NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 7 part 1
Chapter 7: Warm Milk With Honey
I stared at my phone screen, re-reading the messages over and over to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.
Johan: At your dorm
Johan: Come down
Johan: Didn’t I tell you not to go anywhere?
This is serious!!
“Ter!!” I shouted loudly even though the person in question was right nearby, causing him to jump in surprise.
“What!?, You scared me!”
“Phii Joe said he’s at the dorm.” I said, showing him my phone. Ter’s eyes scanned the screen, his face showing equal shock. “Seriously!?” I nodded, still puzzled, “How did this happen, did you guys make plans?”
“No plans, he just suddenly messaged me like this.”
North♣: Huh??
North♣: Are you at my dorm?
Johan: Told you.
North♣: Wait, what’s this about?
North♣: Are you here to pick me up?
Johan: Yeah
North♣: Where are we going?
Johan: Hurry up.
Johan: You have five minutes.
North♣: Wait, wait.
North♣: Tell me where we’re going first.
“He doesn’t even read or reply, he seems like he’s here to pick me up, but he doesn’t say where we’re going.”
“Do you need to stay overnight?” Ter raised his eyebrows in question.
“I don’t know.” I shook my head, “I’m confused, what’s going on? Everything feels so rushed.” I raised my hand to scratch my head in confusion. I just got back from work, hadn’t even had time to shower, and now he tells me to come down to the front of the dorm. What’s with him? Why is Phii Johan always like this?
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Exactly, I feel unsafe.”
“But just now, when I asked, Phii Hill said it would be fine.”
“Really? It’s definitely okay?” I was still hesitant, almost forgetting that Phii Johan had given me only five minutes, “What should I do? Can I refuse?” “Have you ever been able to?” Ter’s question struck a chord, making me clutch my chest. Never. I’ve never been able to refuse Phii Johan. He never even asks for my opinion or listens to me, T^T
Ding!!
Johan: Don’t make me come up there.
Oh dear, T^T, talking with Ter, I completely forgot Phii Johan is in a hurry.
North♣: Bro, just a moment, let me shower first.
Johan: Ten more minutes. Otherwise, I’m coming up.
“Damn, Ter, help me pack some stuff, put them in this bag.” I asked Ter for help with packing before dashing to take a quick shower. Ter looked a bit confused before agreeing to help, not knowing what exactly, but if Phii Johan came up to the room, it wouldn’t be good, especially with just this much time. I’m not the Flash, T^T.
“What do you want me to pack?” I heard Ter shout while I was hurriedly soaping up.
“Uh, what else, my school uniform that’s hanging in the closet, and my shoes too.”
“Where are your socks?”
“In the bottom drawer.”
“I don’t see any.”
“I might have forgotten to wash them, can I borrow some of yours?”
“How many pairs of my socks have you taken now, return some, will you?” I heard Ter mumble before he went silent, probably arranging my stuff. After a while, I finished showering, put on a t-shirt and basketball shorts. Alright, this outfit will do. No matter where Phii Joe is taking me, I’ll go in this! I’ll even sleep in this!
“Textbooks?” Ter asked. “Got them.” I said while roughly checking the bag contents. “Anything else?” “Power bank.” “Yeah, can’t forget that.” And I went to grab the power bank from the desk and put it in my bag. I think I’ve got everything.
“Do you want mosquito repellent?” Ter asked while handing me a bottle of mosquito repellent. I looked at it with a surprised expression, “Hey, in case Phii Johan takes you camping.”
“Are you crazy? Is he taking me camping?”
“Who knows? He hasn’t said where you’re going yet; it could be for stargazing on a mountain, just take it.” Ter concluded like that and stuffed the mosquito repellent into my bag.
“Why so prepared? Even got mosquito repellent.” I grumbled while making a face. Ter stroked his chin, thinking again, “This prepared, we should probably have a flashlight and a water bottle too.”
“Sunscreen?”
“Why would I need that?”
“In case you wake up tomorrow and find yourself at the beach.”
