Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 14

CHAPTER 14: TELL ME...

“Dragon Guy, I…”

Dragon Guy’s loud scream cut off my words. Of all the doggone (pun intended) moments, Salazar had to jump at Dragon Guy and pull at his pants, almost revealing his briefs. As he yells at the mutt to stop making chew toy off his pants, I am grumbling to myself in the background cursing that damn dog.

“Get into your pen, now!”

Salazar whines as he is harshly escorted and locked into his pen. Dragon Guy gives him that annoyed pout I like to see sometimes before turning to me.

“Um, you were saying…?”

“Naw, never mind…” I reply, trying to suppress a grumpy tone as I sip my tea.

The mood is killed. There is no point trying to salvage it anyway.

We drink our tea in silence, occasionally making refills. I try to pick up the courage to speak what I wanted to say but it’s no use. My ready heart has already shrunken back into its cage of insecurity. All the stuff that I have thought about to prepare myself is all gone, and this awkward silence between us is not making it any better.

Now I know how it feels like when someone turns off the heat of the moment and the poor guy who’s all hyped up got his ‘little brother’ shrunken with loss.

Salazar howls, trying to get our attention and want out of his pen. Dragon Guy turns to glare at him, reminding him that he is being punished, and the mutt whines, looking away. Poor boy. He looks sorry enough. I guess it’s not really his fault. The mutt’s being himself after all. All dogs are playful by some nature. Can’t really blame him.

After all, I have him to thank for letting me see Dragon Guy’s briefs.

“Come on, Dragon Guy,” I plead for the mutt. “Cut him some slack. He didn’t mean it.”

Dragon Guy looks a little grudgingly at the dog.

“After all, I’d like to play with him for a little while. He seems lonely since we ignored him for tea.”

Finally, Dragon Guy smiles and lets Salazar out, much to the dog’s delight. We sit outside the porch on the backyard and while we continue having tea, I play fetch with the dog.

“Such a cute little dog,” I ruffle Salazar’s head and throw the ball again for him to fetch.

“He seems to warm up to you surprisingly well,” Dragon Guy comments. “You a dog person or something?”

“Not really. I dunno, I never got a pet. Never allowed to, so I guess Salazar knows that I need one.”
“Then lucky for you to be here.”

“So…” I watch Salazar running after the ball that is rolling away from him, “is this what you do every weekend at home?”

“Yeah,” Dragon Guy replies. “Nothing to do, just hanging out around here. And since it’s a family business, I sometimes get the privilege of hanging out at home more than at work.”

“Almost like me, except the family business privilege part.”

“You got a computer, right, Train Boy? Is it good stuff?”

“You don’t have one? That’s surprising.”

“Dear ol’ Daddykins doesn’t allow me to have computers,” Dragon Guy rolls his eyes and groan. “I never had a computer in my life. He says it would ruin my perfect handwriting and make my brain lazy. He only just recently lifted the ban and allowed me to have one after I managed to help him pull off a deal he couldn’t get, and that is after I badgered and blackmailed him to do so. I heard you can do shopping using the computer.”

“Yeah, online shopping. You never tried to use the computer somewhere else? Like at Muggle-born’s home or stuff like that?”

“I have. All the basic know-how of computing is in my head, but I just don’t have the real deal. Every time I need to do an assignment or do research back then I always had to depend on either the school or on Muggle-born, and now at work, because I need the computer, I’m always a little bit overtime than everyone else, which pretty much makes me more outside and less at home, thus the food-hunting.”

“Guess everything has its sources,” I grin.

“Now that I got the green light, I dunno what sort of brand or model I should get,” Dragon Guy laments.

“Wasn’t easy for me too, since there are so many new models nowadays.”

Salazar retrieves the ball. I throw it again for him to fetch.

“If you like…” I turn to him, “we can always shop for one together.”

“If it’s not too much trouble…” Dragon Guy turns to me expectantly.

“Not at all.”

Time flies by when you’re having fun. Before we know it, it is already 6:10pm. I quickly prepare to take my leave.

“Didn’t think it’ll be this late. Your parents might be coming home now.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Dragon Guy says as he looks at the clock with a faraway gaze.

“Wouldn’t be kinda…inconvenient for me to be here with you alone?”

“No worries. My parents know everything about you.”

W…Wait…Say what?

“They also know about how you rescued me and all those weekends together food-hunting. I told them everything. In fact, they have no objections over letting me inviting you here.”

“O…Okay…”

I feel like somewhere out of a stalker movie or something, or maybe even one of those scenes in ‘Meet the Parents’ where the guy gets awkward about people knowing everything about you, even your dirty little secrets.

“Anyway, I gotta get going,” I say as I give one last pet on Salazar’s head. “Thanks for the tea.”

