Chapter 04: Goddamn, Atlas!

[Those Who Ran Away From Home: The Story]

Beau's POV

Year 1994...

"GODDAMN, BEAU!"

I turned my head to look at my sister, Bianca, and I saw her angry face. I actually don't know why the hell she's angry at me right now. I can't remember doing anything to her, or to her dogs.

My forehead creased and I said, "What now? I didn't do anything to you?"

"Where the hell did you just go? Mama is looking for you," she said. Then she sighed heavily before she continued, "She asked me to look for you. You know the simple rule in this house right? Bawal ma-late sa dinner. Is that so hard to understand?"

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, right! Mama has a lot of rules in this house, and they're far from simple. So, I don't know the simple rule she's talking about. Mama didn't like to eat without us. When I say us, I mean the whole family. The only one exempted to that rule was my father, well if he had business meetings or needed overtime in office. But most of the time, we eat dinner as a complete family.

"I came from a shoot..." I said.

She raised her left eyebrows. "New show? Movie?"

"Commercial."

Her lips curved, almost a pout. "Mama won't like it."

I rolled my eyes. Did she even need to remind me of that? Our mama has high expectations with us, and our acting career. So, shooting a commercial for a not-so-known brand will surely make her salty. "I know she will not like it. But, it's my highschool classmate's family business, and it's still an exposure, what's so wrong about it?"

She shrugged. "Well, I can't see anything wrong about it. But, Mama can." She shook her head and spoke again. "Tara na! Pumasok na tayo. You don't want Mama to be angry, right?"

"Right..."

"Hurry up!"

I went inside the mansion and instantly went to my room to take a bath and change clothes. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was quarter to seven. When I came to the dining area, I saw my older brother, Benz. His full name is Benjamin Laurenz Ackehurst, he's an actor and businessman, and he's Mama's favorite child. Bianca and I knew it too well, because only my big brother exceeded the expectation of our mother.

I am the youngest of the three of us. When most of the youngest were Mama's favorite, I am not. I am mostly compared with my older brother. My older brother, Benz, is what my mother visioned me to be. He wanted me to have the same success that my brother had.

Of course, my mother loves all of us-I am just saying she has her favorite.

Bianca, my older sister, is the only one close to me in our family. But she's as bad-tempered as me, so there were times that we didn't talk to each other because we're both prideful to say sorry. Bianca and I can relate to each other very much. She could understand me, the way I could understand her.

"Benjamin!" I flinched as I heard my mother's loud voice. There's madness and firmity in her voice. I always heard that kind of voice from her whenever she was mad at me or Bianca. But, I would never have imagined that I would hear her called Benz like that. "Benjamin Laurenz Ackehurst, how dare you!"

My forehead creased as my mother marched in front of my brother, she stopped, and then she slapped her so hard. The crispy sound of that slap can be heard in the whole dining area.

"Oh my gosh!" It was Bianca's voice. I turned my head and saw Bianca, who just arrived, covering her mouth in shock. She stared at me and asked me while stuttering, "D-Did Mama just slapped big brother?"

I rolled my eyes. "As you can see..."

She pulled me in the corner. "What did he do? What the hell did he do to make Mama this mad?"

"How would I know?" I rolled my eyes.

"You're fucking a prostitute, Benjamin? Puta madre! Ganyan ba kita pinalaki?" The whole room was filled with Mama's voice. I am just glad that the food is not yet here in the dining area, because this kind of topic should be discussed in the living room. Not here. I saw Mama massaging her temple and fanning herself. "Sagutin mo ako, Benjamin!"

I heard my sister gasping beside me. Goodness! Another drama in this house, and Biance seemed so into it.

I saw the angry and frustrated expression on Benz's face. He looked so done with Mama. "So what if I am?"

Another slap landed on his face.

"Tonta! Nag-iisip ka ba? What the hell is wrong with you, Benz? Sisirain mo ba ang career mo para sa babaeng iyon?" sigaw niya.

Benz washed his face on his palm. "Let me do my thing, mom!"

