about to get married.

She had a wedding with this guy from our department who she’s been crushing on. Her excitement was very evident while the guy seemed very passive. Us, her friends who were there, we just laughed at the whole ordeal.

JB almost got married to a mystery guy too. But she was so annoyed that she paid the booth so that her marriage won’t push through. I kept teasing her about it.

Luckily, I don’t have a groom. I probably wouldn’t know how to react. I’d probably pay them, same as JB.

Night time came and I realized that I haven’t gotten into any carnival rides. Hopefully, I can do that while doing the boyfriend challenge tomorrow. Carnival dates seem fun.

Now, there’s this kick off concert for the festival here at the open field. I was just getting crazy and dancing with my friends when I noticed my phone ringing. It was Ethan.

“Hello?”, I asked.

“Ahvd-”

“Hello…”

I can’t hear anything from the other line, so I just dropped the call and texted him.

@averyday_: Hey

What is it?

@ejandrada: Where are u?

@averyday_: Open field

@ejandrada: Can we talk?

@averyday_: Sure

Where are you?

@ejandrada: Parking area

I just told my friends I needed to go for a while and went to him. Good thing the crowd wasn’t overwhelming, so I managed to get out easily.

When I reached the parking area, he was just there leaning on his car and looking at his phone. I slowly approached him.

It seems like he noticed someone coming near, ‘cause he immediately looked up and gave me a sweet smile.

“So…what did you wanna talk about?”, I asked.

“Just wanted to ask about tomorrow.”

“What about it?”

“Do you want me to do something? Surprise? Bouquets?”, he asked shyly.

“No need. That’s too much!”

“You sure? I can ask my friends for help to come up with big surprises if you want to.”

My eyes widened. “Yeah, just be there. That’s all. Be here by 10. I’ll just text you.”

“Okay”, he said. “By the way, I have a basketball game at 3:00 pm tomorrow.”

I stopped, trying to think whose time it was. “I think I’ll have that time with Seth, but as soon as the clock strikes 4, I’ll be there. It will be my time for you anyway”, I smiled.

He just slightly nodded. “Okay then. Will you be going home now?”

I shook my head. “Not yet, I’ll go back there.” I pointed at the field.

“I’ll take you there then”, he said. “Before I go home.”

I just nodded slowly, then we had a relatively slow and silent walk going back to the open field.

“So, yeah, see you tomorrow.” I said.

He nodded. “Bye, Ave.”

Then I smiled and slowly waved at him in response. I kept my eye on him until he slowly faded away from the crowd and I started getting sucked in the loud noise and my crazy friends.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. I guess I’m both excited and nervous for this day.

Since this will be an entire day of filming, I decided to wear this tight fitting floral long sleeve cropped top, paired with high waist jeans and sneakers.

Good thing I talked to JB to help me film this thing, and I think Seth’s friends will also help him in filming as well, and Kel will help with Ethan’s so we can just easily go around without worrying too much about the shots we’ll need to take.

Now we’re on our way to the university, and since JB will help me, we’ll be going to the uni together. She started filming me while I was driving.

“Hi everyone! It’s me Avery for another episode of Avery Day and this one is really special as it’s your most requested video. I’ll be doing the 12-hour Boyfriend Challenge…but with a twist”, I said to the camera.

“Is that okay?”, I asked JB.

“So-so”, she shrugged.

“Oh wow, my manager’s very strict”, I can’t help but laugh. “Can you text Seth and tell him we’re almost there?”

“Okay, ma’am”, then she texted Seth and just told me his replies while I was driving.

When we arrived at the parking area, I started getting nervous. So this is it.

Just as I stepped out of my car, Seth was there, greeting me with a huge bouquet of roses in his hands.

I can just feel the stares and the collective gasps of everyone around us.

This will be a really long day.