Meeting A Stranger Named Red

I opened my locker and saw a paper note with the words:

'See me at the rooftop during lunchtime. I have something to tell you.'

Immediately after seeing it, I assumed that it was a confession. Not to come off as egotistic but I have had my fair share of confessions however, I constantly rejected them because I already have a long time lover.

"Babe, did you wait long?"

As if on cue in came Aurelia, my 3-year girlfriend.

"Not at all."

I lied smoothly as I pulled her in for a quick peck.

"I missed you."

"I did too."

I said as I savored the taste of her chapstick expecting it to taste like strawberries as it usually does.

'That's weird.'

"Babe did you change your lipbalm? I thought you said that you only used strawberries?"

"Oh uh... My friend recommended me this flavorless one. Do you dislike it?" she looked taken aback at my words as she quickly explained to me.

"Oh no, I don't mind. I was just taken by surprise." I immediately said to assure her.

"Okay then! Shall we go in? We might be late." she hastily said.

I found her flustered actions odd but I didn't think much of it.

"Un."

I agreed as I thoughtfully pocketed the paper that was still in my hand.

'Let's reject this person peacefully.' Was what I thought to myself.

Aurelia and I had different classes so I sadly bid her a temporary goodbye as we split ways.

Time went by pretty fast and it was soon lunchtime. I didn't forget about the note matter that I had found in my locker.

"Emil, do you wanna eat with us?" A classmate of mine asked as he flung his arms over my shoulders.

'He's too close for comfort.'

I wasn't much of a fan of skinship....or more like of socializing in general. But my looks and height were above than average so I tend to stick out like a sore thumb and draw attention. I was not bragging by any means.

Although I was uncomfortable I never showed it on my face, as I always do, as I too played along.

"The hell man, ya know that he's too busy with his girlfriend that he doesn't have time for single people like us." reproached one of my classmates as he stared at the man on slinging on my shoulder, like he lacked brain cells.

"I envy your love life you handsome bastard!" The man on mt shoulder playfully yelled in anguish at me.

"Curse your handsome face!" Another one of my classmates echoed.

"I hope you hit your toe on a side table!" And another.

My classmates joked one after the another. I lightly gave a small laugh at their usual banters and bid them goodbye as I walked out to the hallways making my way towards Aurelia's classroom.

"Oh Emilio, you're here again for your girlfriend?"

Sally, who was Aurelia's friend and classmate exclaimed when we met by chance.

"Hey Sal! Yeah, Can you please tell Aurelia I'm here?"

"That's weird? Aurelia just left the classroom so I thought she went to yours?" She said as she tilted her head in confusion.

"Oh. We must've missed each other. Thanks Sally."

I said with a light smile as I made my way back to my own classroom when I felt my phone on my right pocket vibrate.

I hurriedly pulled it up and saw Aurelia's message notification flash on my screen.

'Babe I'm so sorry~ My friends suddenly asked me to eat together with them and I couldn't refuse!  I'm so so so sorry but it seems like you'll have to eat alone today~ I promise I'll make it up to you! Love you muah!'

My eyebrows unknowingly furrowed as I read her message.

But I just saw Sally though? That's odd. Well maybe she'd with a different group of friends.

'Since I have the time why don't I just go to reject that girl who sent me that note?'

I changed my direction as I walked up the staircase as I made my way to the rooftop. I pushed the door open and I was immediately met with a strong gush of wind.

I squinted my eyes to prevent dust from entering my eyes and when the wind subsided I gently opened them only to see that someone was already here.

"Uh... sorry man. I thought no one was here."

I said at the man by the railings. He was listening to music with his earphones and when he saw me he yanked them off his ear.

"It's okay, because I was the one who called you out here."

"Oh I see--- wut?"

I looked at him with disbelief.

'He was the one who gave me that note?'

I reached for my pocket and showed him the peace of paper.

"So you were the one who left this?"

"Yes."

He answered without a moment's hesitation.

I froze and scrutinized the guy before me.

He was slender with messy hair. He looked okay. He wasn't that good-looking yet he wasn't that bad-looking either. He was average at best.

"I see."

I was debating as to if I should walk back or continue this conversation.

I didn't want to come across as someone rude and so I walked towards him and stood a couple steps distance.

"What did you want to tell me?" I questioned as I glanced at him curiously.

He's not planning on confessing is he? Hahahaha as if!

"I just wanted to tell you....." The man stared at me straight to my eyes. He was quite direct in his gaze which unexpectedly caught me by surprise. It'd be rude to not reciprocate and so I too, looked straight back at him.

I didn't know why I was feeling tense but I could feel my back muscles stiffen as I unconciously straightened my back.

"I just wanted to tell you to...put a leash on your stupid girlfriend!"

