In His Eyes

Chapter 2

Today's Wednesday and it has been 4 days since I met Max. There's something about that person that makes it difficult to focus. My thoughts keep rushing back to him. Frustrated with my thoughts I decided to plug my earphones and shuffled my playlist.

I walked towards the University Cafeteria where I saw him sitting with his friends. It was him, Max. Sitting just 5 tables apart. That's when he saw me looking at him. He smiled at him as he talked to his other friends and stood up.

Please don't come near me. I thought to myself, praying that he wouldn't come because I dare won't know what to do if you get any closer.

"Told you I'd find you," he said, sitting down. It's more like the other way around, I wanted to say but don't have the energy to argue.

"Yes, yes, you said it so yourself," I agreed, smiling at him. He chuckled. That noise, why does someone I only met once could make me notice such a useless noise. "What now?"

"I don't know," he said, eating his sandwich. "You just suggested to meet when sober, you never said what to do next." He was right, I got us into this awkward situation where the other doesn't know what to do next.

"Here," I said, showing him my phone, "Add your number here, I'll text you later." He took it, typed his phone number, and returned it immediately. I clicked call as soon as he gave it to me. The ringing can be heard in his pocket. "There we go, we have each other's contact number."

"Sure," he said, putting his phone back into his pocket, "why not just add me on f*******: and message me there?"

"I don't use it that much," I answered, honestly. "It bores me, to be honest, that's why I prefer using only the essentials of my phone, which is to take pictures, message, and call." 

He was watching me, and I was looking at his cupid bow lips as he smiled at what I said. I don't know why but those lips are attracting the hell out of me. "I know, let's start from the beginning."

I looked at him, confused at what he is saying, "what do you mean by that?"

"Let's get to know each other," he said, smiling at his idea. "Hi, I'm Carl Max Rodriguez, from Accounting Department." He extended his hand, motioning me to shake it.

"I'm Axel Mendoza, from the Engineering Department," I introduced myself, shaking his hand. his touch felt soft and warm against my skin. As our hands parted, I still want to feel it, but that would be weird.

This Max in front of me is different from the person I met from the bar four days ago. It's like he's a different version of himself when we first met. He's dangerous-looking before but right now he looks innocent with his Accounting Uniform. He looks like a person that couldn't hurt a single fly.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Max teased me, I remembered when I told him that night about that saying. I flicked a finger at him as we both laugh about it. 

"Anyway," I started, looking at my watch, "I need to go, class is about to start."

"Talk to you later?" He asked, motioning at his phone. I smiled at the thought that I gained another friend not from our department.

"Sure, text you later," I waved him goodbye as I went towards our Department Building

~*~

Classes were nearing to an end when I felt my phone buzzed inside my pocket. I'll check it later, after class, I thought to myself.

As classes ended, I looked at the notification. 1 friend request from Max Rodriguez. Even if I told him I don't use social media that much, he still manages to find a way to add me on f*******:. I clicked Accept and went on to my Messages. There was one from him.

"Dinner at Mcdonald's?"

It was clearly an invitation. I sent a message that I'll meet him at the University entrance gate at 6:00 PM.

"What are you smiling about?" Philip asked. I totally forgot that he was beside me this whole time. It was a teasing question by Philip but I won't let him get on my nerves.

"Just have to meet someone later," I answered, putting my phone back in my pocket. Philip raised his brow at me in a teasing manner. When will the teasing end?

"Who's your mysterious date?" he asked, walking beside me towards the University benches. "I thought you weren't looking for anyone, at the moment?" he added, "or maybe you already have your eye set on someone, already?" he continued teasing me. If he knew who I was meeting, he would tease me more.

"Who said anything about a date?" I corrected him, sitting at the park bench. Opening my phone to look at the time. 5:40 PM. I still have 20 minutes to get rid of Philip before I meet with Max. "Plus, I'm really not looking for anyone right now, I just have to meet a friend."

"And who's this friend of yours?" he asked, placing his phone in his bag, not sitting down.

"Just a friend," I answered, not interested in going any further with the topic. He sighed and said he needs to go home to finish his homework. I waved him goodbye as I placed my bag on the table and scan through today's homework.

I answered some when someone sat in front of me. It was Max and his weird smile. I know I shouldn't like that smile but somehow there's no point denying it, I'm an honest man. I like that smile.

