Chapter 7: Am I Straight?

Ace's POV

Kakatapos lang ng class namin for this day, but in all honesty, wala akong naintindihan sa lessons. Lumilipad ang utak ko the whole day. Andami kong iniisip and yes... thoughts are being thoughted agad if there is such a word! Haha!

I still don't get it why I felt something different yesterday night sa step brother ni Tara na si Jeffrey. Why am I seeing those things? Why now? Nagkakagusto na nga ba talaga ako sa mga dudes? Is this the effect of being a "Fudanshi"? Am I not the straight guy that I used to be and I thought I was?

I imagined hugging or kissing another guy, pero it gives me the chills! Siguro man crush ko lang si Jeffrey and that's normal? Maybe dahil nakikita ko sa kanya is isang male lead character sa isang yaoi or BL content kaya naiisip ko lang 'to, right?

As soon as I got out of the classroom, I did the most embarassing thing in my life. Naghahanap ako ng mga cute guys sa campus and I tried to stand in front of them and looked straight into their eyes but I saw nothing. Wala! Walang pink background, walang falling feathers, walang smooth melody background music, walang shining lights!

But I thought, baka kasi since it's the first time na nakakilala ako ng sobrang bait na guy which is older than me and also let's say he's dreamy and handsome, yes, or baka he's just a father figure to me kasi I grew up being raised by my mom only. Maybe I was longing for a father figure? Yes, oo siguro ganoon. Tama! I'm still straight since walang effect sa akin 'yung ginawa kong pagtitig sa mga cute guys dito sa campus.

Phone ringing!

An unknown number is calling me kaya I didn't want to answer it. I only take calls from people I know and 'yung talagang close na close ko since I hate scam calls. I muted my phone but it keeps on vibrating. I thought na titigil 'yung caller but no, hindi sumuko 'yung caller.

I tried texting the number that was calling me and when that person replied, it was Jeffrey all along. I hurriedly saved the number and tinawagan ko siya pabalik, agad agad walang sabi sabi.

"Hi Jeffrey! I'm sorry na hindi ko sinagot 'yung phone. I thought it was a scam call. Hindi ko kasi sinasagot 'yung call if unknown number." I said to him.

"No it's okay, my bad. I should've texted you first." he said while he was laughing on the other line.

I'm curious kung paano niya nakuha number ko, but siguro baka hiningi niya kay Tara.

"Nasa school ka pa ba?" he asked.

"Yes, nandito ako sa school cafeteria just reading a manga." I said.

"Okay, I'll be there in 5 minutes." he said then binaba niya na agad ang call and I didn't have any chance na sabihin sa kanya kung saang school cafeteria since we have two cafeterias here. Tsaka he's here? Hmmm.

I tried texting him the place of the school cafeteria kung nasaan ako, but then, a very warm and soft hand touched my right shoulder. It was very tender and warm na parang nakakarelax and when I looked at the person who was touching my right shoulder, I saw a very light skinned person. Sobrang puti niya na nakakasilaw siya and talagang nag go-glow ang balat niya like he was holy! Mayroon siyang mapungay na mga mata and has this thick eyebrows na may parang I don't know the word but tapyas sa left eyebrow but it looks good on him and he was smiling at me with his very light pink and very kissable lips, and by the way, he's good looking and has this toned body and his uniform is sobrang fit sa kanya.

While I'm looking at him, sa guy na nasa tabi ko and was touching my shoulder, I don't know but noises around me started to fade out and there came in the sound of the trumpets from the heaven, like a holy sound na para bang kinukuha na ako ng heaven and it feels so light and warm. Then people around us started to fade out and the whole place is starting to go pink! Mygahd! I thought I was straight! Why now, why again and why sa another guy? A feather started to fall slowly in front of my face... then another one... then nag tuloy tuloy na!

I stood up and I used both of my hands para alisin ang mga feathers na bumabagsak sa paningin ko and then someone just tapped my head at doon ako natauhan.

"Okay ka lang ba?" he asked me and people started to fade in again and nawala na ang mga feathers sa paningin ko and back to normal.

"Yes." I said while I feel so awkward.

"Good! By the way, I saw you reading 'Bad Boy Musashi'" the guy said and I think he is a Fudanshi too.

"Ah, oo. While I'm waiting for someone." I answered.

"I see, by the way, I'm Lucas, senior high and I think nakikita kita lagi dito na nagbabasa ng yaoi manga so naging familiar ka na sa akin even though na you don't see me often since naka focus ka lang sa pagbabasa." Lucas said while he was smiling at me.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Pag nagbabasa kasi ako, parang natataransport ako sa world ng binabasa ko." I said.

