[Lance POV]
Chris would sometimes be absent in class, especially during his varsity practice. I went outside after the class ended. I waited for him.
Suddenly, there seems to be a different person who welcomed me outside of my classroom. I looked sideways looking for somebody.
"Hey, Lance!" Someone cheerfully shouted as he continuously jumps.
I gave him a confused look.
"Chris... said he needs to go somewhere. He told me to fetch you," Mark said.
"Why doesn't he just text me?" I asked.
"Uhm, he's with some... no he's nothing." He jumbled.
"Are you two playing with me?" I asked, annoyed.
"Hey, Lance! I'm only doing this because he told me that he's going to treat me." Mark protested.
"Mark! Where is he!" I shouted.
"I don't know," he replied.
"If you tell me where he is, I'm going to treat you with something better! Anything you like to eat." I certainly know his weakness.
"Oh..." He thought.
I gave him another look.
"He's at the cafe." He finally said.
"With whom?" I asked.
"Aissshhh... just see for yourself. I'll take you there."
I have a hint of what's going on. Wait, why am I so affected by this. We're just friends. I certainly know there is someone who keeps on going after him these past few days.
We rode Mark's car. Mark drove his car towards the cafe just a few blocks away from the campus. We moved like spies trying to catch someone.
Finally, there he is!
Sitting on a table in front of a pretty mean-looking girl is Chris.
"Who's that?" I asked Mark.
"Uhm, Pink," he replied.
"Why is she with Chris? Are they back together?" I asked Mark.
"I don't know, he suddenly went to Chris crying," Mark replied.
"Crying?" I questioned.
"Yes, she literally hugged Chris and cried on his chest and told him to go with her. Turns out she just wants a date. I thought there's something wrong with her. I really hate her," Mark said, angry.
"Hey, duck!" I shouted.
Both Mark and I stooped down.
"He almost saw us," I told Mark.
"Look, she's crying again," Mark said.
Now the girl went to sit beside Chris and cried again on his chest. Chris on the other hand placed his arms around her seemingly comforting her.
Why am I getting mad about this!?
"You know what Mark, I just hate that girl, remember what he did with Oscar?"
"Yes! He was messing with both Chris and Oscar. The two almost fought. I remember that Oscar almost punched Chris because of Pink but then..."
"What?"
"I think Chris doesn't really like her."
"Why?"
"He never even cared about Pink flirted with Oscar or any other guys. It's just Pink who is a die-hard desperate girl trying to seduce Chris."
What Mark said made me think of something.
I stared blankly at the two. Something really seems off.
"Hey, Lance!" Mark called beside me, continuously tapping on my shoulder.
I felt like I just woke up from a daydream. I really can't do anything with these blackouts I have a really vivid imagination, maybe because of the number of books I've read.
I almost jumped. In front of me was Chris. Looking shocked.
"Lance, why are you here?" Chris asked.
"Why? Can't I? We were just passing. Right Mark? We're gonna eat... there!" I said pointing to a nearby restaurant.
"Mark let's go. Then… let's watch a movie." I added.
"Really, that will be your treat," Mark said.
Chris looked at Mark, angry.
"Hey, I'm out of this," Mark said.
Pink was looking at the three of us still crying for whatever reason she has.
"Lance, let's go," Chris said.
"I'm not going! You have a date with Pink and I have a date with Mark!" I replied.
"Hey Lance, I'm serious. Let's just leave here," Chris insisted.
He held me at my wrist, I tried to fight him, but he looked at my eyes which suddenly made me stop. Why am I so weak?
We walked and started leaving the cafe. Mark was still following behind us clearly confused.
"So, you're just gonna leave her there?" I asked him.
Chris didn't answer.
"Hey Mark," he turned back. "Would you mind if you just get something to eat? I just want to talk to Lance. Thank you very much."
He handed a card to Mark.
"I have no... objections. Thanks, sir! I'm just gonna go the other way! Oh, wait, my car is there. Bye Lance!"
"Hey, Mark! Don't leave me!"
I looked at Chris and broke from his hold. I just walked and walked towards somewhere.
~~~
[Chris POV]
Lance was still sulking.