"After all I sacrifice for your career?"

"Who wanted it in the first place?" Benz yelled back at mom.

"Aba! Sumasagot ka pa ngayon, Benjamin!"

"What's going on here?" Everyone stopped and turned their heads. It was Papa who's currently standing behind me and Bianca. "What are those cursing and screaming?"

"Brandon, talk to your son!" Mama screamed, and then she slumped on her chair, her spot in our dining area. She massaged her temple and yelled again, "Benjamin will be the death of me. Haven't you seen the news?"

My dad stared at Benz confusingly, "What did you do to make your Mama this angry?" He walked closer to Mama to massage her shoulders to calm her down. "Answer me, Benz," he uttered calmly.

"I met a girl," Benz blurted out.

"A prostitute to be exact," Mama added.

Papa was confused yet he remained calm, "Tell me, what's this is all about, Benz?"

Benz sighed heavily. "You don't understand..."

"We really don't if you wouldn't tell us," Papa calmly said.

"I love her," Benz said.

Bianca gasped again beside me. She even hit me on my shoulder. Then she whispered beside me, "Benz is in love? That cold-hearted jerk is in love? Is this some sort of sorcery?"

I whispered back at her, "Love comes at an unexpected time. After all, hindi bato si Kuya Benz."

She gave me an 'Are you serious, bro?' looked and whispered back, "What do you know about love, huh? You're bitchless as far as I know."

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."

Halos mawala ang atensyon kay Mama. Namayani ang ilang minutong katahimikan. Then, mama fanned herself again, Papa was trying so hard to support her. "Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo, Benjamin? You are in the peak of your fucking career! Are you going to burn all of that for that woman?"

"Yes," Benz answered, straightforwardly. I was taken aback by how serious and firm his voice was. "I told you I love her and I wanted to spend my life with her."

"What do you fucking know about love?"

Benz smirked. "I am not that innocent and clean as you think I am, Mama."

I was shocked when Bianca pulled the hem of my shirt. Then she pulled me out of the dining area. I didn't know where the fuck are we going but I just followed her. Then, we stopped at the kitchen. Bianca grabbed two plates and glasses and then she asked the two maids to give us food. The maids obliged and prepared food for us.

My forehead creased. "What are you doing?"

"We're going to eat," she answered. Then, she stared at me while raising her left eyebrows, with her arms akimbo, and she said, "Mama's lecture will last for a minimum of two hours. If we don't eat now, we will die of hunger."

I shook my head. "Mama will not like it..."

"She won't have the energy to lecture us after Benz drained every single blood and cells in her body tonight," Bianca joked and I just shook my head. She was kind of funny sometimes.

"Well, I consider this as a rare moment."

She rolled her eyes. "Just fucking eat, Beau."

Bianca and I were really close, although we bicker most of the time. We're just two years apart from each other. Both have different attitudes and wants, but we're friends and enemies at the same time.

Bianca never wanted to be an actress, she wanted to be an architect. Well, she's studying now as an architect but Mama always tells her to prioritize her acting career. Meanwhile, I love acting. Yes, I really wanted to be an actor. What I disliked was being called nepo baby because of my actor-actress family and the pressure from this family. Plus, there's nothing more I am good at. To be honest, I am not that good at school. Bianca always helped me with a lot of schoolworks, but I am trying.

"So, may pasok ka na bukas?" tanong sa akin Bianca. Fuck! I almost forgot! First day of school nga pala bukas sa school. "Mama enrolled you in Business Management and Accounting. Bro, you'll going to die there. Tapos ang minor mo naman ay Theater Arts."

"Mama, wanted me to have knowledge in business," I said. Even if I don't want it.

"Bro, goodluck! My friends with accounting courses are dying," she said, exaggerated. Then she laughed, "Don't crawl at me dying, ok?"

"Ang over mo talaga minsan 'no?"

She laughed again. "Hoy! 'Eto naman oh! I am just joking. Southdale International School is one of the most prestigious schools in the country with a good quality of education. Safe ka doon! I swear, kaya mo 'yan!"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "I just hope college will be over."

