I'm always amazed at stories about princesses falling asleep after being pricked with a cursed needle, princess eating a poisoned apple, and princess leaving a shoe at a dance in the castle. Well, maybe it is because they all have a happy ending where a handsome prince riding on its magnificent white horse came to the rescue. But for me, maybe it is really too much to ask for it too because first of all, I'm not a princess, I don't sleep that long, I don't eat poisoned apples from strangers, I also don't forget my shoes at a grand dance and most of all I won't be saved by a prince while riding in his magnificent white stallion. I am just a mediocre gay here in a common town in Quezon Province.
And now, as my room gradually lit up because of the sunshine cracking in my bedroom window, it signaled the beginning of another ordinary year for me. During the next months of my life, I had to navigate the harsh reality of school, relationships, and other life aspects that will make up my sophomore year.
#
I still can't process that the summer break is over and it was the first day of my sophomore year. Coming back here again to the university makes me excited because I got to see my best friends; Jana, the overachiever. She is a member of the student council, a total performer, can sing, can dance, and can do both simultaneously. As for academics, she slays every subject under our program, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. We became friends during high school because I'm trying to beat her academic performance, but this girl won't let me, so I befriend her. And my other best friend Lovelle, the superstar. This girl is my cousin. She has very fair and white skin, pretty lips, and a pair of glittering eyes. Her long straight hair is as black as her eyes that seem to wave every time she moves. Ever since we were in high school, she is the best choice for a beauty contest, and in all fairness, she never loses; that's why many of the seniors and even juniors in our school know her. The three of us became friends during high school. They are the two friends that I trust the most because the three of us spent most of the time together except when we have different activities.
[Are you guys in school already?] I messaged our group chat.
[Jana: yes, I'm with Lovelle in our usual spot]
[okay, see yah]
We usually hang out at the café located at the not-so-far end of the campus, not that far from the business building making it the perfect place for us to talk about almost everything.
As I walk into the university ground I noticed that there aren't many changes here. The large acacia trees that girdled the university field serve as an efficient shade for tired sports students. But now, under these trees are stalls of different clubs that wish to recruit new members.
The architecture of each department building tends to not change the design of the place. Except for the new admin building, it features a luxurious glass-paneled structure with a clear sky view. The new building is a single, ten-story tower, shadowing all other buildings.
The air breeze here also doesn't change at all it is still the warm but calming breeze of wind that touches my face but it was nothing compared to the warm and calming air that I felt when I went into the oldest and the scariest building at the farthest end of the university.
I was in the middle of this observing the university when I have a glimpse of our favorite cafe where I saw Jana and Lovelle sitting in our usual spot. I went towards them and gave both of them a big hug. Ghad I missed them. I sat down and the waiter brought me a cup of coffee and handed me the menu. I knew I wouldn't be able to choose anything so I then turned my attention to Jana.
"So, how's your vacation?" She asked me while holding sheets of paper that based on my observation is for the student council.
"Well it's fine, I've got so much time to sleep and play RoV. How about you?" I asked her while still looking at the sheets of paper she was holding.
"Always sleeping and playing games, the usual Cahelle," she replied in a bored tone.
"Well, I can't help it. Just a simple activity drains my energy."
"Why don't you try to exercise ?" Jana suggested.
"Not my cup of tea" Jana sighed and slightly shooked her head in dismay. I turned my attention to the other girl sitting in front of me and seems to be really focused on her cellphone.
"How about our superstar here?" Lovelle is busy choosing which to upload between the 10 photos she just took before I arrived.
"Oh, nothing new, I just rejuvenate, gain more followers, and of course more suitors."
"Ohhhhh. Still the most famous huh?" I said smiling at my cousin's confidence.
"Well, you can't do anything about it. Your cousin is very gorgeous," she confidently said. I can't disagree more because it's somewhat true.
Since the school year has just begun, there won't be many classes during the first week. The week is dedicated to the freshmen familiarising themselves with the campus and finding organizations they might like to join in. Some activities also make the freshmen and the higher year acquainted.
After we finished our drinks, we decide to go to our homeroom. And that's when we were about to go out, we bumped into a group of first years; most of them are boys. We knew they were the first year because there was just a stripe on the collar of their uniform. Bumping into one of them makes me lose my balance but one of them grabbed me, the tall guy with freckles on his cheeks.
