Chapter 4: The Boyfriend and the Best Friend

Alexis

“IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT?”

“Of course,” I say, plastering a smile on my lips. Gab is sitting beside me and is playing with my fingers while I’m fixing my gaze on the television. I’ve decided to visit him on his apartment because it’s been three weeks since we’ve seen each other.

Taking a deep breath, I rest my head on his shoulder and ask, “So, how’s college?”

Gab goes on a long litany about his whereabouts within the three weeks that he’s been so hard to reach. I pretend to listen at his detailed storytelling, glancing at the television from time to time. Gab and I have the same age length but because of some unfortunate events in his life in the past, he had to quit schooling. Now, he’s taken education and is currently on the most crucial stage; his third year in college.

“You know what, I just enjoy every moment of it especially that we’re on our way to Student Teaching. I’m glad I listened to you when you harassed me and forced me to go to college.”

He intends it to be a playful joke, but I just laugh a little. “That’s good,” I say. “I’m glad to hear that.”

We sit on the couch in silence. His hand is lazily tucked underneath my shirt and I could feel his fingers touching my tummy. He says things about their school projects and his classmates but I am not really paying attention to that. I’ve been so cold to him the past few days but he seems to appear unbothered. I don’t think he’s got plans of making it up to me.

My thoughts are suddenly disturbed when I feel his lips tracing my earlobe.

“G-gab, I’m not in the mood,” I say, lightly pushing him away.

“What’s wrong?” he asks grimly.

“I just don’t want to have sex. That’s all.”

“Who says we’re going to have sex?” he counters.

I roll my eyes. “Every time you start kissing me, we know where it leads us. Just…not now.”

“Okay,” he replies, pulling back his hands. “Fine.”

“I have to meet Kelly at La Casa Café. I need to go now.”

Gab stands up in silence and helps me gather my things.

“Won’t you drive me there? It’s an hour away from here,” I ask.

“I—sure.”

I look at him and see it in his face that he’s clearly not into it. “You know what, it’s fine. I’ll take the bus,” I say dismissively. I briskly walk towards the door and trudge the pathway with heavy steps. I hear Gab’s voice calling after me but I pretend not to hear it at all.

I walk towards the streets and instantly hop on the bus. Thank God it didn’t take me long to wait for it. Gab, on the other hand, is seen on the street, brushing a frustrated hand on his hair.

~~~

Kelly immediately hugs me when I arrive at La Casa Cafe, our favorite meeting place. She texted me around three pm and told me that she'll never leave the place unless I'd showed up.

Kelly looks so down and stressed when I see her. She doesn't even wear make-up this time and her eyes are bulgy.

"What happened to your face?" I ask, "I can't see your eyebrows."

"Oh Lexis, I'm really sorry," she replies, sobbing and still clinging to my shoulders.

I slowly raise my arms to hug her back. Seeing her cry like this breaks my heart. I guess I can't really stay mad at her. Never.

"Stop crying now. It's not like I'm breaking up with you.”

"I've spent a week trying to figure out what to do. And I got depressed when you stopped talking to me! It's worse than a break up!"

I usher her to sit down, then wipe her tears using my thumb. "I won't argue when you said that you almost got depressed," I say, chuckling, “you don't look so pleasing today."

She frowns and continues wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I was afraid I'd lose you. I'd rather have no boyfriend at all than live my life without you."

I smile and give her a side hug. "Since when did you know how to have a boyfriend?"

"I'm really sorry that I lied, Lexis.”

"Were you worried that I might spill it out to your parents?"

She nods.

"Well, we've been friends since first grade. You know me so well. I can be trusted," I reply, feeling hurt again.

"I know. I'm really sorry, Lexis," she says, rubbing the back of my hand with her small fingers. "I won't have any secrets anymore, I promise."

"Pinky swear?" I ask.

"Pinky swear,” she replies, binding her pinky finger with mine.

"I also want to apologize for what happened at the party. That was below the belt—”

“It’s fine. MJ and I already talked.”

"Really? Hmm, okay. That’s good to hear.”

We sit there in silence, contemplating things. Then I suddenly notice Kelly fidgeting on her seat. Occasionally, she would heave a sigh, opens her mouth and then presses them together again. I raise my eyebrow, staring at her with confused expression.

“Are you okay, Kelly?”

"Umm, actually, Lexis,” she whispers, “there’s something I want to tell you.”

Wrinkling my forehead, I lean closer to her. “Go on.”

"The truth is, m-my partner, the professor—"

A sexy waitress comes to our table just before Kelly spills the information out. She briefly takes our orders then leaves, but not before sending me a discreet wink. Hah!

I shake my head and try to focus on Kelly. "What? Was he a married man?"

She shakes her head, " Of course not!"

"Um, did he have AIDS?" Oh, please no.

"No, silly."

I ponder a moment then gasp. "Oh my god. Don't tell me he raped you?"

"Geez, Lexis. You're over reacting!"

"Then what?" I whine.

Kelly is silent for a moment.

“I won’t. I promise!” I reply.

She hesitates, then fidgets to her seat again. I could tell that she's nervous. Gosh, just say it already!

"The professor was—not a he."

I gasp. "S-seriously?"

"Yes. The professor was not a he— you know.”

None of us speaks for a while, and I am too stunned to comment anything. No way. No freaking way. The way my best friend talks, and the way she dresses—it just doesn't make sense.

"Lemme process it for a moment," I say, blabbering to myself, "if the professor was not a he, then—”

"I'm lesbian, Lexis. Closet lesbian."

xoxoPAxoxo