"Over agad? Hindi ka pa nga nagsisimula eh!" Tumawa siya ng malakas na halos mabulunan siya sa sarili niyang laway. "Just enjoy college, okay? Come on! What if..."

"What if?" I asked.

She poked my cheeks, teasing me. Then she uttered, "What if in college you will meet the one. Then, you will be in love like that cold-hearted jerk-"

"In love, my ass!"

Humalkhak siya. "Huwag ka ngang defensive! Malay mo lang naman... You don;t know. Remember what you told me?" She poked my left cheek teasingly, "Love comes at an unexpected time."

I focused on my food. She's hopeless! "Whatever, Bianca!"

We were eating peacefully when Mama suddenly came. We stopped eating and looked at her.

"Beau, we need to talk. Finish your food and meet me in the garden," she said. She's even panting, catching her breath. Her eyes were swollen and teary. Did Benz make her angry enough for her to cry? "You understand?"

"Yeah..."

After I answered that, she immediately left. I thought she was going to scold us for eating in the kitchen, but she seemed occupied to even think about it. My eyebrows almost formed a line because of confusion. Did I do something wrong too? Did reporters have news of me that I don't freaking know?

Biance whispered to me. "What did you do?"

I shook a couple of times. "Nothing!"

"Heck! She won't call you if you did not do something wrong," she said and shook her head. Then she gave me a suspicious look. "Did you fuck a girl too?"

"Hell no! I am fucking virgin."

She laughed. "See? You're fucking bitchless, Beau!"

"I don't need girls, I will focus on my career."

She rolled her eyes and continued laughing. "That's my actor brother!"

"Seriously... I don't need a love life. I am going to achieve all my goals in my acting career," I said, seriously.

Bianca gazed at me. All the playfulness on her face faded. She gave me a quite bitter smile. "You are only saying that because you haven't yet found the one that can make this beat crazily." She pointed to where my heart was, and then she continued, "But once you found that person, I swear to god, you will hate the world we're currently in."

I raised one of my eyebrows. "What do you know about love, Bianca?"

She smirked. "I know it a little bit better than you, virgin little brother!"

After chit-chatting with Bianca, I immediately went to the Ackehurst Mansion's garden. I saw my mother there, wearing a white nightgown and a flannel. There was an area in the garden, where there were tables and chairs for resting. My mother was there, and she was standing while there's a cup of tea in her hands.

"Mama..." I called her.

"Beau," she called my name.

"Uhm... Bakit niyo po ako pinatawag?"

She walked slowly to me and then she spoke. "I need to talk to you about your career. I guess, I really have to help and push you know. Narinig ko na nag-shoot ka ng commercial for the bread and pastry business of Quizons. Is this true?"

I nodded. "Yes, I know you did not like it-"

"No, I like it!" she said.

"Ma?"

She smiled. "We need to work out your career, Beau. Makakatulong iyon sa 'yo. Malaki o maliit na roles. I will be handling you starting today."

"Handling me?" I was frozen for a moment. "W-What do you mean, Ma?"

"Your brother is a hopeless case. Sisirain niya na ang career niya." Nakita ko na napahilot siya sa sentido niya at panay ang kanyang pag-iling. Then, she looked at me with a smile on her lips. "I know you like acting, Beau. Mama will help you achieve your goals. Sisiguraduhin ko na magiging star ka at hindi ka magagaya kay Benjamin."

"Is his career really... over?"

She sighed heavily. "It will... Benjamin is planning to do something more stupid by marrying that woman."

"What if Benz really loves that woman, Ma? Will her background still matter? We should support big brother-"

"Beau, listen to me!" I stared at her and then she added, "When you fall in love, you should not just be using your heart only. You can't just decide with only your heart! Kapag nagmahal ka, hindi pwedeng puro puso, dapat gamitin din ang utak."

"Ma..."

She shook her head. "Enough with Benjamin. Your manager, Kendall, will accompany you to a photoshoot I booked for you tomorrow. That will occur after your class. You understand?"

