Straight as Guitar Strings

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟭 [𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵]

TWO weeks felt like two blinks. So much happened after 'that' day. Thankfully, Leo and I remained friends. This time, we focused more on our studies, especially on the requirements we missed and didn't submit because of band rehearsals.

Study. Band. Rest. Repeat.

It was Saturday today, and I had nothing on my mind—no plans, no outings. There was nothing important to do because I had finished everything. Today was supposed to be my rest day, I hoped... but after I washed my face in the bathroom, I opened my phone and saw a message from Leo.

He was inviting me to attend the fashion show event he had been telling me about since we first met. I said I'd try because I wasn't really in the mood to go out. Today, I preferred staying at home rather than spending the day outside.

But he's Leo, of course, the irresistible Leo Quintero. Who am I to say no to him?

I played coy for a bit, but I eventually agreed. He said it was a rare event, so I shouldn't hesitate. He mentioned this was important to him because it would be his first and maybe last time doing this, and he wanted me to be there, to experience and witness that moment. Damn, he always moved me with his words.

The last time I saw myself in the bathroom mirror, I was naked and taking a shower. The next time I looked in my bedroom mirror, I was fully dressed. I didn't even realize how quickly I got ready. Since when did I become so fast at dressing up?

I figured when it comes to friendship, I shouldn't drag my feet. Who are my friends anyway? No friends, just one friend. Right now, he's the only one I consider a true friend. Does that mean when it concerns him, I should be just a call away? That whenever he needs me, whenever he cries for help, or whenever he calls me, even if it's just nonsense, I should be there?

I don't know. I kind of believe this side of me is just exclusively for Leo.

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

Now, I'm at the fashion event Leo mentioned. There are many people as expected, a lot of handsome guys... of course, my eyes couldn't miss them, but my eyes were still searching for Leo.

I even bumped into a guy and immediately apologized. I smiled back at the girls who smiled and greeted me. Some of them recognized me, saying they watched my song covers online.

I tried calling Leo, but he didn't answer. Maybe he didn't have data? I sent him a message describing where I was and included a picture of my location. Thank God, he saw it immediately. He reacted with a heart to my chat but not to the photo. I see, he probably doesn't have data connection. Ha ha ha! My God, there's free WiFi at the venue, why didn't he connect his phone?

Minutes later, I saw him approaching. Even from a distance, it felt as if time slowed down. Despite the crowd, he was the only one who seemed to move in slow motion, glowing in my vision. My heart pounded loudly. What was this feeling?

Was it the coffee I drank?

No, I think I like him. Yes. This wasn't just a side effect of caffeine or sleepless nights. I felt something for him—something I never felt with my ex-boyfriend Bob. Butterflies? Only he had ever made me feel this way.

"Hey... uhm, wonderstruck?" His deep, manly voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Damn, what was with the slow-motion effect I was seeing earlier?

I gulped, amazed by his overall look. "Yeah, you're... enchanting."

"Taylor Swift coded, huh?" he smirked, raising one of his brows.

I chuckled, loving how synchronized our minds were. "Oh my gosh, it's such a shame to sit beside you. Do I look okay?"

"Yup. Better than me," he said, as he always did, even if I felt like I was trash.

"Convince me," I said, crossing my arms in front of me.

He took a deep breath, put one arm on my shoulder as he stood beside me, and walked me through the venue that awaited us. "No need."

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

I really appreciated him. He had reserved a VIP seat for me, right at the front row.

As I waited impatiently for Leo to make his appearance on the runway, my eyes scanned the place eagerly for a glimpse of him.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Leo Quintero emerged, strutting confidently down the catwalk. My breath caught in my throat as I laid eyes on him, dressed impeccably in a sleek black denim jacket that accentuated his tall, lean frame. His chiseled features were highlighted by the soft glow of the runway lights, and his captivating gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd, drawing everyone's attention to him. I felt a pang of jealousy.

I wanted to be the only one who had the right to stare at him with want and possession. Oh my gosh, I realized just how deeply I was mesmerized by Leo, my heart swelling with overwhelming admiration and desire.

After the fashion show, we posed for pictures with the official event photographer, with me standing proudly by his side as we smiled for the camera against the backdrop of the venue's elegant decor.

But just as quickly as my heart soared with hope, it plummeted with despair. The joy and excitement I had felt moments before were suddenly overshadowed by a sinking feeling of dread.

"Hi, babe." My confidence crumbled, my happiness shattered, as Colleen appeared out of nowhere, planting a kiss on Leo's cheek and thrusting a Starbucks coffee into her hand. And then, without warning, she turned her attention to me, her eyes flashing with malice as she deliberately spilled the contents of her coffee onto my pristine white shirt.

She claimed it was an accident, that she hadn't seen me standing there. But I knew better. I could see the smug satisfaction dancing in her eyes, the wicked grin tugging at the corners of her lips.

It was clear that this was no accident—it was a deliberate act of sabotage, a cruel and calculated attempt to ruin what should have been one of the happiest moments of my life.

And as I stood there, soaked to the bone and humiliated beyond measure, I couldn't help but wonder—what had I ever done to deserve this?