Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 7

CHAPTER 7: SHOULD I REALLY LET IT GO?

It was decided that we should linger in Hogsmeade for a little while, so it was Dragon Guy’s turn to decide where to go…

“There’s a winehouse down the street that is my usual favourite. Wanna come along with me to try it out?”

“Yes! Yes, of course! No problem-o!” I exclaimed sounding desperate for a moment, much to Dragon Guy’s amusement, but then I remembered something, “Um…but…don’t you have, like, a curfew or…something?”

Dragon Guy literally guffawed at my face and punched me playfully.

“Oh, come on, Train Boy! I’m too old for that! But then again, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Um, err, I didn’t mean to…” I cleared my throat and took out my wallet, fishing out some money, “Uh, before we do anything, here’s my share of the bill. We promised to go Dutch, remember?”

“Um, I think you gave me a little extra…” Dragon Guy counted the dollar bills and wanted to protest but I was adamant.

“Nope. I asked you out, so it’s only fair.”

“Oh well,” Dragon Guy shrugged and pocketed the money. “Don’t mind if I do. Let’s go then.”

We went to a night-time only winehouse called Boarhound Winehouse and Lounge. It was very classy and posh, and had numerous wines in display. I wouldn’t even dare step in here alone for nuts, and yet now here I was, having Burgundy and blue cheese and crackers and grapes with Dragon Guy. It felt almost surreal.

“This place is kinda posh,” I commented.

“Yup. They’ve got class, alright. It’s one of my favourite haunts. A whole variety of wine, great food to compliment them, affordable prices…it’s all good here.”

We spent about almost an hour and two bottles of Burgundy talking about the wine they have around here. Well, Dragon Guy was more of the expert in the field. He could literally tell me the history of each and every person who made red and white wine and champagne popular throughout the times. It was interesting to see this intellectual side of Dragon Guy. Goes to show not all blondes are dumb.

“Say, Train Boy,” Dragon Guy changed the topic, “that time when you rushed up to take care of that snakey drunk geezer, what did it feel like?”

“Feel?” I scratched my head. “Well, it felt kinda scary, I guess.”

“Scary, huh? I knew it. Hmm…But then again…Then again, if everyone in the world can be just like you, wouldn’t it be cool?”

“Huh?”

“I would also like to be as brave as you, Train Boy!”

Was he bloody drunk? The colour on his cheeks said so.

“And I wish my bosses would have balls like you and my colleagues would learn from your example, don’t you agree?”

“Uh…That wouldn’t be necessary though…”

Dragon Guy stopped for a while, realizing what he just said and laughed at his own stupidity. His laugh was infectious and I laughed along with him too, before we talked about nothing in particular.
Before we knew it, it was almost 10pm. We left the winehouse as soon as we paid the bill. Of course, we went Dutch again with him paying by credit card and then I paid him back my share.

We walked again in silence all the way to the subway station. And we were quiet as well while we were on the train. I guess we just ran out of things to say for real this time.

“I’ll be getting off at the next stop,” Dragon Guy said quietly.

“Yeah, I guess,” I replied, trying to hide my reluctance.

“I really had a wonderful time. Thanks.”

“Thank you too.”

Silence again between us. I knew if I let him go now, there wouldn’t be anymore of us. I should’ve said something to create a chance for a next date, but I couldn’t say anything.

How could I still be such a coward?

The train started to slow down, signifying that we’re reaching Dragon Guy’s stop.

Should I end it like this?

Is it really OK?

Dragon Guy stepped off the train along with a few other passengers. We stared at each other for a while, waiting for the 15 second door limit to end.

Do I really want this to end?

Was it worth it to leave it as it is?

“Bye, Train Boy. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

I had to say something.

Anything.

“You too! I’ll…I’ll call ya!”

With that, the door closed. He stood there, watching me leave, and I stood at the door, watching him until I could no longer see him anymore…

And that was it…

Twincest: Gods…Feels like we’re watching some sorta ‘Bold and Beautiful’ soap opera or a chick-flick romance movie…(choke)
Know-It-All: I feel like I wanna just hold you in my arms right now, Train Boy!
PotionsMaster: Dragon Guy sounds like a pretty decent fellow, my kind of guy.
Padfoot: So this…this is how dating feels like, huh? TT_TT
HerbologyFreak: You did it! (sob) Train Boy, you finally did it!

Thanks, you guys. Thank you so much.

I lean against the keyboard and think back about our date. I never thought he’d walk so slow, and his hand on my arm feels so soft and tender. I can still feel the phantom grasp as I scroll down to see more replies.

Moony: Someone once said, that if you gone as far as having dinner with someone who dressed up for you, you’ve moved up a notch in life. At least you were decent to him as well.

I guess. But…But I think…I think it’s really over now.

One reply on the screen is all it takes to make me pick up my phone and stare at it in deep thought.

QuibblerGirl: Is it really over? Ask yourself truthfully: Is it OK to end like this?

………

Is it…?

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 6

CHAPTER 6: IT ENDS HERE

Hello, everyone. Train Boy speaking. I’m home. I’m not gonna beat about the bush, so let’s cut to the chase tonight…

We agreed to meet at the Hogsmeade main subway station at 8. It’s only about an hour away from my home, but I ended up getting out of the house 2 hours earlier than I should. Obviously since I got there an hour later, I ended up waiting there for the next hour.

I really was desperate.

I looked up from the magazine I bought from home and saw many couples passing by in front of me. They were all dressed in the nines and were rather lovey-dovey with each other, which kinda contrasted the situation I was in. Could that really be how I might be if Dragon Guy and I were…?

Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves, I told myself as I checked my watch. It’s already 8:05pm. He should be here by now…

Speak of the devil. As soon as I thought that, I heard pitter-patter of steps coming towards me. It was Dragon Guy, resting himself on his knees trying to catch his breath. When he finally stood up straight, he was a beauty to behold, just like the first time I saw him.

He wore a plain shirt buttoned up all the way up to the first three, showing a little of his torso. He was wearing two tribal necklaces, one longer than the other, and his shirt was matched with a black jacket with white thin stripes. He wore a pair of designer denim jeans and was sporting a pair of casual leather shoes. When he looked up at me, his panting face was tinted pink with the exercise as he smiled apologetically.

“Sorry I’m late. You waited long?”

His statement about not letting me have high expectations just didn’t do him justice right now.
“Oh, it’s…it’s OK, really,” I replied, stuttering as usual. “I’m the one who got ahead.”

“It’s been a while, Train Boy.”

“Yeah, you too, Dragon Guy.”

Suddenly he came very close to me, staring me down with his grey eyes. What? Did I say something wrong? Did I have a snot hanging on my nose or something? Eye boogers, maybe…?