“Don’t forget these.”

I take the box of teacups from Dragon Guy and made a sort of goofy grin, “Kinda weird preparing my own teacups for someone else’s tea.”

“No big,” Dragon Guy grins back in his own suave way. “So, you want me to walk you to the subway station?”

“Oh, no, no, you don’t have to. Thanks anyway.”

“But…”

“It’s alright. Besides, it’s dangerous walking back later alone after you send me off. I wouldn’t want anything happen to you.”

“Well…” Dragon Guy sighs, looking like he knew there’s nothing he could say to convince me otherwise. “Well, gimme an sms once you reach home.”

“Sure, I’ll do that first thing.”

We wave each other goodbye, and I thought I catch a little hint of that same sadness again he gave me when we were talking about the dog. Probably he’s just a little sad to see me go. After all, parting has always been our most hated moments when we’re together, just like we do when we had to part at Dragon Guy’s stop in the subway. I feel sad too.

More than sad, actually.

Like an emptiness.

An emptiness that couldn’t be filled no matter how I try.

And I know it’s because it’s my fault.

--:--

Hey, guys. I’m home. Everything was normal as it should be. We had tea and we talked and we played with his dog. Nothing happened.

I hesitate for about 3 seconds before I conclude.

That’s it.

Twincest: Wha…?
GentleGiant: Nothing happened?
Moony: You’re kidding, right?
Chinatown: Impossible~!!
S&D: No way…
QuibblerGirl: You idiot!
Know-It-All: You got no determination, you moron!
GrumpyCaretaker: WTF did you even go to his house for?!

I knew it. Everyone is totally pissed at me right now…

PotionsMaster: Okaaay…Drama much? Neways, you’ve gone this far, Train Boy. What is your hesitation anyways?
Ablaze: Ain’t it obvious, brother? He’s got no experience in confessions of love whatsoever!

You got that right, brother.

We’ve only met 5 times so far. I’m…just considering the right time for a love confession.

Know-It-All: Today WAS the right time! It’s a rare chance for you to have Dragon Guy actually inviting you to his home! What were you doing?!
Wormtail: All you had to do was say “I love you”, that’s it! C’mon, say it with me now, Train Boy!
ParkinsonDisease: You love that Dragon Guy, right?! If you do, then just bloody hell say it out to him! Tell him your feelings straight and true!
Lil’Photog: Don’t be shy, Train Boy! Confess it now!
Headmaster: Love is not just a battlefield, it’s war itself! And those who have no fighting spirit should just high-tail and leave right now!

I know that! I know that! I know all that! You think I don’t know?? But…But…

But most important is…I don’t have the courage itself to say “I love you”…You guys can try telling me how I am going to gather this sort of courage…

Because I’m gonna need it.

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 13

CHAPTER 13: I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU

I quickly take my shower, wash my hair, go clothes-hunting in the wardrobe and wrapping up the teacups nicely so that they won’t break before putting them into the box that came with it. As I stare at the teacups, trying to decide my clothes, I remember that I might be getting replies from my previous entry. I filter through all the ecstatic banter to see some decent replies.

Twincest: Ah~! Drinking tea using Dragon Guy’s cups! And only the two of you!
Lil’Photog: The rents not in all the way till night time!
Padfoot: Ooh~! I’m getting goosebumps!
Know-It-All: Can you tell, Train Boy? He’s giving you a chance! He is definitely luring you in!
QuibblerGirl: Letting someone get to this point and if you don’t do anything, you’re not a man! Get your balls moving, Train Boy!
GrumpyCaretaker: Have you washed that ‘lil brother’ of yours?
PotionsMaster: Don’t forget the rubber!
Wormtail: Need some Kleenex to go?

Well, I have washed my ‘lil friend’, but I’m not gonna tell you that. You all are jumping ahead of yourselves, guys!

Impossible! It’s just tea, then I’m leaving, alright?

I steal a look at the time and know I should get going. I get dressed on the next best set of clothes I can agree on, shave myself, dry my hair and soon I’m all set with the box of teacups in hand.

I’m going out!

HerbologyFreak: Alright! Salute!
ParkinsonDisease: Come back alive!
Ablaze: Go, Train Boy!
Headmaster: Go!
Chinatown: We wait for the good news!

--:--

I stand in front of Dragon Guy’s house. The house and the estate looks so much bigger in broad daylight. I wonder what sort of family business is Dragon guy into to get a house like this.

As I reach over to press the button, I recall my chat friends’ advice:

Moony: “I…think I’m in love with you. Will you go out with me?” Yeah! Use that for your goal!

GentleGiant: Think carefully and choose your words right, and you’ll never lose out.

