My One and Only You

"It's so quiet...."

Gaby was sitting on the bench outside the university apartment she would attend. There were a lot of plants around and a tree across the fence. But its branches and shade were in the apartment where she stayed.

It's Sunday. Her father brought her to school early. She didn't even know how much time she'd spent on the bench reading a book. She checked her watch. 'It's a quarter past 6.' - in her mind. It turns out dinner was on the way, and she still had no one in the apartment.

A few minutes later, she heard a noise from inside the apartment, so she thought about going in and finding out if her roommates were already there.

As Gaby approached the main door, she heard cheerful voices from within. She was a little nervous because this was her first time with other people in the same house. She reads in the book that most roommates don't get along because of their unique characters and attitudes.

Gaby took a deep breath and slowly opened the door, and they became silent when she saw them. She just walked in and locked the door. But the three women there were still staring at her in silence.

"Hello!" she said with shyness.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed the three women inside. Their sudden scream startled her. Gaby held up her chest.

A beautiful woman approached her, wearing a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt, a haircut that matched the shape of her beautiful face. She guessed that her height was 5'6". She grasped her arm and approached the other two women who were there.

"Hello, are you our new housemate?" the lady asked as she pulled her.

"Yeah! I'm Gabrielle Shin Johnson." Gaby says. "But I prefer Gaby for short."

"I'm Sasha De Leon," the girl says. "This is Arabella Anderson, but we refer to her as Belle and Ashlee Alonzo."

"Hello!" Gaby smiled and greeted the two.

Both women looked at her as if examining her face. They stare at her from neck to breast, waist, and feet. It made her feel awkward. Her name is Belle. A long curly hair of ash brown color, high bridge nose like Sasha, thin lips, big breasts, and prominent hips shaped like a pear. And she has long legs. Gaby thinks the woman is five feet eight inches tall, as tall as she is. And she has a sexy curve.

"You are so beautiful!" They cheered while staring at her.

"Yeah, you have no pores, your lashes. Is that real? And your dimples, oh my gosh!" said Ashlee.

Ashlee sits right beside Belle. Her hair is short and wavy, and her beauty does not make her the least of her two friends. She is Morena and tall like Sasha. Her body is almost perfect as a Barbie doll. Gaby was jealous of her body. Her cousin has this perfectly shaped body, so she always competes in the beauty contest, while Gaby loves sports, stunts, and daredevil sports more.

"Gosh, Gaby! You have such beauty! "Ashlee complimented her.

She giggled at her. "You girls are beautiful as well. I like your body shape, Ashlee. You have a perfect shape." said Gaby. She's not lying; Ashlee is a head-turner.

"But you're perfectly fashioned, you know. Is my skin color appeals to you? The typical skin tone of the Filipino woman. My body is not as pretty as your body." Ashlee said.

"You're still a beauty, Ashlee. Your skin color is flawless and fits you perfectly. Did you try to take part in a beauty contest?" Gaby said.

"Yeah, when I was in junior high, well, I won," Ashlee said with a smile.

"When did you come, Gaby?" asked Belle.

"A while ago," she said.

"What course are you taking?" Sasha asked.

"BS in Civil Engineering, year three," said Gaby.

"BS Tourism year three," said Belle.

"BS Business Administration, year three as well!" says Sasha.

"BS in Political Science," says Ashlee. "Year three too!"

All three women screamed again, and she was nearly deaf. However, she couldn't remove the smile from her lips. Her roommate seems fine. She was afraid she would have trouble getting along with her roommates, but she was wrong. She truly believes that they will become her best friends.

"So what? Are you a supermodel, actress, or beauty queen?" Ashlee asked.

Gaby shook her head. "No. I wish to be one of them, but unfortunately, it is impossible." Gaby said, laughing.

"Why impossible? You qualify for it." Belle said.

Gaby chuckled. "Because it's hard for me to be like them!"

"You're one of the boy's types of girl, I guess." said Belle.

"That's what makes you so sexy!" says Sasha.

Gaby just smiled a little. "You also look sexy, Sasha. Jeez, I'm so lucky to have such gorgeous roommates!"

