All Strings Attached

Chapter Six: Chords between strangers (2)

As he passed the container to Jairus, their fingers brushed.

Nothing major for that situation, but June froze like he was just hit with a lightning bolt. His eyes widened, and his lips parted slightly.

Jairus? Oblivious.

“Oh, salamat bro,” he said casually, already opening the container and checking the contents. “Wow, nice! Nag pack kayo ng sinigang! Favorite ko to eh.”

June stood there, blushing furiously, probably malfunctioning in real time.

I saw the whole thing, and for some reason…

I didn’t like it.

Not even a little.

I reached forward and, without overthinking it, placed my hand on Jairus’ shoulder, fingers lightly brushing the nape of his neck—skin still warm from practice.

He flinched a little and turned to me.

“Steve?”

I gave him a playful smile. “May nakadikit kang kanin sa colar mo, inalis ko lang.”

He looked down, and saw that there was nothing there.

I don't care what he thinks right now.

Because at that moment, his full attention was on me again.

“Right…” he said slowly, his brows furrowed. “Salamat?”

June sat down across from us quietly, his face still red. He opened his bottled water like it owed him something and avoided looking in our direction.

The rest of the lunch went mostly silent, with only the sound of spoons tapping and food being chewed.

But the tension?

Yeah.

The tension was loud.

(Later that Break)

Jean was sitting by the wall, sketching lyrics into his notebook with one hand while eating with the other—Classic overachiever move.

Kian was seated on the floor, one leg stretched out, humming quietly. I could hear him practicing his lines under his breath. His eyes flicked toward me every now and then, but he didn’t say anything about me leaning on him earlier.

I stretched my legs out and leaned back, hands behind my head, trying to look casual.

But inside? I was restless.

I wasn't sure why.

Maybe it was because the performance was tomorrow. Maybe it was because I knew this team could pull it off but still overthinking cause it will be my first time performing again after my long hiatus… Or maybe it was because I felt something weird in my chest when I saw the way June looked at Jairus.

I didn’t like it.

Not because I wanted Jairus for myself—

…

Okay…Maybe that was part of it.

There was something about him that annoyed me in the best way— He was confident, yes. Charming? Yes na yes. He was also always so damn sure of himself but he also worked hard. He always asked questions, he had a bunch of questions stored. He genuinely tried to get better and when he smiled after nailing a run?

Yeah, I was a total goner.

And the worst part?

He didn’t even notice.

Not how June looked at him.

Not how I lingered beside him.

Not how his laugh made everything in the room feel lighter.

This idiot is irritatingly clueless!

Completely and hopelessly clueless.

You oblivious prick! Please stay like that.

I glanced at him now, he was licking some sauce off his fingers like a five-year-old. He caught me staring and raised a brow.

“Oh, ano?”

“Ang kalat mong kumain” I said flatly.

“At least sa pagkain lang,” he replied with a grin and a wink.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me.

He had no idea how that guesture affects the dhit out of me.

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