photograph // darren espanto

chapter ten

~JK POV~

I had a bit of time to spare before my show today, so I just hung out in my dressing room with Darren. I experiment a bit with my guitar, working on some new stuff for my album. I glance at Darren and see him grin at his phone, then see his thumbs move fast as he typed.

"Sino ka text mo, Lei?" I joked around as I leaned towards him, with my guitar still pressed against my body.

"Nah bro, yung mami ko" He grumbled, giving me a quick glance of his phone with the name 'Ma' on there. "Lei and her family went for a trip to Palawan this weekend for her 16th birthday"

"You guys talk a lot?"

"Sometimes. She's not the kind to be on her phone all the time"

"At least know what she's up to. Good" I reply as I nod my head. "Just a question. Why do you even like her anyways? Bakit siya?"

I was pretty curious on what he had to say. Darren always gives the most bs answers when asked who he likes. I have this weird feeling that Lei's not the greatest girl for him. I used to know her, and I came across something about her on Facebook. It was not good.

"At first I just thought she was some pretty girl I wanted to be friends with. And of course i'd still like to stay friends with her." He starts saying. "I guess I just caught feelings pretty quick. Due to all the drama and spotlight we'd both get, it'll be nothing more"

What kind of answer was that?

I jokingly search around the room confusingly, then turn back to him. "Are we being secretly interviewed orrrr.."

He lets out a hearty laugh. "It's the truth"

"Just admit you wanna smash"

"What. No" He says defensively. I just laugh then shake my head.

He starts going through his phone then gives me his phone.

"I mean, bro, look at this video of her" He says. I lift an eyebrow then just laugh at how weird he is. I look at his phone then see a video of Lei singing and strumming a ukulele.

"Um, how'd you find this" I ask, bit weirded out

"It was in my recommended, k" Darren says. "Hey you knew Lei when you were little, tell me more about her"

I put the phone down then roll my eyes.

"I have nothing to say. All I knew was that she lived by me. Not a very interesting story"

"You sure?" Darren asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"Sige na. May story 'ko" I groan.

~flashback~
*third pov*

"Lei! Gabi na, come inside!" The lady yelled as she peeked her head out the door.

"Hold on ma!" the little girl yelled back to her. She huffed slightly then tucked a strand of her black wavy hair behind her ear. She looked down at cute little blue camera she had in her hand, then looked at the photo of the tree she just took.