I suddenly feel dizzy from nervousness. I squat down to gather my bearings, trying to regulate my breathing and calm myself down.

It’s just a doorbell, dumbass. Just press it and get it over with!

I get up and steel my heart, punching the doorbell, hearing it buzz like those metal detectors when I saw someone pass through it without removing metallic stuff from his pocket in the airport. Not long later, a voice ring from the intercom.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

“Um…Uh…Um…” I slap myself to stop stuttering, “It’s me, Train Boy.”

“Alright, coming!”

The front gate open, allowing me to enter. I walk in tentatively and stand there watching the front door of the house open, revealing Dragon Guy. The first thing that catches my eyes is the suggestively short casual pants he is wearing that compliments his dark green T-shirt and sport shoes so perfectly. I try to pretend to be very interested in holding the box of teacups right.

“Welcome, Train Boy.”

“G-G-Good afternoon…” I try desperately to hide my blush as my mind involuntarily pop out naughty thoughts from his short pants.

“Sorry for inviting you on such short notice. Come in, come in.”

“A-Alright, thanks.”

“WOOF!”

I jump at the sound of a loud dog bark. I look down and see the famous German Shepherd Salazar in the flesh, panting and wagging its tail at upon seeing me. It’s really huge, and its fur nicely groomed with a shine that might rival any professional dog breeder. It sniffs around me and the box of teacups I’m holding before Dragon Guy comes up to pull it away.

“Be good, Salazar. We have a guest,” Dragon Guy warn as he leads me to the living room. “Don’t mind him. He can be a little excited sometimes. We don’t get much guests around here. Have a seat.”

“Alright,” I reply and sit on the nice comfy sofa. It feels so much better than the stocky hard bachelor pod sofa I have in my apartment.

“So, what’ll it be? Coffee or tea?”

“Tea, please,” I reply as I pass him the box of teacups.

“Still looks as good as new, I see,” Dragon Guy chuckles as he examines the box and the content for a while.

“Yeah…I don’t usually drink much besides canned drinks back home, so…”

“Alright. I’ll go warm up the teacups a little before getting the tea.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Once he leaves into the kitchen, I look around my surroundings. As expected, it is just how a wealthy person would live. It is spacious, with not much clutter or furniture around. There is a huge plasma LCD TV and the sofa I am sitting comes in a set along with a matching coffee table, and there is a space for a dog pen for Salazar to be in, with toys for him to match. The floor is made of cool marble and the living room has a glass sliding door that leads straight to the backyard outside, which is just as spacious as the living room itself. It is so much different than my rent-controlled bachelor pod, that’s for sure.

I turn to see Salazar sitting near his dog pen, wagging his tail as he looks at me. He barks at me softly for a while, trying to catch my attention. He has very beautiful sparkly eyes that eye at me curiously, like I am a new toy he had never tried out before. He is so cute, almost as cute as his master. I get up and lean forward to him, holding my hand out and he comes to me with his tail wagging. I never had a pet before—not that my uncle allowed me any—but I know the basic commands people use for their pets.

“Sit!”

He sits.

“Shake hand!”

He puts his paw on my offered hand.

“Other hand!”

He does so.

“You are a really smart dog, boy.”

He shows his appreciation of my compliments by almost slobbering my face.

“I see you’re getting along with Salazar,” Dragon Guy shows up with a tray of muffins and the tea. I smile back at him.

“More or less. He’s a nice fellow.”

“You got a new friend, Salazar! Isn’t that nice?”

The dog barked happily, his tail wagging with glee, but he probably is not as gleeful as I am when Dragon Guy unexpectedly leans forward, revealing his chest as his shirt falls forward a little. I can’t take my eyes away from it. That soft, pale skin, that slightly toned yet lithe muscles, the area where his nipples is supposed to be…

“Train Boy?”

Dragon Guy’s voice brings me back to reality. Damn, I hope he doesn’t know I’m staring where I’m not supposed to be staring. It’s hard enough as it is trying to pretend that suggestively short pants that reveal a lot of his thighs didn’t bother me.

“Sorry, you were saying?” I ask, trying not to stutter.

“I was asking about what sort of tea you like in particular.”

“O-Oh, t-t-tea, huh? I-I-I-I…uh…usually drink Lipton, but only in cans, so…ha ha…”

“Well, we have here one of our family favourites the Butterbeer brand Darjeeling tea,” Dragon Guy says as he pours the tea leaves into the teapot and pours hot water into it. “The secret to getting the best flavor out of it is to let it sit just right and wait for the leaves to expand.”

“Ah, OK. That’s something new to me.”

Loaded people definitely have classier knowledge than regular average joe-s like me.

