I was sat beside my buddie Pav, or Pavitr Prabhakar, if we're going for full names. He's always been an odd fellow, but it's cute. The bus is quite loud, but thankfully we've made our mark as the "dateable" boys in senior year. Unfortunately for the girls, they're unaware that my best friend here, is dating Gayatri, the so called rebel girl of our year.
It's your simple cliche, but Pav doesn't care about stuff like that. Sometimes i think he's the main character in my own story. And unfortunately for me, he only has eyes for Gayatri. He says he likes her because of how "classy" she is. I think the only class about her is her father, inspector Singh.
Yes, there are many cartoons named the same thing, but i like to imagine they're based off of him, it gives more depth to his character.
Another thing i like to imagine is that life is a video game, because since I don't seem to be the main character, atleast i can think of every interaction with everyone as a way of increasing likeness points, as if this is a dating sim. It's fun. Romanticizing the life, that's what they say in the other countries.
We're sitting in the backseat, on our way to Oscorp. It's some science thing, im literally only on this bus because firstly, we're definitely not getting another trip this year, and this is our last year. Secondly, Pav is really into all this nerdy science stuff, im more into arts, but I'm here to give him emotional support.
He was so excited about this trip, a "break" from school. Yup, a break for him, for the rest of us, it's just more school. I think the only reason so many people even actually came here is because it'd look good on their college portfolio, no matter what stream they take. I can't argue with that.
Pav is busy charming some girls, his smile makes everyone fall for him. He then stares into their eyes, which encaptures them more. I don't get how it's so easy for him to do this stuff, especially when he has a girlfriend. Don't get me wrong, he's VERY loyal to Gayatri, he'd never actually mean to do this, which is why it makes this worse. He's a natural charmer. Even though half the school hates him for being a teacher's pet, everyone who's ever met him falls instantly head over heels for him.
Unfortunately for me, i don't have the natural charm, i have to try so hard to get people to even sorta like me. They only like me because of my place in the football team, well soccer for the Americans. I have a pretty face, i won't lie, I've been told it many times, but im not handsome at every angle, unlike Pav.
I know it's not a very good friend thing of me to do to be jealous of my best friend, but sometimes you can't help but.
While he's sitting in the middle seat, I'm stuck on the corner, one leg over the other, with my earphones plugged in, listening to another playlist I made. For him. Surprise.
Maybe the reason I'm so bad at charming girls is because i don't want to. I do it to continue on making people believe i like girls, so i seem more wantable to guys.
And i can't come out to anyone because well, no matter what people say, India is not a very welcoming country for homosexuals.
"Soooo.... Are you listening to another one of your Loverboy playlists? You've got to reveal who it is about. I told you about Gayatri, i think it's only fair" said my best friend. I can't tell him who it's for, but the secrecy will only break his heart.
"I said I'm gonna keep her a secret. I don't want you going up to her and charming her. That's not going to help in any way! She's a good friend of mine, I'll warm up to her SLOWLY." It's hard to lie to him, but how can I tell him i don't like girls. "Plus she's already in a relationship right now. No it's not Gayatri. I have other friends" i remind him. I hate keeping stuff from him. With not having parents and whatnot, no matter how much he shows it, he's not such a happy person. He's hanging on by a very thin thread, ready to break any moment.
I'm proud of his integrity. He's come really far.
"Oh so is it about me?" He says in a sarcastic flirtatious manner, pulling himself closer to me.
"Oh i can't believe you found out the truth my baby girl! I've always loved you my jalebi baby." I react, pushing myself towards him, as if we were playing a round of gay chicken. If only i were lying, or if he wasn't.
As our lips almost meet, i put my hand in front of your face and act as if we're actually making out. We both trying not to laugh, but me wishing i didn't have to put my hand there.
Why can't I hold you in the street, why can't I kiss you on the dance floor. I wish that it could be like that, why can't we be like that?
These words played through my earphones, describing my emotions completely. If only he knew. But he likes girls, and he's dating Gayatri not to mention.
How has he never seen how gay my playlists are. Or does he just not look at my playlists. Or does he just ignore it? It has President Perfect on it for god's sake, how does one not catch on?
"Okay we're going to reach there in 5 minutes, we need you guys to be on your best behaviour. Others schools are also going to be there, we need to show them that midtown high is not mid! Do you guys understand?" Said Anjali ma'am. Do these teachers not understand how cringe it is for them to use terms like that?
"Yesss maammmmmmmm" says the entire bus in unity. Atleast it's not as bad as when they tried to get us to say "chakde phatte" after everything.
