Kale let out a short, loud laugh. “Why are you suddenly quiet?” he asked but not one of us can respond to him.
Kellen threw him a death glare and he immediately covered his mouth. Audrey and I, on the other hand, keep kicking each other under the table.
“What is it about forever?” Rawbin asked as he walk towards my back.
“We’re not talking anything about forever!” Kellen snapped. “Besides, why are you all here? We're having some girls' talk!”
Homme pushed himself up to sit on the railings. “We got bored playing poker. Besides, we missed our muses too,” he said.
“Kellen, did you just blush?” Kevz pointed at her laughing and my poor cousin can only roll her eyes at our silly friend.
“Lucky for you guys that you got muses to miss,” Roj shakes his head, pouting while Kip taps his shoulder.
Kip’s standing right behind Audrey and I’ve caught him staring at her back several times. I chuckled mentally. It seems like there’s really something behind Kellen’s words earlier.
After a few more minutes, Guido started calling them. They wanted to grill so they have to start cooking now in time for dinner.
Rawbin had to leave though. Her older sister arrived with her husband and they’re having a family dinner.
When Rawbin bade us farewell, everyone went down. The three of us were left again and it seems like it was only then that Audrey was able to breathe.
“Shit, you think they heard?” she whispered.
“I don't think so, but that was close,” Kellen chuckled nervously as she fans her face with her hand.
“It’s because you talk too much!” I told her off and we all broke into laughter.
“By the way cuz,” Kellen turned to me when she seemed to have remembered something. “I have something to ask you, but please be honest ok?” my brows shot up automatically. “Are you avoiding Drew?” and my eyes widen after hearing her question.
“Why? Did you and Drew fight?” Audrey pried.
“Not really,” I told Audrey then I turned to my cousin. “And no, I'm not avoiding him, why do you ask?”
“Well, it’s actually Kip who asked me. You know him, being the leader of your band, he’s a bit too observant when it comes to you guys, So he noticed that you’re avoiding or you look like you’re avoiding Drew,” she explained.
“In all honesty, I don’t know why too.”
“So you’re indeed avoiding him?” Kellen tried to confirm and I nodded slowly. “But why? Did he cross you or something?”
“He didn’t and I don’t understand too. That was just my reaction after that incident at the bar.”
“What happened then?” Audrey probed.
“I saw him kissing someone. It was during our gig, where Nico replaced me, remember?” I asked Kellen and she nodded. “After that, I just feel like I have to avoid him because I’m ashamed after what I saw.”
“And?” Kellen asked with her forehead wrinkled.
“The same incident happened several times. At the library, gym, parking lot, and avoiding him sort of became a hobby for me,” letting out a chuckle as I tell them.
However, not one of the three finds it funny. Kellen and Audrey stared at me with their brows knitted. Meanwhile, Kale stopped picking on his nails and stared at me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I snapped as I move my eyes on each one of them.
The way they were looking at me made me feel uncomfortable. If it was a guy, I would have thought that they were stripping me.
“And why are you affected by his kissing scenes?” Kale asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“I'm not!” I quickly answered and it sounded defensive.
“Actually, you are,” Kellen and Audrey said in unison.
I looked at the two of them, back and forth, as I’m a little confused about their reaction. I looked at Kale and he gently nodded, agreeing with the two.
"I don't think I am. I mean, there’s no reason for me to be affected,” I said, trying to defend myself.
“Exactly the point! There’s no reason for you to act like that, but since you are avoiding him, it only means you're indeed affected. The million-dollar question is, why?” Kekang asked knowingly.
I was suddenly at a loss for words after what she said. ‘How am I supposed to answer her when I can’t answer the same question for myself?’ I shook my head and raised the white flag.
“Could be that you like Drew?” Kale asked and I almost hit him.
‘That's absurd! I have Rawbin, I have a boyfriend. So how did he come up with such a ridiculous idea? Audrey and Kellen exchanged weird glances and I suddenly feel nervous. ‘Is that even possible?’
