Go, August, Go! FS2 ENGLISH

one: august

"Levi, what are these?" Horrified, I gaped at the various bottles of narcotics strewn on the bed. They were no conventional drugs, and I knew exactly what they were for. Recreational drugs! My mind screamed in panic. They shouldn't be here in the room with us.

His complacent grin was the least of my expectations. He shrugged nonchalantly and instead of cleaning the mattress free of his mess, he walked to me with open arms. He wrapped them around my waist and rained kisses on my cheeks. Faint smell of smoke stuck on him.

"I knew you'd be scared to do this. They are here to calm you down."

"I don't need them, Levi! I'm not using them, and besides, I'm still schooling," I hissed.

He distanced himself from me a little and regarded me like there was something funny. As if seeing my fear at the sight of these drugs meant to amuse him. It wasn't that I hated him already for this. I was disappointed, yes. This was not part of our plan.

"If we run away tonight, your study will be uncertain. H-ell, I doubt you'll get a chance to go to school again!"

"What do you mean?"

He laughed. He completely took himself off me so he could properly display his glee to me. I was used to this. It never offended me. If anything, I fell for his rude remarks. I found him cool and smart. He was always laid back, fun, and adventurous. Something that was missing in my life.

Levi Suarez and I had been together for three years now. We met outside International High Manila as he and his group waited for someone from my school after dismissal. And they followed me to the university.

Everyone would recognize the likes of their group at first sight: out of school, troublemakers, purpled hairs, tattooed, piercings here and there, and a smirk that screamed trouble. And what separated them from ordinary street gangsters was the fact that they all came from well-off families. Sports cars, expensive clothes, expensive recreational stuff, high-end hang-out places.

I could still remember how I quickened my pace when their Lamborghini pulled out at the street across IHM gates. It probably was one of my bad, lost days to be walking around without Sandro, my guard.

A whistle came from their group as I walked past them. My eyes landed on Landon who was smirking to nowhere. When his eyes landed on me, everything had been nothing but a blur of memory. Their visit outside school became frequent. Days turned into months. Secret passing notes. Stolen glances. Unplanned getaway. And before I knew it, we became official—but never to my family.

His parents knew about me but we rarely met with them as Landon rarely came home. He literally had a feud with everyone in their family and his parents would only give him allowance through online transactions.

Among his group, he had the most decent look. His tattoos were hidden. The only piercing was on his tongue. He dressed casually but often with dull colors. According to him, he couldn't get to family territories with strict protocols. The only thing that mirrored him with his friends was the bruises on his face and fists. They would be replaced with something new before the first completely healed. Plus, his eyes became sharp and pitch-black because of the bags under his eyes.

I didn't know what I really liked about him. It could be his height and confident air. Or the evident Spanish blood in his look. Or his smart mouth. All I knew was I loved to be with him and his spirited company.

However, I was aware of the businesses they do being out-of-school, the foremost flaw I found in their group.

"Come on, Rox! I've long forgotten school. They all kicked me out so what's the sense? Don't tell me you expect I'll work my a*s off to keep you in one? That sounds absurd!"

My tongue darted out to graze my lips and shrugged my uncertainty. "We can ask your parents."

His laughter halted to be replaced by a snort. And then, barked the laughter out again. "I literally just steal from them, babe! I have too many in my hands to have you as a charity."

Charity.

Why did it feel like a blow?

Drugs, alcohol, illegal firearms, and drag racings. Yeah, literally had everything in his hands.

"Look, if you're not ready for this, just go home. I love you and I don't want you to be a burden to me."

“A burden?" It no longer sounded cool or smart. That was truly offensive.

He rubbed his palm across his face. It meant he was ready to shut this conversation off. We would argue and he would rather stop it before it occurred because he often got tired of cooing me. I knew because whenever I felt like he was giving up, that was when I would forgive him.

He sighed and walked back to me, once again pulling me to his chest. "This is my world, babe. You want me to take you but you don't seem ready, honestly… I can get money from everywhere but those are for me and my hobbies. I can introduce you to this quick money life but you're talking about school. You should get rid of that first, 'kay?"

I looked at the bed and eyed all the 'stuff' on it. "You want me to have this kind of life?"

He stepped away and shrugged. He plunged down the bed on his side with his elbow and gently picked each bottle like they were his prized possession. "They're not as badass as you think. This conventional world made them a graveyard sin… They're worth more than anything in this world. They're heaven. They're heaven!" He grabbed a fistful of the pills and drew them close to his nose to sniff long. His eyes instinctively closed like they were taking effect on him.

I stood there speechless and utterly dumbfounded. He knew I would never try them, whatever he said. He and our group of friends tried to convince me countless times. But International University Manila, my school, required thorough medical inspection and they wanted their students free of illegally used drugs. There was no way I would try even a taste of it. They were persistent but never forceful, which I was grateful for.

