Everyone went back to their homes after their recognition on their 1st year of college. Lenn said goodbye to his squad then he waited for his dad to pick him up. He wore a dark t-shirt with an orange checkered polo, dark pants, his simple rubber shoes, and his wrist watch. He saw Lila outside the gate, she sat down on the bench while she probably waited for her dad. She looked pretty with her low twin tails on her hair. She wears a simple purple dress with a white jacket, blue sneakers, and earrings.
"Hello Lila!", Lenn approached to Lila as she sat on the bench.
"Oh Lenn, hi!", she spoke as she dragged herself away from Lenn.
Lenn stepped closer and spoke in a bubbly tone, "Oh! Can I sit with you?"
"Sorry Lenn, but not here.", she spoke as she looked around left and right.
"Why?", he asked.
She grabbed his arm and said, "Let's sit somewhere else."
Then they sat around at the cafeteria from the garden, and they had a conversation.
"So you're really not allowed to interfere with guys do you?", he asked sincerely.
Lila nodded, "That's also why I don't speak to anyone else, not to someone who's with a boy." she sighed. "I tried my best, but it wasn't good enough."
"As if you're not allowed to make friends.", he raised his voice a little.
"Well, they knew that I was bullied. However, dad just told me to ignore them and focus on myself more-", she paused as she placed her right hand on her chest, "-a-and my studies. He also said that I'm not allowed to be with boys either." Lila faced directly at the table. "When I got reminded by that, I asked why. Dad said I would understand it when I'm older."
"And did you understand why?", Lenn sounded concerned.
Lila vexedly glared at Lenn as she said, "Of course! Doesn't every adult understood why?"
"Well, not really. Not for me anyway.", Lenn said as he scratched his head.
"Dude, did you even learn science, puberty?", she asked.
"Of course I do, but...", he paused for a moment. "Oh, that one! Although, I personally don't care about it. I don't know why everyone was laughing in my class when it comes to that.", Lenn said as he crossed his arms.
Lila giggled, "Doesn't everybody?"
"No, not me anyway.", Lenn uncomfortable.
She sighed as she leaned on the table with her elbows, "How could lots people be so careless?"
"Yes, and- well, kinda brutal...", he spoke painfully. "L-Lila, may we not talk about this please?"
"Of course, there are plenty of things to talk about." she slightly smiled.
"By the way, how long have you've been bullied?", Lenn asked.
"Like, almost my entire life.", she spoke in a strained tone.
"O-oh. I-I'm so sorry, I had no idea.", he spoke as he clutched his own hand, seemingly worried.
"That's okay Lenn, it lessened since you got here.", she spoke calmly, as she smiled towards Lenn. "Ricky hasn't been bothering me much."
"Then that's good to hear.", Lenn slightly smiled back. Then Lenn asked calmly. "Aren't you going back outside to the school gate before your dad arrives?"
"Why yes, of course.", Lila said. She seemed coy as she stood up. "But can I get a one last hug from you? For now?"
Lenn smiled as stretched his arms, "Bring it in sis."
Lila hugged him quite tightly as Lenn did it gently. He patted her at the back then he slowly let go of her.
"I'll do miss you Lila Anderson.", Lenn spoke as he smiled.
"Me too.", she replied. Then she picked up a paper from her backpack on the bench, then quickly gets a parchment and pen to scribble something.
"Here's my phone number.", she handed a parchment to Lenn. "You could call me anytime mate. However, you have to act like a girl.", she continued in a more serious tone.
Lenn stared at the parchment then he looked at her, "Why? What do you mean?'
"Well, just in case if my dad answer that call, would you at least make your voice go higher, girly, and say that your name is Lennie..?", Lila informed him delicately.
"Are you saying that you want me to lie?", he asked in a concerned way.
"Well..."
"Why won't you just tell him the truth, wouldn't he understand that?", Lenn asked.
"No Lenn, you don't really know my dad. Besides, my dad would get furious, and might gave me punishments if I misbehaved.", she said sadly.
"You're litterally the most behave student. You didn't do anything wrong!", Lenn raised his voice shockingly.
"If I did disobey him I meant. Well, I already did, but it's kinda nice.", then she sighed. "I never felt this good in my life right now."
Lenn took a deep breath, then he smiled and replied, "Okay, I understand. I'll do it when calling you."
"Thanks Lenn!", then she hugged him again with delight.
"Alright, alright. You should probably get going now.", he spoke as he tried to let go of Lila.
