"Did you see Rui today?"
"Yeah, he was hanging out with that girl from Class C again."
"Her name is Mei, right? Isn't it weird? I don't think they knew each other prior to this."
"Apparently they're neighbors. That's what Rui said."
"But still, they've never interacted before this..."
"Maybe they're really close outside of school?"
"Do you think they're already a couple?"
"Maybe. I mean, this is the first time Rui is seen being with a girl all by himself."
The people gossiping at the corner of the classroom sighed. Aiya, it seems like spring finally arrived for that campus prince of theirs. It looks like that they had missed it. They couldn't help but let out a sigh in their hearts.
If only they knew.
Meanwhile, as they were lamenting, the couple in question were doing something else.
"Rui?" He hummed.
"Get off. You're heavy." Rui grinned. They were sitting by the bleachers, with Rui's chin propped on Mei's head, their bento boxes discarded to the side. The sun was high up in the sky, with clouds like stretched out cotton few and far between as they ineffectively blocked the scorching rays from hitting the earth. The only reason they haven't been half baked under the sun was because of the branches of the tall tree behind them, offering as much shade as it could. The air was hot and humid, and everybody was out, either staying in class or rushing out in groups to hang out at a local restaurant or mall. The outdoor court was empty. The change of seasons had already begun.
Luckily this meant, enough privacy for the two of them. People would still see them together, but they wouldn't have to be subjected to a huge crowd anytime soon.
"I was just trying to see what you're doing." Mei huffed, as she feebly tried to shove him away with her arm, hands flying across the keyboard. Sweat was dripping down her temple, and her shirt had tiny blotches of wet spots.
"Cut the crap. You just want to make things hotter for us." Rui chuckled, as he finally pulled away after her elbow grazed his shirt and sat beside her.
"No seriously, I'm curious as to what you're doing that's making you ignore your to-be-boyfriend like this." Her fingers kept typing on the keypad, as her face remained the same monotonous expression on her face. She was already used to his meaningless flirtation. Unbeknownst to her, her ears had already turned into a light pink. Rui noticed but didn't tell, pressing his lips together as he hid his smile.
"I'm writing," she replied.
"The book?" Mei nodded her head. Rui leaned in closer, now staring at the screen in interest.
"Can I read it?" Mei rubbed her nose, feeling awkward all of a sudden. This was the first time, an actual, breathing, living person was going to read and critique her work. Most of her readers came from the internet, so this was a first for her. It was quite different from receiving comments online.
Rui was going to read what she wrote, with her right there with him; the story was also more or less about him, about them. Suddenly, there was this added pressure of making sure everything was right.
She didn't know what to feel. Lately, it seems like a lot of her firsts had been with him. She felt a blush creep into her cheeks.
"A-after I'm done, okay?" Rui grinned. He was intrigued and excited to see what she wrote.
"Okay. I won't bother you now." He then, obediently kept quiet and began to scroll through his phone to pass the time. Mei took a deep breath, as the silence slowly soothed her and she continued to write.
She had been bringing her laptop to school lately, choosing to write there with Rui beside her. He was her model in writing the male lead, and surprisingly enough she didn't find herself as lonely as she was wandering the halls on her own. This time she had a companion. I guess this is why people want friends, huh, she thought to herself.
"By the way, Rui, don't you have friends to hang out with?" she blurted out. Rui's thumb paused mid-swipe as he swerved his head to look at her.
I wouldn't want them to think I'm monopolizing you, she thought, as it left a bitter taste in her mouth. He was a popular boy in their school. Unlike her, he didn't have a shortage of people around him. Was she taking too much of his time? This unnecessary being that is herself? She felt guilt crawl up in her stomach. "You know, it's okay if you go out with-"
"It's fine. I don't have that much friends." She blinked.
"Eh?" Rui smirked upon seeing her reaction, as he placed his phone back in his pocket.
"They're more or less acquaintances. We hang out in school or internet cafes, but nothing beyond that."
"Why? Don't they want to be your friend?" He looked at something at the distance, as his half-heartedly kicked the rocks below his feet.
"Some of them do, but I'm hesitant to."
"Why?" He turned to look at her, a mocking smile on his face.
"Because of my hobby." Her eyes lit up in understanding as she mouthed an 'oh.' Something in her heart tightened.
"You're worried they're going to judge you for it?" He breathes out a short laugh, one that was aimed at himself.
"Well, what I'm doing isn't particularly normal either."
"But they're your friends. Shouldn't they be more understanding?" He shot her a rueful smile. He then playfully rubbed the top of her head.
"You're too pure to understand. Even friends can turn against each other. Just because I'm okay with it, doesn't mean they are." He took a deep breath and released it all at once. "It's better this way. Besides, if anyone found out, I'd be exposed. That's the one thing I don't want to happen."
Mei tilted her head to the side, the weight of his hand still atop her head.
"You seem to forget about me, Mr. Rui. What if I expose you?" Rui grinned.
"Of course, you would, wouldn't you?" He teased, using a cutesy tone to mock her, as he leaned in and messed up the top of her hair even more. Mei humphed.
"I'm serious. Aren't you afraid I'll blackmail you?"
"You already have me wrapped around your little finger. What more could you need?" Her ears blushed a light pink, as she looked away from his gaze.
"Huh..." Her eyes wandered off for a moment, before going back to his, wide with a sudden clarity.
"Does that mean I'm your friend?" He blinked.
"Eh?"
"I know about your secret." Rui paused, before a slow smile slowly spread on his lips.
"I guess you are." Mei grinned, raising her hand to pat him on the head as well. His hair was soft and silky to the touch, and she liked it so much that she gave it a firm rub. She should ask him what hair products he's using.
"Cool! You're my first friend too. I like you, Rui." Rui smiled, one that was more blinding than the searing sun.
"I like you too, Mei." From afar, they looked like a bunch of silly idiots, their hands atop the other's head grinning like fools at each other. They didn't care, or they didn't notice, too wrapped up inside their small, humid and hot bubble of theirs. The sun was still beating down on them, and sweat still trickled down their skin from the heat.
"You wanna skip class and go to the arcade today?" Mei's eyes sparkled, as the smile on her face widened.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. My treat. Plus, they have air conditioner."
"Why didn't you say sooner! C'mon, class is about to start!" Rui laughed as Mei hurriedly started packing her bags, before taking his hand and dragging him out of the campus. They had to go before the school gates closed and then they'd have to climb over with the risk of getting caught by one of the guards.
Mei felt excitement coursing through her veins. She wasn't skipping on her own! She had someone to go with, someone to bring to the arcade so that she didn't look like a complete loner.
Rui on the other hand, was just letting this petite girl haul him out of school. This was fun, having someone who knew what he was hiding and accepting him as he is. There wasn't a feeling of discomfort or guilt of trying to be someone he wasn't, or keeping something from people he knew. For a while, he could let his shoulders relax.
And so, the both of them sneaked away, off to enjoy what was left of their youth.