Saturday arrived with a gray sky, heavy with the threat of rain. Perry stood outside the local library, the chosen spot for the first study session. He pulled his jacket tighter, watching as a few scattered raindrops dotted the pavement. He felt a nervous excitement—a feeling he wasn’t entirely used to but was beginning to expect whenever he met with this new group of friends.
“Perry!” Juanita’s voice broke through his thoughts as she bounded over, her bright yellow scarf trailing in the wind behind her. “You’re early!” she beamed, her smile widening when she noticed he had brought his notebook.
“I like being early,” he replied, offering her a small smile beneath his mask. Despite the chill in the air, Juanita’s warmth felt contagious.
Soon, Selomi joined them, her quiet elegance contrasting with Juanita’s energy. She nodded at Perry, her gaze lingering for a moment. “Ready for a productive day?” she asked, her tone calm and confident.
Perry nodded. “Yeah, ready.”
“Good! Because I have a whole plan,” Juanita announced, opening her notebook with a dramatic flourish. She seemed to thrive in moments like these, her enthusiasm sparking like a fire that couldn’t be contained.
Edwin and Eric arrived a few minutes later, the two friends a stark contrast to each other. Edwin was all smiles, a slight swagger in his step, while Eric looked hesitant, his eyes darting around as though he expected to be out of place. As they gathered, Perry noticed how Edwin subtly positioned himself beside Juanita, a casual move but one that hinted at a deeper familiarity.
“Let’s get a spot before the rain starts,” Selomi suggested, leading them toward the library entrance.
Once inside, they found a secluded table near the back. Bookshelves surrounded them, creating a cocoon of quiet that made Perry feel more at ease. He slid into a chair, placing his notebook on the table, and watched as the others settled in.
Juanita wasted no time diving into the project, listing out roles and tasks, assigning each of them a part. She was effortlessly organized, her excitement almost infectious. But Perry’s attention kept drifting toward Edwin and Eric. Over the past few days, he’d found himself wondering about them more and more. Their stark differences intrigued him, and he sensed that there were layers to each of them that hadn’t yet been revealed.
As they worked, Perry observed how Edwin’s confidence seemed to fill the room. He had an easy charm, one that made people listen, even if they didn’t fully agree with him. Perry wondered what had made Edwin this way, how he’d learned to carry himself with such self-assurance.
“Edwin,” Perry said during a pause in the conversation. “You seem really… comfortable around people.”
Edwin chuckled, glancing up from his notes. “It’s just how I am, I guess. My dad’s a businessman, so I’ve had to talk to all kinds of people since I was young. Comes with the territory.”
Perry nodded, feeling a flicker of understanding. Edwin’s confidence wasn’t just natural; it had been shaped by his upbringing, by expectations and experiences that had molded him. He could see it now—the way Edwin navigated social situations with a skill that had clearly been honed over time.
“And Eric?” Perry asked, glancing at the quieter boy, who had been listening intently without saying much.
Eric looked up, startled by the attention. He fidgeted with his pen, casting a quick glance at Edwin before he spoke. “I… I’m not as good with people,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “I get… nervous. Crowds make me uncomfortable.”
Perry nodded, sensing the vulnerability in Eric’s words. He’d always known Eric was shy, but hearing him admit it made him feel closer to him, like he was getting a glimpse of the real person behind the quiet exterior.
“It’s okay to be nervous,” Perry said, his voice soft. “Everyone has their own way of dealing with people.”
Eric offered a small, grateful smile, and Perry felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. This moment of honesty, though brief, felt significant. It was as though the simple act of acknowledging Eric’s fears had allowed them all to understand him a little better.
They returned to their work, the initial awkwardness fading as they settled into a comfortable rhythm. Every so often, Perry caught Selomi watching him, her gaze thoughtful. He wondered what she saw when she looked at him. Did she see through his quiet exterior? Did she sense the layers he kept hidden?
After a few hours, they decided to take a break, stretching and chatting as they gathered their things. Perry felt a sense of satisfaction—like he was part of something, a small but significant connection he hadn’t realized he’d missed.
As they left the library, Juanita walked beside him, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. “Hey, Perry, you okay with all of this? Working together, I mean. I know you usually keep to yourself.”
Perry hesitated, searching for the right words. “I didn’t expect to… enjoy it,” he admitted, the words surprising him as much as they did her. “But I do.”
Juanita’s smile softened, and she patted him on the shoulder. “I’m glad, Perry. You’re actually pretty great company,” she said, her tone playful.
Just then, Edwin and Eric caught up with them, and Edwin grinned as he slung an arm around Eric’s shoulders. “Come on, guys, let’s grab something to eat,” he suggested. “My treat!”
They made their way to a nearby café, where they settled into a booth, ordering drinks and snacks. The mood was light, with laughter and easy conversation filling the space. Edwin launched into another story, this time recounting a past relationship that ended badly. Perry listened, intrigued as Edwin spoke candidly, sharing both the funny and painful parts of the story.
“So, you’re really not with her anymore?” Juanita asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
“Nah,” Edwin replied, shrugging. “It was fun while it lasted, but we just weren’t right for each other. I guess… I’ve learned that not every connection lasts.”
Perry couldn’t help but notice a shadow in Edwin’s expression as he spoke, a glimpse of the vulnerability hidden behind his charm. It was a side of Edwin he hadn’t expected, and it made him realize that even the most confident people had their own struggles.
As they left the café, Perry felt a sense of belonging he hadn’t known he’d been missing. Edwin, with his confidence and charm, Eric, with his quiet resilience, and Juanita and Selomi, each bringing their own unique energy—it was like they’d each become a part of his world, filling spaces he hadn’t realized were empty.
But as they walked back, he noticed a subtle tension between Juanita and Selomi. They exchanged glances that were hard to read, as if there was an unspoken competition between them. Perry couldn’t quite understand it, but he sensed that there was something beneath the surface, something that might eventually complicate things.
For now, though, he let himself enjoy the moment, grateful for the friendships that had begun to form.
YOU ARE READING
Masked Affections
RomancePerry is the silent, masked mystery of his high school-an introverted class rep who speaks to no one but seems to capture everyone's attention. Girls fall for him, friends are drawn to him, and even he doesn't fully understand the quiet pull he has...
