FOREIGN BLISS

CHAPTER FOUR

Their new professor’s sudden revelation made almost the whole class endlessly praise him and ask countless questions about him, his brother, and the band. But in the end, they still managed to finish their whole class time with all of them done with introducing themselves, with some questions still inserted in their introductory speech.

“Thank goodness he isn’t that strict.” Melanie said while they were seated at the table near the exit of the cafeteria. They finished the first four hours of their class and is now enjoying their one-hour break before continuing their remaining five-hour class schedule.

“Uh huh.” Fiona seconded. “But Mr. Qin who followed Sir Lewis is such an ultra-strict one.” she added, commenting to their second professor who’s assigned to teach them molecular biology.

“And we’ll have Miss Silver as our biochemistry after our break.” Daphne added, making the two of them groan. “Don’t break our good atmosphere!” Fiona said, complaining about the mention of their next professor who’s known about her strictness and hatred towards any unnecessary noise.

“You guys started it.” Daphne reasoned before taking a sip at her chocolate frappe. Melanie took a piece of her bite sized vanilla cookie and swallowed it quickly, before pointing at Daphne’s chocolate frappe, and a slice of choco mousse cake as her food.

“You’ll have diabetes if you keep on eating sweets.” Melanie pointed out. Daphne rolled her eyes and shrugged. “I don’t eat chocolate straight in a week.” Daphne reasoned.

“Besides, I drink lots of water to flush out the sweets and unneeded carbs in my body.” she added. “I also exercise every weekend so I monitor my system and-” Daphne’s further explanation was cut off when Fiona stepped in.

“Okay stop.” Fiona said, placing her palm in front of Daphne. “Don’t enumerate further reasons just to defend yourself like a lawyer.” she added before lowering down her hand.

“Then don’t order mocha or any flavored food and drinks that have sweet flavors blended in it.” Melanie said, still reminding Daphne about her eating behavior. “Yeah, listen to our future dietician.” Fiona added.

Daphne sighed and let out a smile. “Yes, miss.” she said then chuckled, making Melanie and Fiona start laughing as well.

“You know,” Melanie started after recovering from their laughing saga. “I have a feeling our first-year college life will be a blast.” she said, suddenly blurting out her expectations at their current school year.

Fiona took a sip at her strawberry milkshake before commenting. “How so? I’m pretty sure our school consumes almost all our awake hours.” she said before taking a bite on her peanut butter sandwich.

Daphne nodded, agreeing to Fiona. “That’s true. We have loads of strict professors and our activities are starting to increase.” she said, doubting Melanie’s prediction.

“Welp. To start off my enumeration,” Melanie said, raising her right hand with the fingers in counting manner. “One,” she said, lowering one of her fingers. “We managed to get Daphne listen to Gray Sky.” she started, looking at the mentioned person.

“Two,” Melanie said, stopping midway before humming, thinking for the next reason. “Okay, I don’t know.” she said, giving up and lowered her hand.

 “I just have that feeling because we managed a big big achievement by having Daphne see Gray Sky in the bright light.” she added, then took another cookie and ate peacefully like nothing happened.

Daphne and Fiona looked at each other before shrugging indifferently. “She must be on her crazy period again.” Fiona said and took another bite from her sandwich.

“Uh huh.” Daphne seconded. “The screws in her brain must be loose again.” she added before taking a sip at her frappe.

***

“Okay we’re done!”

The words that the director yelled made almost every staff sigh in relief. After all, their straight eight hours of filming has come to an end. The Gray Sky’s manager walked towards the director with stack of clipped papers on both hands.

“So how was it?” Lucas Sawyer, the band’s manager, asked with a curious stare yet a small hopeful smile was plastered on his lips.

“Oh them?” the director clarified, pointing at the three members who’s currently talking with each other while seated at the chairs in a round table. “They’re good, easy to deal with, and great at expressing the necessary details for the commercial.”