“While we wait, help yourself to some muffins. My mom made them for tea yesterday.”

“Alright.”

I take one and eat it. It tastes of walnut, almonds and chocolate chips, much, much better than the ones my aunt makes for tea. I notice Salazar looking at me with those begging eyes, wanting a piece of the muffin I am eating. How can I refuse? I tear off a piece and offer it to him. He happily chows it down and again licks me in gratitude, almost literally slobbering me whole.

“Totally likes you,” Dragon Guy chuckles. “Likes you so much…”

His voice trails off as he looks at me. I notice a hint of sadness on his face as he watches me being hunky-dory with Salazar. I think I heard him say something about liking me. Does he mean…?

“Um…You mean…the dog right? The dog liking me…?” I try to clarify, blushing a little.

“Uh, yeah, yeah, Salazar,” he replies, seemingly stumbling a little in his words. “Salazar likes you.”

I have a feeling it’s not really what he meant to say, but I cannot be sure. Does he means he likes me or does he really mean Salazar likes me? As I sip my tea, I know this is more or less the perfect moment to say what is in the bottom of my heart. Again, another advice surface in my mind:

Know-It-All: I think if your heart tells you that you can, just say it. Always trust your heart. Don’t miss the moment. Once your heart tells you you’re ready, let the words slip out naturally and there is nothing you cannot do.

I think about the day we first met, the incident brought us together in the first place. I think about the first call I made to him, how we talked on hours at end about setting up dates. I think about going all-out, along with my chat friends, to gussy up myself. I think about the dates we went, about the food we ate, the friend I met. I think about the time we finally hold hands without trying to run away awkwardly.

I think it’s time.

The best time.

I clear my throat.

“Um…Dragon Guy?”

He looks up.

“I’m…”

It’s now or never.

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 12

CHAPTER 12: HIP, HIP. HURRAH FOR TRAIN BOY!

I was ecstatic inside when Dragon Guy decided to let me walk him home. But his neighbourhood was more than I expected…

He lived somewhere around the suburbs, but he claimed he had a home in his own family estate. As we walked, it dawned to me how quiet the area was.

“Kinda…isolated, isn’t it?” I asked.

“That’s the suburbs for you,” Dragon Guy replied.

“It’ll be dangerous at night.”

“Yeah.”

“So from now on, I think I’ll walk you home.”

He must’ve noticed my blush when I said that for he blushed too, his eyes looking at me as if he had not expected me to say that. He smiled and his hand somehow automatically snaked towards mine and held it.

We were holding hands again.

He wasn’t lying about living in his own estate. His home was like the odd one out of all the houses in the suburbs we passed by. It looked almost like the rich guy’s house in the village the cop was stationed to in that movie ‘Hot Fuzz’, but bigger. The chat friends were not kidding about him being loaded.

“Thanks for sending me home,” Dragon Guy said as we stopped at his front gate.

“You’re welcome,” I replied, then marveled at his home from afar for a while before turning to leave. “Well…Goodbye…”

“Wait.”

I turned to look at him questioningly.

“Um…well…Send me a message when you get home.”

“Sure, no prob.”

“Gimme a call sometimes.”

“Alright.”

“And…uh…” Dragon Guy looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

“Yeah…?” I tried to probe. He looked at me and smiled it away.

“Nah, it’s nothing. Better hurry and catch the last train.”

“Yeah, sure. Goodnight.”

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

I smiled and waved goodbye one last time before I left.

And that was it.

PotionsMaster: What the…
Twincest: That’s it?
Know-It-All: Train Boy, that’s…
Wormtail: Good God…!
QuibblerGirl: How the…? What the…?
Moony: Are you kidding me?
Ablaze: Wait a minute, brother! Ya got all the nice moods and ya ain’t givin’ him nothin’?!
ParkinsonDisease: You fucking idiot!
Wood-stock: It’s already no big! What are you doing, Train Boy?!
Twincest: What the…? New additions??
HerbologyFreak: Woah, even the admin made a new layout just for this particular topic!
S&D: Dragon Guy was waiting for you to strike! Don’t you get it?! Are you stupid or something??
Chinatown: Agh! You’ve got no balls for love! You’re too slow!
GentleGiant: At least give him a kiss!
GrumpyCaretaker: No, no, before that he should’ve…
Twincest: Alright, alright, everybody calm down. It’s Train Boy we’re talking about.
ParkinsonDisease: And what? Let him walk out of this?? That’s no excuse!
Ablaze: Yeah! If we don’t say this, he’ll never get anywhere!
Padfoot: Wait a second, do you even KNOW how Train Boy started off?!
Lil’Photog: The confession is never too late, Train Boy! I’m right behind you!
PotionsMaster: Train Boy sure is popular now.
Headmaster: Confession of love is not an issue, but if he doesn’t succeed in this, then Dragon Guy is nothing but an uncompassionate young man!
GrumpyCaretaker: You said it!
Know-It-All: Things are getting a little outta hand here…
Moony: Alright, alright, give Train Boy a chance to speak.
Padfoot: Yeah, Train Boy! Defend yourself!
Twincest: Well? Train Boy? Train Boy…? TRAIN BOY!!

