Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction. It involves romantic and/or sexual relationship between males. If you are offended of this subject matter, if you are a minor, or if you are in a place where it is illegal to read this type of literature, please stop reading now.
Copyright © 2008 by Fritz Diantan Ilagan. All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the law, no part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Author.
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Falling for a Straight Guy Chapter Three: Crush, Envy or Admiration?
He did not expect to be as late as he was. Dave had trouble sleeping last night; the anxiety the Election Day gave prevented him from falling asleep not until twilight. If it were not for his alarm clock, he would have dozed off until noon. Sprinting towards the school gates, he knew the voting was long done... it was already recess time.
"David Garcia!" Ferdinand hollered as he spotted Dave running to the seniors' building. Snapping his head to the benches on the grounds, Dave saw the gang, looking at him in grim disapproval. "Why in heaven's name are you late?"
"Guys..." Dave panted, clutching his side. "I got... just woke up... had trouble sleeping..."
"Well, if you had called we would have prepared the school band for your grand entrance," said Jaypee sounding thoroughly annoyed. Dave scowled at him and sat down between Mica and Paul, who both avoided looking at him.
"So what happened? Are the voting over?" asked Dave, staring at everyone.
The gang looked at each other, no one dared to answer Dave, who suddenly wished he just slept in that morning than experience the awkwardness.
"Did... did I..." started Dave as everyone continued to stay silent. "Its okay guys. We did our best."
He never expected it to feel that way. Dave knew that the presidency was not really his top priority but he never experienced anything like this before... he knew he got defeated. He gave his friends a brave smile but the gang did not look at Dave, as though they wanted to show the guy they were sorry for disappointing him.
"David," someone called from behind and Dave. He looked and saw Mrs. Erina Guerrero, their junior class adviser, smiling at him. "Congratulations! I knew you were full of potential."
"Um... thank... thank you," said Dave hesitantly as the teacher walked away. Putting on his most indignant glare, Dave looked at his gang and finally saw one after the other smile wickedly.
"GUYS!"
Paul and Jaypee burst out laughing as Ferdinand and Marcelo pulled folders of paper from their bags. It showed Dave the poll results and his mouth hanged open as he saw the numbers. He was the newest student body president of New Valley High School!
"Surprise!" Belinda and Jemma shouted as the kikays started to hug and shake Dave's body. Mica, Marites and Shaina gave Dave kisses in each cheek that made Paul and Jaypee look envious.
Untangling himself from the girls, Dave rolled one of the folders then started to hit everyone's head playfully while saying, "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Ouch! We help him win an election and this is how he repay us?" said Marcelo as Dave gave him another smack on the head.
Jaypee wrestled the folder out of Dave's hand before saying, "Who wants to impeach the neurotic guy? Raise your hand."
All hands shoot to the air, including Dave's. They all laughed while the students passing around gave them weird looks. As they settled, none of them could take the grin from their faces.
"I can't believe this... I'm president," said Dave more to himself. He stared at the results again and saw how far his score was, compared to Randolph's and the other contenders.
"Guess all those dancing and twirling paid off huh?" said Ferdinand.
"Of course!" said Marcelo.
Dave gave them both a breathtaking smile. Ferdy and Marcy melted immediately as Dave gave each of them a hug.
"I couldn't have done this without you guys," said Dave, beaming to everyone. "Thank you very much."
"That's it?" said Jaypee in a mock-whisper. "Thank you? He wouldn't even treat us to fast food?" Jemma elbowed her boyfriend but Dave did not mind.
"Well, I guess it's your lucky day," said Dave as he put out his wallet and showed the gang that it was bulging. "I just got my allowance. Who wants to go to Jollibee?"
"OH YEAH!"
The euphoria of the election victory lasted for weeks. Everyone gave their congratulations to the elected officers and most especially to Dave, who instantly became a campus icon. Also, the teachers were all psyched and looking forward to the new student administration's regime.
To say that Dave was excited would the understatement of the century. He barely slept the first few days of his presidency. It was an unexplored territory, fresh experience and new adventure. Plus, he was starting to enjoy his new found popularity. He was well known then but now that he was an officer, it was as though Dave became the coolest dude in school.
