C E D R I C
My footsteps were muffled as I walked across the carpeted floor of Tate’s room. He had fallen asleep while I was driving. I guess he exhausted himself from all that crying and laughing we did. I carried him to his bed and slowly placed him down. He was sleeping peacefully and innocently. Before when he’d just recently lost his parents, he’d whimper in his sleep and sometimes cry too. Now that he accepts the fact that they’re gone, he sleeps peacefully.
Earlier I froze when he called me handsome and hot. He’s not gay is he? If so, that would be hard then. But even so, I am not against gay people. If Tate turned out to be gay… I don’t know… I don’t want to think about it. I care for him really. We’ve been friends since the sixth grade and no one knows me like Tate does. He’s just dense, really dense. Girls eye him rather hungrily and some guys check him out. Couldn’t blame them though, Tate has his aspects. The innocent expression that you’d want to protect all the time and that cute face and smile. He’d catch attention even when he doesn’t want to.
I like to make him awkward and tease him because he fuzzes about it and shy away and exposing more of his cute side. Earlier, I didn’t mean to kiss him on the lips and seriously I was grossed of the idea but when I did kiss him, it wasn’t disgusting like I’d thought it would be. I guess it’s the thing that we call bromance. Guys being close and touchy with each other without giving it meaning. I’m used to kissing Tate on his cheeks because for me he’s my baby brother and with his looks he’d pass as my younger brother.
My other friends labeled him as my boyfriend. They noticed how close we were and touchy to each other but we’re just like that. Well technically, Tate is my boy friend but I adapted the idea of him being my boyfriend so to keep away some girls if not all and those gay guys in school that would want to hit on me. I like girls, I definitely like banging them and I admit, I’m not anymore a virgin. I’ve done threesome before and that had been amazing but I never got serious with a girl after my first girlfriend broke my heart. Girls for me right now are just for fun and to release sexual tension. Remembering the past made my mood dark, I was a waste before and Tate was always there for me and somehow when he talks to me I obey and be able to ignore my hatred for that girl. Even looking at Tate right now made my building anger to dissipate. I’m glad I met Tate, I’m so lucky with him.
Tate looks so peaceful right now but lately, I feel that he has something in his mind. He’s keeping something to himself and no matter how hard he try to hide it, I can still see it. I’d like to ask him but I’m not going to force him to tell me. Even I have my battles in thought and even if Tate could read most of it, he doesn’t get his nose under it not unless I want him too. And I want to do the same to him, respect his privacy, even though we are best friends.
Knocks on the door echoed through the room then Cleo, one of the house maids, peeked inside. “Dinner is ready, Cedric.” She said and offered a smile before going away. I looked at Tate. It would be bad to wake him up when he’s deep in sleep but I cannot let him miss a meal. So I shook him lightly and called his name. He stirred in bed and his eyes opened narrowly. “Where are we?” he asked, voice coated deep with sleep.
“We’re in your room.” I informed. “Come on, dinner’s ready.”
“What time is it?” He looked around for his clock and found out it was still seven thirty early in the evening. “God, I was tired huh?” He said and stretched.
“Yeah you were.” I smiled, ready to tease him again. “You should wipe that drool on your face before we go down.” I forced myself not to laugh. His hand flew around his mouth to wipe the drool but when he found out that nothing was there, he glared at me.
“You really like making fun of me, don’t you?” He asked and sounded lightly offended and that hurt for me too.
“Oi. I was just messing with you. Not really meaning to make fun of you.” I said and apologized.
“God, I’m so cranky when I wake up. Sorry Rick, You should be used to it.” I sighed in relief. “If anything, I’d miss you and your teasing.” He said absently while he rubbed his eyes. I smiled, he’s really like a baby brother, sweet and adorable.
“Come on. I bet they made your favorite meal, fried Cauliflower.” I feigned enthusiasm on the last part of my statement. Tate looked like he was about to protest. “I know. They’re healthy and good for the body.”