Sweet dreams, Dragon Guy. Nightie-nite…

--:--

Good morning, everyone. I had a great sleep. Sleeping when you’re dead tired sure is refreshing…

I scroll down to see if anyone replied my story entry. There are a lot of additional chat friends, and a lot of love confession suggestions—so much that the admin seem to see it fit to create a whole new independent layout and forum chatroom thread for our ‘THE TRAIN BOY WHO LIVED’ chat—but the shocking thing is that everyone is scolding me and wrote that Dragon Guy was actually hinting me on a confession that hesitant night. I didn’t know! Gah! How can I be so stupid?!

I scroll down and read another reply that just appeared after I’m done reading the first lot.

CheddarDigger: I haven’t slept till 3 this morning reading the history of this chat all the way till now. I’m living with my girlfriend, but she caught me reading this in the middle of the night and thought I was having an internet affair. We didn’t break up or anything, but she just went off without a word. Gah…! Am I being punished? I feel so envious of Train Boy and Dragon Guy, but now my life is in the dumps.
HerbologyFreak: Uh-oh, we’ve got collateral…
Wormtail: Send her to me! I’ll show her what for!
Headmaster: Don’t have to bother about that sort of shallow woman.
ParkinsonDisease: Stop chatting over here, chase after her!

OK…Could it be…it’s my fault…? Oh boy…

My phone rings. It’s Dragon Guy’s number ID. I answer the phone while typing a little to inform my friends.

“Hello? Hey, good morning, Dragon Guy. Thanks for a great time last night. Yeah, great weather…”

The call.

Twincest: The call?
S&D: You mean…the call? From Dragon Guy?
QuibblerGirl: Wow! Dragon Guy?
Wood-stock: A call in the morning?!
Lil’Photog: Cool! Ask him on a date again! C’mon!

Meet up.

Wormtail: Good, good, good!
Chinatown: For real?
HerbologyFreak: Direct attack, huh?
GrumpyCaretaker: You’re a great man, Train Boy!
Ablaze: You’re THE man, Train Boy!

AHH

GentleGiant: Ah?
FrenchLady: Wassat?
Padfoot: Huh?
PotionsMaster: What?
Padfoot: What does that mean? Is he screaming?
Headmaster: Doesn’t look like it. Is it an anagram?
FrenchLady: A.H.H…
Lil’Photog: Uh…Someone explain that? Need a decrypter here…
Moony: At Hogsmeade or Honeydukes…At Holiday House…At…
Wormtail: At his house! I got it! At his house!!
HerbologyFreak: At Dragon Guy’s house?!
QuibblerGirl: Really?!

Sorry, just done on the phone. I’m asked to meet up at his house! I gotta get ready; I’ve got no clothes…Ah!! Need to bring the teacups along! Oh, forgot to tell you, last night we talked about the teacups and I said I didn’t get to use them at all, so he just told me in the phone and asked if I were free and that he’d like to make tea for me at his place…I need to shower…oh, and he said his parents won’t be around till night time…I don’t have any clothes, seriously…

I am staring at the teacups, not realizing there are a lot of OMGs and exclamation marks and emoticons on the replies. Come to think of it, it all started here with this very pair of teacups. Could this be a new development? Will I be able to kiss him this time? Or hit all the way till homerun…?!

Wow~! If that’s the case, I’ll die a happy man!

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 11

CHAPTER 11: EVERYTHING ALRIGHT?

Dragon Guy: Wow~! What a beautiful night scene! I feel happy all of a sudden!

Train Boy: This is a secret place, but because it’s you, I show it to you. (looks at DG nervously) Um…Dragon Guy…I…uh…I…

Dragon Guy: (stops TB’s lips with his finger) Let me say the rest. Since the day you saved me, I have always loved you. I may be older than you, I am a hard worker, and I will not disappoint you, so please go out with me.

Train Boy: (holds DG gently) Can I really…?

