2 Chapter 2: Where it All Began

It was August 4, 2018, the day I got my confirmation letter from Harmonix. I was filled with joy that I get to work at the only music company in town. I will finally get to see what a music studio looks like apart from the music studio in school though since it's small and not soundproof enough. And what I meant by enough, I mean ineffective soundproofing. We have to adjust the volume to a minimum every time we use it since the studio is just beside the library. Anyways, I decided to buy appropriate working clothes in Magnolia Malls since the only clothes I have that are appropriate for working are my white polo and black slacks, which isn’t enough since the internship will last until I finish senior year. I looked at my phone to check the time and it was 5:30 pm and the mall closes at 7:00 pm today, so I decided to do the clothes shopping tomorrow. Before going to sleep, I set up a budget so that I won’t use all the money I have for the month.

The next day, I decided to leave at 9 am so by the time the mall opens at 9:30 am, there won’t be a lot of people, and Magnolia Malls is only a few blocks away from my apartment. I was walking my way to Magnolia Malls when my phone started to ring in my pocket. I took my phone out, checked who was calling me while walking. Dad was calling me and I answered the phone.

Freddie: Hey dad, how’s it going?

Dad: Everything is okay, son. How about you?

Freddie: I feel great today, actually I’m on my way to Magnolia Malls to do some clothes shopping for the internship at Harmonix.

Dad: Congrats on getting the internship job at Harmonix. You always have that love for music and have been dreaming of working in that company.

Freddie: Thanks, dad. I was wondering maybe we can have lunch together at Magnolia Malls since it’s a Saturday today.

Dad: I’m sorry son, I’m not in town today. I’m actually on my way to the airport right now to attend a business seminar in Edolas City. Maybe we spend time some other time?

Freddie: Sure, just text or call me when you have free time. Take care and have fun in the seminar.

I ended the call, thinking that when will dad spend time with me. After I left home, things were never the same as before. Dad and I spend less time more often and we only have conversations through calls and texts instead of face to face. I reached the mall just in time it opened and went on with the shopping. I went around the mall and bought the clothes that I looked good in it.

I became hungry by the time I finished shopping. Since it’s also lunchtime, I decided to have lunch in a Japanese restaurant since I’m craving some Beef Gyudon. I went to this Japanese restaurant called KyotoMix. I went inside looked for a seat available and ordered Beef Gyudon along with some red ice tea.

While waiting for my order I saw a man wearing a white polo, brown pants along with glasses and brown shoes. He was looking for a seat, since I noticed that there are no seats left, with a good heart I decided to offer him to share the table with me since there’s an extra seat. So, I went to him, offered a seat and we sat down together. At first, he wasn’t making conversation, so it was kind of a bit awkward. Even though there was an awkward moment of silence, I couldn’t help but look at him. Every time he looks back at me from the menu, I would look at my phone and pretend I was texting with someone.

After he ordered, he introduced himself as I introduced myself back. His name is Oliver.

Oliver: Thanks for offering a seat.

Freddie: You're welcome. It would be selfish though if I didn’t offer a seat even though I’m eating alone at a table where there are 4 seats. I didn’t expect that the restaurant could be this full of people.

Oliver: KyotoMix is the most popular Japanese restaurant in Magnolia though and I thought I could never eat here since it's always fully packed.

Freddie: Well, you’re in luck today.

Oliver: Wait, you said you’re alone, how come?

Freddie: I left home when I was in my sophomore year in high school and my dad has a seminar to attend to which is out of town. I didn’t invite my friends to come along with me, since I haven’t heard from them. Probably it’s because they haven’t got their confirmation letters for their internship yet. So, it’s just me.

Oliver: How about your mother?

Freddie: My mother never cared for me.

Oliver: Sorry about that…

Freddie: It’s okay, I’m kind of used to it.

Oliver: Let me guess, you’re in your senior year in high school?

Freddie: Junior year.

Oliver: Junior year?!

Freddie: I’m serious, how come you’re surprised?

Oliver: Well before, Magnolia University only allowed seniors to do the internship.

Freddie: You studied at Magnolia University! Wait, I recognize you now. You’re one of the Elite 10. It’s an honor to meet you. I never expected to see one of the Elite 10 but I’m talking to you and having lunch with you which is even better.

Oliver: How come you didn’t recognize me at first? Let me guess, the glow-up?

Freddie: Exactly. You look so different from your pictures in school. The school should update your photos though. Let’s grab a selfie together.

Oliver: Why not?

We took a selfie together and after that our food was served at our table. While the waiter was serving our food, he accidentally spilled one of the red ice teas and spoiled Oliver’s white polo. I took some napkins that came along with our food and started wiping the red ice tea from his left shoulder to his left chest. While I was wiping it, I noticed that Oliver was staring at me which made my heart beat fast. As if that I fell in love with him. I began to feel shy and sat down and let Oliver continue wiping himself. We started eating and still having a conversation.

We finished eating lunch, we went out of the restaurant together. Oliver noticed that I bought a lot of clothes from different stores which made me look that I was having a hard time carrying all of them. He offered a ride to my apartment as a thank you for earlier. I agreed, and he holds on to the clothes from my left hand and escorted me to his car.

Arriving at his car, we put all of my stuff in the back seat of the car. Once we got inside the car, I was seating beside him in the front seat, then Oliver said he needs to change his top since it was spilled with red ice tea and it looks like he was bleeding to death since it already been stained. I let him changed first before we went on our way. As he starts to unbutton his white polo, I started to feel different emotions and he noticed that my face was blushing. He asked if I feel okay and then laughs as I answered him nervously. We went on our way after he changed into his blue polo which he looks really good in it. On the way to the apartment, we made small talk since it’s only a few blocks away.

We reached the apartment, and he offered help to bring all my stuff to the apartment. I opened the door, settled in the living room then asked if he wants to stay for coffee or something else. He told me that he can’t stay and needs to get back to his office. I offered to exchange numbers before he leaves for work, and just like that, I have his number now. Both of us said thanks and bye at the same time as he went inside the car and left.

I rested for a while and decided to do the laundry later so that by Monday, I have something to wear for my first day of internship. While resting, I couldn’t help but think of what happened today. It’s like I had this feeling of falling in love but with Oliver. I loved everything about him.

That’s the time I realized that I was bisexual. I fell in love with a girl once but she transferred to a new school out of town. I was surprised that I was bisexual but I accepted it as if it was bound to happen. Before I went to sleep, I received a text from dad saying, “I hope you had a great day today. Good night son.” I replied and went to sleep thinking about today especially Oliver.