“You weren’t lying about looking different tonight,” Dragon Guy commented. “I didn’t know you actually have jade-green eyes.”

“R…Really? I got those from my mother,” I sighed in relief.

“She must be a beautiful woman.”

“She was…”

“Oh, I…I’m sorry,” Dragon Guy looked awkward. I smiled and waved it away good-naturedly.
“It’s alright, really. I never really knew her or my dad either. Probably that’s why I lacked fashion sense back then. I really wanted to try changing myself a little, though it’s not much…”

“I think it suits you.”

“Th…Thanks…”

“Shall we go now?” Dragon Guy jerked his head a little.

“Yeah. This way, please.”

We left the subway station and went through the crowd of people. We had to squeeze through the area and Dragon Guy seemed to have a bit of a hard time keeping up.

“Feels like it’s rather crowded this time of night,” I commented, making small talk.

“Yeah,” Dragon Guy agree. “Can’t blame ‘em. It’s the weekend, after all.”

Due to my fear of losing him, I kept looking back from time to time to see if he was right behind me. He tried to tell me he was alright, and all I could say was “Alrighty”, which was friggin’ lame, by the way, but I couldn’t help looking back at him every minute or so, worrying over him and terrified that if I didn’t look, he’d be gone from me forever.

“There. It’ll be much better if I hold onto you.”

My mind suddenly went blank. I felt something grabbing my elbow. I saw grey eyes looking at me casually. I saw a hand with slender fingers grasping on my arm and digging lightly through my sleeve. The whole thing took about 10 seconds to sink into my brain.

He is holding my arm!!!

I instinctively backed away, forcing him to let go. Impossible! My brain screamed in denial. Impossible! He held my arm! Impossible!

“S…Sorry…I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Dragon Guy apologized, his cheeks gaining a little colour.

“N-No…um…Uh…It’s OK…”

That was when I realized as I led him to our destination that I had always wanted to say “Let’s hold hands” from the moment we walked through the crowd, and in the end, I blew it. I felt like kicking my own ass for this. Words like ‘Coward’, ‘Moron’, ‘Asshole’, ‘Idiot’, ‘Stupid’, ‘Bird-brain’ and ‘Dumb-ass’ kept repeating in my head as we reached our dinner spot.

The place we were having our good old-fashioned English dinner was in The Leaking Cauldron, which served the best vintage English food in all of Hogsmeade. The waiter led us to our seat in a private room according to my reservation and Dragon Guy looked around the place in awe.

“Wow. This place’s got great ambience.”

“Is it?” I smiled in swelled pride, “Glad you like it. I really like this place too.”

Although this is only my second time being here.

“Are you ready to order, sir?”

“Sure,” Dragon Guy replied, then turned to me. “What do you recommend, Train Boy? Since you’ve been here, I let you be the judge.”

“Alright,” I replied and turned to the waiter, “I would like the London Specialty set. Make my steak medium rare and my vegetables buttered and potatoes mashed. Oh, and please give me grapefruit wine.”

“Very well, sir. Will there be anything else?”

“No, that’ll be all, thanks,” I replied, then I saw Dragon Guy looking at me like he had never seen me before. “What?”

“You…actually drink?” Dragon Guy asked, genuinely surprised.

“Uh…yeah. Why?”

“Sorry,” Dragon Guy chuckled nervously. “It’s just that you don’t strike me as the kind who drinks.”

“Err…OK…” I felt a little awkward. Why? Does he think I’m really that bad of a geek? Oh boy…

“And for you, sir?” the waiter turned to Dragon Guy.

“I’ll have what he’s having, and a second glass for me for his wine.”

“Very well. Please wait a moment. In the meantime, shall I get you our complimentary appetizer?”

I nodded and the waiter excused himself. Less than a minute later, the waiter brought Caesar Salad for two and our wine. We decided to wait for our meal before we opened the wine to drink. I apologized for making him drink with me, but he seemed to be sipping happily, not minding it at all. In fact, he praised me for recommending the food and he claimed he enjoyed every taste of it. We even ordered some side dishes based on my recommendation and he liked them as well. Thank goodness I did my homework on this place beforehand.

“So you come here often, Train Boy?” he asked.

“Um…well, how should I put this…” I tried to get my words right. “You can say I only liked this place recently.”

“Ah, I see,” Dragon Guy replied almost knowingly. “I’m also more of a food hunter myself. I enjoy going everywhere to try out new cuisines once in a while.”

“That’s good. I heard there are plenty of other restaurants like these…”

We spent the better half of dinner talking about food places we both heard of, and I whipped out my expertise in surveying the restaurants and cafes from my chat friend’s list. Some of them he never heard of, but was interested to try, and some of them he knew of it and had been there before.

“But then again,” Dragon Guy took a sip from the glass. “I don’t get to do that very often now.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“I used to go with my friends and all, being all adventurous and find anything edible around town, but they’ve all got girlfriends and boyfriends now, so they’ve sorta forgotten lil’ ol’ me. Although it can’t be helped, I suppose.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.”

“So it’s been like forever since I’ve eaten out with someone like this. I’m glad you asked me out.”
I blushed at that comment.

“I’m…I’m glad I did.”

We talked for a while long after we’ve done eating, but we noticed the place starting to get a little crowded with people who came in for late dinners. We exchanged looks, agreeing through eye contact that it was high time we left. We finished our drink and called for the bill. I wanted to hurry up and be the gentleman and whip out a huge fat dollar bill, but Dragon Guy beat me to it with a credit card.

“Sorry. I forgot to withdraw money today, so it’s on me for the moment.”

“Um…OK…”

Working people like him sure beats part-time students like me!

We left the restaurant and reveled in the moment that we truly enjoyed our dinner, particularly Dragon Guy.

“That was an awesome meal.”

“I agree,” I replied briefly.

“So…shall we go now?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

The streets were less crowded now. We walked side by side in silence. I didn’t know what else to say. I ran out of topics at the Leaking Cauldron, and I realized this was it. We were going to go home, part our separate ways at the subway station and then this would be it. Everything would be over and we would never see each other again…

Suddenly, Dragon Guy stopped. He was checking his watch, looking a little hesitant. He then looked up to me and bit his lip, looking like he wanted to say something. What’s wrong? Was he…?

“You know…it’s…still kinda early…don’t you think?”

It took me 5 seconds to get his point.

“Yes! Yes, of course! I agree!”

Gods of all religion, I love you guys right now!

