THE ROCKSTAR AND THE GAY (BXB ENGLISH)

Chapter 8

The following week unfolded like a well-rehearsed play, with me as the lead, desperately trying to win Kennan's attention. With my friends as my backup, we entered a new phase of Operation: Kennan Chen. The plan was simple: impress Kennan through a series of thoughtful gestures. It was time to show him that I was someone he could rely on and, hopefully, grow to like.

The day after our picnic, I decided to surprise him with a little gift. It was a custom mug featuring an inside joke we had from our first encounter. It seemed ridiculous, but the thought of Kennan chuckling at the mug while sipping coffee filled me with determination. My friends rolled their eyes at my antics, but I was undeterred.

"Wayne, you do realize he's not going to fall for this, right?" Shin said, glancing at the mug. "You need to tone it down."

"Shin, you have to believe in the power of gifts!" I countered. "It’s all about the little things. People notice those."

They exchanged skeptical looks but ultimately joined me in my efforts. The next day, we strolled through campus until we spotted Kennan sitting alone at a table outside the student center. The sun bathed him in a warm glow, making him look even more handsome than usual. I could feel my heart rate spike, and I nudged my friends, urging them to stay back while I approached him.

“Hey, Kennan!” I called, forcing a nonchalant tone into my voice.

He looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and mild annoyance. “Wayne. What do you want?”

I sat across from him, my pulse racing. “I just wanted to drop off this little gift,” I said, revealing the mug from behind my back.

Kennan took it, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “A mug? Really?”

“It’s not just any mug! It’s got our inside joke on it!” I explained, gesturing toward the lettering.

He rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the corners of his lips lifting slightly. “You really are something else.”

That small acknowledgment felt like a victory. I grinned widely, feeling emboldened. “I thought it might brighten your day.”

“Thanks, I guess.” He set it down, his expression still skeptical, but I was riding high on hope.

Over the next few days, I ramped up my efforts. I started leaving little notes on his desk before class doing simple things like “Good luck on your exam!” or “Hope your day’s going well!” Just anything to get his attention. Each time, my heart raced when he spotted the notes, waiting for his reaction. While he often crumpled them with an eye roll, I sensed a reluctant amusement creeping into his demeanor.

My friends were mixed in their opinions about my tactics. Timmy was on board, hyping me up at every chance, while others shook their heads in disbelief.

“Dude, are you seriously writing him notes?” Anthony asked, half-laughing and half-concerned.

“Why not? He deserves to know someone’s cheering for him,” I replied, my determination unwavering.

“Just don’t go overboard,” Lenard warned. “You might scare him off.”

But scaring Kennan off was the last thing I wanted. I kept a careful balance, ensuring I didn’t come off as desperate while subtly encouraging a connection.

It was during this time that I discovered one of Kennan’s passions: art. I overheard him discussing it with a friend one day, and it sparked a brilliant idea in my mind. If I wanted to impress him, I should show interest in his interests.

So, I arranged a visit to a local art gallery, where a new exhibit was opening. I invited Kennan casually, framing it as an opportunity to check it out together. “Hey, there’s an exhibit this Friday. I thought you might like to join me,” I suggested, trying to keep my voice steady despite the anxiety brewing in my stomach.

“Why would I want to go with you?” he replied, arms crossed and gaze skeptical.

“Because it’s a chance to enjoy some art? Plus, I hear the snacks are amazing,” I added, flashing him a hopeful smile.

“Snacks?” he echoed, the hint of curiosity creeping into his tone.

“Yeah! There’ll be a reception afterward. Just think about it!” I urged, hoping to spark even a flicker of interest.

To my surprise, he seemed to consider it for a moment. “I’ll think about it,” he said finally, his expression unreadable.

The night of the exhibit arrived, and I arrived with a mix of anticipation and dread. I had chosen a button-up shirt that accentuated my style without being too flashy. As I entered the gallery, I spotted Kennan standing near a striking abstract piece, his brows furrowed in concentration.

“Hey! You made it!” I exclaimed, trying to hide my nervousness.

He glanced up, a small smile flickering on his lips. “I said I’d think about it, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but seeing you here means you actually wanted to come!” I replied, unable to contain my excitement.

Kennan shrugged nonchalantly but I could tell he was enjoying himself. “Let’s see how good the snacks really are,” he said, turning his attention back to the artwork.

As we wandered through the gallery, I peppered him with questions about his favorite pieces, trying to draw him out. To my delight, he began to open up, sharing insights into his artistic preferences, his passions, and the stories behind his favorite artists.

“You really know your stuff,” I commented, genuinely impressed.

He chuckled softly, and for the first time, I felt a warmth radiating from him. “It’s just something I enjoy. Not everyone gets it.”

“Maybe not, but I think it’s amazing,” I said, my heart swelling at the connection we were building.

We moved from room to room, our conversation flowing effortlessly. I noticed a lightness in his demeanor, a flicker of genuine enjoyment that filled me with hope. I was beginning to believe that perhaps he was starting to see me as more than just an annoyance.

As the night progressed, we made our way to the reception area. I had anticipated the food would be a hit, and sure enough, a spread of delicious treats awaited us. I grabbed a plate and filled it with an assortment of snacks, trying to maintain a relaxed demeanor.

“Looks like you were right about the snacks,” Kennan admitted, grabbing a mini quiche.

I chuckled, taking a bite of my own selection. “See? I knew it!”

We continued to eat and chat, the atmosphere buzzing with energy. As we stood together, I realized how far we’d come from our first awkward encounters. I was feeling more confident, and I sensed Kennan warming up to me.

Just as I began to think things were going well, my friends decided to crash our moment. Timmy and the others ambled over, clearly enjoying the opportunity to see me in action.

“Wayne! I didn’t know you had a date!” Timmy teased, winking at me.

“It’s not a date!” I insisted, my cheeks flushing.

“Right, sure. Whatever you say,” Lenard chimed in, unable to hide his amusement.

Kennan shot me a look, and I could feel the heat rising in my face. I desperately searched for a way to deflect their attention while maintaining my dignity.

“Guys, can we not?” I pleaded, trying to laugh it off.

But Kennan surprised me by speaking up. “Actually, I’m just here for the snacks.” He grinned, and the tension eased as we all shared a laugh.

As the night wore on, I felt like I was beginning to make progress. My friends were teasing me, but I didn’t mind. I had something real with Kennan, even if it was just the beginning of a friendship. The night ended with me feeling hopeful and exhilarated. Operation: Kennan Chen was proving to be a success, and I was determined to keep building on it.

I had learned one important lesson: persistence pays off. If I wanted to impress Kennan, I had to keep pushing forward, no matter how many setbacks I faced. Each moment spent together was a step closer to breaking down the barriers that stood between us. I was ready for whatever came next, and I had a feeling that Kennan was too.