"We are well aware!" said Belle, laughing.

"I'm not bragging, Gaby, but we used to be called sweethearts at the university. Because we were the girl version of the famous gentlemen groups there. Almost boys at our university are fantasizing about us and want us to be their girlfriends," said Ashlee.

"Really? Wow, you three are the sweethearts?" asked Gaby.

"Yes, and there are four of us today. I'm excited to see the boys' reactions tomorrow. Gaby, expect to have a lot of love letters and gifts. Invitations for dating, screaming, and yelling all over the university." Sasha said.

Gaby laughed at Sasha's story. As beautiful as they are, who never falls for them? They became distracted as the door suddenly opened. Three guys showed up.

"Hello, ladies! You missed us, didn't you?" the man says.

"No." Sasha merely said.

"Stop being a snob, Sasha. I know you have a crush on me." the other guy laughed.

"Excuse me!" Sasha raised a brow. "You are not my crush, and I shall never have a crush on you! Your confidence chews you up."

The man laughed. Their gaze wandered away to Ashlee's side. "Oh!" said Matt and Riki in surprised reaction.

"I thought it was an apartment. God forbid I saw an angel!" said Matt with a grin.

Everyone laughed. Matt even reached out to Gaby and held her hand. "I'm not a good person, but God loves me anyway. He even sent my angel. Miss Beautiful, my name is Matt. "he said, holding Gaby's hand.

Gaby smiled. "Gaby." She just said.

"I just can't help it, God, you're so beautiful!" said Matt.

Ashlee and Sasha quickly pushed Matt, so he fell onto the couch. Another guy approached Gaby and held her hand.

"Hello, I'm Riki," he said, holding Gaby's hand. "Matt's right. You're so hot. You look so beautiful!"

"Hello! I am Gaby." Gaby replied.

Ashlee and Sasha pushed Riki, who even sat on Matt's lap on the couch. "Jeez, dude! You're so heavy!" Matt complained.

Everyone laughed and chatted happily at the joke about Matt and Riki, who constantly quarreled with Sasha, Belle, and Ashlee.

-

"Really? They the famous gentlemen's group, Heartthrobs? "Gaby asked with disbelief.

No surprise, Matt and Riki are beautiful. Many women and gays can drool at the sight of them.

The comprehensive university belongs to Gaby's family. There are only two heirs in Johnson's family. Her father is a famous architect in demand in Canada, Australia, Europe, and the United States. Her mother is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and is renowned in Canada and Europe.

Gaby's father designed their university, Shin University or SU, one of the country's most beloved and expensive universities. The students live in their apartments-four people in a house. The apartment has four bedrooms, a restroom downstairs and one person per bedroom on the second floor, a large living room, and a huge kitchen. The students were indeed at ease living there. Maintenance personnel can also call whenever they want to clean the apartment.

"Yeah! There are four, and there are two others you haven't met." said Ashlee.

"Seriously?" said Gaby. "So there are four of them? Like F4? "

Sasha nodded. "Yes. Four handsome, rich guys." Ashlee said, laughing. "They have a luscious body that all women talk about."

Gaby laughed. "Really, luscious?"

Sasha laughed out loud. "Of course. Clark and Dylan are even more handsome. They are the more famous of them. Well, Clark's got a lot of fans."

'Dylan? No, there's no way he's my best friend!' Gaby thought.

"Dylan is easier to reach than Clark," said Ashlee.

"Are they so famous?" said Gaby.

Gaby remembered her favorite Japanese manga called Hana Yori Dango.

"Yes. A lot of women ran into them." said Sasha with laughter.

Gaby laughed at what Sasha said. "Which university have you come from? The class has started for several months now. It is suitable for you because you got accepted here." Belle said.

They will accept her since she is the daughter of the proprietor of the university. "I was in Canada before. I'm interested in studying here." Gaby replied.

"Whoa, you're international!" said Belle, laughing.

Gaby just laughed as well.

'There are many people downstairs. What are they doing?'

When Gaby left her room the following day, she heard a noise downstairs. She took a slight look at the stairs and saw many people there.