But he discovered that, as the excitement wore off, the fun of the election was now over. Everyone was now watching his every move, expecting him to make mind-blowing decisions and projects every week. His co-officers were cooperative, they had a great agenda, and they were slowly making progress in implementing them. However, the pressure from the studentry and the faculty was stressing out Dave's administration to the limit.
"It's as though they wanted us to change this school in a snap of a finger," said Melissa Perez, Dave's vice president, in one of their weekly meetings. "Those sophomores demand as though we are getting paid to do this job!"
Nods of agreement came from the other officers. Dave smiled tiredly; it was only a month since the election and he already had to persuade two of his officers not to quit.
"Guys, let's all chill," said Lucas Torres, the public information officer. "We are student leaders. We can handle a little bit of stress. Grace under pressure."
"A little? You are way giving an understatement," chirped Jessica Christi. "And this isn't a beauty pageant Lucas. This is student politics."
"Look, we won't be able to get any work done if we just whine all afternoon," Lucas. "Dave is our chairman, he provides at least half of our agendas and he has other clubs to take care of. But can we hear him complaining?"
"It's because I'm too tired to complain," said Dave, smilingly. Everyone chuckled for a bit. Probably, Dave's light leadership was one of the factors that made everyone of his officers respect him so much. He was never bossy or rigid yet gave enough authority and encouragement to make some work done.
"We can never please everyone," he continued now that he got everyone's attention. "We don't have to overdo our efforts. I say we just continue our pace... we'll get the work done eventually. What's important is that we don't quit what we have started."
"Hear, hear," said the officers in unison.
"So, the program for next week is in progress right?" asked Dave to the programs manager, Jessica, who nodded as she checked her clipboard.
"We already got the gym booked and the permission was signed by the dean."
"Great. Our foundation day would be an opportunity for us to get some funds for our future projects," said Dave. "Let's take one step at a time. After we raise some money, then we'll be able to implement our other programs. Well people, I have a school paper to make in here so, this meeting is adjourned. See you next week."
The officers packed their things as Dave motioned to the Herald staff members to enter the office. He decided that combining the Herald's and the council's headquarters would save some space and make his life much simpler. The officers bade their president goodbye while the newspaper staff gave their heys and hellos to Dave.
"Um... just continue the work we left from last week. We need to at least finish three pages this week if we want to make up our deadline," said Dave and so the staffers started to do their own work.
Running the paper was less demanding than the council was; all Dave had to do was give topics to his writers, edit the finished articles a bit, write his own articles and layout the finished pages. He was rather satisfied with what his staff had accomplished; they only need eight more pages to reach their target of a twenty-paged publication.
Feeling a bit tired due to the lack of sleep and a bunch of stress, Dave sat on his usual chair that overlooked the office, rested his head over the table to give his eyes some break. He can't afford to take a nap but he knew he was going to get a headache if he did not slowdown. A gentle hand on his shoulder made Dave gave a jerk of surprise. He snapped his head up and saw that it was only Daniel.
"Sorry if I startled you," said the Herald editorial columnist. "You okay chief?"
Dave smiled. Daniel started to call him `chief' the first day the guy started writing in the Herald and now, the rest of the staffers copied him. In the past, Dave would had been annoyed to anyone who calls him names but in Daniel's case, he didn't know why he gave an exception.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Just a bit tired."
Daniel pulled a vacant chair near to the editor-in-chief and to Dave's surprise, the guy started to give him a shoulder massage. He tried to protest but after sometime, Dave gave in to Daniel's manipulations as he never felt so good in his life.
"How do you do that?" murmured Dave as Daniel continued to knead his shoulder muscles.
"My father taught me when he was still alive," said Daniel. "He was physical therapist." He rolled his palm to a specific spot on Dave's back that made the other guy give a groan of approval. After Daniel was done and stopped, Dave got surprised to feel that he was not as exhausted as before.
"Wow! You can get rich if you charge for doing that," said Dave, moving his neck here and there as though testing for stress. He felt awesome.
"Well actually, that would be two hundred bucks," said Daniel.
"Do you take credit card?" Both of them laughed.
