Twoset Gloved

4. Interrupted II

"So.. are you saying that it is okay for me to tell Eddy about us?"

"Yes. He is obviously someone special to you and I think you should go tell him so that he doesn't feel sad."

"Okay. Thanks Monica."

And with that, Brett sprinted off after Eddy.

-----------------------------

"Eddy!!"

Eddy thought Brett had called out his name. He shook his head.

...Heh, I'm so desperate, I'm imagining Brett running after me.

"Eddy!! Wait up!!"

Eddy furrowed his brows, then turned around suspiciously. To his surprise it was actually Brett, running over to him.

"Eddy.. can.. I please.. talk to you.. can I.. walk you back.. to your dorm?"

"I thought you wanted to catch up with your.. friend."

"Who? Monica? What the hell for?

"..I dunno."

"Eddy, Monica is my.."

Oh f*ck

"Brett, I don't think I wanna hear this.."

"..She's my friend's sister. This guy I went to school with.. and Monica went to the same school as well. That's why she knew of me. As her brother's classmate."

"Oh."

Eddy was very glad to hear that.

"But that's not all. Um.. Monica and I, we.."

Oh please, no.

"..we see the same psychologist."

..What?

"...What?"

"She has a condition, too.. which was why she couldn't shake your hand."

Eddy recalled her awkward smile when he offered his handshake.

"Oh."

"She noticed me in the waiting room and spoke to me afterwards, then apologised and promised she wouldn't tell anyone that she saw me at the clinic.. so I promised her the same thing. But she just told me that I should tell you.. Because I don't want you misinterpreting anything.."

"Oh"

"..Eddy, you haven't said much except oh."

"I.. I don't know what to say."

"Oh."

Eddy struggled to suppress a grin.

"But I'm glad you came to talk to me, Brett."

Brett smiled.

"Good. I'm glad I did."

Eddy smiled back.

"So... Eddy.."

"Yeah?"

"Did you really have to go home?"

Eddy blushed.

"No.. not really."

"Good. Can we still have that coffee together then?"

Eddy smiled.

"Yeah, of course."

"Sh*t, my phone."

"I beg your pardon, Brett?"

Brett was patting around his pockets.

"I lost my phone."

"Sh*t. When?"

"I must have left it in the Taiwanese eatery."

"You wanna go back to the eatery then?"

"Do you mind? I'm sorry about the hassle."

"Hey, don't worry about it.."

The duo hurried back towards the eatery. As they approached the eatery, they noticed a woman had just stepped out from its entrance.

"...Mum?"

The woman looked up;

"Brett!"

Eddy widened his eyes to see a petite woman responsible for giving Brett his delicate features.

"Brett..your mum?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, you silly boy!! Why forget phone here?"

Brett rolled his eyes.

"Look mum, I'm sorry about the inconvenience.."

Eddy stammered;

"Brett? H, how did your mother know you left your phone here?"

"I have a wallpaper set up to show her phone number in case of emergencies or if I leave my phone somewhere. The eatery must have seen it and called her."

"Oh wow, that is a very good idea."

"Brett, who is this boy?"

"This is Eddy. He's a friend from Uni."

"Hello, Mrs Yang. Eddy Chen. Nice to meet you."

Brett's mother gave a neutral look towards Eddy.

"Hello, Eddy."

As the three stood there somewhat awkwardly, the eatery door opened again and this time Monica stepped out with her take away food.

"Oh, hi again Brett.."

Brett's mother looked surprised. She then smiled and exclaimed;

"Brett? You know her?"

"Yes Mum, this is Monica, she's Michael Wu's little sister, we went to school together. She's now in first year at uni"

"Ooooh, so she uni student? Her family also from Taiwan? How nice."

"Nice to meet you Mrs Yang."

"Yes, yes, very nice. Brett!! You must walk her home."

Brett bit his lower lip.

"Oh Mrs Yang, I'll be okay, I only live around the corner.."

"Oh no, no, no, a young pretty girl like you, not safe."

Eddy gazed at Brett. Then he spoke up.

"Brett, mate, I'll see you tomorrow at uni, yeah? Nice to meet you Mrs Yang. Good night Monica. ..Bye Brett."

Eddy looked at Brett. Brett stood immobilised, Eddy wasn't even sure whether Brett heard what Eddy had said to him. But it was too awkward and painful to stay there with Monica and Brett's mother.

Eddy walked away from Brett for the second time that evening. Something wasn't right, but he couldn't work out what it was. Whatever it was, it was causing a lot of pain in his chest. He thought what felt like a little graze on his heart before now felt like a dagger had been used to pry open a wound wide open.

Brett stood still, pale as a sheet, frustrated and confused.

Mum, Eddy is at Uni and from Taiwan, too..!!

"Brett, so you be gentleman and walk Monica home, yes?"

"Yes mum. I'll see you at home. C'mon Monica, let's go..."