The photo shoot was going well, if I might say so myself. Thanks to the drama club, engineering students (who fixed the snow blowing machine thingy), and some volunteers, I managed to create the perfect studio with the props I wanted.

We were in the middle of shooting the month of July. I had been shouting a lot since we started. Not only because I had to direct the five year olds (yes, they were freakin’ five year olds who couldn’t stay still and kept playing with the props and each other, punching and tackling each other), but also because there were lots of audiences watching us, well, them.

No surprise, though. Once someone saw the topless, buff, muscle-y boys playing with each other and getting their picture taken, it was bound to attract lots of people. And they had been swarming and kept growing in number.

But it started to get annoying because my voice started to get hoarse and my throat was hurting. I kept raising my voice higher each time to drown out the laughter, the cat calling, the chirping and screaming of those thirsty people. I was already feeling a bit agitated and tired when Chuck (who had been accompanying me since the start of the shoot) got up from his seat not far from me and walked over to the crowd. I didn’t know what he said to them, but he managed to chase the people away and locked the classroom door (that I borrowed for the shoot). Chuck returned to his seat with a grin and a thumb up. I smiled gratefully at him before turning back to the boys and shouted.

“Take five!” I told them and sigh, feeling tired already. I walked to where Chuck was seated, behind a desk, in front of my laptop and set down my camera. I sat beside him and he handed me a bottle of warm water and I drank it with gratitude. It immediately relieved my sore throat.

“I’m sorry. It’s taking longer than I expected,” I apologized to Chuck who turned to look at me. It was already two and we’ve been here since morning.

“It’s okay,” he said and brushed the sweat from my forehead with a paper towel carefully. He could be gentle when he wanted to. Though, his appearance didn’t really scream ‘gentle’.

“What about your lunch?” I asked again, feeling a little guilty though he didn’t have to be here at all, actually.

Chuck then pointed at a big plastic bag behind my laptop and he grinned. “Yours too,” he said and I flashed him the biggest smile in gratitude. I got up and turned to the boys before shouting, “Lunch time!” I told them and they cheered happily. I heard some boys groan loudly.

“Finally!” they said and I chuckled apologetically. Yeah, I tended to forget about such things when I started working.

I sat back down while Chuck grabbed the bag and opened it. He bought lamb fried rice for himself and Hainan chicken rice for me. My grin widened. “Man, I love you so much,” I sighed heavily and started to dig in.

“Eat slowly!” Chuck flicked my forehead when I started to devour my meal with no grace whatsoever.

I choked and he handed me a bottle of water and I gulped it down as he gently brushed my back. “Sorry,” he smiled apologetically.

I was not answering because I’m too busy eating, but I could hear him chuckling softly as he occasionally brushed the sides of my mouth, where I made a mess when I was eating, with his fingers.

“Hey,” I heard Allen’s voice but I wasn’t looking up. 

Too busy. Sorry Allen. Heh heh heh

“Humm umhh humm…” I managed to mumble through all the chewing and swallowing. ‘Hi to you too’ is what I was trying to say to him.

“Don’t mind this pig,” Chuck chuckled to Allen as he ruffled my hair. I didn’t care if he messed with my hair. It was already messy in the first place anyway. I was starving and the Hainan chicken rice was too good. But, did he just call me ‘pig’? Huh? Whatever. Food first.

“Not eating?” Allen asked Chuck, I supposed, ’cause I was obviously eating.

“Later,” Chuck said as he once again wiped a piece of rice from the corner of my mouth and brought it to my face before I licked it. “Those won’t be enough,” I heard him whispering to Allen as I frowned.

Not long after, my plate was already empty. But I was still slightly hungry. And Chuck knew it because after I put away the traces of my meal, he put his lamb fried rice in front of me, already open and ready to eat. I grinned widely at Chuck who ruffled my already messy hair and then I was back to eating.

I was so busy eating I didn’t even notice what Chuck and Allen were talking about, though I could hear them laughing. I liked their laughs. I couldn’t help but smile to myself when I heard them laugh. It was also relieving to hear Chuck laugh like that with someone we’ve only known for a few days. That meant Chuck actually did think that Allen was an okay guy and he was starting to accept him.

“You done?” Chuck asked when I finally put away the empty plate, sighing in content. I nodded and he got up. “I’ll grab my lunch and head to practice,” he informed me and I nodded.

“Thanks for the food,” I smiled at him shamelessly even though I finished his lunch. He ruffled my hair and turned to Allen.

“Take care of him for me?” Chuck asked. I kicked his shin but missed when he jumped back, grinning.

“What are you, my mom?” I shot glares at him, annoyed. Chuck just laughed and dashed outside before I could jump on him. But I was too full to even lift my fingers, so I’ll just deal with him later.

Allen was laughing. “See what I mean?” I asked him. He just smiled as I dragged myself up and we walked back to the photo area.

“Kinda get it though,” He said thoughtfully.

“Huh?” I frowned at him but he was already a few steps away from me, joining his team mates to continue the shoot. I scratched my head before positioning myself and started getting back to work.

What was that again?