Chapter 3 What Is Love To You?

• TJ's POV
• I looked for them in the cafeteria, around 12:20 am and so it was lunch time.
• "Don't tell me you're just sending me here just for this sticky note?" As soon as I arrived, I asked them, so disappointed.
• I saw them looking carefully at a sticky note on the table.
• Jaybi nodded, "Look!"
• "And then?" I look for it, and I saw a sticky note with a number written on it, "I know
• it's a number, so?"
• "From whom?" Jaybi asked, picked up the note and faced it to me.
• Call me and I'll tell you something.
• - Zack
• That's what I saw.
• I was shocked, "Is this real? Seriously?"
• I can't believe what just happened! I saw a number and it's from Zack!
• "So, what are you waiting for? Call him!" Jaybi command.
• Just like what he said, I called him. And he answered it with just one ring.
• "There is no beating around the bush, what time will your class end?" he asked.
• "8 pm."
• "Okay, then. Wait for me at the music club."
• And suddenly I heard the sound of hanging up.
• I looked at my phone, "He hung up? Is he serious right now?"
• "So?" The two eyebrows were still high.
• "He said wait for him after class," I imitated how Zack said it.
• "Oh, my friend is making love!" Jaybi said, jokingly.
• So, the two of them just ordered for me, and while we're eating they keep bothering me with their questions. Like, "What's happening between you and Zack?" "Are you now courting him?" Like, tsk! They need to be updated on my life.
• After my classes, I'm here at the music club. As I looked around, as I'm trying to look for him. Until I turned around and saw him alone walking towards me from the door.
• "Wait for me until 10 pm."
• What the f•ck!? Are you kidding me!?
• My jaw dropped, annoyed, "If you want to say something, say it now. Why do I have to wait?"
• "Wait, okay?" And touch a bit of my ear.
• I moved away immediately from him, and covered my ear. He just laughed at me, and went inside again. Leaving me no choice but to wait for him.
• 2 hours later…
• He smiled at me when our eyes met, he is now walking again to me, "Are you hungry?"
• "Of course, I am. 12 pm when I last ate. What time is it, 10 pm, so now tell me who isn't hungry?" I said, irritated.
• Who would be happy that you waited for 2 hours, but then you haven't eaten yet?
• "Who told you that you can't eat? It's not my fault."
• I glared at him, "Really?"
• He laughed at me, "Fine, let's go out. I'll buy something for us."
• We left the building, and we're going to eat. He said it was his treat so as long as it's food, we are good.
• "Why did you wait for me?" he started.
• We're inside the fast food chain while waiting for our orders.
• "Are you insane? You asked for it, didn't you?" I asked, too.
• "I'm serious. I'm asking you, why are you waiting for me?" He expressionless asked.
• "Because you said you will tell me something."
• "But what if it's not worth it? Though you don't know if it's worth it or not, you'll still wait?" he seriously asked.
• "Why not? It's like taking a risk. Anyway, why would you ask me to wait for you if it's not worth it, right?"
• "Ask me now."
• "Ask you what?" I frowned. "huh! What are you going to say?"
• "You know that number." While looking away from me. "It's not mine, it's from my friend."
• I was speechless, and paused for a few minutes.
• "Are you out of your mind!?" I stood up, because I'm losing my temper right now. "Don't tell me that's all you're going to say?"
• Then, he nodded.
• What the f-ck! He's giving me a headache.
• I heard his laugh so I looked at him.
• "So, you're making fun of me now?"
• "Yes." Then laugh again and again.
• That should be it, so you can be comfortable with me and I can make my plans right.
• The next day…
• I knocked. I'm here in front of his apartment, we really got along last night so I'm here now.
• "Did you eat?"
• "Not yet."
• Okay, this is my chance!
• "Let's eat? Let's go?"
• And he nod. I'm wearing uniform now like him though I have 10 am classes to go straight to.
• We went to the cafeteria. I told him to sit and I'll do the rest. I thought he's the kind of person that is hard to get but now, I don't think so. He may, but he's worth it.
• I had just dropped the food on our table when I heard something.
• "I heard Mr. Popular Guy is courting him, is that real?"
• "I think so," a woman agreed. "Look! They are together!"
• "But they're cute, aren't they? They look good together, too!" She talked to him.
• "Yehuh, they really are!"
• The students are talking loudly. I looked at them then smiled. Before I looked at the person in front of me again, "Are you really sure? Don't want to be courted by me? Well, whether you agree or not, I'll still do."
• Yes, he could hear me but he just stared at me. He didn't say anything as if he didn't want to talk about that.
• "Can I ask you?" He changed the topic.
• "Sure."
• "Why are they calling you Mr. Popular Guy, and why not Tj?" he asked, expressionless.
• I frowned, "How did you know that my nickname is Tj?"
• He was startled, "Be-because of the other day, yehuh! The woman who took the picture of you, he called you Tj."
• Huh, did she? As long as I can remember the woman said it was…
• "That's Tayshaun Justin Johnson, not Tj."
