After the cleaning was done they finally able to return to their respective dorms. The group walked together, chatting casually but some of them began to notices that both of them seems unusually close.
"Ahh, today was a long day", Gabriel said while stretching himself. She can't help but chuckle, "Well you did help with the heavy work a lot. You should take a long nap after this".
"Yeah, I should. Might as well have a little drink later too", he added. "Oh---yeah, I almost forgot. What's your name?". But as soon as he turned to his side, everything went empty. Not a single person in sight. Confused, he looked around, searching for them and even call them out.
Then, he heard a loud banging coming near him and "THUD!!" he jolted awake, pulled out from his dream by none other than Arthur himself landing on his bed. "Wake up sleeping beauty! Or do you want me to kiss you good morning, aye?".
Gabriel gave a loud sigh and clicked his tongue. He opened his eyes only to see Arthur with his so-called innocent smile right in front of him. "I am definitely going to kick your ass today," and immediately after that he uses his pillow to hit him, but Arthur just dodges it.
"Dude, chill out. You should be happy that I wake you up. I need to hear what happened with you and that gal you chase around." Arthur said as he sat down to hear Gabriel reveal the story. Gabriel who just woken up still looks groggy throw his pillow at Arthur "Nothing to say, I forgot to asked for her name". Then he stood up, taking his towel, and went to the bathroom. Arthur just sits there looking disappointed and murmurs to himself, "Wow, that's some story."
(On the to way class)
"Come on, man, give me a little spoiler. You seriously didn't ask for her name? How can you fumble that moment, dude? You even asked for her number but forgot to ask her name. Hrrmph... that's sad." Clearly making fun of Gabriel.
As they're about to enter their class, the conversation continues, and a few girls pass by them saying, "Hey Ellie, good morning." Gabriel just glanced at them and soon realized that she was right in front of him. He just stood there watching her enter the class and murmured, "Ellie. Huh, cute name. Just like the person." Followed by Arthur, "Dude, isn't that your gal? I thought she wore glasses." Gabriel just looked at him and said, "I thought so too," and they entered the class.
They sat down on their respective seats. Gabriel was just looking at her talking to her friends. "So... how was yesterday's date with Gabriel, hmm?" her friends ask. She replied, "It wasn't a date; I was just simply trying to help him because I bumped into him yesterday morning." She was clearly flustered by her friend's comment.
Her friends noticed her getting flustered, grew even more skeptical, and added more "Come on, I can't blame you. Gabriel is tall and does have a good-looking face. Not to mention, he's always with the infamous troublemaker. Both of them do look good."
Ellie replied, "Please don't get the wrong idea, but it is not like Gabriel and I know each other." still denying her friends' questions. They just looked at each other with a teasing eye, and with a sarcastic voice, they said, "Yeah, all stories also start like that, but a few chapters later they get together somehow," and they laughed at her.
"How do you all know Gabriel so much?" Ellie asked. Her friends left a bit shocked at Ellie not knowing Gabriel despite him being popular. "Seriously, you don't know him? He's well known despite being a 2nd year. Many girls like him, but he doesn't really pay attention to that. "There's even one time a senior asked him out, but he boldly rejected it." Ellie sat there, listening to the story, realizing how much she didn't know about Gabriel.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Our class is going to hold a drinking party for yesterday. "Are you joining?" her friends asked. Ellie, who did not really enjoy that kind of event, said, "Uhhh, maybe I'll pass. I'm not really into that kind of party." Her friends insist, "Come on, you're just shy. You need to go out more and socialize. Who knows, maybe Gabriel is going there too." Her friend's tone is teasing her.
After a lot of pressure from her friends, Ellie finally gave in and agreed to go but on the condition that she would not drink. "That's okay; at least you're finally going out with us," her friends say.
On the other hand, Arthur was busy trying to persuade Gabriel to join the party. "Please, I promise this time will be fun." Gabriel smirked at him. "You just want to have fun with the girls, don't you, using me as an excuse to go there." Arthur was smiling. "Aight, you got me. Come on, at least you should come to the class party. It's not like we're going to the club like I usually do."
Gabriel, not wanting to drag it out any longer, agreed to Arthur's persuasion. As the class begins, Arthur whispers to Gabriel, "You know, right? We're going for a team match this Friday." Gabriel looks at him. "Who are we up against again?" Arthur replied, "Some bunch of 1st years, and you know that one tall guy during the orientation? What's his name again? Something like Ali, or is it ass? Never mind, it's not important, but that asshole, or whatever his name is, is going to be against us."
Gabriel doesn't seem to care at all. "Huh, interesting. Didn't know he's going to join the basketball team."
Arthur, with his confidence, "Yeah, let's see if his height proves his skill, cause I'm going to beat his ass when I see him."
Then the class continued until 12:30 P.M. Arthur like always sleep through the class and Gabriel had to wake him up. He slap his head "Wake up, is already lunch time." Arthur finally regain his concious stretch himself and immediately gain his energy to eat.
(On the way to the cafeteria)
"Whew, that is some good sleep I had." Gabriel just listened to Arthur yapping when he suddenly got bumped into by none other than the tall 1st-year guy. He apologizes to Gabriel and was about to walk away when Arthur stopped him.
