Straight as Guitar Strings

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟮 [𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵]

A LOT of people witnessed what happened, and as time passed, more and more onlookers gathered. I became the center of attention, with people taking videos, pictures, and whispering about me. They seemed to recognize me now and it looked like some recognized Colleen too, or maybe they knew about the issue—the trending tweets last time on the Libertad Freedom Wall X account. It was so embarrassing. I just wanted to leave.

The noise around me was deafening, but my hearing became crystal clear when I heard Leo's voice. He immediately confronted Colleen, "Hey, babe! Why did you do that?"

"What do you mean?" Colleen's voice rose sharply. "I didn't do anything! It was just an accident!"

"You should have been more careful," Leo said, remaining calm but his concern for me was evident.

"Why do I seem like the villain here?" Colleen asked, looking at my outfit she had splashed with her trenta-sized Starbucks iced coffee.

"Liam, I'm so sorry. Do you have an extra shirt?" Leo's voice held concern as he looked at me. He touched my shoulders, trying to read the emotions in my eyes that I avoided meeting.

"I don't. It's okay, don't mind me. Be with Colleen, she needs you. She came here for you," I reassured him, trying to downplay the situation. I didn't look at him, just at my coffee-stained shirt.

"Hey, I'm so sorry, Liam... I'll make it up to you next time, okay?"

I didn't respond, just tried to brush off and wipe the coffee stain from my shirt.

"Ugh, fuck... wait," he groaned, shaking his head in disbelief. I looked up at him, seeing the frustration in his tone as he hastily removed his denim jacket.

"I'm fine, Leo." I insisted, watching him do that, feeling it would only make Colleen more upset. I tried to stop him but saw the discomfort in his eyes when I refused his offer.

"Please?" Leo's worry was palpable as he offered his jacket again, waiting patiently for me to accept it. "Take it."

"Babe! Come here! Let's take some photos," Colleen's voice interrupted our moment.

"I'll be right back, okay?" he glanced at me, his expression filled with concern.

"Babe!" Colleen's call grew more insistent.

"Yes, babe? One second," Leo replied, torn between staying with me and attending to Colleen's demands.

But in the end... obviously, he chose her over me.

That was the moment I realized... there are battles in life you don't need to start or try to win. Some battles, at first glance, you already know you've lost... you're powerless, you have no chance to win at all.

Holding the denim jacket he gave me, I left the fashion show event with a heavy heart. I didn't wait for Leo to come back like he said he would.

I walked straight out to the exit, trying to hold back the tears in my eyes, but I couldn't stop them once I was outside and inside the Grab taxi I booked. I just cried to the song playing on the Grab driver's radio, "Cornelia Street," using Leo's denim jacket as a makeshift tissue, letting my tears soak into it.

My phone rang, and he messaged me. I ignored it. I just turned off my phone when the notifications kept coming in, flooded with texts from him asking where I was and repetitive apologies for what happened.

When I got home, I opened my phone again, and there were a ton of messages from Leo. He tried to video call me multiple times and sent voice messages saying he came back for me but I was suddenly gone. Well, duh! Of course, I left! I just talked to and took care of Sarcy, Smeagol, and the bunny he gave me, which I named Sirius. Maybe I'm just a pastime for your master, I said to Sirius. This is what a gay guy gets when he falls in love with his straight boy best friend! I ranted to him that day, but he remained serious, so I named him "Sirius." Did it make sense?

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

Crash! Clang!

I heard the final crash of the instruments, especially Grace's last hit on the drums, which dominated everything.

"Lunch time!" they all shouted enthusiastically.

No classes today, I mean, we're all excused because we need to focus on rehearsal. We also have an upcoming performance here at the university for the Founding Anniversary in the next three days. Yes, it's very soon. If someone asked if I'm nervous? Absolutely.

Chase and Aki were the first to leave the studio, as usual, very sweet and holding hands. I hope I can do that too someday with the man who will become my lover... hold hands in public without feeling ashamed, simply ignoring what others might say. How I wish!

"Hey, Liam?" someone called me. Lord, that was fast! Is this it?

I turned around to see who it was, and it was Johann. Our keyboardist, Sir Richard's son, who I just heard speak for the first time. I didn't even recognize his voice, so I had to check who called me. I don't know, maybe he talks, but I just don't notice, and it's either very soft or he's just not talkative at all.

"Hey," I answered, smiling at him, surprised that he was talking to me for the first time. It's great, he has a tongue after all? I thought he swallowed it.

"Lunch," he said. I didn't know if it was a question or a command. So I asked him if he was inviting me to lunch.

He just gave me a nonchalant look with a nod.

"I saw you yesterday, you were eating alone in the cafeteria. Mind if I join you today?" he said flatly.

I shook my head. "Not at all. Go ahead, usually I have lunch with..."

"Leo!" Grace shouted, and I looked up to see Leo approaching me. Yeah, that freaking hot guy... he used to be the one I had lunch with...

Used to.

He glanced at Grace, who caught up to him and grabbed his arm. "Let's have our lunch together!"

"Um, you see... Liam and I packed our lunch, we share food. Sorry," he replied to Grace, then looked at me.

Something squeezed my heart when I heard him say that, and if I couldn't control myself, I'd just end up crying here, and I know I shouldn't.

So, he's still cooking food for me? Is he still hoping I'll join him for lunch?

"No, thanks. I'm fine, Leo. I'll just eat with Johann and you can go with Grace," I gave him a fake smile before shifting my gaze to Johann. "Shall we?"

Johann nodded, and he followed me as we walked out of the studio.

I heard Grace cheering from behind, "Come on, let's eat, Leo! I'm hungry! What's in your lunch? Can I taste it?"

"Yeah, sure," I heard Leo reply.

Tsk! That's for me! Why is he feeding that girl? Grace really loves to seek attention! Annoying!

"Are you guys fighting?" Johann asked, interrupting my thoughts about Grace and Leo.

"Nope, just busy," I didn't want to tell the truth, nor did I want to let others know.

"It seems like you're avoiding him," Johann added. "You seem sad too, I've noticed these past few days."

He could have been cute, but his meddling was annoying. He's kinda attractive, for real, wait, why am I noticing this just now? Is it because I was too blinded by Leo?

"Johann, why don't you talk about yourself instead of assuming things you see around you? Don't take it the wrong way, alright! I'm just curious too, because this is the first time we're talking."

"Alright," he took a deep breath. "Three things about me that you need to know is... first of all, you're handsome. Second, I have a crush on you. And lastly, I want to know if that's okay with you."

Damn, he really left me speechless with that sudden confession. What the fuck is going on?