I love you, hang ups and all.

NINE

>> GUN POV >>

1 week has passed since the party and Off never returned home or went to school. Mae have been driving me to and from school since that day. She never mentioned Off since that day. I tried to bring him up but she always manages to change the topic. It was as if he never existed. It was I entered an alternate universe where he didn't exist.

Still, I can ssay that it wasn't the case as his paintings were still in the bedroom.

Since that day, I never had any decent sleep. It is showing as I was already looked like a panda even on the third day. I found myself waking up in middle of the night. I knew I was having night terrors but I couldn't recall anything about the dream.

It was around wednesday when I realized that Off handed me his jacket by accident. I tried wearing it just to pretend it was him hugging me. It worked for a couple of nights.

Starting the third night, I started to wake up with a sore throat as if I've been shouting the entire time. I wasn't just shouting but I've been crying as well.

By Friday night, I no longer want to sleep. Instead, I sat on the corner of his room as I looked at Off's sketchpads. There was quite a lot so there were more than enough to look through. I was just quite disappointed that he drew everyone except himself.

By Saturday, I've already locked myself in the room, specifically in the corner of the room. I crouched there hugging my knees. Mae knocked for sometime as I haven't been eating. I could hear her talking frantically. As there was no response, I could only assume that she was talking with someone over the phone.

It was already dark outside. I must've dozed off. I was awaken with shouting on the other end of the door.

"What do you mean you don't have the keys? What's the use of you being here then?" Mae was shouting at someone. "You took the last copy."

"Gun, open the door now." someone banged at the door.

I want to stand up and open the door but my legs cramped having sat there for a long time. I would've shouted by my throat has been sore since the other day.

I saw the door being destroyed with Papi rushing inside. He scanned the room looking for something, for someone. I mustered all my strength as I pushed myself up. Still, I was too weak and I found myself falling. As if on queue, Off caught me and swept me off my feet.

"What have you been doing to yourself?" He scolded.

"Papi, do you still hate me?" I whispered.

"I can never hate you." Those were the last words I heard before passing out.

>> OFF POV >>

I was about to rush Gun to the hospital when Mae stopped me in my tracks. She assured that the family doctor is already on the way here.

I was pretty disappointed with Mae with how she handled things. Me staying away was supposed to be a punishment for me. They told me to reflect in the province when they learned about the incident at the hotel bar. I heard an earful from Mae as to how I was being irresponsible and careless.

It wasn't really a bad thing apart from the fact that my aunties were slave drivers and made me work from dawn til dusk. I had to contact with anyone as the first thing they did was to confiscate my wallet and phone.

I know it wasn't a good thing when my Aunt handed me her phone. Just hearing about it gave me a bad feeling. True enough, something was happening back home.

Mae and I had a heated argument as she kept pestering where I kept my room keys. After much bantering, she finally threatened about Gun's safety. It was then that I lost it. I might look like a pushover now but it was never always the case. It was the same reason why the bullies never touched me or New.