Sparks Fly

Gay Friend

Chapter 7

Zarina’s pov:

As soon as the bell rang, I immediately arranged my belongings and prepared to leave the classroom. My classmates had already stood up and some had already left the room. I also stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder. I picked up my books that were lying on my desk and carried them in my arm then I went out the door. I went down the building alone and headed to my locker.

The truth is I don't have many friends at school. Just like before, I feel like there are still a lot of eyes staring at me and I seem to hear some whispers as well. I don’t really like that feeling as if they’re watching me until I make a mistake or as if they’re looking for my evil side. I don’t know if I’m right or wrong with my suspicion, but… I just really don’t like the feeling so as much as possible, I just avoid their eyes.

I don't even know why. I don’t know why I feel that way. Sometimes I think I'm just anxious and that's not true, but often I really feel like I'm right. Sometimes I ask myself if my behavior is bad or what is wrong with me. Why do they seem to dislike me? Am I really at fault?

I sighed.

I'm thinking too much and I'm stressing myself out again. Hmm!

I reached the locker room without even speaking a word. There were some students there and I noticed their stealthy glances at me when I arrived so I just looked down into the distance as I walked towards my locker.

When I opened my locker, there were some love letters in it again. I felt sharp looks again from some women around me so my teeth chattered and my forehead furrowed in an instant. I immediately collected the letters and quickly put them all in the trash.

Sh*t! Not again!!!

Why do they give me things like this? I think this is one of the reasons why others don’t like me! Urgh!

I just slammed my books into the locker and immediately closed it. I just avoided looking at the sharp eyes staring at me and I hurried to leave that place. My eyes were just pinned in front of me with a blank expression on my face as I took large steps out of the locker room.

It’s really annoying but I can’t do anything about those letters! Every day it never fails to have a love letter inside. If only I could change my locker without them knowing, tzk!

"Hey! Zarina!" called a male voice.

Someone is calling me but I restrained myself from turning around. I continued walking and pretended as if I hadn’t heard anything.

That voice sounds like Nico! Oh no, he might harass me again!

I bit my lower lip so hard and I hurried to walk to the parking lot where my motorbike was but I also heard the footsteps of the man who called me as if running to follow me.

Sh*t!

“Zarina, wait!” he called again.

He came close to me and grabbed my arm to stop me from walking. He pulled my hand gently so that I could face him and when I recognized who he was, I was so surprised.

It was Nate!

"Zarina! Why do you seem to be in a hurry?" he asked with a sweet smile on his lips.

Ow gash! Thank goodness, it was him!

It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of my chest when I found out it was him and not his cousin Nico. They seem to have the same voice so I really tried to avoid him. Luckily, he’s not Nico!

I smiled and took a deep breath as a sign of relief. He chuckled as he stared at me and squeezed my cheek.

"Awww!!!" I groaned when I felt the pain it caused on my cheek.

Every time we meet, he always does that to me but until now I am still not used to it. It still hurts too much!

"What kind of face is that? Did something happen?" he laughed softly at his question.

I tapped his hand and simply looked around.

"Don't do that to me! They might think you're my boyfriend, they don't even know you're gay!" I whispered to him as I turned to the other side.

The quick teasing grin on his face disappeared and was replaced by annoyance. Why? Am I just telling the truth? Ahahahah!

Yes, the handsome man in front of me is gay! So somehow, I was comfortable with him.

"Shut your f*cking mouth girl, if someone will hear you, I'll tweak you until you’re bald!" his teeth clenched as he told me this in a low voice.

I covered my mouth and laughed quietly. His expression is so cute when he is annoyed. I'm really sorry for how handsome he looks, it's a pity that no woman will benefit from that.

"Fine! Fine, I'm sorry!" I tried to hold back my laughter.

"So, why are you in such a hurry? And why did you ignore me?" he asked again.

"I'm sorry! I thought you were Nico! You have the same voice!" I apologized.

