(Dominic's POV, August 25, 2015)

"And that concludes today's lesson, I have already sent an email to you all regarding the assignment, please read it for further instructions," my teacher says as she erases the writing on her whiteboard.

School finally started yesterday and the torture has already begun. Torture for me at least, because some of my classmates actually enjoy being here—they have the passion and the drive—unlike me. When I went to college for my Bachelor's Degree in Criminology I actually enjoyed it but comparing it to Law School, this is just a pain in the ass. In two years it'll all be over and my problems will be gone forever...not.

I wish I could just trade lives with someone for a day, maybe I could switch lives with a gay man in a perfect relationship with his boyfriend. I could experience domestic life by just being him and not faking it being someone I'm really not, which is ironic because I'm pretending to be another man. This is never never going to happen anyway, body switching only happens in the books I've read, among other things.

Packing up my stuff I exit the classroom and walk past my best friend Neil waiting by the door.

"Giving me the silent treatment, babe?" Neil says as he catches up to me.

"I don't know...maybe," I mutter playfully.

"Is it because I didn't save you a seat? Because if it is, you know the old professor doesn't like empty seats."

As usual, I was running late for the class because I got distracted with my phone again and I didn't check the time. It's my fault actually, but I keep with the silent treatment act while we walk to the parking lot.

"Meh, you'll forgive me anyways especially since we're going out tonight," he says suddenly.

"Wait, what?"

"Didn't you get my text a few hours ago? We're going out for pizza with Chandler and if he doesn't get his pizza, bad things happen."

"I turned off my phone so that I can focus on schoolwork, you know how much I get distracted with my phone," I lie as I push my glasses up my nose.

Thinking back, I think his message got buried under all of my tumblr and story notifications during lunch. Reading and looking at various explicit forms of artwork are my number one priority during break because that's the only thing that makes me happy during school hours.

"Distracted with all the porn stories?" he questions with a smirk.

"Shut up!"

He puts his hands up in mock surrender before putting his arm around my shoulder while we walk towards his car. I don't really mind the gesture because Neil is a naturally touchy feely guy and this is how he is most of the time with Chandler and me. I joke around that he's secretly gay and longing for attention, but Neil just rolls his eyes whenever I do that because it's actually me and not him, and I can't have my straight cover blown. When we get to the car I go to the driver side and open the door for him like a true gentleman treating his princess right, this time instead of rolling his eyes he punches me in the arm and I smirk at him before going around the car and getting in the front seat.

Neil and I have been as thick as thieves ever since I met him a few years ago during my first year of college. We have been roommates for the last five or so years where he has become the only person I truly trust; he knows all my secrets, and he accepts me no matter who I am. I just wish everybody was like him, including my own parents. I'm starting to think that my dad likes him more than me at times, Neil is the son he always wanted, a dedicated lawyer to be. I don't hold this against him though because despite all of this, and I don't say this to him, but I love him, not romantically but the kind of love you have for a brother.

We talk about Chandler's tattoo and how he cried like a big baby at the tattoo parlor the other day. The only reason he got that tattoo was to "look cool in front of the ladies," and I don't even see the point of that, it's just your plain old dragon tattoo engulfed in flames—how unique and original. Now he's flaunting it around like it's the coolest thing he ever did in his life. A few minutes later, we arrive at our usual pizza place, it's a bit of a hole in the wall but the pizza here is amazing. I see Chandler with two ladies, obviously flirting with them.

"Finally you two decided to show up!" Chandler says.

"Oh I'm so terribly sorry, your highness, did we keep you waiting?" Neil replies.

"He doesn't need our apologies Neil, we should apologize to these beautiful strangers instead." I smile at the redhead, making her blush.

"You're absolutely right Dom, we do sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we have caused to... I don't believe we have met, fair maiden."

"My name's Ashley, and this is Paige," the blonde giggles.

Neil and I look at each other in silent agreement as we each take one of the girls hands in ours like dashing princes. I look the red headed girl in the eyes while Neil does the same to the blonde girl. I cringe inside after Ashley giggles even more when Neil says a pick up line to her, but I can't keep the pretty redhead waiting.

"In all of the books I've read, most pages have numbers, but I didn't happen to catch yours," I smirk.

"That... was...uhm...a good pick up..." Paige stutters before getting a piece of paper from her bag and writing down her number on it. Her hands shake as she gives it to me and I just smile at her.

Paige is a beautiful girl but not exactly my type, I'd rather have a knight's sword instead of the scabbard, if you catch my drift. I look over at Neil and see that he just got Ashley's number too, making Chandler stay discreetly silent. The girls then stand up and Ashley says her goodbye by kissing Neil on the cheek and I take Paige's hand again and kiss it, making her face as red as her hair.

