I love you, hang ups and all.

THIRTEEN

>> GUN POV >>

That night, New's parents picked him up from the cafe. It was just P'Tay who will accompany me home. We started to walk towards the main road.

The walk was quiet and nerve wracking as my mind have been preoccupied with thoughts of how Papi is. P'Tay was never the talkative one so I couldn't expect him to at least spill anything about how they (well, more on how Papi) were at school.

I guess I have to find a way to know. "How's school, P?"

"It's ok. We have tons of work to finish during the break though." he pointed out.

"If you're busy, what's with the big bag? Don't tell me you'll bring your work to the beach or something." I let out a fake laugh.

"I'm crashing at a friend's place so we can finish it. I would've offered the condo but Por's people keeps popping up." he said.

Damn, Gun. Ask him already. I scolded myself in my thoughts.

"If you're bored, you can hang out while we work." He offered much to my surprise.

"If I won't be interrupting your work, I'm ok with it." I said.

"Good because it would be tiring to go all the way to your home then back to his studio." He said as he showed me a set of keys.

"What's that supposed to be?"I pointed at the keys.

"He lent me spare keys so I can just drop in the studio that his parents rented out for him." he explained as he led me to another direction opposite the main road.

We stopped infront of a roll-up door. It looked like the small structure was used as a garage. He rolled up door half way just enough for us to bend down to pass through.

I could see several printed work that seems to used for advertising. There was also a half done sculpture at the back amongst huge paintings. While I was drawn to the paintings, it sort of creeped me out. The theme was the same. The goth inspired paintings depicted war, rage, and chaos. Looking at it for too long can drain your energy as you feel you're in the middle of the strife.

P'Tay led me past the paintings and opened the door to a small apartment.

We have just entered when I heard a familiar voice, "Ai Tay, I thought you're not dropping by today." Papi?

>> OFF POV >>

I heard the roll up door open when I just finished taking a bath. Tay have been dropping by when we have school work to finish. As usual, he came unannounced.

Mae started renting the place when I was still in my first year of high school. She actually gave up because the scent of paint had already polluted our house. She was fed up and told me to make and store my art works there.

I have already put on my boxers and pair of shorts when I saw him enter the studio apartment, where I've been staying at since the Air incident.

"Ai Tay, I thought you're not dropping by today." I said as I pulled up the roman shade curtain that served as a divider for my bed room. I found it weird that he's dropping this late as it was almost 11 PM.

Just as I've said this, a small head popped up on Tay's side. Gun! I guess it's been a very long time.

"Just sit anywhere you like." I said as I tried to hide the shock on my face.

"Now you're being hospitable." Tay said sarcastically as he sat in the living room/dining area.

"Ai Sat!" I cursed at Tay.