They think Zed looks fresh every day? Nope! It's all mouthwash, a quick hair splash, and cologne. But I'm pretty sure he at least changes his underwear daily. If not? Then, boy-next-door image say goodbye!
I took a deep breath. I won't stoop down to the level of the classy bully and I definitely won't be dealing with Zed and his friends who are obviously enjoying my awkward moment.
It's okay Sophia. Bounce back during lunch. At least you'll have rice to eat! And of course as I walked toward the canteen(now that I know where it is). I just pictured myself as the main character in my own life.
Zed might not stand up for me but I can defend myself. I got this! I'm Sophia Valdez maybe a helper in real life but still a queen in my own world!
"Hey!" Zed suddenly shouted from behind. "Where do you think you're going? Didn't I say we're having lunch together?" I felt him tugging on my bag.
Oh no! I thought I'd finally be free to eat in peace but there he was my so-called Prince Charming with his four other handsome friends who looked like they'd just auditioned for a K-drama.
Now I was with them and guess what? I couldn't tell if they were ganging up on me or if this was just their way of bullying me. But it felt like that the kind of moment where you're in the spotlight but unsure if it's a good one or just blinding.
"Who's this cute chick, Zed?" asked one of the other handsome guys because they all looked like they actually remembered to shower twice a day unlike Zed whose secret I already knew.
"Ah… This is Sophia. My…" Uh-oh! What was Zed going to say? My nanny? Tutor? Helper? It was like a horror movie trailer playing in my head while I waited for his answer.
"My savior in all things," he said, smiling like the main character. Wow, smooth! But of course I just internally rolled my eyes. It was like I'd turned into Zed's promo girl.
As we walked into the canteen I got that feeling of being part of a reality show walking alongside celebrities. There I was surrounded by five gorgeous people. It was like Boys Over Flowers Filipino edition and I was Geum Jan Di lost in the story.
While I was pushing my tray (literally tray after tray right?) I noticed we could hear the whispers around us. It was like a live comment section!
I could even catch a few of the questions. "Who's that girl?", "Who is she? Zed's girlfriend?", "Oh my gosh, a Disney princess just landed in the group of kings!"
And wow, the reaction from the girls around! It was like a flood of telenovela stare-downs all scanning me like they were checking if I was giving real Disney vibes or just faking it. It felt like I'd ended up with a royal entourage and I was the underdog cast member who suddenly appeared.
When we sat down Zed's friends didn't let up on me. Oh my gosh, I couldn't tell if they were complimenting me or just trying to find weaknesses to pick on. They kept asking questions like they were all ganging up to interview me.
"So, Sophia… What's your secret to being cute?" asked one. He's smiling with an obvious hidden agenda.
Cute? Ugh, I could tell he was buttering me up.
"Oh, nothing… It's just in the genes. It's not my fault it turned out this way," I replied giving a playful wink. I tried to look confident but inside I wanted to shout for help.
Then, while we were eating they kept up with the questions sometimes about Zed sometimes about me. It felt like a celebrity moment like I was suddenly part of Zed's entourage. One of them even asked "Are you close with Zed?"
I debated how to answer that. Literally close as in I'm with him 24/7? Or close because I'm his human alarm clock and hygiene reminder? But all I said was "Close enough to know he's the kind of person who prioritizes cologne over shampoo."
They all laughed especially Zed. But I didn't know if it was because it was true or because he was embarrassed. "Hey! I do shower!" he said playfully hitting my arm like it was all just friendly. Yeah, sure Zed. Let's go with that.
And as we continued with this lunch reunion of handsome guys and me as the honorary guest I couldn't help but think. Is this my life now? Tagging along with Zed's entourage like I got caught in a rom-com plot? But alright fine. If this is the lunch squad I guess I can accept my role as the nanny-slash-tutor.
By the way among Zed's four friends one of them stood out. Mr. Mysterious the type who seems like he has his own telenovela. He's the quiet serious one unlike the others who practically die laughing. When the whole group is at the lowest level of a comedy riot he's just on the side watching with only a slight smirk. And he seems to move in slow motion when he looks. Wow!
Seriously, he's like the villain who eventually turns into a secret love interest in K-dramas! He doesn't care about the jokes Zed and the others make. He always looks like he's deep in thought or maybe he's just planning his escape from this scene. And when the conversation drifts to slightly awkward topics he's the one who gives a small polite laugh so he doesn't offend anyone. Not like Zed and his friends who laugh so naturally that their classy image disappears!
"Wow Zed, I didn't know you laughed like that! I thought you were all dignified!" I said in a mock-serious tone.
"Hey! That's just how we are. We don't have to be formal all the time." Zed replied seemingly hit by my joke but not too much. Then Mr. Mysterious glanced at me smirked a little and there it was, my heart skipped a beat!
But wait... Focus, Sophia! Don't get swept away by Mr. Mysterious's smiles and smirks. Sure they're good-looking but my priority is still my lunch break! Can't risk forgetting to eat with all their antics. Focus is key!