We were here because I wanted this. I planned to run away and probably change school for a new life, away from my parents' constricting restraints. But that was it. Letting go of my studies was not a plan. Definitely not embracing these substances our friends were all into.

He took a long breath and sighed with satisfaction. His eyes gleamed. I had seen it several times. When he would lose control, he would send me off before he did the unthinkable. Although we never got that far. His friends would insist I go for my own safety and I only learned possible scenarios through my research. Now, the sight before me made me realize what a fool I was to think of this—running away.

He's right. I was not ready. We were not ready. I loved him but there was no way I would take on this… lifestyle.

"Hey!" He stood from the bed and to me, pulling me close again. "I'm not throwing you out, okay? We can stay the night here if you want. I will not touch them." He spread an arm to gesture at the bed. But even then, I doubted it. "This is a reckless decision and I want you to think this through. You can change your mind while we're here. There's no backing out once we resume this."

I had my eyes on the drugs. Not because I long for them but because I wondered how easier this decision would have been if they were not involved. Levi's fingers captured my chin to get my forlorn eyes back at him.

"Don't you want us to be together?"

He chuckled heartily. "I want that! You know I'd love that! Come on, babe! I want that more than you do. But I want us to be certain, too. This will be a life-changing decision… If this doesn't work, I'm afraid we'll break up and I don't want that," he firmly said. His face turned gloomy as he cupped my face in between his hands. "I love you, Roxette. I won't let a frantic decision break us apart."

I bit into my lower lip. "But we may have a hard time seeing each other again. My parents are suspicious."

"All but a suspicion, yes. They're nothing unless their very eyes witness it. We'll have to be careful, then."

"But it's difficult. I want to see you whenever I want to. I'm tired of having to do this in secret."

"Now, that's a bad drug." He smiled softly and pecked on my forehead. "We can still see each other. We only need to be extra careful. Admit it, it's fun!"

He pulled me to his chest when I said nothing. I sighed and stared at the bed. I was thinking how I would ask him to keep them when a soft knock came by the door. It literally made my skin jump. There was not even a doorbell for each room in the establishment.

Levi was off of me in the instant I pushed him away. My eyes were wide and terrified. His own were relaxed and nonchalant. He didn't notice my paranoia caused me to assume it was Sandro until I stopped him from walking to the door. He frowned at my hand clutching on his shirt. Then, he touched it gently and took it off him.

"That's a pizza I ordered for dinner," he said and nothing changed.

I knew well how persistent Sandro and the driver, Randy, could get. I looked around in panic and to the window. Levi dismissed my rising fear to head to the door but I stopped him again. This time, completely dragging him by the hem of his shirt and back to the bed.

He frowned at me before he followed my gaze. To the window. Outside the paint-peeling walls of the building and across the road was a car too familiar to ignore. A black BMW just pulled over and seconds later, Randy and Sandro, wearing the same black uniform, stepped out.

Dread tool over me. Levi pulled me away from the window when the two looked up to and around the area. He pulled the thin white curtains closed and glared at me.

"You were followed!" he stated the obvious.

I could only watch his distraught and bite my lower lip. I should have known they wouldn't have stopped until find, and worse, learn what I was up to this time around.

I almost squealed when I remembered the stuff on the bed. And another soft knock cane outside the door.

"Your drugs, Levi! You need to hide with them," I begged.

He frowned. "Come on, it's just the delivery guy. Tip him good and he will not say a word."

"P-Please… The guards might check each room!"

Irritation broke through his face. Giving up, he lifted his hands to pick all the bottles and tablets, murmuring, indistinct words. I grimaced when he turned to me with all of them close to his chest. I silently pointed at the same comfort room, hoping he wouldn't get annoyed by my demand. Fortunately, he did as I requested and jerked his chin to the cash and extra change on the nightstand. Using a credit card or any close identification in such places may result in trouble.

Levi was never a bit scared with all the trouble he was getting himself into. He knew all the easiest ways out and most of it was family and business connections. However, as for me, I got skittish at all the little things knowing the danger that came after all of this. I knew the consequences. I knew the things at stake.

But I loved Levi. The paranoia just grew with me in three years of a secret relationship with him.

For more than three years, Levi learned to despise Sandro and Randy as they had no barriers. My parent's order, their law. It was their oath to abide by it and make other people conform to do the same.

The annoyance and fear in Levi were reasonable. I could recall how Sandro manhandled him for smoking way too close to my face. They didn't know we were in a relationship neither was I a friend with the group.

It was an early dismissal and I left school without swiping my card so my parents wouldn't know. Sandro was a tough, stiff, and really tall man. I should have known he wouldn't believe my alibi of being in the school's library. He knew I wasn't that type of student.

Loitering at a vacant lot nearby IHM, he found me with the company of out-of-school, trouble-seeking youth. Most of them were older than me and Levi. About ten in numbers. Everyone got mad at me for going with Randy and to the car and letting Sandro deal with them. From the car, I watched as my devoted personal bodyguard threatened to break Levi's arm when he attempted to fight. The group tried to help, one even brought out a knife, which Sandro effortlessly snatched from him. The girls receded as Sandro drilled his eyes at them.

