Chapter 5: Gayle

Abbigayle's POV

I was outside my apartment and waiting for a cab to take me to school when a car stopped in front of me. I didn’t recognize this car. It’s not Klaress' and definitely not our neighbors'. It’s also impossible that the owner of this car lives here since it is obviously a place for the less privileged people. I was about to take my eyes off the car and called for the cab which was about to pass when I saw Ethan got out of the said car. I was about to say something when the front seat opened and Klaress went out of it.

“Hey.” Ethan greeted me. He’s so fresh even when it’s just early in the morning. “Good morning.”

“Good morning! What are you two doing here?” I said. I don't know why but I feel nervous whenever he's around. 

“We’re here to pick you up.” Klaress said.

“Pick me up? Why?” I said.

“We just want to,” Ethan said. "Besides, it's still early since Klaress prepared earlier than usual."

“It was his idea. He wanted to drive me to school and he said we should drop by your unit and we’ll go to school together.” Klaress said.

“Really? You know I can go to school alone, right? You shouldn’t have bothered.” I said.

“Why don’t you just be thankful? You have a lot to say even if we were just concern about you.” Ethan said. He looks pissed.

“I didn’t ask you about this! I don’t want to be a bother.” I said.

“Who said you’re a bother? You’re not!” Ethan said.

“Okay, okay. Well, thank you, guys.” I said.

“You two always throw daggers at each other.” Klaress laugh. “It’s too early to be arguing you know.”

“Oh come on. Lets just go.” I said.

We went inside the car and just when I thought we’ll head to school already I wonder why Ethan didn’t start the car.

“Gayle, fasten your seatbelt please.” He said.

“Oh, alright.” I said as I buckled my seatbelt.

“Gayle? You call her Gayle?!” Klaress exclaimed. 

“Yes, why?” He said.

“Oh, nothing.” She said as she looked at me with accusing eyes. Don't look at me I don't even know what's going on.

Ethan turned the engine on and headed towards our university.

“You ordered Abby to fasten her seatbelt yet you drive slowly,” Klaress said while laughing. "There's no traffic bro."

“I’m just being careful you know. I don’t wanna get into an accident especially that you’re with me. I don’t want you two to be in danger.” He said as he looked at me from the mirror since I was in the backseat.

“If you say so,” Klaress said. “Anyway, Abby did you gave your number to that basketball varsity guy? You know the one who was asking for it yesterday?”

I was about to answer her but I was caught off guard when the car stopped abruptly.

“Bro what the hell is wrong with you!” Klaress said.

“You gave your number to a guy?” He said instead of answering Klaress’s question.

“What? Of course not!” I said. “I told him I’m not interested.”

“You did? Oh, what a waste. He’s so handsome!” Klaress said.

“That’s good to hear. You two shouldn’t entertain boys.” He said.

He started the engine again and drove to our school. We were almost there when we passed by the guy Klaress was talking about.

“Oh my God speaking of that guy. He’s here!” She exclaimed.

Ethan stopped the car when we were at the front of the gate and we all went out.

“I told you he’s so handsome,” Klaress said. “Oh, here he comes. Oh my God!”

“He isn’t handsome at all. NOT AT ALL.” Ethan said.

“Hi, Abby! Hi Klaress!” The guy said as he walked past us.

We just smiled at him and turned to each other.

“I told you he’s got the looks, right?” Klaress said.

“Yeah right.” I said.

“I thought you were here to study? Why are you swooning over that guy? I’m more handsome than he is.” Ethan said.

“Whatever bro. Let’s go Ab.” Klaress said.

“Yeah, we better go.” I said. 

“Bye bro.” Klaress said. “Take care.”

“Bye sis. Bye Gayle. You take care too.” He said. "Stay away from boys."

We went inside the school and Ethan drove away.

“I don’t know but I think something’s wrong with him. He never drove me to school before.” Klaress said.

“Maybe he’s got nothing to do.” I said.

“You know what? Maybe, he likes you.” She said. “Do you like him?”

“Whaaat? You’re kidding me, right?” I said.

“It’s not impossible for him to like you. You got the looks!” She said.

“Can we not talk about that?” I said. “I don’t think of him that way.”

“You don’t have to be so defensive you know. If he likes you, I’ll support him and if you like him I will be more than happy.” She said.

“I don’t like him, okay?” I denied it. “Besides, he’s way older than us.”

“Okay if you say so.” She said. “Just remember, age doesn’t matter and he’s just 24.”

“Let’s just go. He doesn’t like me and I don’t like him.” I said. “Okay?”

“Whatever. Let’s go.” She said.

We went inside our classroom and got ready for our class. Every professor we had in the morning was very stress-free and we had a lot of fun learning new things. It was lunchtime when we decided to go to the cafeteria and eat. We were in the middle of eating when we heard a commotion from outside. We looked to see what it was and then we saw that it was the basketball varsity team and they were pushing someone to get inside the cafeteria. It was the guy who asked for my number yesterday and they were pushing him to go to our table. He was holding some flowers. The guy came to us and stopped right beside our table.

“Excuse me Abby.” He said.

“Yes?” I said.

“This is for you.”  He said as he gave me the flowers. “Have a nice day.”

“Thank you.” I said.

“You’re welcome. I hope you'll like it." He said and then he left.

He was bombarded with a tease from his friends who were waiting outside. It was sweet that someone appreciates me but I don’t think I am ready to entertain guys at this time of my life. Is that really it? Or is it because I wanted to entertain someone else? Urgggh. This is so frustrating. Someone gave me flowers but all I could think was the flowers given to me by Ethan. Why does he affect me this much?