"Well okay.", she lets go of Lenn then she said, "See you next school year bro!", she waved goodbye to Lenn as she rushed to the entrance gate.
"See you soon!", Lenn waved his hand aswell.
. . .
Later on, Lenn was back home. He hugged his parents as they went back.
"So son, how was first year?", his Dad asked.
"It's good! I hanged out with my batch mates, and I met this new girl aswell, she was really shy but so delicate.", Lenn spoke in a bubbly tone. He told to his parents alot of his stories. It was so many that it took awhile until he's at a loss for words.
A few days later, he tried to call Lila. She didn't answer however.
"I haven't heard from her in weeks. What happened to her? Is she okay?", Lenn asked himself.
"Oh I think she will be okay!", his Dad told him, tapped on his shoulder.
He tried to call her again the next day.
The telephone rang on the small circular table, beside the couch near the stairs. At last the phone answered. "Hello?", spoken by a man with a stern tone.
Lenn cleared his throat and tried to do the higher pitch as Lila said.
"Good afternoon! May I speak to Lila please?", he said in his squeaky tone.
"And who is this may I ask?", said by a man's intimidating voice.
"I am her friend from College. I'm Lennie?", he spoke softly.
"Oh, well she told me so much about you.", the man's voice became more calm.
"Lila, Starlight! Your friend calls you."
Lila went downstairs quickly as she heard her dad as he called her to come down the stairs.
"Thanks Dad.", Lila spoke quite gladly. She grabbed the telephone handle, and said, "Hello Lennie!"
"Hello Lila, I so miss you girl! How is your day so far?", said by Lenn who spoke like a girl still.
"Lennie you could stop, he left now.", Lila spoke seriously.
"Why do you still call me Lennie though?", he asked.
"Well of course I'm in my parents' house, whenever I'm calling you or not.", she replied fluently as she giggled.
"Oh right. Since I'm on phone, and not on your house, your parents won't hear me.", he said in his normal voice.
Lila facepalms then she said, "Yes Lennie. Ugh, I so want to pinch you right now."
"But you can't!", Lenn laughed.
"I know.", Lila sighed. "I really miss you mate! I'm sorry I haven't answered your calls, my dad also used that telephone."
"I understand. I guess it might be embarrassing if I interrupted him during his calls.", Lenn spoke in a concerned way. "May I give you my phone number so you can call me in the right time?"
"Oh yeah, good idea.", Lila giggled. "Hold on a second, I'll get my parchment."
"Okay!", he waited.
Lila ran upstairs to get her phone book from her backpack. Her room is quite big, her walls is covered yellow. Her bed is between the two beige side table drawers. The bed sheet was bright blue and her pillows are pink. She had bookshelves at the bed's right ride at the wall. Her study table with a vanity mirror were in front of her bed, and her closet was at the left side of the vanity. She got her phone book, closed her backpack, and leave it on the trunk in front of her bed.
She ran back downstairs and picked up the telephone. "I'm back new friend Lennie!"
"Hello Lila!", he smiled.
"Okay, so what is your number?", Lila said.
Then Lenn told Lila his telephone number, and she wrote it in her phone book.
"Thank you!", said Lila after she finished writing.
"You're welcome! Call me anytime okay?", said by Lenn.
"Of course I will. So what have you been doing throughout the week?"
"Of course, helping my mum do some chores. Of course, I wouldn't stop to having a jog with them, which is also good for me."
Lenn and Lila have been talking for awhile now on the phone.
Mostly Lenn, because as his friends said, 'he is the talkative one'.
. . .
In the next few days, Lila called Lenn. He answered the telephone to say hello.
"Well, hello hello hello! !", said Lenn in a girly voice.
"Lennie, it me.", Lila giggled. "You should do that voice all the time."
"I don't want to.", he giggled. "Yet, it's kind of fun."
Lila giggled more. Then Lenn said, "By the way, when are we going to meet?"
She replied in shock, "Lenn, at school of course!"
"But, I really miss my new friend. I just kind of hope to see you out from home.", he replied calmly.
Lila smiled then replied, "Aww, you know I can't. I might get caught by my parents. Besides, outdoors are quite dangerous."
Lenn spoke fluently, "Yes, but fear just can't be trusted in many situations, especially when you go outdoors to see your friends."
"My parents might be really mad at me.", Lila spoke in worry.
"Well, your dad thinks I'm a girl. Isn't that enough for him?"
"It's okay, the problem is that he might be monitoring my movements outdoors."