"Hey, you're awake. I was going to wake you up. Let's get some breakfast." said Ashlee.

"What's going on? Why so many people?" Gaby asked.

"Ah, there's nothing but us. You remembered Matt and Riki last night, right? They are having their breakfast with us." said Ashlee.

Ashlee got off first and followed. Gaby was already carrying her bag and some books. The group eats at the same time at the large dining table.

"Hello, Gaby!" said Matt and Riki. They smiled at her.

Gaby smiled. "Good morning, guys!"

"Seriously, I love that smile. It's so beautiful," said Matt.

Riki took the dish off Matt's plate right away. "Hey, why'd you pick it up?" Matt asked.

"I thought you were full, so I just ate it," said Riki.

"You are crazy," said Matt against Riki.

It did not bother Riki. Instead, he continued to laugh.

"Hey, Dude! Let's eat! "said Matt, looking at the couch.

Gaby glanced at the guy sitting on the couch, and he stared at her while smiling.

"Hello!" the guy greets her with a smile.

Gaby didn't recognize the guy. He went close to her. He looked familiar, but she didn't remember who that guy was.

"You're staring at Dylan, Gaby!" said Sasha.

Gaby turned to Sasha, then looked at the guy before her. "D-Dylan?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yup! The one and only! "Dylan said with a smile.

"Dylan?" Gaby's eyes broadened. She couldn't believe it.

"I can't blame you if you don't recognize me!" said Dylan, smiling at her.

"Oh, my.." Gab then said embrace Dylan firmly.

Everybody was in shock as they watched the two hug each other.

"Do you know each other?" said Sasha.

Gaby let go of Dylan. She wiped a tear from her cheek. She nodded at Sasha's question.

"Really?! How?" Belle asked.

"He's my old friend," said Gaby.

"Ah, childhood friend!" Matt and Riki said together.

"Will you study here?" Dylan asked.

Dylan pulled Gaby into the kitchen, and they sat beside each other. There's food waiting for her.

"Yes. I got my parents to do it." Gaby said.

"Wow, I didn't think we'd be school buddies after a long year," Dylan said. There was no way Dylan could lose sight of the beautiful woman beside him. "It's been a while since we've met, Gab!" said Dylan. "You have changed very much!"

"You've also changed, big time! I never even recognized you," Gaby said.

Dylan just smiled. "You're more beautiful than I thought."

Gaby stared at Dylan. She smiled at him and looked at the food in front of her. She closed her eyes and grasped her two hands.

Dylan was looking at Gaby but suddenly turned away as the girl approached him. She's praying.

Dylan was unaware that Riki was watching him and Gaby. He laughed.

"Hell, soon she'll melt. You've been staring at her," said Riki.

Everybody looked at Dylan, who was staring at Gaby again. He got caught on the spot.

The girls didn't respond but were excited about Dylan's look at Gaby.

-

Dylan and Gaby passed across the street. They segregated the Student Village from their university. It's a short walk, but some students use their cars. Both looked at one another upon entering university. Dylan got teased and welcomed by the women while the men greeted Gaby. Almost all the students were stunned. They looked at her as if they saw somebody famous who did not expect to be there. She smiles lightly, though.

"My goodness, Dylan, I love you!"

"Dylan, will you please be mine?"

"Wow, she's a beautiful one! Is that Dylan's girlfriend?"

"They look great together! I feel tickled!"

"Dylan, love me. I'm breaking up with my boyfriend!"

Gaby laughs at the yelling from the students. It was no big deal for Dylan as if he was getting used to them.

"Seriously, you're pretty famous," Gaby told Dylan.

Dylan turned towards her. "You too. I'm sure a lot of couples will break up today."

Gaby giggled at what he said. "I wanted them not to."

As they entered their building, Dylan took her into her room and left immediately. When Dylan left, most of her classmates asked if Dylan was dating her or if he was already her boyfriend. Some want to meet, talk to her, and give her love letters and gifts. Some of them invited her out.

Later, their Professor arrived.

-

"Gaby's got a lot of fans, doesn't she? The couple broke up right away." Matt said, laughing.

