One Last Smile (EDITING)

Chapter 4- Valk Nelson

     Lenn and Magnus walked together to the entrance of Ernesto High School. Lenn has to be honest, today was the greatest day he has ever had. He got himself a technical friend. Lenn was still unsure about how his and Magnus' relationship was going. He wanted to know.

     Magnus asked, however, "Where do you live from here, Lenn?"

     Lenn whispered a thanks for Magnus finally pronouncing his name correctly. Nonetheless, Lenn answered, "A bit far from here. Around thirty minutes of walking. You?"

     Magnus was shocked, but didn't let himself dwell on it too much. "I live in that condominium just across the street..."

     What? That close? Lenn was not sure if that made him feel envious that Magnus' school was that near, or sad for him because he has to look at the school literally every time he looks out the window.

     Lenn wondered, "So... are you gonna go now?"

     Magnus looked back at the school, "Not yet. I have to wait for my brother, Valk. He's probably causing trouble again."

     Lenn remembered during Magnus' introduction that he also transferred to the school with his brother. Also, what did he just say? His brother causing trouble? Shouldn't Magnus have been the troublemaker?

     Lenn asked, "When will he come out?"

     "Depends on how many friends he's made. He always asks for their numbers in the other schools we've been." Magnus answered.

     "Oh." Lenn was surprised by this.

     "What?"

     "Can I ask something?"

     "Sure."

     "Are we-?"

     Could people quit interrupting Lenn whenever he was about to ask something to Magnus? A guy, who was the same height as Magnus, lunged at Magnus' shoulders by suddenly wrapping his arms around him. Rude.

     "Hey, bro!" the guy said.

     "Valk! You scared the dare devils out of me!" Magnus snapped.

     "Sorry, bro. Just happy I've made new friends." Magnus' brother explained.

     "Good for you."

     "Hey. You've made one yourself, Magnus."

     Valk stared at Lenn as he let go of Magnus. Lenn, then, started to make out what Valk looked like: he was wearing shades, making him look like an obvious dick bag. He wore the same white polo, except the buttons were not attached. His head was covered with a red cap that read "Cavaliers" Ugh, Basketball. Valk has all the traits that Lenn would stereotype as a Fuckboy.

Magnus said, "Wait, what?"

"You heard me. Friend." Valk repeated.

Magnus and Lenn were having a strange stare off. Lenn wanted to protest what Valk said. Besides, they only met today. There was no way he'd be considered as Magnus' friend.

Magnus knitted his eyebrows, "Yeah. I guess he is."

Or not...

**********

Lenn arrived at his home: a one-story house, mostly made out of wood. It wasn't like those mansions he would see on television, but it was his home-sweet home.

He entered, and saw his mom, browsing through some papers on the dining table. His sister, Abby, was on the couch, to the left of the dining table, reading her school books. It was nice that Abby was being inspired by Lenn's top honor to study. He couldn't help but feel proud of himself.

His mom saw him, and said, "Lenton! Gusto mo ba mag-meryenda? (Lenton! Do you want to eat?)"

Lenn replied, "Okay lang po. Mag-aaral na lang po ako sa kwarto ko. (It's okay. I'll just study in my room.)"

As his mom watched him, Lenn went past the dining table. He petted Abby, causing her to look up at him and smile. Lenn smiled back at her. He, then, walked into the corridor, and entered the door on his left.

His room definitely looked neater after he had left it; his mom cleaned it. Lenn loved his mom so much. The bed was made, the study table was clear from books, the window's curtains were open, and his ironed clothes were most likely inside his closet.

Lenn settled his sling bag on the chair of the study table, and he practically died on his bed.

Today was great, Lenn recalled. He had befriended Magnus Nelson, and, in a way, his brother, Valk. Lenn remembered his conversation with Magnus during break time: how he had made fun of Magnus, and how they had declared on a competition. Lenn, later on, had been called a friend by Magnus. Did that even count?

Lenn faced up, looking at the ceiling to change his position. He placed his hands on his abdomen. Lenn still could not believe what he had discovered after break time.

Lenn crushed on Magnus.

Lenn had never liked anyone before Magnus, mainly because all of his classmates were a bunch of asses. Seriously, how could those women love those insensitive personalities of theirs? Then again, Lenn had thought of Magnus as a dick bag, but he wasn't. Magnus seemed different compared to all of the men he had met thus far. For some reason, Lenn wanted to show up in Magnus' doorstep, and study with him all night. Basically, he wanted to be his tutor.

Or, in more technical terms, Lenn just wanted to see him.

     Now that Lenn thought more about it, he began to realize that it sounded crazy. For all he knew, Magnus won't probably be gay too. So this was a desparate fantasy.

     Besides, it was just a simple crush on a person whom he had met for less than a day. It would fade....hopefully,

    Lenn decided to get up, and paced to the window. He stared outside, wishing for Magnus to show up any minute. Any time...