♫ Lemon ♫
"Surprise!" I yelled as I get inside the studio.
"Lemon!"
"Partner!"
"Cuz!"
They all exclaimed in unison and that widen my smile. Everyone’s there as if they took what I said seriously. That they should be at the studio every day so I could surprise them.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” says Kale who’s pouting as he rolls his eyes.
I pulled him for a hug, “How will it be a surprise if tell you?” I laughed. “Wait, let me sit first!” then I fanned my face with my hands.
“You left France early?” Kellen asked.
I nodded as I purse my lips and look at them one by one. I miss them so much! It’s like they all changed a lot.
“Hi, Partner!” I greeted Kevz. I know he’s annoyed at me after I refused their visit. I did that because it was a waste of fare and time. Even though I know they can afford it, it’s still wasteful.
“Shush! Go to David!” he smirked but I know it was a joke.
I stood up right away and hugged his waist, pressing my head on his chest. “I already apologized! I’m here now!”
But before he could respond, I was stunned. The door of the restroom opened and the person I least expect to see came out.
‘When did Drew arrive? Why didn’t they tell me?’
"Hi!" he greeted, smiling widely.
"Hi! How are you?"
If it was back then, my knees would have turned jelly, but it’s different now. This is different. I’m different and so is he.
"I’m ok, you?”
“I’m fine too,” I responded before turning back to Kevz. “Partner, peace be with you!”
He smiled while his head was turned away from me, but he quickly straighten his face when he looked at me. “You can go with David, you’re happier with him anyway! Or with Pete or Levi!” he continued.
I let go of him and pouted. “Who updated you? You seem to know a lot!” I asked, placing both hands on my waist. He broke into laughter and pointed to Kale and Kellen before pulling me and hugging me tightly.
“Have you gone home?” Kip asked and I shook my head as Kevz let go of me. I sat on the couch and Drew did too so we were next to each other.
“Not yet, I asked to be dropped here.”
“Same with Drew, he went straight here when he arrived,” Roj stated.
“Ah really?” I turned to Drew and he nodded at me. After that, he’s quiet again with his head bowed down.
“Not here!” Homme refuted. “He went to Costas remember?” so I turned to Drew again after hearing that.
“He came here first then he went to Costas after Lyra told him we’re there,” Kevz interrupted and I nodded, but I saw him glance and wink at Drew.
‘Hmm, what’s up with these two?’
“Do you want to drink?” Kale butted in and it’s as if he said the magic word as everyone’s faces brighten.
“Sure, let’s go! So I can rest early!”
“Why? You didn’t sleep during the flight?” Kellen asked.
“Not really! Pete talked a lot!”
“He’s here?” the gossipmongers asked in unison.
“Nope, he went to Singapore. There’s an issue with his company there but he said if he can fix it early, he’ll drop by here.”
“Wow! It’s like he’s just traveling from Paris to Strasbourg! Lem, your suitors are really up there!” Homme teased but I just pouted, causing him to laugh.
“Let’s start while it’s early,” Kevz suggested.
Everyone started moving while I went upstairs to change clothes. I don’t have my luggage with me as I sent it to Costas. Fortunately, I still have clothes left here. The problem is, they all looked like they shrunk. They’re now too short for me!
When I came out of the bathroom, Roj chuckled while looking at me, “Lem! Is there a clothing crisis?”
I grinned as I try to pull the hem of my shorts down, “I don’t know what happened! It shrunk!”
“You probably grew taller that’s why it became shorter,” Kevz laughed. “But in all fairness, you’re super sexy Partner!” he added so I swayed my hips as I walk to the couch, causing them to break into a laugher.
“Let’s go! These sillies!” I snapped jokingly as I fold the clothes I took off and placed them on top of my bag.
I then took my phone and headed upstairs. Of course, we’re drinking at my favorite spot. The spot I missed so much, the terrace!
I quickly run and sit on one of the armchairs. “That’s so childish, Lem!” Kip explained but I just stick my tongue out so he messed up with my hair.
“So, how’s France?” Homme asked as soon as he sat down.
“It’s fine. I miss it already but I miss you guys more,” I grinned.
“And how are your suitors?” Roj asked intriguingly.
“There’s just too many, she had a hard time handling them all,” Kale commented.
“Well, I can’t blame them. Lem’s gorgeous!” Roj praised and gave me a high five.
“Did anyone catch your interest?” Kevz asked.
“There’s one,” I smiled. “I wanted to give him a chance but it will be a long-distance thing. I don’t think it’ll work so I pass on giving it a try.”
They got tons of follow-up questions and I feel like it’s getting me drunk. It gets me drunk more than the alcoholic beverage in my hand.
In the middle of everyone talking, there’s one thing I noticed. It’s that Drew’s still quiet. He hasn’t said anything after our last exchange.