"....Excuse me?" I asked feeling utterly confused. He was clearly speaking words yet my brain somehow couldn't understand its meaning once it was said all together in one sentence.

"Keep your woman in check because she's snagging my lover!"

"Uhm...I'm very sorry but I truly don't understand what you're trying to say here?" I was truly unable to comprehend his words.

"I said that your woman is seeing my lover!"

"Wait what? Aurelia is seeing your lover? Are you saying that she's lesbian?"

"What? No! If she's dating you then that'd make her bisexual you idiot! Wait that was not my point! My point is.... this is my lover! I'm dating him."

The guy irritatedly said as he showed me his phone wallpaper which showed a lovely picture of a tall man, someone whom I knew.

".... Derek? You're telling me that you are dating Derek?!"

Derek was a track and field athlete while I was in Basketball so we often meet each other at sportmeets when we present our school.

"Yes, we've been dating for two years and four months now."

"But that's not possible."

"What's not possible? For Derek to date me? He's bisexual and I'm gay, it doesn't take much math!"

"No, I don't mean that!" I flusteredly waved my arms as I corrected his misunderstanding. "What I meant was that it's impossible that Aurelia is seeing Derek. Aurelia and I have been dating ever since we were freshmen."

"So you don't believe me, is that it?"

"Yes. No offense to you but I barely know you and I trust my girlfriend."

The man before me stared at me with a blank look before sighing.

"Fine. But when the time comes when you finally believe me, give me a call." He said as he handed me a paper with his number.

"Uh..." I looked down on the piece of paper that he had just handed me and scratched my face awkwardly.

"What?" The man questioned with raised brows.

"Well...technically you just came out to me....is that okay?"

"Oh, that. I don't mind. Besides I'm sure you won't tell others."

"Well that's true but still I think it'd be much better for you to not tell random people. You never know what they'll do."

"Yeah, yeah." The man said as he sluggishly waved to shush me and walked away. Leaving me with a view of his back.

Honestly, I had zero clue as to what just happened. I was called out by a randon stranger and was told that my girlfriend was cheating on me AND the said stranger basically outed himself to me.

I just.

I am confusion.

I stood in silence by the rooftop as I tried to keep my thoughts in a straight line, only when the bell rang did I come to my senses and found my way back to the classroom as I spent the rest of the day on a constant daze till dismissal.

"Babe is everything alright?" Aurelia, who was walking beside me asked.

I stared at my lovely girlfriend who was gazing at me with a worried look and I silently reprimanded the guy in the rooftop inside my head.

See this? My girlfriend cares for me so much! There's just no way that she's cheating on me!

"Yep, everything's okay babe." I assured her as I held her hand.

"If you say so." She dismissed.

I was walking while feeling like I was on cloud nine as I felt the warmth of my lovers fingers. Our hands fit perfectly together like a lost puzzle and with her I just feel complete.

"Babe I need to buy something on the way so let's just split ways here."

"What do you need to buy? I'll come with."

"No, it's okay. I'd like to go on my own."

"Are you sure? What do you plan on buying?" I whined as I clung to her like a koala.

"Just something. Babe~ I promise I'll make it up to you okay?"

"Okay then." I saw that Aurelia truly wanted to go alone and so I didn't stay stubborn. Although I felt a tad bit down and disappointed.

We were schoolmates yet the only times when we meet was during lunch and recess, and also when I walk her home. Yet these past few weeks even our time for lunch and recess were either cut short or she'd bail at me last minute.

"Thank you for understanding babe~ You're the best!" Aurelia lovingly cheered as she flashed me a beautiful smile and my mood immediately warmed.

She bid me fairwell and I kept my eyes on her drifting figure. I didn't know why but the guys words on the rooftop suddenly echoed inside my head.

'Your woman is seeing my lover.'

As if! I'll show him!

It's not that I didn't trust Lovely but even if I do believe in her there's this anxiety in me that crawls randomly as varying 'what ifs' crossed my mind.

What if he was telling the truth?

What if she really was cheating on me?

I didn't want to doubt our love and relationship but still the anxiety was killing me... and so I decided to discreetly follow her.

I followed her drifting back as I hid in between people and in between big objects that could hide my tall frame.

I was exactly shooting my very own James Bond film and people were shooting me odd looks.

"Mom! That man looks sus!" A three year old yelled at his mom as he pointed at me, who was busy sucking in my stomach so that it wouldn't show as I hid on a pole.

"Don't look at him son!" The mother anxiously said as she covered her sons eyes and looked at me as if I was someone crazy.

Ah, just what was I doing with my life?

I saw Aurelia pass through various stores and my heart slightly wavered and panicked.

No! Bad Emil! I must believe in Aurelia!

I denied and pushed down the growing suspicions in my heart and continued on following her.