I nodded. "Yes, Mama."

Then, Mama suddenly gave me a warm hug. Then she whispered in my ears, "You will be a star, Beau."

As the first rays of sunlight gently filtered through the parted curtains, I slowly opened my eyes from my peaceful sleep. With a languid stretch, I extend my limbs, relishing in the comforting embrace of my plush pillow beneath me. The familiar sensation of its softness against my skin brings a sense of tranquility.

"Beau! Fucking wake up! Mali-late tayo nito!" It was Bianca's voice outside my room. She kept on knocking loudly. I felt like my door was about to break. "Get up now!"

"I'm coming! Stop knocking now!"

"Make it fast!"

Agad naman akong bumangon at pumasok sa banyo. Shit! Baka hindi na ako makakapag-almusal nito. I wore my uniform, yes we have uniforms in Southdale International School, there are three types: Type A is the one with white long sleeves and then a red vest on top with the school logo. Type B is the normal uniform, a polo shirt for men with the school logo on the left chest and our name embroidered on the right side. Lastly, the PE class uniform, red short and white polo shirt.

Mabilis ako na pumasok sa kusina at kumuha ng kahit anong madadampot ko na pagkain. The drivers were calling me because Bianca kept on complaining inside the car. I shook my head. Why do we need to share service? Hindi ba pwede na hiwalay na kotse na lang siya?

"Took you forever, huh..."

I shook my head. "Shut up! I am hungry."

"It's your fault. Kung hindi ka tanghali gumising, e 'di nakakain ka sana nang maayos," sabi niya sa akin.

We were silent the whole ride because I was eating and I didn't have time to chit-chat with Bianca. Bianca was reading a book, it's a classic novel. She loves books, and any arts related.

"Beau, be good on your first day," she said as soon as we stepped out of the car.

I turned my head and glared at her. "What am I, a kid?"

"I am just reminding you."

"You don't need to remind me of that."

She rolled her eyes. "O sige na! Pumasok ka na."

I shook my head and looked at the paper of my schedule. Oh god! Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and Management course [course means subject or class] to welcome me in college. Great! So, this is the reality, I have to study again. Now, I have to forget the acting stuff inside my head and focus on my academics.

I entered the classroom. The room was quite chaotic but silent. I don't know how am I going to describe it, but everyone was busy doing their own thing. Kanya-kanya ang mundo ng mga kaklase ko. May mga nagsusuklay na babae at naglalagay ng poweder sa mga mukha nila. Meron naman nag-uusap na magtotropa sa likuran.

"Beau!" someone called my name.

When I turned my head, I saw a familiar face. "Duxley? It's your first class too?"

"Yeah, bro!" he said and sat beside me.

Well, at least I know someone. Duxley is my friend in highschool, not super close but he's a great friend. It's great that he's my classmate.

"Good morning class!"

When our professor arrived, she's wearing the teacher's uniform. She's quite tall, slim, and in my estimate she's around late 30s. She's wearing glasses, and on her left hand was some documents.

"I am Miss Selene Pablo, and I am your Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and Management course. Nice to meet you all!" she said and gave us a cheerful smile. She brought out a piece of white paper with words written on it. "First of all, I am going to check your attendance. First... Abellana, John Mark..."

"Present!"

"Thank you! Ackehurst, Beau Hayes..."

I raised my hand and said, "Present!"

"Isn't he the second lead actor in Sunrise?" I heard someone whisper near me.

"Siya nga..."

Our professor kept on reading the names of the class. Then, she stumbled on one name and suddenly stopped.

"Rhodes, Atlas Kamden..." she said and stopped for a moment after she spoke his name. "Atlas is here? Isn't he from the College of Engineering?"

One of our classmates spoke, "He is, Miss Pablo. He seemed like he took a minor."

"He's not yet-"

"Good morning, Miss!" A tall man appeared on the doorway. His sweat was pouring from his forehead to his temple, down to his jaw. He was catching his breath. "Present," he said.

Miss Pablo shook her head and just motioned her hand. "Find a seat, Atlas."