"Yes, she is Dylan's childhood friend. Do you think Dylan has a thing for Gaby? He was staring at her earlier, wasn't he?" said Riki.

"God, I like Gaby. She's different from any other girl," said Matt.

"Me too! But let's give Dylan a love life, though." said Riki. "It's the first time he's looked at a girl seriously."

Matt and Riki were in the cafeteria. Their class ended early, and they were expecting the girls, Clark and Dylan, and Gaby. Shortly, the three beautiful girls came.

"Hello, heartthrobs!" Sasha greeted them.

"Did your classes end early as well?" asked Riki.

"Yes, Professor Villegas never showed up, so it ended early." said Belle.

"You as well?" Ashlee asked Matt and Riki.

"My Professor left too. I think he enjoyed the long weekend." said Riki.

"He simply checked the attendance and left. He does not seem in the mood to teach." said Matt.

"Okay! Hopefully, every teacher is like them!" said Belle, giggling.

They sat on the opposite side of the table. University Sweethearts and Heartthrobs get along together. They've been friends since high school, and their parents are also friends. Sure, they are heirs. They are members of this country's wealthy families.

"Why isn't Gaby around yet?" said Matt.

"Yeah, right! Maybe engineering students already have classes. Dylan's not around either." said Belle.

They turned to the women yelling and screaming. Clark, one heartthrob, approaches them. He walked normally as if he had heard nothing.

"What's with the grumpy face, Clark?" Matt joked.

Everyone laughed at Matt's joke. Clark raised his brows as he sat next to Riki.

"You seemed happy. What's going on?" Clark asked.

"You? Why do you seem frustrated?" Sasha asked.

"I got upset with my Professor earlier," said Clark.

"Why?" all of them asked.

"He is ugly!" Clark replied.

They just laughed. Clark is very much like that, not in the face he calls ugly, but in character and attitude. They were used to him, even though he was always sharp, cranky, and earnest. Even when a group of desirable women approaches him, his reaction remains the same. He only scolds them and does not entertain them.

"Where's Dylan?" Clark asked.

"He's not here yet," replied Riki.

The women from outside the cafeteria and even inside keep on screaming. Clark chuckled. "Here comes the playboy!"

"Luh, the non-playboy has spoken!" told Ashlee.

Clark ignored her. He sits horizontally on the monobloc chair while he folds his arms, and his head is slightly leaning against the backrest.

"She's a real beauty!"

"Is she a celebrity or a supermodel?"

"Perhaps a beauty queen!"

"I think Dylan's hanging out with her."

"Is she Dylan's girlfriend?"

Clark shook his head. It seems there's a new girl in love with Dylan. He gets used to it.

"Hello, Gaby!" A cheerful hello from Matt and Riki.

"Hello, Gaby!" Ashlee, Belle, and Sasha said hello.

Dylan sat by Clark's side while he was barely hitting his friend. "What has gotten into you?" asked Dylan.

"Oh, he has a bad mood for his professor, who looks ugly!" said Riki.

Everyone laughed except Gaby. She didn't get Riki's joke. "How's the class?" Sasha asked Gaby.

"Great," said Gaby. "I know now what you were talking about when you said expect attention." She giggled.

"I told you, how many invitations did you receive?" Sasha asked.

"Oh, God, more than a hundred, I suppose," said Gaby.

"Whoa, you're a record holder for girls, Gaby! Only Clark in the Heartthrobs gets that many invitations from his first day here." Belle said with disbelief.

"Oh, for real?" Gaby just said. She just glanced at a guy seated in front of her.

"I'm going to get some food. Gaby, what do you want to eat? "Dylan asked.

"You're sharp, Dylan. You asked her first?" Sasha said.

"Well," said Dylan, smiling.

"That's for you to decide, except for the beef," Gaby said, and she smiled at him.

Dylan smiled. "You're still a beef hater, aren't you?"

"Please take mine with you, Dylan," said Clark.

"Okay, what do you want?" Dylan asked, looking at him

"pork stew," said Clark.

"Alright! Hey, Matt, come with me." asks Dylan.

