Next Stop, Us

Just Like Everyone

After a few more photoshoots under the blazing sun, we finally return to our picnic spot. We continued enjoying the delicious food, laughing together.

All good things come to an end eventually because dark clouds started closing in. "It's about to rain. I think we better pack up and head to that gazebo over there," Adam said while pointing to a distant gazebo. All of us hurriedly scurry to the nearby gazebo to take shelter from the rain.

The rain clouds have covered the beautiful sunlight of the day and all that's left is the rain that is coming down. "Too bad it's raining," I said while looking out.

"It's alright. I think we had fun before the rain came," Albert said as he stretched out his hand, collecting the falling raindrops on his palm. Albert is right...we had fun before the rain came. With the heavy rain, we waited for a while before heading home.

"The rain doesn't seem to be letting up and we can't wait here forever," Albert said as he takes off his jacket and drapes it over me. "We gotta run to the car,"

Albert and I run over to the car together, with his jacket draped over me, not that it really helps block any rain but it's a kind gesture. Stepping into puddles and running against the howling wind isn't something I'd do when I'm alone.

We made it to the car, drenched by the rain and laughing. "That was fun!" Albert said out loud, laughing as he crashes into the driver's seat. Albert looked over at me while donning his bright smile.

I too am looking at Albert, with our dripping hair and wet clothes. It's this feeling again. A faster heartbeat and the accompanying silence.

"The jacket didn't help at all. We're both still soaking wet," Albert commented, breaking the silence. "Yea, the rain is extra heavy today," I replied while checking the weather on my phone. "Looks like it'll be raining until later tonight,"

"We best be on our way if we don't want to get stuck in the traffic jam later," Albert said as he drove off. The traffic jam happened sooner than expected. What was supposedly a twenty-minute car ride became an hour instead. Albert's Chinese love songs playlist was on, the car's wipers swipe every few minutes, and the cold weather. This is the perfect combination for a nap.

I probably fell asleep halfway on the road. I woke up with Albert's jacket draped over me and we were already in front of my apartment. "You're awake," Albert said as he sees me adjusting the passenger seat.

"Sorry I fell asleep halfway," I apologized. "Thanks for the ride home," I said as I got out of the car before Albert called out. "You want to grab lunch tomorrow?"

I hesitate to give a reply but I eventually did. "Sure. I'll see you tomorrow,"

I watch as Albert's car drives off and disappears into the distant road. "Every day has been eventful since meeting you," I tell myself before heading home.

There seems to be some rumor going around campus grounds the next day. It seems to have gotten everyone worked up about it.

"Owen! Did you hear the rumor?" Sierra pulled me down to the lunch table. Albert, Adam, and Eli were there too. "What rumor?" "Someone in the Faculty of Engineering is rumored to be gay!" Sierra said with a shocked expression.

A gay? But what is there to be worked up about? It's not like the person is the Student Council President or anything.

"What's there to be shocked about? I'm sure there are plenty of other people who are part of the LGBT Community. He is just like everyone else, still a human," I answered. "That's true however it seems that the faculty seniors aren't happy about it. They seem to be looking for that person; not sure what they'll do to him," Sierra explained.

"What do you guys think about it?" Sierra asked Adam and Albert while pushing her tray of food to the front of me. "Are you not going to eat your mashed potatoes?" I asked with Sierra quickly shaking her head in response.

"Honestly, I have no opinion towards it. They can just do whatever they want," Adam replied while taking a scoop of Sierra's mashed potatoes.

"What about you, Albert?" Sierra turned. I too turned to Albert to await his response. "I don't think there's any problem too,"

I felt relieved hearing Albert say that.

"But if they would confess to a guy, they're probably going to be rejected. They could head off to maybe Thailand, get surgery, and come back with a confession. They'd be a girl then so the guy has no reason to reject them. It goes the same for girls I guess," Albert continued, giving a ridiculous answer yet he isn't wrong.

"Albert..." Adam gave Albert a quick jab using his elbow, signaling him to stop talking.

"I need to head to the washroom," I excused myself after hearing Albert's answer.

In the bathroom, I freshen myself up. I was still taken aback by Albert's answer when all of a sudden, I could hear sobbing in one of the stalls.

"I'm scared to even roam the corridors! I don't know who leaked it. What if I get beaten up the moment I step out?" The voice cried out. They seem to be on the phone with someone.

Could he be the one that the rumors were talking about? Has he been crying here all by himself?

I approached the door of the stall. My hands hesitate to knock and ask if they were doing alright but before I could, a group of guys walked into the washroom.

"Can you believe such a guy exists?" "If you're in the FOE then you gotta be interested in girls!" "That guy is sick! I'm sure he is crying right now!"

They're from the Faculty of Engineering. That's what FOE stands for.

"If I see him, I'm going to beat him up and turn him straight! We'll make a man out of him," They said before turning over to me.

"I can hear you loud and clear. The guy you're looking for.... he ran out crying as I came in," I said, lying to them and leading them out of the bathroom.

Such a shame that the faculty has such disrespectful students.

Just as I finished my inside thought, the stall door swung open. That guy walked past me like a mindless zombie, slightly dragging his feet. His eyes were emotionless.

I could feel my hands and legs trembling as that guy leaves. I'm worried for him and everyone like him.