"I know it's a bit early but I don't know what to do," he answered without me asking. I looked at the time, there's still 14 minutes before 6:00 PM. He's punctual, that's for sure. 

"Wait, I need to finish this question first," I said, and he nodded without hesitation, putting out his earphones. I wonder what kind of music he listens to, I thought to myself. Maybe he's one of those punk-pop kind of person, or an indie kind of person. The soft boys, ugh. 

What's the point of answering this homework, right now? I can't even focus with this person in front of me. I waited for at least three minutes, pretending to read the articles before I placed my stuff in my bag. I'm a neat person, to be honest. I placed my things in an orderly manner so that it won't look like a mess.

"Let's go walk to the nearest Mcdonald's" I suggested, slinging my bag on my back. He nodded and stood up. Walking beside me. "I was meaning to ask, what kind of music do you listen to?"

"Pop and hip hop," he answered, smiling at me. So, he's neither into indie or pop-punk, I think that's good. "What about you, what music are you into?"

"Well, I'm really into Alternative or Indie," am I the soft boy here? Wait a minute. "But I listen mostly to any music," I added.

"That's cool," he said, "why Alternative, though?"

"I love the messages in that kind of music, and also they have unique beats that kind of pulls me into a different world," I said, not even feeling shameless of my own words.

"Got any music in mind, that you want to share?" he asked. I honestly don't know what to play so I just shuffled my playlist as I gave him my earphones. 

I don't know why I feel embarrassed when Fools by Troye Sivan played.

"This is Fools," he commented, looking at me, "I know this song." He looks like he was enjoying his comment that he knows what I made him listen to.

"I just shuffled my playlist," I answered, "want to listen to another song?"

"No need," he answered, smiling, "I love this song, I think." We were still walking when he sang along with the song.

"Only fools fall for you, only fools"

I can hear Troye Sivan in one ear and Max in the other. It was magical, his voice was. I didn't know this person has it in him that can sing. I don't know why, but I feel like I can listen to this person sing all day. 

"Only fools do what I do, only fools fall."

I took a deep breath as I saw him looking at me. I didn't know I was looking at him for a long time. Who can blame me, with a voice like that, I swear I can listen to him all day long. Why do I keep repeating myself?

"What are you staring at?" he teased. I blushed at the comment when I realized we're already in front of Mcdonald's.

"We're here," I answered, "quick, get inside, and let's look for a seat already," I said taking my earphones back, pushing him.

Why am I even blushing? I thought to myself. I just met this person and I feel like I like him the more I get to know him.

We took our orders and sat down. "So, why did you agree to eat dinner with me?" he asked, and to be honest, I don't even know why, I just felt like it. That's what I want to answer but I don't want to seem desperate.

"Because I wanted to?" I answered, sassily. I returned back to eating my burger. "Why? Can't I eat dinner with a friend and to get to know him more?" He looked at me, confused with my words.

"Just a friend, huh?" He commented, sipping his drink. "Good to know that you think of me as a friend." He smiled, but there was something different from that smile that I can't seem to shake off my mind.

"Yes, there's nothing wrong with it, right?" I said, finishing my food. "Plus, you're the one who invited me, who am I to reject it? I also like making friends, so there's that."

"I guess you're right," he commented, finishing his food as well. "So where do you go home to?" He asked, and it's my turn to be confused by his words. "I'll walk you to your dorm, it's my invitation anyway, right?" He teased.

I rolled my eyes at his words, but inside I was smiling. "My dorm is just near, wait, I'll just clean the table," I said throwing the trash in the bin and wiping the table with tissue. He smiled at my actions; it was only normal for me to do this. "Let's go."

He did what he said. He walked me to my dorm when I saw my friend was waiting for me in front of the gate. He raised his eyebrows at me in a teasing manner. 

"I guess I gotta go now," Max said as he bid his farewell, showing me his phone. At first, I didn't get it but as I took out my phone, I think he meant he was going to text me. I look at the notifications, it was from Philip saying he needs help with his homework. I should've read it earlier, damn it.

"So," Philip started, "just a friend, huh?" he started teasing me, gathering his bag. 

"Yep, just a friend," I answered back, I have no time for his teasing ass, I have homework to do.

"Just a friend my ass."

"If you keep on teasing me," I started, "I won't help you with your homework." 

"Just kidding," he said, saying sorry. Serves him right. "What a friend," he sighs.

~*~