Chapter Text
Summer just started. All the students at Ground’s University had just finished spring quarter. Everyone is planning their summer plans. Some students are starting their internships, some are graduating, some are going back to their hometowns and countries, and some are just staying at the dorms, partying after finishing their hardest finals. Now, what is our Follo doing this summer?
“Ayo Follo!! Wanna go crash the Raiders' dorms and toilet paper their halls?!”
“Nah, I’m good. I want to avoid being on Professor Corvus's bad side again. Not after Rudo and I had our fist fight in front of the campus during the Too Lily campus concert.” Follo chuckled as he took another shot of beer from the pool table. Follo was hanging out at the cleaners' frat party. All the cleaners' members are dancing to the beat of the banging bass through the house living quarters. Cheerleaders are swinging their hips, the jocks drinking to their hearts' content, couples making out in every corner, the stoners smoking the stress off on the couch, the outcasts having fun in their own space, and nerds are still working on their last final paper that was due at 11:59 pm. This is the life of a party. Until…
His phone rang.
“Honey Honey, did you hear what happened?!” Hearing his mother’s concerned voice shifted his mood.
“Mom, what happened?”-- Multiple scenarios flooded his head. What could have happened? What happened at home? – “Mom, please calm down. Try to focus on your breathing.”
“Your friend..Alan. He was found hanging in his room. Honey, I’m so sorry.”
Follo covered his mouth, holding his vomit burning in his throat. He hung up the phone and ran to the nearest bathroom. Crying and vomiting while being hungover. It doesn't matter if anyone walked in; he was crying his eyes out. Alan was his childhood best friend; they were rivals. It was Alan’s dream to go to Ground University, join the cleaners' fraternity, drinking n’ partying with friends, entering the business department. Follo just follow Alan because he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. Alan is the reason why he's here.
He lay on his bed, crying into his pillow. He turned onto his right side, grabbing his phone, checking any messages to distract himself. He looked at his phone with the lock screen of a field of blue flowers with the moon rising, notifications of missed medication pick-ups, messages from Jabber and Rudo, a missed phone call from Mom– suddenly Zanka ‘blue heart emoji’ took over the phone screen as it buzzed. Follo panicked, dropping his phone and landing straight onto his face. He groaned in pain as he took the moment to let the pain settle in. The phone kept ringing. Follo took a deep breath and forced a happy phone before he answered the call.
‘Wow! You are so lucky you weren’t scheduled today. We literally just got out. Gountess was in his mood all day. We had to kick people out… But Jabber thinks it’s gonna be even worse tomorrow because “all the students who finish their finals today will be showing up.”
“Oh…” Follo laughed a bit. “Lucky me that I got the day off”
“So… you are still coming to Momoa’s concert? I hope you're not still partying at the cleansers' frat party. I want to secure the spot early,” Zanka teased.
“Um, I’ll.” Follo looked at the picture frame of when he and Alan were kids, playing in the snow, throwing snowballs at each other. Alan’s mom took that picture. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach.
“I don’t think I'm gonna make it tonight, actually”
“Aw, Follo, no.” His heart froze. “I wanted to see you tonight. Everyone was looking forward to seeing you.” Hearing his crush sadden voice, he thought to himself about how much of an idiot he is. It’s similar to when you’re playing a dating game and choose the wrong dialogue options, then your love interest suddenly doesn’t want to talk to you.
“I-I don’t… I don’t think I can tonight. I’m just catching up on some stuff”
“I was gonna tell you something”
“What?” Follo immediately stood up from his resting position. Anxious, barely feeling his legs.
“I mean, should I…tell you now?”
“Yeah”
“I’m leaving for Japan this Friday.”
“Japan what.. How come?” Follo clutching his chest where his heart is. Gripping it tight as he became more confused with every word that Zanka spoke.
“ Well, we're kind of running out of time, Follo, so I suggest you might want to cancel the stuff you’re working on”
“You’re right… Tonight’s the night.” He looked back at the photo.
“Oh fuck!-- Fuck!-- FUCK!” the voice message cuts out with glitchy audio.
Follo panciaked “Are you okay?”
“Ugh! I dropped one of the blue tassel earrings that Enjin gave me in the drain .”
“Oh my! Did you get it back?!”
“No! It’s just gone! I dropped it down a fucking drain!” Zanka said to himself. “Out of all the days– ugh. Now I can’t wear them anymore. I can’t just wear one singular tassel!”
