Just Friends

Chapter One

There was something really relaxing about taking the bus early in the morning. Gulf always loved sleeping but since he had to go to school anyway, he'd rather take the less crowded bus; that way he could avoid his noisy classmates and start the day on the right foot. He felt more at ease with all those strangers than with his peers - he even recognized some of their faces and remembered some basic stuff about them, even if he was never the one to initiate a conversation. Sometimes he didn't even had someone sitting next to him, so he could enjoy his music or read a book all the way to school. However his plan was ruined when someone tapped on his shoulder and Gulf tried not to sigh because he didn't want to be rude. He looked up and immeditely recognized his face: it was not hard to, considering he was one of those guy who could not go unnoticed. He was not only part of the fabulous crowd in his school but he also lived in his same neighborhood. He usually took another bus though, because they never bumped into each other. "Sorry, can I sit here?".

Gulf just nodded, moving to the seat by the window, making sure not to make eye contact. The last thing he wanted was to drag any attention on himself. He knew Mew Suppasit wasn't the kind of guy to tease him just because he could, still he did not want to risk it. He focused his attention on his book again and neither uttered a word for a few minutes. Had it been for Gulf they would have continued that way but Mew was a talker, so he felt compelled to fill the silence somehow: "You're Gulf, right?".

The younger could not hide the surprise in his eyes, considering they had never spoken to each other before that very moment. "Yes...".

Gulf was about to look at his book again but Mew's voice captured his attention: "Sorry, I didn't want to sound like a creeper. I mean...we go to the same school, right? And Gulf is not a very common nickname".

Gulf glanced at him, not really sure how to answer to his rambling. "I'm Mew". He added and Gulf almost smiled because that guy genuinely thought he needed to introduce himself, as if Gulf didn't know who he was. "I know, it's hard not to know your name".

His social skills were worse than expected, because every word uttered by Gulf sounded cold and distant. It's not like he wanted to but he was not used to having someone talk to him. "Sorry".

He held the book to himself, feeling the need to apologise to this guy who had been nothing but kind. "About what?".

He bit his lip, kind of surprised he wanted to talk to him still. "Uhm, I suck at this".

Mew frowned, watching him closely for a few seconds. "This...?".

Gulf sighed, this Mew really wanted to get the words out of his mouth by all means. "This". Gulf pointed at both of them. "Conversations. I'm not good at that".

Mew smiled at him, amused. Gulf looked away, feeling even more nervous. "Sorry, I wasn't teasing you. It's cute".

How could his lack of social skills be cute in any way? Maybe this Mew was weirder than him after all. "You're cute".

This addition made Gulf blush violently: no one had ever referred to him that way, well...except for his mother but Gulf was pretty sure she didn't count. When Gulf finally found the courage to look at him, Mew had already put his headphones in his ears, lost in the music. The younger sighed with relief, happy to avoid further confrontation. He stuck his nose in his book again and they stayed like this for the rest of the bus ride.

Gulf didn't even notice they had arrived at school until he felt Mew's fingertips on his shoulder again. "Sorry, you seemed deeply engrossed in your book".

He smiled at him again, leaving Gulf wondering how he could be so cheerful that early in the morning. Or like...in general. "Ehm, thanks".

He quickly put the book in his backpack and got off the bus. He heard a familiar group of people calling Mew's name, so Gulf thought there was no need to awkwardly say goodbye. He just turned to the other side, starting walking towards the school entrance. "Hey Gulf!".

His scream made him jump, attracting the attention of everyone around them. Gulf slowly turned to him, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. "Y-yeah?".

Mew got close to him by a few steps and Gulf fought the need to pull back. "I know it's a little boring at first but it gets interesting as you progress".

Gulf glanced at him, puzzled. Was he talking about his book? Did he read that book? And how did he even know what he was reading in the first place? "Ehm...".

That guy was really making it hard for him not to make a fool of himself. Sensing he didn't know what to say, Mew just waved at him, not wanting to keep him any longer. "Don't be a stranger".

Gulf just stood there, watching Mew happily join his friends. He propped his glasses on his nose, shaking his head. Nonsense. How could they be anything other than strangers?

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Hi everybody 😚💗💗 here I am, starting another MewGulf story ahaha here you can find a teaser I made for the story:

https://twitter.com/mewsbabe8/status/1305651902328209408?s=19

Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think about this pilot! Love you ❤️