"Well... I see that your dad is overprotective.", Lenn said quietly. "It shows that he cares for you even in an unusual way."
"Yes Lenn, unusual.", Lila spoke silently. "Because he literally didn't let me do anything much but to focus on my studies."
"Not even chores?", he said.
"Well, I rarely do chores. I'm just really focused on books and school subjects.", Lila replied with a louder voice.
"Wow, you don't cook nor clean much?"
"Well, only a few times. The main chores I do was to clean my bedroom and do my homework."
"Oh... Your parents could've teach you more. Not only to be independent on your studies but to household work.", Lenn said. "What would happen if your live alone?"
"I don't know... Yet, as long as I have goals from education, then it may be worth it!", she spoke calmly.
"Yeah, it would... Yet chores is quite important too."
"Don't worry Lenn, I can take care of myself."
"I know you can, no doubt. I'm just surprised that some parents wouldn't teach their children basic work.", he paused his sentence then slouched on the chair, "Because that's the job that lots of people will do for the rest of their lives."
Lila smiled from what he said, "Well thanks for caring! You're quite right though."
"I pity to those who were living through procrastination." Lenn spoke in a deeper tone.
"Lenn, I'm not living through that. I'm just protected."
"Please Lila, I barely even see you interact with our classmates, not even to Professor Ford.", he said.
"Well...", Lila was stunned.
"When we'll meet again on our second year, maybe I could help you with your social life.", he spoke in his normal tone. "If you're scared, I'll be there to support you.", he smiled while he held the telephone.
Lila leaned on the side table beside the couch she sits, holding the telephone. She sighed then said, "Okay, you can help me I guess."
"Score!", he said happily.
"But Lennie, wouldn't that be uncanny?", she asked.
Lenn giggled, "Uncanny? Sis, it's natural for me. I love helping my friends."
"That's very kind of you mate!", she spoke as she smiled.
"Speaking of friends, I'm going meet my friends in the mall on Saturday. I do appreciate it if you would come.", Lenn spoke eagerly.
"Well, I would.", Lila sighed. "If my parents approves it. Although, I already told you that I can't-"
Lenn interrupted, "Can't what? It's only about spending quality time with a group of friends. What were you thinking?"
"Don't ask me, ask my dad.", Lila groaned.
"Well, things do change right? Maybe just let him understand that.", Lenn continued. "Plus, you told me you're weren't allowed to make friends, but your dad allows you to call me."
"I never said that I'm not allowed to make friends, I'm not allowed to hang out with guys." Then she whispered, "And you're one of them, and dad thought your were a-"
"I know, but the point is, he allows you to make friends. That's better than nothing."
"But what if he finds out?", Lila sounded worried.
"Don't mind much about your dad's perspective. You should focus on yourself a little more. Those books you read should leave you with experiences, and you may be exhausted as you continued. We're living a life in the page mate!", Lenn spoke confidently.
Lila said, "Dad always told me to focus on myself and not to mind others."
Then Lenn explained, "It's quite different. What I meant by that is you should also focus on your happiness. I realized that you were isolated with emotional problems, but you've got to focus on what's real. Just be positive, and the result may not be as bad as you think."
Lila shed into tears after listening to his advice. Then she said, "Thanks you for the clarifications Lenn, I do appreciate it."
"Would you still like to come on Saturday?", said by Lenn.
"I have to think about it first. Although, if I don't have time to go with you and your friends, I hope you don't mind.", Lila replied.
"I understand.", he said as he smiled.
"Nevertheless, I am looking forward to see you again.", Lila said.
"Me too!", said by Lenn.
Then they both heard the voice of a man calling, "Lila!"
"Well, I got to go, my dad just called me.", Lila spoke hastily.
"Okay, let's talk another time. Bye, thanks for your time.", greeted Lenn as his tone went darker.
"Goodnight.", Lila smiled and hanged up the phone.
Lila then walk straight to her parents and helped them to prepare for dinner.
. . .
It was Saturday, Lenn dressed up, ready to meet up with his friends at 12 o' clock in the afternoon. He was wearing brown pants and an orange striped t-shirt with his dark suspenders. Lenn waved goodbye to his mom, then his dad sent him to the mall. He waved goodbye to his dad as he rushed to the mall to meet his bestfriends at the arcade.
He met his friends there. He said hello, as they said hi in return. The entire gang were there, except for Penelope, which he was sure that she'll come due to delay. Then they had lunch at the food court. They got fries, pizzas, salads, and sundaes. After they ate, they went to the theater movies from the last floor of the mall.