He huffed and rolled his eyes, grumbling something under his breath. I went to ask but he ignored me and went to the bathroom. Great now I annoyed him again. “Tate, Come on. I was just joking.” The sound of gushing water was all I heard. A moment longer and the door to the bathroom opened. He was glaring daggers at me making me raise my hands in surrender.
“Yeah and I’m joking too when I say you should eat vegetables and not just meat. One of these days, those that you’ve eaten will be a pain in your butt and mark my words.” For a moment back there, I thought he’d blow up and get mad at me for constantly teasing him but he’s actually lashing out on my diet.
“You’re concerned for my health?” I asked in disbelief. I mean, yeah stupid question but I really thought he’d scream at me.
Tate looked at me as if I grew another head. “What on earth are you talking about? Of course I’m concerned for you.” He walked out of the bathroom and took my hand before dragging me with him to dining room. “Let’s go so I can go back to sleep.”
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Morning came and as usual, Tate was already awake before me. I can tell that he had a shower already since he smelt of fresh vanilla. I leaned on the doorframe of the kitchen as I observed him run around the room, making himself busy and humming some song. Gloria, the one in charge in the kitchen looked amazed how Tate could run things so fast without messing things up and himself. He wore an oversized shirt and only on his boxers, his usual attire in the morning. One time he said that he doesn’t like change to something he wears for school not unless he had fifteen minutes left before the first bell. He was frying bacons and making pancakes, Gloria looked bored already since someone has taken her place and was left to do the table and make some juice but you could see that she was amused at Tate. He lifted his eyes from the pans and as soon as it landed on me, he smiled.
“Glad you’re already awake.” He said cheerfully. “Come, get some bacons and pancakes, you should eat already.” He finished as he flipped a pancake. I walked towards him and grab the spatula he was holding and grabbed his hand. “Hey!” He protested. “The bacon’s going to burn, give me back my spatula.” He whined but I dragged him to the table and handed the spatula to Gloria, the latter took it and looked thankful. I turned to Tate and removed the apron he was wearing and hanged it on one of the chairs. “I’m sure Gloria can handle your bacons and pancakes. You’re eating with me.” I said and forced him on one chair. I took two plates and went to Gloria to get some bacons and pancakes. I handed Tate one plate and I sat beside him. “Thank you, Rick. You’re extra sweet today.” He said with a wide smile. I pinched his cheek before planting a kiss. I saw him blush and my doubts were there again but I pushed them down. “That’s because you’re cheerful and I got infected with your mood.” I said and went to eat.
Our breakfast was interesting. I asked Tate if he liked someone and he intensely blushed. I think his naturally pink lips turned red. So he liked someone, I asked for the name but he didn’t give any. I asked if I knew who she was but for a moment he turned silent before saying “maybe”. Okay, he’s being so cryptic lately.
“Come on, tell me. I don’t keep it a secret from you if I have a crush on someone.” I tried to make him guilty but his face turned blank when he looked at me.
“For the record, you only had one serious relationship.” He said and my mood darkened when a certain memory was triggered. Tate pinched my earlobe and I winced. “What was that for?” I complained and he gave me a warning glare. “Stop that, it was over. And I doubt you have a crush on the girls you bang.” He shook his head and went to continue eating. I scowled and huffed but he just rolled his eyes. “Fine. You know the person. That’s all, no more questions or I’ll tell Derek, Scott, Mark and Kirk you cried over a splinter.” He threatened and my jaw dropped.
“You wouldn’t dare.” I challenged.
He smiled smugly. “You know I would.”
I pouted. “You’re so mean. You should be thankful we’re best friends or I’d have exploited your weakness already. But since I love you so much, I can’t do that.”
“And I love you too. Now eat or we’re going to be late.” He said and patted my cheek. I glared at him but he just gave me a toothy grin. The little punk.
When I was ready, Tate was waiting for me in the living looking at something on his phone. He looked hopeless and sighed before putting his phone away. “What were you looking at?” I asked. He shook his head and stood up from where he was seated and retrieved his bag.
