♫ Kevz ♫
I went back to the studio last night. Because Leslie keeps shooing us away, I forgot my phone. It’s all thanks to her.
When I got there, I saw the lights in one of the rooms turned on. After I got my phone, I went upstairs to check who was there.
I was surprised when I saw Minnie sleeping next to Drew. They both looked tired after sharing a steamy night. I shook my head in disbelief at my friend’s sexcapade.
Before I left, I made sure that I locked the door. It’s bad enough that I saw it. But things could get worse if the rest of the group witnessed it as well.
When I came down, I suddenly felt guilty. I was wondering if Drew’s aware of what he’s doing. Maybe he doesn't even have any idea that Minnie took advantage of him.
‘Who am I kidding?’
I laid down on the couch thinking about whether I should wake my friend up or leave it be. Then again, he’s old enough to know what he’s doing so I decided to leave.
The next morning, I went to the studio as early as 9 AM. I went there after taking my Auntie to the airport.
When I got in, the first thing I noticed is the paper bag sitting on the couch. I opened it to check what was inside and saw a light blue casual dress. “Guido? Guido!”
“Yes, Kevz? Do you need anything?” he asked as he wipes his sweat with the face towel hanging on his shoulder.
“I just passed by to check something.” I saw him look at the paper bag I have in hand and that reminded me of why I called him. “Oh by the way, do you know whose dress is this?”
“That’s mine!” said the voice of a girl from behind me.
It was just her voice but I suddenly felt cold. Was it because her voice was chilling too? I slowly turned around to face her and forced myself to smile. “You came here last night?”
“Yeah, I wanted to sleep over but Mom called and asked me to come home. I was in a hurry so I left that on the couch,” she explained.
I can sense that she’s lying, but Why? I bowed down before looking at her again. ‘Could she have seen what I saw last night?’
“I see,” I answered. “What time did you come back? I came back last night too.”
“I think that’s around nine in the evening,” Lemon shrugged and her answer confirmed my suspicion. She's indeed lying.
I was here past ten in the evening last night and this paper bag wasn’t here. Unless, of course, she placed it somewhere else. But she clearly mentioned she left it on the couch.
Snatching the bag from me, Lemon smiled before turning on her heel. “I’ll go ahead,” and without looking back, she left ht studio.
Something was wrong with her and I suddenly recalled how she looked while talking to me. She got dark circles around her eyes as if she stayed up late at night or she hasn’t’ slept yet.
The clothes she was wearing were the same as the ones she has on when she practiced with Kip. She looks wasted.
Narrowing my eyes on her retreating back, I wanted to ask something but she was quick to leave. I even called after her but she didn’t bother looking back.
I wanted to run after her when someone else caught my attention. “Good morning,” and I was stunned by what I saw when I turned around. It was Minnie, wearing nothing but a towel.
I smiled at her awkwardly before my thoughts went back to Leslie. I was feeling uneasy so I sat on the couch, cupping my face with both hands.
“Kevz?” it was Drew. “Why are you here early? Is something wrong?” I asked as he sits next to me.
“There’s none, none yet,” I replied, trying to emphasize each word. “But I think you should start praying the novena bro. Pray that my hunch was wrong so you won’t have a bigger problem.”
Tapping his shoulder, I stood up and head out.
I was perturbed for the rest of the day. I wanted to call Lemon and ask but I don’t want her to be suspicious as well, in case she didn’t see anything at all.
Hence, I went to school rather early the next morning. When I arrived, Kellen and the rest of the guys are already there, except for Lemon.
“What time is the program?” Kale asked Roj.
“At one in the afternoon,” he responded.
When the bell rang, Kip told us to go to our classroom, but I decided to stay. I told them I need to check on something.
This is the first time Lemon will come to school late, if ever, and that sort of made me feel uneasy. And my hunch only becomes stronger because of that.
I spent fifteen minutes waiting for her. I even got scolded by our adviser as I came in late. Regardless, no Lemon showed up.