"So you like reading yaoi manga and BL novels? Fudanshi ka?" he asked.

"Yes. For the record, a 'Straight' Fudanshi." I said and smiled while raising my eyebrows.

"Okay! Would you like to trade yaoi manga with me? Baka may mga nabasa ka na na hindi ko pa nababasa and vice versa." he asked.

I genuinely said yes since I met another one at school na may same interest like me.

"Sure! By the way, hindi pa pala ako nagpapakilala. I'm-"

"You're Ace, right?"

"Paano mo nalaman?'

"Nakita ko sa I.D. mo and I think you may not notice me pero nasa same dorm lang tayo. You're on third floor and sa fourth floor ako." Lucas said.

"Totoo? I haven't seen you before, pero baka hindi lang nagtatagpo schedule natin since pag nasa dorm ako, lagi akong nasa room."

"Mukhang may lakad ka ata, Ace."

"Paano mo nalaman ulit?"

"Someone's waiting for you." he pouted and he was pointing his mouth sa taong nasa likod ko. Pagkalingon ko, I saw Jeffrey with his deadpan face na very different from what I saw yesterday na sobrang light, happy, and bright.

I looked back at Lucas and said, "Ah yes, may appointment kasi kami."

"Okay, I'll be waiting at your room para makapag trade tayo ng manga pag-uwi mo. By the way, I know Chester and Harry so it's fine. They're both my juniors sa basketball club." Lucas said.

"Sure, pero di ko alam kung anong oras ako makakauwi ah? Baka may gagawin ka pa."

"Okay lang, nasa iisang dorm lang naman tayo and pwede naman kita puntahan anytime."

"All right! See you later, Lucas!"

"Sure! Bye, Ace! Enjoy with your boyfriend." Lucas whispered.

"He's not my boyfriend. I told you, I'm straight! Magkaibigan lang kami and may meeting kaming pupuntahan." I whispered and gave him a glaring eyes.

"Good to know, Ace. Good na you're still available." Lucas said and smiled.

"What do you mean?" nagtataka kong tanong.

"Enjoy!" He tapped my head twice and with his very tender and warm hands and then he left. Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig sabihin niya but then bahala na.

Nilapitan ko na si Jeffrey and agad siyang nagsalita, "Boyfriend mo?"

"No!" I shouted.

"Chill!" he laughed then tapped both my shoulders with his big hands.

Why does everybody think na boyfriend agad kapag may kausap or kasama lang na hot guy? Is this what the stereotype is?

"Good, I thought na boyfriend mo siya because hindi pwede sa group natin 'yun and you'll be punished severly if nalaman nila na hindi ka straight, which I know you are. Don't worry!" Jeffrey said.

"Well yeah, I'm straight as an arrow and I've never been in love or nahulog sa isang guy so I think I'm good." I said confidently.

"Nice! Tara na sa dinner party?"

"Wait! With my uniform? Saan ba tayo pupunta? Mamaya sa isang bar 'yan and I'll be doomed if suot ko 'tong uniform ko. Magpapalit muna ako."

"Ah yes, sa isang resto bar. Hmm, I guess hubarin mo na lang 'yung uniform mo, or better yet, I can let you borrow my jacket since malamig naman sa pupuntahan natin to hide your uniform. Sound good?"

"Okay, since baka malate tayo which we already are by the way." I said.

We went to the parking lot and nang makasakay na kami sa Toyota Rush niya, I was seating beside him and he gave me his jacket, and not just any jacket—it's a Belstaff jacket!

Very luxurious ang jacket na 'to and he wants me to wear this like it's just a casual jacket! Kung ako 'to, I won't let this be used by others!

"Sure ka na okay lang suotin ko 'to? What if madumihan ko? I think I can't!"

"No, it's okay. Just wear that one. Isa pa, baka sabihin na may minor kaming kasama. Sa totoo lang, you're the youngest sa group." Jeffrey said, "Hindi ata naisip ni Rence na you're just 16 pero sa resto bar pa talaga and napakalakas uminom ng mga 'yun."

"Okay lang. Umiinom din naman kami, patago nga lang. Haha!"

"No, hard ang mga drinks niya at 'yung mga tipong Jack Daniels. I think I won't let you drink. Okay lang ba?"

"It's fine. I can manage kasi I have a high alcohol tolerance." I proudly said.

"Okay, pero I'll still be taking care of you at I'll make sure na makakauwi ka ng maayos. Hindi mo pa kilala 'yung iba and they're very outrageous."

"Okay lang naman siguro sa akin and dinner lang naman, right?"