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 5

CHAPTER 5: TRAIN BOY'S ADVENTURE

“M-Miss Light…I was wondering…”

Miss Judith Light, my junior colleague, jump at my presence. I guess I can’t blame her, me showing suddenly in front of her like that. I need some help with the preparation for our date in the upcoming weekend and Light seems to be the only person I can count on. OK, she may be a dyke and is more of a lady’s lady, man’s lady, lady about town, judging by how I just heard her scoring a threesome date with two of our office’s ‘hotties’, as the straight men would put it, but she’s probably the only close friend in the office I’ve got. She, one of the few, knows my true sexual orientation and she has more gay boy friends than you can ever imagine, so I guess she qualifies as help.

“W…What is it?”

“You got a lot of gay boy friends, right?” I ask bluntly, knowing that’s how she likes to be addressed. “So usually where do they go to do their hair?”

“Well, they usually do it down at Hogsmeade,” Light replies. “I heard there’s a lot of ‘em fags go to this spot to do great hair.”

She puts things in a crude way, but she means no harm.

“Hogsmeade, eh? What’s the name of the place?”

Light gives me that look, like she knows I’m up to something.

“Oh ho, my little gay-bo senior. Are you telling me you’re going on…a date?”

I didn’t think she’d hit the jackpot.

“No, no, no! You’re mistaken!” I stutter, backing away into a vending machine. “Ouch! I mean seriously, there’s nothing going on! I mean, I’m just asking…I mean…”

“You are so naïve, gay-bo. I can read you like an open book without trying,” Light grins mischievously and hands me a card. “Here, one of my faggy friends go to this place, although you need to make an appointment first beforehand. Good luck on your date!”

My mouth may be in denial, but my heart is definitely in eternal gratitude over her right now.
So, as soon as I get home, I consult with my fellow chat friends for pointers for our dinner weekend.

Know-It-All: First thing’s first, based on my experience, you a) do not look around listlessly in an unfamiliar spot. That’s a big no-no; b) do not go asking yourself “What should I do?” coz it’s gonna make stuff really awkward; and c) do not say stuff like “I dunno what to say”. 

This is good stuff. If no one tells me this, I wouldn’t know what to do.

Twincest: I think you should get started with your wardrobe. Honeydukes geek boy, right? If you’re wearing glasses, ditch ‘em. Get contacts. You gotta dress to impress to get some confidence to go in a restaurant.
QuibblerGirl: You should have straight cut body-fit jeans. Got ‘em? Wear ‘em. Put on a plain T-shirt and top it off with a simple denim jacket should do it.
Padfoot: Take it from a fellow gay friend. I think jeans go well with that Gryffindor brand T-shirt and jacket. Get a variety of Gryffindor designs just to be on the safe side.

What about what I should do on the day itself?

Moony: Here’s the checklist:-

Get plenty of rest the night before
Go to a salon
Fix your eyebrows
Pluck your nose-hair (LOL, seriously)
Clean out your ears
On the day itself, take a good bath, and wash your hair. You might get lucky, so wash “that area” as well
Bring breath mints
Bring tissue and hanky, just in case
Get your phone batteries fully charged
Remember the date spot’s address and number
Brush your teeth
Bring along enough cash

This guy is really helping me out. I better copy and print this stuff.

HerbologyFreak: Yo, Train Boy. I know you promised him you’d go Dutch, but I think you should just pretend to take a leak and scoot off to pay the bills. That way, you can have an excuse to ask him out again.
Padfoot: Wouldn’t that defeat the whole purpose?
PotionsMaster: I agree. Going Dutch is better.
Know-It-All: I dunno. I mean he gave him an expensive gift, so wouldn’t it be fair to return the favour by paying the bills?

You guys are really going all out for me…

Thanks, guys…

I’ll do my best. I promise I’ll do my very best…

--:--

It’s a rainy Saturday, but I still decide to go down Hogsmeade anyway. I am sitting in one of the seats in the hair salon waiting to have my hair done, but I can feel all eyes on me. It’s like I really friggin’ don’t belong here.

“Welcome, sir,” the hairdresser approaches me, bringing me back to reality. “How would you like your hair done?”

“Um…” I take off my glasses, all-out ready for this. “Can you…you know, make me cool? Just gimme a haircut that’ll make me look cool.”

I can hear those looking at me sniggering. Bloody hell. What’s so funny about that?

“I understand, sir. Just leave it to me.”

“I’m all yours.”

Soon I hear him snipping away. It’s like he’s cutting non-stop, chopping off a lot of my hair. Is this really going to be alright? I hadn’t had a decent haircut in months, and I feel like I’m being given a haircut like I was Rip Van Bloody Winkle.

“All done, sir.”

I put on my glasses and stare at my new look. He really hacked off a lot. I look…well, I just look different.

“What do you think?”

“I…am…not too sure, really…”

“I think it’s you, sir,” the hairdresser says as he smoothes out some of my stray hair.

“R…Really…?”

Well, if he says so. What do I know about hairstyle anyway? I guess I should just trust him and take his word for it. I go to the cashier to pay the bill.

“How much is it?”

“That’ll be 55 pounds, sir, plus service charge.”

I nearly lost my marbles as I pay the bill. I leave the hair salon with a sense of detachment, like I left something rather precious behind.

“Thank you, sir. Do come again.”

I open my umbrella and walk across the street to the nearest bagel stand to munch on something to make me feel better. I never knew getting down and dress to impress would be so expensive. I wonder how much I might end up spending once I get a full-body make over. I get the chills just thinking about it, and it’s not because of the rain.

Oh, fuck it! Since I’ve already gone as far as getting a 55 pound haircut, there is no turning back now!

I enter a classy boutique shop where my chat friend Padfoot recommended me buying genuine Gryffindor brand outfits. It is very different from the secondhand Honeydukes clothes shops and hand-me-downs Honeydukes stands and I have no bloody idea where to get what I want. The salesgirl there is very helpful though. She patiently shows me around and helps me decide what variety of shirts and jeans suit me. I buy them in no time. A little heavy on the wallet, but that’s what you get for ditching rip-offs.

Wow! I feel like I’m playing one of those RPGs where the characters go to stores to equip themselves.

Then, based on my chat friend named PotionsMaster’s recommendation list of food haunts, I visit them one by one. I scan through their menus and play it safe by ordering their specialty, but all in all, they are pretty good and a little hard for me to decide. In the end, I made my final choice.
Now all I have to do is call.

“Hello?” Dragon Guy picks up at the 3rd ring.

“Hey, Dragon Guy, hi. Sorry I called you so late.”

“Hey, Train Boy, how’s it hanging?”

“I’m fine. Fit as a fiddle. Listen, about the dinner. I’m thinking next Saturday, maybe…?”

“Did you decide on a spot?”

“Yeah,” I keep my fingers crossed. “I was wondering…How’s about a good old-fashioned English dinner?”

