Badboy for a Boyfriend

Chapter 3

I was fidgeting on my fingertips under the table for an eternity already. My anxiety would build up in every second that passed. The door entrance had opened only about eight times since I sat at my table. The maitres d'hotel lady would gesture the customers further inside the room until a waiter in a formal black shirt walked to them to lead them to their tables and offer the menu. 

I refused to glance at the door after the eighth customer after I walked in. Another seven came, and no one joined me at my table. If customers stayed for too long, the maitres d'hotel would then offer the bar, which was not needed earlier during lunchtime. Besides, most people who came here were busy, and staying away from their schedules was the last thing they would do. 

Frankly, I was waiting for them to offer me their bar. 

I bit my lower lip while grabbing my handkerchief from the table and moved it down to my thighs. I patted it several times to get my mind off things, but it’s not helpful. I could feel the other customers’ eyes on me. Although the restaurant offered spacious dining space and a tranquil ambiance, it didn’t help with my mood — with my growing irritation. 

I swallowed hard and glanced at my high-waist clean stripe dress. I remember wearing it earlier this morning as I prepared for lunch. But it’s around six-thirty now. 

The waiter offered me something to drink. Even the manager checked on me, but I declined each offer except for the fruit shake as my lunch. The reservation here was not a joke, but I was not after that. I simply lost my appetite after receiving a message that my parents couldn’t make it for lunch. They offered dinner, and since I have nothing to do for the day, I stayed here instead. I was fine until the afternoon came and the dinner was nearing. That’s when I regret ever staying. It’s too late now because I could not even move in my seat. 

No, I was not hungry or anything. I hardly even feel the need to go to the restroom. I got irritated but trying so hard to conceal it. I had to. That’s what I was used to. That’s what I grew up to. My opinion would not matter even if my own parents stood me up on our supposed family date. I simply hated myself for not being able to stand for myself. I could call my mom and tell them, no, I’m not going for dinner this time. They made me wait, so never expect me to wait for them on the table. 

Honestly, though, they didn’t tell me to wait. Besides, I remember mom saying in her text it’s Friday dinner. It’s Sunday now. But she reminded me over breakfast we would have lunch today instead, and they would be coming from the office. I should have known by now how often they changed schedules in a snap of a finger. Without so much care for other people’s schedules. I guess they knew their worth. They put prize to their time. So priceless that even their daughter could not afford it.

“Honey, oh dear!” Mom’s sophisticated voice rang in my head. She had always been soft-spoken, but her voice sounded a little loud to my ear today. I smelt her perfume long before I heard her. She’s already next to me before I could lift an eye. A gentle kiss on my head and it’s expected of me to calm down and for whatever was running in my head to die down. 

True enough, the leather smell of their office lingered in their attire. Dad was in a formal black suit as always and mom was wearing a wine-colored dress and her black cardigan. 

I forced a smile and stood to greet them with a smile. These were the only moments I could step a little closer to my dad, as this was the only time he would allow me to kiss him. My father had never been a people-pleaser, but he cared so much about how people see our family. However, he had also been vocal about his disappointment at not having a son, letting people know of his opinion of me.

Stepping close to him was one of the tenses moments of my life. When done, I sat back down on my chair without letting my tension appeared on my expression. My mom’s smile remained on her lips after I kissed her back, but her eyes were weighing my reaction. I didn’t force a smile this time and simply lowered my head. 

“Did we keep you waiting?” she started while dad watched the server approached our table. I shook my head to prepare myself for a lie. 

“I finished my homework at home and took a rest before coming here.” I studied their reaction through my lenses. Nothing. No one realized how lame the alibi was. I usually do homework on Friday nights. I even informed them I was done with everything when mom asked me over breakfast earlier thinking we’d have lunch together. 

Bitterness crawled inside me. They never really paid attention. I gulped to keep bile from rising from my stomach, as I had to keep my judgment against them to myself. 

Moments like this were rare, but I had familiarized myself with the ‘scenes’ long ago. We would meet in the same high-end restaurant. Sometimes we arrived individually. Sometimes I would be with mom as we waited for dad to finish his work. Today they came together, and I was the one waiting for the entire day. Then the waiters would serve our usual servings. Depends if they have a new menu and we’re offered to try. We hardly talked. Mom would try to have a decent conversation, but it would die down before it even started. I have no idea how our family started to be this uptight around each other. I think I really just grow with it. 

“Dayshawn and Daniella are supposed to be with us last Friday, but something came up. I think they are rescheduling a meeting with us…?” It was a statement directed to me until mom’s voice faltered to question dad. She’s dubious. So was my dad. I smiled with my tight lips and nodded. I was thinking of better words to share when dad spoke. 

“They have problems in the family, but Dayshawn wishes to have dinner with you one of this day. He said he barely sees you at school,” he said in a monotone and only lifting an eye at me once. 

“They have a rigid training in their baseball varsity team, dad. But I will say hi to him when I see him these coming weekdays.”

“You should visit him,” he added. I have nothing more to say and simply nodded. Mom glanced at me with a smile and I returned it with a tense one. 