The group that used to scare me four years ago because of how atypical they look and act was single-handed by incredible Sandro and his years of expertise in the military. My father must be impressed.

Levi and his friends only forgave me when I met with them weeks later on the same lot. They all expressed their hate for Sandro. I couldn't agree because I knew he was only doing his job. And he was really kind to me.

"This is stupid, Rox! How can you not know you're being followed?" Levi snapped from the comfort room. He shut the door with a loud thud.

I ignored him and headed to the threshold. The lack of a peephole fueled my reluctance. Levi's impatient groan practically resonated. Sighing, and with shaking hands, I twisted the handle and pulled it door open.

I gaped at the two boxes of pizzas before me. The red uniform of the delivery guy made my anxiety worse. I instantly dislike it as a color.

"Good evening! Sir Rovi?"

Blue, ocean eyes startled me. He glanced over my shoulder, expecting a guy to stand behind me. I stepped on the side to block his clear view of the quite small room, foolishly forgetting his looming height.

I was only at the level of his neck. He was close to the gigantic height of Sandro and it was unnerving considering the age gap. Sandro was around his mid-forties if I was not mistaken. This guy looked about decades younger although he had a broad, matured body.

I tried to see through those mesmerizing eyes how young he could be but he averted his gaze when I unconsciously eyed him way too long. My eyes fell on the name plaque by his chest: August.

My heart pounded. I had to convince myself it was the resurfacing fear in me and knowing full well Sandro and Randy could be inside the building by now.

After absentmindedly receiving the boxes and settling them at the nearby table, August then handed the receipt to me. The money was on the nightstand. I contemplated whether to close the door to him for a while or let him in. But the latter immediately became the best choice as I didn't want him standing outside while Sandro and Randy searched for me.

I silently but hastily signaled him to step in. I closed the door when he did and counted the money from the nightstand. I would simply have to grab whatever I got. More than but not less. However, Levi treasured his every cent. He rarely gave tips unless he felt it was needed.

In my haste, I grabbed two bills and handed them to him. He was about to count for my change but I grabbed his hand, stopping him from reaching for his bag. I took him by surprise, sure, but I ignored the vague expression trying to read the situation. I pointed at the door but he produced a small clipboard from under his arm. He pointed a finger to the paper and where I needed to sign.

Frustrated, I snatched the pen and scribbled randomly across the paper. It caught yet another surprise reaction which I was again dismissed. I opened the door for him. My paranoia got the best of me again as I checked the hallway and true enough, voices echoed from the opposite hallway.

"We don't want this to reach the authorities now, do we? We're certain an under-aged school girl is here."

I closed the door in an instant. That was unmistakably Sandro's voice. I was no longer under-aged. I was in my first year at International University Manila. As expected, he was using his expertise at it again.

I stepped away from the door as if it had become see-through.

“What's the matter, miss?" August, the delivery guy, asked when I glanced at the closed bathroom door.

My mind went haywire when our eyes met. The moment became a life-and-death situation for me. Thoughts ran wild. Crazy, selfish thoughts. And I entertained no second thoughts. I simply went with the first idea.

Desperately, I slapped my arms repeatedly with my bare hands until they turned red and numb.

"Miss, what's wrong?" August's eyes reflected his concern at the unknown unfolding event. I disregarded his innocence and grabbed a fistful of my hair to ruin my fixed locks. It was not enough. I slapped my neck and chest, too. Brutally, until they went battered. Still, not enough, I tugged at the collar of my pullover but the fabric was too thick to have damaged.

"Miss?"

Throwing one last glance at the bathroom door, I hoped Levi wouldn't come out until this was all over. Then, I spun around for the main door. I pulled it open so hard it hit the wall which caused vibration.

August stopped it from bouncing back and possibly hitting either of us. But before he could close it again, Sandro pushed the door and marched inside. The attempt to scream for help got stuck in my throat.

His eyes were alert as he scanned my appearance. Sandro pushed further inside the room and to the side, taking me away from the delivery guy. Randy soon replaced him as he got in. Sandro faced August when two guards tried to question him. Talking wasn't Sandro's cup of tea. He welcomed no conversation.

He pushed August against the table and turned him around on his stomach, his hands behind him. The pizza box fell. Its content scattered on the floor. August stared at it with wide, disbelief eyes.

When he forced his head to turn to me, Randy blocked my view. My horrified eyes landed on my driver whose eyes were clouded with unspeakable concern. He muttered a soft question I failed to register.

The world seemed to stand still yet everything happened only between seconds. I was carefully taken out of the room while poor August stayed silent at Sandro's assault. My bodyguard searched his body for identity and all.

Our eyes met for the last time before I stepped out. I was so apologetic but my lips were sealed to deny the truth. And I would never forget, the coldest blue eyes squinting dangerously at me.