Just Friends

Chapter Six

Gulf thought he would have some time to adjust to all those changes, maybe even convince the drama teacher he was not the right fit. He still could not believe she was changing the whole story around him and Mew and he also felt kind of bad for Malai, who had auditioned for that role. But just when he was about to flop into bed and read something, his phone started buzzing:

So, do you have plans tonight? 😎

Yes...

Really?

Are you so surprised? 🙄

I mean...no. I was just hoping you'd be free 😩

Why? Do you want to hang out?  

So you don't have plans 😏

Mm, it depends on the plan 🤔

Ugh, here I thought you just enjoyed my company 😢

Self-pity doesn't suit you 🤨

Ok, in all seriousness, I'm throwing a party at my house (my family is out of town). My friends and some people from the drama club are gonna be there. Think you can make it? 🤗

Mm, parties are not really my thing though...

Pretty please? 🥺🥺🥺

...ok. 😩 But I won't stay long. 

SWEET! 🤩 I'll send you the adress. See you in a little bit 🥳

Gulf sighed, closing his book again. He walked over to his wardrobe, opening it to take out a black shirt and a pair of jeans. He quickly fixed his hair and came down the stairs, finding his whole family watching a movie on the couch. "Oh Gulf honey, do you want to...". His mother stopped talking, noticing his outfit. He scratched his head, a little nervous. "I'm going out, I won't be late. Is that okay?". Grace jumped out of the couch, pinching his cheeks. "Where are you going looking so hot?". Gulf almost choked, his whole body heating up. "H-hot? What are you talking about?". His father laughed. "Grace, stop making fun of your brother. Even if he really looks handsome". Gulf already wanted to go back to his bedroom. "Could you guys stop?I'm just meeting some people". His parents shared a look, while Grace was still looking at him. "Grace stop it. You're creeping me out". She smiled, touching his glasses. "You should take off your glasses for one night". She tried to put them away but he stopped her from doing it. "I'm keeping them. It's not like it's a special occasion". She folded her arms at him, her eyebrow rising up. "You going out on a Saturday night it's kind of a special occasion". He glared at her, while their parents tried not to laugh, failing epically. "Ok, I'm outta here". His mom kissed his cheek, smiling at him. "Have fun, honey". He nodded, closing the door behind him.

Considering Mew's house was not too far from his, he just walked, which was also a good way to calm his nerves. It's just a party, it's not like it's going to kill you. Right outside Mew's place he started noticing most of his friends joking around, loudly. For a moment the thought of going back home crossed his mind. After all there were so many people he wouldn't even notice his absence. Still... "Gulf?". He turned in the direction of the voice, a smiling Malai in front of him. "Oh...hi". He awkwardly waved at her, feeling like a complete idiot. She just smiled, checking him out. "You look very handsome tonight". Gulf blushed, all those compliments making him nervous. He took off his glasses to dry some sweat from his nose. "I don't think I've ever seen you without glasses". Why everybody was so obsessed with him not wearing glasses? "Uhm, yeah, I've been wearing them since I was a little kid". She smiled, glancing over his shoulder for a second. "Let's try a little experiment". She took them off of his face, putting them on the shirt's neckline. "How about joining the others now?". Gulf smiled shyly, following her. "Hey guys, look who I found".