CHRISTIAN GAY

1

Adam's POV:

It's Monday. Besides, it's resumption week. I had mixed emotions. Well, it had always been like that though, I shrugged off my uneasiness. I was thrilled by the fact that I would get to meet my friends again; besides there is this guy have been missing;  although, we only met last year. But, I also had obsessive thoughts about how people would have changed and what could have happened during the long holiday.

I took a deep sigh, stopped walking and rubbed my chest with my sweaty palm as I muttered It's alright to myself.

I started walking again, this time, in a more relaxed manner with a mind free from wearying thoughts. As I walked through the gates, I  recognized a voice that called out my name. Hearing that voice sent chills down my spine. I just can't explain what feeling it was, but I know I felt nervous. I turned around to see who called and it was him. Reuben.

"Hey, buddy!", Reuben gave me a hard slap on the back.

"Ouch! That hurts!", I flinched. Reuben could be annoying sometimes. I even wonder why I so much like him, knowing how irrational he could be.

"What? It was just a friendly pat, fella. Don't be a sulk bro."

"Really? Honestly, I won't call that a pat. That was a hard slap on my back, Reuben", I stressed the name Reuben.

"Whatever."

We were silent for awhile as we walked the corridor of the classrooms. Or, better still, our old classrooms. Now, we are in final year in secondary school and we are definitely going to have to go up to the next floor meant for the SS3 students.

The school had two tall storey-buildings, with three floors each, comprising of classrooms for each class. The buildings are erected more than forty feet apart and with one adjacent to the other. For the building on the left, the first, second and third floor were for JSS 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Same goes for the other block for the senior classes.

As Reuben and I climbed the stairs heading for the third floor, Reuben suddenly grabbed my shoulders and turned me around with a force that I couldn't resist. Then he screened me with his raving eyes from head to toe. I felt uncomfortable. I tried to follow his eyes as they ogled at me. Maybe ogle was an exaggeration, but I couldn't find any better word. Besides, I was lusting after all. I was about getting lost in thoughts on how charming his eyes were when I got jerked to reality by his loud remark.

"You've changed man!", Reuben remarked and smiled.

I was silent for a second. I didn't know if I should thank him or just let it slide, because I felt Reuben was trying to flatter me.

"Are... you... sure?"

"Yeah! You've grown! You've even got moustache.", He pointed at my philtrum and giggled.

I wasn't satisfied. I don't know what it is, but something makes me feel inferior when am with Reuben. I just simply lose my self-esteem.

"But, why do I feel uneasy about your comment about me? It seems you are making this up!"

"Well, that's up to you. I've expressed my observations and that's what matters."

*Thanks anyway." Truly, that was up to me, because Reuben had never been so bossy or full of himself around me, at least for the short time we've spent together.

Reuben gave a nod in response.

"So, how was holiday? I bet it was interesting.", He tried to keep the conversation going. Something inside me makes me feel Reuben wasn't natural in relating with me. Not an evil intent though, but it wasn't good as well. It seems I could read his motives behind each of the actions he makes and they all have the same strong fervour.

"I'm sure you don't wanna know how my holiday was like, Reuben. I'm sure it was not a thing compared to yours." Now, I've given off my self-esteem. It's so low!

"Come on, Adam. It doesn't matter. Just tell me how your holiday went?"

I sighed. Reuben wouldn't stop even if I asked him to. Or so I thought, because I can't remember resisting him ever. Not even once.

"It was boring.", I said that with so much unhappiness. It was obvious. But, it was what I couldn't help. Normally, I would have tried to give a simple like "It was fine." but I just can't hide my vulnerabilities when am around Reuben. The more I try to hide them, the more I get exposed.

"Oh. I can see why you don't want to talk about it."

I smiled. We entered our new classroom and I sat on a chair at the right extreme end on the third row. I turned around to face the back as Reuben sat on a chair across to me that was on the fourth row. I could feel it again. It was intense. I thought I could get choked by the heat that was brimming between us and I should go outside for ventilation; but I still wanted to stay. I stayed anyway.

"How do you know I don't want to talk about it?"

"It was all over your face when you said it."

I knew it.

"Anyways, how was yours?"

"Are you sure you wanna hear it?" I'm sure he was teasing me.

I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled.

"Mine was good."

"Is that all?"

"Come on. I'm just being fair. I mean, you also responded in a curt manner. You can't expect me to be elaborate about mine, can you?"

"Now you are holding my response against me."

"No, am not. I'm just being fair." He smirked.

I smiled also. I was about talking when I saw the rest of the class rise in unison. I turned around to face the board, then I saw Mr. Green standing before the whole class.

I tried to maintain a good poise but I couldn't control my thoughts as they drifted away into fantasy. I could hear Mr. Green clearly when he started his speech:

"Good morning class. Welcome to SS3! This is your final year in school and I'm glad to announce to you that..."

I couldn't hear anymore. I was lost in thoughts. I was no longer in the classroom. My mind was foggy and the root cause of it was Reuben.

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