On the other end of the phone, when Zanka was 18, he first arrived in xx, U.S, he was homesick not because he missed his family, but because he was struggling to fit in with all his fellow classmates. Enjin, his guardian and a long-time friend, gifted him a gift that reminds him of home. Those tassel earrings mean a lot to him. It’s hard to find any replacement since Enjin was able to find connections to ship it overseas.
“Anyways, today's been awful. I’ll see you at 10?”
“I can meet you there right now if you want? You don't have to be alone just to secure a good seat.”
“Actually, I'm riding with Jabber; he offered to pick me up. SO I’m not alone.”
Fuck. Lucky prick. Follo put his hat on his chest, thinking about how Zanka, his Zanka, was so beautiful and kind-hearted to his friends and family. If it isn't obvious. Zanka is the love of his life. Though they only had one class together in the fall quarter, Zanka helped him get the job at the cafe and a couple of summer internships. They had philosophy 101 with Professor Zodyl; it was a boring class; everyone only took his class either to get into the philosophy major or as an elective to meet the graduation requirements. Students from all majors and class levels were always on their computers or phones, doing whatever they wanted to do. Catching up on assignments, studying for the next class, shopping for accessories, or even playing games or watching the latest football game. Follo was assigned to work with Zanka on their philosophy project, which was a quarter-long project and worth 100 points. They worked really well together. Follo did all the research while Zanka wrote out the paper. It was easy for him because he's a law student. He was a talented writer. If he weren't a law student, he could have been an author by now.
He had heard about Zanka before from his friend Rudo. Rudo mentions how he has a roommate/brother who’s also up his ass 24/7 when it comes to cleaning his room and not eating too many sweets. He thought Zanka would be some annoying, cranky, and uptight loser. He is completely different from what Rudo described him as. However, this is ‘he’ looks like a girl. Their mullet-like hair looks similar to a girl’s wolf cut style; a blue sweater completely covers their figure; their waist looks smaller than an average guy's. Their wrist is skinny too, covered in bracelets presumed to match a friend's, their nails painted navy blue, the beautiful sleep eyes like the color of the deep blue ocean, and …
This ‘he’ looks like the type of woman would fall in love with. Just imagining his hands grasping this feminine boy(girl)’s waist. With a touch of a finger, smelling him(her), wondering what body wash (s)he used, how smooth his (her) skin is, and how fragile (s)he is.
—-
He recalls the diner with Rudo yesterday about how he was going to ask out Zanka.
“Ever since we…”
“You're the only person that I’ve ever…” The black hair, imagine the boy of his dream sitting across from him. Looking in awe, mesmerized by his voice –
“No, this is weird. I don't want to talk about this anymore!” Follo slammed his hands on the table. Slowly putting his hands to his face to hide his flustered cheeks. Rudo and Jabber started laughing at him while Momoa and Riyo tried to encourage him to keep going without shutting him down.
“C’mon, Follo, you have to keep going.” Riyo could barely hold in her giggle. The red-haired girl placed her hand on Follo’s back as he continued to hide his face from his laughing hyena-so-called friends.
“Ugh, fine.” He lifted his head as he took a deep breath. Back to square one, he closes his eyes, pretending Zanka is sitting across from him. He opened his heart and said,
“I think about you all the time, Zanka. I try not to… You're in every Malcolm Tod song I listen to.” Follo put his hand behind his neck, massaging it to help get rid of the nervousness. “We worked really well together on our philosophy project and.. You helped me get the job at the cafe. And getting a couple of internships for next summer. And even though I thought you were a girl at first and I embarrassed myself in front of you– Well, I realized who you are.” He remembers Zanka’s bright smile when they passed the class. The endless library runs to farm primary evidence to back up their claim. There were times when they accidentally fell asleep in the library’s study room. “And then, when my parents got divorced back in winter, you were the one who called.. Even though I didn't have anything to say, we just sat there. I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t tell him. He’s too good. And he’ll.. You’ll lose him.’ but maybe you should know…” He looked up at his friends and smiled, “… that I would choose you over everything.”
“Ew. Stop. Stop, stop, that is so fucking-” Rudo threw his trash at him.
“CRINGE,” Jabbered shouted as he bursted in laugher again.
“Oh my god, I knew it was fucking cringey.” The capped boy slammed his head against the table. Groaning and imagining how Zanka would laugh at his face.
“Okay, maybe it was a little too much”, while playing with her nails, Momoa wished she could have recorded this and saved it for future hangouts or potential blackmail.
