I knew what I heard. The tone was very familiar. I may not have heard that tone for quite a while now but I’m sure what app it came from. My phone was on silent so I was sure it didn’t come from me. A naughty smile lined my lips. I figured that I was not the only one with a dark secret here. Come to think of it, they weren’t kids anymore. At this point in their lives, they knew their preferences already. Hearing that drop tone in one of the gym bags only meant one thing, someone was going somewhere after the practice.
Again, I heard the drop tone.
“Hold your horses big guy. Your date is still on practice.”, I whispered to myself. Smiling mischievously. If Sam was the adviser of this class, he had definitely made his move already on whoever that unlucky student was. Sam wasn’t choosy. As long as it was discrete, he’ll take it. Even if it was a student.
***
The last practice routines run for a few minutes only because they were polishing the steps already. Their chosen music for this was very spiritual. It was peaceful. Slow in pacing. Calm to the feel and mind. The presentation was very original. My class planned it very well. I was aware about the other department’s preparation for this party but ours was on a different level. It was new and never been done before. I couldn’t wait for Sam’s reaction when he watched this.
As I was enjoying watching their practice, the drop tone from one of the bags did not stop. It sounded for around 10 to 15 times already. The sender may be very excited by now. He couldn’t wait for the reply anymore. I was sure that the owner of that phone was going to have a one hell of a night later. Tired at practice and going to be tired at hook up. I envied these students. They still had the strength for all of these. `They could be as aggressive as they pleased. They didn’t care about what others would say.
I hoped I could do the same as well. But I couldn’t. Not in this profession I chose. Highest values were required. Integrity. I just told myself, “Who the hell are they to tell me how to live my life.”. I knew how to play this game. I knew how to keep things behind the curtain.
All these were playing in my mind as I watched them practiced their shadow dance and hearing the sound of the gay dating app I was very familiar with.
After a few more minutes, I saw the students met at the center. The others were wiping with their towels and some were drinking on their bottles. Valdez was talking at the center of them. The students were breathing heavily. It was obvious that they were practicing hard.
After a few lines, I heard Valdez ended the practice for tonight. Everyone clapped their hands and walked towards the bleachers for their bags. Some students sat down, some were chatting with each other and some were eating their snacks.
Howard and Jeff walked towards where I was sitting. It seemed Jeff was okay already with Howard. They were laughing as they walked. I thought that practice melted Jeff’s bad mood toward his friend.
“Nice practice.”, I said to both of them.
“Thanks sir. Did you like it?”, Howard asked.
“Of course! I was very impressed. That was a great idea! I’m sure our presentation will stand out over other sections.”, I applaud them.
“We made sure that our presentation will be the best.”, Valdez intervened from behind the two.
“That was a great job Mr. President.”, I congratulated Valdez. “You did great.”
“Thank you sir but the credit is not all mine.”, Valdez humbled. “There was an irritating creature here who gave me an idea.”, He said meaningfully as he laughed. I caught that slight pink on the chest that Valdez made on Howard’s chest.
“Where are we up to next?”, Jeff asked in the middle of the conversation. “Shall we eat?”, he suggested.
“That is a great idea! Practicing made me hungry.”, Howard seconded. “Would you like to join us sir? ”, he invited.
“Yeah sir. Come and eat with us. I know a great burger house nearby.”, Valdez said. “Let me just get my bag then we’ll go.”
The three did not let me answer and immediately went out to get their bags. I had no choice but to follow them and join.
I was fixing my bag when I heard the drop tone again. I pretended that I did not hear anything. I was waiting for anyone who would pull his phone out. But, all students are on their phones browsing, texting or sending pm’s. Even Jeff and Howards had their phone in their hands.
I was certain that it wasn’t mine because my data was turned off. Jeff looked like he was dialing and after a few rings, I heard him talking to his dad already. Like he was asking permission if he could come and eat with us.
It was when Howard pulled his phone out when the drop tone sounded again. He was surprised at the notification and acted worried at the sound of it. He looked from side to side to check if anyone might have noticed him.
“Sh*t, my data is on.”, I read as his lips whispered. I immediately looked back on my back pretending I was doing something so he wouldn't suspect that I saw him. I was forced to keep a malicious smile upon knowing. Who would have thought that Howard has this app too. Who else knew about it? Did Jeff knew?
“Ready?”, I heard Jeff asked Howard.
“Yeah, I think so. How about Robin?”, Howard replied. Slightly over reacting at Jeff’s question.
I looked at Valdez from the other side. Like most of his classmates, he too was holding his phone. Texting maybe because he was smiling. Afterward, Valdez looked at us and waved. After shouldering his bag, he ran towards us.
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”, He said happily.
“I’m also ready. Where are we eating?”, I said.
“Guys, I’m sorry. I think I'm gonna have to pass. Something came up. I have to go.”, Howard said. I looked away to hide my sarcasm about the excuse. He couldn’t fool me.
“You’re not coming? What happen?”, Jeff asked. Worried.
“It was nothing. I just have to get to this. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”, Howard continued making excuses.
“Because if you are not coming, I’m not coming too.”, Jeff said.
“Wait. What? Don’t be such a killjoy guys.”, Robin reacted to the two.
“I told my mom that I am getting something to eat with Howard. I’m worried what she will think if she fetches me later and not see Howard with me.”, Jeff explained.
“Bro, I am really sorry.”, Howard apologized. “I just have to get here. Promise, I’ll make it up to all of you next time. My treat.”, he promised.
I was silently listening to their conversation and hiding my malicious smile. I saw myself at Howard whenever I got texts too. A mixture of excitement and uneasiness. It was a must to go. The feeling that there’ll be no next hookups so each had to be attended.
“Sir is coming with you. I’m sure your parents will understand.”, Howard continued.
“I understand. I’m that hungry anyway. I was not that tired either. Perhaps I’ll go home instead.”, Jeff responded with heavy shoulders.
“I am really sorry bro.”, - Howard
“Where are you going? I have my motorcycle with me. I can give you a ride.”, Robin offered.
“In the next subdivision. Caroline Homes.”, - Howard
“Hey, I live there. Let’s go. I’ll give you a ride.”, Robin exclaimed.
Jeff was silent. He was only listening to the two because it was obvious that he was about to go home all by himself. The two stopped talking when they noticed his silence.
“I can accompany Jeff going home.”, I intervened. “If that is okay with you.”
“It’s okay sir. You don’t have to.”, Jeff rejected my initiative.
“I insist. We are taking the same ride going home anyway. You’re just taking off first.”, - Me
“There you go. Jeff is with sir now. We can go before it gets darker.”, -Robin.
“I am really sorry Jeff.”, -Howard.
Jeff was about to say something but Robin angkored Howard by the shoulder and pulled him away.
“Bye sir. Take care.”, Robin bid goodbye to Jeff and I as they were walking toward his motorcycle parked by the sidewalk.
Jeff couldn’t do anything but watch the two leave on motorcycle. I felt bad for Jeff and what his friends did to him.
“You were talking to your dad earlier, not your mom.”, I said to Jeff as he watched the two.
“I only said that sir because my mom won’t allow me even if I asked. And I don’t want to look pathetic for going alone. Better go home instead.”, He explained.
“And Howard did not notice.”, I emphasized.
“Let’s just forget it sir. Maybe it really was an emergency that Howard needed to be there.” - Jeff
“If only you knew why he left.”, I whispered to myself.
“What do you mean sir?”, Jeff asked. Confused.
“No, don’t mind what I said. Let’s go.”