Chapter 19

Author's POV

Lan was seated on the couch wrapped in a duvet watching the new series of vampire diaries . He was so deep in the movie that he didn't notice when the front door opened. The sound of footsteps announcing the entry.

His eyes turned to the door. A huge smile made its way on his face as he unwrapped himself and ran to give his mom a hug.

"Oh my baby... "Mrs Lucy raveled in the warm hug her son was providing her. A warm smile on her face.

She kissed his cheeks with so much love. "How are you my dear? "She asked warmly.

"I'm fine mum, I should be asking how you are "Lan said, a sad smile on his face.

" Don't worry child, I'm fine, you're my greatest support" She kissed his temple.

... your naughty brother included"She added once she realized she had more than one son.

Lan chuckled and pulled her down with him on the couch.

His eyes racked her. Her hair was disheveled, eye bags under her eyes. She looked tired and in need of rest.

"Come let me take you upstairs, you need a warm bath and some sleep. "He said pulling her up on her feet .

" Don't worry sweetie, I can still pull up a few muscles to prepare dinner" She dropped her bag ready to go prepare dinner for later.

Lan held her back giving her a displeased look.

"No you can't. You need rest. Nate and I would order pizza so you don't need to worry"he smiled reassuring her.

Mrs Lucy patted his head, accepting his help up the stairs.

Once he got her safely to her room, he massaged her feet and prepared a bath for her, leaving her to relax.

The pizza was delivered later. Nate took his share to his room locking himself in for the rest of the night.

Lan preserved his mom's share in a bid not to disturb her sleep.

He went to his room and cozied up on his bed munching on his pizza while binge watching his favorite band's new release.

A message from an unknown number popped up on his screen distracting him from the movie he was watching.

He etched his eyebrows as he stared at the message.

Unknown:Are you still up?

Lan:Who is this?

Few seconds later a new message popped up.

Unknown: It's Mark.

Lan's eye's widened as he stared at the message. A bubbly feeling in his tummy. He saved the number immediately and texted him back.

Lan:Hey Mark. How'd you get my number?

Mark:Pearl gave it to me. Are you upset?

Lan scoffed at the puppy eyes attached to the message.

Lan:Nope. But you'd have just ask me for it you know,I would have given you.

Mark: I couldn't.You were so upset today that it wasn't easy talking to you.

Lan felt bad when he read the message. His heart ached at how badly he treated all of them due to his anger most especially Mark and Pearl.

Lan: I'm sorry I snapped at you.

He apologized with a smiley emoji.

Mark:How about you apologise better by going out with me.

Lan stared at the message confused. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest.

Lan:A-are you asking me out on a date?

He kept watching his phone, waiting for a new message to pop up. Somehow he felt like he just blew it. His mind was already processing a 1001 better response he should have made.

"Was it to direct? Or maybe I miss understood his intentions"He kept biting his fingers anxiously waiting.

Mark: What if I am? What would be your reply ?

His mind went blank but not his heart for it was pumping rather loudly in his chest.

He wasn't sure if it was out of excited or shock.

His fingers shook as he typed in a reply.

Lan: Are you?

His lower lips was brutally being abused by his teeth as he nervously bit them.

"I feel so scared. But scared of what?" He mumbled to himself. His song and pizza long forgotten. A new message popped up.

Mark:Will you go out with me Lan?

Immediately Lan read the message his body shivered like it was just hit with a huge cold air.

His cheeks felt so hot as he tried containing his excitement.

His mind kept playing images of Mark in his head making his cheeks warm. He felt this unexplainable likeness towards Mark that scared the crap out him.

He wasn't sure if it was because of how nice he was or how caring but somehow his name leaves tiny butterflies in his tummy. His cheeks stretched out in a smile.

His mood changed as he caught his expression in the mirror facing his bed.

Immediately he dialed Pearl's line. As soon as it connected he spoke without letting her speak .

"I think am gay!"he yelled into the phone. Eyes as wide as saucers. The feeling of dreed and shame encompassed him.

"Woah woah!okay.....calm down Lan, breathe"Pearl replied trying to calm him down

" I can't breathe. I am gay!" He yelled freaking out.

"I'm definitely sure you can breathe even if you're gay Lan" Pearl teased him.

" I'm serious pearl"Lan grumbled.

Pearl chuckled " Fine fine. How'd you find out?" She asked amused.

"Mark. He umm..he messaged me and then told me that he wants to go out with me. Pearl I am freaking out,I think I am gay!"He spoke feeling scared.

Pearl laughed finding his statement funny.

"Oohh...so you and Mark---"

"That's not the point here Pearl."He cut her off annoyed.

" Fine okay"She chuckled.

"I'm not surprised though. You had the tendency of being gay" She sounded certain.

Lan raised a brow "And what does that mean?" He asked offended.

A message popped up.

Mark:Are you still there. I'm sorry it was just a joke.

The color in Lan's face drained off when he saw the message.

"Lan? Are you still there?"Pearl asked when his other end went quiet.

"Y-yeah. Forget it,he was just joking"he replied feeling sad.

" No he wasn't. I think he likes you alot Lan,I have noticed it. My doubts were confirmed when he asked me of your number"She replied.

Lan stared at the message in doubt.

" Are you sure?" he asked uncertain.

"Yeah,go for it."she replied.

" So... you're not bothered that I might be gay?" He asked biting his lip.

Pearl snickered" You're gay,not might and fool even if you were a fish I would still be your friend. Plus I need me a gay best friend"she replied sassily.

Lan smiled cheekily at her response.

"B-but what about---"

"Don't think about anything or anyone and just say yes fool. He's worried he overstepped his boundaries and upset you"She replied chuckling.

" How'd you know?"Lan arched his brow.

"Dude! he just messaged saying how big of a mistake this was. Please just reply before I become the first one to murder a person through the phone. He's disturbing my phone!"She groaned.

Lan chuckled and ended the call.

"Don't overthink it,no bad thoughts"He mumbled to himself. He took in a deep breath to calm his heart down.

Lan:I will go out with you,that's if you're still up for it.

He gnared on his lips waiting for a reply. The reply was fast as his phone buzzed almost immediately.

He stared at the number calling him,his heart pounding loudly.

"H-hello?"he replied in a low voice.

"Lan?"Mark said.

" Yeah am here"Lan replied awkwardly.

"So....ummm..yeah the offer's still open. Where would you like to go?"Mark asked also freaking out.

This was something he has never done before so it felt weird hearing himself ask a boy out especially his best friends brother.

"Anywhere you'd like"Lan replied shy.

"Okay..um..after school tomorrow?"Mark asked.

Lan's cheeks flushed " Okay"he replied timidly.

"I will wait for you after class in the gym"Mark said smiling on the other end.

"G-goodnight Mark" he stuttered out.

Mark smiled on the other end of the call. His cheeks rosy. He laid on his bed,the phone to his ear and a stupid grin on his face.

"Goodnight Lan"he replied warmly.

A huge smile made its way on Lan's face.

"Goodnight Mark"he said again, looking dazed.

Mark chuckled"Goodnight Lan...again."he said amused.

The call got disconnected but lan still had the phone clutched to his ears. A look of disbelief coupled with excitement and fear on his face.

"This is really happening.." He mumbled dazed.