As they waited to get their tickets to the movie, Lenn went to buy popcorn for him and his friends. When he was buying, he saw the girl who bought a slushy. She wore a black blouse, with a lilac jacket, and a white pleated skirt with sneakers. She turned back around, seemingly that she was about to go back to the entrance of the theater.
"Lila..?"
She turned around, and saw Lenn smiled. Lila stayed silent, she gave him a smile in reply then walked away. He witnessed that she went along with her parents. He was so concerned that he barely heard the vendor, who said, "Sir, Sir!"
Lenn was alarmed, then the vendor said, "Your popcorn is ready Sir."
Then quickly spoke as he gets the popcorn with both of his hands, "Thank you sir!"
"You're welcome!"
Then he returned to the entrance of one of the theater room where his friends were at.
"You're back! I was started to get worried bro.", said Enzo, "And yo! You got the popcorn thanks!"
Enzo started to eat one, then the girl said, "You shouldn't eat it right now you little cockalorum."
Then Lizzy, Genevieve, and John yelled, "Penelope!"
"Just in time until we watch that batman movie sis!", Lenn spoke excitedly.
"E-herm... Yeah, just in time Penny.", Enzo laughed in embarrasment.
Then Jane spoke, "Oi, why do you look like that Enz, huh?"
"Oh boy, why do you look so coy? It's very unlike you.", Lizzy said as she faced straight to him.
"I-I'm just surprised okay. T-there's nothing wrong with that.", Enzo stuttered while smiling.
Lenn whispered something to Penny's ears, "Here goes his gay era..." Then she giggled, "Oh come on enz bro, don't be wierd."
"Oh by the way guys, I finally installed Doom on my computer.", Donnie spoke.
"Wonderful! I'm going to tell you the tips I know into slaying these baddies!", John said.
"What level are you in there?", Enzo said.
"Level 5 homie.", John replied.
"Wow, how did you do that? I'm still in Level 4, and got dizzy in the yellow maze, plus I can't find the yellow key.", Enzo complaint.
"Bro, you can complete Level 4 without the yellow key." John laughed. "You must select the switch next to the yellow door. Retrace your steps through the maze, then head north from the blue door as far as you can, and turn right into the blue computer room."
John finished his explanation and said, "Do you get it homie?"
"I would if I wouldn't be so dumb in following the instructions.", Enzo whimped.
As he spoke, Donnie was silent for a moment as he was stunned. Meanwhile, the girls talked to each other silently, and Lenn stood up as he thought of something else.
Lenn thought that, 'Why didn't Lila spoke to him? Why is she afraid of her parents? Did I do something wrong?'
Penelope looked at Lenn and noticed that he didn't seem as energetic as he used to be. "Lenn! Oi! Lennard!", yelled Penelope.
"Huh?", he slightly shakes his head. "Y-yes penny?"
"Are you okay? You seem quite serious." Then she asked the others, "Hey guys, was he acting like this awhile ago?"
"I don't know, he was okay earlier.", Enzo replied. "But you're right, he seems sleepy."
"I am not sleepy. I'm fine.", Lenn replied with a straight face.
"Oh come on, don't lie. I know you're hiding something bro. I know you well enough to notice!", Penny replied in a bold way while crossing her arms.
"Hmm, let me guess.", Lizzy spoke. "Is it because of the girl you hanged out during our first year?"
John replied, "Well come to think of it he was very bubbly until he started hanging out with his new classmate."
"Don't bring Lila into this!", Lenn enraged. "I just got a lot of things in my mind at this point."
Everyone was shocked by his tone. Lizzy quickly replied, "Like what?"
"Well, preparing for the second year, helping my parents, a-and of course trying to help a friend in need.", Lenn spoke silently.
"Oh I get it, you're just being the nerdy good man.", John sniggered.
"Johnny, don't tease him." Genevieve tried to stifled his giggles. "At least he maintains to be a good student and a friend."
"Oh really, since when have you seen such a wonderful boy that doesn't want to find someone.", John said.
"Yeah! Lenn's so awesome bro.", Enzo eagerly replied.
Penelope asked, "True, I was wondering that why would anyone not want to--"ㅤㅤㅤ
"GUYS, are we going to the movie theater now? It's already time for us to go in!", Jane yelled.
"Okay okay let's go!" Enzo skipped to the doorways along with the others.