Lucas sighed in relief and put all the papers in one hand and stretched out the other. “Thank you.” he said, making the director return the smile and shake his outstretched hand.

Meanwhile, the three members of the Gray Sky were busy talking to each other while enjoying their free time with the drinks and food that was meant for them.

“Why would we need a commercial?” Johann asked, taking pieces of cheese balls and eating it at once. “I mean, we’re a band, we are made for music, not acting.”

“To encourage people, that’s why.” Denver said, answering his question, before drinking his iced coffee. “We are not after the fame. It’s for people to know us and our music.” he added.

Johann nodded, understanding the point. “Guess I should get used to it then.” he said before popping another cheese ball in his mouth. “We’ve been doing it for three years already yet you’re still asking and saying the same thing.” Denver said then shook his head, already used with his antics.

Christopher let out a small laugh before taking a sip at his caramel macchiato. “El, you’re still the same.” he commented and smirked before taking a cheese ball. "Complaining even if you're still doing your best."

“Stop calling us El.” Denver complained, still against the nickname Christopher made up for them that he kept on calling them for years already.

Christopher groaned, tired of their almost daily questioning of his choice of nickname ever since he started to call them that. "Seriously? You guys still don't like it?" he asked before sighing.

“What do you want me to call you guys then?” Christopher asked again, challenging them. “Brother? Bro? Elder bro? bruh?” he continued, enumerating the possible words he can use to address them. "Or maybe, big brother?"

"Ew gross." Christopher said and rolled his eyes, reacting to his own suggestion, waving his hand in dismissal of the thought. "So you guys chose one already?"

Denver and Johann stayed quiet, contemplating whether they should complain more and argue while scolding him or just let their youngest be.

“See?” Christopher said after none of them responded to his question. “El means Elder brother. It’s kinda long so I decided to shorten it, creating the new word ‘El’.” he said, explaining the origin of his nickname for them once again.

Johann sighed. “Whatever kiddo.” he said, giving up and letting their youngest win and do whatever he wants. “Fine. El will do.” Denver said, admitting defeat as well.

"Just go along with it Els, I've been calling you guys that for years already yet you're still asking that from time to time." Christopher said, complaining on why they still don't move on on his choice of words.

Their discussion was cut short when someone clapped thrice behind them, causing all of them to turn and see their manager looking at them with a smile. “What’s up guys?”

“We’re just discussing Topher things.” Johann said and shrugged, taking his iced black coffee and drank some before putting it down and took another piece cheese ball.

They call things related to Christopher ‘Topher things.’ Despite being stars, they still act like kids and treats their youngest as their literal baby brother. Because of that, they tend to be the grown-up guardians of their 19-year-old band mate, thus labeling his actions as ‘Topher things’.

Lucas laughed and shook his head. “You guys are still the same.” he said with a smile. “It’s like you just aged physically yet you’re still the teen agers I’ve been with years ago.” he added, reminiscing their memories almost five years ago, the first day when they met each other during the formation of the band and their start of practice and training.

“Don’t act like you’re that old, El.” Christopher said. “You’re only 28.” he added.

“Yeah, you’re just few years older than us.” Denver seconded. “If you call yourself old, these two might label me as someone near to being old.” Johann said, reminding Lucas about their five-year gap.

Denver and Christopher laughed his choice of words. “El, how did you read my mind?” Christopher joked, finding a situation where he can tease their oldest.

“It’s good that you included me with Topher in teasing you.” Denver added, enjoying the time they can tease their band mate. “In terms of years, I am still younger than you, so thank you for acknowledging that.” he said then laughed.

Johann groaned and took two pieces of cheese ball then threw it at the two of them, with Christopher dodging it easily and Denver merely avoided it, causing some of the cheese powder stick to his dirty white colored shirt. "And I thought I avoided well."

“See what you did?” Johann said while staring the Lucas and his finger pointing at his two band mates, who’s currently looking at him with a teasing smile. ”I just mentioned about age and now they can’t move on.”

