In His Eyes

Chapter 5

Max's POV

I never believed in Love at First Sight. Until I met him. It was a Saturday night. Just the usual when my friends invited me to go Taft to have a night out. I was supposed to reject it because I was too lazy to dress up. I went anyway, and didn't regret my decision because there, I get to meet him. Axel Mendoza.

I was sitting with my friends Dani and Tim when I saw him enter the bar. He was dancing his way into the crowd, as if he knew that this was the place where he belongs. It was enchanting, seeing someone enjoy themselves in such a crowded place. 

The moment he stood up from his booth I went to meet his friend to get to know his name. His friend, Philip, took Axel here to meet his friend.

"That's Axel," he introduced his friend even if his friend is still at the bar counter getting their order. "I was supposed to get someone to meet him, my friend is in need of a boyfriend already."

A boyfriend, I thought to myself, so I have a chance. 

"Can I meet him?" I asked, being polite. This is his friend we are talking about. You have to have a good image in front of the friends of who you're going to pursue. Well, at least about to pursue.

"Sure," he said smiling at me. He started texting while talking to me, 

I thanked him when Axel joined us. Philip introduced us to each other, trying not to look at his lips the entire time. There was something about him that is pulling me to him. 

He was enchanting. 

He excused himself to dance with the crowd and at that moment I swore there is something magical in him that is inviting me to him.

"I told my friend that we couldn't make it, don't screw this up," Philip said beside me. I don't know if he's teasing me or what, but I won't mess this up.

I stood up to go to Axel, and he bumped into me. I felt electricity went all over the place the moment our body clashed. I excused myself to go outside to take a breather. That was really something.

I plugged in my earphones and shuffled my playlist. What played was Enchanted by Taylor Swift. 

How timely, I thought to myself. It's true and timely.

"There I was again tonight forcing laughter, faking smiles. same old tired, lonely place"

I chuckled at the lyrics. Cheesy lyrics but somehow it matches my situation right now.

"Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy vanished when I saw your face"

I sang along when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was my friend Dani.

"Aren't you gonna head inside and meet your friend dancing inside?" she said, "everyone is looking at him, slightly interested," she finished taking a hit of her cigarette. I chuckled at the thought.

Of course, everyone would be interested, he's like an angel. He's beautiful.

"Guess I need to go back and steal my man," I commented at her, and she laughed at my cheesiness. I patted her back and went back inside.

"This night is sparkling, don't you let it go."

The song continued to play inside my head. Tonight really is sparkling, and maybe it's your fault, Axel.

I went back inside to flirt with the cute boy. He told me that we're at a bar and we should be enjoying the night away. I would enjoy the night, Axel. We went back to their booth to have his cup refilled when he asked if we want to get to know each other.

After his little get-to-know game, we went back to the dance floor. I don't know why but my head is playing a different song in comparison to what the DJ is playing. I held on to Axel's waist, forgetting that the song is not a slow song. Inside my head it is.

"I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home."

Good thing it was dark, because he was looking at me with lustful eyes. I knew this was all an act to say that he wasn't interested. But he wasn't pushing my hands away.

"I'll spend forever wondering if you knew."

"You know what," he started, looking up at me, "Let's meet when we're sober."

"I was enchanted to meet you."

It's an invitation to meet again. "It's a deal, I'll know where to find you." Of course, I don't, but I will find you.

~*~

I see him every day at campus but I don't know what to say. So when I saw him alone at the school cafeteria, I decided to shoot my shot by going to him.

I suggested that we go and introduce ourselves once more to start again. It was better this way. The more I get to know him, the more I wanted him. How could I? That was the first question I need to answer.

Axel Mendoza. His name was poetry on my lips. How foreign yet it fits perfectly.

He asked for my phone number and I gave it to him. He called me just to give his number, and how at that moment I want to answer it to tease him.

I invited him to dinner that night and we ate at Mcdonald's. No one said it was a date and I hope he figured out that it was one. For me it was. Until he said something about making friends. If a friend is all I will be for now, then I'll settle for it. But until when?

~*~

We started texting every day for a week. There are several things I learned from getting to know Axel. He's a University Scholar, he may be a bit too smart for me but I don't care. He loves listening to music while studying. He doesn't use his phone that much, hence his late replies. 

These little things are what matters to know the person you like.

I chatted Philip to know Axel's favorite artist. An artist named Lorde. I immediately downloaded her songs and listened to them all night long, giving Axel the space to study.

Today's the last day of the Departmental Examination. I texted Axel if he wanted to eat dinner together. He was already eating dinner with his friends. I invited myself to them, to get to know a different Axel. The Axel with his friends.

I don't know which Axel I like, because if it was possible, I like them all. 

He teased me that we only get to spend our time once for me to differentiate how different he is with his friends. I took that as a shot to take him home tonight. 

We were walking on our way to his dorm when I remembered the song that I want him to listen. For him to know that I was taking notes of what he is saying to me. 

I invited him to watch my Basketball game tomorrow. We talked all night on the phone after that. I couldn't help but smile at it.

~*~

It's 9:00 AM and there's still no sign of him anywhere. I kept on calling him when my friends called me from the benches.

I need to put my head in the game, but how can I when my cheerleader is nowhere to be seen. I guess maybe next time, he can watch.

I left several messages and went for the game. I was still hoping that he would come but what was the point.

Just as the game finished Axel called me and told me that he overslept today. Maybe it was a bad idea talking all night long because he didn't get to watch me play today.

He asked if there was any way he could make up, so I told him to accompany me to the mall. I need to buy my little sister a gift for her birthday. He went and did accompany me that day. 

We talked about having siblings and that made me remember how I am the eldest of the siblings. I was supposed to set an example for my brother and sister, but here I am with a boy. Is this really okay? 

This is the reason why I hate labels. Why can't I like someone for who they are? If my parents would find out then this would get out of control. They might get disappointed in me.

I feel disappointed in myself for what I am feeling right now. But there's no turning back now. I look at the person beside me as I sing along to the song.

He invited me to go to the bar that we first met. I agreed to his invitation without any hesitation. When we parted ways, I looked at the pavement while walking the way home to prepare. 

What have I gotten myself into?

~*~