"Yes, dinner lang naman and get together."

"All right, tara na." Jeffrey said and started the engine.

As soon as we got to the venue, nandoon na 'yung iba pang members along with the creator of the group which is Rence. He looks a lot bigger in person, very masculine, and talagang hindi mo mahahalata na he reads BL and yaoi! Haha!

"Ace, Jeffrey, sabay na pala kayo pumunta dito? Nice! Dito ka umupo sa tabi ko, Ace." Rence said while he was pointing at the chair next to him.

So, umupo ako sa tabi niya as he instructed and on my right side, katabi ko naman si Jeffrey. Hindi pa sila kumakain so I felt embarrassed since kami na lang pala ang hinihintay nila. Kinuha ko ang menu na nasa harap ko and when I checked the options, mukhang masarap lahat. But then, when I checked the price, parang ayaw ko na pala kumain! Haha! How can I afford a 2000 worth of meal, to be exact, just for a single meal with one cup rice, roasted chicken with their special gravy. Like, WTH, ginto ba 'yung food?

Binulungan ko si Jeffrey since he's the only person that I'm closed with kahit kakakilala ko pa lang sa kanya, "Jeffrey, parang hindi na pala ako oorder. Eh kakainin nito 'yung 2 weeks na allowance ko!"

Jeffrey chuckled and said, "Don't worry, it's all on me and Rence so i-order mo lang ang gusto mo."

Rence leaned a bit towards me and also whispered, "'Wag ka mag-alala, Ace, sagot ka namin ni Jeffrey. 'Wag ka na mahiya. We invited you here and this is a welcoming party for you as well."

Even though na sinabi nila na it's their treat, I still hesitated to order, so ang kinuha ko na lang is 'yung cheapest and also kung saan mabubusog ako since I'm not that absurb and free-loader.

While we are waiting for the food to be served, we had some usual talks about yaoi, BL and some other stuff and updates and kung anong mga ginagawa namin now. Talagang it's like sobrang causal talk and is that what adulting is? Sobrang serious nila like I can't even relate. May mga pinag-uusapan sila about work din but I didn't mind since I won't even understand what they're talking about.

Dumating rin ang girlfriend ni Rence, or should I say fiance dahil sa engagement ring na suot nilang dalawa. They're very sweet to each other and the usual stuff and she's pretty as well.

While the oldies are talking about work related stuff, may lumapit sa akin, siguro mga nasa around 18 to 20 yearls lang siya, he looks young... and looks like an "Uke" to me. Haha!

Pumunta siya sa likod ko and he introduced himself, "Hi Ace, Ako nga pala si Maxwell. I'm the second youngest member aside from you so tingin ko magiging magka vibes tayo. Isa pa, medyo boring 'yung pinaguusapan nila dahil puro work-related na." He whispered.

"Yeah, you're right. I don't even understand what they're saying na para akong outcast dito. Haha!"

"Ako din. Tara, let's go outside first? Umiinom ka ba? I think iinom na sila eh and I don't drink." Maxwell asked.

"Yes, umiinom ako, but beer lang and not the hard ones. But yeah, tara let's go outside."

Nagpaalam ako kay Rence and kay Jeffrey na I'll be with Maxwell for a while and they agreed.

While Max and I were walking away from their spot, Max sighed heavily so medyo nagtaka ako and I asked him what's the matter.

As soon as we got out of the venue, umupo kami sa isang smoking area and naglabas si Max ng 1 stick of cigarette and he offered me as well but I don't smoke so I refused.

Pagkatapos niyang sindihan ang yosi niya and let it all out, "Ang hirap..." he said.

I looked at him and I wondered kung anong bumabagabag sa kanya. I did not say anything but hinayaan ko na siya na mag salita.

"I know kakakilala ko lang sa'yo, but can you keep secrets? Can I trust you?" Max asked.

"Yes I can, I'm the keeper of all the secrets. You can trust me and since wala naman akong ibang kilala sa kanila except Jeffrey I guess it's fine." I said and I smiled at him to let him know that he is in a safe space.

''Wag mo sasabihin kay Rence or kay Jeffrey dahil pag nalaman nila, I'm doomed." Max said while he was finisihing his cigarette.

I looked at him and waited for him to say the secret he was trying to tell me.

"I can't hold back, Ace. I'm not straight. I'm gay. I just needed to tell someone."

I see, so hindi talaga masusunod ang rule number 2 na straight dapat lahat. Well, that's expected naman since we can hide our identities and no one will ever know.

"Also, I'm having an affair... with Rence."

WAIT WHAT?

End of Chapter 7