To Remain On Top

Chapter 7

My lips protruded as I stand up like a lost child in between the big bookshelves in the library after Kahlo began to walk. I don't think he'll bring me to their studio and let me watch them practice. After all we're not that close and I understand his decision no hard feelings. I just wish he said no directly.

God, Poppy. Stop acting like you're a die-hard fan. It's fine. It's not like you're actually interested on that stupid band!

"Pop?" My eyes instantly jump from the floor to him. Kahlo's body is slightly facing my direction while there's a six or seven step distance between the two of us.

"We should get going," he said. My popping eyes turned beating hearts at what I heard.

There's a wide smile that didn't want to leave my lips as I follow Kahlo up to the parking lot. The curves on my lips faded as soon as my eyes touches an outdated pick-up car. It looks exactly like the one Bella Swan drives in the Twilight movie!

"This is?" I couldn't finish what I'm about to say. There's a part of me that doesn't want him to be offended.

Kahlo combed his hair with his fingers and smile carelessly. "It's rusty and old but the engine is new. This works perfectly. We can even use this on roadtrips if you want." My forehead curl up in dismay. I love roadtrips but I don't think I would love to use that rusty for such adventure. I won't take the damn risk.

Kahlo walk to the shotgun seat and open the door. He even gesture it, telling me to get in. I was hesitant. I wanted to ask him for the address of the studio then we'll meet there. I'll uber and he will use this thing but it didn't happened. I end up making myself comfortable inside of the rusty pick-up.

"Wait..." I murmured and roam my eyes around. My eyebrow furrowed at confusion. Why does the pick up looks like a piece of s**t outside but the interior design... the leather seats and everything looks like something I could compare to expensive and new pick-ups.

"Is there a problem?" Kahlo sounds worried. I shake my head immediately and give him a small smile.

"Nothing."

He smiled back. "Buckle up," he said and pull his own seatbelt to hang around his body. Even the seatbelt looks fine. This is weird...

"KAHLO's HERE---" The man with a familiar face and icy blonde hair got his tongue caught by cat when his eyes met mine instead of Kahlo whom I think they've been waiting for some time.

I smiled and slightly bow my head. "He's parking his pick up." I informed them.

His body made a fourty-five degree rotation and mouthed. "Why is she here?"

The other two men relaxing on a blue-ish gray sofa shrugs their shoulder.

"The delivery boy is almost there. Go wait for him outside, Coen." My eyes automatically bounced to the owner of that deep-panned voice, Clyde Argus Montreal. Why is he here? I thought... Kahlo told me earlier he wouldn't be here.

"Okay. Excuse me, Poppy." I swiftly move out of the way to let the man in front of me to go out. My eyes unconsciously followed him until he's gone. So that's Coen. The other two must be Allesio and Alexander Castriel, the twins.

"Clyde Argus?" Kahlo is shock too after seeing his bestfriend sitting on the floor of the studio. He's now busy with his nintendo.

"Thought you're not coming?" Argus tore his eyes off his nintendo to smirk at Kahlo. "Am I not allowed to change my mind now?" Argus then give me a quick look before he get back on his game.

"Pizza and chicken wings is here, everyone!" Coen yelled. He has four boxes of large pizza on his arms and another three boxes for the chicken wings, I guess. Coen put them above the table and proceed on opening the box of pepperoni pizza to grab a slice for himself. His pizza slice is almost on its half when he lost his eyes to me.

Coen wipe the side of his lips and finish chewing his food. "We didn't know you're coming. Do you want me to order something vegan friendly for you?" he asked politely, there's no trace of sarcasm on his voice and his face.

"There's a smoothie bar couples of block away from here. Do you want me to buy you---"

"No." I turned to Kahlo. "I'm fine with Pizza and chicken wings. I'm not a vegan. I don't diet too," I said.

Coen then grab the whole box of all meat pizza and handed it to me. He even said, "Eat well." Before he walks back to his friend.

"Shall we begin?" Allesio, the one with an undercut hair asked. His twin brother then pointed the scattered boxes of pizza, chicken wings and soda all over the floor.

"I'll clean them. Give me a moment---"

"Let me do it instead so you guys can start practicing." I take the box of pizza from Kahlo's hand. He didn't want to let but I was too persistant and it the end, he was left with no choice but join his friends.

There's a pantry in their studio. It's equipted with high-end kitchenwares. There's a black-colored refrigerator full of different drinks, from bottled water to soda, in can coffee, in can beer and juice boxes. There's microwave too and coffee maker. Someone can possibly live a comfortable life here.

While I start putting the boxes on the trash can. Argus walks to the refrigerator. He grabs a bottle of water and drink to quench his thirst.