“Come on Leslie Monica! It's not like, it’s your first time seeing a live kissing scene! Remember when you saw Zone kissing some random girl?” Kale reminded me and I nodded. “Why didn’t you avoid him after that? Heck, you even became friends after you turned him down.”
“O-M-G cuz!” Kellen shrieked.
“O-M-G! You like Drew?” Audrey asked with wide eyes.
“Who among you likes Drew?” yet again, we all froze in our seats.
I facepalmed as I try to calm down. ‘Why does he always show up at the wrong time?’ I threw death glares at Audrey and Kellen, especially Kale.
I’ll leave it to them to come up with an excuse. It was them who started the conversation about Drew anyway.
“Kale, of course! He’s fantasizing over Drew,” Kellen responded after thinking for a few seconds.
Kale wanted to refute her statement but I saw Kellen lightly pinch his leg so he decided to shut it. I then let out a sigh of relief, even Audrey slumped her shoulders after we survived the ambush.
Kevz nodded, seemingly convinced by what Kellen said. After a while, the rest of the guys showed up.
Kevz pointed at Kale as he looked at Drew, “Hey dude, Kale’s fantasizing over you!”
Everyone started laughing after what Kevz said. “I didn’t know you weren’t just a chick's magnet!” Homme teased and messed up with Drew's hair.
The snob guy brushed his hand off, evidently irritated, but they all just laughed at him. I stole a glance and I clearly saw his long face.
“Don’t worry! I’ll start moving on tomorrow!” Kale snapped as he roll his eyes.
Our attentions turned to Kevz when he clicked his tongue, “What a pity, I thought it was my bet who likes Drew. It turns out it was just Kale,” he stated.
I wanted to see if he was serious with what he said but I can’t turn to look at him. My neck feels so stiff and he’s sitting behind me.
Drew, on the other hand, is leaning on the wall right next to the door, while Homme and Roj are sitting on the railings.
Kip squeezed himself onto the chair Kellen was sitting on so he was facing Audrey. And our friend looked like she was not breathing again.
“You’ve been here for hours, what are you talking about?” Kip asked no one in specific.
I was still thinking of what to say when Kale suddenly spoke, “Lemon and Rawbin!”
“Why? Did you fight with him, Partner?” Kevz asked and I shook my head in response.
“She said Rawbin’s been distant lately,” Kellen added. These are the times when I'm wishing my eyes have lasers. For sure it would be useful for the two of them.
Audrey looked at me apologetically. I don’t know if she’s sorry because of what the duo said or if she’s sorry that they’re our friends.
“Llamansares is graduating right?” Roj asked.
“Yep! So he’s leaving Partner soon!” Kevz responded and, weirdly, he sounded happy about it.
“Maybe that’s why he’s being a bit distant to you. Because you’re bound to part ways anyway,” Homme added. I smiled lazily at him and he messed up with my hair. “That’s ok, it’s part of growing up.”
“If you break up with Rawbin, does that mean my friend will soon have a chance?” Kevz asked.
They all turned their eyes to him except me. I feel like if I turn around, I might hit him. I can’t understand why he’s talking about his friend all of a sudden and he’s sounding happy about my pending breakup.
“Who is it? Does he like Lemon?” Roj inquired.
“He does but he won’t admit to it. He’s a shy type, you know,” then he laughed out loud.
“But do you really think you two will soon break up?” Kip asked.
“I don’t know, maybe…” I shrugged.
“Then you’re available again, Partner. That means you’re open to suitors and courtships,” Kevz asked again.
I’m not sure if he’s tripping or what. But everyone who asked me sounded melancholic. He’s the only one who’s chirpy.
“Not right away, of course. She has to move on too,” Kellen told him.
“Shit, I think my friend will be delighted if he finds out,” Kevz exclaimed.
“Who’s your friend? He can’t be less appealing than Rawbin or that will be a total downgrade,” Kale commented.
“Of course not! He’s a qualified heartthrob,” and yet again, I heard his annoying laugh. “I’ll send him a message now to let him know of the good news.” He then took out his and started typing on it. “Sent!” he even said.
Seconds after, someone's phone beeped.