I had never been excited about the weekend, nor did I ever squeal that it’s Monday already. In fact, I don’t recall the last time excitement took over me. 

I stayed inside the backseat for half an hour, looking up at the building of the campus. The school had its extensive driveway, and outside, you would not be able to see what’s inside the great walls. I frowned as my eyes landed on the group of girls, who seemed to be excited to see each other after the weekend. I don’t understand that kind of excitement either. I mean, it’s just two days and not a decade? 

Even Sue would not react that way, even if we missed each other for a summer vacation. 

The door on my side opened. Joe politely curtsied at me as I turned to him with a frown. “Your class is about to start.” 

I sighed and readied my bag. I must have spaced out so much because I didn’t notice him move from his seat behind the wheel. Luckily for me, dad didn’t fire him after my little rendezvous a year ago. Or I would have to look for him everywhere to apologize and give little compensation for my selfishness like the others. 

I stepped out without saying anything. I had minutes before the bell ring, so there were only a few students outside to watch me. The baseball team was enjoying the sun on the field. My steps faltered as I remember dad’s words, but thinking about my class, I quickened my pace. Until Dayshawn’s voice called for me. He jogged the distance from the field to me. 

My eyes caught the movement on my side. A boy was about to approach me but changed direction because of Dayshawn. Students recognized me but not everyone has the courage to walk to me as I don’t normally talk to random people. But that particular boy was familiar. I squinted at his retreating back heading to the seniors building. If I was not mistaken, he’s one with those bullies last week: the shorter one. 

“Hey!” Dayshawn greeted with a huge smile. He followed my line of gaze but didn’t see the boy I was watching. He’s sweating with his baseball uniform already. Probably because of practice, but as always, it never fazed him. He looked cool when he never minded little things like that. However, it made him quite insensitive at times, too. Because little things don’t matter to him. 

Dayshawn was the third child of Mr. Silvero. Daniella was the youngest and the only daughter. Dayshawn had the appeal and height of the former President of the Philippines. But his features were mostly from his mom, from the thick lashes and brows to the dimples on his cheeks. His skin only became tanned because of their training. If it weren’t for his towering height, people would think he’s younger than me. Even Daniella had that baby face they had gotten from their mother. 

And except for that, Dayshawn was smart. He’s topping their class and being in a varsity team didn’t hinder him from excelling academically. My dad was so proud of him.

“Hi,” I greeted after staring at him for too long and as he panted for air. His hands were on his knees before he gestured to the closest bench to me. I have class, but my dad would surely understand if this reached him. It was all about Dayshawn, anyway. 

He sat next to me but with enough distance for my personal space. 

“My dad would like to say hi,” I added and smiled. 

He got an even wider smile, showcasing his perfect teeth. “Come on! We often see each other in the office.” His thumb pointed behind him and to the building to refer to the school office. “We had a quick dinner last Friday in our office, too. You missed it but it’s really quick as dad and your dad had a lot to discuss. My dad also asked if we see each other often around the school. I have to tell the truth because I’m worried your dad would ask you, too and our answers won’t match.” He chuckled. “Daniella kept on asking about you, too.”

I smiled because his soft laughter had always been contagious. My dad didn’t mention Daniella. “I think they’re scheduling a dinner this week?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. Something personal came up with the family. We can’t keep up with our schedules these days.” He plastered a boyish grin to help lighten the atmosphere.

“I see,” I murmured, wondering how personal it was. Our families were close friends. There were barely any secrets from each other. Based on his reaction, it’s something serious. A question lingered at the tip of my tongue. But what I knew were only rumors anyway, so I dismissed that question. “How’s practice?”

“Great!” he exclaimed. “We still have a long way to go before the competition but I’m liking the constant practice. I’ll have reasons to miss everything in life.”

I fought back the urge to frown. As a result, I watched him with a blank expression. He noticed and laughed. He lightly shook his head. 

“I guess your dad hasn’t told you about our issues yet. I’m not ready to discuss it, really… You have class?”

I nodded and mimicked him as he stood from his seat. 

“I’ll have to invite you for dinner this week. Is that fine with you?”

“Yeah,” I whispered.

We parted ways after that. I was five minutes late for my first class. Sometimes, I meant it, especially if some teacher came in late, too. I simply wanted to stay silent in my seat until lunch or dismissal without having to talk to anyone. I could tolerate the noise around my friends. However, I wanted nothing but silence for now after what happened yesterday. 

“Let me guess…,” Jean stood in front of me and my chair with her arms crossed over her chest. “Your lunch date with your parents didn’t go as expected.”

I looked away from her to glance at Tanner and Sue. Tanner was pouting at me as they had been trying to insist I come with them for lunch. But again, I’m declining. 

Sue gently elbowed my side. “Or it’s as you expected?” 

Which was right, but I simply shrugged. 

“Then join us,” Tanner insisted. “There’s no better place to sulk but around your friends. You have been keeping so much from us lately. It won’t do good for your health.”

“I’m not sulking. I’m used to this. Besides, it’s not really about our dinner last night. I just…” I glanced at Sue. Her eyes instantly widened at my silent excuse. She knew it. She frowned and gave me a discreet, disappointed look before shrugging nonchalantly for the sake of the two. 