Dragon Guy: Yes, please…

As they kiss the city of lights shine behind them, as if protecting them and wishing them well with its warmth…

Moony: Gah, that’s the cheesiest wishful-thinking RP I’ve ever written.
Twincest: Nonsense. It’s actually quite catchy.
FrenchLady: I want to experience that sort of love story!
HerbologyFreak: Me too!
Wormtail: What else? What else?
Moony: Can’t write anymore. I’m at work.
Padfoot: We call him Dragon Guy, but Dragon Guy and his friend Muggle-born calls him Train Boy or probably Sin City Elijah Wood. Calling him in that nickname sounds sweet, so he’s gotta have the hicks for Train Boy, no doubt about it! Although that’s what I think…
Twincest: I’m surrounded by moronic daydreamers! Anyone who actually has confessed or been confessed of love to, for real?
HerbologyFreak: I knew a girl once when I was working part time. I tried telling her but she ran off. When we met at a cocktail party, she said “Let’s just be friends first”, then 2 weeks later, she said “Sorry, I still can’t…” In fact I confessed to my junior in an activity group but she rejected me by saying “I never saw you as a man”…(sob)
Twincest: Not helping…(sweat)

--:--

I get a message from Dragon Guy on my way to meet a client. This is his message:

What are you doing now? :D

Ah, sweet Dragon Guy. Thinking about me even at work. I reply him what I am doing, wishing our next date could arrive sooner.

--:--

Sorry I’m late, guys. I was doing a little overtime today, coz I spent too much time sms-ing Dragon Guy and didn’t get much work done. But of course, we agreed on a date tomorrow.

Twincest: To…Tomorrow?!
HerbologyFreak: Wow, Train Boy, you’re moving fast!
Wormtail: It’s not that. He’s always had the courage. It just needed time.

Nah, it’s not that. It’s all thanks to you guys.

Know-It-All: So when’s the confession day?
QuibblerGirl: Confirmed that Dragon Guy is single yet?

Nope. Haven’t heard from him about that yet. I’m even worried Muggle-born might be his boyfriend.

PotionsMaster: Nonsense! He wouldn’t bring Muggle-born if he was his boyfriend. Just ask him! Say “If you got a sweetheart, wouldn’t I be inconveniencing you to ask you out all the time?”
Padfoot: Don’t panic! Don’t panic! You must prepare a long term battle here!
Moony: Yeah. In fact, there’s not much room for us to participate anymore.

Thanks, guys, for your advice tonight. I’ll do my best tomorrow.

--:--

Hey, everyone. Thanks for waiting. Here’s the update for the day…

So, on our 3rd date today, as usual, I came early. Surprisingly this time, Dragon Guy was earlier, waiting for me with his sleeveless vest and leather jeans and boots. I ran up to him, wondering if he had waited long for me.

“Dragon Guy!”

“Hey there,” he smiled at me.

“You’re earlier this time.”

“Gotta be, once in a while.”

We walked through another crowded street again. This time, Dragon Guy decided on our dinner spot, so I tagged along behind him.

“So much people, and it’s only a Friday…” Dragon Guy pouted. That’s the first time I saw him pout. He’s so cute.

“Yeah, I agree.”

“Follow me closely, Train Boy.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a hold on ya!”

And I did. Imitating the first time Dragon Guy held me, I held onto his elbow and his facial reaction was probably almost like how I did back then. But instead of pulling or jerking away like we used to, he stared at my hand for a while, took it off his elbow and clasped it in his own hand.

“There. Holding hands like this would be more natural,” he said with a suave smile.

“Um…Um, yeah, of course,” I smiled back and squeezed it gently.

I felt like flying in my footsteps at the moment.

Surprisingly, he chose Three Broomsticks Steak and Winehouse, just as suggested by one of the chat friends in the first place. It was rather posh, much classier than Leaking Cauldron, but that made the food taste so much better! We went Dutch again as well for the bill. I half-jokingly offered to foot the bill but he put his foot down and insisted on going Dutch. A bit on the stubborn side, I must say.

After window-shopping for a while, surprise, surprise! We ended up having coffee and cake at Rosmerta’s Delight, the place one of the chat friends suggested of it being a great haunt for gay couples. That confirmed me even more besides him holding my hand about his sexual orientation. It’s got a nice sweet pastry smell mixed with the strong smell of coffee beans, and I usually don’t eat a lot of sweet stuff, but this was delicious.

We talked for so long, we didn’t realize it was almost closing time, so we quickly paid the bills. It’s a little chilly out, and the streets weren’t so crowded as before—so no worries on losing each other—but we still ended up unconsciously holding hands as we walked in silence.

In the subway on our way back, the silence was unsettling. It wasn’t my favourite part of the date where we had to part and not see each other again. I noticed Dragon Guy’s melancholic expression and was a little concerned.

“You alright? You look tired.”

“Yeah, just a little,” Dragon Guy smiled wryly.

“You…sure everything’s alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure. Everything’s a-OK.”

I wasn’t too convinced.

“So…uh…how far is your home from the station?” I asked.