He only started talking after Kevz asked him if he got into a relationship in the States. They even looked at each other after the question.
“I didn’t, I swear. I was serious with my studies there. I go home right away after school. The only thing that delays me is the library but that’s very rare,” he explained lengthily and everyone nodded at him, except me.
We were quiet for a while, all of us. It’s as if an angel passed by that silenced us. It was only broken when Homme’s phone beeped and he cursed after checking it.
“What happened?” Kip asked.
“Ram said the band scheduled for tomorrow night canceled on us,” he informed us as he massage his nape. It’s like his blood suddenly shoots up.
From what I’ve heard, Homme and his brother are now partner owners of the bar. So when it comes to business issues, he’s affected too.
“Let’s take their spot then!” Roj volunteered, raising a hand while swaying his feet as he sits on the railings.
“Can we? We haven’t practiced for a long time,” Kip responded to him.
“Then let’s practice tomorrow, after lunch. The gig’s at night anyway,” Kevz suggested before turning to Homme.
“Yeah, it’s at nine in the evening if ever,” he told him.
“What do you think cuz?” Kip asked.
Not sure why I looked at Drew in the middle of the discussion. Maybe because he stayed quiet but he seemed interested too.
“Sure!” I agreed then Homme clapped.
“I’ll call Ram then to let him know,” then he excused himself to make a phone call.
And so the night went on. Just like before, it was filled with stories, silliness, and teasing. But in the middle of all these, what Drew said earlier keeps playing in my head.
‘He doesn’t have a girlfriend? He never had a girlfriend in the States? That means we’re wrong! Was it wrong for me to move on too?’
Thinking of all the wrong things, I think moving on is the only right thing. We haven’t talked for years, I guess it’s just right to forget everything about us.
It would have been hard to expect that something good will happen after not seeing each other for a long time. Several years of separation ain’t no joke.
I was in the middle of thinking about it when my phone started ringing. Kellen looked at me and smiled when he saw the international call flashing on the screen.
“It smells like Singapore!” she teased.
I scrunched my nose, snatched my phone from the table, and answered the call. I even tripped and almost stumbled but Drew was quick enough to catch me.
Yes, he held my arm so I could regain my balance. But when he saw I’m ok, he immediately let go of me.
I walked away from them to talk to my caller, it was Pete. He called to let me know he’ll be here tomorrow.
After the call, I went to the restroom. When I came out, Drew was already standing right outside. “You’re going in?” I asked but he shook his head.
“Are you ok, Les? You’re drunk?” he asked worriedly.
I faced him and shook my head, “I’m still fine. I just tripped earlier,” but he didn’t respond. He was just staring at me, straight into my eyes.
I shot my brows up and he smiled in return. He then held both my hands and pulled me for a hug. It made me feel a bit nervous, but I returned it nonetheless.
“I missed you, Les,” and his hug tighten.
“I missed you too,” I whispered in return. I wanted to take it back but it already slipped. Besides, why should I when it’s the truth? I did miss him, just like how I missed the rest of the group.
When he let go of me, he held both my hands and sighed. His mouth opened as if he was about to say something, but went against it.
Then we heard the group howling, literally. So we both turned to face them, “You guys really have a way to ruin good moments!” he spat at them.
They all laughed at us as we walk back to them. “We were looking for you! We didn’t know you wanted to go solo!” Kevz teased.
“Silly! I just want to talk to her,” Drew explained. I was surprised by the volume of his voice and when I turned, it was him sitting next to me. Kellen, on the other hand, is now sitting next to Homme.
“Don't worry, we'll talk some other time,” I told him, and again, they howled.
After a while, I started feeling dizzy so I leaned on Kevz’s shoulder. I lifted both my feet so I can lean on him properly while he place an arm on my legs.
I was startled when he suddenly laughed out loud. I looked up to him without lifting my head to ask what happened, but he just pinched my cheek as he continue laughing.
“He’s the jealous type!” Kale commented and they all started laughing then they started calling Drew.
“Where is he going?” I asked.
“He walked out!” Kevz replied and again, they all laughed.
Our drinking session went on for an hour more before we all decided to call it a night. They even dropped me off Costas as I was already feeling dizzy.
When I got into my unit, I plopped on the couch without turning the lights on. But I was startled to feel someone under me so I stood up quickly and grabbed the vase from the coffee table.
“Who are you?”
"Les, it's me"
"Drew?" he didn’t respond but I felt his hand on mine, taking the vase away and putting it back in place. Then he made me sit on the couch before turning the lights on.
His face was all red and he was holding his side. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were here,” I apologized as he looked hurt after I plopped on top of him.
“Sorry, I thought you were staying at the studio,” he replied.
“But why are you here? I thought you already went home?”