Chapter Five: The Bar

“Good morning!”

Everybody greeted Gaby with warmth. The group and her new friends had breakfast together when Gaby went down.

“Good morning!” said Gaby

Dylan got close immediately. “Let’s have breakfast, Gaby!”

Gaby smiled at him. He held her hand and dragged her onto the table.

“You’re such a different person, Dylan!” said Riki.

Dylan chuckled. Dylan sat on the other side of the table in front of her. As she picked up the food, she noticed Clark seated across the table. He looked at her for a sec and came back to his food.

‘He is such a bad vibe for the morning!’

Dylan looked at her, frowning. “Why?” Dylan asked.

She smiled at him. “Nothing!”

Dylan smiled at her as well. “In all fairness, you two are good together.”

The two of them turned to the speaker, and that was Sasha.

“Do you think so?” said Dylan.

“I do!” said Sasha.

Sasha even approaches their table and is about to sit beside Clark, but she accidentally collides with him before she can sit.

“Watch your step, Sasha! You might mess up my clothes.“ Clark said, upset.

“You’re a grump,” said Sasha.

“You made me,” Clark stated.

Sasha glared at Clark, then smiled at Gaby. “Gaby, have you got a boyfriend yet?” Sasha asked.

It surprised Gaby the sudden question from Sasha. She shook her head.

“No,” said Gaby with a smile.

“But have you had a boyfriend before?” Belle asked. She was sitting on that couch.

Gaby shook her head and smiled. “OK! You’re in for it, Dylan.“ Ashlee said abruptly.

Gaby turned to Dylan, smiled, and blushed, a bit embarrassed.

“If Dylan doesn’t want to, I’m gonna be your boyfriend, Gaby!” says Matt.

Gaby giggled, but Dylan glanced at Matt. “I’m available as well!” says Riki.

“Hell, if you want to be Gaby’s first boyfriend, she probably has nothing else to do but cry about. She could even become old and ugly because of a cardiac load.“ said Ashlee.

“You judge me! Everything can change, Ash.“ said Riki.

“Yes, but not you,” said Ashlee, rolling her eyes at him.

The group laughed, except for Clark, who kept quiet.

-

After school, Dylan took her to the gym to watch them play. The four Heartthrobs also play university basketball. The team trains so that they can sit in front of it.

“Is she not a transferee? She’s a natural beauty, isn’t she?“

“She looks like a celebrity!”

“Is it her that Dylan is courting?”

“Yeah, they’re cute and look good to each other.”

The Sweethearts paid attention to the conversations that were heard near them.

“You’re famous too, Gaby, so you’re a certified Sweetheart,” said Belle in a whisper.

Gaby just smiled at them. Shortly Sasha’s eyes widen. “Gaby!” she screams.

When she turned around, the ball was approaching her and would undoubtedly strike her. She caught the ball, but it didn’t make it to her.

“Wow, that’s fast, Clark.”

She looked into the man’s face. He already held the ball and stood beside her. “We’re practicing now, but you guys are bothering us!” said Clark.

“We’re not interrupting, Clark. You are the ones who are not careful.“ said Ashlee.

Clark ignored what Ashlee said, turned his back on them, and returned to his team.

“You are still cranky!” said Riki.

Clark ignored him. They’re back in the game, and Gaby frowned while staring at Clark.

‘What’s with him, anyway? Maybe his mother gave him expired milk. That’s why he behaves like that.‘

She giggled at what she thought and couldn’t stop it. The rest of the girls turned toward her.

“What’s the matter?” asked Ashlee.

“Why do you laugh, Gaby?” said Sasha.

She shook her head. “Nothing!”

She glanced at the team and noticed Clark staring at her. His eyes met hers, but he was the first to look away. He seems upset that his eyebrows are touching again.

-

In the cafeteria, the group would have lunch together. “Hey, this is a long weekend. Where would we hang out?” Ashlee asked the group.

“Ah, let’s go to the bar later, guys. That’s fun!” said Riki.

“Yes, our bonds, too,” Matt said. “We can double the celebration as Gaby’s late welcome celebration.”

“Well, I like that!” said Sasha.

“I’ve never been to a bar, and I don’t drink either,” said Gaby.

“That’s fine. Come with us so that we can get closer!” said Belle.

“It’s OK, Gaby, it’s a one-time thing,” Dylan said as he was next to her.

