Burning Red

The story of us

Patrick POV

Nick excused himself and go outside to make a call to his home. Without realizing, my eyes keep following him who is walking to the other side of bar, to the less crowded place.  When I turn my head, my gaze meet with Zach who is staring at me with a meaningful gaze. He raise his eyebrows while smiling at me, and I don't know why, but feeling like get caught red handed while doing some forbidden thing. I am trying to get rid the uncomfortable feeling that starts to creeping up.

"Ah ya.. by the way, how was you exam Pat?" Asked Joe suddenly.

"Why are you curious Joe? Patrick always posted his exam result in his IG story, don't you checked it?" Said Ryan 

"I only posted it once."

"Yes! and I think that was the one with the highest score, you hide the others with bad scores.. didn't you?" said Joe while laughing oud loud. I just smiles at his comments, I am used to his not-so-funny joke.

"Well, I am better than you in this field, I passed all the exams."

"Wow! Pat!! you're killing Joe with your words. Don't you remember that he spent longer time in University to repeat several subjects" Said Zach which make the rest of us, except Joe laughing.

"Hey bro! I just repeated 2 subjects, don't make it like I repeated all the subjects."

"You don't need to worry about Patrick's performance in his school. The thing that supposed to be our concern is the fact that he is still single even though he can find a lot of beauties in his school. " Said Ryan out of blue. I nearly got chocked on my drink when I heard his sentence.

"Ryan is right! Your university is famous with its beauties, how come you still maintain your single status?" said Elliot, parroting Ryan. I just smiling awkwardly.

"Did you guys forget that most of you are single?" Said Zach while sipping his drink. All of eyes are now focusing on him. huft.. thank God, at least I can slip out from the obligation to answer their dangerous question.

"Do you know Zach, I always wonder how do you able to find a hurting topic whenever talk to me." Said Joe while make a fake-sad face.

"I just want to let you know the fact about your own condition buddy! "

"Talking about girlfriend, I am so envy of Nate, having a cute and pretty girlfriend like him must be pleasant. " Added Ryan

"Yeah.. you are right." Answer Joe and Elliot at the same time that make Fandy and Zach sigh and shaking their head.

I glance at my phone to check the time, and then to the place where Nick was disappeared. It's been 15 minutes since he left to make a phone call, but yet he did not come back yet.  I excused myself to the toilet while the 5 of them still bickering about some new other topic. I walked passed Nick who is still on his phone, listening to someone who is talking in the other line while slightly pouting his mouth (Gosh! Why he looks so adorable!!).

***

When I come back, I see that Nick is there seems to looking for something (is it possible that he lookin after me?). Our eyes meet and I muttering "toilet" which answered by a smiles and a nod from him.

Not long after Ryan come with Jenga in his hand. He smirk and said " Hey brothers, I manage to get this one for us."

"So here is the rule, everyone who make the tower fall should drink, bottom up!" Said Ryan, whom I believed was already trained by Joe to set up this kind of ridiculous rule.

"No problem, lets start it now, I want to see Nick finishing his drink in one shot." Said Fandy which get an agreement from the others.

It is already past eleven pm, however nobody among us has any intention to stop playing and leaving this place. Nick, being clumsy as always keep losing during the game that make all of us teased him.