Matt got up and went with Dylan. Clark was about to close his eyes again, but he didn't when he noticed the woman sitting opposite him, on the other side of the table. She was looking at Ashlee, and they were talking to each other.

In the woman's lateral view, she has a magnificent nose curved along with the shape of her face. 'She is beautiful!'

Suddenly his heart beat faster. It was as if he was excited or nervous. He can't explain.

"Who are you?" asked Clark as he frowned.

"Who are you?"

The woman stared at Clark, and it surprised him. She has a beautiful face. She has long lashes which, he knows, are not fake, her perfectly curved nose, and her red lips, and he knows it is not a lipstick that makes it red. Her cheeks are red, and her fair white skin feels smooth. And as she was talking with Ashlee, she was smiling, so he could see her deep dimples on both cheeks.

"Clark, you look at her like you don't want her here," said Belle.

"Her name's Gaby. She's our new roommate." Ashlee said.

"A roommate. Why is she here with us?" Clark asked.

"She's our roommate, a sweethearts. She can sit with us, duh!" Belle said, rolling her eyes at Clark.

"Gaby, he is Clark. He's a heartthrob member." said Ashlee. "The grumpy one."

Gaby just stared at him, smiled a little, and ignored him. Clark lifted an eyebrow. Gaby didn't even show a little admiration for him, didn't even speak to him or anything.

'Jeez, who's this girl?' Clark thought.

Dylan sat beside Clark. He immediately placed Gaby's food on the table, and Clark's order followed.

"Your favorite," said Dylan.

Gaby smiled. "Yeah! Thank you. You remembered."

Dylan smiled. Clark took a glance at Dylan and Gaby. Everyone started eating but stopped when they noticed Gaby was praying before she ate, so they waited for her to finish. Clark smirked, and Gaby heard it.

"What's funny?" said Gaby.

Their friends turned and looked at Gaby. She was looking straight at Clark, who was about to eat, but before the food came into his mouth, Riki gave him a little kick.

"What?" Clark asked innocently.

Riki snouted, and he followed his lips. Gaby was staring at him seriously.

"What's funny about it?" repeated Gaby.

"What are you talking about? I'm not laughing. It's just a smirk. It didn't hurt you." Clark said.

"Is prayer funny for you?" said Gaby.

The group silenced as if there was a beautiful scene to see. Clark was speechless.

"Don't you pray?" Gaby asked. Clark scoffs. "You should be grateful for the blessing you receive. You should not laugh when you see someone praying. Would you like me to teach you how to pray?" Gaby said.

"You're so noisy," Clark said, getting annoyed. "What makes you angry? When you pray, you should only think about God and not bother the people around you."

"Ignore him, Gaby," said Matt.

Clark was grinning again. The group looked back at Gaby. She was serious but did not argue with Clark. They smiled because it seemed Clark had found his girl version.

"Hello, my friends!"

A group of men came close to where they were. They are the university basketball varsity team.

"Hi, Sweetheart!"

The girls just smiled. The boys rolled their eyes at the table and immediately noticed Gaby beside Ashlee.

"Whoa! Sweethearts have a newbie!"

"Hi, Miss! I'm Steve."

"I'm Markus!"

"My name is Glenn!"

"I'm Timothy!"

"Good morning. My name is Gaby!" She welcomed them with a smile.

"You look lovely, Gaby," said Markus. "Are you a celebrity?"

"Supermodel?" says Glenn.

"A beauty queen, perhaps?" Timothy said.

As all the varsity team said, she answered no and shook her head. "But you can be one of them!" said Timothy.

Gaby just smiled. Dylan frowned. "You must go. You have seen us. We are busy eating! You guys are a nuisance!" Dylan said.

All four of them chuckled. "Seriously, Dylan, we're just introducing ourselves."

"Go!" said Riki.

The four men got up and bid them farewell. They sat at the other table but always fixed their eyes on where they were.

-

After class, Gaby thought of sitting on the bench beside the field where the university plays. She sat down and looked around.

"Gaby!"

Gaby turned around and could not help smiling when she saw him.

"Dylan!" she replied.

"Why are you here?" asked Dylan.