"Thank you, Miss!"

I stared at his face as he walked past me and sat at the back row corner of the room. I tilted my head to look at him even more.

I couldn't help but to stare at his face and his physique. He seemed like an actor, he could be an actor! He seemed like he was already above 6'2, which was taller than me. I am 6'2 by the way. He had those angelic features. What caught me the most was his cat-like eyes, slit and sharp, and the mole below his right eye suited his face perfectly. He has a fair-white skin. His face shape was sharp, especially his jawline. He looked the perfect mix of Japanese-American. His eyes were very similar to Japanese, so I assume he has Japanese blood. But his other features screamed American. Especially the little freckles on his arms.

"Who is he?" I asked Duxley. He turned his head to me and peeked at the person I was staring at. "He seemed popular. Our professor knows him."

"Oh? You don't know him?" he asked, a bit shocked.

"Obviously."

"That's Atlas Rhodes. He's one of the smartest students here in university, if not the smartest. He was active in competitions, especially in Mathematics and Science, but right now..."

"What?"

"Atlas seemed more loose."

My forehead creased. "What do you mean by that?"

"E kasi noon, grabe kung sumali ng competitions si Atlas. Maging kahit anong subjects or kahit anong contest he is the school representative. Same sila ng elementary school ng sister ko, and same high school sila ng cousin ko, that's how I heard about him. But now, he seems more chill, less into competition, and he's doing something else in his life," Duxley explained to me in a very low tone that I could only hear. He shook his head and then he added, "I am shocked you don't know him. He and your sister were in the same high school as far as I know. They were also in the same grade level."

"In Greenhills?" I asked, a bit shocked.

"Yeah..."

My sister studied high school at Greenhills International Academy, while my brother and I studied in Southwood Academy, a school for boys. I bet he's not friends with my sister and he's never been friends with my sister. That's why I never heard of him before.

Our classes started. Miss Pablo introduced the syllabus to us and he made us introduce ourselves. When it was Atlas' turn to introduce himself, I'm quite looking forward to it. But then...

He's asleep at the back...

"Just let him be," Miss Pablo said.

'Why is there a sudden special treatment for him?' I glanced at the back and saw Atlas face on the desk while a plain brown notebook above his head. The class finished, and it was only the time Atlas woke up.

"Okay, class dismissed."

Nakita ko na tumayo si Atlas at lumapit papalapit kay Miss Pablo. Pagkatapos, kinausap niya ang professor namin.

"I'm sorry, miss Pablo. I didn't mean to sleep. I just came from my job-" he said those words gently, but then he was cut off by Miss Pablo.

"Don't mind it," she responded.

"Bawi ako next time."

Miss Pablo shook his head and gave Atlas a motherly smile and advice, "You should also take care of yourself Atlas. Not just your brain..."

He chuckled. "I got it!"

After the class, maraming kaklase namin ang lumalapit kay Atlas. They were asking stuff for their advance study. Atlas smiled at them and cheerfully helped them. Kahit mapa-close sa kanya or hindi ay tinutulungan niya. Kahit nga hindi niya yata course or tini-take na subject ay alam niya pa rin.

Atlas was not my classmate in my next class. But in my last class for today, he's my class. Were classmates in Business Communication for BSA course. Our professor knew him too and was nice to him but strict to everyone.

'Does he own this school, that's why everybody was so nice to him?'

Sinundo na kami ng driver. Pagkarating ko sa loob ng kotse, nasa loob na si Ate Bianca. She was crocheting something that's why she's quite busy. Seriously though, when did she have this hobby? Parang first time ko yata siya nakit mag-crochet.

"I have a question," I said to her.

She spoke while still focused on her crochet. "Shoot."

"Do you know Atlas?"

She stopped crocheting and turned her head to me. She gave me a suspicious look while her eyebrows were almost knotted together. "You mean The Goddamn Atlas Kamden Rhodes?"

"Yeah..." I uttered, quite confused.

"Well, I know him. He was my classmate," she answered.