"You...two...just... took those girls away from me..." Chandler says sullenly.

I was about to comfort him with a pat in the back but I didn't get the chance to.

"That was so fucking amazing! Holy shit, dude, you need to teach me how to get them girls, you got the shyest girl to give you her number, that was just so.... I can't even describe it. Teach me your ways, oh Master Dominic, I am your humble servant,"

"Hey! What about me?" Neil interrupts

"Puh-lease, you got it easy with that dumb blonde."

"I still got her number, dumbass, while you got...let's see...none."

"Ah well, you can't have 'em all. Besides, I have my new tattoo, girls love sexy tattoos," Chandler boasts.

These two might be idiots but they are my friends and I need to put up with this girl nonsense from time to time. I roll my eyes at their argument and go to the counter to order some pizza. We come here all the time so I already know what pizza to get, you can never go wrong with four-cheese pizza. Everytime we come here, one of us has to pay for the pizza and Chandler was the one who paid last time so it's my treat today. Going back to the table I see that they are still arguing.

"If it makes you feel any better I don't really need this girl's number, you can have it," I say pulling out the piece of paper.

"Nah that's okay, the girl is your conquest and I need to respect that,"

"It's not like she's one night stand material. Paige is a shy girl, she's probably looking for her Prince Charming that will take her off into the sunset. Besides she's probably saving herself for marriage or something," I blurt.

"Yeah you're probably right on that one," he snickers.

The one thing I hate about Chandler is that sometimes he treats girls like sex toys and not actual people. He can be respectful to the girls when he's not flirting, sure, but can't you treat a person nicely even if you are flirting? The bad thing is that I'm just like him in a way, I do the same thing to cover up the fact that I'm not interested in girls. Despite this, my brotherly love for Chandler and even Neil overshadows my pet peeves for the both of them.

Chandler has been my friend for as long as Neil has, the three of us were once classmates during our first year of taking our criminology degree. While Neil and I continued criminology, Chandler quit to pursue a Bachelor's in Information Technology, that didn't last long however, as he eventually dropped out of it too because neither of those courses were for him. When Neil and I were in our third year, Chandler still didn't have a college course he stayed in, so we decided to step in.

In his entire life, nobody tried to help Chandler in his studies, not even his parents They just keep giving him money to study anything he wants, so when we stepped in, Chandler was in tears because nobody ever guided him before. We helped him find the course that was right for him, eventually he said that he wanted to study business administration and we supported him. First day of classes Chandler said that he hated the course and was having second thoughts but we said to try it out a little bit longer. Right now he's in his fourth year and he definitely loves it because he's planning on continuing to a Master's Degree. 

"Dominic!" they say in unison.

"You've been silent ever since you got back to the table, you alright man?" Neil asks.

"This isn't the right time to think about those girls, you know," Chandler says.

I wasn't thinking about those girls, I was thinking about you. Wow, that sounded gay. Just when I was about to reply, I hear my phone ring from my pocket.

"The shy girl is already calling you? Damn that was fast."

"Don't be an idiot, the girl gave Dom her number, not the other way around," Neil points out.

Taking out my phone, I see that my mom is calling me and I answer immediately.

"Hey mom what's up?" I start.

I roll my eyes as I see Chandler mouth "M.I.L.F."

"Nothing out of the ordinary sweetie, I was just about to remind you of your date with Patricia this weekend, did you make the reservation at the restaurant I told you about?"

Oh shit...

"Ugh, no I didn't mom... you have nothing to worry about though! It's a first date... I don't want anything super expensive, sooooooo I actually made a reservation at a different restaurant," I lie smoothly.

"Awwwwwww, my little Mini is all grown up and making big decisions for himself! I'm so proud of you baby," she croons

"Mom stop it!"

"Alright alright, you get back to your pizza party."

"Wait, how do you know about that?"

"Oh, I follow your friend Chandler on Twitter, and he tweeted 'hashtag-Pizza time with the boys' so I assumed you were with him."

"Why would you eve-"

"Oh gotta go now sweetie, the light just went green and I need to get to your father's office so that we can-"

My finger automatically presses the end call button before she can say anything else and I groan loudly. It's been three days since she ambushed me with the 'oh my friend has a beautiful daughter, date her now' speech, and she expects me to get it all done just like that. I'm a male college student, I'm lazy as fuck!

"What was that groan? You sounded like a trapped coyote," Neil says.

"I forgot to make a reservation for a date my mom planned and, before you ask, I haven't even met her before. I stalked her on Facebook and saw her pictures on Instagram but that doesn't really count."

"Is she hot?" Chandler comments.

