I Like Boys Too

Chapter 1

Treanne

Clearly, I am not a boy.

But growing up in a big family surrounded by only masculine men, I have been influenced with many things that they only get to do. The way I dress is not how a lady should dress. If you'd open my wardrobe, there will be no dress, no skirt and no ruffled blouses to say hello to you. You'll even be surprised to see any item of color pink inside my room. I even use all my brother's old clothes for home.

All the girly stuff I had when I was a kid were all thrown away. Both that I grew up on them and I don't like them anymore.

I never wore a shoe with heels, just sneakers and rubber shoes.

When I go out, I always slip into jeans and a simple shirt. I even wear my brother's.

Hair is long — probably longer than the prettiest girl here in school and I still look like a girl even if I don't dress up and act like one. All of my friends are guys but I have a few girls in my group because most of the girls in the class either think I'm lesbian or they just hate me because I am friends with all the boys in my school.

"Hey, careful!" Asher, my second eldest brother says as he sees me coming down the stairs in a rush. I still have my shoes untied so I almost trip on my way down. I stand at the edge of the table and grab a toast then accidentally spill the coffee my other brother, Carlson is having.

"What a way to start my day." I hiss and take more napkins to dry my jeans. I have no time to change, I'm late for school. The class has just started after the Christmas break and I can't be late for the first day and miss the exam.

"You're too clumsy. Come on, let's go." My third brother, gets up from his seat and takes his keys. Kaizer and I go to the same school while Carlson goes to another university for his graduate studies. The eldest, Ridge, already has a family so he doesn't live in this house anymore but we see him every weekend. He and his own family lives at the countryside, we spend our weekends with them.

I have four brothers: Ridge (30), Asher (25), Carlson (24), Kaizer (21) and they are all biological children of our parents. But since they desperately wanted a daughter, they adopted me when I was 7. I found a family in them and felt the love I needed. After our parents died, I'm stuck with all of them.

"Treanne, don't forget to be home early! We'll dine out." Asher screams before we head out. Ah, I remember. Last night, he happily shared the news that he got a promotion... Finally, after fie years.

"I will!"

As soon as I set foot at the school, I run with my best speed towards my first class. The trip that was waiting for me finally arrived when I was about to climb the stairs. Thank God someone caught me preventing a really bad disaster.

"Oh, sorry." I said and move away after realizing we are so close. My cheek was flat on his chest. He's the top student in the Chemistry class last semester. One thing I know, he's desperate for any experimentation happening on earth. He's weird. He likes everything about Science and he's good to great in Math. I wouldn't call him a nerd because he's weirder than that.

I just know that everyone is calling him Baby Cakes when his full name is Galvin Chase Gaines. Girls and boys call him Baby Cakes because aside from he is charming, he is the most innocent guy I know. All he does is study, stay silent and listen to the radio. The nickname is cute though.

"Hi, Treanne." And this is the first time, he says my name and I hear his voice so clear. His voice is husky, quite unexpected for his face.

"Hi." And then in that minute, I remember I'm late to my class. "Thank you but I have to go!"

"Yeah." He lets go of my arm so I get back to running. I take one last look while sprinting, I notice he changed his hair color. Going rebel with gray? Wow.

When I arrived in my class, the professor is already giving out the papers for exam. I sit at the back row between Icarus and Stephen who obviously reserved the seat for me. Both are family friends and we're closest since elementary grade. These two are the only ones who doesn't treat me like a girl. They were never gentle and we greet each other with a man-like gesture. The only thing I can never forget is when they made me try out for soccer and basketball team every time our school conducts a sports fest. Thanks to them the soccer coach likes me but I can't join the team because they are just for boys.

"Miss Farden, you're late." Mrs. Anderson says while putting the paper on my table.

"Won't happen again." I smile of embarrassment.

At lunch, I hang around with all the boys in my class because I feel more comfortable with them, hiding that I am not friends with any of the girls in the class.

"Treanne. Stephen and I talked about you last night." Icarus says before he munches another bite from his grilled cheese.

"So, you were both the reason I can't sleep..."

"Nah. The soccer team are having a party tomorrow night, we're invited. They invited you too." Ah, yeah, I remember I'm friends with them too. They crashed my house last year on my birthday when all I wanted was to sleep. They think I am really a boy on the inside and have the same interest as them. I like the soccer and the sweat though.

I shrug, "Even me? That's an all-boys party."

"Aren't you one? C'mon, the coach mentioned you specifically and don't worry, we got your back. His wife will be there too."

I recall what's inside my planner for tomorrow. Later tonight, my brother's dinner celebration and tomorrow after class, a bowling session with my brothers. Ah, I can skip that. I owe the soccer team for treating me so well these past years.

"So, I guess we'll go."

My first whole day passed in a blur. I don't even know what happened to me that I keep on thinking about tomorrow and what on Earth have gotten in my mind that I agreed going to their party. I mean, the soccer team are all nice men but sometimes, they are clever. I definitely won't get into trouble, right?

I head down to the parking lot where Kaizer is waiting for me. It's already 6PM and my other brothers are already waiting at Sorellina's — Carlson's favorite Italian restaurant. We are both bombarded with texts asking where are we now and they are freaking hungry that Kaizer have to drive faster. The usual thirty-minute drive was cut in half.

"I'd be late tomorrow night. Pass on the game." I speak in the middle of a silent eating. All of them look at me suspiciously. Yeah, I rarely go out of the house especially at night. I'd rather just bore myself in video games, horror movies and sleeping.

"Are you going on a date?" That's the first thing that came out of Asher's mouth.

I stare at him ready to answer but Ridge interrupts to ask another one, "How come you never told us about this?" A typical brotherly concern.

"The soccer team invited me to a party. Kaizer will pick me up after." But I didn't tell him about this so he is so surprised. The relief from out older brother's eyes stops him from backing out. Besides, they don't want me driving so Kaizer will have no choice,

"Curfew at 10." Ridge adds.

"That's too early!" I rant, "The party will just be starting at that time."

I show him the best pleading face I can make with my face then he finally bids another set of time, "Last call, 12." He then turns to Kaizer, "Make sure to remind her of that." I am a bit disappointed but it's better than going home earlier. 

-A