♫ Drew ♫
Pity.
The word itself rings a bell. Kevz told me I’d be pitiful if Leslie left me. It’s how Leslie looked at me too when I tried talking to her after the incident with Zone.
‘But why will I be pitiful? Is it because after all I’ve been thru and everything I need, I’d lose her over something trivial? I even put my life on the line for her!’
And it dawned on me. They’re right. I’d be pitiful but of course, I won’t let our situation reach that state.
I went back to sleep when Kevz left. I decided to call Leslie when I woke up but when I did, it was already three in the afternoon… the next day.
Reaching out for my phone, I quickly checked it and saw twenty-six messages and a hundred and sixty missed calls. Only two to three of which weren’t from Leslie.
Without thinking twice, I dialed her number but no one answered. Today is Christmas, she’s probably busy preparing so I pushed my body off the bed to prepare as well.
When I came out of the bathroom, my phone was ringing and I’m getting a call from Kevz. He said he just wanted to check on me and see if I got my senses back.
After our call ended, a notification popped up so I quickly checked it. The notification was for the new pictures David posted.
I was in awe when I saw the post. It's him and Leslie sitting on a swing. She was smiling happily while his arm is wrapped around her shoulders, both posed with a peace sign.
There’s another picture of them with my parents. Another with one with Leslie’s and the last one was all six of them.
‘What the fck is this? A prenup?!’
♫ Kevz ♫
Merry Christmas!
Just like all the past Christmases, it’s tradition for us to meet at the studio. This Christmas is a bit different, however, as we’re incomplete.
Both Kellen and Kale are in France. Partner’s in Quezon and Drew's probably lying naked somewhere out there. So now, it’s just the four of us.
We were all busy with our phones with a beer can in one hand. “Did you see?” I asked all of them and they nodded in unison. “What was that? A prenup?”
“That’s what I want to know too…” we all turned to the door to see Drew, catching his breath. I scoot to give him room to sit and when he did, he grabbed my can of beer and drink from it.
“Why is it like that then?” Roj asked but no one responded to him.
“Now I know why she can’t even answer my calls,” Drew sneered. “She’s busy flirting with my brother. Take note, my brother!” then he threw the can to the wall, startling all of us.
“Hang on, let’s not make assumptions. It might have been taken for fun,” Homme tried to come up with an excuse.
“For fun?! That’s bullshit! If you were to see Kellen in pics like that, will you think it’s for fun?” Drew spatted at him and he bowed his head.
I tried dialing Lemon's number but no one was still answering. We looked at each other before Drew stood up and head backdoor to ask Guido to buy more alcohol.
‘Nice! This will be a drunk Christmas day!’
♫ Drew ♫
I’m furious! I can’t accept Homme’s excuse that it was all done for fun. How can that be fun when everyone knows that it should have been me instead of my brother?
They were still quiet when I came back and sat on the couch. Even Kip can't say anything to defend his cousin.
Suddenly his phone rang and he answered it on speaker. I was expecting Leslie but it turned out to be Kellen.
Kip: Hi twin Merry Christmas!
Kellen & Kale: Merry Christmas!
Kellen: Where are you, Kip?
Kip: I’m at the studio with Homme and the rest of the boys.
Kellen: Have you talked to Lemon?
My attention turned to him at the mention of Leslie’s name.
Kip: The last time we talked was yesterday afternoon. She called to greet us but she hasn’t called again yet. Drew and Kevz have been trying to get in touch with her but she's not answering our call.
“See? I told you something’s up!” Kale commented in the background.
Kip: What happened? Have you talked to her?
Kale: She called me around five in the morning, your time. But I can’t understand what she was saying because we were in the middle of a party.
Kellen: Twin, when Lemon called, she sounded like she was crying. I can hear her sob but I wasn't sure what happened because I can’t hear her clearly. Can you try contacting her or call Aunt Tori if you can't get a hold of her, they’re together anyway.
Kip nodded and bade his twin farewell then he turned to me. “Could it be she was crying out of joy because of their prenup?” Roj butted in. I don’t know if she’s serious or not but I suddenly want to kick his ass.
“Can you try calling your brother?” Kip ordered and I quickly pulled the phone out of my back pocket. But just like Leslie, David’s not answering his phone too. Fortunately, Leslie’s mom answered Kip’s call.
Kip: Hi Auntie Merry Christmas!
Aunt Tori: Hi Kippler! Merry Christmas! What are you calling me for? I believe it’s not just to greet me.
Kip: Yes Auntie, I wanted to greet Lem but she's not answering her phone. Is she with you?
Aunt Tori: No son, she left early with David. They left around eight in the morning and went to the Plaza to stroll.
Kip: Oh really? I wanted to tease her about the pics David posted!
I looked at Kip, in disbelief that he made a way to bring it up.
Aunt Tori: Oh the family pic? It was taken for fun. Her cousin is a photographer and she thought of taking their pictures while they were out in the garden and we joined them.
Kip: I thought it was a prenup pictorial that’s why I wanted to tease her!
Aunt Tori: How can it be when Drew’s her boyfriend!
Kip then looked at me and smiled.
Kip: You knew Auntie?
Aunt Tori: Yes but we only found out last night. You guys are keeping secrets from us! She told everyone last night that they've been going out for months, but not one of you told us. Even Drew didn't tell his parents. Lemon was frustrated because she was trying to call Drew but she can’t get in touch with him.
Kip: Sorry Auntie, we wanted them to tell you first.
Aunt Tori: No problem, son, we understand. But I have to end this call, your Uncle’s calling me, we’re having coffee outside.
And just like that, the call was ended and everyone let out a sigh. “See! I told you it was all for good fun!” Homme was being smug.
I smiled subconsciously when I realized there was nothing for me to be afraid of. But then Kevz just had to cut my celebration short.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked but I shook my head instead of responding to him. “Don’t be too happy, bro! We still don’t know the consequence of your portrayal of the statue of David!”
---
Our celebration of Christmas ended at past one in the morning. From after we talked to Aunt Tori until I reached home, I’ve been trying to call Leslie but to no avail.
I never heard from her until New Year but instead of worrying, I was angry. I can’t think of any reason for her not to call or even message me. But if she really doesn’t want to, fine!
Just like what we usually do, I went to the studio on the 1st of January. When I arrived, only Kip and Homme are there.
They’re in the backyard preparing for our barbecue. After a while, Roj came then Kevz. “Sorry, I’m late! Partner called!” she announced proudly, smiling at the guys except me.
“You talked to her?” I asked, confused and he nodded without looking at me. “Wow! Lucky for you then!” but he didn’t respond.
Kip glanced at me over his shoulder, “You still haven’t talked?” and when I shook my head, he turned to face me, “What did you do this time bro?”
It suddenly got me thinking, ‘Why me? I didn’t do anything wrong? It wasn’t wrong to party with my friends. Fine, let’s say I wasn’t able to answer her call but was that that huge of a deal?!’
“Nothing!” I spat at him while Kevz let out a chuckle. “Is there a problem?” I asked him but he just shook his head at me before drinking from his can of beer.
“Nothing! I just remembered something that’s why…”
Ignoring Kevz, I pulled my phone from my back pocket and tried calling her again. When she didn’t answer still, I decided to just leave her a message.
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. It seems like you’re enjoying your time so much that you have already forgotten about the boyfriend you left here. If you don't want to talk to me for IDK what reason, then say it. But don’t make a fool out of me cause that’s just bullshit!”
I wanted to delete the last part of my message but it was too late, it was already sent. Letting out a sigh, I think of Leslie’s reaction to my message. Then again, I know she’ll understand.