Just Friends

Chapter Five

For the first time since...well, ever, the math lesson was somehow bearable. Gulf still didn't like it but at least he was able to understand what the teacher was talking about. He still needed Mew's help if he wanted to pass the test scheduled at the end of the month though. As he pondered over these things, he noticed Mew in the middle of the hall, taking a look at the school board. He decided to approach him, suddenly curious. "Hey, what are you...?". Mew didn't even let him finish, he just wrapped his arms around him, glowing with happiness. Gulf's body tightened but after a few seconds it relaxed, his hand even patting Mew's shoulder. "What's...happening?".

Gulf saw a lot of people looking at them, whispering something in each other's ears but Mew didn't seem to care. "I got the part...the main character, I can't believe it!".

Gulf smiled, seeing him happy as a clam and still incredulous. "I do. I told you you would have". Mew's arms were still around his waist and as he was so close, Gulf could smell the scent of his shampoo. The fact he didn't mind the back of safe distance between them was making him more nervous than the situation itself.

Since the feeling was starting to be overwhelming, he cleared his throat to break the spell between them. Mew immediately loosened his hold on him, smiling a little more shyly than usual. "Sorry, I was caught up in the excitement. And...I'm a hugger".

Gulf grinned, he already knew that, he saw how much he hugged his friends on a daily basis. He had never hugged him before though, probably not sure how Gulf would react. "Don't worry, it just took me by surprise. It wasn't...unpleasant".

Mew laughed. "Ok, so you have another class now?".

Gulf shook his head. "Actually no, I have a free period for a change. Why?".

Mew smiled widely, the kind of smile asking for something. "I have rehearsals. Wanna come? You can read something or whatever, and then I can give you a ride home".

Gulf thought about it for a few seconds, not finding a reason to say no. "Okay but don't get too used to it".

When they walked in the room, there were already people talking to each other. Malai – the girl who played Mew's main interest in the play – waved at them, just as everybody else. Gulf hid in the last row of the auditorium, while Mew joined them with a smile. "Splendid, you're already here! Sorry I'm late". Gulf glanced at the extravagant drama teacher and she smiled at him too. "Young man...". Gulf quickly looked away, while she approached the group of actors. "If you're ready, I'd like to start with the main characters. I want to see how your chemistry works before anything else. I'm talking about sparks, I want you to make me feel butterflies in my stomach".

Malai looked worried, she probably didn't think the teacher would be so intense from the start. On the other hand, Mew's gaze was unreadable. He just gave one last look at the script before setting it aside. Just like during his audition, everything about him was completely on character. And yes, Gulf had read the script the night before, just out of curiosity. He completely looked away from his book when Mew came closer to Malai, a smirk on his face. They were supposed to flirt with each other but Malai looked as fierce as a scared little kitten. He could sense the teacher's frustration from his seat. However, they kept going, and just when Malai was getting a little better, she stumbled upon a prop, ungracefully falling to the ground. Everybody gasped and Mew bent down to check on her. "Are you okay?".

She didn't seem okay, like...at all. Gulf stood up, on impulse. "Wait, let me see".

The teacher glanced at him again. "Are you a doctor?".

Gulf shook his head, a little embarrassed. "No but I know a thing or two about sprains''. Mew watched him while he carefully removed her shoe. "Can you stretch out your toe? Does it hurt?". Malai tried to do as he asked her to but gave up shortly after with a painful cry. "We need ice. And then you need to get it checked".

A few of her friends volunteered to carry her to the school infirmary. "Well, this was unexpected. Please Mew, do something to make me forget about this rocky start".

Gulf was about to go back to his seat, when Mew stopped him by the wrist. "Wait...can you help me run the lines?".

The room fell silent and Gulf was wondering if he'd heard right. "Me?". Gulf could not control the shock in his voice.

Mew cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment at the bold request. "Yeah, I feel comfortable with you. If that's okay with you too".

Gulf did not know what to say. He had always suffered from stage panic, he had literally run away from the stage once during kindergarten. But Mew was looking at him with pleading eyes. So Gulf glanced at the drama teacher, somehow hoping she would disagree at the idea. "I'm okay with it. As long as he knows what he needs to do...".

After a few minutes where Mew had explained to him the main things they needed to say and do during the scene, Gulf was ready to start, the script held tight in his hands. Well, ready was not the right word. More like he was trying to hold himself together. This was about to be the most embarrassing thing he had ever done in front of somebody but he didn't want to make a fool of himself and ruin Mew's performance too. Basically he needed to be good.

He saw Mew gasp at the sudden change of his expression, a  confident one. He approached him, taking his time while Mew was checking him out. "You shouldn't be here". His voice got all hoarse, while his eyes were challenging Mew.

Mew smirked, brushing a few fingers under his chin. Gulf held his stare, somehow. Thinking of himself as someone else was helping him get through all of this. "You thought I'd stay away, knowing you were here?".

Mew ran his thumb on Gulf's lower lip, and for a second there Gulf forgot how to breathe, feeling his hot breath on his ear. But then the smug expression came back. "A man can dream".

They shared a knowing look, remembering one of their own conversations. Gulf had also changed the gender in his line, because it didn't feel right calling himself a girl, even if he was just temporarily replacing Malai. And then he heard someone clapping from the audience:

"Yes, YES. That's what I'm talking about!".

Gulf cleared his throat and Mew stepped back and scratched his head. "You guys...just gave me the most amazing idea. I mean...it's 2020, I think it's time to talk about something like that in high school".

Mew and Gulf shared a look. "What the hell is she talking about?". Mew tried not to laugh and they both went back looking at the drama teacher, waiting for some sort of explanation. "I'm sorry, you're right. I'm changing the story. Don't worry Mew, you're still going to be the main lead. I'm just changing your main interest".

The drama teacher looked directly at Gulf, a proud look on her face. "What? But...we were just practicing. I'm not an actor".

He gave Mew a nudge, hoping he would do something to change her mind. This was completely nuts. "Now you are. Honey, it'll be good for extra credits. And maybe you'll even thank me for it".

Gulf didn't miss the wink she sent to both of them, before dismissing everybody. Gulf turned to Mew, still shocked. "So...".

Their eyes met and then Mew's face broke into the most amazing smile he had ever seen. "So".