“Just my parents.” He tiredly. I gave him a hug, a tight one as soon as I got to him. “Thanks…” He mumbled.
“If you’re lonely about your parents, you can talk to me, Tate. You know I’d be there for you.” I said with all sincerity. Whatever happens, I’d be there for him.
He stopped in his tracks and turned to me. “I know but I don’t want to drag you to my drama because you feel obligated - ”
“Stop right there!” I said irritated and Tate look at me with surprised eyes. “Tey, you’re not an obligation. You know that. I don’t want to see you so lonely because it hurts me too. I want to take that pain of yours anyway I can and if being there is all that could do then I’d do it by heart.” He looked at me with teary eyes then hugged me and he buried his face in my chest.
“I’m sorry. I know that. It’s just that I haven’t completely moved on about my parents’ death even though it has been 5 years now. I don’t know what to do, every time I have nothing to do memories of them rushes back to me and I remember every detail as if it was just yesterday… and it hurts so much… it hurts not to see and hold them…” He sobbed in front of me. Tate haven’t had this breakdowns in almost a year now. I hugged him tighter as I felt my shirt getting wet from his tears.
“Shhhh…” I cooed while I rubbed his back. “Promise me, even if I have things to do and when you feel alone and not busy and you don’t want to cry, you must spend that boring hours with me. Okay?” He just nodded and moved back wiping his eyes.
“Oh crap!” He exclaimed with a runny nose. “I ruined your shirt. I’m sorry.” I looked and my shirt and there it was a map of wet fabric but it doesn’t matter, it’ll dry and besides it came from Tate.
“That’s fine, It’ll dry.” I assured him. “We should go, or we’ll really be late.” I said as I rounded the driver’s seat of my car.
During the drive, Tate felt much better. He was talking animatedly about some movie that he saw. I think it was called ‘P.S. I Love You’. He narrated to me how the man had planned everything before his death for his wife. The time when the girl received her birthday present from his husband that came with a tape recorder with message recorded on the tape. The trip to Ireland and so on and so forth. Tate said the husband was a man. To think that he still thought and guided his wife to move on from his death and live life further than he had. And then Tate talked about seeing a movie and asked me if I’d watch it with him. Of course my answer was yes. It’s not like I have a lot of things to do and I decided to lay off with the girls for now. Even if I had a date scheduled, I’d cancel it for Tate.
We arrived at school and my three other close friends: Scott, Mark and Kirk was waiting for us under a tree. Derek wasn’t there so maybe he was already inside since the man was a member of the student council, maybe Reyna the president dragged him to do something.
I moved out of the car and went to greet my friends when I noticed Tate wasn’t behind me. I looked back in the car and he was still there struggling to unbuckle the seatbelt. I chuckled and jogged back to car and helped him.
“Of all the times your seatbelt could throw a fit and it decided on a Monday…” he complained. I laughed lightly. “I swear, my seatbelt loves to hug, you.”
Tate didn’t utter a reply so I looked at him. He stiffened in his seat and his closed. “What’s wrong, Tey?” I asked in worry.
“Nothing… Just got dizzy for a moment…” He gave a tight smile. “I’m okay now.” But he was still stiff and his back was so straight to the seat. “Uhm, could you move a little?” He asked and I just realized we were so close. I get it now.
I smirked knowingly. “You’re aware of our proximity.” I pointed the fact. His face flushed and went to utter a reply. “N-no it’s just - ” I moved my face closer to him and he sank back. Yup, definitely aware. I chuckled and kissed nose. “Come on boyfriend. My friends are waiting for you.” I moved so he could get out and as soon as he shut the car’s door, I draped an arm around his shoulder. I dragged Tate with me to the guys who were smiling visibly. Tate was getting awkward just as usual when his with the guys, especially when Derek is around.
Scott wolf whistled and winked directly at Tate. A feeling stirred inside me, something like irritation towards Scott’s action. He came closer and snatched Tate away from and encased him with a hug and that just made me more irritated. I wanted to say something but Tate was gasping for air and breathing labored.
