I'm walking towards the gym where the basketball game is currently taking place. It looks like it's almost over because it started a while ago.
Shit I'm late. My Tiger is going to sulk again.
We were dismissed early from class earlier. There was a sudden council meeting that's it took me a long time there. Yes, I'm a part of the council here and I'm the president of our school. Oh, fucking right, my responsibility is so huge. I just tried to run in the election because I was bored. I didn't expect many people will vote for me. Just because I'm good looking, they'll vote for me right away? If you look at it, the other people's platform is better than mine. That's unfair to them, and I felt guilty. So I just did my job well so they wouldn't have anything to say. And it turns out well.
When I entered the gym, a lot of people appeared in my eyes. There are more women here than men. They're obviously here to watch those handsome basketball players.
When I didn't see any empty seats, I just stood to the side. I can now see the man holding the ball. His every move is fast. He is so brisk while running while holding the ball and bouncing it down. He stopped running when he reached the spot where you can get 3 points if you can shoot the ball. Before his opponent could even get there, he had already rolled over and shot the ball. And it was successful, their team got 3 points. And just then the loud timer rang. Indicating that the round and time has finished. They won.
A loud cheer filled the gym. Women jumping for joy. And the players cheering for Ken by lifting it to the air. While the others were disappointed and just silent because their team didn't win.
I was brought back to reality when I heard my name.
"Xy!" Ken shouted as he ran towards me. I smiled. I didn't notice that he had already come down.
When he got closer to me, I just notice his body full of sweat. And I can feel the glaring eyes towards me. Tss. His dogs are jealous of me again.
I ignored them and just looked at the guy in front of me. He's so tall. I'm tall too. I'm 5'6 but I feel small when we're together. My 5'6 is nothing compared to his 5'11, tss!
I come closer to him to get a better look at his sweaty face. Instead of making him look dirty, his sweaty face only added to his handsome face and body. Add to that his hair was also dripping with sweat. I immediately took out the handkerchief hidden in my shoulder bag and slowly raised my hand to his face. I gently wiped it on his face while his jaws tightened. I felt those eyes staring at me again. Lol! die bitches, you'll die of jealousy.
"You're late, Xy" he said with a frown.
I giggled. How cute! Like a child frowning because they got stolen a candy. Because of his cuteness, I squeezed his cheek which made him frown even more. Even though he looked like a duck, he is still cute to me.
"Stop frowning, Ken. It doesn't suit you, you look like a duck."
He stopped his frowning and replaced it with a silly grin.
"I'm a handsome duck if that's the case." He said arrogantly and even gave it a handsome pose. I rolled my eyes at him, indicating that I disagree with what he said. Even though the truth is, I agree that he's handsome even if he's a duck.
"Do you have a jacket? It's windy."
His grin was replaced by a frown again.
"Instead of baby-ing me, you're making fun of me again," he said sullenly. I just ignored him and continued wiping. When I finished wiping his face, I followed his neck and arms. He just watched me as I did it. When I was done, I took the water I bought earlier at the cafeteria. When I was about to give it to him, he immediately shook his head.
"I'm sulking, Xy. You didn't watch me when I shoot the ball 3 points earlier. So coax me if you want me to drink that water."
Tss, my Tiger is scaring me.
"You are not my boyfriend to coax you." I said bluntly.
"But I'm your friend, right? It's okay if you're just a coaxing friend. We're Bff premium, Xy." He tried to convince me. I just laughed at his last words. I couldn't help but coax him. He was giving me a lot of reasons.
"How do you want it?" I said softly. I just stared at him when he said what he wanted it to be like.
"Kiss me here" He said proudly while pointing his cheeks. I blushed at what he did. When he noticed that I was still stunned, he laughed out loud. The others looked at direction. I wouldn't be surprised because even his laughter was handsome.
"Suit yourself, you tiger!" In annoyance, I threw the water at him which he immediately caught. I turned my back at him. I started walking out of the gym.
When I'm at the outside, he ran and chased me. He was still laughing. He really wanted to tease me.
When he got close to me, he drank the water I gave him earlier. I saw his Adam's apple rise and fall. Shit, even when he drink, he was handsome.
"See?" he showed me the water that was gone. "I've finished the water you gave me, Xy. Don't sulk anymore, okay?" He was sweetly coaxing me.
I chuckled in my mind when I realized our situation right now. Earlier he was the one sulking, now it's me. I just nodded at his question and smiled.
"Where do you want to eat? My treat." I asked him even though I knew he wouldn't let me treat him.
"I don't want to, I should be the one to ask you that, Xy" I didn't argue anymore and just followed what he said.
We're now walking to the restaurant I chose. We didn't took a tricy because he said it would just be a waste of my money. I tried to argue with him but he just made up a lot of excuses. His reason was "we should cherish every moment" because we might be dead later. He also said he'd just carry me if I got tired of walking. I refused because it was embarrassing. So he just took the shoulder bag I was carrying. His reason was that there was nothing who will wipe his sweat if my shoulder bones were broken. My bag was light but I just let him. He's always overacting but he's cute so it's okay.
We stopped walking when we reached the restaurant. I was about to open the door in front of us when he blocked my view with his hands. Although I was surprised by what he did, I understood it immediately. Even though he always does this to me, I was still surprised. He opened the door for me and acted like a prince. He held out his hand in front of me and I immediately accepted it. He let me go in first before he did. He was not at all shy about showing off his gentlemanliness.