I cannot explain but it seems like an episode in the movie where everything seemed to move so slow as he leans towards me. One of his arms is in my back preventing me from falling all the way. All I can do is just looked at him while my heart starts to flutter. I don't know how long we are in this position because all I did was focus on the handsome face of this student. He was handsome I can say. The features of his face compliment his whole look. His prominent nose, his thick bushy eyebrows, eyes, and freckles are perfectly placed on his face.
I was in that position when Jana called me.
"Hey, Cahelle are you fine?" Jana said while rushing towards me. The boy now releases me.
"Yes I just get out of balance," I told Jana
"Then let's go, I need to submit this paper to the student council president." I tried to find the guy that helped me but he is not in the cafe anymore. There is something strange with that freshman that I can't quite explain. I'm not the type of gay who always catches up with men. I honestly don't know what it feels like to like someone, maybe because I'm too focused on many things like the student organizations, extracurricular activities, and of course, my classes. So confusion crept in me as we makes our way out.
#
In a flash, a week has passed, and as per our school's tradition, before the regular classes start, there will be an acquaintance party. It is to strengthen the relationships of the freshman to their seniors. The party consist of many activities, there are food and non-alcoholic drinks of course. Being part of the student council, Jana is very busy making sure that everything is in order, so it's just Lovelle and me for the rest party.
And as I expect, a lot of guys wanted to dance with Lovelle, and I can't blame them because tonight Lovelle stands out, and being a campus celebrity that doesn't want to lose followers, so she doesn't say no to everyone who wants to dance with her. As for me, I am not really into this kind of event. It's just Jana and Lovelle always force me to attend so I'm just sitting here in the corner of the university gymnasium playing with my phone.
"Excuse me? Is this seat taken?" A tall guy asked me. I glanced at the person in front but I can't clearly see him because it's a little bit dark where I sit. The only time that I see his face is when the spotlight passes in this spot. At the flash of that bright light, I saw his face. I can't be wrong. His thick brows, prominent nose, his lips, and his freckled face. He is the same guy that I saw in the cafe on the first day of class. He is the one that made my heart flutter. And it is still the same feeling when I got to see his face now. I can say that he looks good from the suit that fits him, but he's also not the type of guy that many women will chase. But there is really something else about him, something that I cannot explain but still interests me.
"..." I got lost; he staring at me and waiting for an answer.
"Oh, Uhm, no. no one is sitting here," I shortly replied.
"Can I sit here? my friends are teasing me, they constantly bring girls for me to dance and I'm kinda tired, I just want to hide here if that's okay?" he explained even though I'm not asking.
"Sure," my replies are short because I still can't explain why I felt this way, I can't move, and it seems that something is moving in my stomach.
"So are you also freshmen?" he asked arranging the chair beside me and taking his seat. I can smell the fragrance of his perfume now that he's closer. It was strong but somehow calming.
I got lost again, he was staring at me and waiting for an answer. Ghad! Why does he have to look at me like that? I know it's just an ordinary look, but I'm stunned by his stare.
"No, I'm a sophomore, entrepreneurship" it took a while for me to say that.
"By the way, I'm Carlo, first-year computer science" he reached out his hand to me to shake.
I reached for his hand. His grip is firm, but it is somehow comforting.
" My name's Cahelle," I said still holding his hand.
"Cahelle? Cool name," as I've expected. Many people often asked me the meaning of my name, and because I don't know it myself, I just came up with a very simple and silly answer. I always say that it is the gay version of orange (orange in Tagalog is kahel).
"Yeah! It's the gay version of orange," I tell him awkwardly.
"Ohhhh, nice, "he laughed. Damn, why does it make him more attractive when he laughs.
As time went on, the feeling of apprehension I had felt before is gradually disappeared, perhaps because of Carlo's relentless conversation with me. Where most of his topics are nonsense, I don't know why I kept listening. Normally, I am sleeping soundly in my dorm at this hour or in this part of the gymnasium. The dark corner wherein of you sat here nobody will bother you, I can sleep anywhere; it is my hidden talent.
"You know at first I wasn't planning to attend this party because I'm not into this kind of thing," he uttered out of nowhere. "My mom just forced me."
"Then why don't you just go home now?" I asked him provokingly.