I don't look at a woman like that but remembering her Facebook profile... Pearly white smile, a minimal makeup look, a dress that fit her nicely, heels that flaunt her legs...so...I guess?

"Yeah, she's definitely an eleven out of ten."

"Oh man congratulations on the score! If you rated her an eleven she's gonna be one hot lay," he exclaims.

As he says that, the waiter comes in and puts our food on the table.

"But for now... let's forget about the date stuff and focus on the now, this is your honorary bachelor pizza party thing, let's celebrate!" he says excitedly.

***

After my honorary bachelor pizza party, Chandler got into a food coma, or as we like to call it a pizza coma, in the back seat and we had to carry him back to his dorm room. We would have asked his dorm mate to help but he doesn't have one. Neil and I offered to look for another apartment that would've fit the three of us but he was being modest, he said that it'll take too much work to move and he wouldn't get to take home as many girls as he liked anymore.

I've spent the last half-hour or so searching for restaurants that take last minute reservations. I'm thinking that I could just take her to the same pizza place we just went to but that's our special food joint, no girl will taint that place, bros before hoes! Besides, that wouldn't be "classy" enough for a date and first impressions last. Damn, I wish I was the one in the food coma right now.

"You look cute with that expression," Neil says suddenly.

"How long have you been standing there?" I ask.

"Two minutes I think," he replies as he walks towards my bed and sits next to me.

"I wanted to tell you this at the pizza place but it wasn't the right time for it..."

"Are you secretly gay and in love with me?" I joke.

"You probably want that, don't you, I mean who wouldn't resist this?" he points to himself. Why am I friends with him again?

"Argh, what were you going to tell me anyway?"

"Oh that, I can get you that reservation you have been desperately searching for," he smirks.

I suddenly remember he works as a waiter. He wanted to be independent and not leech off his parents' money too much, so he got the job a few months ago during the summer. The place he works at is some kind of Wine & Cheese place I think, fancy but not too fancy and it's the perfect place to take...Wait a second...

"Why didn't you tell me that when we got home!"

"Because I'm a sadist and I want to see you suffer first," he winks.

"You're horrible..." I whine.

"I know, but I'll get you the reservation, I'll probably bribe the receptionist, though."

I chuckle at that because he'll either pay the receptionist or have sex with her, and it's probably the former. When Neil plans something he's usually the guy who is always extra, he'll probably get me the best table at the restaurant where I can make the girl swoon off her feet. A few years from now after I graduate and get a stable job, I'll propose to her at the exact place we met. Then we'll get married and have kids. And maybe, just maybe...my parents can finally be proud of me. This weekend will mark the start of a new life, my new life. I can't help myself and tears suddenly fall from my eyes.

"Dominic, why are you crying?" he looks at me concerned.

"I...I don't want this...I don't want to date her, I want to date a him...not a her."

"You can stop this Dom, you just need to tell your parent-"

"Tell them what, that their only son is gay? I already did once and something bad happened!"

"That wasn't your fault and you know it,"

"I know..." I say as I put my head on his shoulder.

We stay there silent, contemplating what to say next and I feel that Neil is doing the same thing right now. A few minutes pass and the silence is replaced with a sigh coming from my best friend.

"Do you still want to continue the date?" he starts.

"Yes, I do," I say sadly.

Neil stays silent for a moment and I look to see that he closed his eyes. I feel him snake his arms around my shoulder and I hug him, putting my hand on his chest.

"I can't stop you... But as your best friend I'm obligated to give you the advice you need,"

Another pause lingers between us then he suddenly inhales before speaking again.

"Don't let anyone make you be who you aren't, you need to stay true to yourself or else you'll do something you'll regret and you're going to end up hating yourself in the long run."

I don't reply to his advice and I just close my eyes, hugging him closer. This situation already feels so wrong to me, yet I can't stop any of this from happening. In every novel that I have read, movie that I watched, and game that I played, I learned that everything happens for a reason, whether you like it or not. Maybe meeting Patricia is just one of those inevitable moments in my life that needs to happen. I just hope that I can make it to the ending.

Vouloir c'est pouvoir.

~~~

Published June 25, 2018

Dominic without his Glasses up top

Two chapters in the same month? It's some kind of miracle! 

Although...this chapter was supposed to be published on June 20 but I was in Hong Kong and I couldn't post it right away, sorry... What's so special about June 20 you might ask? Well it was DanGarrett's Birthday. Happy ??th Birthday Uncle Dan, this chapter is dedicated to you!

That makes Chapter 1-4 posted on someone's birthday... You guys better pray for somebody to celebrate their birthday in July :P

Also, guess who owns the restaurant where Neil works at, nice little Easter egg there xD

Anywho, vote and comments are always welcome!  

See you guys next birthday ;)