I ARRIVED at school at noon.
“Clint? Why are you late?” Ben asked when he saw me.
“Raymond and I went through something, and someone has offered me a spot here,” I said.
“Place? What’s with Chari De Vega instantly setting up a promotion here? You’re nuts, Clint!” Nick shrugged it off.
“Well! There’s nothing left to lose! I’ll be here as well!” I teased as well.
“What is that, lunch? Heh! That’s childish! Clint, Ben, and I do not eat kiddie meals!” Nick sniffed more and wrinkled his nose as he noticed what I was carrying.
“Are you nuts? It’s not for you! I’ll hand it over to Clyde!” I responded, waving the red paper bag I was carrying.
“Clyde? Clyde is not present. ” Ben explained.
“Ha? Not? Why?” I exclaimed, still stunned.
“He didn’t come in because he was sick,” Nick answered.
“Her mother called earlier?” I asked.
“Clint, what are you? Of course, she’ll call the faculty instead of us!” Ben exclaimed.
That news made me sad. I noticed the child’s condition was not good yesterday. It was also too hot yesterday, and those with asthma should avoid that weather. He also worked in practice yesterday.
“Clint, are you sad?” Nick asked with a teasing smile.
“Ha? I’m curious about how he’s doing,” I hesitated.
“Come on!” Ben said abruptly.
“Where are we going? Aren’t we going to have lunch first?” I asked.
They have already organized their stuff. Laptops and backpacks have been cleared out.
“Oh!” Nick called out, handing me a small black card-a calling card.
“Clint, we’re going to a coffee shop today, so come on! Let’s eat there,” said Ben.
I read the black calling card Nick had given me. “Coffee and Cakes! Ahh! Shit! ”
The two wackos were looking at me.
“What? You’re surprised by what you read?” With a
sly grin, Nick said.
I cracked a smile. My friends never let me down, and they are always supportive of my plans and actions in life.
“Come on, Brother! You’re smiling like an idiot!” Nick poked fun. “Bring that food! I’ll eat it on the way! ” Nick said, as he snatched the red paper bag I was carrying.
“This isn’t for you! Isn’t this a kids’ meal? You do not like it, and it is not good for you! Umm!” I said, holding Nick’s hand and preventing him from grabbing the red paper bag I was holding. He’s naive sometimes. We all act like kids sometimes.
AFTER ABOUT a half-hour drive, we arrived at our destination.
“Shucks! Seriously? Do twenty minutes’ drive? Clyde’s house is also a little far from campus! Then, he just skateboards it! That boy is cool!” Nick said, stretching his neck out and peering out the car window.
“The subdivision isn’t that big… They said it was just nearby, and then Clyde’s house was behind the coffee shop,” Ben, who was driving, explained.
I was just quiet. I’m a bit nervous. I’m wearing only brown linen shorts now, a white shirt, and black All-Star shoes, which are my favorite outfit on regular days. I also pulled my hair up.
And in an instant, we found what we were looking for.
“Oh, it’s lovely! It’s small but clean… The design is appealing, and the atmosphere is lively,” Nick said.
Ben parked his car in the open space. There were several vehicles present, as well as a few diners. We were on the doorstep after only a few short walks.
“Hmm… I miss the old days… The vibes here seem very classy,” Ben continued to smile.
I took a look around the store. Cakes and cookies are also available. The coffee shop’s interior is bright, and the plants in every corner of its walls are also lovely.
“What, Clint? Just stand?” Nick stroked my back.
“We’re at the corner, okay?” Ben said, walking straight to the location.
Nick and I went with him.
“Place your order now!” said Ben.
“Then ask Clint! You know what we came here for? Hey!” Nick called me.
My world appears to come to a stop at these times. I know how it feels because I feel like I’m back home. I’m familiar with this situation and the person here has a familiar sense of happiness.
I approached the lady behind the counter. “Please excuse me, Miss.”
“Yes, Sir?” said the woman. I could see her eyes widen when she looked at me, as if she saw a ghost.
“Aah… Is Clyde here?” I inquired,
“Clyde? Si-sir?” The woman behind the counter couldn’t take her gaze away from me.
“Ah, Miss. Do-do I have dirt on my face?” I joked, smiling.
“Aah… dirt?” She stammered.
“Is there, Miss?” I asked with a silly smile.
She became embarrassed and avoided looking at me.
“Wait for a second Sir, I’ll check to see if they’re already there,” she said. She moved away from me slowly, but she didn’t stop staring at me.
I waited a moment.
When she returned, she said, “Aaah… Sir…” She stared at me again. “Sir, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. Huh? You just look like someone, ahe! ” She apologized with a smile. Her cheeks were blushing.
“Ah! Really? Who? Your boyfriend?” I joked while smiling at the woman I was talking to. It blushed even more with shame.
“Yes… Oh no! My boyfriend is ugly, sir! You’re handsome! Haha! Ah, they are not here yet- oh! There they are, Sir, they have just arrived!” said the woman at the counter while pointing outside.
A black car was parked when I looked, but not in the correct parking space. I saw Clyde get out of it, and then the car pulled over to the side.
“Ah… okay. Thank you!” I said to the woman who was staring at me until I turned around.
I hurried back to where Nick and Ben were.
I’m not sure what’s making me so nervous. It feels strange. “Shit! It’s Mama Cha!” I muttered.
This is how I often feel whenever I see Mama Cha. She always gives me this romantic excitement in my body that I don’t understand. The two noticed that I seemed nervous.
“Clint! You’re still nervous! Hug her right away when Aunt Cha comes out!” Nick joked. Nick always had an appetite for teasing.
I couldn’t say anything.
“Clyde!” Ben exclaimed as Clyde walked into the store.
When he saw us, he smiled and approached us quickly.
“Sir Ben! Sir Nick! Sir Clint!” He greeted the three of us.
“How are you, Clyde? Said you-are you sick?” I stammered a little.
I was so happy to see Clyde in good health. He looks great in his blue striped polo, denim shorts, and red chucks. He was dressed very nicely.
“We went to the doctor, Sir Clint,” he said politely, smiling.
“Will you be eating here, sir? I live right behind our shop. Our house is located over there-”
What the child was saying had not yet been completed when someone shouted…
“Where is Clyde? Ingrid, where is Clyde?”
And when it was revealed who was behind the steady voice..
“Shucks,” the two said quietly as they stood up.
And once more..
“Clyde! Cly–Clyde?
Even the woman who was calling Clyde came to a halt when she saw Ben and Nick.
“Mom, I’m here!” Clyde said, waving to his mother.
My world came to a stop. In those moments, I felt out of breath. I have no words to describe how I feel. It was as if we were standing there staring at each other in a dream. The person I had been looking for was now standing in front of me, staring at me.
Suddenly…
“Am I right, Sir Clint? I told you you’d fall in love with my mother! See? You can’t move any more Sir Clint! Hahaha!” Clyde laughed at me.
June_Thirteen