“What– I thought it was kinda sweet,” exclaimed Riyo. Jabber put his hands up and said
“Okay, this time I want you–”
“No! I'm not doing it again, guys”
Follo cringes at that memory. He got out of bed and put his hat back on. Fuck. Why would Jabber ruin his date night? He knows he is going to confess tonight. Follo paced around the room, thinking about how Jabber would keep his precious Zanka to himself. No, what is he thinking! Jabber is a good friend. They got along during Follo’s first shift at the cafe. Even though the cafe can be hectic during rush hours, when there are no customers around, they have the funniest times. There were times Zanka and Jabber would bicker the whole shift, at least it was kinda entertaining.
Follo dialed Jabber’s number, begging him to help him.
“Dude, are you alone right now?”
“Yeah, what’s up?” Jabber was on his way to pick up Zanka for the concert. He was looking forward to this Friday night’s concert. He overhead Momoa conversion with Riyo that she and Zanka co-wrote a song that she will be performing. However, this could have been the perfect night if Follo had not decided today was the day he asked Zanka out. Jabber wasn't in the mood to talk to Follo while he was on his way to pick up ‘his’ date.
“Can you help me go over the confession speech?” Follo cried.
“Listen, loverboy, Zanka is not really into that lovey-dovey crap. Your feelings are too strong. It’s gonna freak him out. It would freak anyone out. It would even freak me out. And you know I’m into freaky shit. Zanka would vomit on your broken heart. Hey, maybe Zanka could flip you over! You know he got three black belts back in Japan!” He laughed as the hooded man recalled that Zanka grabbed Jabber’s wrist and flipped him over because Jabber kept instigating him to fight.
“What –”
“Dude, you've got to be less sappy with Zanka. He doesn't like that shit.”
“I know, so what do I say then?”
“Well, honestly, I wish you wouldn't say anything because it's gonna ruin our-”
“I have to, I can't do this anymore-”
“I know I'm not gonna stop you. Just - If you're going to say anything, I would say… ‘Zanka, I think we should grab a drink sometime.’ Jabber shifted his gear to park as he parallel parked into Zanka’s street. ‘This is ruining my night,’ He thought to himself.
“We have ‘grabbed drinks sometime.’ Multiple times. You knew I was trying to do this tonight! I ask you guys one time not to come to Momoa’s shows. And you picked him up?!” Follo roared into the phone. This is the one night he had to confess. This is his only chance.
“Dude. Momoa is like a sister to me. I would never miss any of her shows. And you know I helped her set up her shit backstage as well.” That was the final straw. Momoa's shows have been selling out every Friday. This is her chance to get scouted and work with a major record company. The headphone girl dreamed about working with a big artist, collaborating, and eventually making her own songs. Jabber is not going to let a silly little love story ruin his sister's dream.
“This isn't a date. Tunito.” Jabber growled into the mic.
“I know, but-”
“This was never gonna be a date! You can’t turn our weekly gathering into a 3- to 4-year-late prom-posal. You gotta take him somewhere else. You have to be clear about your intentions. DO you even TRY to flirt with him!?”
“I don’t know how to start-” Jabber smacked his head in frustration. What the fuck do you mean you do not know how to flirt with a guy? Zanka is Follo’s only ever guy crush. Follo was never interested in men; he had dated a lot of the girls in his hometown.
“You dated girls before. It’s the same fuckin thing. Tease him. Do whatever you did to get a chick on your tiny ass dick. I don’t know, like, be jokingly mean to him”
“Be mean to him?”
“I don’t know, like call him ‘Average Joe’!” Follo's eyes widened, and he shouted,
“I thought Zanka doesn't like being called that. Isn’t he sensitive about that shit?”
“And that will, like.. Take his breath away?”
“Yeah, or say remember when you fell down the well and kept calling yourself an average Joe. Fuckin hilarious.”
“Dude, I’m not a dating expert or some love guru. I’ll tell you this – IF you confess your feelings to him like you just did at the diner with Rudo, Riyo, Momoa, and me, you won't have a relationship with him in any capacity after that.”
“Well, maybe that’s for the best. I can't just be her friend anymore.” This man is too desperate.
“We all did fine for a while, but okay then. There's a better way to do that, which will increase your chances with him. You know what I mean? If she means this much to you, and I know he does, do. It. right. Because you're gonna ruin my sis night if you fuck this up.” Jabber hung up as he slid into his car seat. He looked at his passenger side window and saw Zanka locking up the front door. Jabber smiled and gave a little wave. HE cannot let this loser ruin this big day.
‘What a fuckin idiot. ’