We arrived at the nearby park and almost spent half an hour not talking. He shouldn't have seen me there. I went there to end things with Pink permanently. She just keeps on pestering me.
"Lance, I have a serious question," I spoke.
He looked at me with angry eyes.
"Are you jealous?" I asked
"No, I'm not!" he kicked me on my knee.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed.
He walked fast to a distance away from me. I ran after him.
"Hey, do you want to know what we talked about?" I asked him.
He did not say anything.
"I told her that it's over for us. I mean we've broken up a long time ago but still, I've told her something which will make her stop"
Lance seemed to calm down for a bit.
"I'm tired," he said.
"Let's sit here," both of us sat on a nearby bench. I lied on his lap; he was annoyed at first.
Suddenly, he stroked and played with my hair... but he's still sulking.
"Chris. What's that about? Pink was all over you." He asked.
He's jealous, I hope.
"She's my ex, I can't do anything about it," I told him.
"Chris!" He shouted. Now he's angry.
"I don't like her. Alright. I told you."
"..."
"Okay fine, I dated her because I thought I can like her. I mean that... if I date her, I will be able to like girls. But that's not how it works. I can't like girls."
Sigh! That's a big confession I just made. I've never said this comfortable to anyone before. But this is Lance. If there is something he doesn't know, it is that he's the reason why I'm braver. He saved me but he also taught me to live happily.
"Lance, look. I always know what I am ever since I was a child. All my friends would chase girls, but I always looked at boys. Many girls would line up for me, but I really can't force myself to like them. Pink was someone who... I thought would be the best one among them, she's beautiful and... I don't know, I just thought that maybe I can be normal after all."
"Do you think it's not normal?" he asked. He was a bit sad.
"No, but I was afraid back then, unlike now that I can shout to the world who I really am. Perhaps, I wanted to have a family, with someone I love," I told him.
With that, I looked at this boy's eyes. The curious eyes are full of innocence. He was really the one who made me realize who I am, he transcends beauty. He was always the kind boy who held an umbrella for me when it rained. He was the one who taught me a dance when I can't even move in life anymore. He never gets mad and all I want in life is to care for him and protect him from this world. He is my savior, my angel.
I want that smile to stay like that forever. I gently lifted my head close to his face.
I touched his chin, and my face was going near him. I held the back of his head and touched his hair. We're looking at each other's eyes, anything can happen now. Our heartbeats are in sync. We can both hear it as if there's romantic music playing in the background. It is the perfect moment.
I leaned in and almost kissed him.
But I hesitated, I thought of what he feels right now. I want him to admit his feelings. I will never force him. What should be a romantic kiss, turned into a kiss of pure love, the unconditional love. I kissed him on his nose. A soft one that made my heart flutter and my eyes tearful. The feelings of rendering true love to one person who has changed who I am.
Everything was silent, he had one deep breath.
We smiled at each other.
"Ah ah ah. Let's go now, I'll bring you home," I told him.
There was an awkward atmosphere that stayed until we arrived at his condominium. We both got off the car. He didn't say anything. I know I must give him time.
"Goodbye Lance," I started to say. "Thank you for everything, you don't know how much you mean to me. You've taught me everything and made me the courage to live."
Lance seemed confused, but he is still not saying any word.
I placed my hand on his cheek and smiled at him.
"Always remember you'll always be in my heart," I said.
He nodded. Lance started to turn around walking back to his apartment.
Then suddenly, he ran to me and did something I never expected.
He placed his hand on my face and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.
Before I can even say anything, he sprinted back inside. I got a glimpse of his red face. I know he never did anything like that before.
I don't know what it means, all I know is that it was the greatest night of my life. I know for sure that Lance cares for me, but I also know that there might still be someone in his heart. But I will never give up unless it is right for me to do so. I am willing to do everything for him even if it means losing him.
My heart was filled with happiness. That act was something instant but would last forever, it is the value of love. The value of something timeless. Something I've never felt before. It is what I've lacked from my previous relationships. It is what I've lacked as I grew up with my own family.
I am always grateful for Lance. It is something I can never repay.
Lance taught me how to love. He taught me what love feels like. He showed me how to love someone. He taught me to love him. But more importantly, he taught me how to love and accept who I am.