“But you’re going to eat lunch, right?”

I nodded to reassure them. “I will. And I will be in class on time.”

Tanner’s shoulder fell in defeat. In the end, they have to leave and head to the cafeteria without me. And as usual, I headed outside the building and was about to go to my new spot, but paused as I remember what happened last week. I don’t think it’s still a safe space for me. 

“H-Hi!” 

A boy appeared in front of me. I glanced at his white tie and back to the little difference in our heights. But he looked smaller as he kept lowering his head. He said nothing, but I patiently waited while glancing around, wondering if something’s going on that I didn’t know of. Few students peeked at us with curiosity until the boy lifted his arms to offer what’s on his hand. 

A lunchbox. With a yellow note which I could not properly read because of his fingers covering it. 

Confused, I only stared down at it. My silence forced him to speak. 

“I asked my mom to make me an extra lunch today,” he said without lifting his head. I looked down at the floor between us, wondering what’s more interesting on the cream tiles than me. When his words registered, I was speechless. He took a peek to see my reaction but immediately looked down again. 

“I don’t need it,” I replied in a breath, without hesitation, but still bewildered. 

I was not sure if this was the first time I saw him, but I couldn’t remember ever having an encounter with him except this. I didn’t even know his name. Sure, he knew my name, but did he know me well enough to offer me lunch? I mean, were we supposed to know each other? 

His arms remained outstretched in between us. They trembled a little at my response. I felt bad, but I never accepted random things from people I didn’t know. Especially food. I have no idea what’s in there. If I got sick eating them, I would hear a lot from my father, too. 

“You should give it to someone else... Excuse me.” I stayed for a few seconds to wait for him to look up at me, but seeing he had no intention to see my face, I walked past him to head for the other buildings in search of a better place to be alone. 

I wondered if I should go to the auditorium because they have open space at the back there or check on my previous spot before. In the end, I saw myself standing across the seniors’ building. My feet moved of their own accord and brought me here. This was not the first time I have been here, but I was yet to familiarize myself with their facilities. Every time I went here, students assumed I was looking for Dayshawn because that’s the same matter whenever he visited our building. 

As expected, senior boys turned to me. They looked like they were ready to inform Dayshawn I was here, so I turned around to go back to our building. In haste, I almost bumped into a man who made a screeching halt in front of me, as he did not expect me to turn around suddenly. 

I gasped in surprise and stared at him with wide eyes. 

“It’s you, right?” he panted. 

My brows knitted at the small healing wound on his left cheek. He’s that shorter boy from the bullies group. He’s not that short, but considering how tall his friends were, his height was distinguished. I was positive something I didn’t know was happening with these people suddenly appearing in front of me and talking as if I was expected to know them. 

He shook his head when I said nothing. He stared at my bag for a bit too long, which was really strange. Before I could excuse myself, he murmured something under his breath and even nodded like he’s sure of something, then grabbed my arm and dragged me to the seniors’ building. 

Totally clueless, I let him dragged me until we set foot inside the building. But when I realized people were looking at us, I knew I had to struggle. But his hold on me was determined. 

“What are you doing?” I hissed as he led me to the stairs. 

Their building had little difference from ours when it comes to design, spacious halls, and height. But they had wider stairs like that of a mall and even wider hallways overlooking the ground and a grand hall. It surely looked like a high-end mall, but with school facilities instead of boutiques and stores.

We walked past a group of students in the hall. I have to compose myself and keep up with his steps so it would not look like he’s forcing me. Though that’s really what’s happening. How would I explain this to my father if I did not even know what was going on? 

When we turned an empty corner, I shrugged from his hold as much as I could and almost slipped because he unexpectedly let go of me. I was mad and ready to fire him questions, but all words left in my throat as the boy turned frigid. I followed his line of gaze to see his friends occupying the hall going to the maintenance room. In the opposite corner was the comfort room. I had to duck away from the sight of the other students to hide my face. 

Why did he bring me here? 

That question was ringing in my head, but I was not ready to ask that to this group. I knew I had to leave until it was too late as the group turned to us. That’s also when I noticed a familiar frame in the middle. I instantly recognized him when our eyes met. 

That guy on the sidewalk from the other week. I could not help but looked him up and down because he’s wearing his complete uniform this time. But the earring on the left was still there and his hair was stylishly messy, too. I smelt trouble before the huge leader shrugged an arm in my direction casually. I knew they were the same group because of the wounds on their faces. They had it worse than this boy who dragged me here. But to see them gathered around with the guy who did this to them was appalling. 

They did not seem to be bullying him, though. If anything, it looked like it was the other way around, looking at their tensed frame and unfocused eyes. They also made sure to keep a distance from him this time. Did they bring him here with them, or this new guy gathered them all here? 

“It was her!” the leader’s voice finally sank in on me. He almost screamed it in glee, like I had become an angel ready to rescue them. “That’s h-her!”

I froze in my tracks. The boy who dragged me here discreetly distanced himself from me as the pierced guy took his deliberate steps toward me. 

I think there’s a problem with their ventilation here because I could not breathe.