"Are you close with him? I never saw you with him-"

The expression on her face changed, it suddenly became sad, "We used to be friends but..."

"But?"

"You know... I met the high school Atlas. He's now far from that. The high school him seemed pressured, tight, and such a fucking people pleaser. That's why he grew apart with his friends, including me. Despite being close and nice to a lot of people, Atlas is introverted. He's a very reserved person, especially in his thoughts," Bianca said while continuing crocheting.

"Is that so..."

"And who the heck doesn't know him? He's the only person with four National Quiz Bee Championships in High School. It means no one touched that Championship except him until he graduated. Plus, he won The New Mathematician award and several Mathematics competitions. He's that smart bro," she said and laughed.

"Really..."

She stopped crocheting for a moment again and stared at me. I don't like the way she's staring at me, it's so malicious! "Why did you ask about him, huh?" she asked and poke my left cheek. "I know he's smoking hot and freaking handsome. But, I never imagined that he would get my bland brother's attention."

Tinabig ko ang kamay niya. "Ano bang sinasabi mo? Fuck! Are you even serious?"

"So defensive..."

"He's my classmate, okay?"

"In business courses? So, he's taking a minor."

"Yeah..."

She gave me a cheeky smile. "Well, I couldn't blame you if he caught your attention. He's such an eye candy."

My eyebrows almost knotted. "What the fuck are you saying?"

"Atlas is such a fucking head turner."

I glared at her. "What are you saying? I only asked you because I am curious and everyone's so nice to him. That's it, okay! Tinulugan nga lang niya yung first subject namin pero ang bait pa rin ng professor namin sa kanya."

She laughed. "Beau, even if Atlas sleeps one whole year for that subject, he will still get scores and grades higher than yours!"

"That's ridiculous! Too exaggerated."

"Facts only lang!"

I rolled my eyes. "You said he's handsome and hot, right? Baka ikaw ang may crush doon?"

"Hello no!" She laughed even harder. I felt like the car was about to shake because of her laughter. "But I have eyes Beau, I see what others can see. Atlas is tall, smart, and handsome, and I don't know what other adjectives I should use for him..."

"Huh..." I grunted.

"Goddamn, Atlas! He's perfect!"

My sister seemed to know a lot about Atlas. But I didn't ask further. I don't need to. She will probably put meaning to that if kept on asking about him. I just couldn't get it too why I am so curious about him.

Days passed so fast, it's already friday. Kasama ko ngayon sa canteen si Duxley. Right now, free time namin kaya agad na kumain na kami. We still have one class left. So, we must finish as fast as we can.

"What's that?" I asked as I glanced at the paper Duxley was reading.

"School paper," he said.

"Anong meron d'yan?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Here, look at this!" He pointed to the sports section of the newspaper. "Magkakaroon ng Sports Week, something similar to intramurals. Mango-compete bawat colleges and then pipili ng representative na ilalaban sa labas ng school."

"Are you going to join Bowling?" I asked him.

Tumango siya. "Oo naman. Ikaw saan ka sasali?"

"I might join swimming... I'll do Backstroke."

"Cool!"

"Pwede ba mag-double event dito? Example, Basketball and Volleyball at the same time," tanong ko kay Duxley.

He nodded. "I think yes, as long as hindi yata sabay ang event. I remember the news before that Atlas represented the school both in Freestyle Swimming and Track and Field."

"What? He's sporty too?" I blurted out.

Duxley laughed. "Right? Like he can do everything. When God showered the world with talents and smarts, Atlas was wide awake and took home everything."

I was never amazed at the person, but I think I am now. Atlas and I never had an interaction but just based on the stories of people about him, he seemed like a very all-around person. He's not only smart, he's talented also. Plus, people seemed to like him. His aura was very calm, glowing, and positive-like sunshine.

Duxley and I finished our food. Then, we walked our way to our room for Business Communication for BSA course. I was about to enter the room. All of a sudden, some women coming out of the room ran and one woman bumped into me. The next thing I knew, I felt wet.

"S-Sorry..."