• "They are the same! Tayshaun Justin and Tj. It's so long for Tayshaun Justin so why not Tj, right?"
• I was startled, so I looked around. It feels like this scenery has already happened.
• I saw someone clapping in front of me so I woke up to the truth.
• "Did you hear what I just asked?" he asked me again.
• "No, I'm a little bit sleepy. What's that again?" I excused myself.
• "So, I'm asking why are they calling you Mr. Popular Guy?"
• "Oh, yeah right! It's because someone just took a picture of me and posted it online. I became popular after that but no one knows about my name except my friends, of course. I got so popular without
• knowing my identity so they started calling me "Mr . Popular Guy" and until now they already know my name, tsk!"
• I only found out about it from my friends, because they also like to gossip.
• "Okay."
• After we eat we go to our classes.
• Lunch time…
• We are here together. Me, I'm with Jaybi and Nathan while Zack is with his friend who is named Tom. We're all on the same table. I don't know but these two and Tom, who just met earlier, are now close to one another as if they are really close to someone who just met again.
• I saw Zack eating his lunch quietly on the corner so I asked him, "Why so quiet, huh?"
• He just shook his head, "Nothing."
• 1:00 pm…
• "Good Afternoon!"
• "Good Afternoon, Professor Smith." We greeted him.
• "Since we're huhead of the lesson, this is our free time to talk about our previous lessons that you didn't understand. Are there things you didn't understand during the previous lessons?"
• My classmate and I started to look around, finding someone who was confused but the silence was very loud.
• "Let's just talk about love, Sir," someone in our class suggested.
• "Yes, Prof!"
• "Yehuh, why not!"
• "Sure, go huhead. What do you want to talk about love?" he asked, "as long as it's not my wife and I's love story."
• Each of the students shouted here, disappointed at what Professor Smith had said.
• "Prof, why is it forbidden?"
• The Prof laughed, "Long story."
• "Prof, we have almost 2 hours. Tell us your story."
• "She's right, Prof."
• My classmates talked to each other about their love story. They really want to know the love story that happened between our Prof. and his wife.
• "Class, be quiet!" After being quiet he continued saying something. "Why don't you be just like Tayshaun? He's quiet."
• I just smiled, awkwardly.
• "Speaking of which. You're the Mr. Popular Guy, right, Mr. Johnson? Many know you and I know they are giving a lot of attention and love to you. So then, let me ask you, what is love to you?"
• .
• I went there on the rooftop. If I don't have something to do, I always go there. Well, these days, I couldn't go because of a tight schedule.
• I guess destiny is with me. I saw Zack here again, so I immediately approached him.
• "Zack?" I asked. He turned around and smiled at me. "Can I ask you?"
• "Sure."
• "What is love to you?"
• "Love? It's you."
• "Stop making fun of me. The truth is Professor Smith asked the same thing, that's why I asked you."
• Flashback…
• "You're the Mr. Popular Guy, right, Mr. Johnson? Many know you and I know they are giving a lot of attention and love to you. So then, let me ask you, what is love to you?"
• I stood up, "Love? Love is love; There's a lot of definitions of it but for me there are only 3 words: Feelings, Happiness and Forgiveness."
• "Can you expand what that meant?" One of my classmates asked.
• I smiled and looked at the teacher, asking for permission if I am allowed, and he nodded.
• "Feelings, is what you really feel. Happiness is what makes you truly happy. And last, forgiveness is the best revenge. When it comes to love, for me, being in love and being happy together with your loved ones is a treasure, so treasure it. You know to yourself that this makes you smile and laugh, if you know you don't step on anyone, you don't hurt anyone, why not? You love them and you're happy. Forgiveness is the most important thing, not because you were hurt, you will hurt them too. No! It's so immature! Even if you have gone through a lot of pain, forgive them, 'cause one day you will see the one who is truly for you. But sometimes, we just need to experience the worst to get the best. Thank you!" And I bow down.
• "Well done, Mr. Johnson! A big round of applause!"
• End of flashback...
• I told him what I answered, and even he was surprised.
• "Did you know when I was in grade 6, I met my first love?" He started a new topic.
• "Eh?"
• Even I! It's only 1 year between us, I'm in grade 5 at that moment. I thought I was unique. Who would fall in love at a young age, like who? Though, it was puppy love.
• "Yes, it was love at first smile," he replied, which made my lips curved. "I thought it was the end of the world but I never imagined that I would find someone like him. He built the brightest light in my darkest night."
• I stayed quiet and carefully listened to him. Maybe he’s professional when it comes to
• love now.
• "So, how many girlfriends did you have? Of course, you fall at a young age," I asked.
• "Actually, I never had, not even one, not yet."
• I was startled, we have a lot in common. Fall at a young age, and still no girlfriend since birth.
• I smiled, "Why don't you open your heart for me, then? Let me make you feel love."
• Love? My ass.
• "It's already been open since day one."
• I was surprised, "Huh?"
• "I mean, sure."
• "So, If you will let me. Can I officially start to court you now?"