“Oh, sure. I’d love that.”

“R…Really?”

“Oh yes,” Dragon Guy replies cheerfully. “I think English dinner kinda suits you a little. I dunno, it’s just something I feel about you.”

“Um, and also, uh, Dragon Guy…I…may look different than what you saw on me the last time. I might look a little…prepped up, so please don’t laugh at me once you see me…”

“Oh? Prepped up, you say?” he sounds surprised.

“W-ell, don’t get me wrong! I mean, it’s nothing much, so don’t get any high expectations, ha ha ha!”
Dragon Guy takes a while before saying, “Alright then, then I’ll get myself prepped up too.”

H…He would? For me?

“Well, I wouldn’t wanna impose…”

“Now you don’t go having any high expectations on me either, Train Boy,” Dragon Guy laughs humorously.

“Alright…So…See ya next Saturday. G…Goodnight.”

“Same here. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

I hang up the phone. My heart is suddenly overwhelmed with insecurity. I reach over to the PC, login to the chatroom and tell them our conversation beforehand.

That’s what happened. But…what will I do? It goes without saying that if I see him, I might fall in love with him all over again like the first time I saw him in the subway. He…He might have already a boyfriend…or like one of you guys said, he might not even be gay to begin with. He might already have a girlfriend for that matter. If I fall in love with him, it’ll only make the pain worse. I feel…sorta sad, really.

Twincest: Listen here, Train Boy. No matter what he is, gay or straight, or no matter how good or bad the ending might be, just remember: you are going to have the most wondrous time with that Dragon Guy, you hear me?
QuibblerGirl: I agree. Do your best, Train Boy!
HerbologyFreak: Amen to that, Train Boy!
Know-It-All: Regardless his orientation, I believe that Dragon Guy does not and will never hate you. This is my sixth sense talking.

I feel like crying again.

Thanks, you guys. After reading all you replies, I feel like there is nothing I can’t do. Confidence is all I’m getting now. I will clear up my messed up feelings and have the best date ever, no matter the outcome!

--:--

I check myself in the mirror. I’m all shaved and there are no flaws on my hair (I think). I have ditched the glasses and taken on contacts just like my chat friend suggested (of course, it’s not really in the trash can. I might still need it). Batteries are all charged up, tissues and hanky at the ready, cash all prepared and breath mints are all packed. I’m stocked and ready to go.

But before that…

Hey, guys. I’m going out now. I have gotten this far for a simple guy like me, all thanks to you guys. Your advice and encouragement has made me grown up so much now. Our friendship may have been a while, but it feels like we’ve known each other forever. So, guys, wait for my return and I shall disclose everything. Train Boy, over and out.

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 4

CHAPTER 4: OH BOY...

“He-Hello? Train Boy here.”

“Hey, how’s it hanging? Sorry I called you so late,” Dragon Guy’s voice is just as sweet as ever.

“No, no, it’s OK,” I scratch my chin. “You seem to shower pretty fast though.”

“Really? Technically this is usually the amount of time I take to shower, really.”

“Sorry,” I reply awkwardly. “I mean, I guess it’s my fault for making you rush for your shower…”

“There you go again. It’s alright, really,” Dragon Guy laughs at my apologetic mannerism again. “Actually I think I showered a little longer than before, coz I actually soaked in a warm tub. If it were summer, I’d be out in 10 minutes, now that’s what I call a fast shower.”

Quite the opposite of me a little though, or more like I take forever to shower ever since I moved out and finally have a place of my own.

“Oh yeah, about that day too, I need to thank you again for what you did for me.”

“No, no! Thank you, going all out to mail me a present—Ouch!!”

I bang my head against the table just now trying to pretend I was bowing at him. What a moron!
“Hello? Hello? You OK? What’s going on?”

“N-N-Nothing,” I laugh, nursing my head. “I’m fine, ha ha…”

“You know,” Dragon Guy’s voice seems to be smiling. “Those aunties were really grateful to you. Most people would just pretend they don’t see anything, and to be able to stand up against that snakey guy takes a lot of guts.”

“Naw,” I sigh. “Honestly speaking, I didn’t even know whether I was doing the right thing. If I left him alone, he probably would’ve stopped fussing on his own.”

“Don’t think that, Train Boy. You did a great thing! I was so happy about what you did that I told every friend and family member I met after that day.”

“You…You did?” I am shocked. Does that…Does that mean…I really have people looking up to me? Far-out!

I turn to look at the screen. The chats and suggestions we exchanged before he called is still there, glowering at me as if my chat friends are there in person, literally staring me down and making me do as I was told. I swallow nervously. This is it! It’s now or never!

“Hello? Hello, Train Boy?” his voice brings me back to reality.

“Oh, s-sorry, just a little distracted with m-my thoughts,” I fake a nonchalant tone against my nervous-as-hell face. “Um…Dragon Guy?”

“Yeah?”

“T-The teacups you gave me…must be really expensive, aren’t they?”

“Not really. Because of what I do, I got it cheap, actually.”

“T-T-This might sound w-w-weird b-b-but i-i-if it’s not t-t-too m-much of-f-for you, w-w-w-would ya…l-l-like tuh…um…”

Gah! Stop stuttering already, you asshole!!

“I’m sorry, what?” Dragon Guy sounds confused. Who could blame him?

“D-Dinner! How’s about dinner? Lemme treat you to dinner!”

There! I finally said it! God, that was a relief!

“You mean…dinner? Us? Together?”

“W-Well, don’t get me wrong,” I quickly explain, worrying that he might not be like me and get the wrong idea. “I mean, just as friends and all. And that is if you’re free…”

“Aww, you don’t have to,” Dragon Guy is laughing nervously. “I mean it’s really not that expensive as you think, seriously!”

Oh God…! Oh boy…! I knew it! I knew it! It’ll be too good to be true if he agrees there and then. Is this it? Is this really it?

“But…”

But? I light up as I get up from wallowing in self-pity on the floor.

“I might agree if we go Dutch.”

“G-Go Dutch?”

“Yeah,” Dragon Guy sounds like he’s grinning. “I wouldn’t want to impose on you, so how’s going Dutch sound?”

“R-R-R-Really? You’re really accepting m-m-my offer?!”

I feel like I wanna just drop down again and wallow in self-bliss this time.

“But only if you agree to go Dutch, or else.”

“Yes, yes, I agree! Most definitely!”

“So when would we meet up?”

“I’m free anytime!”

“How’s the weekend sound?”

“Great, great! That’ll be great! Weekend’s fine!”

I seem to answer him a little too quickly. My chat friends, if they can hear me, might think I’m being rather desperate here.

