"We became friends in odd ways. But we're not that close. You know—like good friends, not best friends. It was probably the third week of the 1st month this year," he concludes.
"So that was it..? He attended a few classes at the beginning then?" I ask, trying to coax out more from him.
"Oh sure he did," he says finishing my cup in one go cause the tea was cold already.
"It was February when it happened."
"Do you know what happened?"
"I know what everybody else knows, Saint. I just don't believe Damien."
"You think you can share it with me?" I ask while changing into my home's usual shirt.
"Am I hearing you right?" Chris jumps onto the bed. "You asking something of Damien? More importantly a gossip topic!" He puts both of his hands on my shoulders. I discern surprise in his voice.
"Have you ever heard of the phrase, Keeping thy enemy closer?" I squint with a satisfied look in my face. "I just wish to get to know the ground on which I'll be treading."
"Always the cold hard answer. But I'm not surprised anymore." He makes me sit beside him. "So the thing is... He beat up Josh Martin from Class B freshman year."
What? "Uhh... Josh Martin? As in Joshua Martin? Whose father does a lot of charity work...what's his name again?" I try to remember hard.
"Yeah that's the one. Sean Martin aka philanthropist Dr. Martin," Chris answers. "What an ass of a son he got huh... Serves him right though. He's too good, to let his son become a high quality asshole," he snickers.
Damien beat Dr. Martin's son, a junior...but why? I've heard quite a few things about Josh as well. He's studying music too but I don't get why. He's terrible at playing instruments and his voice's like a frog's burping. He's colored, unlike his father cause Dr. Martin married a colored woman. I only saw him couple of times before. Can't say I like that guy either. Not because he's black but...he's spoiled.
"So he was suspended for 3 months?" I ask wondering what happened to Joshua later.
"No my friend." Chris licks his lower lip in an impatient manner. "Who would dare suspend Damien Frost? He was...on leave. Joshua was admitted to hospital for a short period of time. And so was Damien. It's just Damien recovered quicker than Josh."
"So no punisher? No guilty conscience?"
He pinches the bridge of his nose. "What guilty conscience? Damien took all the blame! He was on detention for a month too. He's not usually like that Saint...unless it's something serious."
I rub the corners of my eyebrows impelling him to go on.
"Damien basically recovered within three weeks. He just didn't come to school for two months more taking some time off for himself. On the other hand that Josh guy acted like he's the true victim."
"So what really caused this violent clash?"
"If I knew, I wouldn't have confronted him about it that day," Chris grinds his teeth furiously. "That's another reason why Four of Clubs' popularity has been decreased lately. Even though they've been inactive for two years now. They need a proper dashing comeback Saint—with a new name, with a new face."
Now that makes much more sense. Donna did mention it. "So I'm not the only reason why Damien's popularity has tapered off," I mutter under my breath without realising that Chris's near.
"What did you say?" His ears perk up.
"No-nothing! Uh Chris?"
"Yes?"
"Why would anyone take a false blame?"
Chris only stares blankly at me with no explanation. It's quite a mystery huh... Guess I'll never know. Who's gonna ask that moron about it? He might end up teasing me which I certainly don't like.
To deviate both of our minds off the topic I ask Chris, "What about your new assignment partner, Lucky duck?"
He grins coyly. "I...uh... Henrietta asked me to be her partner. She's a nice girl. I think she kinda likes me."
"Ooh don't get ideas. You already have your pot girlfriend," I tease.
His gaze falls, now a shade of gloom floating atop. "We...broke up."
What? Didn't he love that pot girl so crazily? But I shouldn't press him if he isn't comfortable about it.
"That's why I wanted to talk to you that day... And also, to apologise to you," he reveals. "But you brushed me off venting with that Kennedy Frost's son. She was an addict..."
"Only now you're realising that?" I give him a severe look that says—Told ya buddy.
"It's not only that Saint," he adds again. "When we seek escape through addiction it harms our body. But when we seek escape with someone else it harms one's heart."
"She wasn't... Did she?"
He blinks in affirmation. "She was half naked kissing a guy older than me in a bar 5 days ago. Never for once I thought of cheating on her Saint!" His eyes glisten but then he hugs me abruptly. "I missed you Saint. Without you who's Chris Issac?"
"Okay okay... I forgive you." I pat on his back gently. He tightens his arms around me.
"Okay now it's too tight. Chris... Release me. I forgive you."
He chuckles in my ear. "Now beg me to. What can you do now hah?!"
"Ow... Okay please. Stop Chris... I...aahaha" I end up laughing like him.
••••
Sleep still doesn't come even after spending the evening with Chris—hanging out like we do and stuff. I can be...no, I will be diagnosed with insomnia if I go to a doctor. Ever since mom and dad's cold feud resulted in this permanent split...when I turned 18. It's been 2 years already.
