♫ Drew ♫
Leslie was frowning when I came back while Kevz’s face is already crimson from laughing. Roj stood up and offered his seat when I approached them and I quickly sat on it as it was next to Leslie.
“Kevz that’s enough or Lemon will end up having indigestion out of annoyance,” Homme told him off but he still didn’t stop.
“You’re infuriating,” Lemon muttered while glaring at him but he just ignored her too.
“Why are you lowering your voice? Earlier you were shouting without a care in the world and now you’re suddenly prim and proper!” he continued teasing, but he flinched when Leslie threatened to punch him.
“Enough, man!” I told him off but he still can’t stop laughing.
“You! Stop acting like a boyfriend when she hasn’t said yes to you yet!” he spat so I stood up to try and hit him but he quickly pulled Leslie’s arm and wrap it around his neck. “Partner, look! That’s how violent he really is!”
“You really know how to make him back off!” Homme laughed along.
“Of curse! I got the best weapon for that!” he said smugly as he flex Leslie’s arm. As he was so engrossed in bragging, he wasn’t able to dodge avoid Leslie when she tug at his earlobe.
“Ouch! Enough, enough!” he begged and when she let go, Kevz ears were all red, still, he laughed afterward.
“Kevz you’re really out of this world!” Kip commented.
“You guys think about it. Back then, Drew was a notorious womanizer while Partner was just focused on Rawbin. Did anyone of you expect that Drew was her first crush?” he asked as he looked at our friends, one by one, and they all shook their heads. “Then, can you remember how awkward they were back then? How they avoid each other and we can’t do anything but keep quiet, weigh their mood and wait for what will happen next?” again, the trio nodded as they, too, recall how we were before. “Who knows they got hidden feelings for one another?” then he started laughing over again.
“You’re right!” Roj agreed. “Back then, I really thought she hates Drew because she keeps catching him making out here!”
“I thought it was Drew who dislikes her because she keeps disturbing his makeout sessions,” Homme commented.
“I felt that though,” and we all turned to look at Kip. “Remember when we were at the billiard hall? Why did you think of teasing Drew then?”
Roj pouted as he looked up at the sky, probably trying to recall the said day. “If I remembered correctly, we teased him because he keeps looking at where they were seated. For me, I doubt it’s Audrey since we’ve hanged out with her several times, and Drew never reacted like that towards her.”
Kip snapped his fingers, acknowledging what Roj said. “Then, do you remember our first practice with cuz as our new vocalist?”
Kevz clapped, “Yeah when you were playing the guitar and Lemon was singing!”
“Yes, that time! You Kevz, you’ve been close with Drew ever since. Was there any instance you saw him singing that serious?” Kip asked. He paused for a few seconds before shaking his head. “See? That alone told us there’s something unusual about him.”
“Drew, does that mean it was love at first sight?” Roj asked.
I bowed my head as my face starts feeling numb, thanks to my friends for selling me out. But since they’re all waiting for my answer, I have no choice but to respond.
“Yes!” still bowed down but I was startled when Drew started banging the table, followed by the howling of the rest of them.
“Gosh!” Leslie exclaimed. “You guys talk about us like we’re not here!” she told them off.
“Sorry cuz, we just got carried away. I personally find your love story rather cute.” Kip giggled.
“Exactly! But how did it all start?” Homme asked.
“I don’t know! All I know is that I had a crush on him when I saw him at the billiard hall,” Leslie stated without second thoughts and they all started howling again.
“Hey, guys, you're too loud!” I told them but they just waved a hand at me.
“It’s alright if you want to jump out of happiness,” Roj teased.
“Hold it! I’ll go get some beer, it will make listening to their story even better,” Homme suggested before running down the stairs. A couple of minutes after, he came back and they started with the questioning again.
“Go Drew, tell us when you realized that you like my cousin!”
“I really can’t recall. But at the billiard hall, I really find her cute that’s why I keep looking,” I confessed.