“About 10 minutes or so,” he replied, almost in a questioning tone.

“I’ll walk you home then.”

“Oh, no need to do that. It’s fine.”

“But…”

“It’s OK, really. It’s alright.”

Well…If he insisted…

Once at his stop, we spent the usual 15 seconds staring at each other, savouring each other’s presence as much as possible.

“I’ll…I’ll sms you.”

Dragon Guy didn’t reply.

“D…Dragon Guy…?”

Without warning, about 3 seconds before the door closed, he reached out and grabbed my sleeve before pulling me out of the train. Time almost stood still for a moment there before I realized the train had left, leaving Dragon Guy and I standing face to face with his hand clutched tightly on my sleeve.

“I…changed my mind,” Dragon Guy said sheepishly. “Walk me home.”

It took me a while before I smiled.

“OK.”

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 10

CHAPTER 10: GOOD WORK, TRAIN BOY!

Hey, guys. I just got back. Hang on a minute, lemme catch my breath first. I’ll tell you about the details later.

Twincest: You’re back! Great!
HerbologyFreak: Wohoo~!
Know-It-All: You’re back!
Wormtail: Thank God you’re back!
Moony: Hurrah! Welcome home!

I take a sip of ice coffee before I start typing.

Well, let’s get started then. Here’s the report: first it was the waiting, then the friend came along…

While we wait for our order, Muggle-born asked me a lot of things, like the train incident and our first dinner together. He commented about how we get along so well, and I couldn’t agree more. Even as our order came, his interst in me didn’t stop a beat. Since I’m always the one being ‘interrogated’, I thought I should do the same as well.

“So…Dragon Guy…” I started, “is there anyone saying you resemble anybody?”

“Hmm…Not really,” Dragon Guy replied. “Who do you think I look like?”

“Creed from Black Cat, of course!” I replied, immediately naming the famous villain from the anime. Although I didn’t mean him to be a villain, I just thought he looked handsome like him.

Unfortunately they gave me and each other a blank look, not knowing who I was talking about. It made me feel kinda awkward. Good Lord, have they never watched Japanese anime before?

“Well, I think among us, he looks like Tom Felton and Orlando Bloom in blonde mixed together and divided by two. It’s been confirmed he should be that way since high school!” Muggle-born laughed, earning a slap on the shoulder by Dragon Guy.

“No, I’m not!”

I guess I could understand them not knowing Creed from Black Cat. I dunno anything about Tom Felton or Orlando Bloom in blonde either.

Twincest: Orlando Bloom, eh?! That’s my kinda guy!
Padfoot: I get it! Wohoo! That’s a hottie!
PotionsMaster: Tom Felton and Orlando Bloom in blonde divided by 2? How does that come about?
Wormtail: No way! Creed from Black Cat is better!

“Anyone say you look like anybody, Train Boy?” Muggle-born asked.

“Nope. No one.”

“I think he looks like Elijah Wood in Sin City version. Don’t you agree?”

“Yeah, now that you mention it,” Dragon Guy replied and giggled.

Sin City? I’ve only heard of the comic book, but never watched the movie, and I only knew Elijah Wood by reputation, so I said the most sensible thing I could think of.

“Naw, you flatter me. I’m not that handsome, ha ha…”

Padfoot: Oh boy, Elijah Wood Sin City version? That’s a dime in a dozen.
PotionsMaster: Sin City Elijah Wood definitely suits you! LOL!
HerbologyFreak: God, I suddenly feel Train Boy is so innocent. Ride on, Train Boy.
Know-It-All: Elijah Wood, huh? (sweat)
QuibblerGirl: Oh dear, Elijah Wood Sin City version…

Did I say something wrong…? Anywho…

I took out from my inner jacket pocket the DVDs I agreed to borrow Dragon Guy and he accepted it gleefully.

“Wassat?” Muggle-born asked.

“The Matrix Trilogy. Train Boy said it’s good stuff,” Dragon Guy replied.

“Although I must admit there are some stuff that might get a little complicated,” I warned.

“If there are stuff I don’t understand, I could always ask you.”

“Yeah, sure, no prob.”

Although to be fair, it was kinda complicated for me too.

I excused myself to go to the bathroom but it took me a while coz I was unfamiliar with the area and almost got lost. I ended up asking a waiter where it was and when I got there, someone came out just as I wanted to go in and almost gave me a concussion. Needless to say, I became the butt end of the joke for Muggle-born.

“You seem to be rather…naïve, don’t you think, Train Boy?”

“People say that…sometimes…” I replied.

“Not always?”

Right on the jackpot, buddy, but not that I’m letting have the satisfaction of knowing that.

“You seem to get worked up pretty quick every time someone says something.”