“So…where would you wanna eat?”

I freeze. Holy shit! I haven’t thought about that! What am I gonna bloody hell do?!

“Oh yeah, uh, right…Um…Uh, lemme think…” I stutter again as I type on the keyboard.

Dinner spot! Where?! SOS!!!

“Actually, I’m not that picky. I can eat anywhere,” Dragon Guy replies, sounding like he’s trying to help me.

“Oh, uh, really? OK…”

Hurry~! Help~!

Twincest: Hurrah!
Moony: Here it is!
QuibblerGirl: Far-out! He got him!
Padfoot: Just tell him you haven’t thought about it, buy yourself some time.
PotionsMaster: Not helping, people! Look, just ask him if he’s got anything that he likes or dislikes! Ask him what sort of stuff he likes to eat. Japanese? Italian? Chinese? French? Ask him if he likes his food strong or bland.

Good point.

“You got anything food in particular that you don’t like to eat, Dragon Guy?” I ask him while I scroll down for more pointers.

“Well, too much spicy food is not really my cup of tea,” he replies. Good. That narrows it down a little. At least we’re getting somewhere.

“Yeah, I can’t really take too spicy either. So what kind of stuff you like to eat then?”

While I talk and scroll, the chat friends seem to be almost in the world of their own, trying to help me out.

HerbologyFreak: Ooh, this is getting exciting!
Padfoot: Full frontal assault, baby!
QuibblerGirl: Finally he’s getting a love life!
Know-It-All: I admire your courage, Train Boy!
Twincest: Well, I think you could go to Rosmerta’s Delight. I heard it’s a great haunt for gay couples.
Know-It-All: As long as it’s not some stupid train sushi restaurant or some roadside café! If I were he, I’d pick Italian. That’s good! Nice and simple.
PotionsMaster: From the looks of it, I know you’re a girl to suggest this. The other party is a guy, for crying out loud. I say the Three Broomsticks Steak and Winehouse is the best.
QuibblerGirl: It’s just a first date. Don’t go picking bloody expensive restaurants.
HerbologyFreak: Don’t go around wasting time! If you’re a Honeydukes boy, then behave like a Honeydukes boy! Use your bloody PC research skills!
This is getting a little too much. I feel like a third person here.
Moony: Anywho, just tell you’ll come up with something and call him back when you’re ready!

Now we’re talking.

“Um, I’ll come up with some place and then I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Dragon Guy sounds OK with it.

“I’ll find some place where you don’t have to eat spicy stuff.”

“Ah ha ha, I’ll count on you then.”

God, I love the way he laughs.

“So, weekend, huh? How’s next week or the week after?”

“It’s fine with me.”

“I’ll call you ASAP.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it then.”

“Alright…um…Goodbye…”

Again, I slump in mental fatigue as I hang up the phone. I did it! I really did it! I actually am able to do it! I can’t believe it myself!

Time for an update, people.

I just finished talking. I managed to ask him out for dinner!

Know-It-All: Alright! Success!
Twincest: Atta boy!
QuibblerGirl: Congrats!! Congrats!!

They are genuinely happy for me. I feel so touched by their sincerity. I wipe tears of joy from my eyes.

Thanks, you guys.

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 3

CHAPTER 3: RIDE ON, TRAIN BOY!

I got a few voice mails today from him at work, but I wasn’t available to pick up the phone. Damn meetings! Why do they have to ruin my already ruined luck?

I look at the English teacups that are still on my bedside table. My chat friends are right. It’s now or never. Either I take the leap now or stand at the edge of the pool wondering forever how it feels like to be wet.

But before that…

I’m gonna call him now.

Twincest: Oh! Train Boy! You’re back!
HerbologyFreak: What the…? That’s a sudden!
QuibblerGirl: Welcome home, Train Boy!
Know-It-All: Finally! Atta-boy!
Moony: Ah, there you are.
PotionsMaster: It’s finally beginning, eh? Good luck, Train Boy.
Padfoot: Awesome, Train Boy! We’re right behind ya!

I dial the number and wait for it to connect. I can hear the ring one, and again it sounds almost like the heavy beating of my heart.

“Hello? Hello? Hello~?”

The cat almost got my tongue. I quickly find my voice back and speak up.

“Uh…Uh…Um, hi…Uh, hello…” God, I sound so spastic.

“Who is this?”

“T-T-T-This is t-t-the ‘Train Boy’. Y-You know, t-the guy in the subway? Y-Y-You’re the ‘Dragon Guy’, right? T-T-The one with the dragon logo daily planner?”

“Ah, it’s you! Dragon Guy, huh? Nice nickname you got me,” I hear his voice on the other line chuckling humorously. “You seemed to be busy all day today, and now you’re finally on.”

“Ah…ha ha, well, you just strike me as that…He he, your daily planner just screams you…Uh, s-sorry I kept missing your call, um, I, uh, I made you call so many times and I never picked up…Really sorry…”

“No, no, it’s OK. I mean, I’m at fault too. I mean, it’s my own bad timing, so I’m sorry too.”

I steal a look at the teacups and remember my reason to call.

“Oh right, I got your teacups yesterday. I didn’t think it would be that expensive a gift; you really gave me quite a shock. Thank you so much. Oh, and…uh, about what happened that day, I wanna apologize. I mean, I took all of you guys’ time and yet I ran off home first…”

“It’s no big. We left no later than you too. You know, we talked about you as soon as you were gone.”

“W-We…?”

“Yeah, the aunties and I. We all agree that you are quite the brave young man.”

“W…Well, not really. I really didn’t…Sorry, I…” I can feel myself blush like heck.

“They said if it weren’t for you, they don’t know what would have happened. Thank god you stood up for them and saved them.”

“Nah…I didn’t even know what the heck I was doing…Sorry for inconveniencing everybody…”

Dragon Guy is chuckling again on the other line. He just made me realize that I’ve been apologizing ever since I made the call.

“Time to take a shower, young man! It’s about time you wash yourself off that grit you got all day!”

A muffled woman’s voice comes in on the other line. Probably his mother.

“Hold up, Mother!” Dragon Guy calls back to her. Yup, I was right about the mother part. “I’m busy right now!”

“Um, it’s OK, really,” I reply him. “We can talk again later.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, seriously.”

“No, no, really. I mean, I’ve got nothing to do all day after work. I can wait.”

“Well…” he seems hesitant at first, but then sounds like he is finally OK with it, “alright them. Since I got your number in my call record now, I guess I’ll call you back later.”

“Alright. Well, I look forward to it…kinda…Bye.”

I hang up the phone and heave a sigh of relief. This feels even worse than running a marathon back in high school. Emotional fatigue sure is much more taxing than physical fatigue.

