June didn't mean anything to me. There wasn't a national holiday, it wasn't my birthday month, and there weren't any events that I was looking forward to. However, this year was different.
This year… On the fourteenth of June… I became a boyfriend for the first time in my life.
Truth to be told, the writing has been on the wall for the longest time. It was evident that Althea and I had developed a dependency far beyond regular friends. Even before we got together and before she confessed, we were already spending almost every waking hour together.
It didn't matter if we were exercising, cooking, eating, working, studying, watching shows, going out for groceries, or even simple outdoor excursions. Althea and I were always attached to the hip.
So… When we did become a couple, an important question arose.
What does a boyfriend do?
Does he plan dates for his girlfriend? Does he hold the door when she walks into the room? Or does he protect her from all sorts of harm?
Honestly, I wasn't very sure. It was my first time in a relationship, after all. And when I asked Althea about it…
"Hmmm, I'm fine if we remain like always, though?"
"Remain like always?"
"I mean… We were already doing couple-things before, right? We can just continue from there. Ah, maybe add a little more cuddling?"
"... You little fox."
I laughed as my finger pinched her dainty nose. Then, I brought my arms over her shoulders and pushed her into my chest. "Like this?"
"Mmmm, not enough!" Althea rolled her face the other way and slithered her body against mine. She found a comfortable spot before pushing me down on the couch. "Yeap, much better!" After she had finally settled down, the little imp wrapped her legs around my pelvis and sat up in a mount position. Finally, she whispered:
"Desir..."
"Hmmm? What is it?"
"Hehe, nothing! I just wanted to say your name!"
"Oh," I raised my eyebrows, confused by her reasoning. Still, it wasn't bothering me, so I largely ignored it.
"Desir!"
"Yes, Althea?"
"Hehe, stroke my head!"
"As you wish, my Princess."
I started with her cheeks, and the girl responded by leaning into my hands with an intoxicated look. I made my way down her face and gently tickled her chin, and finally, I rested my chin above her head, using my free hand to soothe her into happiness.
Althea wiggled her body so that her back faced my front, and we could begin spooning one another. Seriously… I'm amazed at how adept we were at cuddling. Yes, during our month-long provisional relationship, we cuddled plenty. Still, as a new couple, we were able to match our rhythm without even saying anything.
It was almost scary how compatible we were.
Still, something was biting at my chest. This was my first time being a boyfriend; no, this is my first time in an intimate relationship. And while Althea was satisfied with the status quo, I highly doubted that it was enough.
While still caressing her hair, I asked: "Althea, when you went out with other guys, what did they do to make you happy?"
"Hmmm, I'd never gotten to this stage of a relationship with anyone else, and truth to be told… None of them ever made me truly happy."
"O-Oh..."
I blushed at Althea's declaration. There wasn't a shred of falsehood in her words, which meant that I was the only man that she'd ever opened up fully to. That degree of trust was something that tickled the cockles of my heart.
Fortunately, the girl wasn't able to see my reddened face due to her position, so she continued: "If you're really worried about it… Why don't you ask someone with experience? Someone that you can rely on."
"Someone that-... Oh, Len?"
Althea was right. The only person that I could rely on for matters regarding relationships… There was only Len. But Len and I hadn't really talked since our fight at the pub. Furthermore, with the provisional relationship and the two weeks of heartbreak… I wasn't in any condition to speak to anyone else.
As a consequence, I had been ignoring Len's messages and calls.
"That's right… Isn't it about time you made up with him?"
"You're right..."
It wasn't strange for Althea to know about our little spite. Throughout our rocky start of a relationship, Althea kept in contact with Sienna. I've heard from Althea that Sienna was one of her advisers when it came to seducing me as well.
During her consultations, it wouldn't be strange for Sienna to let it slip that I was in a cold war with Len.
"While I understand that you may have felt betrayed, Len only said those things from the good of his heart. He really cares for you, Desir. More so than anyone else."
"... You're right."
Althea's words pierced daggers through my chest. Thinking back, maybe I overreacted that night. Because of my stubbornness, I'd negatively cancelled the one person that actually stood by my side all these years.
It was truly my fault.
"Do you think that he'll forgive me?"
"Hehe, of course he will!" Althea tapped my chest to reassure me. "The two of you have been friends for so long! If he doesn't forgive you, who else would? However, Sienna said that the apology has to come from you. Len might not be as hard-headed as you are, but he does have his own pride."
"Urghhh..."
Why do her words sound so much more mature now that she's my girlfriend? Was this some mystical power-up that all girls obtained once they got into a relationship?
"Okay, I'll call him over tomorrow."
"Hehe, now that's the Desir I love."
"Are you stroking my ego to manipulate me?"
"How could I?" Althea squirmed around before leaning her head onto my shoulders. "You're smarter and stronger than me. I'm just an innocent young girl that wants to see her man happy."
"O-Okay..."
This time, Althea was able to see my face blush red. Abashed, I turned away from her sly smile, only to have her lips tickling my cheek.
It wasn't until much later that I'd realised that I got played that night.
❖❖❖
As per Althea's suggestion, I invited Len and Sienna over for an apology dinner. It was kind of awkward, inviting Len over even though we had not talked in two months, but it was a step that I needed to take.