He blocked his way, but the height difference makes Arthur look small. "Woah... woah... hang on, chump. If you want to apologize, you better do it right." Arthur's voice sounds like he wants to intimidate him. Gabriel gently pushes Arthur to separate both of them. "That's enough, Arthur; don't cause any more trouble."
Arthur raises his hands. "I was just playing, man. I'm curious about this infamous tall guy getting all the attention. What's your name again? Ali? No, I remember it sounding like ass,." Arthur said, clearly trying to mess with him. He suddenly replied, "It's Allias." Arthur added even more, "Meh, doesn't matter; it's not like I want to know anyway."
Then both of them stare at each other, with Arthur smirking while Allias is clearly getting annoyed. Allias broke the stare and said, "Big mouth for a short guy." Arthur, who was caught off guard, was about to throw his hand at Allias when Gabriel immediately pushed them away from each other and said with a stern voice, "That's enough! Stop this nonsense," giving both of them a heavy glare.
Alias regained his composure and walked away and bumped Arthur's shoulder. "You motherf*cker." Arthur said and was about to cause more trouble but got stopped by Gabriel. "Get it together, man! You started it first." Both of them looked at each other with serious eyes, and Arthur moved Gabriel's hand away. "I'm definitely going to beat his tall ass in that match." Arthur murmured by himself as he walked back to the cafeteria.
The rest of the day continued like normal, but people can't stop thinking about the incident that happened. As the sun begins to set, everyone is getting ready for the party. Wearing good clothes with a nice fragrance, using everything to look fancy. Ellie, just keep it simple, not too shabby but not too fancy.
(19:00 P.M.)
All of them arrived one by one, taking their seats and beginning to chat, mostly about the afternoon incident. Ellie seemed to look out of place just scanning the bar. Who knows? Maybe she's waiting for somebody to arrive.
A minute later Gabriel and Arthur, along with their group, arrived, and Ellie's eyes seemed to light up. They both made eye contact, and Gabriel went to sit next to Ellie. "Nice dress." Gabriel said, and she looked away. "It's nothing; I just don't usually wear something fancy."
Arthur went to him and put his arm across Gabriel's shoulder. "Get your zipper up, playboy. Nobody wants someone to get pregnant tonight." Ellie looks flustered by the comment, and Gabriel just looks at him in disbelief. Arthur went back to his seat, getting the ladies' attention.
"I'm sorry about him; he's... arrh... quite an outgoing person." Gabriel feels embarrassed and just eats out of his pride. Ellie, who still feels flustered, can't help but stutter, "Yeah... he does look... comfortable talking like that... around you." He sighs, "That idiot is always like that; please don't mind him." He murmured to himself, "F*ck you, Arthur."
Soon everyone arrived, and the party began. Everyone went wild; Ellie's friends can't stop but to tease her even more. But it didn't stop them from having a conversation. Arthur just sat across from them, watching and observing the moments, with girls surrounding him. "Looks like the wolf finally locked onto his prey," he murmured. "
All of them are having a good time. Gabriel and Ellie laugh together and get along well, but another problem strikes. An argument erupted, and a fight started between the tomboy and some seniors. Before it becomes hectic, a senior with a tall figure loosens them up, and the tomboy puts up her middle finger to the senior's face.
She went out, and the place cooled down. It becomes awkward to continue, but Arthur with his group manages to keep the party alive. So the night continues, back again. Though it still feels awkward. They just let it roll, drink to the late-night chaos, and end it before the middle of the night comes.
Before the clock even hit twelve, they decided to call it a night. Everyone began to pack, clean up their messes, and make their way back home. Mostly everyone is getting tipsy and unstable, but they manage on their own.
Gabriel and Arthur, alongside Ellie and their group, went on together. They walk slowly, trying to enjoy the late-night breeze. Ellie and Gabriel were walking together side by side; their shoulders were close to contact, but the gap was still there to avoid it. The moon and the stars keep the tension up. Ellie's face feels hot; it looks like the distance couldn't let her keep her composure.
A few minutes later, the dorm was right in front of them. Their steps grew slower, knowing the night couldn't stretch forever. They stood right in front of the entrance and had their last conversation before they split up. "Well, maybe we have to take a different route here. See you tomorrow, I guess?" Ellie said. Gabriel smiled at her. "Sure, see you tomorrow." Before they parted, Gabriel stopped her. "Wait... I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is… Gabriel, and I'm glad to know you." He put up his hands for a welcoming handshake. She accepts the handshake. "Me too—it's a pleasure to meet you too. My name is Ellie."
Gabriel took his step up, and Ellie forgot her friends were also there listening and observing. She couldn't help but blush and run to her dorm with nonstop teasing by her friends.
Gabriel was watching her from the top floor silently. "Cute, I wonder how far I can actually hold on," he smirked. Arthur taps his shoulder. "Might as well bring a condom next time you meet." Gabriel took a short look before he went inside his room. "I'm not like you," he said, and before he closed the door, he gave one last word to Arthur: "I like to play before I devour." Arthur couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Crazy-ass dude."