08 : Hide and Seek

Chester roam around only to find few students inside. He smiled. Few people means few CCTV. He can flirt with Leo with his heart content. He went inside.

"Good morning Leo," he greeted.

The room is not yet crowded. You can count on hand the students inside the room. They're 30 minutes early before the class start. Today's Monday, Steve and Dave are the assigned one to ward in the gate means Leo and him are free this morning.

Leo turn around and greeted back, " Morning Chez."

"How's your weekend?" Chester offer a topic, removing his bag from his back.

Leo unconsciously move the chair so Chester can sit while answering him, " Good."

Minute pass but Chester still didn't sit. The lad just stare at the chair earning a frown from him thinking what's wrong. Leo lookup with a questioning look.

"You aren't going to sit?" he asked pulling Chester out of his thought.

Chester flinched. He's so cruel. How can he be like this? Treating me like a girl, seriously?

"Hey Leo. The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" he said out of the blue but his eyes is intense waiting for reply.

He somehow wish Leo didn't know what those words mean. He said it without even thinking. He's afraid. Afraid of what may happen if Leo knew what those words means. Afraid that if he did, he'll avoid him. Afraid that if he did, he'll look at him disgusted and curse him in his whole life.

He feel guilty. Having a feeling for his friend. Feeling a butterfly in his stomach for every good deed he did for him. Wishing a relationship more than just a friends. He wants more.

But all of those negative thought gone just like a bubble when Leo answered.

"Really? Too bad I didn't see it."

Chester didn't know if he should be happy because of Leo's arrogance, "You're an idiot."

"What the hell?" Leo exclaimed.

Chester shakes his head and sat in his sit. Shortly, Karina approach him and talk about the budget for the event.

Leo just watch the two silently. Chester is indeed good at math, being a treasurer suits him. He sigh while watching Chester explain something to Karina.

𝘐'𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵.

He wants to tell Chez he knew those words. But he suppress it as soon as he saw fear and regret on Chester's eyes. He can't stand it. For the second time Leo sighed.

"What are you sighing about, huh?" Chester look at him.

"Nothing. I just can't understand what you guys are talking about." he excused.

"Try to listen to our math class so you wouldn't feel outcast."

"I prefer to sleep." he yawned, rest his arm on the chair then his head on his arm, "Wake me when the teacher come, Chez."

"You wish," Leo smile hearing Chester's answer. What a badass.

---

"Steve don't be like that to your big bro," Dave teased clinging his arm on Steve's shoulder.

And as usual, Steve removes his hand glaring at him and walk faster. Dave found out that Steve went to school early and he's younger than Dave. All this time, he thought Steve and him are on the same age. He didn't bother to ask this past years because he act so mature. The thought that Steve is older cross his mind but younger? Never.

It's getting on Steve's nerve. He started to get pissed. Dave is pestering him since this morning. He accidentally mention his age on their text last night. He knew it. Dave didn't bother him last night. He asked him why and the pester answered,

"Teasing you on the text isn't fun. I wouldn't see your reaction."

They're currently walking to student council's office. They'll held a meeting to talk about the upcoming.

"Just call me big bro once promise I will stop teasing you." Dave convinced him.

"How can I be so sure you will stop? I know you since forever, fuck off."

Dave gasped hearing him curse, " Kiddo you shouldn't curse big bro."

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

Steve purposely widen his every step and neglect Dave. The younster burst out laughing while watching the figure of Steve whose raising his hand and salute his middle finger.

He's far away from the quiet Steve he knew when angry. So reckless and badass. He wants to tease him more. It's entertaining to see the angry side of Steve. He'll turn red as if he'll about yo explode and do unexpected things. He curse a lot when mad.

"The hell Dave faster." Steve shouted.

"Coming!" He shouted back laughing.

All of the member of the council are already inside when they arrive.

"You're red Steve," Karina commented.

"Am I?" He didn't notice.

"Yes, you okay?" Karina touch his forehead.

"I'm fine," Steve give her a reassuring smile.

Chester fake a cough, "shall we start?"

Steve didn't notice the members looking at them. His eyes obliviously search and met Dave's. No trace of liveliness, it's back on being serious and Steve remember the what happen last week. Their arguments, what Dave said.

𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦. 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

Steve suddenly feel uneasiness as if he did something wrong and move away from Karina. His stomachaches.

The room filled with awkward silent. They're all sitting. Dave in the center, on his left side is Steve and on the right side is Karina.

When there's a meeting Karina usually sit beside Steve but now it's Chester who's sitting next to him. Karina wanted to push Chester away. She wants to sit next to him. She wants to get closer to him. But she restrain herself because Steve is the one who wants to sit next to Chester. She respect his decision. She doesn't want to force him. Besides there's still a lot of chance, it's not like this is the last meeting.

Steve and Karina's eyes met. Karina suddenly feel shy, she was caught looking at him. He gave her a small smile that she pay with a small smile too.

A loud thud from Dave's hand interrupt them. It's so loud, Steve is sure it sting.

"Let's start."

The discussion begun. On the last meeting, they decided each grade level will have a representative to perform in the stage at 5 pm before the closing ceremony at the last day of event. It will last for 3 days. The first day is all about games connected to education like quizzes. The second day is about team building where games should be play by the whole class. Last is an off topic game and booth like marriage booth, couple game, and such. Chester gave the possible budget to Dave so they can give it to their student council adviser.

"It's all settle. Steve and his big bro will take care of everything." Dave said.

"Big bro? I thought you don't have siblings," Leo asked.

"Indeed. His big bro I'm talking about is me—

Dave's words were interrupt when Steve throw a paper in his face, "You can leave now. It's getting late. Good work everyone."