"And be killed? No way" seeing his face as he says that shows that he is terrified of his mom, and his reaction made me smile.
"And what do we have here?" It was Lovelle. Finally, she can now rest; I think she dances for about 30 minutes straight.
"Oh, this is Carlo, a freshman" I introduced him to my cousin.
"Carlo, this is Lovelle, my cousin."
"Yeah, I kinda know her," he said while staring at my cousin.
"He is hiding from his friends, would you mind if he sits here with us?" I explained.
"No, it's fine but please Carlo, I can't dance for a while so I'm sorry" she confidently denies a dance proposal that is not yet happening. She is undeniably very proud of himself.
"Didn't I told you, he just wants to hide, am I right Carlo?" but he is gazing into Lovelle.
"I can wait," he said with a huge smile on his face. Okay, so he is also captivated by my dearest cousin. Ghad!
The night is getting late and there are only a few students are dancing on the dance floor when the host announces the last dance.
"Okay, everyone, this is the last song for this night, but rest assured that this is not the last dance this school year, so grab your partner and dance to this last song, Beauty and the Beast by Ariana Grande ft John Legend.
After that announcement, the soft instrumental intro of the song began to fill the gymnasium. A lot of people grabbed someone they want to spend this last dance with.
Tale as old as time200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUPk008fa8
True as it can be200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhFpoSKexO
Barely even friends200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT16osocaP7
Then somebody bends200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN1ztjDgAN
Unexpectedly
"Can I have this dance?" it was Carlo, extending his hand to my cousin Lovelle.
"Uhm yeah, I guess another dance won't kill me," Lovelle said while reaching Carlo's hand.
Just a little change200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FweqKy1yL
Small, to say the least200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04q97Qp3Wj
Both a little scared200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjnJsnnLsk
Neither one prepared200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysVCOoIMm1
Beauty and the Beast...
I felt a surge of emotion inside of me. Why am I feeling like this? Ghad! We just met, and I already feel this way? What a mess.
To divert my attention and ease my feelings, I browsed social media and later on play games again. I was very focused on my game when Lovelle came back to our seat.
Tale as old as time200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt5OwNc7F0
Song as old as rhyme200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRunhI4tOjf
Beauty and the Beast200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IeixMaH33
WoahBeauty and200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYinV7Aq0FU
Beauty and the Beast
"That guy was kinda cute and fun to talk to, did you get his number?" she asked me.
"No, why would I ask for his number? we just met," I answered in a plain tone.
"I just thought about it never mind. I'll just search him on Facebook. What is his last name?"
"I don't know, I told you we just met he only tell me his name and I didn't bother to ask his last name or his number because I don't want to sound weird," I tell her while I am still looking on my phone, but the truth is I am actually waiting for her response. Why did he want Carlo's number? Is she interested in him? Ghad!
"Okay, well there are so many people who have the name Carlo on Facebook, how am I supposed to find him."
"Why are you so keen to suddenly be connected with him? I know he isn't your type," I asked her; this time, I looked at her and waited for an answer.
"And when did it became your business about who my type is?"
"I'm just wondering," I said in a defensive tone that she immediately noticed.
"Oh, I get It now, you like him don't you?" she is now teasing me.
"Ghad Lovelle no!, Yeah he's cute but I don't like him, and besides we just met." Again my tone was defensive, which made Lovelle even more reluctant in teasing me
"Okay, If you like him, I'll give way for my beloved cousin," she said while she smiled teasingly from ear to ear. Ghad, I wouldn't say I like it when she teases me. But hearing that she will give way seemed to ease the worries I felt a while ago. But do I really like him, or is it just I'm just sleepy? Is it really possible to like someone you only saw twice? Ghad!
Jana finally joined us. There were only a few students left in the gymnasium. Most of them are preparing to go.
"So did you enjoy the dance?" Jana asked me, but it is Lovelle who respond.
"Yes I kinda enjoyed it because of my cute last dance," Lovelle said while throwing a teasing look at me, which I completely ignored.
"What are you talking about?"Jana asked.
"I'll tell you later. But for now, let's just go home. My feet are killing me," Lovelle said.
The three of us get into each of our cars but when I was about to drive my phone buzzed.
*BLING*
I get it and checked the notification.
[Carlo Paul Moris sent you a friend request].200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOhDG8rwsg
