"Excuse me."

I turn my head to the voice.

A short black-haired girl dashes her way to the school grounds.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say.

But she's already far so she probably doesn't hear me.

The early January air dampens my skin. It's cold, but the weather is not that crazy. A thick screen of clouds blocks the sunlight. I run to the waiting shed next to the old strangler tree and take out my art supplies.

Flipping through the sketchbook, several unfinished drawings have occupied most of the pages. On a page, there's some kind of a deserted terrain. Is this an oasis? The image is really distorted I can't distinguish it. Very distorted to be called legit art.

The other side of the book displays straight lines bold in black. They're colored accordingly in blue, red, and yellow, and there are empty spaces in between them. Many years have passed since I last saw this. I don't know when, but this one's definitely in the style of De Stijl.

I gaze at the scenery again. The color of the skyline has turned to a subtler baby blue shade while the sun still emits a warm color. Hmm... I think grayscale will do from now.

From the case, I take out a pencil, Staeftler HB.

"Eh? But we're just taking pictures for our T.L.E class."

"All non-club members are advised to go home right away since it's the principal's order."

The loud voices catch my attention. Not too far from the waiting shed stands a boy in a black tuxedo and a grey fedora. Next to him, a girl wears a teal V neck halter ball gown. The school guard is across them.

"But we need to submit this tomorrow." the boy says. "We don't have time."

The guard pushes them. "I already told you. If the principal sees, he'll be mad for sure. Now go."

"But, but, but..."

The guard points to the classrooms and drives the students away. Poor them, but he's right. There shouldn't be any students here right now.

"And you." the gritty texture of his voice tickles my ears.

"Kuya?" I ask.

"What are you still doing here? Classes ended about an hour ago."

A cold sweat wets my palms.

"I'm... I'm, well, I'm waiting for a friend. You see, he's still doing club activities and asked me to wait for him."

He yawns. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

He turns his back and walks away. Immediately, it feels as if cold water has been poured into me. That's really close.

Averting my gaze, the sketchbook still rests on the table even as the pencil peeks from my grip. I better start drawing. I move my hand to create strokes, and then, the white surface becomes dirty with the graphite shade.

"Mr. Cruz?"

Something warm touches my left shoulder. Before I can look behind, a fragrant smell resembling roses seeps into my nose.

"I thought you already went home."

In front of me is my advisor, Ms. Anluage. My hand jitters and cold sweat drips from my forehead.

"What? You thought I wouldn't know? The school guard fetched me from our room just to tell me there's a student from my class staying at the shed. The least I could've expected is you. What are you..."

She walks toward me. Her hand runs across the table and snatches the sketchbook.

"Hmm... Did you draw this?" she asks. "This is a good drawing."

"No." and no. That's a sketch, not a drawing.

"Really? Then why are you holding a pencil? And, and what's all this mess on the table?"

"That's—"

She smiles. "I didn't know that you're into arts. This one is really good. You should keep doing it. And you know, with this skill, you can join the art club!"

"I don't have time for that."

"That's too bad... But, going back to my question, what are you still doing here? Is the extension from your last class, not enough?"

"No... I mean yes. I mean No. I'm just waiting for a friend."

"A friend? You have a friend?"

"I have."

Her eyes go wide.

"Wow."

Is it that surprising?

"Ma'am."

"As the guard already told you, all students who are non-club members are advised to go home immediately because there's supposed to be a clean-up this afternoon. You should go home for now Matthew."

"Y-yes ma'am! I'm sorry for disobeying the principal's advisory."

I get my things as fast as I can. Ms. Anluage remains standing without saying any word or making any move. The only sign she's alive is her stare boring right at the back of my head.

"Thank you ma'am! I'm sorry for earlier. Goodbye."

"Yes. Goodbye. Take care on your way home. See you tomorrow."

I hope this won't reach father. I push my body forward to hasten.

"Matt!"

From the distance, a figure is approaching me. If there's a face with a smirk, and it's completely beaming, that face definitely belongs to Dave.

"Oh you're he—"

He traps me in a tight hug. Something hard pushes on my bones. It feels sharp. I tap his back.

"What's with this? We met at the canteen earlier," I say.

"I just missed you," Dave says.

"What are you saying? We're seeing each other at school every day."

"I know. But atleast I got to hang out with you again. Student council got really busy this past few days we hadn't been able to spend time together."

Past few days? "You're busy back when December? "

"Right."

His hug gets tighter.

"Ok. I got it. I got it. But loosen your hug. I'm starting to feel hurt."

He unwraps his hand from me. Still, the remarkable smile on his face doesn't wear off.

"So, it was you, Mr. Toledo, who Mr. Cruz is referring to." Ms. Anluage has pursed her lips.

"What are you trying to say?" he asks.

"Hehe," she crosses her hands, "see, he stayed to wait for you. I had no idea that you're friends with him. It's great to see him open like this and all. If you only knew how much of a loner he is inside the room."

"I know right? He's like a walking statue. Sometimes, you can't even notice him because he blends in the background."

Dave throws a look at me. I glare.

"But, he's brutally honest, I tell you, ma'am. And he's pretty mean too. See this glare? I might not make it through the daylight." he steps forward. "If that happens, you're an eye witness, ma'am."

"Hahaha." Ms. Anluage laughs with passion.

Many boys would be envious of us right now. For sure, they would die to see Ms. Anluage laugh like this.

"Anyway, you two better get going."

"Yes. Bye Ma'am!" I say fast.

"Bye!" Dave bids goodbye.

Ms. Anluage passes by. On the other hand, Dave pats me on the shoulder.

"So..." he says.

"So?"

"Let's hang out!"

"Sure. I have nothing to do anyway."

"How about 11/7? We can grab chips and other things for tomorrow."

"Ok."

We stroll the way. Occasionally, tricycle drivers call out to us, but we decline. Some of them listen while there are others insisting on their service, but again, I don't mind. I'm already used to dealing with this game for 4 years.

"You didn't really wait for me," Dave says.

"No. I actually stayed to draw something as usual," I respond.

He puffs an air. "I knew it. Because you didn't even wait for me at the canteen back then."

"Well, I just can't help it. Too many people are blocking my way when I'm with you. I can't get through."

"Don't tell me you're jealous." he has a smirk. "They're all my friends!"

"Why would I be jealous? I'm not fond of you anyway."

I fasten my pace.

"Hey, wait up!"

I hear footsteps behind. He is, maybe, running, but I don't want him to catch up. That's why I run.

"Hey! Matt! Wait for me!"

"The last one to arrive has to treat the winner."

"That's unfair!"

Despite his protest, I can't restrain myself to stop. Especially since this is the only way I can get back to him after all these years. I pick up my pace.

Vroom!

A sound of an engine approaches. Suddenly, a delivery bike stops in front of me.

The scent of ashes reeks the place. Above, there's a neon sign that lights up against the chromatic cool shade of the twilight. Looking back, Dave is catching up.

"You're so slow!"

"Phew. Finally, we made it." he leans on his knees.

"Now, you'll treat me today."

"No way."

Suddenly, he prepares to move. Then, he dashes forward.

Does he really think he'll win against me? For real?

I decide to run after him.

Kring!