"Nothing, it's nice to sit here," said Gaby

Dylan just smiled, and Gaby also smiled. "You've changed a lot, Gab," Dylan said seriously.

"You too. I'm surprised you're a heartthrob." said Gaby. "Aren't you clunky now?"

Dylan chuckled. "Do you still think I'm clumsy?"

"Isn't that right?" Gaby giggled.

Dylan kept quiet, looking at Gaby. "I miss you, Gab!" Dylan said. "I am so sorry."

Gaby smiles a bit. "Sorry?"

"I'm sorry I left you," said Dylan.

"It's okay, Dylan. Let's forget about that. How long has it been? About five years ago." said Gaby.

Dylan wasn't saying anything. He was happy to see Gaby, his closest friend and first love, but he knew that although she smiled at him and was delighted when she saw him, they needed to talk about something. He knows she's hurt.

"Why are you here? Don't you have class now?" Gaby asked.

"Yeah, I'm done with my class," said Dylan. "Civil Engineering is still the course you took."

"It's my dream, isn't it?" Gaby said.

"Why are you only 3rd year?" Dylan asks.

"I'm supposed to be in the first year, but because there are subjects that are credited with my homeschooling, I'm now in the third year," Gaby said.

"Homeschooling? I thought you were studying at the University of Toronto?" Dylan asked.

Gaby looked at him. "A lot happened since you left, Dylan."

Dylan averted his eyes from her. He feels guilty. Since Dylan returned home, no news has been received from Gaby. He couldn't contact her anymore. He also lost her social media accounts, along with Gaby's parents.

"I think you should go. Your girl could see us, Dylan. I don't want trouble." Gaby said.

"I haven't got a girlfriend," said Dylan.

"Seriously?!" said Gaby, in shock.

"Why? Don't you think it's true? Perhaps you, someone, will suddenly become jealous and hit me here." Dylan joked.

"Who will punch you?" Gaby asked.

"Your boyfriend," said Dylan.

"Boys don't like me because they think I'm not an ideal girlfriend," said Gaby.

"Tell me who said that?" asked Dylan. "They should never tell you that. You're an ideal girlfriend to me. You are lovely and...."

Gaby looked at him. "This is my opinion. You're the girl I wanna date," said Dylan.

"You're a good friend, Dy," Gaby spoke with a smile.

"I may change physically, but I'm still your Dylan, Gab," said Dylan. "I'm always the same."

Gaby just smiled. "Your friends are cool, especially the girls!"

Dylan smiled even though he knew Gaby was changing the topic. "Those are the coolest," said Dylan.

"But your rude friend. He seems like he conceived out of resentment!" said Gaby.

"Who?" Dylan asked, confused.

"The rude guy at the cafeteria," said Gaby.

"Clark is a great guy." said Dylan.

"He doesn't seem to," Gaby smirked.

"You're pre-judging him." Dylan chuckled.

Gaby smiled. The noise nearby distracted them. "There's no us, Liz!" said the guy with irritation.

Dylan chuckled. "He gets in trouble again."

"Isn't he the grouchy, Clark?" Gaby asked while looking at Clark.

"Yes, and he's furious now!" Dylan smirked. "Looks like someone assumed Clark's girlfriend again."

"Assumed?" Gaby asked.

Dylan said nothing. They listened to the couple's arguments. "But you kissed me." the woman said.

"You're the one who kissed me. You might forget," Clark said.

"Go to hell, Clark!" the woman was furious.

Clark never said a word and was looking at that woman. The woman slapped him.

"Do you know what? A woman like you is just a pain in the neck." said Clark. The woman left him.

"He doesn't like her? She's beautiful." said Gaby.

Dylan wasn't saying anything. He was watching too. Later, he looked at Gaby, still watching the scene from a distance.

"Is he a heartbreaker?" asked Gaby suddenly.

That's what she hears in conversations at the university. Dylan didn't answer any of her questions. Gaby assumed that Dylan wasn't saying anything that might hurt his friend.

"I'll go home, Dylan!" said Gaby.

Suddenly, she got up, and Dylan got up as well. "I'm going with you!" said Dylan.

"Okay," said Gaby with a smile.