“Hey, my cousin will start melting if you don’t’ stop staring at him,” I whispered while tapping Audrey’s arm lightly and she immediately blushed, giving me a light nudge in return.
“What are you whispering about?” Kip asked when he noticed that we were nudging at each other. Audrey suddenly stiffens while I can’t stop myself from smiling.
“Nothing! I didn't know you’re a gossipmonger Kip!” I called him off and he messes my hair. He stood up to play again but I held him back. “Stay with us, we have no one to talk to,” I pouted.
I saw him glance at Audrey who is now red as a tomato before pulling a chair close to us and sitting there. He was about to say something but he was interrupted by Kale.
“Give me the cue stick Kip. I’ll play with Drew,” he said as he take it from Kip.
Kale said it smugly, you’d think he’s good at playing billiards. But in reality, he doesn’t even know how to hold a cue stick properly. He just wants to show off.
“Are you sick?” Kip asked while looking at Audrey. “Your face is all red,” he added and I almost let out a laugh. ‘How can this guy be so dense?!’
“Are there any terror teachers at SMU?” I asked to steal his attention. I noticed that Audrey’s gotten redder I don’t even know if she’s still breathing.
“Most teachers there are nice, you don’t have to worry about anything,” he responded. I was about to say something when someone screamed.
“Ouch!” looking at the billiard table, I immediately saw Drew’s red face while he was bent down and touching his foot.
Kevz told us the billiard ball jumped off of the table and landed on Drew’s foot after Kale hit it. Now my friend doesn’t know where to hide as he was embarrassed and scared at the same time.
“You should just sit down,” I whispered thru gritted teeth as he try to hide behind me.
“Sorry Drew, the ball probably got too excited,” he said, trying to make the situation funny but Drew just scowled at him.
“Are you ok?” I asked, concerned for him and worried for my friend. He suddenly stood up straight as if nothing happened.
“Yeah, I'm fine Leslie,” he replied coldly.
“Are you sure? It looks painful and your face is still red,” I commented but Roj butted in.
“He’s fine now since you came to him,” he gave Drew a nudge and I suddenly felt a bit panicky after what he said so I just smiled at them awkwardly before going back to my seat.
“It looks like you already got an admirer, cuz!” Kip teased as he pointed at Drew.
“Silly! Roj is just kidding,” I refuted.
“You should know Lem, most of Roj’s jokes are true,” Kevz chimed in, then he and Kip laughed. I didn’t notice that he was now standing next to us.
I bowed my head, feeling embarrassed because of what he said. I also can’t help but steal a glance at Drew, checking if he’s ok only to see him glaring at the two.
“I need to go guys, my mom’s calling!” Roj cut the foolishness between his friends.
Drew and the rest of the guys nodded at him so we had no choice but to stand up and follow. Again, Audrey hooked her arm to mine as we walk out of the billiard hall.
“When are you moving to your new house?” Kip asked as he puts an arm over my shoulders. I felt Audrey’s hand turn cold and I almost laughed.
“We’re going home there tomorrow,” I responded.
“Really? That’s nice then. We’ll be neighbors by tomorrow,” he said smiling widely.
“Really Kip? We’re becoming neighbors?” Kale asked to confirm.
“Yep, as in neighbors! Homme’s our neighbor too,” he nods toward his friend who gave us a salute in return. “They moved to the subdivision earlier today,” Kip added.
Kellen’s eyes widen in shock after hearing what her twin said. I can only shake my head at her reaction.
When I looked the other way, I met eyes with Drew. I suddenly panicked, not knowing where to avert my gaze.
Feeling shy, u just smiled at him but he didn’t even bother returning it. I smirked as I bowed my head down, a bit disappointed at his reaction.
If you’re to ask me, Drew’s the most good-looking among the group. But then he seems to have a not-so-nice attitude. He seems to be a snob.
Compared to his bandmates, he smiles the least and rarely speaks. Thus making it awkward to be with him.
We reached the hotel past 7PM but while in the car, mom called to tell us to go straight to the restaurant. So we did. When we got there, she was busy chatting with Aunt Dahlia.
“Where’s Kellen? I thought she was with you,” mom asked as we reach their table.
“She went home because Uncle Rigo called,” Kale informed her and she nodded in return.
“How's your day fille? We're you able to buy everything?” she then asked me.
“Yes, Mom. I’ll just go back to the mall if there’s anything else I need,” I responded.
“Ok then. Tomorrow, the driver will pick you up so don’t leave unless Gab’s already there,” I turned to look at her with my forehead creased. “He’ll be your driver and he’ll take you straight to the new house. Your uncle’s done with the finishing touches so you can already use your room, you to Kale,” she announced.
“How's the shop Mom?” I asked in return.
I have no interest in fashion design though. I probably took after my dad as I’m more interested in running a business.
“It’s good so far. We already got clients too, they’re your Uncle Rigo’s friends. That’s why we’ll be busy these coming weeks. You know, most want to become June brides,” she narrated.
After a while, our orders arrived and we happily conversed over dinner. Afterward, we went straight to our suite to get some rest.
We got early classes the next day and thankfully, I’m not as nervous as I was when we first came. Especially after meeting Kip’s bandmates.
We found out that all of them are in the same class as ours so that calmed me down a bit. However, it looks like it’ll be chaos with the addition of Kale to the group. They already got started at the billiard hall earlier.
I checked my phone when it vibrated and it was another message from another unknown number.
+63939*******: See you tomorrow, goodnight!
Me: Who are you?
+63939*******: …
Weird. Whoever the sender is, it isn’t funny as he doesn’t want to be known. I wanted to feel scared but whoever it is could have gotten a wrong number too.
I ended up saving the number as IGNORE then I place my phone under my pillow. I then went straight to the bathroom to wash up and when I came out, my phone was already ringing.
“Cuz!” Kellen exclaimed when I answered.
“Hi, Kel! Why are you still up?”
“I’m about to sleep too. I just want to check if Drew texted you,” without seeing her, I know she’s smiling just by the sound of her voice.
“Someone texted but he didn’t say who he is. Is his number 0939*******?”
“Nope, his digits start with 0927. Maybe he’s not texting you tonight,” she sounded teasing.
“Silly, I thought Kip gave out my number to someone!”
“Good luck! If it was Kip, he won’t give it for sure. Maybe that’s why Drew asked me. So what did the texter say?” she pried.
“See you tomorrow and goodnight,” I answered casually but I was surprised when she suddenly shrieked that I had to distance the phone from my ear.
“OMG! You haven’t even gone to school yet you already have an admirer! Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be Drew.”
“Kel you’re being silly. Go get some sleep!” I tried to shoo her away but she just laughed at me. I can’t help but shake my head when what she said sunk in.
“Ok fine! I’ll see you tomorrow then, good night!” then she ended the call.
I quickly put the phone back under my pillow and laid down. But then I can’t help but think about what she said.
It’s too impossible to be Drew. He barely talks to us earlier so I just pushed the thought aside. Kellen’s probably just overthinking.
‘And why am I feeling disappointed?’