"Nico? Do we have the same tone of voice? Nonsense, even though I'm like THIS, I'm more handsome and I have a stronger appeal than him!" he jokingly said as he acted like he was a cool guy and winked at me.

What the—? Ahahahah!

He's really funny! I laughed at his jest and I couldn't help but slap my palm hard on his arm. That’s really automatic to me when I’m excited or annoyed. Ahahahah!

"Ouch! That hurts!" he frowned and looked at me sullenly.

"You jerk! If he hears you, you're done! Even if you're more handsome than him, he's more badass than you," I warned him while chuckling.

He lost his rudeness and I felt he became serious as he stared at me. Hmm? Why? W-what did I say?

…

…

…

"Do you think I'm more handsome than Nico?" he asked.

Gradually my laughter faded as I felt embarrassed by his stares. Why so?

As he looked at me... it was as if... as if he had changed? I felt like he’s not Nate? I felt like he was a… real man? Or is it just my imagination?

"W-Why are you asking?" I asked awkwardly with a bitter smile.

He didn't say a word and he still looked straight at me. I was conscious so I avoided looking into his eyes. After all, no one would really think that he was gay and I wouldn't think that either if I just didn't know the truth.

What the heck is this unpleasant atmosphere between us?! Urghm…

He suddenly smiled broadly and squeezed both my cheeks again at the same time.

"I don't want to be handsome! I want to be beautiful! You are so silly girl!" he replied as he pinched me.

"Ouch!!! Stop it! Stop it!!!” I pleaded as I slapped him on his massive chest. “Yeah, you're beautiful! Just stop it!!! Aww!!!"

When he heard what I said he released me and he crossed his arms over his chest then he sighed and glared at me wickedly.

"Good! And I'm prettier than you," he added teasingly.

I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head in disbelief.

"Fine! Whatever," I said and I sighed as I rubbed my cheeks that seemed swollen from what he did.

He really is a witch! I will make him pay for what he did to me someday!

I heard him laugh again. He's really crazy!

But... why is that, I really felt different from him earlier. But no! She is a woman hiding in a man’s body! I knew that because I saw him and Keith hugging each other and they said they were a couple! They just don’t let it be known to others because they are both one of the best players on our school’s Basketball team. I just saw it by accident that is why they admitted it to me.

Yes, I've seen their sweetness to each other a few times so why did I think earlier that he's really a man?

Crazy thoughts but… I really didn’t know what I would do when I found out he was really a man. I often hug him and sometimes I even kiss him on the cheek! So, he really shouldn’t be a man!

Hmm. What am I thinking? Of course, he is gay! That’s just my imagination! It's ... it's nothing!

"Oh, why are you spacing out? Do you have a problem, girl? Did Nico do something to you?" he asked with astonishment.

I seem to be back in the present so I turned to him immediately.

"Huh? Nothing! I just remembered something!" I lied and forced myself to smile at him. "Are you not going home yet?"

I don’t want to tell him what Nico did to me. He might kick Nico on his ass and slap him in the face! I don’t want trouble especially if my friend gets involved!

"Not yet! We still have basketball practice and... you know, I want to be with my boyfriend!" he said flirtatiously with a wide smile as his eyebrows moved up and down.

Here’s what I am talking about!

Look at this slut! Hmph! It was like she wanted me to be jealous of him that he had a boyfriend and I didn’t have one. One hundred and one percent sure that... he really is gay! I already cleared all my doubts! Ow, geez!

"Then go ahead! What else are you standing there, go to Keith! I'm heading home, Mom is already waiting for me at the bakery," I told him.

"Ow, okay! Be careful on the road! Bye gorgeous," he waved his hand and jogged away from me.

I just followed him with my gaze while smiling and waving goodbye. I’m glad I saw Nate today. He relieved my irritation, at least I wouldn't come home in a bad mood. He's one of the few friends I have, and I'm glad he's one of them.

I'm okay with a few friends, as long as they're real and trustworthy... like Nate. I'm happy that they are the only ones I have and not the pretentious friends that others have.