The Experience Buddy [Completed]

Chapter 35

A press of a button and the radio was muted. I pulled my phone out from the front pouch of my backpack and began searching for a particular song. When I found it, I kept increasing the volume until it was close to maximum.

Because of you by 98 degrees began to play from my phone. Hero recognized the intro easily and started to tense even before the first verse.

"Please don't remind me." Hero sighed.

"Why? But I love this song now." I grinned.

It was a warm and touching feeling when I recalled that day's events but for Hero, it was probably something he wanted to erase from his mind, and everyone else's.

On the day of the first match for nationals, before the start of the match, Hero grabbed the microphone from the announcer and started singing "Because of you" by 98 degrees to the audience. I was there with the rest of the gang to cheer him on. We didn't really get a proper chance to talk about the incident yet but even so, I had to be there for my man especially during such an important occasion.

"Hey, Love. I'm sorry, please forgive me." He pleaded after he finished singing the first chorus.

I was embarrassed to the core after everyone figured out who the target of the song was and all eyes were on me but at the same time, it was so touching. But now that it was over, the tables were turned as Hero gets embarrassed each time I teased him about it. And not just me, obviously Hugh won't let this chance to poke fun at Hero just slip away.

"I'm your sunshine after the rain." I sang along, changing the lyrics slightly.

It's been a while since we went on a date off campus. Hero was still busy juggling with training, nationals and school curriculum but he managed to find time today so that we could go on a picnic.

We spent the early morning preparing sandwiches together. Hero couldn't trust me with the toaster and pan so I was in-charge of slicing the cucumbers and tomatoes. Thinking about the scrambled egg sandwich made me hungry that my stomach might growl anytime now.

The weather was perfect for an outdoor activity and since it was spring, the sunrays were warm and the air was cool. We found a nice spot with a good view of the river and laid out our picnic mat. I took my sandals off and sat cross legged on the mat, waiting expectantly for Hero to open the lunchbox with our carefully packed lunch.

I took big bites of the sandwich and it tasted so good. It was even more delicious because of the company. While I ate, I couldn't stop smiling. I also couldn't stop staring at Hero either. Every birthday from now on, when I blow out the candles, I will only make the same wish over and over. And that is for us to grow old together.

"You are burning a hole in my face." He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Can you see the hearts shooting out from my eyes?" I grinned.

"You are so weird, Emily Lee." He mumbled, trying very hard not to smile.

After filling our stomachs with enough food and juice, Hero took out his sketchbook from his backpack. He then laid out his art materials beside him and stretched his leg out in front of him.

"What are you drawing?" I asked curiously as I inched closer to him. "The river?"

"You." He answered flatly.

"I thought you stopped drawing portraits."

"Yeah, but I figure you don't have enough nice pictures."

"What?" I exclaimed. Then he showed me the wallpaper on his phone and it was a photo of me hugging the toilet bowl. How could he take a photo of me when I was drunk! And not to mention, in such an unglam pose!

"Hey! How could you!" I pouted and rolled my eyes. Before I could snatch his phone over, he had already slid it back into his pocket. Hero began to sketch as he chuckled.

I was enjoying myself just by watching him draw. Every now and then I would imagine myself as a model at an outdoor photoshoot and tried to strike poses that I saw models do in magazines and on television. But Hero would just nag and told me to stay still. He said natural me was the best me. I couldn't help but let out a smile after hearing that.

Once Hero was somewhat done, he said that he planned to frame the portrait and put it on the bedside table in his room.

"Huh? I thought if you drew a picture of me, shouldn't you be giving me my portrait?" I snorted.

"No? I drew it so that I can admire my own work everyday." Hero retorted.

"Fine. Then I will take photos that expose the ugly side of you." I took my camera and kept taking his pictures without aim. I didn't even look to check what I was taking and just shove the camera in his face while pressing the button continuously.

First was his face, then I went nearer for a close up shot of his face. I sat on his lap and pointed the camera lens right in his face. Photos of his nostrils, eyebrows, ears and all sorts of candid shots were taken. I especially zoomed in a lot on the flaring nostrils. Reviewing the photos in my camera made me laugh so hard that my abdomen ache like as if I just did pilates.

I sat in between his legs and leaned my back onto his chest as we admired the view in front of us. The birds in the trees were chirping as if they were sharing in on our joy. Closing my eyes, I could pick out the sound of water streaming along the river and soft rustling of the leaves when a gentle breeze blew.

Hero pressed the side of his face against mine, his arms that were overlapping mine wrapped around me tighter. Then he planted a quick kiss on my right cheek. I turned my head to return a kiss on his lips. He cupped my face with one hand and pressed his lips against mine.

From sitting up to lying down, our lips just couldn't separate. One moment he was on top of me and the next, I was lying on him. We ended up rolling in the grass, I giggled while he chuckled. Love was in the air and nature was our witness.

All that tumbling probably made Hero dizzy as he complained of experiencing a headache. I got slightly worried and thought that it was his lack of sleep due to his recent rigorous schedule. Hero joked that it was probably due to the lack of alcohol since he hadn't been drinking much because he needed to keep his body and stamina in good condition for the matches.

So we packed up and headed back to his place. We had takeaway for an early dinner, took a shower and climbed into bed together.

"Hey Hero?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry. I promise I will never walk away from us again."

I could feel the subtle heaving in and out of his chest as he breathed. My ear pressed onto his chest to listen to the strong, constant sound of his heartbeat as if it were a lullaby. The warmth our body exudes from being so close to each other. I felt more safe and at ease being held tightly in his arms more than anywhere else.

If this is who I will spend forever with, then I'm prepared to give my everything.