“But…” said Gaby.

“Why are you forcing her if she doesn’t want to?” said Clark.

Everybody’s looking at Clark. He’s busy eating. “You are so grouchy!” said Sasha.

“You are a nuisance, Clark,” said Belle.

“You’re coming, Gaby, right?” asked Ashlee.

“I’ll give it some thought.” Gaby just said.

“You shall never regret this, please!” said Sasha.

Gaby smiled at Sasha’s statement.

-

Everyone was waiting for Gaby, who was changing her clothes. In the girls’ apartment, the guys were staying.

“You guys are so insensitive. She doesn’t want to come, but you let her do it. Without a will, she will never benefit from it.“ Clark said.

Clark saw how Gaby reacted. She doesn’t like the idea of going to the bar. This is a surprise for him as well.

“She’s comin’. She’s changing her clothes!” Ashlee told Clark.

“Haist!” replied Clark. “Women are such a nuisance!”

Later, Gaby gets off with Sasha. She’s wearing simple jeans, a white T-shirt with a stitched print, and Converse shoes. It’s simple, but it’s nice.

“You look so different, Gaby. Even if you’re wearing it, you’re so beautiful!” said Riki.

“You look so beautiful!” Dylan told Gaby to come close to him. “Especially if up close!“

“She wears simple clothes. Do not deceive her,” said Clark.

Suddenly, Clark got up and walked out of the apartment. “He’s mean!” said Belle.

“Maybe his mother gave him expired milk when he was a baby, so that’s how he is,” said Gaby.

The group laughed at Gaby’s comments. “Oh, he wasn’t this way before. Since that time…..” said Sasha.

“Sasha!” Clark said. He stood again at the door, earnestly staring at Sasha.

“Yes, we followed!” said Sasha.

-

They did the convoy because they couldn’t fit into a vehicle. When the gang reached the bar, they immediately walked in. Dylan assisted Gaby until they sat down. As expected, it is very noisy inside the bar. Most of the customers there are students from SU and seem to enjoy the long weekend.

The group and Gaby immediately ordered. She just got mango juice.

“Come on, let’s dance!” says Matt.

“Come on!” replied Belle.

Riki, Ashlee, Sasha, and Belle got up quickly. “And you, Gaby?” said Riki.

“I’m sorry, guys, but I want to be at the table.” Gaby just said.

“I’m staying with Gaby over here!” said Dylan.

“Pretender! You’re fencing, Gaby, Dylan! Is that what you mean?“ said Riki.

Dylan chuckled and didn’t say a word. Riki approached Clark. “And you, Clark?” asked Riki.

“I’m not in the mood. I’ll stay here and enjoy my beer,” Clark said while lifting a bottle.

“Very well!” replied Riki.

Riki left them and went to the dance floor with Matt and the others.

-

They saw the group dancing on the dance floor. Everyone loves music, even Clark, Gaby, and Dylan, as they move their bodies as though dancing. Everyone enjoys the night.

“Are you OK?” said Dylan.

But with the loud sound, Gaby couldn’t hear him even if they were sitting beside each other. Dylan gets closer to Gaby’s ear.

“I said, are you alright?” said Dylan.

“Yes, I’m all right!” said Gaby, smiling.

“That’s good! I thought, you maybe didn’t enjoy it here, and suddenly you’ll tell me I’ll send you home. Do you like the atmosphere, the music, and the gang?“ asked Dylan.

“Yeah! I enjoyed hanging out with you guys. I didn’t expect to enjoy the bar, but I do it because of the gang.“ Gaby was sincere.

Gaby looked at Clark and sat across from them on the other side, drinking beer and looking around. She even caught him looking at her and then looking elsewhere when she looked at him. Gaby wants to be angry at his action, but she can’t help but smile because she can’t explain.

As she stares at Dylan, she’ll admit she misses him. They used to be like this, chattering happily, and she couldn’t help laughing at his funny stories.

“I’ll just go to the restroom, Gaby. Do you mind if I leave you here?” Dylan asked.

“Yes, I’m OK,” Gaby said, looking at Clark. “Grouchy is here.”

Dylan also glared at Clark, who looked at them both, frowning. Dylan approached him and whispered in his ear.

“Dude, can you keep an eye on Gaby? I’ll go to the restroom.“ Dylan told Clark.