I've never been the type of guy to put myself in the spotlight. I've always been shy and a little timid. I hated public speaking ever since my classmate from
high school laughed at my voice for being too high pitched. My voice did not develop until about junior year and I've always been made fun of because of it. So you would imagine my unease when my batch mates nominated me as representative. I wanted to throw myself out of the room.
I faced Neena who looked at me like she was a proud mother.
"I can't do this" I whispered to her.
She looked at Ken, who became our friend when he decided we were the cool, artsy friends he wanted to hang out with. I don't know what made him think we were artsy. And I cannot imagine we give off the cool vibes. We were still glad to be friends with him though.
Unlike us, Ken was actually cool. He was very good looking. He looked like someone straight out of an anime, the one all girls liked. He always looked like he put on some effort to look effortless.
Ken smiled at me reassuringly. He gave me an encouraging nod and laughed.
"Gray, you can do it. I'll help you."
Being batch representative was not so bad. The duties were fairly simple. I needed to help with schedules and communicate with the teachers. That was not so bad, right? I finally agreed.
"Gray, wanna go grab some snacks?" Ken asked.
"Umm... My mom is on her way to pick me up. Maybe some other time?"
"Alrighty then. See you." Neena replied and kissed me on the cheeks.
I usually waited to be picked up on the bench outside our college building but when I went out some students were already there doing some sketches. I decided to take a walk around the campus instead. The university really was beautiful. There were hints of historic and modern architecture around.
I was admiring what I thought to be the church building (it was not) when someone sat next to me. Based on his uniform, he was from engineering department.
"You're Gray, right?"
I looked at him. He was a few inches taller than me and very cute. He has an innocent looking face, pinkish cheek and a very light skin. I try to remember how and where I know him from. I think his name is Neil. He was from my high school, a year or two my senior.
"Hi. Yes, I am. You're kuya Neil, right? You used to beat me during math quizzes, how could I forget?" I answered jokingly. Where is this coming from? I am not the type to joke with someone I barely know.
He laughed at my joke. Oh my! He laughed at my joke? "If it's any consolation, I wasn't good at anything other than math." He joked back.
*Ding*
From: Mommy
Baby, take a cab home. I need to run back to the office. It might take a while. I'll see you at home. Message me so I know you're safe.
"Sorry. It's my mom. She can't pick me up. I need to go. It's nice seeing you again kuya" I told him and stood up.
"Gray!" He called. "If my math is right, and like you said I am a math champ, there is zero chance you'll get a cab at this hour. We'll drop you off. "
"Oh no no no! I can't do that. That's too much hassle."
He smirked. "Hassle ka dyan! Come on. I can't just let you wait for a taxi that might never come. Plus, it would be mean and stupid if I don't give you a ride home. Your place is on my way."
I hesitated. I barely knew Neil. He seemed kind and friendly enough but he is from my high school. I don't really have a lot of good memories from that life.
"Are you sure?"
"Let's go then!" He said while dragging me to his car. I'm about 5 foot 6 and considered a small guy so he easily navigates me towards his Jeep Wrangler.
"Neil, ang tagal mo." An annoyed looking guy said. He was a little bit taller than Neil and he had a leaner body. He was more tanned than the two of us. He has a very manly, bad boy look.
"Gray, this is one of my best friends, Ty." He introduced him to me.
When he saw me, Ty's annoyed look turned into a cute, quirky smile.
"Hi!! Your name's Gray? I'm Ty. It's so nice to meet you." He offered his hand. He spoke really fast, as if he was excited to meet me. When I took his hand, he immediately put his arms around my shoulder. I guess we're friends now?
"Here is your seat" he said as he led me to the backseat of the car.
"Don't mind him. He's really like that. He's very active and sociable." Neil said. I noticed he looked at Ty with an amused, fake-annoyed look. "He is nice to everyone but me" he added.
"Hey! Don't scare little Gray!" Ty answered.
Little Gray? Should I take offence to that nickname? Umm.. probably not. Like I said, I am 5'6 tall. I have a slim body and an almost feminine features. I also like to take care of my skin. I put sunblock and put on lotion. I even have my own skin care routine for my face. I guess I should not be surprised to be called "little" or "kiddo" or even be confused to a girl sometimes.
"You're from college of architecture?" Ty asked. "How do you two know each other?" The latter one was directed more towards Neil than me.
"I saw him outside the President's building. I recognised him and so I approached him. He's from my high school." Neil explained. "Gray is Bree's younger brother." He said silently.
"Bree? As in best-friend-ng-ex-mo-Bree?"
"You dated ate...?"
Before I could finish, he replied "That was a long long time ago. How's college life treating you?" He obviously just wanted to change the topic. So I laughed and gave in to him.
Surprisingly, the commute home wasn't awkward. It was actually pretty nice. We talked nonstop. They did not make me feel out of place at all. I noticed that they had such a cute friendship. They were always bickering, arguing and teasing each other. They would ask me for my opinion and use it to annoy each other even more. It was all for fun and games though. I laughed a lot watching them.
It was a pretty long drive to my house. There was a heavy traffic all around the university and it took awhile for us to reach home. When we did, I thanked them.
"No need to thank me." Neil said.
"Yeah, no need to thank him, little Gray." Ty answered. "Add me on Facebook and follow me on instagram, okay?"
"Me too. And give me your phone." I gave it to him. "Here is my number. Message me now so I know your number. You can call me whenever."
"You should go home with us from now on." Ty added grinning. "We have one other friend who usually goes home with us but Mr. Student-body is busy today. You'll meet him soon."
I smiled shyly to them.
"Bye, Gray!" Neil said.
"See you, little Gray" Ty said ruffling my hair.