Chapter Three: The Grumpy

“Who are you?”

The woman stared at Clark, and it surprised him. She has a beautiful face. She has long lashes which, he knows, are not fake, her perfectly curved nose, and her red lips, and he knows it is not a lipstick that makes it red. Her cheeks are red, and her fair white skin feels smooth. And as she was talking with Ashlee, she was smiling, so he could see her deep dimples on both cheeks.

“Clark, you look at her like you don’t want her here,” said Belle.

“Her name’s Gaby. She’s our new roommate.” Ashlee said.

“A roommate. Why is she here with us?” Clark asked.

“She’s our roommate, a sweethearts. She can sit with us, duh!” Belle said, rolling her eyes at Clark.

“Gaby, he is Clark. He’s a heartthrob member.“ said Ashlee. “The grumpy one.”

Gaby just stared at him, smiled a little, and ignored him. Clark lifted an eyebrow. Gaby didn’t even show a little admiration for him, didn’t even speak to him or anything.

‘Jeez, who’s this girl?’ Clark thought.

Dylan sat beside Clark. He immediately placed Gaby’s food on the table, and Clark’s order followed.

“Your favorite,” said Dylan.

Gaby smiled. “Yeah! Thank you. You remembered.“

Dylan smiled. Clark took a glance at Dylan and Gaby. Everyone started eating but stopped when they noticed Gaby was praying before she ate, so they waited for her to finish. Clark smirked, and Gaby heard it.

“What’s funny?” said Gaby.

Their friends turned and looked at Gaby. She was looking straight at Clark, who was about to eat, but before the food came into his mouth, Riki gave him a little kick.

“What?” Clark asked innocently.

Riki snouted, and he followed his lips. Gaby was staring at him seriously.

“What’s funny about it?” repeated Gaby.

“What are you talking about? I’m not laughing. It’s just a smirk. It didn’t hurt you.” Clark said.

“Is prayer funny for you?” said Gaby.

The group silenced as if there was a beautiful scene to see. Clark was speechless.

“Don’t you pray?” Gaby asked. Clark scoffs. “You should be grateful for the blessing you receive. You should not laugh when you see someone praying. Would you like me to teach you how to pray?“ Gaby said.

“You’re so noisy,” Clark said, getting annoyed. “What makes you angry? When you pray, you should only think about God and not bother the people around you.”

“Ignore him, Gaby,” said Matt.

Clark was grinning again. The group looked back at Gaby. She was serious but did not argue with Clark. They smiled because it seemed Clark had found his girl version.

“Hello, my friends!”

A group of men came close to where they were. They are the university basketball varsity team.

“Hi, Sweetheart!”

The girls just smiled. The boys rolled their eyes at the table and immediately noticed Gaby beside Ashlee.

“Whoa! Sweethearts have a newbie!“

“Hi, Miss! I’m Steve.“

“I’m Markus!”

“My name is Glenn!”

“I’m Timothy!”

“Good morning. My name is Gaby!” She welcomed them with a smile.

“You look lovely, Gaby,” said Markus. “Are you a celebrity?”

“Supermodel?” says Glenn.

“A beauty queen, perhaps?” Timothy said.

As all the varsity team said, she answered no and shook her head. “But you can be one of them!” said Timothy.

Gaby just smiled. Dylan frowned. “You must go. You have seen us. We are busy eating! You guys are a nuisance!“ Dylan said.

All four of them chuckled. “Seriously, Dylan, we’re just introducing ourselves.”

“Go!” said Riki.

The four men got up and bid them farewell. They sat at the other table but always fixed their eyes on where they were.

-

After class, Gaby thought of sitting on the bench beside the field where the university plays. She sat down and looked around.

“Gaby!”

Gaby turned around and could not help smiling when she saw him.

“Dylan!” she replied.

“Why are you here?” asked Dylan.

“Nothing, it’s nice to sit here,” said Gaby

Dylan just smiled, and Gaby also smiled. “You’ve changed a lot, Gab,” Dylan said seriously.

“You too. I’m surprised you’re a heartthrob.“ said Gaby. “Aren’t you clunky now?”

