Strings and Shadow

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Between Shadows and Sparks

The group went outside for their practice by the beach. Dylan and Jun are noticeably off the beat.

“Let’s take a five” Thame announces then the group scattered. Dylan and Jun walked ahead, talking. Nano kept pulling out his phone for random pictures. Pepper mostly watched over the group.

“You okay?” Pepper asked Po, who just nodded as an answer.

Thame, though, was restless.

“Ai, Nano take a pic of me here” Thame said laughing while he was lying on the sand.

The younger one obliged and was laughing at Thame’s silly gestures. Thame laughs the loudest yet every time Po’s eyes lingered on him, he looked away too quickly.

Po, on the other hand, kept a calm face. He didn’t push, didn’t nag, but he was there, always nearby, quietly watching, quietly worried.

-

After practice, the group was introduced to Dylan’s friend Grey.

“Are you their manager?” Grey asked Po after the introduction.

“Yeah, for 2 years already” Po answered and looked at the boys playing by the sand. They are grown up already but look like kids running around.

“You genuinely look happy handling them” Grey commented, Po looked at Grey who had a worried look.

“Of course, I worked with them so I had to be their comfort, I guess?” Po answered

“So, the thing is, my friend is uh, just suddenly gave his job as a manager temporarily to me. So I have to handle a band, not as big as yours but still, I don’t have an idea to do it. Plus some of the members of the band seem not to like me too.” Grey said with frustration and worries.

“I tell you what,  it's never an easy job handling them. I had to open and break their walls slowly for them to trust me. So Grey, you can do it too” Po said and tapped Grey’s shoulder.  

-

Thame was playing with Nano and Pepper when he noticed Grey and Po talking but he continued playing and even included Dylan and Jun who were about to sit by the sand. Then he saw Grey giving a phone to Po.

From where he stood, Thame’s stomach twisted. Before he realized it, his feet were moving.

Thame stepped closer, not saying anything at first and just watching.

The guy slipped his phone back into his pocket, flashing Po a quick smile.

“Anyway, I should head off. Please tell others I said goodbye”

But to Thame, that smile dragged too long, too warm, like it lingered just for Po. The simple “thanks” sounded like it carried weight it didn’t have, and the casual goodbye twisted in his ears, like some secret signal only Po was allowed to understand.

“So… giving out your number now?”

“Huh? Oh. He’s Dylan’s friend. Just asked if I could help sometime, that’s all.” Po was caught off guard.

“Yeah”  Thame's reply was dry and gave a short laugh, one that didn’t reach his eyes.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away, leaving Po blinking after him.

-

At home, while preparing dinner, Thame was still avoiding Po. Pepper was just observing them silently. When dinner was served, everyone gathered by the table.