I throw my wrapper of lays on Pav after crumbling it up. He was the one who wanted the middle seat, he's going to have to pay for it.
"Hey! What was that for?" He shrieked.
"Revenge." I say sternly. Just kidding i just want you to know how cool i am and leave Gayatri and fall in love with me instead! But i can't say those words to his face.
Not yet.
"Okay everyone, we've reached, i want all of you to get out of this bus in an ORDERLY manner. And make a line near the banner which has midtown written on it? Okay gang?" I appreciate Anjali ma'am trying to get us excited and trying to keep us engaged with, whatever she does, but can she maybe like stop?
We all got out of the bus, forming a line in front of the banner as ma'am said.
Just 6 hours. I only have to be here for 6 hours then i can go back home, take a warm shower, or even, a bathe. Oh I've been meaning to use the tub again. I've just got to survive 6 hours. That's it.
"We only have to be here for 6 hours, stop sulking" says the voice of a man who knows my too well but just can't figure out i like him. So much for reading people very well.
"Yea i know, that's what I'm reminding myself." I reply back, taking off my earphones.
"You have to stand next to me so we can be partners for the activities inside!!!" He said excitedly.
"You're saying this as if they're taking us to some arcade or adventure camp or something fun. Also, i though you'd like to pair up with Gayatri. But accidentally or something. Don't you also have a plethora of girls just wanting to be your partner?" I tell him back.
"Hey come on pleaseee. If we get paired up it'll make time go by fasterrr?" He says, trying to convince me with his smile and staring into my eyes.
Why is he so adorable.
"Alright! Alright! Fine. I'll be your partner!" I say.
"THANK YOUUUUU" he almost screams.
"Mr Prabhakar. These are not good manners. Especially with other schools around." Scolds Anjali ma'am.
"Sorry ma'am!" He replies back with a smile.
As we go in, we're given our first "activity". We're last in line because someone kept talking a lot.
"Oh did you know that some of the technology here uses help of alien artifacts? Isn't that cool???" He says.
"Yeaaa... Very cool..." I tell him, looking at my watch, waiting for this hell to end.
"Oh and that is a- OW. Ugh a spider." He says, apparently by getting bit by a, well a spider.
"Why is there a spider here? For such a big and established company, you'd expect better cleaning" i say, looking at the bite on his hand.
"Y/N uh. I think it might've been poisonous. I feel... Sick." He says, barely being able to stand up.
A poisonous spider wouldn't work that fast, would it? "Should I call ma'am and ask her if we can be excused?" I ask him.
"Just, i think ulti aa rhi hai" he said (*i think I'm about to vomit)
"Just wait here. ANJALI MA'AM!! Can we go to the washroom?" I scream.
"Only one of you can go, what's to say you're not trying to bunk" replies ma'am.
I turn back to Pav, "okay you can go, i can't come with you, ma'am said no" i tell him.
"Did you tell her I'm sick. Atleast escort me" he says, still trying to hold in his puke.
"Ma'am he's not feeling good, he needs help to get to the washroom" i say, going towards her again.
"Fine. Just come back quickly, it's almost you guys' turn" she says.
I take Pav to the washroom, but they didn't have multiple stall washroom so i had to stand outside the door while he does whatever inside.
"Hey you okay?" I say, sitting on the floor in front of the door, knocking.
"Yea, i- IM FINE uesjaj" some weird noises came from inside.
"Pav are you sure you don't need any help?" I ask one last time.
"Yes I'm sure! You go back to the group, I'll be back in like 5 minutes" he says.
"Whatever you say." I leave the area and meet back with the group.
"Pavitr says he's going to be out in 5 minutes. He'll join us himself" i report to Anjali ma'am.
"Okay" she says, focusing on making videos of the students performing activities on the stage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a/n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lol I'm gonna also leave cliffhanger scenes at the end of each chapter like Astrid does, it's funny. I hope you like the story. Not sure how the reaction to this will be since I'm sure most of the Pav readers are girls 🥲
Anyways, I'm going to upload one chapter a day, i don't know how many words, but this chapter was about 1800 words so we'll see.
You're going to have 2 daily uploading Pav stories, isn't that something? I want to name y/n something, but i think that'd just ruin some stuff lol. But for the sake of the plot, his first or last name begins with 'B', because my friend Bella said that if she was in an au like this she'd ask him out like "would you like to be the pav to my bhaji?" And i think that's kinda cute. So I'd like to include it. Sorry for the long a/n haha. Enjoy your day!