MY GAY-FRIEND BOYFRIEND

2

"Nababaliw ka na, Shanell."

Prince's face was so disgusted for real. I could clearly see it. He was hugging himself as if he was protecting his body from me.

"Hoy, this idea came from me! I can help you get to CBU kung papayag ka!" I reasoned.

Pinagpag niya nang pinagpag ang sarili na para bang may mga langgam na gumagapang sa kanya.

"Hindi ako papayag na maging girlfriend ka, sis - over my dead body," he announced, face indicating a boastful look. Baklang bakla.

I scoffed, then held my hips, eyes pinned to him. "Akala ko ba gusto mo pumasok sa CBU? Akala ko ba gusto mo na tumira kasama ang nanay mo?"

He swatted me off his side, being the reason of my hair looking frizzy afterwards.

"Ew, kadiri ka. Oo, gusto ko pumasok sa CBU, but not in a way na gagawin kitang girlfriend no!"

Inipit ko sa isang natitirang stand ng buhok ko sa likod ng tainga ko bago gumanti ng sumalita. "Beks, isipin mo na lang na this is a way for me to show you my gratitude sa lahat ng mga assignment na pinakopya mo sa'kin. Hindi ko na mabilang lahat ng 'yon, okay? And let me remind you, we only have one month bago tayo magtapos. We're entering college kaya umayos ka."

His gaze went from me to the busy highway in front of us. It seemed like he was trying to process every words I have said.

"Saka... hindi naman 'to totohanan e. Magpapanggap lang ako, okay? Tayo. Kailangan lang natin i-put up ang act 'pag nakatingin ang Dad mo, pero mostly, we'd still act like the usual," I shrugged, assuring him to the highest level.

Fazed, he stared at me out of worry, his arms hugging his backpack across his chest.

"Don't worry, babe," I teased, my face smoldering.

Prince gave me the longest glare he could give before disclosing his thoughts. "I'll think about it," he said.

-

Kinabukasan, malapit na 'kong mapagsarahan ng gate ng school guard na daig pa ang Principal sa sobrang strict at manhid nito. I hurriedly bolted off the hallway, and bumped few students before entering our classroom.

Unang sumalubong ang tingin ko kay Prince na nakaupo sa armchair niya. Fidgeting, his anxious eyes were trembling from my sight. I tiptoed behind him, then spoke: "Good morning. Did you think about my offer very well?"

He locked his eyes to me - worried eyes. "Oo. I did."

Lumiwanag ang mga mata ko kasabay ng paglaki ng ngiti ko. "Talaga? And?"

"Hindi ko talaga alam kung ano'ng magiging kalalabasan ng kabaliwan na 'to e."

"Aw, beks, come on! Hindi ba talaga kita mapipilit?"

"Puwede naman."

"So... what's stopping you?"

Ngumuso ito habang nakasimangot, averting his gaze to the outside. "There should be a condition," he announced.

Nodding my head like a top-student listening to his coach, I simpered. "Alright, what condition?"

Prince signaled his lips to the group of boys crumpled outside the hallway. They were chattering and laughing. Some were dribbling a ball and some were doing just random stuff like reaching the base of the second floor. Mga kadalasang bagay na ginagawa ng mga straight guys.

"Ano'ng meron sa kanila?" tanong ko.

"We should never be clingy in school like what couples do. Let's just act normal like - this. You know, best friend-ish interaction. So that I could still flirt with those cuties."