Chapter 40 - Make your wish

― It's been a while since we went out together, what's up Leonardo?

Arranging his backpack on his shoulder, the university student opened a playful smile to the group of friends.

― Things at work have been really busy lately. We started a project for a new show for next season.

Rafael and Juliano looked at each other a bit surprised to see that their friend seemed committed to his new work. Leonardo usually didn't talk much about things outside of college, which meant he didn't get involved with much. But since he had been hired as an intern something seemed to have changed.

The three friends walked through the university corridors, heading outside, still talking about Leonardo's work.

― And that friend of yours, is he okay? I never brought him to the bar again.

― If things are already hard for me, a mere trainee, imagine for Aslan ― laughed the brunette with his hands in his pockets.

― Why is that? He happens to have a higher position than you?

― Ah crap.

Juliano's discouragement caught the attention of the other two, and they stopped walking when they noticed the guy leaning against the black chevette. That unpleasant guy seemed to be having fun with his friends by purposely hugging the girl.

Why did he always have to meet them?

When he finally got rid of their presence at the bar, now he had to put up with them from college?

― That sucks.

― And he's still with his friends.

― What to do? I have an appointment soon ― Leonardo mumbled thoughtfully, leaving his hands in his pockets ― Oh, this is definitely exhausting.

Whenever the subject was Patrícia and Alex things never ended well. Only this time Leonardo didn't feel as uncomfortable as usual. It was more like... tired. He was tired of having to deal with his ex-friend's personality.

― If you want, we can come with you.

The affection he received on his shoulder was a sign worthy of a friend. Leonardo could count on Rafael and Juliano for anything, even if they were going to get into a fight. But Leonardo did not want to involve his friends.

They always found a way to intervene and protect him, as if the simple fact of seeing those two together could break him in a thousand pieces. Maybe that's how it used to be.

― I'll be fine. See you tonight!

Waving to his friends, Leonardo continued his way to the car. As he approached, he soon got Alex's attention, who smiled openly and maliciously. The group of friends that were with him also seemed to be amused to see the brunette approaching.

― Would you guys excuse me? I want to go out with my car.

― Oh, is that your old tin can? ― Alex laughed, pointing to the chevette.

― You should know, since you've hitchhiked to it several times.

While Alex undid the pretentious smile, Leonardo grabbed the car keys in his backpack waiting for the back ones to be lifted from the bonnet of the car. Yet neither of them seemed to move.

― You should be more polite when asking something to a person.

― I already asked, are you going deaf?

― Your tongue is loose, you bastard ― growled Alex ― Today you are not accompanied by your bodyguards.

― Alex, no fights, please ― asked the girl, pulling away from the hug to get up from the bonnet― Sorry, Leo. We thought the car belonged to a friend of ours since it has the same model.

Leonardo turned his face without answering.

― Whatever.

Opening the car door, Leonardo threw the bag in the back seat. A phone ringing made him grab the phone from his trousers pocket, twisting his nose to see who was calling.

Why would Vicente be calling him if he knew he was in college at this time?

Answering the call, he took a deep breath for whatever conversation he would have.

― Hello.

― Leo ― The excited voice on the other end of the line had startled him ― It's Benjin, have you left your class yet?

Leonardo shivered and blushed just hearing Benjin's voice on the phone. It was the first time they had talked on the phone, and it sounded like the puppet was excited. He could imagine him as a dog eager to see his master.

Although his imagination carried a very innocent image of Benjin, his memories of the previous night completely contradicted it. There was nothing innocent about the burning desire in his touches and the husky tone of his voice.

― Yes already, I'm in the car park about to leave.

Leonardo's eyes went to Alex who was staring at him without having gotten up from the bonnet. Shamelessly he returned the look and still teasing the brunette seemed to enjoy getting in the way of his exit.

― I was wondering if we could have lunch together today.

― You have circus rehearsal, don't you?

― But I can have lunch with you when you arrive.

― I still have to go to the hospital to pick up Aslan and see that girl. I'll be too long and it might delay your rehearsals. Just eat and do your work.