“C-can’t br-breathe… Let. Me. Go…” He managed while he was slapping Scott’s back. The latter realized he was killing him and let go and gave him a sheepish smile. Tate heaved a heavy breath and panted. “Sorry, I’m just glad to see you, Tate. I missed you yesterday.” Scott although the buffest guy in the group was sometimes childish. But don’t get caught in his childish front, that’s just a defensive mechanism when he says things and shows his very soft side. He can be very serious and bright like in the field, where he is the master. He’s the captain of the football team, the quarterback at that too. “It’s not like we haven’t seen each other in years.” Tate said with amusement.
“Don’t you go hugging Tate like that. With your bear-like body, you can snap Tate in two.” I said, masking my irritation.
“Ohhh!” Mark joined in. “Boyfriend is jealous.” He wiggled his brows and smiled.
I snorted. “Am not. Tate spends most of his time with me and not you. Just concerned.”
Mark was the goofy guy in the group a skateboarder and a crew member of the road beatz, one of the famous groups in town when it came to dance. Awesomely, he balances skateboard and dancing but I can’t say the same with his studies. He’s not failing but his report card have C’s.
“The bell will ring any minute.” Kirk jumped in. “Hi there, Tate.” He greeted and offered Tate a warm smile. Tate said “hello” in reply. Kirk was the warmest member of the group but the guy has some sort of minor ADHD. One thing he’s talking to you and the next he’d be reading a book that interest him. He is also a captain of the debate team and I could say he can hold his ground well.
“Hey!” someone called from afar and we looked to see who it was. Derek was running from the main hall of the school. When he arrived he directly slumped unto Kirk’s back and sighed. “God, Reyna such a boss. I’m tired already. How are you guys?” Kirk let him do so but he was straining to keep up with his weight. Derek then noticed us. He gave me a nod and smiled widely at Tate. “Hey there baby boy!” He cheered and ruffled Tate’s hair making him whine and protest. “There’s something missing.” He said and pushed Tate to my side. He took my hand and draped it back to Tate’s shoulder and pushed Tate more to my side. “There!” He exclaimed. “The sight of the most adorable couple in campus. That completed my day.” I felt Tate shift on my side and tried to move away but I didn’t let him. This is why Tate acts so awkward when Derek is around. The guy was such a teaser and his target is always Tate. He said that Tate is like the baby boy that has to have the attention and we know how much Tate hates public attention but Derek never failed to tease him every day.
“Are you sure no one of you is gay?” He asked and Kirk smacked his forehead with his hand. None of the group is homophobic but Derek is so tactless sometimes. “It such a waste you know. But Tate would do so much if he’s gay, that awkward, silent and cute face would be so much of an asset and then Cedric will top you.” I bet Tate is so red now.
“What’s a top?” Scott asked.
“It means that Cedric will…” Mark humped the air and pointed to Tate. I looked at Tate’s face and he was so red and his mouth closed and opened. The poor guy.
I tugged Tate closer to me, it’s time I talk. “Derek, stop teasing him. Tate looks like a fish out of the water and Mark, none of those explicit act, you’ll corrupt his mind. And that’s just rather… gross.” I said and shook my head. I almost shuddered at the thought. Derek’s eyes flew to Tate who tensed and stiffened beside me. He placed a distance between us and regained his standing. He’s uncomfortable, I thought. Maybe he’s not gay and I’m putting some weird sense of his reactions. Right, to think of it, Tate has always been this way. Taking things slowly and with care thus also reflects on his character. Derek for a moment lost his smile and frowned. I wanted to ask what’s wrong but the bell rang for our first subject.
“Ohhh.. Protective…” Scott made the last comment and we walked to the doors. We noticed Kirk wasn’t with us and when we looked back he was so consumed in a pocketbook while standing. Derek shook his head and sighed. Scott went traced back his steps and pushed Kirk to walk. Yeah this is my group, amazing aren’t they?
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