"A-Argus." He stilled, waiting for me to say something again. I breathe deeply. "Can you take me home? I-I don't have my car with me."

His strict eyes made me feel like breathing the same air as the one he's having is forbidden.

"I told you to stop hitting on me, didn't I? I asked you nicely, Poppy." I started to crumple my hands as I gather my guts to support for what I'm about to say.

"You did but I told you I like you a lot didn't I? I'm not used to not getting what I want, Argus." He simpered and take a threatening step closer to me. I held my breathe. He is towering me with his height. Argus is around 6'4 or Kahlo is probably 6'3 or 6'2 in height.

"And so do I, Poppy. I am not used of letting someone have what I damn want and you're making things harder. If I told you to stay the hell away from me. You should follow. Run as fast as you can, as far as you can." He blow a breathe on my face before he redeemed his usual posture and walk away with that bottle of water.

I had to hold the counter in the pantry 'cause my knees are trembling so bad. The conversation with Argus didn't last long but it feels like I just lost my energy.

"Poppy?" My eyes instantly fake its brightness as I saw Kahlo entering the pantry while looking back at something or someone. Compose myself and my hand starts moving, continuing to clean the mess that I said I'd take care of.

"What did he tell you?" Kahlo whispered the question on my ears. His warm breath against my skin sent shivers on my spine. My feet step back to maintain a safe distance between us.

"W-Who?"

"Clyde Argus."

My lips fell down together. I'm having a second thought. Am I gonna tell him? Do I have too?

"Hey, Kahlo?" Allesio showed up leaning on the door of the pantry. "We need to start. Come on." Kahlo sighed then brought his eyes to his friend.

"Coming," he murmured then leave the pantry after he roam for another couple of seconds.

It took me almost ten minutes to finish cleaning. When I step out of the pantry. Everyone except Argus is busy playing their own instrument. The twins are the band's vocalist while Coen is the guitarist and Kahlo is in charge of the drums.

They're singing a unfamiliar song. I haven't heard it before and that leads me to a conclusion that maybe the song is their own composition. If that song is their original, I could say that they have a big potential to become the next world's biggest boy band.

"See you tomorrow. I'm leaving!" Argus announced abruptly. He snatch his phone, key and wallet after he stood up.

His eyes does it wanders until it met mine. I was curious as to per why at this moment. Those almond-shapes looks soft and friendly. Then all that softness faded. The usual dark and strictness on his eyes came back within a snap.

"Clyde?" he froze on his spot after he heard Kahlo. "Would you mind taking her home? I could take her home but that will be two hours from now and I think she's getting bored in here," Kahlo continued. Argus stilled on his spot for a fleeting second before he slowly turn his body to look back at us. I can't name the expression on his face all that I know is he does not want to take me home. He is against with the idea and I on the other hand wants to stay longer.

I waved my hands to Kahlo. Telling him that I don't want to leave yet.

"Can't I stay here for a while? I want to hear more of your songs," I said, not even sparing a glance for Argus. I need to change my tactic. Making it look like I am no longer interested in him might change something.

"Another fan is waving," Coen said.

When I heard Argus' fading footstep. My eyes quickly traveled on his spot earlier.

"From the top," Gregory announced. I was confused for a moment when Gregory and Kahlo switch their position. Gregory is now sitting in front of the drums and has the drumsticks while Kahlo is holding the microphone. Coen and Allesio has the acoustic guitars on their hand.

"The new song?" Allesio asked his twin brother. "Yup," Alexander Gregory replied and twirl the stick on his fingers.

Reaching out to you in the dead of the night

No matter where I go, always end up by your side

At the end of this journey, time has led me back

Back to my home, now I found the way back home

Kahlo sang the lyrics with his eyes close. The emotion is there and it make the song more special and heart-warming to hear.

No matter how I shut it out

Like a drawer it opens again

And when you fly up to the sky

Somehow you always end up with me

And all the times I let you go

I know they're all the same, oh no no

Close your eyes, hold them tight

Silently I'll make my way

Closer to you

In my heart, there you will stay

I don't need anybody

You're the only one

I'll wait 'til you're home

'Til that day then I'm not done

I stood up from my seat and vigorously clap my hand like a freshman obsessing over a boy-group.

"I would like to change some lines from this song. I'll send you the lyrics when I'm done with it," Kahlo said before he puts back the mic on its stand. He stride to where he left his bag when we arrive earlier. He slid it on his shoulder and then make a few step towards the exit when he glare at my direction.

"You'll go home?"

"Hmm. I have to drive her home. There is a family dinner in our house. Everyone in the family will be there. Mama won't let me miss it," he said to his friend before he look at me again and told me to follow him with a simple gesture of his head.