Kip and Homme arrived in less than 30 minutes. Ten minutes after, Roj came. Drew, however, is yet to show up and it’s been an hour.
He’s supposed to fetch Lemon at seven earlier and obviously, he didn’t show up. ‘What is going on with him now?’
Kip went straight to Lemon and hugged her while Homme lightly run a hand on her back. Meanwhile, Roj called for Lyra and ask her to get Lemon something suitable to wear.
When she came back, Kip asked his cousin to change her shirt but instead of going to the restroom, she just put the new shirt over the ripped one. We looked at each other but didn’t say anything, we just let her.
We can see her trying to stop her hands from shaking so Roj reached out for them. “Lem, everything's fine, we’re here now,” he said and Lemon smiled lazily before starting to cry over again.
Homme fixed her hair as it looked like the crows played on them and when he did, the long scratch on her neck was revealed. Both her wrists are bruised as well.
After thirty more minutes, Drew finally arrived. As soon as he stepped, the air was filled with the scent of alcohol. His shirt was wrinkled and by the look of it, he looked like he slept somewhere with a hangover.
“I thought you were picking her up at seven?” I asked when he sat on one of the bean bags. I don't usually ask about his duties to Lemon, but this is a different case.
“Something came up,” he replied casually. “What happened?” he asked as he looked at Lemon. There wasn’t even a trace of worry on her face after seeing her situation.
Kip looked pissed when he looked at Drew before he turned to his cousin. “Lem, can you let us in on what happened?” he asked sweetly. Lemon looked at him, smiled lazily, and sighed. Then she started with the story.
“That’s what I’ve been telling you!” Drew yelled. “Because you let him stay in your condo, he thinks he can just do anything!” he sneered.
My forehead automatically creased after hearing what he said. It sounded as if he was blaming Lemon for what happened.
When I looked at her, she was half smiling before sighing for the nth time. And just now I realized, he hasn't looked at Drew ever since he arrived, not even a glance.
‘What is going on with her?’
“Wait, what is happening?” Roj chirped.
“I already told her that she should throw that asshole out but she got her excuses. That’s what she gets for not listening!” he shouted at Roj.
“Drew!” Homme told him off. “Can you still hear yourself? It’s Lemon we’re talking to!”
“That’s why she’s like that! Because you always babysit her, she now can’t decide what’s good for her! Try talking to her then, she might listen to you instead!”
Lemon chuckles but she's just looking at her hands. We all looked at her, but she just stayed quiet. “Was it funny Leslie? I think you liked what happened to you that’s why you can still laugh. That’s Zone anyway so why not?”
“Drew you’re out of line!” I snapped. My blood rushed to my head after hearing what he said. I was about to jump at him when Lemon pulled my hand and shook her head at me.
“I’ll go upstairs first, I’ll stay for the night,” then she turned to her cousin.
“You sure you'll be ok?” Kip asked as he help her up. She just smiled faintly and nodded.
On her way up, Drew grabbed her arm. “What? You’ll just sleep on this? Did you just bother everyone?” he sneered but Lemon still didn’t respond to him.
Instead, She just looked at her, for the first time tonight. Her eyes filled with different emotions. Anger, pain, pity. Pity? For what?
Drew seemed to have gotten the signal as he slowly let go of her and without a word, Lemon climbed the stairs. We were all just looking at her until we heard the door close.
“Where is Zone?” Kip asked as we sat down.
“He ran off after seeing me and Guido,” I replied.
“He'll pay for this,” Homme muttered as he clench his fists.
Everyone looked worried and concerned except for Drew. I have no idea what’s going on thru her mind that he’s blaming Lemon for what happened tonight. What an asshole!
♫ Drew ♫
As I didn’t get to see Leslie after we attended our classes, I texted her to ask about her day. She told me she was meeting Kevz the next day at the studio, so I volunteered to pick her up once they were done. Just like what a loving boyfriend should do.
She agreed that I’d pick her up at seven. It was favorable for me too, as I still have time to attend the party of the sorority.
I left home around one in the afternoon and headed straight to my classmate's house. Marj greeted me along with new faces, different ones from the last party I attended.
