Straight as Guitar Strings

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬 [𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵]

I LOST track of time as I enjoyed the ride while holding onto Leo. Before I knew it, we were at an intersection with a red traffic light, so we had a moment to talk.

"What's your address? Can you put it in my Waze app? I'll drop you off door to door." Wow, door to door? He's treating me like a Shopee order!

"No, it's okay here. I'll just commute." I suddenly felt embarrassed. I didn't have money for gas.

"I just said I'll take care of you, right? Type your address here, quick. The light's about to turn green!" He just wanted to know my address so he could find ways! Hey, Mr. Delulu!

I panicked at his urgency and insistence, so I didn't refuse anymore. My fingers danced on the screen of his phone, and then I handed it back to him after typing in our home address. The traffic light turned green seconds later.

Thank goodness we made it! I felt proud of my fingers; they typed so fast. Well, they're also quick at other things.

After ten minutes, we arrived at my house. As usual, the guard at the entrance of the subdivision scrutinized me, especially when he saw Leo, since it was the first time someone had dropped me off.

I got off, and he pulled me closer when I struggled with the helmet lock. He probably tightened it so he could be the one to remove it for me.

He praised the spaciousness of our house. Was I the only one home? I said yes, I was the only human, but technically, there were three of us: me, Sarsi, and Smeagol. He asked if I wanted a companion, and if so, he'd apply as a gardener. Since when did a gardener and the boss live together? Well, in movies or novels, sure, or often in gay porn videos.

"We didn't get to jog at the field today," he said, finally removing the helmet from my head. Even he struggled with the lock because it was so tight. He said it was new. Okay.

"Yeah, we didn't. Rehearsal ran late, but maybe we can go earlier tomorrow." He had a point; brainstorming took longer than expected. I smiled and thanked him. I asked if he was thirsty, and if he wanted me to get him some water, but he said he was okay. He told me to go inside and rest.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay?" he said, and I just nodded, telling him it's up to him. He followed me with his gaze as I walked backward towards the tall metal gate of our house.

I accidentally bumped into our gate while walking backward, and I chuckled at myself. Why did I have to look back at him anyway? Couldn't I just walk casually? What's wrong with walking away from him?

I told him to drive safely, to message me when he got home, and thanked him again. He waved before starting the engine and said, "Goodnight."

Time flew by so quickly, and it felt like this routine with Leo had been going on for two weeks already.

He'd pick me up from home, I'd ride his motorbike to school. We'd eat together during break time and hang out in the library, sometimes to sleep, and rarely, to study. Lunchtime was the same routine: taking turns cooking and deciding who'd handle the rice, then eating together at our favorite table in the corner of the 7-11.

Afternoon classes were followed by band rehearsals for an hour or two. Then, we'd get our jogging clothes from our lockers and head to the athletic field. We'd grab turon and buko juice from our favorite vendor near the overpass after jogging and watch the sunset together.

Grace's clinginess towards Leo during our studio practices was becoming more noticeable, but I chose to ignore it because it wasn't my business. I didn't own Leo. Especially today, since it was the last day of band practice. There would be no practice tomorrow because of Valentine's Day; they had requested it from Sir Richard, and he agreed.