♫ Lemon ♫
I feel so drained of energy after coming back from the holidays. But it was refreshing to see the guys. It’s just sad that we didn’t get to spend the holidays together like we used to.
Although we're able to call each other, it still feels different when we’re together. The vibe’s different, everything is.
When Dave’s car stopped, I bade him farewell right away. I even stopped him from coming out since I know he’s tired too. He needs to be home soon and rest.
The housekeepers greeted me as soon as I opened the door so I left my luggage with them and run upstairs. I plopped on my bed and I seem to have fallen asleep immediately.
When I woke up, it was already past eight in the evening so I headed to the bathroom and took a shower. I dressed up right away and left for my condo. I need to be back since we already have classes tomorrow.
When I stepped out of the house, my phone started ringing. It was a call from Drew and I can't even count anymore how many times he's called me since Christmas Day, but I didn’t bother answering even one of them.
I don’t know too. I can’t force myself to talk to him. Maybe I’m scared of what might come out of my mouth.
It was already past nine when I reached my condo. As soon as I came out of the elevator, it was Drw I saw, standing right in front of my door.
I hid beside the elevator, making sure he won’t see him. However, ten minutes already passed and he was still there so I decided to leave for the studio.
When I got there, the lights on the terrace are still on. It’s dark on the first floor so it got me wondering who left the lights out or better yet, who’s there at this time.
On my way to the room, I noticed a silhouette sitting on the railings so I detoured. “Partner?” I asked, surprised and confused.
“Partner?” he called back.
“Why are you still here?”
He held out his hand as I approach him and I reached out for it. He pulled me closer for a hug before cupping my face.
“Partner you know I'm always here for you right?” I nodded at him with my forehead creased. “You know you can talk to me whenever you’re going thru something, right?” again, I nodded. “It's not bad to keep secrets. Each one of us got burdens that we can’t easily share with others. But when it comes to the point that you need someone to share it with, please know that I’m here. Whatever it is you’re going thru right now, I know you can get over it. But when you start feeling like you can’t anymore, I’m here.”
I stared at him for a moment. God knows how thankful I am for having Kevz in almost everything I've been through these past years. I smiled before hugging him.
“Thank you,” I whispered as I try to hold back the tears that threatens to flow.
“You know you're the sister I never had so I’ll fight for you and with you until the end. Whenever you need me, I assure you that I’ll be there on your first call,” I nodded my head for the nth time before brushing the hair off of his forehead.
“But why are you here?” I asked again as he didn’t answer the first time.
“Drew came earlier,” and that got my attention. “He said his dad told him about you. That you locked yourself for a day inside the room. We were thinking about what could've happened to you and I didn’t notice they already left. But since I’m feeling lazy to go home, I decided to stay here for a while,” he explained lengthily. “How about you? Why are you here?”
“Because… Drew’s waiting for me outside my unit,” I muttered. Kevz stared at me. He looked like he wanted to ask something but chose not to. “He didn't see me and I don't want him to see me so I came here.”
“So the problem has something to do with Drew? Because if that’s not the case, you won't be avoiding him,” I nodded to answer his question, and even before I say something, he cut me in. “I won't force you to tell me what's going on Partner. I'll wait for the time when you’re ready.”
Kevz and I decided to sleep at the studio. We have clothes there that we can wear for school anyway. We stayed up a bit conversing until we both succumbed to sleep.
Our phones started alarming at seven sharp. Kevz asked Lyra to prepare us breakfast while we get ready for school.
After dressing up and eating, we decided to walk to school. The studio’s not far from SMU anyway, it’s a good exercise too.
When we reached the girl, an unfamiliar girl greeted us. Actually, he greeted Kevz who nodded at her in return.
“You’re Drew’s bandmate right?” she asked in an annoyingly flirtatious tone, again, Kevz just nodded at her. “Has he been busy? We didn’t see him after the party. He didn’t attend our countdown party too,” she pouted.
Kevz and I looked at each other, our foreheads creased. He then turned to the girl, “I’m not sure. The band’s on breaking for the holidays,” he told her.
Instead of responding to Kevz, the girl talking to her raised a hand to call someone. “Nica!” I automatically turned to look at the girl she just called.
When I saw the girl, I suddenly felt cold from head to toe. My hands started shaking uncontrollably and I feel like I’m about to throw up.
As I wasn’t feeling good, I excused myself from Kevz and the girl he was talking to and headed inside the campus. I went straight to the restroom near Batibot.
As soon as I reached the sink, I let out everything. It seems like everything I ate this morning came out. When I checked myself in the mirror, my face is white as paper.
I tried recalling the face of the girl named Nica. I know I can’t be mistaken. She’s the exact same girl from the pictures.
Something suddenly popped in my head. That’s the same name mentioned by our schoolmates last time. The one they said looks good with Drew. So that's definitely not their first meeting.
‘What do they do when they meet?’
While thinking, I feel like my world’s starting to spin. After that, I can’t recall anything. I then woke up to someone tapping my arm.
Looking around, all I see are walls painted in white. There’s someone next to me that’s putting cotton close to my nose, it smells like ammonia too.
Slowly turning my head to the side, I almost threw up when I recognized who it was. Drew looked sad and worried while tapping my arm lightly.
“Leslie? Are you ok?” he asked but before I could answer, he stood up to call the nurse.
I wanted to run away from him. I really don’t think I can face him right now. Thankfully, the nurse came in followed by Kevz.
“Partner, are you ok?” he asked so I nodded and smiled lazily at him.
The nurse asked me several things but I’m not sure if answered them correctly. She said I faint inside the restroom and the students who saw me were the ones who take me to the clinic.
I was told to stay if I’m not feeling good yet. I’m also allowed to go home and I will be given an excuse letter for my classes.
Without thinking twice, I agreed. “I’ll stay here and rest for now,” I told her before turning to Kevz and pointing at Drew with my eyes.
I was relieved when Kevz got what I’m trying to say. “Let’s go, dude! Let her rest for now. We got classes to anyway,” then he pulled him up.
Drew looked at me so I quickly lay down, facing the wall. Good thing that he let Kevz pull him out without trying to talk to me again.
When I heard the door of the clinic closed, I stood up and fix myself. I told the nurse I’ll go home instead, assuring her that I’m ok.
I texted Kevz before I left the clinic. I told him I’m going home to my condo and I’ll just see him tomorrow.
When I passed the parking lot, I was even surprised to see him there. He said he went there after separating from Drew. “Are you sure you can go home by yourself?” he asked.
“Yes, Partner. I’ll rest home so I can attend our classes tomorrow,” he nodded slowly and led me out.
He came out with me to wait for a cab as he refused for me to walk home. He even reminded me to send him a message once I arrived.
Recalling the look on Drew’s face earlier, I wanted to believe that he’s really worried for me. Then again, the pictures I saw say otherwise.