"Sssh!" said Lorain, one of the news writers, who apparently was having a hard time finishing her article. Dave and Daniel stifled their chuckles.
"You put all tension on your neck that's why you feel exhausted all the time," said Daniel. "To tell you the truth, I don't know how you do it."
"Do what? Putting tension on my neck?"
"No... I meant, doing everything. Is there any thing you're not good at?" asked Daniel while Dave started to feel hot in the face. "You're student council president, editor-in-chief, running for valedictorian, all the teachers are raving about you and you still have time to hang with your friends. Your parents must be so proud."
Dave should have felt proud as Daniel enumerated his achievements but his blush vanished at the mention of his parents. He still had not told his parents about being editor-in-chief or being student council president. Lately, the calls from Dave's mom and dad were becoming shorter and shorter... they only give time to tell him or his sister that they had sent their allowances. Dave just told himself that long distance calls were expensive that was why his parents cannot afford to chat for too long.
"Dave, is there something wrong?" asked Daniel, looking concerned that maybe he said something offensive as Dave unconsciously stared by the far wall.
"Um... it's just—" Dave started but at that moment, Jaypee called out his name from outside the office.
"Dave! Can I have a moment?"
Dave excused himself from Daniel and walked towards Jaypee. He saw that the gang was behind him.
"What's up guys?" asked Dave.
"Haven't you finished there yet?" said Jaypee.
"We've just started. Why?"
"Why? Don't tell me you forgot?" said Mica, pouting. "The girls and I will be dancing for the Sports Meet today Davey."
Dave bit his lip guiltily. "That was today?"
"Well, yeah!" said Ferdinand, stating his annoyance loud and clear. "So let's go."
"Guys I can't. You know I have a meeting today," Dave explained.
"But we thought you only have council meeting today?" said Marcelo, adjusting his shiny costume which looked like a cross between a kimono and a tutu.
"Yah but the Herald needs more attention now. We have to finish three pages by this week so I called an ad hoc meeting after the council's."
"But you promised Dave! I can't believe you'll ditch us for some boring stuff like this," Marites stated sounding disappointed. Some of the staffers that heard her comment glared at Marites indignantly.
"I really want to be with you guys but I have responsibilities. It's just that ever since I became president, my workload doubled and so—"
"Come on guys," said Ferdinand to the kikays, scowling heavily to Dave. "We'll be late."
"Ferdy, don't be like that—" Dave started but Ferdinand's next words cut him off.
"Well, we see you're enjoying your new positions Dave but I would have thought you'll remember who helped you get where you are. If you want to be with us then be with us... it's as simple as that." Giving Dave a scornful glare, Ferdinand turned his back from Dave. Marcelo and the kikays also looked deeply disappointed as they too walked away.
Looking aghast, Dave turned to the remaining members of the gang.
"What the hell was that suppose to mean? It's not as if I'll be missing anything. They'll be doing the same routine they use in my campaign and I've already memorized how they twirled and kicked and—"
"Ferdy's just upset because you broke your promise Dave," explained Belinda. "Just next time... don't say you'll come if you won't. Well, good luck with the Herald."
Dave just stared as Belinda, Jemma, Paul and Jaypee went after the kikays. Fuming a bit, Dave went back to the office. Daniel, who started to write his editorial, looked up as the chief returned.
"You okay?"
"I'm not," said Dave through gritted teeth. "I don't understand them. They were the ones that insisted to me to run for president and now that I'm president they are saying I shouldn't have been president."
"Huh?"
"My friends. I promised that I'll watch them dance in the Sports Meet but obviously, I can't go as we still have eight pages to finish," said Dave sounding resentful.
"I guess it's not so easy after all."
"Ha! Easy?" Dave said after giving a hollow laugh. Then he got rather gloomy as he looked at his barely started article. "I don't know why they can't understand..."
"I have three older brothers, one older sister, one younger brother and two younger sisters," Daniel said from out of the blue making Dave stare to the guy in momentary confusion. "My big family often expects so much from me but even how much I try, I couldn't do anything that's worth while because my older siblings would have done it first. That's why I'm trying to be good in this editorial stuff, because my brothers and sisters hadn't done this before."
