7 The chocolate milkshake tasted different

"I'm not good with these kinds of games."

"Really? I like games like that."

I was surprised when I heard a guttural voice coming behind me. I must have been thinking out loud. Dominic was standing beside me as we watch the gamers take on the challenges on the ground floor.

"Haha, sorry. Really? I'm scared of playing cause I can't handle the bullying online."

That's true. The last time I played a game was also my first time. Saying it was a bad experience was an understatement. I was just starting to get the hang of the game when some of my teammates were chatting nonstop how awful my gameplay was. The first time I opened my mic, I immediately received verbal and sexual harassment. And for someone like me who's not really good with dealing people, I shied away from any games after that.

I jokingly answered his question as I continued to slowly walk towards the stairs.

"Andrea, right?"

I was a bit startled that he was still behind me.

"Yeah. Nic, right? I'm sorry I wasn't able to recognize you earlier. I was busy filling up forms."

"It's alright.", I can feel his smile from his words. I looked up to him and saw he had two small dimples on his cheeks. The left one was deeper than the other. He also got some freckles. Something that you won't notice if you won't look closely.

"Also, thank you. For volunteering in helping me buy the materials." I tried not looking at him when I told him this. Why? Well, I don't know. I suddenly felt shy around him. Maybe it's the height difference. Yes. That's it.

We were already walking down the stairs when he suddenly asked me where I was going. I was quite bewildered by the question because why would he ask?

"I'm going down."

Hmm. I immediately regretted that I answered that way. Here goes my attempt of trying to be sarcastic and make a joke out of it.

I was honestly prepared for him to get weirded out. But he laughed again, and it echoed through the hallway. Some students even looked in our direction.

"That's not what I meant. Where are you off to?" Dominic asked as soon as he recovered from his laugh.

"You don't have to laugh like that. My joke was lame. But to answer your question, I don't know. I haven't decided yet." Honestly, I want to go home now and have the peace of my room. Maybe I can grab some snacks along the way.

I looked at him again, and he was already pacing beside me. His strides were longer, but he tried to slow down to match my pace.

"How about you? Where are you off to now?"

I asked him as I continue to walk out of the building. The open field welcomed us, and you can smell the hint of wet grass from the rain earlier.

"I don't know as well. It's already 6 in the evening. Maybe I'll drop by the cafeteria to eat dinner." He was still walking beside me. The image of a cup of the chocolate shake was popping on my head.

"I'll tag along. I also want to buy something to drink."

We strolled the field together as we go to the canteen. It was a bit awkward because we don't have anything to chat about in the first place. That's why I decided to break the ice, by yet again another lame-ass joke.

"Your legs are so long, you know. One step of yours, and I'm already walking three."

I was ready for him to have an episode of, why is this girl trying to be funny. But to my surprise, he laughed again. Was it that funny, or was he just being nice?

But it was true! Imagine him walking beside me, a five-foot five-person, and he's probably a six.

"How tall are you?" I asked him casually.

"I'm six foot two." I could feel he was shy about mentioning his height because he lowered his head and smiled a little.

"Hahaha!" he suddenly looked at me when I let out a cackle.

"Did you know, I thought somebody switched off the light in the clubroom when you walked in." We're not close, but it was the truth. The room went dark when he got in.

"But I admire your height. If only I can have it. Sadly, God has favorites." I added.

"For a girl, your height is just right. Honestly, I prefer girls your height." He went on to chuckle from my remark.

"Really? How fortunate then? Haha," I think we felt lighter together now. The awkwardness was gone, and thank goodness for that. I can't imagine drinking my shake with someone that I don't feel like talking to.

The cafeteria was buzzing with people. You can immediately spot the colorful round tables with white chairs. It's still crowded even though it's already night because most students have night classes. Some are just here to eat dinner, and some just hang out with their friends while waiting for their classes, or before going home. You can also spot some who are trying to eat and study at the same time.

We settled on a table and placed our things there. The school was safe enough to leave your belongings unattended, so we went to order.

"I'll just grab a shake," I told him while I went to the stall where you can buy different flavors of milkshakes.

"I'll order food as well."

I think he finished ordering first because he was there already when I got to our table.

"Why aren't you eating yet?" I asked him as I sat on the chair opposite his. His food was untouched, and he was just showing his gummy smile with his dimples getting visible.

"I was waiting for you."

Cute.

"You can start eating now." I smiled.