In Motion

Chapter 13: Look After You by The Fray (2007)

TK? 6ish?

Gab texted me that Friday, just as we had talked about. I just wrapped up my group meeting in BA and was driving to Math, The Fray playing in the background. Everyone seemed hung up on How to Save A Life. But the hidden gem in that album was the cheesy ballad Look After You. 

Yeah, whatever. Fuck off.

see ya, I replied to Gab after I parked in Math. His next message caught me off guard: Bring Martin. 

I got out of my car just as classes were being dismissed. Standing against my car door, I looked like someone's suitor.

But I kinda was? So that would make Martin my...? 

Before I could make sense of our confusing non-labels, I saw Martin standing by the exit, smiling at me. He looked every bit of a campus dote towering over people: white polo shirt, blue jeans, Chucks. He was clutching the straps of his backpack, his stifled smiled showing his dimples.

I took a slow breath in. They weren't kidding about that heart-skipping thing. 

Martin walked toward me with that smile. I scratched my lowered head, afraid that a blush was gonna give me away. 

"Hey, you," I said then bit my lower lip. I needed to stop smiling too much. 

Instead of a hey, Martin moved in to hug me. It was quick, just a couple of taps on my back and his chin tucked on my shoulder. But the feeling of his chest against mine, even for just a few seconds, sent my breaths into overdrive.  Man, I was gonna need to carry that inhaler soon, just in case. 

"You look like someone's lover boy," he commented, taking in my blue polo shirt, khakis, and white sneakers. 

I cocked my eyebrows, hoping to say "Yours?" Martin got the message. Laughing, he swatted my arm with the back of his hand.

We were such stereotypes. It wasn't even funny anymore. 

"You have plans tonight?" I asked. He shook his head, eyes still twinkling.

"Wanna drink at TK?" I invited. "With Gab?"

His eyes widened but recovered after a split second. The subtext was clear to him: parents, best friend, first kiss. We were... well, we weren't just class partners anymore. 

"Let's go," he said. His eyes lost their shine, replaced by nervous blinking. 

We found Gab at our usual terrace spot in Tomato Kick Maginhawa, a bucket of Red Horse already on the table. The usual Friday crowd of college students was starting to fill the place.

I sat opposite Gab while Martin took the seat beside me. Gab couldn't help shifting his eyes between us, trying to hide his amusement.

I glared at him while reaching for a bottle. I opened it and placed it in front of Martin. Gab drank from his beer bottle to stop himself from "Yiiieee"-ing. Probably. Immature ass.

Martin murmured his thanks. He took in Gab's expression with curiosity.

"How're your classes?" Gab asked, trying (and failing) to hide his kilig.

"They're okay," Martin replied, ignoring Gab's punch-worthy face. "I think I'm nearing hell week."

"Welcome to UP," Gab said, raising his bottle. Martin clinked it with his and they drank.

"So where d'you go to high school?" Gab asked after draining half of his bottle.

"Anselm," Martin replied, wiping his mouth.