♫ Lemon ♫
Drew called late last night to ask how things went at school. We didn’t see each other after we part ways that morning so I told him that Kevz and I are meeting up at the studio to work on our project.
He volunteered to pick me up but I refused since the studio’s not far from my condo anyway. But he insisted on picking me up at seven.
At the studio, Kevz and I started on our project at nine sharp. We had a one-hour break around lunch and fortunately, we were able to finish everything at five.
While resting, I noticed Kevz checking his wristwatch several times. “Do you have to go?” I asked.
“Sorry Partner, I really need to be home by six,” he pouted.
“Why are you still here then? You can go now!”
“I can’t leave because there’s no one here to accompany you,” then he hooked his arm to mine like a child coaxing his mom.
“Don’t worry about me! Go or Aunt Eva will scold us both! Bsides, Lyra and Guido are here!”
Kevz's face lightened up. “Are you sure, Partner?” and I nodded. He hugged before grabbing his shoes and putting them on right away. “Sorry, I really need to go with mom or she might forfeit the car I was asking for.”
“Oh, so you’re going with her just because you need something? I have to let her know then!”
I laughed when he looked panicked so I retracted what I said right away before we got engaged in a long conversation. And since Drew hasn’t arrived yet, I decided to nap as soon as Kevz left.
Not sure how long it’s been but I woke up to the sound of someone banging the door of the studio. I looked at the wall clock, it was already past nine in the evening.
Thinking it was Drew, I rushed to the door to open it. I was surprised though when I saw who was standing outside. “Zone?”
We’re at least a meter away from each other but I can smell the scent of alcohol coming from him. His eyes are red too and the buttons of his shirt are messed up.
“Hi Lem, are you alone?” he asked in a creepy and slurred way, but I nodded and even let him in.
“Where have you been? Partying?” he nodded before slumping on the couch. I sat on the other end and for a moment, he was just there, sitting while staring at his hands. Then he shifted to face me.
"I was thinking about our convo yesterday,” he started and I shot my brows up. “Will it be ok if I stay?” he asked.
“Zone, I already explained it to you, Drew's not ok with our setup,” I told him calmly.
A flash of hurt, anger, and frustration crossed his face, then he sighed, “But I can't leave you alone Lem. I don't want to!” I was surprised when he started sobbing. “I thought you'll notice! That I'm wasting myself away since you and Drew became official. I thought if you see me getting wasted, you'd realize that you like me more or even love me, more than him! But all of a sudden you want me out?”
He clenched his jaw while staring intensely at me and I can’t find the right words to tell him. I thought I’d cleared everything for him.
I was about to answer when he stood right next to me, pinning me to the couch, and starts shaking my shoulder. “Answer me, Lem! Do you not like me anymore?” he yelled.
I start feeling scared. I wanted to scream for help but I can’t find my voice. When I didn’t respond to him, he pushed me down and pinned me.
He started kissing me harshly on the neck while holding both of my wrists. “Stop Zone!” I yelled but it was as if he was not hearing me.
I tried to struggle out of his grip but I failed. I can’t even push him off of me. He pulled my collar and since my shirt’s thin, he easily ripped it.
“You devil!” someone growled and grabbed Zone away from me. He quickly pushed Zone to the floor and started punching him. Lyra and Guido then showed up right after Kevz saved me.
♫ Kevz ♫
After malling with mom, we went straight to the nearest restaurant for our late dinner. Right after eating, I bade my mom goodbye to go back to the studio.
I hailed a cab as I try to call her but she was not answering her phone. When I got there, I noticed the lights are still on. ‘Someone’s still here?’
I’d only taken a few steps when I heard Lemon screaming. I run inside and the horror I saw was unnerving.
The first thing I noticed was Lemon’s crimson face. Next was Zone who is kissing her now exposed chest with her shirt ripped in the middle.
My vision darken and without knowing where I got the courage, I pulled Zone off of her and pushed him to the floor. I started punching and cursing him from the bottom of my heart, causing Lyra and Guido to wake up.
“What is happening? Oh my God!” Lyra exclaimed nervously when she saw Lemon.
I quickly helped her up while Zone runs out of the studio with Guido chasing after him. “Water Lyra, water!”
I hugged Lemon to stop her body from shaking. She refused for several seconds before looking at me. She then hugged me tightly and starts sobbing.
“Sshh, Partner, it’s ok. I’m here.”
After a while, she starts to calm down. Lyra then handed her the glass of water and she drank from it.
She placed the glass on the coffee table and stared at her hands before clasping them. When I stood up, she was quick to ask where I’m going, “I just need to call someone,” and then she nodded.
I went out to the veranda to call the rest of the guys. I told them there was an emergency at the studio and they all said they were coming.
I sat next to Lemon when I came back. She was still shaking so I held her hand to calm her down. She just looked at me and I can see sadness, fear, and anger in her eyes.
I wanted to ask her a lot of things but I stopped myself from doing so. It’s best to wait for the other guys before gossiping.