I looked around for someone specific but I can’t see her so I sat down at the round table close to the pool and asked for a drink. After a while, the junior fratmen came and joined me.
I enjoyed their last party and this one’s no different. They got tons of gimmicks like take-it-off games and such.
As I enjoy it too much, I forgot that I need to fetch Leslie. Then again, I set it aside since we’re not really getting along these past few days.
She’s just so hardheaded. No matter how I tell her to get rid of Zone, she will always come up with an excuse not to. I haven’t even slept in her condo overnight, but her ex lives there. Who will like such a setup?
I’ve explained to her several times, that it doesn’t look good. But it seems like she enjoys her company too, so I’ll just let her be.
I can’t force her to listen to me anyway. Unlike Nica…
Speaking of her, we were in the middle of our conversation when Kevz called. He told me that there was an emergency at the studio and that they need me there.
Since he said it was an emergency, I bade everyone farewell. I had a hard time finding my shirt but I took off as soon as I found where it landed after the take it off game earlier.
When I got to the studio, they were all there. Everyone looks calm except for Leslie. Her eyes are swollen, her hair is messed up and her hands won't stop shaking.
‘What kind of emergency si this?’
I was about to ask when Kip beat me to it. Leslie then narrated what happened but instead of pity, anger took over me. If only she listened, this won’t have happened to her.
Aside from getting angry about what happened due to her stubbornness, I also feel angry that she won’t even look at me. Not even a glance!
When she excused herself to go upstairs, I tried to stop her but fear creep all over me when she stared at me. I’m not sure what exactly her eyes are telling me, but it scared me.
I’m mad at you? I was hurt? I pity you? Pity? Why would she pity me? But I can’t be wrong. I definitely saw pity in her eyes.
When she went up, they started talking about Zone. “He’ll pay for what? In case you forgot, it was Leslie who willingly welcomed him to her condo,” I sneered at Homme.
“Dude, if he got a conscience, he won't’ even think of doing anything like this. She took him in and this is what he’ll do in return?” Roj retorted.
“Besides, why are you late? Where have you been?” Kevz asked.
Scratching my head, I avoided their stares by bowing down my head. “I got invited to the party of the school’s frat and sorority,” I informed them.
“What?” they asked in unison.
“But you were supposed to pick her up! If you came on time, this wouldn't have happened!” Kevz told me off.
“I forgot ok? Besides, how did Zone find out she’s here? For all we know, it was her who asked him to come over since I’m late. And how sure are you that he forced her?!”
“Bullshit Drew! You're fucking unbelievable! Are you implying that Lemon wanted for this to happen?” Homme yelled.
“Then how did he know she’s here? Instinct? Zone guessed that she’s here so he came over?” I asked but not one of them responded. And in the middle of the silence, we heard a door close.
Not knowing how to react, the silence grew longer. We stayed a bit longer in the living room, but no one’s talking. Someone will sigh or yawn, but not one of us uttered a single word.
Several minutes after, they all decided to stay over. I was planning to do the same to accompany Leslie for the night so after cleaning up, I peeked inside the large room but didn’t see her there.
Closing the door behind me, I went for the smaller room. I opened the door quietly and there she is, lying on the bed, covered with a blanket from her feet to her neck.
She was facing the wall so I slowly walked up to her, climbed the bed, and laid down next to her. “Hun? Are you ok?” I whispered but she didn’t reply.
I’m still pissed about what happened. But whenever I recall the way she looks at me, I seem to go back to my senses.
But instead of thinking about it, I set it aside in the meantime. I’m tired from partying and I want to rest too.
I hugged Leslie from behind but she was still not moving. She’s probably deep in sleep, tired from everything that happened.
While I was lying next to her, I looked at her face and can’t help but appreciate her beauty. She’s really one of a kind. I tuck a few stray hairs before kissing her cheek. “I love you, Leslie,” I whispered.
Then again, goosebumps crawled all over my body when I heard someone giggle. I’m not sure if it was her or it was just my imagination but as I felt scared, I forced myself to sleep instead.