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 Six: Questions and Answers
It had been the longest wait Dave endured in his life. After talking to Daniel that morning, he had not been able to even get near the guy. Stealing glances every now and then, Dave tried to assess Dan's reaction without his friends noticing; he knew it would be hard to explain if he approached Daniel as though they had become close again all of a sudden.
The morning dragged on with few incidents, except for some tension between Jemma and Jaypee. Dave was so preoccupied by his own thoughts that it took him until lunch break to notice how strange the two were acting. As the other members of the gang talked and ate lunch around them, Dave noticed that he was not the only silent head among the usually rowdy group.
Ever since they became a couple, Jemma and Jaypee always sat with together at lunch. It had been an unspoken rule for two years never to sit between the two... or else endure the cheesiest exchange of love lines of your life.
Today, however, Dave noticed that Belinda separated them and the usual trade of sweet nothings was absent; instead, Jemma looked rather forlorn while Jaypee's face appeared tired.
Being a journalist at heart, Dave's inquisitive nature won over his preoccupation; he could sense something was up and it was not the usual lovers' quarrel. He took his cell phone and started texting. Jemma jerked a little as she felt her phone vibrate. Dave watched her read the message and raised his eyebrows when Jemma gave him a look. Confusion, shock, relief and guilt were the few that Dave recognized before they were all replaced by Jemma's well-practiced poker face.
The device on his hand beeped and Dave opened the message.
SMS from Jems: Talk 2 u aftr claz... meet u by d bakeshop?
Frowning a bit, Dave sent his agreement. Jemma pocketed her phone after reading the reply. Lunch went on and Dave returned to his thoughts vaguely aware of the gang's plans to catch a flick after their last class.
The classes during the afternoon were as boring as their morning counterparts. Dave repeated a mantra inside his head just to convince himself to stay seated and listen to his teachers drone about demographics, how to make a research paper, and predict when the next planetary alignment will happen using Newton's law of moving bodies. The bell finally ringing to signal the end of the school day was like an orchestra to his ear and Dave welcomed it with the rest of the class.
Gathering his book and notes, Dave felt his phone vibrate and presumed that Jemma was confirming whether they were still okay for their talk.
'Probably giving me advice on how to ditch the rest of the gang,' thought Dave while taking out his cell from his pocket. But it was not Jemma who texted him.
SMS from Daniel Rodrigo: Read ur letter. We nid 2 talk. Meet me at d HQ now.
"Dave, you okay?" asked Paul. "You coming or what?
"Huh? Yeah... I'm alright..." Dave responded quietly.
Looking at the crowd, Dave saw Daniel's back amongst the crowd exiting the room. Glancing towards Jemma's blank face, Dave bit his lip, indecision racking his brain.
It was obvious Jemma needed someone to talk to... most probably it was some kind of problem with Jaypee. But if Dave decided to go with her, he would miss his chance to know how Daniel reacted to his letter.
Sighing to himself, Dave shoved his stuff in his bag and zipped up.
"Paul... I need to do some stuff at the Herald headquarters..." Dave started and saw annoyance flash on his friend's face.
"Again? Dave, the paper will get finished one way or another. You don't have to push yourself to the brink of insanity just to prove you're the editor-in-chief," said Paul frowning. "Let your staff do their jobs. You don't have to do everything."
"I need to do something," said Dave and the edge in his voice told Paul plainly to back off. "I'll see guys tomorrow."
With that, Dave walked towards the exit, Jemma's disbelieving face unknown to him.
As he reached the stairs, Dave typed hurriedly on his cell. He hoped Jemma could figure out her problems without him.
'There's Belinda anyway...' Dave reasoned with himself.
SMS to Jemma: Jems... sorry but something came up. Can we talk some other time? Tnx :)
Sending the message, Dave knew it was rude to cancel at the last minute but he figured he needed to sort out his problems before he tried to fix someone else's. Jumping two steps at a time, Dave rushed to the other side of the school and made his way to the Herald Office.
He was not surprised to see Daniel already standing by the entrance. The office was closed when it was not in use. Dave was one of three people with the key to the room; the others were the head janitor and the newspaper adviser.
Dave's heart started pounding but he knew it was not due to him rushing to get to the meeting place. A few feet away, Daniel looked up, his face was blank as he stared at Dave.