But then again…I’m actually calling a guy, and a guy I actually like…Even though it’s mostly apologizing but…I guess to really talk to someone in this level rather than avoiding people and trying to be invisible all throughout my childhood life…Didn’t think I’d actually made it…

I hope he’ll call me back again after his shower. The shower where water runs down on his hair, his fair, soft skin, the soap covering every inch of his body, the…

Hold up, it’s not the time for thinking crazy, horny stuff like this. Somebody needs to be updated here.

For the moment, everything’s alright. We just finished talking on the phone. My hands are still shaking though. He said he’ll call me back later.

Twincest: Woah! Far-out!
HerbologyFreak: That’s good!
Know-It-All: Great job, pal!
PotionsMaster: The next call is gonna decide your fate, young man. Choose your words wisely. Try asking him out for dinner. Say it’s for returning the favour of the teacups.

Ask him out? For dinner? N…No way…

I…I can’t say that…I mean, he gave them to me as a thank you gift. Now you’re asking me to thank him for a thank you gift, it’s…kinda weird…

Twincest: Of course not! It’s not weird at all!
QuibblerGirl: I agree. So put a bit more effort into it.
Padfoot: You could try saying it like “I wanna say thanks for the cups face to face” or “Is it OK if I thank for the gift in person?” You know, that sort of thing.

Hmm…He might be onto something here.

Seems OK enough to work.

Know-It-All: No, no, no! it’s a little bit to blunt trying to ask him out like that. You have to use food to lure him out!
But where should I take him for dinner?
PotionsMaster: We’ll figure that out later! Just ask him out first!
Padfoot: Maybe you could say something like “Sorry for letting you go all out for my gift like that, I feel kinda awkward accepting it as it is. So how’s about we go out and have dinner of sorts, showing my gratitude…” Well? How’s that?

That’s the single, most brilliant idea ever. I might just work on that.

Thanks, you guys! Going all out for one guy like me. So how’s Sunday sound?

Know-It-All: Sunday might be good, but remember, he might try to turn you down when you ask, so keep it together. Beg him till he says yes.
QuibblerGirl: Know-It-All is right. Even girls like us would feel a little out of sorts and say no.
Moony: I’ve had that experience before, but I was still vehemently turned down no matter how I begged… TT-TT
HerbologyFreak: Can you hold on, Train Boy?

They’re right. He might say something like “Oh, that’s not necessary, you shouldn’t have” or something like that. If he says that, wouldn’t that be the end? How am I supposed to hold on?

I turn to see the teacups again. I pick them up to study the intricate details of this posh silverware. He has gone all out for me for this. I can’t just let it go. They’re right. I should just give it a shot. Ask him out first. Even though chances are slim, I still need to take a chance. If I don’t take this golden opportunity I’ll never achieve happiness.

Although, I may think that, I lack in confidence. I’m really messed up right now, and I can’t do anything about it. Alright, fine, lemme just ask him out first and see what happens.

Twincest: Oh, Train Boy, you’re moving up. All grown up now, ain’t ya? Brings tears to our eyes, I’ll tell you that.
PotionsMaster: I wonder how long would it take for him to call. Right about now, hopefully.
Know-It-All: Ooh, I’m just getting all goose-pimply now!
Padfoot: I’ll go take a leak first…

My chat friends seems to be just as anxious as I am. I keep playing that dialogue the guy Padfoot suggested to me over and over again in my head. It feels almost like back in tenth grade when we had to study that major History test and I had to bloody memorize 12 chapters worth of information. Before I know it, the phone starts ringing. I pick up the phone and see the number ID on the screen.

He’s here!

The response from my chat friends are nothing short of ecstatic.

Twincest: Alright! The show’s starting now!
Know-It-All: I’ll pray for you, buddy!
QuibblerGirl: God, give strength to the old Train Boy Who Lived, please!!
Moony: Hope you can successfully let it all out!

I hope so too as I answer the call.

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 2

CHAPTER 2: TO CALL OR NOT TO CALL?

I sit there, staring at the English teacups like it was the most foreign thing in the world. I can’t understand this. Why English teacups? Why two English teacups? What exactly does it mean? What is the motive behind this? I just don’t get it.

There’s two of ‘em English teacups, man! What the hell does that mean?

QuibblerGirl: Call him! Give him a call! At least tell him you got the stuff!
Twincest: Yeah, man! Call him and thank him!

Easy for you to say.

Can’t I call him tomorrow?

Padfoot: Get on that bloody phone and call him NOW! Just call him and every day is gonna be a brighter day!
Moony: Seriously, kid. It’s time for you to pull yourself together…

I pick up my cell phone and flip it open. I want to dial the number. I really do. But I just can’t. My shoulders tremble just thinking about dialing the number.

I…I can’t…I can’t do it…I’m WAY nervous than I was in the subway train…I’ve been holding onto the cell phone since earlier, but still I…

HerbologyFreak: I just don’t get you! You’re the Train Boy Who Lived to tell the tale, man! Where’s all that guts you got gone to? C’mon, I’m cheering you on here! Train Boy! Train Boy! Get your feet on, Train Boy!

Train Boy…huh?

All I did was spill my crazy little misadventure onto the forum chatroom out of impulse, and now they call me the Train Boy Who Lived. A little bit much, isn’t it?

Another reply comes in. I lean over to read it.

Padfoot: Hey, to be honest, I’m gay too. In my POV, I wouldn’t think too much about you giving me a call. At most, I’d just think between the lines of “Oh goody. You got my gift. You’re so sweet to call me to tell me about this” or something like that.
QuibblerGirl: It’s up to you whether you wanna write to him or call him. Just give it a shot and see what happens. It can’t be that bad.

From a fellow gay’s point of view, huh? Is it…really as simple as it is?

I pick up the phone again. I repeat the same thing I did before. I try to steel my heart, pick up my guts to do it, but…

I still can’t do it, guys…

Twincest: Good God, you moron! He’s trying to test you to see how sincere you are! How can you skip out just like that?! C’mon! All or nothing here! Pick up the damn phone!!!
Padfoot: You must call right now! You drag this on and you’re gonna keep telling yourself all sorts of friggin’ excuses not to call and you’ll be left for naught!
HerbologyFreak: You’re standing at the crossroad of human mankind! You gotta think before you leap!
Know-It-All: If you don’t call, you’re gonna leave him off with the impression that you’re just some good guy. Think about it. He picked out those English teacups Just. For. You!

I read through the replies and feel a sort of warmth inside me I hadn’t felt in a long time since I left home. Why? Why are you all so concerned for a stranger like me? why are you all so hyped up to give suggestions and encouragement…to a simple man like me that you have never even met…?

