Chapter 13: Voices of Glory (Part 4)

“Hello there!”

A young guy with light blue hair was walking towards me. He looked like a wimpy guy, perhaps around 18 or 19 with a slight thin frame and not very tall. Kind of like myself, I think.

I looked up at him and managed a dry smile. I thought that by sitting further away than the crowd, I wouldn’t be disturbed here, but nonetheless, there were many people here and perhaps he too might be looking for a place to sit far away from the busy main courtyard.

“Mind if I sit next to you?”

He asked to which I replied with a nod first.

“Sure, go ahead. The place is free to sit and I don’t own this tree.”

I gave out a small laugh as an icebreaker.

“Cool. Thanks, man.”

He smiled at me as he took a seat next to me. He then looked over at my envelope and asked,

“You are that guy from before right? The small guy who was harassed by that two brothers?”

I was surprised by his sudden question. Seeing my response, he chuckled and then apologized to me.

“Sorry that I did not come and help you earlier. I was a little further, near the front stage when that happened. I wanted to help you, but it’s hard to move around when there are that many people in one small space. Luckily that girl helped you though.”

“Ahh.”

“So, I was looking for you just now. And I find you sitting here, all alone.”

“I-I see.”

This weird guy was apologizing to me because he couldn’t help me back in the assembly hall. And because of that, he looked for me and found me sitting alone here, under the tree far away from people.

“I’m Michael. I know it’s an ordinary name, but you can call me Mike.”

He said as he extended his hand towards me for a handshake.

“Claude. You can call me that. Nice to meet you too.”

I shook his hand. This guy seemed alright. He seemed friendly and warm.

“Nice to meet you too, and really sorry again for didn’t come to your help.”

“It’s alright, I think. The past is past.”

He was all smile. Perhaps he was feeling guilty earlier and was a little nervous. But now with that burden somehow lifted from him, he let his guard down and was all smile.

“What number you have in your hand? Mine is 8(2).”

“Ohhh. I’m 8(1).”

“I-I see. Then perhaps our numbers are pretty much related. I don’t have any idea how the numbering goes, but I think I’m just after you, hahaha.”

I nodded.

“What a good luck. Perhaps fate brings us together, ehh?”

He suddenly put his arm around my shoulder. This guy was way too friendly. But I think it’s a good change of pace. The people here today, besides Ariel and this guy who was wrapping his hand around my shoulder, were very tense and unfriendly. Neither any one of them smile and their eyes looked mean. Even the girls too. Perhaps the weight of occasion was getting onto them. I don’t blame them though. Excited they might be, but friendly they were not.

I too was awkward and let the occasion got to me when Ariel left me earlier. However, this guy, Mike who came out of nowhere, was very friendly. And because of his friendliness, I began to appreciate the occasion more.

“So, how old are you? Let me guess.”

Mike continued on.

This again? Every time someone saw me, must they go and try to guess my age? But I know better than to stop him or anyone else for that matter. Let them have their fun and I love the expression on their face when I finally revealed my age.

“Perhaps you are about the same age as me. 18 maybe?

Ahh… The first time someone got it right. Well, nearly right.

“I’m 17. And you?”

“Aww… I was nearly right. I’m 19 this year.”

He said to me while pumping his chest.

“In two more years, I’ll be a full adult and thus would have my own… umm… nevermind.”

He smiled at me before he completed his sentences.

“You would have your own what? “

I questioned him so he could finish his own words.

“You’ll see. You’ll see. Hehehe!”

“Ah, alright. But how did you guess my age correctly?”

I was curious to know how he nearly guessed my age right. 9 out of 10 people would have guessed my age wrongly, like Ariel.

“Ohh… That was easy. The width of your shoulder and the line on your facial expression. It is of young adult, as far as I can see and feel. Besides, despite your small frame and short height, you have a very sturdy shoulder.”

I looked at him.

“Impressive observation. Though you could leave out the small frame and short height details out of your descriptions. I got a little issue with those.”

Both Mike and I chuckle.

“No worries. You will grow, perhaps taller and bigger than me. You’ll see. You’ll see. I’m always right about this.”

Mike reassured me.

“I hope you are right. I’m depressed as I am already right now. I don’t want to develop a short man syndrome you know. I ain’t a dwarf.”

I rubbed my chin and put on imaginary beard as I explained to Mike.

“Hahaha. You are one funny guy. I like you. Let’s be friends alright.”

“F-Friends? Now??”

“Yeah, why not? Us guys need more guy friends. Besides, a popular guy with lots of guy friends gets to score many girls.”

“Really?”

My eyes widen.

“That’s what my late great-grandfather always told me. So, I think it’s true. I don’t have many guy friends. In fact, I don’t have many friends at all, especially around my age. You might be the first.”

Mike was all smile.

I was taken aback. Not many people wanted to be my friends, except some small kids who treat me more like a big brother. Especially guys, as they see me some sort of a weird short kid. Girls would treat me like a little brother that they never have. This change of pace is kind of… nice, I think.

“So, what’s about it? Want to be my friend?”

“Y-Yeah. Why not? I could do with more guy friends. Besides, if what you said is true, then I can get to score some girls too, for myself and you.”

“Hahahaha… I like that. Great men think alike.”

Both Mike and I continued to laugh.

Yeah, great men think alike.

Suddenly, a loud voice penetrated the main courtyard.

“Everyone, please assemble in the main courtyard immediately. We will begin our final activities for today. Please stand in accordance with your unit. I repeat…”

“Hey, Claude. Looks its time. Let’s go!” Mike was the first to respond.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Both Mike and I got up and after patting our backs off the dirt, we kept our envelope in our pockets and proceed to the main courtyard.