Always Be With You

#10 - Magnet

Friday,
November 4, 2016

"No wait, hold on a second. Nichol? That Nichol asked you out on a date? Tonight? What the hell happened right there cause I swear things just escalated quickly," Dawn stopped writing and dropped her pen, leaning closer to me as she lowered her voice and giving a skeptical look.

I bit my lips and averted my gaze for a while, "It happened just an hour ago so yes, it's still fresh," I replied.

"Wait are you being serious right now?" her jaws dropped and her eyes widened. Figures she'd be surprised, I'm not one to talk.

"Pretty much so, besides, I don't think its a legitimate date," I stacked my papers and walked towards the teacher's desk and placed my work before Dawn does the same. Geography paper work, I would say its easy by this time of the year but I'm sure its just a momentary joy.
Dawn has been looking really surprised for the last half an hour and filled with disbelief as I continued to explained the chronology of how Nichol had the audacity to ask me out on a date.

I don't even think its an official kind of date like what couples would do. I mean—I have no strings attached with Nichol so why would I even bother thinking so?
Besides, its just watching a movie together then we would probably head for dinner nearby the cinema. Isn't that just a normal thing people would do?

As far as I'm concerned I think it is.

Dawn took a brief pause and tucked her lips in, "What did he said again?"

"Asking me out?" Dawn nods.

"It goes something like—quite normal really—there's a newly released movie and he thought I would like it so that's what he did. You're just making it a big deal sweetie, its not something bad."

"Yes but the fact that Nichol—" Dawn breaked into a pause and starts to fidget.

"Nichol?"

"Do you have any frickin idea how many girls are dying to chase after him? Girls that would slay one another and claim Nichol as the final prize although the response from his is always the same—rejected," she continued to explain who Nichol really is and how is he such an influence for the girls at school.
Influence in self sexual intercourse if you know what I mean.

Post-Geography lesson somehow shifted to a TedTalk by Dawn herself, giving me a long haul of speech of what happened back then and now. Above all, I never thought that a girl would actually flash her chest during a sports event. Apparently, Nichol turned out to be someone very popular although he himself has no idea about it.

He's not that kind of guy who would standout in parties or in school events, or even in music bands. In fact, he despise those kind of things. You know, the usual, drinking and all.

"The thing about the phrase: nice guys finish last is—he finished first," Dawn concluded all the things she said with a final clincher. "Meaning?"

"He's not doing the extra mile anymore, HE IS the extra mile for everyone—guys and girls. Guys respect him for that and girls are craving for that. So I wouldn't be surprised if there are one or two rumors about your plans tonight. I'm ready to bet a hundred bucks that a horde of girls would storm and interrogate either of you like an informant being tortured."

"Well," I finished packing up and put on my bag.
"—if that's the case then I wouldn't mind," I put on a smile.

Dawn walked up to me and rocked my shoulders back on forth. "Are you out of your mind? Look, other girls who were once close to him took the bait."

"What are you trying to imply? That those girls his bodyguard or something? They're not official so they don't have any authority to do so. Besides, I can stand up for myself," the fight or flight mechanism triggered and flourished me with a sackful of courage.

"Stalkers?" she added.
"Well, let's say we're being stalked then so be it. The guy's going with me so what's the problem? They're probably jealous or something. Envious," I boldly answered.

I opened the class door and guide myself to my locker, placing my bag before heading for lunch break. The part that I didn't saw coming was the fact that glares were being thrown at me. Not just from one person, but a horde of them. Glares and whispers with silent laughs are everywhere. I know something must've happened—I mean like, they're looking at us, at me aren't they?

"Yeah I know what you're feeling inside right now," Dawn's cold hand sent me the chills and I responsively turned. "Getting the chills?"

I gulped, feeling drops of sweat going down while my hands began to sweat. This feels intense.

After what it feels like a century walk full of glares, whsipers and a little of cat calling, I surprisingly made it without unleashing a fist of fury. I held my hand against the locker and panted in exhaustion, releasing all the nerve and tense as I gather my soul back.

"Hey you okay?"

I turned my head to the right and spot the guy who asked me out tonight standing with a handkerchief in his hands. "You look like you've lost an argument with someone, something the matter?" he extends his arm and hands me his handkerchief, which I gladly took.
"Well, not with someone, but with nearly everyone," I blurted as I wipe the sweat of my face.

I'm not in a good condition to lecture what had happened just now because I absolutely have zero conciousness of whatever happened. Luckily, Dawn took the previlege to be my spokesperson. Because for whatever reason, I have zero tact of where, how and what to explain.

People really need to lay off others' business really. So what if someone goes out? It's not like you can do anything about it anyway. And besides, are you even going to stalk them to bed if they actually do? No thanks. Lay off the picture.

"You're kidding?" he took a step back in surprisement. Not the kind of reaction I was expecting. "Seriously, that happened. Look at this gal here, she's dead pale. You blind Nick?" the two gazed at me for a few seconds, scanning my body all over as I fold the handkerchief and gave it back to Nichol.

"Damn, I hope you're fine. I'm sorry for that."

Just as he finished talking, Dawn slapped him in the back. "Why the heck are you apologizing? What are you? Their mom?"

Brushing of his back he answered, "Not exactly, but it feels right. I may not be there but my name's on the line so I think I have something to do with it."

"The girls Nick, the girls. Not you. Quit being a goodie and for once stand up for yourself," Dawn's cold gaze was more than strong enough for Nichol to tuck in his lips.

"Even if I did, would it change a thing?" he rebutted. "The heck you mean? Of course it would. Do you have any idea how many girls have been victimised by those.. those horde of hungry chicks?" Dawn's tone grew fiercer.

"Stop."

The two looked at me who just sent an ultimatum—a divider. "It's not his fault, just let him be. I can understand what's going on. There's no need to make a ruckus cause I've had it," I continued, justifying my reasons afterwards about a million reasons why Nichol might be apologizing.

Deep down, I know he cares. I know he wanted to take a stand but reality just doesn't seem to give him the perfect opportunity.

Wait, do I think so?

After a few minutes of lecturing Dawn and explaining to her that she's just overreacting, the girl finally cooled down. Nichol, on the other hand, was busy with his own cellphone which I finally took it myself and forced him to listen.
Kids and phones these days really.

When the school bell finally rang as a signal of the beginning of lunch break, Dawn dismissed herself and head over for a meal. "Keep it PG sweetie," she whispered as she passed me by. I silently laughed leaving Nichol without a clue.

"So.." he finally spoke. I nodded in response.

"Can I make a request?" he asked. I nodded once again in agreement.
Nichol leaned a little, close enough to my ear that I can hear his breathing. Tingling.

"Look pretty tonight," he whispered.