Lenn, however, walked slowly. He took a glimpse to the corridors before headed inside.
They all took a seat and got their popcorn ready when the movie was about to start for 1 minute. From Lenn's right side, Enzo and Penelope whispered, and he could barely heard what they said. However, Lenn stayed silent and eats his popcorn along with the others. From his left side, Jane sat beside him along with Donnie, then Lizzy, Genevieve, and John.
Enzo whispered to Penelope, "What were you about to say back there? About Lenn..."
She replied in a hushed tone, "Well I only wondered that how he didn't have a love interest, not even one. Even from a girl who liked him." Penelope paused her speech as she watched the intro, then she faced towards Enzo at her left again. "Not to mention that he's quite handsome, but I'm not so sure why he doesn't want to try.", Penelope continued.
"Well Lizzy is beautiful, but she got no one to be with.", Enzo whispered.
"That's quite different man. She usually just teased one of us when there's a moment between two people like us.", Penelope whispered to Enzo. "After all, Lenn is filled with passion, he would always shows great care for the six of us, including his new friend."
"Are you saying that his heart is too full that he needed to share it with someone special?", he asked.
"Something like that yes.", Penelope replied.
"Well, Penny speaking of passion...", he spoke in a more sincere way.
"What's wrong?", she gently smiled.
"W-well...", then he stuttered then spoke louder, "Don't you think I'm handsome and kind?"
Penelope nodded. "I'll think about it mate.", then she giggled.
Lenn finally spoke but in a deeper tone, "Talk to the hand both of you! We're trying to be quiet here."
"Sorry.", said by Penelope and Enzo.
After the movie, they all went outside the mall. Waving each other goodbye.
"Goodbye guys!", said by Penelope.
"See you next time lads!", greeted by Lizzy.
"Take care!", John and Genevieve greeted.
"Nighty night mates!", Donnie and Jane waved.
"Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite!", Enzo giggled.
Lenn's friends departed, and went to their own homes. He walked around the sidewalk in the moonlight, and there a few cars that passed by. As he reached to his home, he knocked. His dad opened the door and said, "Hello there son! How's your day?"
"It was great thanks Dad.", Lenn spoke while he hanged his backpack on the wall.
"So what happened there, any new information buzzing into your mind?", his Dad spoke while he stroked Lenn's hair hysterically.
"Where's mom?", Lenn asked.
"Oh she's cooking dinner, you could say hi to her. In the meantime, how is your muscles doing?"
"It's okay Dad. You don't have to ask me that everytime I got here.", Lenn sighed.
"I'm only worried for you okay. I don't want our only son to suffer, or worse.", his Dad replied, sadly.
"I know Dad.", Lenn spoke then he gave his dad a hug.
After that, they went to the kitchen and Lenn saw his mom cooking scrambled eggs with cheese. They ate dinner, and he told them everything about the fun things that he and his friends did at the mall. Except the part when he saw Lila when he bought popcorn. And when Enzo and Penelope were whispered to each other about Lenn himself.
"I see you had a really good time didn't you?", his mom smiled as they ate dinner.
"Yes mom, never felt better.", Lenn smiled back.
His dad drank a glass of water then he asked, "So, how is the girl?"
"What girl?", Lenn spoke as he took another spoonful of his scrambled egg.
"The one you spoke to, on telephone."
"Oh, erm-", Lenn lost his smile, then looked to the ground.
His parents seemed concerned about him, then his Dad asked, "How are you feeling son?"
"I'm fine, thanks dad.", he replied silently as he finished the food on his plate.
Lenn stood up, then placed his plate on the sink. "I'm quite tired now. May I be excused dad, mom?", he asked as he faced towards them.
"Of course sweetie, you need to rest.", his Mom replied, "You got a big day tomorrow, you know to do."
"Yes mommy.", he smiled as he was about to enter his room. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sweetie.", his mom spoke while his dad said, "Goodnight!".
His room is smaller compared to Lila's. He got a smaller brown bed at wall on his right, with a blue mat, a white bed sheet, and yellow pillow. His closet is in front of his bed, and his guitar is hanged up aside with his shelf on the wall on his left, near the door. He took off his suspenders, and his shirt while he walked then he hopped to his bed.
He laid down on his left back while hugging his pillow. He seemed sad. He couldn't stop thinking about Lila earlier from the movie theater. He felt restless, especially when some of his friends suspected him and Lila. He felt that he needed alone time, but at the same time he wanted to speak to her again.