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Dave staring at Daniel in a new light. He did not know these things about the guy... they never talked like this before.
"I don't know. To distract you I guess," said Daniel smiling.
"It's kind of working."
"I know it's nothing similar to what you're experiencing right now—" said Daniel but Dave countered him.
"No! I think it's kind of the same... in a way I mean," explained Dave. "You're trying to please your family while I'm trying to please... everyone else."
"Can I ask why?"
Dave inhaled deeply. That uncomfortable feeling he usually feel whenever Daniel was around was starting to begin but he ignored it at the mean time. He never talked about his personal stuff to other people except with the gang but seeing that he and Daniel shared something similar, Dave thought it would not do any harm.
"My parents work abroad. I never really spend time with them because they barely stay in the country longer than a week if they were given a chance to go home. All my life I barely see them more than a few weeks at a time. I couldn't even remember any... any special occasion or memories we spend with each other together. Financially, we don't have a problem but as a family... I don't know if I can call us that.
"I guess, I'm using school as my diversion to stop myself from being consumed with what are lacking in my life. Ever since we were young, my older sister and I had been trained to be able to stand on our feet, with no supervision. And so, me and Marina, got this attitude of living our separate lives. We live in the same roof but we barely see each other. We barely know each other."
Daniel looked at Dave with undivided attention but Dave did not find it weird... he already had this solemn look in his face like a historian visualizing an incident sometime in the past.
"So I tried to push myself to the limit and be drowned by the academics. I don't even know how I managed to turn up not sniffing solvent in some dark alley without my parents... sometimes I feel they should be proud of me for withstanding the temptations and bad influences. Sometimes I feel I'm entitled to get some credit for just being here, you know. I guess... I'm trying to get their attention by gathering as much medals as I can rake in... but it's as if they still don't notice me. My parents still remained to be voices on the phone..."
Dave stopped speak because he noticed that his whole staff had stopped what they were doing to listen to his story. Blushing scarlet, Dave snatched his backpack and pretended to look for his cell phone. Taking their cue, while Dave practically put his whole head in the bag, the writers pretended as though nothing happened and returned to their works. Daniel however, reached to Dave's shoulder, which only made the chief jerk in surprise.
"Dude, you totally have to start relaxing you know," said Daniel while Dave still rummaged his bag. "The coast is clear by the way."
Dave gave Daniel an annoyed glare. "How come you didn't tell me the whole room was listening to my life's story?"
"What, and interrupt your passionate narration?" joked Daniel but he gave something in his smile, something that told Dave that somehow Daniel understood what he felt inside. "You are one hell of a guy Dave."
The assessment did not help Dave stop from blushing.
After saying sorry for at least a hundred times to Ferdinand, Marcelo and the kikays, Dave finally had the time to hang out with them three days before the foundation day. Mostly, the kikays forgave Dave for the fact that he was the only one capable of helping them solve a particular math assignment that was due for tomorrow.
"Dave, tell me about Daniel," Ferdinand suddenly said.
"What?" asked Dave taken aback.
"Well, he's a writer at the Herald right? So you and he must have talked? What's he like?"
"We're not that close..." said Dave slightly more defensive than he intended. But fortunately, Ferdinand got distracted by Marcelo's teasing.
"Oh my gosh! You've got the hots for Mr. Mathematician aren't you, Ferdy?"
The grumpy kikays, whose face were crunch to frowns due to the indecipherable algebraic questions in front of them, suddenly got excited due to the gossip. Ferdinand quickly hid his face with a book, as though trying to conceal a blush. Jaypee was rolling his eyes like a fainting chameleon, making Jemma, Belinda and Paul roll in laughter.
"Yes, I think Dan is cute," said Ferdinand in a meek voice making Mica, Marites and Shaina cheer in glee. Luckily, they were in the school grounds and not many people were around being that it was already late afternoon and most of the classes were over.
"Well, I must compliment your taste, he is totally yummy," said Shaina then caught Dave's eye, which was looking rather wan and she added, "Oh don't worry my Davey, I'm still yours baby..."
