The Guy I Called My First Love

Chapter 12

Forget about it. No matter how many times I call Neo, he never picks up. In the end I just grabbed a cab and told it to stop at Alexis Apartment where Neo is staying. It is already 6PM, or does he have a class in this time? I don't know, I don't have his schedule either and I wasn't in my phone as well so I don't have the time to text him.

I am sure he is okay. Maybe he was just sleeping and charging his phone at the moment.

When the cab stopped I immediately handed my fare and went inside the Apartment. I am thinking of sleeping in his unit because I don't think I have the courage of facing my Father now that I have bad news. I don't want them to worry about me either. 

But I hope they don't know that Grace is not in this world anymore. They will be sad as well and I could not bear that.

"Ate, are you okay?" I almost jumped on my post when I felt a finger pressed my shoulder. Still, in daze, I turned over my shoulder only to found out it is the guy I saw on the elevator.  

Different from where I first saw him, he is wearing a uniform similar to the color of the university. The college is not that strict about uniforms so I barely see students in full colored uniforms, but he is wearing a blue vest and white long sleeves. I can see his tie inside his vest as well. I am familiar with our uniform although I rarely wear it, but this is not our school's uniform.

"Ate?" he called once again and I just realized that he must be a senior high student! That explains why he looks younger than me even though he has a nice built.

"Oh? Ikaw pala. Coming home from school?" I asked while waiting for our lift.

He nodded with enthusiasm that I could not help but smile. I like it that he is friendly and expressive. He looks excited seeing me. He looks like my younger brother, although I don't have one. 

Parang nawala tuloy yung nararamdaman kong bumabagabag sa puso ko kanina. I think meeting with Neo is really a good idea.

"Yes, ate. By the way po, can I ask your name po?" Hindi ko naman siya matitiis ngayong nagpo-po siya sa akin at sobrang cute niya pa sa uniform niya. Oh, aside from cute he looks manly as well. He has a really broad shoulders that I couldn't help my tongue to ask if he is an athlete. 

"Yes, po I am in our varsity. You should come since malapit na rin yung School Festival po."

The elevator finally opened and I was the first one who went inside and he settled on my side. He pressed the number 3 on the buttons. And I thought our ride will be quiet when he spoke once again.

"Ate Rhys, hehe. Ilang taon na po ba kayong mag-on ni Neo?" 

"Almost a year na." Ngiti kong tugon sa kaniya. Ngunit napatigil din ako at pabiro siyang tinanong. "Bakit Neo lang tawag mo sa kaniya? He is 4 years older than you. You should call him Kuya as well." I faked a disappointment smile to scare him a little but he is just calm to answer me as fast as the bolt of lightning.

"He was the one who offered to call him just Neo po." 

I hummed and nodded my head. "Then just call me Rhys, as well. One year lang ang gap natin 'di ba?" Nag-conclude na kaagad ako na Grade 12 na siya at tama naman ako nang tumango siya. 

"By the way, paano kayo nagkakilala ni Neo?" 

After I asked that the lift opened and we stepped outside. Hinintay ko pa yung sagot niya at wala namang tao kaya nanatili lamang kami sa gitna.

Napakamot siya sa kaniyang batok at ngumiti habang nakayuko. "12 PM po kasi yung klase ko dahil pang-afternoon yung klase ko tapos naabutan ko si Neo dito mismo sa elevator at nagmamadali na talaga ako noon at hindi ko pa nasuot yung neck tie ko na naiwan sa kwarto ko, babalikan ko sana iyon nang mag-close na ang elevator tapos--"