The classes started and she still hasn’t shown up. I noticed Drew looking at her seat from time to time. Even Kale and Kellen can’t stop checking their phones.
‘Why isn’t she here yet? This is so not her!’
If she can’t come to school, she’d definitely let us know. Especially today, when she’s supposed to perform for the Club Presentation.
Unfortunately, we still didn’t see him when morning classes ended. Everyone was starting to panic so Kip asked us to go to the cafeteria first.
We’re all trying to call her phone but it’s off. “Kale, did something happen? Is she sick?” Roj asked worriedly.
Kale bit his lower lip. It's as if he wants to say something but he was hesitant. “Is there a problem?” this time, it was Kip.
“I actually have no idea,” and our foreheads creased at Kale’s reply.
“What do you mean you have no idea? Aren’t you staying in the same house?” Roj asked irritatedly.
Kale shook his head hesitantly. “A-Actually, Lemon left home two weeks ago. I have no idea where she’s staying,” he half lied.
“WHAT?!” Kellen exclaimed. Kale opened his mouth to respond but someone called us.
“Why are you guys still here? Let’s go or all seats will be taken,” Myco told us.
“Lemon’s not here yet!” Kellen replied anxiously and his forehead creased.
“What do you mean? She’s been backstage for more than an hour,” looking at us, one by one, confused.
We, too, glanced at each other before we sprint to the auditorium. We weren’t able to eat lunch as we were looking for her and she was there all along.
We sat on the 2nd row and we almost occupied all seats. Bianca and Minnie were already seated when we got there.
We all fell quiet when the program started. And we remained quiet when the first two participants performed.
“Our next performer is a solo act. Unfortunately, OtoJam cannot perform today because one of their member's sick. But they still have something prepared for us. So, let's all welcome, OtoJam's vocalist, Miss Leslie Monica Juarez,” and the claps boomed in the entire auditorium.
When the lights dimmed, Lemon emerged from backstage as Kip started playing. “No, I can't take one more step towards you…”
Goosebumps crept through me as soon as she started singing. The emotions in her voice really got me carried away. It’s as if she’s going thru something heart-wrenching.
But as she continued, even I started feeling pain in my heart. It seems like it wasn’t an ‘as if’. It looks like she’s really going thru something.
As Lemon continued singing, I leaned closer to make sure I’m seeing things right. She’s crying. Leslie Monica’s crying.
‘Why?’
When she ended the song, the lights moved a little and I saw who she was looking at. The stage lights may be dim but I can’t be wrong.
When I turned to look at Drew, his forehead was wrinkled. He was staring straight at Lemon while tapping Minnie’s hand that keeps on running all over him.
The auditorium boomed as the audience started clapping again. Lemon just blew the roof off. But what called my attention is her immediate retreat from the stage and out of the auditorium.
I quickly ran after Lemon and everyone followed. She was already at the open field when we reached her, sprinting as if someone was chasing her.
“Partner!” I called and thankfully, she stopped on her track. “Where are you going?”
She heaved a sigh before forcing herself to smile. “I’m not feeling well, Partner. I already asked our teachers to excuse me for the rest of the day. I just came here to perform.
Everyone heard what she said and they all nodded at her. “Can you go home on your own?” Kip asked and she nodded while smiling faintly.
“I’ll take her to the parking lot,” Myco volunteered.
“Ok bro, we’ll go back to the auditorium then,” Roj said as he tap Myco’s shoulder.
Lemon turned on her heel as soon as the group left and Myco quickly followed. I was about to follow the group back to the auditorium when I saw Drew chasing after them.
He grabbed her by the arm so she stopped, but the shock on her face dissipated right away when she saw Drew. She looked at him with anger and disgust.
She was saying something to him and I can see her clenching her jaw as she does. I even imagined her spitting at Drew's face out of fury. Then I saw Drew, slowly letting go of her and bowing his head. Then Myco and Lemon left.
‘Looks like someone didn’t pray the novena!’