Banana Pancakes

Cheater (Part 21)

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Part 21

Cheater

I was mad.

Really mad.

For the life of me, I couldn't understand why I was so mad. I hated the fact that Kongpob Suthiluck was shadowing me even though he wasn't even here. I hated how my life 'revolved' around him. And even for the fact that he ran away out of his own selfishness, I hated myself even more.

The thing is: my grandpa never cared.

He never particularly cared where I went or who I went with. But now, I understood why he didn't care. It was because of the fact that he always assumed Kongpob would be right there with me. Whatever gave him the idea that I was safe with Kongpob must've given him the same incentive that no one could ever come close to someone Kongpob was "protecting."

Imagine my feeling of frustration when I realized how much Grandpa thought I depended on Kongpob.

But the conversation had diverted and I found myself walking out of the house towards the gate, with Grandpa, to meet Dragon. I wanted to get it over with and go. No more Kongpob Suthiluck!

"Arthit!"

My heart nearly dropped.

Dragon hadn't come alone.

Behind him, Mike and Jessica were leaning on their motorcycles.

Dragon was smiling when he saw me. When he saw who was walking beside me out of the gate, Dragon immediately kicked the stand of his motorcycle up. Dragon wasn't wearing any helmet to start with, so he was quick to motion a respectful nod toward Grandpa.

"Grandpa," Mike spoke up, surprised. He got off his motorcycle too. Behind him, I could see Jessica giving me an inquiring look.

Grandpa looked from Mike to Dragon. "You know him?"

"Huh?" Mike looked over at me.

"Dragon is - the leader of Inferno," I explained to Grandpa.

A looked dawned across his face. I hadn't wanted to tell Grandpa that Kongpob knew Dragon; I had wanted Grandpa to completely like Dragon on his own - instead of associating Dragon with Kongpob. But now that Mike was here - there would be no way for me not to make the connection. Grandpa knew Kongpob was in a race-group named Inferno; now Grandpa was meeting its leader for the first time.

"Nice to meet you sir." Dragon extended his hand out to Grandpa.

To my surprise, Grandpa broke into a warm smile. "Nice to meet you too. Dragon - that's a pretty impressive name, son."

Dragon let out a laugh. "Thank you."

Grandpa let go of his hand, looking around at our group. "So what are you youngings up to tonight?"

"We're going to the Juice Shop because it's an event opening. Dragon's brother had a huge investment in it, but he couldn't come so - Dragon's stepping in for him," Mike answered, smiling widely.

Grandpa nodded. Grandpa trusted Mike as much as he trusted Kongpob because of the simple fact that they're really close friends. But it still bothered me that my word for him wasn't good enough. Now that he was seeing the group I was going with, Grandpa was suddenly more 'relaxed' in the fact that every single person was 'Kongpob associated.'

"Well, we should get going."

I didn't look at Grandpa as I moved past him toward Dragon. When I got to his running motorcycle, I picked up the helmet Dragon had for me. I didn't have to look back to see Mike, Dragon, and Jessica all looking at me like I was crazy.

Grandpa, on the other hand, had a small smile on his face. "Well - you all have fun. Don't be out too late Arthit."

"I won't," I answered him briefly.

"It was nice meeting you."
"It was nice meeting you too."
"Bye Grandpa."
"You need to come around more often Mike."
"I know. But I'm only invited if Kongpob comes."
"Ahh-stop that. Anytime."
"Alright. Hahaha."
"Bye Grandpa."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Bye."

The conversations went on in the background.

Angry, I waited impatiently as I heard them say their goodbyes. When Dragon reached me, he faced the dark tint of the helmet I had placed over my head. He didn't give me a specific look; instead, he got on the motorcycle first - placing his own helmet over his face. Then, as he sat down and kicked up the stand - I got on behind him. Dragon waited for a second, and I wrapped my arms around his waist. I could feel his muscles through the bomber jacket he was wearing.

Instead of tensing up, Dragon relaxed at my grip. It told him I was ready.

"BYE!!!" I heard Mike and Jessica shout at Grandpa.

Dragon waited until Mike and Jessica turned about. Then, he did the same.

Through the dark tint of the helmet, I could see Grandpa still smiling.

Dragon let up a hand on the clutch to wave before roaring the engine into the night, right after Mike down the hill.

I bit my lower lip as the lights blurred around me. Tints of red, blue, yellow, green passed me by as the wind whipped around - hugging me close. With my arm secured around Dragon's waist, he gunned the engine by the time we got out into the main street.

The cool night wind seep into my skin.

I closed my eyes and felt nothing but the speed.

Grandpa was so wrong.
He thought that just because Dragon knew Kongpob, nothing could happen.
That Kongpob was going to 'protect' me even when he wasn't here.
Grandpa thought I was safe with Dragon.

But I'm not going to be safe with Dragon.
Not tonight at least.
Frustration, anger, and hurt made me cheat.

Made me cheat on my feelings for Kongpob.