Straight as Guitar Strings

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟲 [𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵]

A WEEK after the victory party, where everyone found out about my orientation, I found myself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable spotlight. I was never used to being the subject of so much gossip. I used to be able to brush off rumors about me and Leo because he didn't care, and he was still by my side then. But now, everything had changed.

That night, everything came straight from his mouth. It felt like he was ashamed of me and didn't want to see me anymore. There's no point in confessing my feelings now because Grace had already exposed them. Leo made it clear he's straight, has a girlfriend, and only sees me as a friend.

I decided not to attend school and switched to online classes available for my course. Maybe because I didn't want to see or sit next to Leo in the classroom. What's the point?

If he doesn't want me, I don't want him either!

Yes, I've lost my friends. Completely. But it's okay, I'm used to being alone. I have my pets, after all.

I sighed as I saw new gossip flooding the Libertad Freedom Wall page. I also saw a tweet about Laura and Grace's relationship, announcing that they had been secretly dating for six months.

See? Everyone I trusted betrayed me.

It was clear now that Grace learned everything from Laura because they were together. All the things about me and Leo must have come from her. No wonder Grace acted the way she did. Was it their plan all along to make my life miserable?

What a fucking trip they had on my life!

I continued scrolling through my phone until I saw a new tweet from LFW. It featured a picture of Colleen and Leo, and the caption read:

"#CONFIRMED: Leo and Colleen have broken up!"

I read the comments, and many confirmed it. The admins were currently investigating the full story, the reason behind their breakup. Some commenters joked about lining up for Leo now that he was single.

I logged off X after reading the news. I didn't care about what was happening around me anymore; it was exhausting. I opened Spotify and played some music. Then there I was, dramatically belting out Conan Gray's "Never ending Song" as if I were in a sad movie.

I suddenly heard noise coming from the front, so I paused my early concert. It sounded like a machine running. I remembered that our pool renovation, which Papa had been working on for the past two weeks, was finished yesterday.

I walked over, and when I reached there, I asked one of the workers, "Hey, are you filling it up with water now?"

"Yes, sir. Some of our colleagues are also packing up, and we'll be heading home after this," the guy, who looked around forty, maybe, replied.

"Have you eaten? How about having breakfast first?" I glanced at the pool; it seemed to be almost full. It's probably the second or third time they're filling it up because they're still reviving the water pump.

He refused, "No need, sir. Your father has taken care of everything, including our meals."

I insisted and persuaded them to eat. I cooked some breakfast meals, and we all ate together by the swimming pool. I chatted with them for a while, and then they left. I was alone again.

I just stared at the pool water while sitting, but I stood up when I heard Sarcy bark. I hadn't fed them yet.

A few minutes later, Sarcy, Smeagol, and Sirius finished eating. I decided to play with them in the garden. I got exhausted from chasing Sarcy to get the ball first, even though I was the one operating the pet ball launcher I bought from Amazon.

Smeagol stayed close, keeping an eye on Sirius in his small enclosure. I hadn't let the rabbit out yet; he was too lively and challenging to catch whenever he darted around.

I looked at them again; Smeagol seemed fine, not acting up. He was still watching over Sirius. Good cat.

I was about to launch Sarcy's tennis ball when he suddenly barked. I glanced in the direction he was barking, and to my horror, Sirius's enclosure was open. Shit, Sirius had escaped!

"Oh no, damn!" I exclaimed, panicked, and hurriedly returned to where Smeagol and Sarcy were. I tried to find Sirius, searching every direction, left and right, but he was nowhere to be found.

I continued searching, refusing to give up and remaining determined. Sarcy and Smeagol reluctantly helped me, even though they seemed forced.

It had been about an hour, but I still couldn't find Sirius.

"Sirius!" I repeatedly shouted his name.

I was losing hope, but he couldn't disappear. He couldn't! I searched through every possible hiding spot, every plant, pot, and corner of the backyard, but still no sign of him.

As my knees weakened, I found myself outside the gate, whispering Sirius's name. He was one of the few living memories I had left of Leo, aside from the jacket he gave me.

"Even you're going to disappear?" I said with a sob, for some inexplicable reason unable to stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks.

"Sirius..." I continued, kneeling on the pavement outside our gate, still crying.

And then, for some reason, I heard Sarcy suddenly bark. I lifted my head to see what had caught my dog's attention. I thought maybe he was barking at me or had seen something.

But it wasn't a what, but a who.

As my eyes cleared from the last wave of tears, I finally saw Sirius.

"You're looking for him?" Leo asked, holding Sirius in his hand and stroking him gently.

I nodded, wiping away the remaining tears on my face.

I didn't know if I was happy because I found Sirius or because I saw Leo after one week, which felt like ten years.

He was carrying a large storage box in front of him, with Sirius sitting on top of it. They looked adorable, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.