He heard a sigh on the other end of the line. Had he been discouraged? Had he been too harsh in his words? He was genuinely worried that his whole schedule would be disrupted. Vincent was always fighting with Benjin for skipping his rehearsals when Leonardo was around.

― If I say it's all right, it is. Or do you want to avoid me after yesterday?

Covering his hot face, Leonardo was overwhelmed by memories of the previous night. For heaven's sake, just to mention anything would be enough to make him ashamed.

― I'm not avoiding you.

― But you were already gone when I woke up. And I usually get up first.

Leonardo had to admit he was partly right about avoiding him. Just as he had avoided thinking about it all morning, because his heart was already racing and the heat was suddenly unsettling him.

Scratching the back of his neck, Leonardo sighed in defeat. He would have to face those feelings sooner or later. Just as Aslan had said.

― All right then. As soon as I arrive at the mansion I'll go straight to the circus and we can eat together. Order some snacks and wait for me.

― Really? Oh, I'm so glad, Leo.

― So you're calling your little friends to get me out of here? You're such a wimp you can't do anything on your own?

Alex's shout was so loud that Leonardo could not hide the horror of his words. Not because he felt offended, but because he feared that Benjin would hear.

He didn't need to know about Alex's existence. Nor of all the history they had with Patricia.

― So, is that okay? ― resumed the young master trying to calm down ― I want a hamburger and a soft drink.

― Hamburger? You really like snacks. All right, I'll get it for you.

― Or are you by any chance calling that brat you've been sleeping with, huh faggot? Leonardo is a faggot, it rhymes!

Leonardo's fingers were tight against the wheel when Alex started to slap the bonnet. His blood boiled as he became angry.

― Leo... Who's near you?

Frowning at Alex in his rising anger, the university student clenched his fingers on the steering wheel trying to restrain himself.

― An inconvenience.

If it wasn't enough for Alex to ignore Patrícia's requests to leave Leonardo alone, continuing his provocations, his friends also seemed to enjoy themselves. There were four more who formed that unpleasant group that laughed with the offences.

It was one of them, a frowning boy who had stared at Leonardo and then suddenly pointed at the brunette.

― You're that guy from the circus! ― he shouted in surprise. ― You were kissing that trapeze artist.

How did he know?

Leonardo had forgotten that Benjin was still on the phone, or even his appointment at the hospital. Did anyone know that he stayed with Benjin?

Did that guy happen to work at the circus and was he at the barbecue the day before? He'd never even considered that someone who worked there was at his university. For heaven's sake, he had kissed Benjin in front of all the staff!

― I don't believe it! Are you really a faggot?

Alex slammed the bonnet under laughter. Scandalous about creating his own theatre only increased Leonardo's fury. His heart was beating fast and his muscles were tingling.

He wanted to punch him.

Enough to make his face unrecognisable.

― Leo? Are you still there? What's going on?

All he asked was for the chance to make that insufferable guy shut up and wipe that debauched grin off his face. The desire grew as it was provoked, making his anger increase exponentially.

It wouldn't matter if he got in trouble with his course coordinator.

It wouldn't matter if he got beaten.

He just wanted the chance to make him shut the fuck up.

― I didn't know you liked getting fucked, Leonardo! How much time is it to fuck you, huh?

― If that is what you wish, then do it ― The voice on the other side of the line sounded like Benjin's, only scarier for its seriousness ― No one will blame you.

His head seemed in the clouds.

He could only vividly feel that anger burning in his chest. That frightening voice spoke words seductive enough for Leonardo to turn on his car. A smile appeared on his face, as he stepped on the accelerator without leaving the place.

The others had already moved away as soon as they heard the engine start, Alex being the only one to stay as if he was defying.

― Come to me, Leo. I'll grant your wish.

Shifting gears, Leonardo had driven off with the car even though Alex was sitting on the bonnet. Frightened, the young man threw himself on the ground shouting to the brunette that finally left the college car park.

― I'll be back soon, Ben.