“That’s too much, do I even have classes? I even took my school uniform just in case.” I said.
“What else do you have? You don’t have any regular medication, and you can buy anything else you need.”
“I think that’s about it.”
“You think he’ll really take you to a mountain or the beach?”
“Just in case, you know, just in case. You said yourself that anything can happen if it’s Phii Johan.” Why does Ter always think of every possibility? Is that his good trait? But I agree with the last sentence. Suddenly, my phone notification went off again. Johan: Hurry up.
North♣: I’m rushing, Phii, just finished showering.
North♣: Almost slipped and cracked my head, man.
Why do people always rush like this? If he had told me earlier, I wouldn’t need to be rushed, right? T^T
“Then I’ll go first, hey, then you’ll be alone.” I said, realizing I’ve never left Ter to sleep alone in the room, “Can you manage on your own?”
“I can’t be alone.” Ter shook his head, “But if I were to ask you to stay…you couldn’t either.”
“Why make it so dramatic?”
“I’ve never let you sleep alone. No matter how busy I am, if you have to sleep in the room, I will come back to be with you, and now…now you’re just leaving me like this.”
“Ter, calm down, you’re making me feel guilty.” I said softly, knowing well that Ter was just pretending, but I was a bit concerned too, “Maybe ask Phii Hill to come over.”
“Wow, it’s late. It’s fine, really.”
“Now what do we do?” I stopped looking for my shoes immediately, turned to look at Ter who was putting on a sad face, clearly just for show, “Hold on, I’ll check with Phii Joe. I don’t want to leave you alone.”
North♣: What about Ter?
North♣:. I don’t want to leave Ter alone.
Johan: Bring Ter down too.
North♣: Are we taking him along?
Johan: Hill is here too.
Johan: Hurry up and come down.
Team? What’s with these two guys… I waited for Ter to pack up before we both headed downstairs from the dorm. “Strange.” I said as we were walking down the stairs.
“Why?”
“Normally, you’d be happy, when I said what about your ship.”
“Oh, so I’m the one who isn’t shipped, huh? That’s for sure.”
“Bastard. I shouldn’t have asked.” I said, shaking my head slightly. Just curious, that’s all.
“Seriously, it’s not that big a deal for me.”
“Really!” I looked at him with wide eyes, disbelieving, “That’s not a big deal?”
“Really. You’re funny when I tease you, but honestly, I do feel a bit chipped.”
“Well, ‘a bit’ isn’t the word I’d use.”
“But right now, I’m more worried about you. If anything goes wrong, call me, okay?”
“Yeah, of course. If anything happens, I’ll definitely call you.” I said.
Walking downstairs, I saw a Benz and an Audi parked in front of the dorm. If it were daytime, they’d definitely draw a crowd. Phii Hill and Phii Johan were leaning against their cars, chatting. Even though they were just talking, there was something about it that felt…like they had an aura. You could snap a photo and put it in a magazine or on a page, it’s like they’re models posing with their cars.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Ter walked straight to Phii Hill. Phii Hill smiled and ruffled the hair of the person approaching him, why does it look so tender, seriously, it feels like the world has been toned down with pastel colors, T^T
Contrastingly, Phii Johan stood there, not looking too pleased, it felt like the atmosphere was completely different.
“What time did you come here?” “Since Joe said he was coming here.” Phii Hill answered. I walked over slowly, “Keeps getting strange, I got back to the condo less than five minutes before the text started, I think.”
“Slow.” Phii Johan turned to scold me.
“Come on, Phii, this was as fast as I could.” I said, somewhat exasperated.
“Joe.”
“What?” He turned to the one calling his name.
“Don’t forget what we talked about earlier.”
“I know already.”
“Finally, I’m tired of dealing with your stuff.” Phii Hill said, looking bored. Phii Johan didn’t look much different.
“Yeah, send me the latest work.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Oh, then who did it?”
“Fah did it.”
“Again, now everything is left to Fah. Got a boyfriend and now slacking off?”
“You, who never does anything, shouldn’t talk.”
