The Secret Closet

Zero

What are the chances that you could meet a walking, breathing manga character?

In my mind he was Alex. A high school gang leader and womanizer, who ends up falling in love with an unnoticeable nerd Nattarin that teaches him about manners and true love.

No one will probably understand but Alex and Nattarin were the ones who opened my eyes to this unspeakable but thrilling experience. And seeing Alex come alive right before my eyes isn't something I could let go of easily.

His name is Mew. He plays basketball way better than studying and he's often called out with his friends whose hobbies seem to be making trouble. However, this doesn't take away his popularity with the girls. He was good-looking and attractive. And quite frankly, if this narrow-minded society permits, I would fanboy over him too.

I've been watching him from the sidelines. I watched his basketball games and I also watched him get scolded inside the teacher's lounge. It was entertaining following him around. But I often thought how much more fun it would be if there was a real-life Nattarin in this school too. I would definitely ship them quietly and enjoy myself.

My 'slight' stalking usually ends as soon as classes end too. I stay at school for extra student council work while he and his gang are usually the first ones to step out the gates and have fun in some parts of the city.

"Gulf, thank you so much and I'm sorry for keeping you here for so long. I can drop you off at your house."

"It's okay Phi. If I didn't help you, you will never finish on time. I can go home by myself too. My house isn't too far away from here." I tidy up the documents that are to be submitted to the school admin.

"Are you sure? But it's getting dark."

"I can manage." I smiled at P'Tong and went ahead of him.

It was indeed dark. On my way home, less people passed by and the sound of cars were becoming faint. I looked at the road I was about to walk into. The one time I decided to take the short way home, the street light in the alley was somehow broken. I froze for a second as if my instinct was kicking in and telling me something.

It's a little past 8. I have never been out this late before and maybe my mind is just a little hesitant. It's probably nothing.

I shake whatever was bothering me and walked in silence. I grabbed my phone to increase the volume of my music. I still feel a little creeped out by the absence of light but I was only a few meters away from my house.

Fuck. Suddenly a man in a hoodie was approaching me. It was too hard to brush it off and assume that he was just passing by because as wide as the alley was, he was walking straight towards me and at a fast pace. I knew I had to turn around. There was something malicious about him and I didn't want to confirm it.

I should have taken the long way home. Or perhaps, accepted P'Tong's kind gesture and let him take me home.

I was blocked by another man who was following behind me all along. He pushed me to the ground. I helplessly crawled backward but a knife was placed under my chin.

I could feel myself tearing up upon the realization that I was in a very bad situation.

"Please. I have nothing. I'm just a student."

"We have seen where you live, kid. We know you're loaded." The blade has touched my skin— forcing me to stay still as possible.

"Now, give us your wallet, phone, and watch." I closed my eyes and clutched my bag tighter. I didn't want to give them anything. Everything was important to me.