"Arch, is Miles here?"
Umbra hurried inside the room only to see his friend with a girl in an intimate position.
"Uhh..hello? Umm.."
He greeted. Confusions can be felt in his words. Archie knowing this hurriedly responded:
"Umbra, I know what you're thinking, it's not what it seems. I swear!"
Seeing his friend acting frantically, Umbra decided to ask later. He's in a hurry to find his other friend.
" Sorry Arch. Gotta go find Miles first. You can introduce your girlfriend later!"
" HE/SHE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND!!!!"
Both of them shouted at the same time but Umbra is already gone.
...
"See?! You acting horny lead to misunderstanding like these! Sheesh!" Archie shouts embarrassed. His face is shading red.
"Oh come on!! It's not like you didn't enjoy it! " Diana complained back but then realised what she said. Her face went red and the two were in awkward situation.
Archie didn't know what to say. Even though he keeps identifying himself as a playboy, Archie would never get this close with any girls. He has a bad history Something like this is out of ordinary. No girls has ever tried to act like his big sister except that 'one'.
For Diana, this is the first time a boy complained about her teasing. Usually guys would rather prefer to tease her but this boy...
Since they met, his eyes would only look directly in hers unlike other guys who would usually look the other way, not looking directly at her. It's weird, isn't it? That's the only reason why Diana teased this 'playboy'.
"YOUR BIG BRO IS BACK, ARCH. I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU."
"Idiot, keep quiet. Didn't I just tell you to not shout?"
Miles' and Umbra's voices can be heard coming from the hall way. The two finally reacted and before Archie could say anything, Diana rushed outside the room without saying farewell.
"Hey crazy girl! Wait- Huh she's already gone. I was going to introduce her to you, Umbra."
Miles wanted to greet but Diana didn't even stop to spare a glance so he had to retract the supposed greeting hand.
"I know her already, Miles. Arch's girl, right?" Umbra said while his hand pushed the door that was going to close.
"Huh? NO! She's just a new tenant in our orphanage." Miles said while he entered first and Umbra follows behind.
"But I saw them acting intimate?" he asks confused.
Miles' footsteps stopped. He looked back at Umbra with wide eyes full of speechlessness.
"Are you sure?? You're talking about THE "Snow Man" right?? The same guy who always act like a gentlemen but run away from relationships?? THE Archie, our childhood friend??"
"Yes. Yes and yes. I saw them hugging each other. The girl was on top of him. They look quite intimate. Are you sure they're not a couple?"
Miles' eyes got wider as he listened. He provided Umbra with what he knows:
"Well...they only met this afternoon. When the heck did my little bro become a professional in flirting girls? A crazy one at that." The two looked at Archie who was still looking at the door's direction.
Miles shook his friend's shoulder to wake the guy from daydreaming.
"Hey Arch, stop daydreaming! Give us the JUICE! You can sleep later!"
"Uh wh- wha- When did you guys arrive? I thought you were still outside!"
The two look at him deadpan. In their mind :
'My boy has finally grown up..'
"Your stares give me allergies. Please stop. Nothing happened." Archie tried to defuse the situation but it's already too late.
"Yeah. Keep saying it. Even kids won't believe your nonsense."
" Lil bro, how could you lie?? " Miles with his opera acting skills. Even his knees collapsed on the floor as if it has given up all hope.
"Oh god... I failed my duty! Mom must be scolding me from heaven!" His eyes are longingly looking at the orange sky.
This time both Archie and Umbra felt speechless. Then they look at each other in understanding and nodded. Having a delusion childhood friend in your life is indeed rough.
...................................................................................