Once we got inside, we sat down at one of the empty seats. One of the waiters came over to us and took our orders. As usual I ordered salt honey garlic chicken wings and iced coffee matcha.
I was surprised when Ken ordered the same food. When he noticed that, he just laughed.
"From now on, I will imitate whatever you eat whenever we go out." I tried to hide the thrill I was feeling.
"Copy cat, you have no originality." I said. He just frowned.
"Nathan said it was cute for lovers." ohh, so.. This guy believe his friend's advice again.
"Did you believe it? It is cringe. Besides, we're not lovers." He frowned even more. Just a little more and he is about to become a duck. But it didn't take long and he think again of another silly idea.
"But if we do it ourselves..it won't be cringe anymore." I immediately choked and coughed.
"Hey, are you okay? Shit" he asked worriedly. But without saying anything, he immediately went to the counter to ask for water. He was almost screaming because of the panic. Because I still can't stop from coughing. I have swallowed a lot of saliva.
When the staff gave me the water, he quickly came to me. "Baby, drink this so you won't choke anymore" he said to me softly while rubbing my back.
When I calmed down, he returned to his seat. Our order was just finished and served. I just smiled at the waiter as he said goodbye and left.
The two of us were still silent until we finished eating. Only the clinking of cutlery made noise. A few minutes passed and he finished eating while I was only halfway through. I'm a slow eater but I didn't feel pressured because he didn't rush me. He always wait for me. I felt ease with that.
But it seemed like I was feeling a different pressure now. He had been staring at me for a while. He was following my every move. He seemed to be deep in thought and wanted to say something. But he just stopped, because I might choke again like earlier.
A few minutes passed and we were still silent. I didn't drink the matcha because he still didn't move it.
He was still looking at me. I wonder what he was thinking right now?
In the wilderness, I just looked at my nails.
My attention was immediately caught when he spoke again. It seemed like he is back to his sense. He was back to being naughty again.
"But, Xy... I'll still do it because I want it too. Your favorites are my favorites." I just nodded because it was hard to argue with him, he really had a lot of reasoning.
"So if my favorite is Barbie, then this will be your favorite too. Does that mean you'll wear a pink crop top too?"
"Of course, Xy. Even if I look ridiculous, as long as you're happy, it's fine." I just shook my head at what he said. Of course I won't do that. How can I be happy if his dignity goes down because of me?
"It's just a joke, Ken. Don't take it seriously. I won't let you do that. " I explained. He just grinned and it was obvious that he had another silly thought.
"But I'm serious about you, Xy." I felt my cheeks turn red. It's a good thing we're not drinking now and maybe there will be a part 2 of my choking.
"You are just thirsty, so let's drink."
I said and ignored his teasing.
"You're blushing, are you thrilled because of me?" Fuck. It's a good thing he said that before I could even drink the matcha.
When he didn't hear anything from me, he annoyed me even more. He's so delusional!
"No! Don't be assuming" I defended myself when he kept teasing me that he was the reason I blushed earlier. I said it was just makeup but he didn't believe me. He said he had been staring at my face for a long time and didn't see any makeup there. I blushed even more. I was annoyed!
"You're being defensive. It just means that everything I said is true." he tried to convince me. My god! I might have a high blood because of this tiger.
When he noticed that I looked like I was about to explode, he stopped. But the smirk was still on his lips. I ignored him and just finished the matcha he was drinking. He did the same.
A few minutes passed and he finished drinking. While I, who first drink before him, hadn't finished yet. In fact, he was drinking too fast.
When I looked at the clouds, it was already nightfall. The orange sky in there was slowly disappearing. I immediately turned to Ken who is staring at me.
"Let's go home, Ken. It's getting late and they might be looking for me at home."
"I'll take you home, Xy." I just nodded because there was no point in stopping him. He said he will just go to the counter first. And I was surprised when he brought this wrapped food. It turned out he was taking it out.
When he invited me out, I stood up. Like before, he opened the door for me and let me go first before he went out.
We have been waiting here for a minute for a ride. But no one came.
It was almost dark so we decided to walk. But there were many challenges before we could make a decision.
Ken picked me up now like bridal style. I just shook my head remembering his reasons earlier. He said that the bones in my legs might break if I walked. And he said that now is not the right time for me to not be able to walk. I asked him why, he just smirked.
It was a good thing there weren't many people around at this time of day. So I just agreed to what he wanted. It might even be dark if we just fought there.
Because of tiredness, I rested my head on his neck. I felt the tension in his jaw and the tightness of his grip on me. But there was still a gentleness there so I wouldn't get hurt.
When I remembered something, I immediately asked him.
"Are you okay, Ken? I noticed earlier that you seemed to want to say something." I broke the silence.
"It's nothing, Xy. Just tired"
his excuse. But he can't fool me. We've been friends for two years. I'm his rant buddy so I know if there's a problem or not.
"Stop lying, Ken. I told you, I'm always here for you. We've been friends for two years so don't be shy about opening up to me. I'll listen." I tried to convince him because he seemed to be hesitating whether to tell me or not.
In the end, he still told me what had been bothering him earlier. And we were finally exactly at my house when he said that.
"I'm leaving the Philippines soon. I don't know when mommy and daddy and I will leave."