FRIEND WITH BENEFIT

6. The Puppy Love

Leo showing up here totally freaked Suuzan out. His bike must've broken down or something.

"How'd you even get here, Leo?"

Leo got off his bike, still with his helmet on. Damar, who was sitting next to Suuzan, immediately stood up.

"Leo, sorry. I was actually trying to get Suuzan home fast, but…"

"I wanted to hang out a bit first. It's Saturday night, after all." Suuzan quickly cut in before Damar could explain. She didn't want Leo to blame Damar, especially since she liked coming to this place too.

"I picked you up from your place, Zan. And I promised your mom we wouldn't be home after nine. Look at the time now. It's almost ten. What's your mom gonna think of me?"

Suuzan walked over to Leo. She'd barely ever seen Leo this serious before because they never really hung out at night. If they went out, it was always during the day, at most late afternoon. And never just the two of them.

Suuzan touched Leo's arm, trying to coax him, hoping he'd just let this slide.

"Just once, Leo. It's rare for me to see Mas Damar." Suuzan then whispered something into Leo's ear. "Damar just asked me out. You totally ruined the moment."

Leo turned to Damar. His expression didn't improve at all. He just looked even more tense.

"Yeah, but don't stay out late when you're with me. People will get the wrong idea about me. Your mom knows me well. I don't want her thinking weird stuff."

Damar also walked up to Leo.

"I'll take Suuzan home. I'll also explain everything to her mom. You don't have to worry."

Leo seemed to ignore Damar's words. He felt responsible for Suuzan getting home on time since he was the one she came out with.

"Don't you have a date with your crush? It's Saturday night, you know." Suuzan tried to divert him.

Leo let out a sigh, meaning he couldn't do anything. He knew how much Suuzan liked Damar. He also didn't want to ignore his best friend's long-held wish, but on the other hand, he was also worried.

"Just go straight home after this, okay? If you want to hang out, do it during the day. So people can see you. Not late at night like this."

Damar touched Leo's shoulder, seemingly trying to joke around.

"Ugh, Leo. Like we only take girls out during the day. I've caught you out with girls at night plenty of times."

Leo didn't respond to Damar's joke with a smile. Instead, he glared at him sharply.

"Suuzan isn't that kind of girl, Bro. She's never even out at night except tonight. If she goes out, it's always with her family. Don't compare her to other girls!"

"Leo, what's with you? Why are you getting so worked up?" Suuzan was embarrassed by Leo's attitude in front of Damar. Their relationship was just starting to develop. "Damar, let's go now. There's a party pooper here!"

Suuzan grabbed Damar's hand, urging him to get on his motorcycle. Damar wanted to explain more to Leo, but Suuzan rushed him to leave.

Suuzan felt let down by Leo. She knew how much she liked Damar. Almost all of Suuzan's complaints were always about Damar, Damar, and Damar. Sometimes Leo would listen with his eyes closed, or by listening to music on his Walkman.

Leo just watched Suuzan leave with Damar on his motorbike. He was genuinely worried. Not because he was stopping Suuzan from hanging out with Damar. It's just not good for a high school girl to be out late at night without family or someone trustworthy, and Leo couldn't trust Damar. He's a guy too. He knows exactly what goes on in guys' minds.

"Sorry about Leo, Damar. He's usually not like that. I don't know why he suddenly showed up."

Suuzan felt bad for Damar after they finally arrived at the gate of her house.

"Chill, it's fine. Leo's right, actually. I should've gotten you home before nine. Won't happen again. Leo's kinda scary when he's mad."

Suuzan didn't want Leo's behavior to ruin their moment, but on the other hand, she was also worried. Leo looked annoyed when she left with Damar. She'd never seen Leo like that before.

"Okay. Thanks. I had a really good time with you."

Suuzan hurried to go inside, but suddenly Damar grabbed her hand, a little hesitantly. Suuzan froze. She didn't even dare to turn to Damar.

"Don't forget what we talked about earlier. I don't want to wait too long."

"What if it takes too long?"

"Can't hold it in, Zan. I don't want you to be with someone else."

"Someone else? Who?"

"Leo."

"Damar, Leo's my best friend. You'll never have anything more than that. Don't worry, Mas Damar. We've been friends since junior high and nothing's ever happened between us."

"Okay, no need to get defensive. I believe you. I know you and Leo are close. Just wanted to make sure you don't have feelings for him."

Suuzan, who was initially fired up, instantly softened. She's not usually the delicate type of girl. But in front of Damar, she completely changed. She smiled shyly at Damar.

"Okay then. I'll wait for your answer. Give it to me soon, okay? If I wait until I graduate, it'll be a hassle. I want my time in school to be with you."

The sound of Suuzan's gate opening was loud and clear. Suuzan's mom stood behind the gate, her hair tied back, a little messy but still okay. It looked like Ratih—Suuzan's mom—had just gotten out of bed.

"What time is it now? Where's Leo? He told me he'd be home before nine."

Ratih was puzzled to see a strange young man standing too close to her daughter. All this time, besides Leo, Suuzan had never introduced any close male friends.

Damar knew this would be an important moment for him and Suuzan. So, he immediately stepped in front of Suuzan.

"Sorry, Ma'am. I'm Damar. We actually went with Leo earlier, but Leo's bike broke down. So I took Suuzan home. I'm really sorry. No intention of being late."

Ratih began to scrutinize Damar. From top to bottom. There was nothing bad about him. He was handsome, clean, fair-skinned, and well-dressed. A little different from Leo, who often looked messy, even though their levels of handsomeness weren't too far off.

"You're Leo's friend?"

Suuzan felt uncomfortable with her mother's interrogation. She quickly pulled her mother's hand and led her inside.

"It's late. I'm sleepy. Thanks, Damar. I'll text you later. Bye."