The Wallflower

The Wallflower (A Medj Realistic BL Story)

Amidst the loud music, applause, and cheerful noise around me, I felt nothing. My eyes were fixed on a half-empty glass of hard liquor and ice.

"Ayan ka na nanaman", a voice said beside me. It was one of my best friends, Christy.

"Bheb, kaya ka namin dila sa bar para magsaya, makalimot ng konti, mag de-stress, to mingle. Hindi yung andyan ka lang, tahimik, tapos tulala.", she irritably said to me while picking up her gin tonic. She looked like she's ready to party, as always. With her de-stressed pants, backless tie top, and a fashionable 2-inch heels.

"Christy, hayaan mo sya, parang hindi pa natin kilala yang si Anjo. Kalahating introvert, kalahating extrovert. Kahit naman before di ba? Pag nasa bar tayo andyan lang sya sa pwesto nya, umiinom, minsan tulala, minsan nagmamasid-masid. Ang Wallflower ng grupo.", another voice said. Wearing a white tank top tucked in her black skinny jeans and a pair of chucks. This one is Coleen, like Christy, she's one of my best friends.

"Yeah, kaya nga I was surprised when we found out that he and, uh, what's his name, started dating di ba?", said a guy's voice. With his trendy fashion-forward ensemble of a tucked-in vintage polo shirt, cropped fitted pants, plain white sneakers, and those trendy denim de-stressed jackets. This very vocal and fashionable guy is Ash, and with him, completes my circle of best friends.

I'm Angelo Cinco, my friends, and family calls me Anjo. I work as a Project Manager in an In-house BPO at BGC. I became single over a year ago and have been focused on work and a side gig that me and my best friends are working on. I met my best friends at work. Coleen is Quality Analyst, Ash is a Production Designer, and Christy is an Operations Supervisor. We all started as regular BPO Reps but were promoted shortly after.

Unlike my best friends who are fashionable and good-looking, I'm just average. This night, I was just wearing a plain white shirt, black pants, and sneakers. But Ash, as he picked me up earlier that night, made me wear one of the denim jackets that he gave me on my birthday. Because, "Honey, Ho-ney, plain white shirts aren't a thing for you, remember?". So, I did.

I can't believe they're talking about my ex. I said in my head.

"Ash, I can't believe that your talking about he's ex. Kaya nga tayo nandito sa bar eh", Christy said.

"And what of it? Anjo, don't tell me you're still not over Niel. It's almost two years na oh.", Ash reacted with his condescending voice that he always does when he's stressing a point.

"Again, parang hindi nyo kilala yan. He'd said na mabilis syang mag move on, pero deep inside, he's still not okay.", Coleen replied to Christy and Ash while giving the a very pointed glare. "Saka, let's not talk about that mother fucker. Iba na nga yung mood ng isa eh. Sa podcast na lang natin kasi tirahin.", she added.

"No!", I quickly interjected.

"Finally! Your first word for the night.", Ash exaggeratedly responded.

"Can't we change the subject? And no, wag nating pagusapan yung tao sa show. Toxic na ngang isipin yung tao paguusapan pa natin sa "safe zone" ko. Baka makaaffect pa sa show natin.", I said irritably.

"Sabagay, may point. Kahit na matagal ng nangyari saka maring concerned fans ang nagtatanong before, they respected your silence.", said Christy.

"Agree! Pero, I think we three agree that you should drink up, loosen up, dance a little, and have fun tonight. Your last office project was a success and we've reached another milestone sa show natin. It's time to, you know, celebrate!", Ash said enthusiastically.

"Thank you, Ash. Sorry na guys, may iniisip lang talaga ako. Alam nyo na, creativity doesn't stop. I agree, it's time to have fun, wag nyo akong intindihin, nag eenjoy naman ako.", I said to them.