That's Another Love Story

Chapter 10 ''Signs''

I told Sarah, Claire and Nicole about what Mary has just told me. It wasn't gossip at all. It was true! Through the years, people have been asking me if he was gay but I totally didn't know. I answered them with, ''I don't think so. He has a girlfriend''.

It wasn't really surprising at all. I was just shocked that he exposed himself at a mall, holding hands with the same gender considering the fact that the mall was usually the lair of most of students in our school.

I wonder what would happen to his ''Leader'' image if they all knew.

I, as a friend, wasn't bothered much with all these. I mean, who was I to judge him? Maybe he was so hurt by his last girlfriend that he decided to change his preference.

I made an investigation on my own and put the pieces together that would lead me to the love of his life.

I started by asking Sarah few questions about them back when they were dating.

''so, did you ever doubted his manhood when you two were dating? I mean, were there signs that he isn't straight at all? '' I interrogated Sarah with mocking seriousness. She laughed and said

''Umm, I don't really remember him having gay signs and all that. He was sweet and thoughtful and besides, I was madly in love with him that I make all the effort just to see him.''

''Gosh, you did that?'' I cackled and went on with the questions. So far, I didn't get anything except from their puppy love that ended in a bitter way. Up to now, they have never spoken a word to each other but Sarah said they sometimes smile at one another.

I did further investigation and remembered some things that may lead me to the answer I've been dying to see myself.

****

Rewind. Research paper on progress. Play.

I was standing in the bus stop with Ian. Then his phone rang.

He answered it with full joy. What I remembered was him saying ''are you sure you want me to come? Do you want to have dinner?'' he spoke on the phone enthusiastically.

I assumed that it was some girl he was flirting with so I spoke aloud as I said, ''Yeah right, WE ARE GOING TO DO RESEARCH.'' And then i laughed.

There was one time that I memorized a number I found on Ian's phone.

I always read messages on his phone but there was this one number that has no name. I was curious as to why would he never save that number so I opened the messages from that unknown sender.

There were the common I love you's, I miss you's and other cheesy message that a couple would surely exchange but there was this one message that caught my attention.

I don't really remember the cheesy lines before it but the only line that left my memory is ''Marry me''

*****

There was also these times when we needed to edit our paper and Ian was out of reach. I couldn't find him anywhere in school so I called him.

''hey! You know we need to finish this paper so we can already pass it'' was my greeting.

''yes I know, and I know too that you can already do it.''

''ugh! Where the heck are you anyways?''

''umm. I'm in St. Rose.''

''What?! And what the hell are you doing there?''

''I'm arranging some stuff.. uh. Concerning my on-the-job training papers''

''okaayyy''

Yes, that's what he said. And it was not only once but many times.

And I also found out that he did not just ''arrange stuffs'' there. He also spent many nights there. I found it really strange. So where did he stayed those nights? Hmm..