HIM

CHAPTER 16

"Hey Linn, congratulations! " someone said behind me after I had left my Chemistry class.
I looked up at him puzzled, "Gabriel! What's up? I mean why are you congratulating me? "
"You ain't aware yet? "
"I hardly understand you, " I honestly didn't.
"Well then, follow me, " he said taking the lead.
We stopped at the notice board, and there was a small crowd hanging around there. That's when I saw it, everyone was looking at the Writing competition results;and well, I was the second best after an 'Edwin Mark' of a name.
Wow! So maybe I wasn't as bad as I thought.
"See it now Linn?" he asked smiling.
"Yeah, thanks, " I returned the smile at least and noticed there was a few stares at my direction. Now they know it's me.
"Uhmm... Am giving you a treat: I'll walk you to the cafeteria for lunch today, " he declared. I couldn't hold back the laughter.
"I do that everytime without you, you know."
"Let's go, " he said.
Monday never had a variety of dishes, but Gabriel chose the same dish for both of us. We settled for a table and just before I could make it to sit, Flen appeared.
"Hey Linn, I've been looking for you to congratulate you," he said probably not noticing my other party here.
"You found me, thank you, " I answered.
"Flen, this is Gabriel and yeah... "
They greeted each other, some bit of tension, but looking friendly at most.
"Oh, you're both my friends, sorry I didn't add that, " I shot up.
They laughed.
Flen joined us and I felt like ' Wow! Congratulations Linn!' I mean, I'd made two friends, that was something.
As I lifted my gaze, right to my left hand,  I saw my friends; May, Frances, Miranda and Daisy. They were all smiling and waving at me. I smiled back at them. I guess they were happy for me, I was getting out from being an anti-social.
Then the two boys turned towards my smiling direction.
"They're my friends, " I explained.
"So visible, though they seem a bit crazier,you look calm, " Gabriel observed.
"It's a nice bunch to be around, " I defended.
"I didn't know they were your friends, " Flen spoke.
"You never asked me about my friends, did you? " I asked.
"Sure, I've not. "
We ate for in silence for the remaining time. Then as we walked out, my team girls joined us.
May was the first to pull me in for a hug, "Congratulations sweetie, I knew you'd do great. "
"Thanks, though it felt weird," I stated as a matter of fact.
"Proud you did it though, " Daisy chimed in.
Then I got a group hug and felt like a baby doll!
"What's with girls and group hugs? " Didn't sound Flen-ish,  but it was him.
"What's with boys and observing us? " Frances retorted.
Wow! What a nice one!
"Hey, am Linn, this is May, Frances, Daisy, Miranda, Flen and Gabriel, " I mentioned, pointing to each one respectively.
"I didn't know I was that bad so I'd come last in your list, " Gabriel commented.
I knew he was teasing me, I laughed at him before May told him he should have considered meeting me earlier maybe.
Wow! I loved that they were getting along really well: Linn's Circle.
Great!
Daisy spoke up, "Am lucky I got to dance with you(pointing at Flen) so Gabriel still falls last. "
We all laughed but Flen gasped.
"Now I get why you look familiar, I couldn't place you," he stated.
"What a heartbreak! " Frances said, faking a sad face.
"Not that bad though, I mean he now knows at least, "Miranda eased it a bit.
"You're lucky, " May added, winking at  Daisy.
Oh yeah, I got that.
"Girls and their manner of talks, you'll never understand, " Gabriel said.
"Don't even try to, " I spoke with finality.
"Hey guys, it was a pleasure meeting you but I got a class to attend," Flen interrupted.
"Wow! He's smart too Daisy, " Frances teased.
We laughed one last time before we parted ways. I had a Business class, none of my friends did it. So I'd have to go down the hall myself.
"See you later ladies, " I waved them.
"What about us gentlemen? " Flen asked.
"We'll talk over the phone," I answered.
"You told me you didn't have one Linn, " Gabriel made it sound like I was a liar.
"I now do, I bought one," I clarified.
"Oh, " was all he could say.
I grabbed a pen from his top pocket and scribbled my number on his palm.
Good students must always carry a pen around.
"There you have it gentleman."
"Thank you, " he said as everyone started walking away.

Suddenly somebody pulled me in to... his chest. Because there was no bulge anywhere except muscles well built, I knew it was a he.
"Congratulations Linn."
I lifted my head and was met by the deep blue eyes.
"Oh Bill, thanks. But you freaked me out." I tried pulling away from him but he held tightly.
"Stay calm, I don't bite."
"I do, " I said.
"Don't now, feel my congratulatory hug at least."
I felt uncomfortable, what would anyone think if they found us this way?
"Thank you, I've felt it, " I said finally pulling away.
I knew he wouldn't want a struggle because it would bring attention.
"I got a class to attend, " I told him.
"See you later then, " he said.
Later?
I walked to the classroom just in time to see Mr. Cliff walk in.