Lucas raised his hands in surrender. “I didn’t include you in being old.” he said, his hands still raised. “You mentioned yourself so it’s your fault.” he added, blaming Johann instead of surrendering and apologizing.

Johann sighed in defeat. “So why did you approach us? We’re going home already?” he asked, changing the topic.

Lucas lowered his hands and snapped his fingers. “Ah! Thanks for reminding me.” he said, taking his wallet out of his pocket and took a piece of card, showing it to the three of them.

SNS: Saturday News Saga

            3:45 p.m

“They invited us to be their guest this upcoming Saturday.” Lucas said, informing them about their upcoming guesting at an afternoon T.V show. The three of them exchanged glances and shrugged, already used in having themselves guest at various shows so it’s not a big deal.

“Okay, but can we go home now?” Denver asked. Lucas looked at the time and saw that it’s already 7:43 p.m. “Yep.”

“Great.” Denver said and put his glass at the table after finishing the whole drink, then stood up and stretched his neck. “I badly want to lay in my bed all day. My pillows must be lonely.”

“You bet.” Johann replied after drinking all the water in the plastic bottle then tossed it in the trashcan. “Loads of black coffee will help me at home. Wait, did I bought my stock of coffee?”

“I’ll sleep the moment I reached my bed.” Christopher commented before eating the three remaining cheese balls and stood up as well, taking his half-finished macchiato with him. “My bed is waiting for me.”

Seeing them act the way they are right now, made Lucas smile in satisfaction. “You guys are now grown-up little kids.” he said, making the three of them look at him weirdly.

“Who made him eat spoiled food?” Christopher asked in a serious manner. “Maybe the breakfast he had is spoiled already, but the effect only appeared this time.” he continued, trying to put the imaginary blame on something. “Or maybe the water he drank.”

“Maybe the food Denver brought him causes this.” Johann added seriously, copying Christopher’s way of teasing their manager. “You should be careful in giving food.” he added, looking at the mentioned person.

“We all ate the lunch meal my mom made for us.” Denver said and rolled his eyes. “Maybe the ice cream he secretly bought is the real culprit.” he continued, remembering the minor confrontation they did with Lucas when they saw him eating an ice cream when he clearly forbid them in eating one, and in return, he’ll do it with them as well.

Lucas sighed and just smiled, used in their teasing. “Shut it kids, let’s-” his words were cut off when his phone rang in his coat’s pocket. He took it out and saw that his brother is calling him.

“Yo bro.” he greeted.

“Bro.” Lewis, his brother, greeted back. “I forgot the key inside the house,” he said, directly saying the reason on why did he called, followed by an awkward laugh. “What is the password again?” he asked, trying to know the combinations to use the alternative way to open the door.

Lucas let out a loud laugh, amazed by his brother’s stupidity. “Younger bro, how forgetful eh?” he said, mocking his brother, making Lewis on the other line groan. “Shut up.”

“The password is 01-” Lucas stopped midway, trying to remember the next numbers to complete the pass code. "013- uh no it's not that..022- that's not it either."

Giving up, he just sighed. “I forgot.” he admitted, followed by another loud laugh, making the members of the Gray Sky look at him weirdly once again.

“How is he our manager?” Johann whispered in the two of them. “I don’t know either.” Denver answered, whispering as well. “Maybe he’s drunk.” Christopher whispered back.

“Then how can I enter the hou-” Lewis’ question was interrupted when Lucas laughed again. “Simple, wait for me to get home and use the keys.” he answered like it is the best solution that can benefit the both of them.

“For crying out-” Lewis stopped midway and just sighed. “I’ll eat dinner at the nearby restaurant.” he said, agreeing to his brother’s one and only suggestion, then hanged up.

Lucas removed the phone from his ear and looked at it, confirming if his brother really hanged up the phone without proper goodbye. He then laughed and put his phone back in his pocket, before looking at the three who were quietly observing him with some whisper chats then and there.