Phii Hill frowned. I’ve never seen Phii Johan talk to his friends like this. It seems normal, so why is he always so harsh with me? “You have no work left at the company, right?”
“Uh, yeah, everything’s cleared out for now. Taking a break. Just for this once.”
“That’s good, I’m tired of picking up your slack.” He said before turning to Ter, “Are you hungry? Want to stop somewhere?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Actually, I’m starting to get sleepy.”
“Let’s go then. Oh, and remember, class tomorrow at eight.” Phii Hill turned to tell Phii Joe just as he was about to open the car door, “Don’t be late.”
“Why eight in the morning?” “Teacher’s appointment.” “Man, alright, see you.” “Yep.” and then the white luxury Benz slowly pulled away, leaving me standing there confused with Phii Johan.
“Get in the car.” Phii Johan commanded before opening the driver’s door and getting in. I walked over, opened the passenger door, and sat next to Phii Joe without a word before he started the engine, reached over to adjust my seat, then turned to check the back before backing out with one hand on the wheel. Wow, if he had done that move with a girl, she’d probably have melted by now.
!!!
I felt like I was pushed back into the seat as the car accelerated, completely forgetting how terrifying Phii Johan can be when driving. I barely had time to fasten my seatbelt. And then there was Phii Hill’s driving earlier, so smooth. Oh, I miss Phii Hill’s car, could it come back and pick me up please? Can’t take this anymore.
“Phii…”
“…”
“Um, Phii…”
“What?”
“Can you drive a bit slower, please? I’m so tense my legs are numb.” I said. The person next to me didn’t respond immediately but then slowed down to a normal speed. Good grief, it was scary, scarier than last time because the road was empty, “Driving fast at night is dangerous, you know.”
The silence continued throughout the journey until I wanted to put on my headphones and listen to music just to survive, but I didn’t dare. I wanted to ask where he was taking me, if it was to go camping or to the beach like Ter mentioned, but it probably wasn’t, because if I wasn’t mistaken, this road led to Phii Johan’s condo.
If that’s the case, the next question is…why did he bring me here?
Suddenly, I heard the vibration of a phone. I checked mine but there was nothing; it must have been Phii Johan’s.
“Should I answer it for you?” I offered, noticing the phone lying beside him while he was driving and couldn’t pick up. After a moment, he nodded in agreement.
‘Incoming Call: May’
May?
“Who is it?”
“It’s someone named May.”
“You don’t have to pick up.”
“It’s okay, I’ll tell them.” I said, pressing [answer] without waiting for a reply from the phone’s owner.
(Joe, why aren’t you answering my chats?)
“Phii Johan is busy, he’s driving.” I spoke into the phone. There was a pause from the other end before a response.
(Driving? At midnight? And who are you?)
“Uh, yeah…” I paused, would she even know who I am if I told her my name? “I don’t think you know me.”
(Where are you guys going?)
“Back…we’re heading back, I guess.” I replied hesitantly, turning to look at the driver, “We are heading back, right?” But Phii Johan just kept staring at the road ahead, ignoring my question.
(Back to the condo, huh?)
“Yes, I suppose so.” (Can you put it on speaker? I want to talk to Joe.)
“You can talk to me first, Phii Joe is driving.” I said. Hearing this, Phii Johan immediately looked at me with a surprised expression. I raised an eyebrow at him without saying anything more.
(Is that how it is?) the person on the other end of the line said, laughing, (Ask Johan why he didn’t reply to the chat.)
“Phii Johan, why didn’t you reply to the chat?”
“You didn’t reply to my chat either.”
Oh…
But that’s true, T^T.
Then why the irritation?
“No, not me, I mean, she asked why you didn’t reply to her chat.” This time, Phii Johan didn’t respond. He just shook his head slightly as an answer.
What does shaking your head mean? Not free?
“He said he wasn’t free.”
(Not free? Working? But I saw him at the store.) Oh, then why? Seems like there’s more to it, (And why did he take a photo with Pong?)