It’ll be hard on me now if I disappoint them and don’t go along with it. But the butterflies in my stomach multiplies every time I try to dial the number.

Gah~! I thank you guys, I really do. But I just can’t bloody do it~! My hands just keep getting Level 8 earthquakes here! You think maybe a letter would be better?

HerbologyFreak: Everyone’s got it once, even I did, but with girls, mind you. But it wouldn’t be that bad once you gone through this hurdle.
Moony: If you call now, it might change your life. Who knows you might actually get the man of your dreams!
QuibblerGirl: I agree. Calling is still better. Letters are friggin’ cliffhangers.
I know that! I know friggin’ well about that! But…But…my hands just won’t listen to me! You try being in my shoes for once!
I groan and continue to stare listlessly at the teacups before another reply comes in.
Know-It-All: Come to think of it, what is it really the meaning behind sending a man English teacups? We should think about that idea.
Moony: It’s just a pair of teacups. Wouldn’t mean too much of anything. Don’t put your heads in a bunch.
PotionsMaster: Btw, from which manufacturing company did these teacups come from?

I pick up the cups. There is no logo or writing on it, not even inside the cups. I look at the bottom and see some old emblem that reminds me of a private school badge with Old English Text written along in rather small intricate words, with rose vines as decors at the bottom of the emblem.

It says ‘HOGWARTS’. Does that ring a bell to anyone?

The response I get is phenomenal.

Twincest: HOGWARTS?!
QuibblerGirl: You don’t mean THAT Hogwarts, do you?!
Padfoot: OMFG!! That is awesome! He’s friggin’ serious, man! You gotta call him now!
PotionsMaster: Hogwarts, huh? He must be loaded.
Moony: There is no way someone would give Hogwarts as a simple thank you gift!
Know-It-All: I can’t believe it’s Hogwarts! Far-out! That is like the most expensive gift ever! He’s a dime in a dozen, man!
Twincest: ZOMGWTFBBQ!! HOGWARTS!!
HerbologyFreak: Hogwarts?! You mean THE Hogwarts, right? Not the cheap rip-offs from the Ollivander’s branch, right?
PotionsMaster: Seems like everyone’s getting excited… (sweat)
Twincest: Hogwarts! Good god, Hogwarts!! What are you waiting for, you idiot! Call the sucker!!!

I am dazed. Freakin’ dazed. I never knew Hogwarts is such a big brand. My hands are trembling so bad, I can’t hold the teacups right.

Y-Y-You mean…as in Hogwarts, the niche branch company of The Four Founders Amalgamated that makes posh household items and benefactors to tons of charity, projects, social events and scholarships? T-T-That branded Hogwarts? I-I-I didn’t know they make teacups…!!

The replies I get more or less describe me incredulously as a caveman of the modern times for not knowing stuff like this.

I can’t believe he would give me such an expensive gift. Does that mean anything? Could it be…?
Nah, it’s not that easy, boy! There’s no such thing as free lunch in this world.

But then again, nothing is absolute…

Get a grip! He wouldn’t…!

But…But…

I guess it is worth a shot to call him to thank him for this. After all, he did go through all that trouble getting me a pricey gift like this.

I pick up the phone. I check and recheck the number to see if I dialed it right. I feel like some kind of junior James Bond being sent on his first mission as I press the green call button.

I hear the ringing tone in my ear. The ring tone sounds almost like the heavy beating of my heart.

I hear the phone being picked up. I jump like I have ants in my pants.

“H-H-H-Hello?! I-I-I-It’s me…”

“The person you have called is not available. Please leave a message after the beep…”

I feel like being crushed by the biggest boulder I could think of.

Damn it!

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 1

Started: 6-25-09; Completed: 7-21-09

CHAPTER 1: THE BIRTH OF THE TRAIN BOY WHO LIVED

I went to Honeydukes today. Not exactly planning to buy anything, but then again…

Actually I’m not really good at writing, but I shall give it a shot anyway. I usually read, but never really write…So don’t make fun of me…

My particulars are as follows: 6 feet 2 inches, 118.8 pounds, typical dress-up in Honeydukes a.k.a. geek style. Grew up with my uncle, aunt and cousin until I was old enough to kicked out of the house (they hate me anyway). Age? Well, typical bachelor’s age, that’s all I can say, and I am definitely…a virgin boy.

When I took the subway train home as usual, I saw the most beautiful creature that ever walked this whole damn planet.

It was a guy. A very beautiful guy with silver-blonde hair and strikingly sparkling grey eyes. He seemed to be a little bit older than I am, probably a working person, and he was reading the novel Much Ado About Nothing. A very sophisticated guy, it seems, unlike me who’s struggling as a salaryman just to pay for my part-time college studies.

That is, if I have the guts to strike up the conversation.

If you’re wondering, yes, I’m gay. But hey, it’s the modern world. Love knows no boundaries, right? Anyways…

“Oh, shut up, you old hags! You’ve been jabbering among each other quite enough!”

I turned to look, and saw an old man—who reminded me of a snake—totally red in the face and reeked of alcohol shouting at a group of nice aunties who were sitting beside me. They were exchanging their little old housewives’ tales and didn’t really bothered me much, but this drunkard who was waving around a newspaper with one hand and a scrawny old cat tucked under his other arm didn’t take housewives’ gossip too fondly. Even the cat reminded me more of a snake than a cat. How he got past the station bringing pets along in the subway was beyond me.

“You must think that I’m a loser, ain’t ya?! You take care I don’t bash you up real good! Are you listening to me, you bitches?!”

He was being awfully rude for a drunkard, and I knew the beautiful guy have the same sentiments exactly.

“Do you have any idea who I am?! Don’t you fucking dare look down on me! My cat Nagini and I used to—hey, what the fuck is that look, huh?!”

If I wasn’t scared shitless at his creepy intoxicated face, I would’ve given him the same incredulous look the aunties gave him.

One of the aunties tried to answer her ringing cell phone, but a whack of his newspaper at her purse stopped her short.

“Shut the fuck up! Don’t answer your phone! If you dare touch that phone again I will shove Basilisk up your ass!”

I looked around me. Everyone was either too scared to react or just couldn’t care less. What the hell is wrong with the world today?

“Bitches like you are all the same! All talk but no brains! In my days, women should be seen and not heard! Just sit your ass there and let the man run the house around here, get it, tarts?!”

Go back to the ‘30s, old man. What is your problem?

“Did you hear what I just said? Don’t just keep your trap shut, answer me!” the man shouted and grabbed one of the aunties’ collar. “I’m asking you a question, bitch! Did you hear what I just fucking said?! How dare you look down on me?! I’m gonna…”

“S-STOP IT!!!”