“That’s my younger brother. 2 years younger, Lewis Sawyer. I told you that I have a brother, remember?” Lucas said, informing them about the caller a while ago.

 “He’s now sharing the house with me because he’s now a professor at his new work place, Avanuez University.” He added.

“He must be smart to lecture at that prestigious school.” Denver commented, making Lucas proud of his brother. “He’s actually a genetics teacher of the 1st year biology students.” he said, bragging his brother more.

“But he’s sometimes stupid.” he continued, gradually adding an insult after saying a positive remark at his brother. “Who would even forget his keys on his own house?” he added, continuing on dissing his brother without his presence.

“But you forgot your pass code.” Christopher said then smirked. “Guess it runs I your blood.” Johann added, making Christopher face him and do a high five with him. “You’re both stupid.” Denver added.

Lucas sighed and ruffled his hair. “You got me there.” he said, admitting that they are indeed forgetful in some ways. “Let’s just go home.”

After their eventful day, the four of them walked towards the parking area and went in their respective cars. After bidding goodbye to each other, they all started their engine and went straight towards the direction of their homes.

Christopher slowed down and took his phone and played some music using his one hand, then continued driving at a normal pace while listening to his shuffled playlist.

When the light turned red, his car halted. His fingers were gently tapping the steering wheel while he’s humming along the song. The music shifted into his draft one, where it’s just his voice that is either singing out the lyrics he wrote or humming to fit in the melody of the music he wanted to make.

“I guess the lyrics seemed a bit off.” he commented while listening to it, quickly shifting the light, airy vibe into a serious one. Seeing the light turning green, he slowly turned his engine on again and continued his journey to go home.

“The humming’s slower than the flow of the lyrics.” he said to himself, commenting on the way he hummed on the remaining parts of the music piece. “I think the piano fits well in that part.” he said, seriously listening and mentally taking down the things he needed to adjust and revise.

After some time, he finally reached the condominium, Smeralde Palace, where his place is located at the 24th floor. Upon reaching his place, he took out the key and made his way inside.

“The lyrics should be finished before September ends.” he said, still thinking about the music piece he aims to successfully create. He put his bag down the sofa then walked towards the kitchen area, taking out the remaining lasagna from his refrigerator, then put it in the microwave.

He took a seat at the chair next to the dining table and patiently waited for the sound that’ll indicate that it’s done in reheating it.

“I want to make a music on my own.” he mumbled, leaning back on the chair. “But Johann El said I need an inspiration.” he said, continuing his monologue. “But I have none so far.”

“Why did I even chose to create a love music?” he said, asking himself about his decisions. "This is not so me."

“Ah right, that was the theme of the next album.” he said again, answering his own question. “Why can’t I make it per-” his monologue was cut short when the microwave tinged, all done in reheating his dinner for tonight.

After taking the lasagna out and placed it in a plate, he then took a pitcher of cold water from the fridge and started to eat silently. Upon eating, his mind wandered into several thoughts that soon formed into series of questions.

The theme of our next album is about love, specifically, about the type of feelings that are developed further when you’re in love, having a soulmate, I suppose. He thought, taking another slice of lasagna. Why is the theme like that? We aren’t even cut out for that. A band like us is made for upbeat and hyped up song, so why would our next album in December will be like that?

His questions were left unanswered until he finished eating and done with his night routine. Laying on the bed while staring at the blank ceiling just made him want to think more. Instead of letting himself drown in questions, he took his phone from his drawer and played the music, shuffling them once again.

"Please, I badly need an inspiration." he whispered before closing his yes and put his right arm over it, covering them completely. "Can I have one?"

After he's tired of thinking, he started trying to make his mind go blank and focus in taking a long sleep to charge up. And without taking an hour of trying, because of losing too much energy during their shooting, his mind finally stopped bugging him and his eyes were closed unforcedly, letting him go take the rest he wanted.