“I remember catching Drew one time,” Kevz chirped. “It was during Llamansares’ farewell party. I saw him hiding behind the pillar, close to where Lemon and Rawbin were talking. That was when he admitted to liking her.”
“Then why didn’t you get into a relationship after Rawbin left?” Homme asked. “You didn’t make a move on her right away?”
“Simply because he was a womanizer!” Leslie butted it. “I can’t recall properly but after I broke up with Rawbin, Drew invited me to attend a mass, then we went to the park and it rained. He kissed me in the rain and made me promise that whatever happens, I’ll trust him, then he cried,” I narrated.
“That was some K-drama shit, oppa!” Roj giggled.
“Why did you cry?” Homme asked like he’s some sort of talk show host.
“Because I already liked her that time, well, I guess I already love her. But that was the same time I learned about my cousin’s plan against her and her family.”
“He was so sweet back then. There was even a time when he put me to sleep before going home. He was so sweet but it eventually turned out to be for show,” she said as she rolls her eyes.
“Were you happy that time, Partner?”
“Of course! Any girl would feel happy if the guy’s like that. Even Kellen squealed after I told her that!”
They all started shrieking, yes, the boys! I, on the other hand, start feeling embarrassed. ‘Why are we even talking about this?’
“After that, he started flirting with Minnie the next days!”
“Were you jealous?” Homme asked.
“Homme! If you were Drew and that’s the situation, do you think Kellen won’t be jealous?”
Homme suddenly paled then he blushed. Leslie laughed before pointing a finger at him, “See? Your reaction answered the question!”
“The million-dollar question is, and this is what I really want to hear, does Drew have a chance?” Kip asked.
We all fell quiet. Even our breaths seemed to stop after hearing Kip’s question. We were all waiting for her answer.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure, to be honest. With the number of girls, he’s involved with? It’s scary!”
I suddenly felt heavy after hearing her reply. ‘Is it really that hard for her to believe that I won’t look at other girls once she becomes my girlfriend? That I won’t ever cheat on her?’
“Well, you have a point. But I think Drew’s already changed,” Roj tried to build me up but Leslie just shook her head at him.
“Yeah, he’s changed. He changed to another girl since it was a different girl earlier than last week,” she laughed bitterly.
“Uh-oh!” Kevz exclaimed before turning to me. “She wanted to invite you out for dinner you know?”
“Partner!” she yelled, trying to shut him up.
Kevz just clicked his tongue, “That’s alright, it’s what we’re talking about anyway,” then he looked at me. “She said she felt guilty for getting mad at you last night because of those anonymous messages of yours. I suggested she take you out for dinner to make up for it,” he continued.
“Oh! That’s why you were there when we went out of class,” Roj commented.
“Yep! We waited for more than thirty minutes but Drew came out with a girl so it got canceled,” Kevz laughed.
“Ugh, this blabbermouth!” Leslie muttered.
Kip was about to say something when Lyra showed up, “Kippler, your dad called. He said you’re not answering his call.”
“Ah yeah, my phone’s battery died. What did he say?”
“He said he needs you home because they’re leaving early tomorrow and he got things he needs to remind you,” Lyra informed him.
Kip clapped his forehead as he remembered something, “I forgot about their trip!” he exclaimed. “If he calls again, please tell him I’m on my way home,” then he turned to us to bid us farewell.
“I’ll go with you,” Homme raised his hand and said goodbye to us.
After a while, Kevz and Roj told us they were leaving too. “What about you Partner?” Kevz asked.
“I’ll go home in a while, it’s still early anyway,” then Kevz nodded at her before kissing her cheek.
When the guys left, she started playing music on her phone and placed it on the table. Then she leaned back on the chair and lifted her feet to the stool in front of her.
I watched her quietly while I’m sitting on the railings, out of her view. ‘How can I convince this girl that I love her so much and there’s no way I’ll hurt her?’