I didn’t know what got into me. He was going too far. I had to say something. I mean, if no one’s doing anything, who else would?

All eyes were on me all of a sudden. The train was abnormally quieter than it was.

“I…I said…s…stop it…”

It took about 5 seconds for the reality to sink in to that old fart before he started giving me the stink-eye.

“You, kid. You dare to tell me to stop? You got balls, kid. Have you been watching me?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck! I thought as he came close to me, totally stank of J.D.

“How old are you, kid? Speak up!”

“T-T-Twenty…t-t-two…”

“And you think you can show your balls at a 60-year-old man like me?!”

“Wh…What are you gabbing about, old man? I’m gonna call the police if you keep up like this…”

“Call whoever the fuck you want, you prick!”

He was going to punch me, so I instinctively dodged him, but my dodge caused him to miss and hit the beautiful blonde guy. He let out a cry and nursed his possibly bruised arm, his book dropping onto god-knows-where.

I snapped.

“What is your problem, you old fart?!”

I lounged at him and shoved him down onto my seat, holding him down. His cat he called Basilisk hissed and leapt off, zooming down under the first seat it could get to. We struggled like wrestlers in a match, yelling stuff I don’t even know exist in our vocabulary. He tried to get away from me but I wouldn’t let him. There was no way I’m gonna let him hurt the beautiful blonde again. I distinctively heard, amongst the din, one of the aunties asking her friend to call the train guard, but I was too busy trying to hold him down to care.

“Let go of me!” the old man unfortunately managed to break free. Surprisingly, he’s got some strength. “Don’t think just coz you got balls, you can…”

“Alright, old man. Alright. Show’s over.”

I soon noticed a strong, built man in a football-geared suit coming up to the old geezer from behind and pulled him away from me by the armpits. I’m not sure whether it’s because I wore him down a little or that the football man was really strong, but the old fart didn’t seem to resist much.

“Who the heck are you?! Mind your own business, you busybody!”

“Now, now, don’t be such a fuss, old man, and act your age, alright?” the football man grinned in a sort of strong and firm way. He then turned to me and said, “You can relax now, young man. I’ll take care of him for now.”

“Uh…Um…OK…T-T-Thanks…”

I heaved a sigh of relief as I sat back down on my seat. I was friggin’ terrified. I didn’t know who I was back there. It was like…I was taken over by some force and rammed up there like an adrenaline junkie, and now my MO is back to Square One, back to myself again. And now, I…

I stole a look at the beautiful blonde. He had gathered himself and picked up his book, and was sitting next to me on the other side.

“You OK?”

He was looking straight at me. Our eyes met.

“Some guy, huh?”

He was talking to me, and yet…all I could say was…

“Yeah, some guy.”

I should’ve said something. I should’ve said something comforting to him like a man.

But I didn’t.

I just sat there with my hands on my head fretting over the fact that I almost just lost my life. Sorta.

Well…That’s more or less what went through my mind. God, I felt like such a moron! That football man was just so cool! Way cooler than I would’ve been.

Anywho, the train guard came up, and those involved got off at the next station. Oh, and so did the cat as well.

The train guard wanted us to make an incident report on this, so we all took a trip down to the police station. I was the first to finish writing the report, and I couldn’t stop feeling bad for them.
“I’m sorry, everyone…I shouldn’t have gotten you into this mess…”

“What are you talking about, young man?” one of the aunties smiled as she replied sweetly. “You were amazing.”

“I agree. There’s no one in this age these days as brave as you are, young man. Just wish my son would take a few pointers from you.”

“Come now, Umbridge. Your son is pretty independent, unlike my son…”

“Isn’t your son getting ready for college this year, McGonagall?”

“Yes, that’s right…”

The aunties were jabbering amongst themselves again, so I decided to take my leave.

“Um, excuse me,” I approached the policeman in charge, “can I go now?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied. “Everything is in order now. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“Alright. Well…I better be going now…”

“Wait, wait, young man,” the auntie named Umbridge called out. “If it’s not too much trouble, can I have your name and address?”

“Uh…um…sure…”

Why would she want it, heaven knows. I did as she requested. The other aunties joined in as well, but the part that really cut the cake was the green leather daily planner the beautiful blonde handed to me.

“Can I have it as well?”

I couldn’t say no. As I wrote, I noticed the daily planner had the logo of a silver snake wrapped around a darker green dragon on the front cover. Very unique, almost medieval-like. When I gave it back to him he had the sweetest smile.

“Thanks for your help. I’ll be sure to return the favour.”

I felt like a pauper asking for a king’s ransom. I stuttered denials and formalities as I backed away like the coward I am. It wasn’t until I made a run for it all the way back to my apartment that I realized…

I didn’t ask him for his particulars.

I’m such an ass!

I’ve never been thanked by a beautiful person before…I guess I was kinda nervous…

Moony: You gave him your particulars, right? He might drop by your place to return the favour. So don’t worry.
HerbologyFreak: I doubt it. He’s gonna add it in to all the boyfriends he’s got. I mean, is he even gay to begin with?
QuibblerGirl: STFU! I think you’re a brave guy to tackle a drunkard like that.
Padfoot: I agree. You’ve done well, kid, being able to stand up like that.
Twincest: Who cares whether he called you back or not. The good thing is you’ve broken out of your shell!

I lay back on bed, thinking about what they said. To be honest, I don’t really feel all that special.

I mean, if it weren’t for the football man, I would’ve been pulverized.

I’m such a loser…This is embarrassing…

--:--

It’s been two days since the incident. I come home to find stuff in the mail. Three of them are letters from the aunties expressing their gratitude. I suppose I should reply them.

But that is not the important thing.

The last in the mail is an express package from the famous Owlery Express. Inside the box is two English teacups. Very brand new. I wonder who this is from. I open the letter that comes with it.

Hi. I’m the blonde sitting next to you two days ago in the subway. Remember me? you sure have moved me with your heroism.

Blonde…

Subway…

Heroism…
 
Oh my god, it’s HIM!!!

The beautiful blonde sent me a gift! It’s a pair of English teacups. The letter is all about thanking me for rescuing him. What cute letter! What cute envelope! I swear I could smell something sweet from it! LOL!

HerbologyFreak: Calm down. The smell is just probably your imagination.
QuibblerGirl: If he used express…Wouldn’t it have his phone number?

I look hesitantly into the invoice on the box.

Holy crap! His number is in there!

W…What…What should I do? Should I…? I mean, does that mean he wants me to give him a call…?

No, no, I never even called my gal pals back then, how could I even call a guy?!

Should I even call? This can’t be happening!

Gah…!! What am I to do…?!