Dylan chuckled. “Do you still think I’m clumsy?”

“Isn’t that right?” Gaby giggled.

Dylan kept quiet, looking at Gaby. “I miss you, Gab!” Dylan said. “I am so sorry.”

Gaby smiles a bit. “Sorry?”

“I’m sorry I left you,” said Dylan.

“It’s okay, Dylan. Let’s forget about that. How long has it been? About five years ago.“ said Gaby.

Dylan wasn’t saying anything. He was happy to see Gaby, his closest friend and first love, but he knew that although she smiled at him and was delighted when she saw him, they needed to talk about something. He knows she’s hurt.

“Why are you here? Don’t you have class now?” Gaby asked.

“Yeah, I’m done with my class,” said Dylan. “Civil Engineering is still the course you took.”

“It’s my dream, isn’t it?” Gaby said.

“Why are you only 3rd year?” Dylan asks.

“I’m supposed to be in the first year, but because there are subjects that are credited with my homeschooling, I’m now in the third year,” Gaby said.

“Homeschooling? I thought you were studying at the University of Toronto?“ Dylan asked.

Gaby looked at him. “A lot happened since you left, Dylan.”

Dylan averted his eyes from her. He feels guilty. Since Dylan returned home, no news has been received from Gaby. He couldn’t contact her anymore. He also lost her social media accounts, along with Gaby’s parents.

“I think you should go. Your girl could see us, Dylan. I don’t want trouble.“ Gaby said.

“I haven’t got a girlfriend,” said Dylan.

“Seriously?!“ said Gaby, in shock.

“Why? Don’t you think it’s true? Perhaps you, someone, will suddenly become jealous and hit me here.“ Dylan joked.

“Who will punch you?” Gaby asked.

“Your boyfriend,” said Dylan.

“Boys don’t like me because they think I’m not an ideal girlfriend,” said Gaby.

“Tell me who said that?” asked Dylan. “They should never tell you that. You’re an ideal girlfriend to me. You are lovely and….”

Gaby looked at him. “This is my opinion. You’re the girl I wanna date,” said Dylan.

“You’re a good friend, Dy,” Gaby spoke with a smile.

“I may change physically, but I’m still your Dylan, Gab,” said Dylan. “I’m always the same.”

Gaby just smiled. “Your friends are cool, especially the girls!”

Dylan smiled even though he knew Gaby was changing the topic. “Those are the coolest,” said Dylan.

“But your rude friend. He seems like he conceived out of resentment!” said Gaby.

“Who?” Dylan asked, confused.

“The rude guy at the cafeteria,” said Gaby.

“Clark is a great guy.“ said Dylan.

“He doesn’t seem to,” Gaby smirked.

“You’re pre-judging him.” Dylan chuckled.

Gaby smiled. The noise nearby distracted them. “There’s no us, Liz!” said the guy with irritation.

Dylan chuckled. “He gets in trouble again.”

“Isn’t he the grouchy, Clark?” Gaby asked while looking at Clark.

“Yes, and he’s furious now!” Dylan smirked. “Looks like someone assumed Clark’s girlfriend again.”

“Assumed?” Gaby asked.

Dylan said nothing. They listened to the couple’s arguments. “But you kissed me.” the woman said.

“You’re the one who kissed me. You might forget,” Clark said.

“Go to hell, Clark!” the woman was furious.

Clark never said a word and was looking at that woman. The woman slapped him.

“Do you know what? A woman like you is just a pain in the neck.“ said Clark. The woman left him.

“He doesn’t like her? She’s beautiful.“ said Gaby.

Dylan wasn’t saying anything. He was watching too. Later, he looked at Gaby, still watching the scene from a distance.

“Is he a heartbreaker?” asked Gaby suddenly.

That’s what she hears in conversations at the university. Dylan didn’t answer any of her questions. Gaby assumed that Dylan wasn’t saying anything that might hurt his friend.

“I’ll go home, Dylan!” said Gaby.

Suddenly, she got up, and Dylan got up as well. “I’m going with you!” said Dylan.

“Okay,” said Gaby with a smile.