"Hey..." said Dave as he neared. His voice sounded rather croaked as his mouth got dry instantly.
"Hey," said Daniel coolly. "Can we talk inside?"
Nodding in agreement, Dave rummaged through his bag. After half a minute of searching, he took out a silver key and unlocked the door. He led the way inside the headquarters, switching on the lights on his way. Daniel closed the door as he entered. Dave looked breathless as he stared at the guy.
"Why don't we sit?" offered Daniel.
Dave took the offer and slumped in a chair nearest to him as he was sure his legs would not have held if he remained standing a second more. An awkward silence came as Daniel sat and stared at Dave's feet for a minute.
"I was surprised... okay, shocked, really," said Daniel finally, while still staring at the floor.
Dave squirmed a bit as he anticipated the next words.
"I never would have expected it... I guess, I never thought someone like you would be like... like... that." Daniel gave a heavy sigh before continuing.
"I understand that it must be tough to hide something as big as this and feel alone because you can't tell anyone about it. I understand why you did the things you did. I'm not really sure about your feelings towards me... but I guess, the only one who can sort that out is you."
Daniel brought up his head and saw that Dave looked as though he was about to cry or throw up.
"Dave, look at me please..."
With great effort due to shame and fright, Dave stared at Daniel's deep brown eyes. Daniel smiled.
"It's okay," Daniel said. "I'm no longer mad, now that I know what you're going through. I'm not going to judge you because I know what a great guy you are. And the fact that you're willing to share this stuff with me makes me feel proud that you trust me enough."
Dave could not believe his ears... it was like the sound of Daniel's voice grew more perfect the more he spoke.
"You're not going to kick the crap out of me?" Dave said, tears glimmering in his eyes.
"Why would I do that? And for sure, I'll get expelled if I beat up the Student Council president," said Daniel with a small smile. "Plus, you look as though you could easily kick my ass too. But honestly... it doesn't really make you a different person just because you're..."
Daniel got quiet, unsure on how to continue.
"It's okay, I'm not really sure what I am anyway," said Dave softly. "There are just so many expectations... I panicked and did what I did. I'm so sorry."
"It's alright. If I were in your shoes, I would have freaked out too."
Rays of orange light passed through the windows, faintly trying to shine against the florescent lamps. The silence between the two young men said everything. Minutes passed as Daniel and Dave just sat there looking at the setting sun, both lost in their own reverie.
"You sure you want me back?" said Daniel, sheepishly after a moment. "In the Herald, I mean."
"Yes, of course. You deserve to be back. You were great... you are a great guy," said Dave and his breath got caught in his throat when he turned and saw Daniel smiling brilliantly at him.
Deep inside, Dave wanted to say more than simple praises but somehow, his communication skills diminished every time he looks at Daniel's face. It was as if words were not enough to even describe and explain what he really wanted to say. He smiled to himself... Dave never felt so at peace in his whole life. He never knew honesty and telling Daniel the truth could set him free from so many things.
Dave stood up and Daniel followed suit. Now that everything was clear between the two of them, Dave figured it was time to leave. He walked towards the door yet what happened next was totally unexpected to him.
Daniel must have misunderstood the gesture... he was standing by the chair nearest the door and as Dave neared, the guy opened his arms and embraced Dave.
Caught off guard, David stiffened a bit. The experience was foreign to him because it was an embrace like he never felt before. Yet somehow, he got compelled to stay in those arms and for once in his life, the world stood still.
Daniel felt Dave's shocked reaction and was about to break the hug when he suddenly felt his friend's arms returning the embrace. He smiled as he whispered...
"You're a great guy Dave... don't ever forget that."
"Thanks," Dave answered softly, trying with all his might not to get consumed by the feelings inside him.
It was like seeing the world in a completely different way for Dave. He felt so at peace after he and Daniel talked. The heaviness inside him was lifted when Daniel accepted his apology and his friendship.
Of course, his friends did not miss Dave's new aura. Marcelo and Ferdinand were all smiles when they saw Dave walk in the next day with a grin so wide they could count all his teeth.
"Ooh! Davey's glowing!" Marcelo chirped like a chipmunk that just chewed marijuana. "Who is it, Davey boy? Is she sexier than me?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" asked Dave as he sat. "You and your ridiculous assumptions." But he knew his stupid smile gave him away.
