The One I Left Behind

I knew him.

Yes, past tense. Sabagay, who wouldn't? Gavin Mateo is the famous point guard of our University basketball team and probably the best looking sa varsity.

But there's more to it.

I knew him because he used to be my Lab partner in Chemistry. Usually he would come to class wearing his headset while waiting for our prof and I assumed it was because ayaw niyang maki-mingle sa gaya naming mga ordinary students. He seemed to be so full of himself and hardly make friends.

But later on I came to really know him. Hindi pala siya masyadong suplado, hindi rin sobrang masungit. Medyo lang. There were even times when he laughed at my corny jokes. And as we became closer, I noticed him wearing his headset less and less until it was totally gone.

He was my friend. Or so I thought.

After just one unintentional mistake, he suddenly changed. The next thing I knew, he was back to his old cold self. His guard was up. Even his headset was back. And he never talked to me again after that.

Until now.

It's been two years. Am I hallucinating? Is he really in front of me, piercing me with his Zac Efron eyes and saying something I never knew I would ever hear from anyone?

"I need you, Syndell Grace."