Ian Anderson

I desperately didn't want to speak to Dylan, especially when he kissed me that night; I know he was unconscious of what he was doing to me. I wanted space alone, I kept it a secret what happened between me and Dylan; especially to Jess. She would be angry if she found out.
I continued sketching a girl on my notebook, extracting from Jess' image. I sat far away from Dylan and his classmate, like 3 or 4 trees away. But, I couldn't stop looking at him.

"Hi there, babe." Jess greeted, sitting next to me. "What are you doing?"

"Drawing."

"Can I see?! Wow, it's so realistic and beautiful!"

Jess watched me draw and complete the sketch, she was writing a song for a band in the university. Even though my beloved girlfriend was there, I can't avert staring at Dylan; he was laughing and talking to his classmate. He was happy, like Adrian. "Who are you looking at?" Jess asked.

"The trees, I need some background reference."  I lied, smiling as I stroke her dark brown hair. "Do you have any projects to do?" Jess asked, as she continued writing down words on her  notebooks. "Nah, we don't have." I replied. "There will be next week, our prof is doing badly with his teaching."

I glided my pencil, outlining the sketch; it turned out to be really good. I inked it with my ballpen, following the lines; tracing the body as the black ink follows. I grabbed my backpack and pulled out my pencilcase, grabbing a rubber eraser; I erased the rough pencil sketch as I showed Jess my output. "It's nice, who do you dedicate it to?"

"To you." I ripped the paper from the notebook and gave it to her, Jess was happy as she kept it in her music sheets. "Anyways, why aren't you talking to Dylan? You guys are room mates, everyone would've thought you two would be best of friends after what happened between you and Adrian." Jess asked, "I notice you were also trying to avoid him."

I bit my lip, I can't tell her that Dylan stole a kiss from me! I also can't make a spiral of white lies, I'll just top it with another lie. Until the whole problem is pointless, "well; Dylan is a busy kid. I don't want to interrupt him." I explained, yeah right; he's 'busy'. I needed some space! "It's a shame he doesn't want to talk to me anymore."

"I see, you need to take a break; why don't we go out for a bite or two? It's my treat, I don't want to see my boyfriend depressed." Jess suggested, grabbing my hand as she helped me stand up. "I know a place downtown, Tanya and the others go there very often. They say the food is amazing!"
I declined her offer, I was not in the mood to go out or be with my friends. I needed some time to think before heading out, repeating the same mistakes I did before.

"If you say so, don't hurt yourself or do anything bad!" And with that, Jess kissed my cheek and left. I sat down again, my eyes trailing towards to Dylan and his friend. I could see he was very happy without me, what I was thinking?! He was drunk after all, Dylan has no memories of telling me that he loves me. Or maybe because of the hangover, he has no control of his words.

While staring, I noticed a person familiar to me; he was intimidating Dylan with his group. The student has dark brown hair, with black scary eyes and fair skin. He was wearing a blue and black striped crewneck sweater, jeans and sneakers. And I know a person who dresses up like that, Adrian Wright; my old room mate. Who left me without an explaination!

I narrowed my eyes at him, that's when our eyes met; I could tell he was planning something. Adrian simply smirked and waved at me, then gesturing something by dragging his finger across his neck. Which means, he'll do something bad to me or Dylan and his friend. I watched him take a step forward, surrounding Dylan and his poor friend with his fellows.

They talked, but that peaceful chat didn't last very long for Adrian became hostile he started insulting Dylan very loudly; that everyone inside the campus could hear what he was saying about the first year student. I didn't bother to step in, Dylan could handle it himself; right?
I observed the situation, as I see Dylan looking at me with his blue eyes; that meant help.

"Hey! Aren't you listening to me?!" Adrian yelled, as he grabs Dylan's shirt; quickly throwing a punch at him. I gasped, I felt myself shudder with anger; I didn't realize that my body was walking towards Adrian. "Leave him alone, Wright." I told him, Adrian chuckles as he lets go of Dylan. "Gee, isn't it Ian Anderson? Where have you been, friend?"

Adrian calling me a 'friend' made me twitch, yes; we were best of friends before. But leaving me without an explanation then suddenly popping into my life again? Can he get more annoying?

Adrian lets go of Dylan, sighing; "you disappoint me, you used to be so insensitive." Insensitive? I was not rude, I cared for other's feelings; what made him say that? "Now you care for this first year student?" 

"He's my room mate, I'm responsible for him." I bluntly said, Adrian cracks a smile; planning something underneath that mischievous grin. "Oh really? You care for him a lot? Let us see about that." He quickly punches Dylan across the face, making the younger boy lose balance and fall on the ground holding his cheek; while wincing in pain. "Stop!" I shoved him back, making him trip on himself. "You didn't learn your lesson, Adrian. Don't even bother trying to make up with me." 

I walked over to Dylan, helping him stand up; not speaking to him. "Also." I glanced over my shoulder, "leave the younger ones alone."

I walked away without another word, Dylan trailing behind me. "Wait up!" He yells, sprinting towards me. "Ian! Can't you hear me?!" I do hear you, but I don't want to talk to you. I stopped as I let Dylan grab my shoulder, "are you alright? You haven't been speaking to me lately and you seemed pissed about Adrian..." 

I smacked his hand away, "don't talk to me." 

I faced him, Dylan showed a hurt expression; his eyes were big as saucers when he heard what I said. I could tell he wanted an explanation. "Tell me, is there something wrong?" Dylan asked. 

"It's nothing."

"I know you have a grudge against me, just tell me already!"

"Why should I?"

"I-I.." Dylan's face flushed, as his cheeks showed a tint of red. He played with his fingers, mumbling some words that was inaudible. "I-I couldn't sleep properly because of the thought you might've hated me or... Something." I was surprised, I thought all this time he didn't care that I was avoiding him. 

"You want to know the reason why, huh?" I asked him, "I'm falling for you." 

I watched Dylan change expressions, some I didn't see before; he was embarrassed; happy and somewhat guilty. "I like you too, I felt a strange aura around you for the first time I saw you. I knew, I was in love. I was denying my feelings for you because we're both guys, and you have a girlfriend already." Dylan explained, shyly. 

"In short, you like me too?" 

"Yes."

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Hey guys! It's KingMarmari here, yes; it's my first time to write this kind of story I keep on hitting backspace while writing this. LOL, I'm also writing this during the exam. 

What I only ask of you is to vote, share and put it in your library/reading list because it really enlightens me that there is someone out there who enjoys my piece of art.

5-8-17