"Assumptions? Moi? I don't assume Dave, I know!" said Marcelo matter-of-factly. "People don't shine without any reason. Someone made your wires spark up, didn't they? That's why you are glowing like a firefly in heat right now."
"I'm not glowing!"
Dave got annoyed with himself because his friends could easily read what he felt yet could not explain why he was grinning like an idiot. He could not just tell them he was smiling because Daniel accepted him as a friend again.
"Well, now we know why you ditched us at the movies, you horn-dog," Ferdinand sneered. "Some innocent girl got bumped yesterday! Hahaha!"
"Shuddup!" said Dave. "You guys just mind your own business and perversions. Leave me alone because I have a fundraiser to plan."
"Huh... grinning maniacally, dodging questions, using mundane work as an escape route, this sounds serious. Very interesting..." said Marcelo, narrowing his eyes dramatically while caressing his invisible beard. "Well, whoever she is won't stay a secret for long Mr. President. Let me remind you that you're a high profile personality and a girl in the lower level of the social strata won't stay quiet for long. We'll see who will be victorious in the end..."
The gang laughed as the two gay guys did an over-dramatic pose and laughed like villains. Dave just shook his head but could not help chuckling.
'Good luck with that plan,' Dave said silently.
Dave knew Daniel would never tell a soul about his secret so the chances of the gang finding out why he got so happy all of a sudden would be near impossible. Only Daniel... and Dave's computer knew his true feelings and as his computer was password protected inside his dead bolted bedroom, Dave knew he need not worry.
"Well, Dave," said Marites. "As you have been too busy enjoying yourself, not even bothering to come with us to the movies last time, we planned to have a group study at the library this afternoon to prepare for our exams. If it can fit in to your schedule maybe you can hang out with us?"
Dave raised his eyebrows to all of them.
'A study group as a reason to hang out... yeah right!' he thought.
"You just want me there so I can help you and for my notes," he said and all of his friends acted as though they were insulted.
"We'd never use you for academic purposes Davey! I cannot believe you'd say that!" said Shaina with one hand over her ample chest.
"Uh huh?"
"Well... maybe we asked for your help once in a while but those were times when we really needed help. In moments when we can manage, we do our own studying," said Mica supporting her fellow kikays.
"And remind me when did these 'moments you can manage' ever happened?" asked Dave with a grin.
He never minded helping everyone with their homework and studying but he just couldn't resist teasing them for a bit.
The gang grew silent for at least five minutes. Dave just smiled and so did Belinda and Paul but Dave noticed that Jemma and Jaypee were still acting strange... as though they were not really listening to the exchange of banter around them. Dave was about to say something about it when he got distracted as Marcelo suddenly answered his question.
"That time in our Livelihood Education class in junior year, we didn't ask your help then and we passed... I think we even got a higher score than you," Marcelo stated triumphantly.
"Yeah, well, we were studying how to sew clothes. And as you had been making costumes since you were four, I think you had a bit of an advantage," said Dave. "Fine. I'll help you all study on Thursday but only after I settled my org works... alright?"
They all cheered. Marcelo and Ferdinand reached to kiss Dave on both cheeks but he fought them off as he saw Daniel entered their classroom at that moment. Daniel passed by the gang and Dave thought he saw Daniel give him a small smile and a wink before the guy walked to his seat.
The rest of the class watched the gang as they joked around; Dave saw some of them smile encouragingly. His friends had always been the binding force of their section. They didn't force anyone to have the same opinion as them, but the gang was as charismatic as any political party could wish to be; many students saw them as the alphas, the leaders.
Their jokes finally came to rest when their adviser came in to start the class. As Dave dared to give Daniel a fleeting glance, he saw half of his classmates frown and groan while Mrs. Mendoza ranted using her high pitched voice about trigonometric functions and formulas.
Daniel gave another smile to Dave as he caught his eye and with this, the President knew it might turn out to be a great day.
'Trigonometric functions... bring it on!' he thought happily.
(To be continued...)
FROM THE AUTHOR:
Hi guys.
I hope you like this new chapter of FSG. Chapters of this story and my other works are now available in my blog, so please check it out if you're interested.
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