Thankfully, Len accepted my invitation, though I could tell that he was still quite peeved over the phone. I could have apologised right there and then, but it would seem cheap, in my opinion.
Back then, I was ruled by my emotions and said unspeakable things to Len, even though he was just looking out for me. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't forgive me that quickly either. Therefore, my apology had to be extravagant, just as it was sincere.
"Althea! We're here!"
At the sound of the door knocking, it was a woman's voice I heard rather than that familiar jovial tone. Sienna walked into the apartment, right hand waving to the girl who received her, left hand holding a bottle of champagne.
"Welcome, Sienna!" Althea smiled as she took the bottle from the red-haired girl's hands. "Also, nice to see you again, Len!"
"Ya..."
Right behind the Amazonian woman, there stood a handsome blonde who looked around with disinterest. His hands were plastered in his pockets while his back was hunched forward. Coupled with a stern pout, the man's eyes finally caught mine, only to be averted after a second.
"Evening, Len."
"Evening..."
Len replied weakly. After that, he didn't look in my direction anymore and walked right to the couch. If a neutral person were to view this scene, they would think that he was an angry dad forced by his wife to attend a bonding session with their son-in-law.
Well, I kind of expected this reaction. I did hurt him with my words, after all.
"Dinner will be served soon," I announced to my guests. "I've made a special feast today. Seafood Paella, Beef Wellington, Mala Oyster Mushrooms, Cheesy Pulled Pork and to top it off… I bought your favourite diet soda!"
On the surface, my introduction could have been for both Len and Sienna. However, Len knew that the feast was prepared in his honour.
All of the dishes were things that Len loved. No, they were food items that Len had asked me to cook for him in the past. Some of them I did, others I didn't since we lacked the time. But today, I went all out.
"If you're still hungry, we have Blueberry Cheesecake and Rum Raisin Ice Cream in the fridge."
"... From Draycott Cakes?"
"From Draycott Cakes," I nodded in affirmation, smiling that Len had finally said something to me.
"..."
Just the allure of his favourite foods wasn't enough to appease the man. However, his mood did improve. Len tried to hide it, but his steps were far lighter than when he'd first stepped foot into my apartment. He sat on the dining table, right next to his girlfriend, ready to dig in at a moment's notice.
As I finished setting up the table, I looked at Althea once, and she replied with a firm nod of support. Now that the bait has been set, it's time to reel in my fish.
"Len, before we begin… I have something to say to you."
"... Speak," the blonde Adonis didn't look my way and started breaking up the Paella. While his actions seemed rude, I didn't mind it one bit. Rather, I was delighted that he was willing to listen to me. Inhaling in once, I said determinedly:
"I'm sorry for my actions!" I bent down into a bow. "I wasn't appreciative of you, and I said many hurtful things! I was wrong, and you were right!"
"..."
"I know I can't take back the things that I'd said, but I want you to know that I'm genuinely remorseful. I shouldn't have said those things and was a fool to say that I didn't need a best friend."
"..."
"I know that this might be too much to ask, but… Will you forgive me?"
Len remained silent for a brief moment. Neither one of the girls could say a word as we all waited for the man of the hour's response. In the end, he smiled and said: "No, I was in the wrong as well. I shouldn't have repeated anything you told me in confidence. I breached your trust first."
"I know, but..."
"No, thinking back, there were many ways to change you, and you were right. I chose the wrong path." Len shook his head with a bitter smile. "If I had left you alone, maybe you and Althea would have gotten together more organically."
His words suggested that he knew everything that transpired between Althea and me. I wasn't shocked, though. If Althea told Sienna, it was natural that our news would reach Len's ears.
"Still… I was wrong for saying all those hurtful things."
"You've got that right! Who do you think stood by you all these years?!"
"... Yeah," I nodded my head in shame.
"You were always a handful, even when we were studying! Do you think that our relationship is that fragile?"
"Sorry..."
"You should rely on your elder brother more!"
"... You're younger than me."
"You rascal! Don't interrupt my lecture!"
"Yes, Sir!"
I saluted intensely. The two of us then began a staring contest, with neither willing to back down. However, after a few seconds, our emotions began to wane, and I could start reading Len's mind. It was a connection forged after sixteen years of friendship, something that couldn't be trained or replicated.
At that moment, I knew…
Len and I were friends again.
"HAHA, this serious business doesn't suit us, does it?"
"You've got that right."
"How about we start up some War Defence? Eat while we catch up?"
"You just want to shoot me in the head legally, right?"
"Wow, after you've gotten a girlfriend, you became smarter?"
"Just shut it..."
The two of us divided some food for ourselves and made our way to the gigantic television that housed my gaming consoles. We left so fast that we didn't even stop to consider the feelings of our significant others.
"It's over? Just like that?"
"Yeap! Men's friendships are really a sight to behold."
"... I'm a little jealous," Althea pouted at the dinner table.
"Don't worry," Sienna tapped her newly found sister's shoulders with a knowing sigh. "You'll get used to it."
"I will?"
"Yeah… Those two have an unbreakable bond. I've lost count at how many times I wished Desir to disappear because of how much Len cares for him."
"... That sounds tough."
"It's irritating, but as their partners, all we can do is learn to accept their relationship."
It was fortunate that Len and I were already engrossed in the game. Otherwise, our spines would turn cold the moment we saw Althea and Sienna's irritated eyes.