There are total five types of insomnia and I've been experiencing it since then. It's not chronic but I also have no idea when this suffering would end. It's hard...falling asleep. What's more infuriating is if I somehow fall asleep and then a noise or something wakes me up in the middle of it—it's worse than the previous state. A year ago I tried sleeping pills without diagnosis. It works like butter but the after effects are sometimes—grave. But I guess I'll have to depend on it again.
••••
The next day when I arrive in school I see Zeb and the other two giving me a deer caught in the headlight look—as if I'm the headlight. But Damien isn't present today. Guess he needs rest today as well. Did he tell them about my visit? What does it matter anyway... They'll have gratitude for me if they know. But why does it make me uneasy? In a weirdly good way.
I ignore them focusing on the book laid out in front of me. Chris waved me when I entered. Things are now good between us. I don't like to be mad at anyone and I don't lose my temper easily. But to be honest I don't even know what will happen if someone makes me too furious, cause I haven't discovered my total anger level yet.
When the third class ends I receive a notification. "Are you still in school?"
Damien? I have his number but I haven't added it yet. I asked for his number from Donna yesterday. He doesn't know that I have it so I can play for a bit. "Who's this?" I send the text.
"You know who," the reply arrives quickly.
"Should I know?" I type back.
"Stop playing already." Another message follows by. "I'm feeling a little better now. Come to my place after you're done with those boring classes of yours. I don't like working alone."
How did he know that I'm playing..? "Is it an order or a request? Coming from that big guy who was dying yesterday?" I send the voice message. An intentional blissful smile forms on my lips against my will.
"Why are you blushing?" Chris tries to peek at my phone.
"Wh-what? No! Are you blind?" I scowl hiding my phone.
"Ha ha ha... Maybe I know the reason," he mumbles.
"Oh shut up you idiot. Go make a move on that new girl instead of wasting your time on me."
"Sure sure. Ha ha..." He moves away still chuckling.
"Why do you sound like a new wife teasing her husband?" I play his voice message as it pops up barely 2 seconds after my previous message. "You have to be productive as well. We have to compose a song in case you forgot."
Ugh...that asshole! Wife my ass! I'll see you Damien. I'm coming.
••••
On my way out I bump into a girl.
"My bad. I apologise... I didnt watch where I was going."
"It's not a problem... really." The shy familiar voice belongs to Henrietta, Chris's maybe-crush.
"I...uh Saint..."
She wants to say more. "Is there something you want to talk about?" I ask reading her hesitant curious face.
"You're...Chris's best friend right?"
I nod. I haven't seen another girl as reserved and gentle spoken as her in my class. Almost every other girl wants my attention—badly. And my number too.
"Would you mind adding me as your friend too? I don't have many friends. Since Chris and I are working as a team and... I could ask for your help if it wouldn't bother you too much..?" She forwarded her phone towards me with a hopeful glint.
What a pleasant way of asking my number. "I can't say no, can I?" I laugh awkwardly.
She gives me a coy smile. Any boy would melt for that smile. But not me. "If you are uncomfortable with my suggestion I cannot forcefully ask you to do it, now can I? I'm sorry for bothering you Saint...it was merely a request."
"Alright alright. Here." I put my number in her phone. "Just don't call or text me after 10p.m. or in the morning." Sleeping is a wrestling match for me anyway.
"I would never! Thank you Saint."
I see her leaving. She's cute and convincing. I can see now why Chris said she's a nice girl. I only hope she didn't choose Chris as a partner only to get to me.
••••
When I reach at his place I find Damien tugging at the strings of his guitar inattentively.
Hearing my footsteps he asks, "What took you so long?"
Now I have to tell everything that happens in my life? "I was caught up with something. Nevermind. I'm here now."
"Right." He arches a brow at me. "Can you play guitar?"
"No. But I can play piano." Not that I like it either. Mom's habits of implementing her dreams onto my shoulders... I had to learn piano when I was in high school.
"I have an electric one in the next room. Wait let me fetch it here." When he brings the piano I notice a coat of dust settled on the upper side and its corners. He hasn't played it in a long time that's for sure.
"I know what you're thinking."
"Do you?" I purse my lips. I see his room is rather tidied up today.
"I haven't touched it since she passed on." His usual fiery eyes are now dripping with untold fond emotions of someone he loved deeply.
"It was my 12th birthday gift from her," he says again. "Mom was the only one who could see how driven I am about music."
So it's only Kennedy Frost and his son now? But I heard he has a wife. Did he remarry? But I don't want to pry... He's driven by passion isn't he? Something I'd never get to have a strive for.
I wipe off the dust with a cloth. He puts my hand on the piano. He wants me to play hm?
I start playing the tune of a song I recently came across and liked it instantly.
{Rate please. It motivates me.}