Dave just gave the girl a look—"Yeah right... whatever."—and started to answer the algebra questions again. However, Dave was still half listening to the gang's conversation.
"How do you figure you like him?" Mica asked as Ferdinand giggled together with Marcelo. Paul and Jaypee volunteered to get some snacks, probably unable to take any more girly talk.
"I just... like him. He's cute and intelligent and a bit mysterious."
"Well Ferdy, there are signs whether you like someone or not," stated Marites, matter-of-factly. "I mean, does he make your heart race?"
"Race?" asked Ferdinand, confused.
Jemma scoffed. "You know... when me and Jay were just starting out, we felt our hearts beating like the school band whenever we see each other. Does Daniel make your heart beat faster and slower at the same time?"
"Isn't that a bit corny?" said Ferdinand thinking for a bit.
"Dave, you okay?" asked Marites as Dave's hand jerk that a great black line appeared on his notebook after hearing what Jemma said.
"Yeah... it's just, this solution's not right," said Dave, ripping the page.
"Well, heart beat... not really," said Ferdinand. "He makes me hot though," he added then gave a loud laugh.
"Eeew!" the kikays chirped in unison.
"Well, does this hotness make you sweaty or clammy, particularly in the hands?" asked Jemma.
Before Ferdinand could answer, Dave stood so fast everyone stared up to him.
"I... I need to go home," said Dave, his voice cracking as his mouth went dry dramatically. "I forgot, our electric bill's due date was today."
"How about the math problems?" asked Marites. Dave only finished two questions and there was one more left.
"Um... I can't answer it. I... have to look at some reference in a book at home," reasoned Dave, as he gathered his stuff. "I'll let you copy off me tomorrow."
"You okay Dave?" Mica asked, sounding rather nervous. "You look... pale."
"Yeah, I'm fine. See you tomorrow guys." Dave dashed to the gates, nearly bumping to Paul on the way.
"What's wrong with Dave?" asked Jaypee.
"How should we know? I think he's on crack," said Marcelo as he sipped his drink.
Ferdinand looked disappointed as he watched Dave dashed out of the school gates.
"I hadn't been able to ask whether Daniel preferred briefs or boxers..."
He slammed the door behind him and rushed to his room as though the devil was pursuing behind him. Dave panted slightly while he let his eyes adjust to his dimly lit room and jumped in surprised as he saw someone's face by the far wall. It was a few minutes before he made out that it was only his reflection staring back to him.
It was unnerving... hearing those things, his feelings being talked about in great detail though he never talked about it to anyone. Jemma had described what Dave felt every time Daniel was around him.
"No," Dave told himself, staring at his own reflection, refusing to believe what his mind was telling him. "I'm not... I can't be."
To be continued...
From the Author:
It's been a while but hopefully, you guys enjoyed the new chapter of Falling for a Straight Guy. Thank you for everyone who emailed me and expressed their support. You guys are the best!
A bit of good news :)
I'm happy to announce that the paperback edition of my novel ADLAO: The Hidden Tribe is now available through Amazon.com and CreateSpace. Getting this edition out took most of my mental energy for the past three months and I'm so glad it is finally done. Kindle edition is also available for those who prefer ebooks (I have a special announcement below so please read on).
Hope you can check it out and maybe get a copy if you like my writing.
=> Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F1JUK7S => Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/ADLAO-Hidden-Tribe-Chronicles-Volume/dp/1492396702 => CreateSpace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4438483
Also, to show my gratitude and appreciation to my readers, I'll be offering the Kindle Edition of ADLAO: The Hidden Tribe for FREE. Promotion will start on 12:00AM Pacific Standard Time of December 30, 2013 and end on 11:59 PM December 31, 2013 so get your copies before the year ends!
You can also show support by sending words of encouragement or a simple hello so I'm reassured that there are actual people reading this story. If you wish, I can also notify you when a new chapter is available. Drop an email at theadlaotribe@gmail.com.
If your curious about me and my thought process, you can visit http://theadlaotribe.wordpress.com
Check out my other Nifty story: Love Assassin: (a dark love story at the Gay Adult-Friends section) http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-friends/love-assassin
Thank you for reading!
Happy Holidays, Fritz Diantan