“…”
“And why did you take a photo with Pong?” I asked as per what May said, suspecting it might be, yes, that’s a senior, because calling him just Joe indicates it’s my senior.
“…?” The person next to me didn’t respond again, just turned to look at me with a puzzled expression before turning back to the road. Is he really not going to answer? I’ve tried to convey the tone according to what May said.
“He didn’t reply, Phii.”
(Always, he’s always like this. We agreed not to interfere in each other’s affairs, but still, sigh.)
“May.”
(Huh, what?)
“You better stop talking to Phii Johan.”
(…?)
“And talk to me instead.”
“I’m single too, by the way.”
!!!
Hearing that, Phii Johan immediately turned to look at me, then let go of the steering wheel, reached for his phone, ended the call, and threw it onto the console in frustration. He made a sharp turn into the condo, so fast it startled me, and as soon as the car stopped, he got out without waiting.
I quickly got out of the car and followed the other person. Why does he seem even grumpier now?
“Are you jealous?”
“Jealous of May? I was just joking. I didn’t mean to tease you.”
“Hmm.”
That was all Phii Johan said before he tapped the key card to enter the room. I followed him in, still not understanding why I was here, and now I wasn’t even trying to start a conversation or say anything. Once the homeowner plopped down on the sofa, I quietly sat on the smaller one.
“Where have you been?” He asked in a stern voice, which sent a shiver down my spine. Why is he so scary! T^T. He was normal when talking with Phii Hill.
“Just…out.” I answered, just like I did in the chat. Honestly, I didn’t know what to say; I should’ve prepared an answer beforehand.
“Where?”
“A restaurant in town.”
“With whom?” “Uh, with friends, you wouldn’t know them.”
“Who?”
Oh man, this is so pressuring, seriously, T^T. Someone help me!
“Nao, Skater, Kyu.” I mentioned every friend I could think of.
“…”
“…” Phii Joe didn’t say anything, just let out a small sigh, “What did I tell you?”
“You told me not to go anywhere.” I mumbled, looking down, remembering because that’s what he said in the chat. Even though I didn’t understand why he was so angry, when Phii Johan gets mad, it’s really scary.
“Why didn’t you reply to my message?”
“…”
“Sorry.” How could I tell him I was working?
“What time did you leave?”
“Left…around evening, I guess.”
“Hmm.” Phii Johan simply replied, running his fingers through his hair in frustration, then silence enveloped us again. I couldn’t understand why, but I felt like Phii Johan didn’t quite believe what I had said. That made me feel even more guilty for lying, but I was just going to work, T^T.
“Uh…Phii.”
“What?”
“Oh, never mind.” Initially, I was going to ask if he wasn’t going to deduct money from me, but on second thought, it was better not to ask. It’s good if he doesn’t. No need to bring it up. Then, suddenly, he got up and left without me even getting a chance to ask anything.
Phii Johan walked into what I guessed was his bedroom. Uh…now what am I supposed to do? He dragged me to the condo, for what? What am I supposed to do here? Where am I supposed to sleep? And how am I going to get to class tomorrow? While I had nothing else to do, I took out my phone to kill time, just as I was about to message Ter.
“Hey!” I exclaimed in surprise as I suddenly remembered something, hastily dumping the contents of my bag out. Whenever I’m in a hurry to find something, I just empty the bag like this; it’s convenient. Now, my stuff was spread all over the coffee table in front of the sofa.
“What are you doing?” Phii Johan’s voice came from behind. I turned towards the sound; he looked surprised by what I was doing.
“Uh…looking for my wallet.” After emptying everything, I started going through my belongings. Phii Johan, who seemed to have changed clothes, sat back down on the sofa. “Crap, I forgot to bring my wallet.”
“You forgot your wallet, but you brought mosquito repellent?”
Please, Phii, don’t look at me with that disgusted face. I’d rather you just scold me, T^T.
Ter. You, how could you remember the mosquito repellent before the wallet? We spent so long thinking about what we might have missed.
“And why bring the mosquito repellent?” Phii Johan asked.
“Well…just in case you wanted to take me camping or something.”
“…”