She was passing by store after store yet she hadn't entered even one. She just kept on walking up until we reached a park and she lightly sat on a bench.

I immediately dove towards the bushes that was out of her sight yet had a full view of her bench.

My suspicions were growing stronger and I was fighting it with my deep belief of our relationship.

Must believe in her.

Must believe in her.

I chanted.

Aurelia was busy scrolling on her phone and minutes continued to pass and soon my suspicions gradually lessened.

Maybe she's here for some fresh air?

'Let's stop this Emil.' I inwardly reprimanded myself.

I am acting very unlike myself! This was all because of the man from that rooftop! Let's just go home and repent for doubting Aurelia.

I dusted off my butt and was about to leave when I suddenly saw Aurelia stand up with excitement that I've never seen before as she waved her hands as if calling for someone on the other side.

I followed her gaze and my heart immediately dropped to the ground.

There on the other side was Derek. He was waving back at Aurelia with a gentle gaze as he brought a boquet of flowers.

My eyes followed their actions and I couldn't believe what I was seeing....or rather, I did not want to believe in what I was seeing.

I was making up excuses as to why they met up but all those excuses were thrown away in a trash bin when I saw Aurelia place her hands on Derek's neck and tiptoed to give him a kiss.

These..... these.... mother---

"Fuckers!" A voice laced with poison said from behind me making yell out in shock.

My mouth was blocked by a pair of warm hands and my eyes met with familiar ones.

"Shut up or they'll notice!" The guy who was on the rooftop hissed at me as he held his finger on his mouth, creating a 'Sush' motion and I nodded at him to indicate that I understood.

Seeing me fall silent, he let go of my mouth and turned back his gaze at the cheating couple.

I followed his gaze and saw a pair of man and woman clinging to each other like their life depended on it.

My eyes stung at what I was seeing and I didn't know what to feel.

Anger?

Disappointment?

Disbelief?

Sadness?

It was a mix of everything and it felt terrible.

I glanced at the guy beside me and saw him look at the couple with burning eyes. He turned at me before I could retract my gaze and so he caught me red-handedly looking at him.

"What? You thought that I might cry or something?"

"Yes." I honestly answered.

"This isn't the first time I caught them. You should've seen them go at it like rabbits on my apartment." His words stung at me like a thousand bees as I dramatically clutched my heart in pain.

"How long have you known about this?"

"A little over 3 months. At first I denied thinking that it was just a fling but these days they have been meeting regularly."

"Looking back.... Aurelia and I seldomly see each other these past few weeks."

"So what do you wanna do? Charge at them and hurl out curses? Do you want to beat Derek to death? I'll gladly be an accomplice."

"I honestly am at a lost as to what I should do.... but one thing for sure is that I need a drink...a lot of it."

"Same."

We both came to an agreement and decided to drink at my place, and only now did I finally know his name, Red Alitaptap, he was on his senior year like me and was on the class right next to ours.

I invited Red to my condo as I placed the cans of beer on my table.

He didn't act polite as he sat on the opposite chair and directly opened one can and chugged it down.

I followed his actions as I snapped a can open and chugged at my beer.

"The fuck is wrong with those cheating fuckers?! Derek that bastard! He was the one who came up to me while spouting shitty lines like 'you're so cute' or 'You're so adorable' and shit! He was the one chased after me and I gave in thinking that if it was him then maybe we could work! It was two fucking years! We've spent two fucking years together and he acts like this?! That crazy motherfucker! I'll effing cut off his penis! Chop it up to pieces! And feed it to the birds!"

"Uwaaahhhh~ How could Aurelia do this to me~ I loved her to death! I gave her everything she asked for! Yet why?! Wahhh~" I cried in deep anguish and grievance.

Nonstop tears rolled out from my eyes and soon I became a crying mess.

"Just let it out dude. I already poured my eyes out when I first found out."

"If you knew then why didn't you break up with him?" I curiously asked.

"At first I thought that he only made a mistake so I gave him a second chance. After that he just kept on meeting and meeting her and I, as the martyr person I am, gave out unlimited chances. Only when I saw them both on our bed did reality hit me hard in the face."

"I gave her everything."

"And it's never enough. Never will be. I've been there. Let's cheers to our woes and may those cheating fuckers get struck by lightning!"

"Cheers to that!"

1 can

2 cans

3 cans

4 cans

We kept on chugging and chugging up until I've lost track as to how many cans we've had.

Red and I shared stories and talked about ourselves while throwing out some curses at those cheaters here and there. Oddly enough, the heavy feeling in my chest lightened a bit and we later passed out cold.

I lost a lover yet I gained a friend.

________________

Kyaaaahhh this is my first BL book! ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆

I'm planning on making this a short and fluffy story so please look forward to it! Do tell me your thoughts on the story below~

Byebye!