Goodness! I stared at the bottle she was holding... orange juice. I let out a yelp as the cold liquid splashed onto my clothes, I could see the orange mark left behind and I could feel the stickiness of the residue.

She bowed her head. "I am really sorry..."

I looked around and saw people staring at us. Then, when I glanced inside the room, I saw Atlas. I could see that he was a bit shocked by what happened. I didn't know why suddenly there was embarrassment washed over me. "I-It's fine..."

I left and rushed inside the comfort room. Thank goodness, I am the only one here inside the comfort room. Fuck! What am I going to do about this? And fuck, what's that reaction? Why did I react that way? This is so crazy! I think I am going crazy. Should I be absent from my last class? Maybe I should go to my sister-Hell no!

I tried my best to remove the stain using my handkerchief. I even put alcohol and water on it. But, I fucking don't know how these things works!

I flinched and jumped a bit when the door of the comfort room. But what shocked me the most was the person who appeared, it was-Atlas!

He gave me a smile and a bit of a nod. "Hi! I was wondering if you need some help..." I was frozen, my legs were cemented to where they were, as he walked to my direction. Now, our height difference was clear. I bet he's around 6'3. He's tall and the build of his body perfectly suited his body. He handed me a handkerchief. "You can use this one to clean some stains in your skin."

"N-No need..." I gulped. "I-I can handle it."

He looked at my white handkerchief that turned orange. "Your handkerchief is now as orange as that stain on your uniform."

"Y-Yeah... unfortunately."

He stared at me for a moment. "Take off your clothes, Beau."

My lips started to shake for god knows what reason. "Y-You... You know my name?"

He smiled at me. "Of course, I saw your commercials. You work as an actor, right?"

"H-Hmm... yeah." He drew himself closer to me, and then I flinched as he held the buttons of my uniform. "Atlas, what are you doing?"

"Removing your uniform because I feel sticky for you," he answered.

"I-I could do it myself..."

He let go of my uniform. He let me go. "Alright. Take it off now and use this handkerchief to clean your body." He put his handkerchief near one of the sinks. I don't but it seemed a bit awkward, especially when we're in front of a mirror. "Come on now, make it fast. The class will start soon."

"O-Okay..."

I removed my top uniform... in front of him. Exposing my upper body to him. My chest, nipples and abdominal muscles were like served to his eyes. He just smiled at me and watched me as I cleaned myself.

"Here... Take it!"

I took the brown paper bag. "What's this?"

"My extra uniform. Wear it for now," he said. Ayaw ko pang tanggapin at natitig lang ako sa uniform niya. Hanggang sa nagsalita siya ulit. "Is this your last class? If yes, then wear it for now."

My forehead creased. "Paano kapag napansin ng professor natin?"

He tapped my bare shoulder. "I'll explain for you."

I'll be wearing Atlas' uniform.

I took the uniform and wore it. Napansin ko na medyo malaki sa akin pero okay naman at hindi siya uncomfortable. Panay ang titig ko sa pangalan ni Atlas sa kanang bahagi ng uniform. He gave me a warm and assuring smile. It's the kind of smile telling me that it looked good to me and I looked clean.

"Bakit ka may dalang extra uniform?" tanong ko sa kanya.

He laid his back on the sink. "It's Friday, and every Friday I commit myself to reviewing for competitions. I am a scholar in this school for that after all," he answered.

"You're really smart..."

He suddenly pinched my nose, which made me flinch. Then he just laughed and uttered, "Tell me something I don't know."

"U-Uhhh... Atlas." I gulped and tried hard to spit out the words I wanted to say. "Thank you for this... I appreciate it."

"Don't mind it," he said and smiled. Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang palapulsuhan ko. "Tara na? Baka ma-late pa tayo..."

I couldn't stop staring at him at that moment. Bianca said that Atlas is hot and handsome, and she has eyes that's why she could see what everybody can see. But for me, hot and handsome was an understatement for him. He's charming, charismatic, and captivating. Now, I could see more than what others could see.

And this time, I agree with my sister...

Goddamn, Atlas! You're fucking perfect!