Expiring In Three Months

The Contract

It wasn't the hushing sound of whispers from almost every corner of the library that tingled Michael's nerves, but the classic thudding of Leo's footsteps becoming louder and clearer—resonating sure annoyance and embarrassment for he was obviously up for a conversation, which Michael would probably consider doing if and only two Everest-size meteorites hit the city.

Eyes relentlessly darted the blushing boy who didn't manage to pack up his books and papers immediately simply because it was too late, and Leo had already cemented his seat in front of him. All fell silent and waited for whatever may happen. Leo did not disappoint. A knock echoed throughout the reading hall as he put down his hard-covered research paper, purposely ignoring all the eyes surrounding them. He had grown accustomed to gossip eversince he was outed by someone in public a year ago. Why are people still interested in my personal life, I don't even think I'm a good catch to begin with? He thought. I'm not even that interesting.

"So...", his voice cracked a little as he was trying to modulate it to turn it into a whisper. He is never really good at keeping his voice low. "Have you thought about my proposal?", he said without looking at Michael's eyes. The boy pulled the thread bookmark of his book, opening it almost equally by half. He seemed to be scanning typographical errors on the writings. "Today is your deadline."

Michael just leaned backwards, his spine touching the plastic back support of his monobloc. "You're annoying. You're embarrassing me. You're impossible.", he said before rolling his eyes. "Don't you get it? All these staring eyes are torturing me. You're making them think like we're...", Michael paused and tried to find the words that might fit in the blank.

"We're like what?", Leo finally shot a sharp look at him, impatiently waiting for an answer.

"Look. We're classmates in what, three subjects? But it doesn't mean we're friends, let alone a 'thing', as what you're proposing us to become. Aren't you satisfied now that the whole college is talking about us? Damn it."

"I'm not satisfied until I get that three-month dating contract with you.", a simple and plain sentence Leo muttered, his face not giving off any expression. "I already told you about my agenda. It's pretty simple. We date for three months; I return your stupid letter."

"You're fucking harassing me."

"You're testing my patience. I'm a very impatient person."

"Of all the guys in this university, why me? Why the fuck you chose me?", Michael snapped, losing his temper in a split second. He immediately receded after realizing he's in the verge of standing up and grabbing the collar of the boy in front of him.

"I like you. I've already told you a hundred times. Why, you have memory loss? You find it hard to believe that I'm in the front line of the queue?", Leo just rolled his eyes in annoyance, probably pissed off in explaining himself over and over again. "Don't worry. I'm not the type who... you know. I just need a date and a friend. After that, you get your stupid letter back and we're back to being strangers.", he closed his book and pushed the chair backwards as he stood up. He gave a steaming glare at the students who have been watching them from the moment he waltzed in. Everyone avoided his eyes and went back to 'reading'. "Don't make me become 'that type'.", he puffed a short laugh while raising one eyebrow. "I'm leaving. I need to study for the pre-finals next week. Call me if you're done thinking."

Michael was left alone watching the boy's figure slowly reducing in size as his strides towards the exit became bigger and faster. Michael felt like his face was burning. Thanks to being so self-conscious and mindful of his reputation. It's not easy being Michael Mendez who is left with no choice but to mute his social media, because the constant buzz of notifications has become unbearable. It's also never easy to be seen interacting with Leo, who was the juice of the campus gossip for months because he surprisingly turned out to be the type of guy who also likes guys. How awful it is to be tormented by Leo's proposal. That fucking letter. He can't possibly do that, can he?

The boy released a long sigh, as if letting out a significant weight from within. Although he never felt better, his brain just strongly suggested that he needed to stand up and walk away. Standing over five feet and nine inches, a few gazes from other tables sprung out but Michael thought of only one thing: Leave Me Alone.

He zipped up his backpack after shoving in his materials, laptop and camera. He no longer cared how cluttered his pack was, or how messed up his mind was after that conversation. The army green pack slung in one of his shoulders, swinging as his legs shakily took the the exact path of Leo as he went out of the library. The only difference was that unlike Leo, his walk wasn't graceful. He wasn't confident, but perplexed to be hopping his way out only to be smothered by the reality that he will definitely be signing up his name on Leo's contract. It's expiring in three months anyway. It might be a little too exhausting in the coming days, but still a not-so-bad collateral.

The hall has wide glass panels covering the other side, giving everyone a panorama of the university ground. A bit fitered due to the dark tint of the squares that are alleying from end to end. There, just a few meters before the elevators he saw the slightly skinny boy with hair cut clean who he just had a conversation with a while ago—an argument nearing bargaining to be accurate, walking towards the metal doors in his usual pace. He seemed to be swaying his head. Michael wasn't quite sure if it's his walking, or the earphones plugged at each ear.

"Wait.", Leo didn't quite catch Michael's call and still proceeded to where he was headed. He even gave way to three students who just stepped out of the elevator car.

Great timing, now he doesn't need to press the buttons. Leo has always been way too careful in touching 'things' in public.

With two buds feeding both of his eardrums with some beats, he dashed inside the car and focused on his phone. It lit up his face as he turned around and faced the direction of the closing metals. Nonchallant about the boy who had been following him from the time he stepped out of the library, he just scrolled down on his phone screen and waited for the doors to ting close. But there wasn't any shrill signal tone, but rather a slam as one toned arm terminated the mechanism of the closing metals. Taken aback by the gesture, his eyes widened, wondering who that might be. In a split-second, a smirk was released from Leo's face.

"I said call me. Not run after me like a leading man in Kdramas.", Leo sensed it. His plans are no longer in the drafts. He couldn't help but smile, although he's trying his best to contain it. It should never become more obvious than a smirk.

Pictures and scenes have started flooding Micheal's head. He is annoyed, but Angry? No one knows exactly. He is terrified of the eventual gossip and stories, but does he hate Leo? Certainly not. Sweat beads have broken out of his face, neck and chest. Leo somehow wished that he could count all the droplets coming out of Michael's face. How they slid down on his skin like rainwater dripping on a glass pane. Chiseled nose poking in, almond eyes darting him. He watched him cleaned himself with a handkerchief. Somehow, Michael did feel self-conscious again not because of the fact that their bodies are so close, and some people might be watching them. He was feeling awkward due to his gasping, his trembling, and his sweaty forehead. His voiced cracked, a familiar sensation he feels every time his professor calls him in class. Or when his aunts interrogate him during reunions about his lovelife. He couldn't seem to find power within him to strum those vocal chords. But he let it out anyway. Why did he finally decide to give in to Leo's blackmail? How could he? But then again, it's the letter and he badly wants it back. But also, he wants to know more about Leo. Michael is very curious. He also likes guys.
Secretly.

"When do we start?"