“I think it’s OK,” Dragon Guy said. “There’s very little of his kind around.”

“Maybe so, but I don’t get those kind of people around me,” Muggle-born chuckled happily. “Almost makes me feel whatever I say, people don’t take me seriously.”

“Ha ha, I don’t believe so,” I chuckled back, though I kept feeling that I’m constantly being laughed at.

We parted our ways at around 9pm when Muggle-born said he had to leave. He shook hands with me and thanked me, saying that it had been the most interesting night for him and saying sorry for the bother before he left.

Twincest: That Muggle-born guy sounds like a really considerate guy.
Wormtail: He sounds hot!
Moony: Agreed, agreed!
HerbologyFreak: So, do you know Dragon Guy’s age and profession?

Oh yeah, almost forgot. We did talk about that. They didn’t really tell me their age, only hinted that they’re a little older than I am, and they are working under Dragon Guy’s family business in the higher office department. Way cooler than my job. Anyway, back to my story…

This time, it was my turn to suggest having some dessert somewhere after eating all that Chinese stuff. We went to a French cakehouse and dined on some French sweet treats while we talked about movies, the next restaurant we’ll go to and also about fashion.

“Sorry about my friend,” Dragon Guy said. “He can be quite chatty sometimes. Comes with his job.”
“S’ok,” I replied. “I’m glad I met him. You know…about the fashion stuff you said, honestly speaking, I’m no expert in it.”

“Really? But what about the get-up? You seem to be pretty well rehearsed with it.”

“N-Not really…It’s just that…I kinda rushed into it, coz it’s my first time anyone has ever gone out to eat with me…”

God, I felt like such a fake when I said that.

“Really?” Dragon Guy said nonchalantly after a long silence and a sip of his hot chocolate.

That’s it? ‘Really’?

“I’m not really into fashion too much either, truthfully.”

That’s more of a truthful lie.

“How’s about we go shopping for clothes some time?” Dragon Guy asked.

“Yeah, sure. No problem!”

After dessert, we took the subway and as usual, it stopped at his station. For that 15 seconds before the door closed, we promised each other we’ll chat via sms and wished each other goodnight. This time Dragon Guy kept on waving and waving, occasionally jumping up and down and carried on until I could no longer see him.

That’s about it, I guess.

So tiring. I haven’t type this much since the last time I had to finish my college assignment.

Twincest: Good work, kiddo!
Moony: You did well, Train Boy!
PotionsMaster: Although the line ‘My first time anyone has ever gone out to eat with me’ was a bit of an overkill.
Wormtail: Yeah. Maybe you shouldn’t have said that.

Gah…I screwed up, didn’t I?

Know-It-All: Although I think…Well, let’s put it this way, a person willing to change so much for me, I’d be happy for it, especially when you’re younger than him.
FrenchLady: You can say that. In fact, I think it’s kinda cute.
QuibblerGirl: Ah, new addition!

Is it really? Is it really what Dragon Guy thinks? Even if it’s from a girl’s point of view? But I guess it can be accepted.

My phone buzzes, saying a message has come in. I eagerly read it.

Thanks for tonight. Let’s go food-hunting again.

I send my reply, agreeing to him that I will. I feel very, very happy right now. This is definitely not a dream…

Twincest: Alright, troops! Let’s decide what Train Boy should say to profess his love!
Padfoot: How about “From the moment I saw your face”?
HerbologyFreak: How about “Come with me, your Train Boy, and I’ll start the journey of life with you”? LOL!
Wormtail: Maybe add “I may be younger than you, but I am a hardworker, and I’ll never let you down! Can I love you?” How’s that?
Know-It-All: If it were me, I wouldn’t beat about the bush. Just say it straight to his face: “I love you”!
FrenchLady: Gotta start the battle now! Don’t panic!
QuibblerGirl: Yup! Time is of the essence.
PotionsMaster: Don’t be shy, Train Boy! Take him to a place with great scenery, then make your move!
Moony: I think Train Boy’s straightforward way of saying things is still the best way.

I can hear a muffled line of dinging replies from the chatroom, but I don’t care about it at the moment. All I want to do is sleep and dream of my Dragon Guy.

Dragon Guy…

I…love you…

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 9

CHAPTER 9: DO YOU LIKE ME?

I get a message from Dragon Guy as soon as I got home. This is what he said:

Can I ask you a favour? I’ve got a friend who really wants to see you. Is it OK if I bring him along?

I can’t say no to that. I reply him my agreement and this is what he replies:

Hurrah~! Thanks! He’s my high school best friend. I’ll tell him you’re OK with it.

I reply him back, saying that he didn’t have to thank me, although my imagination of his facial expression based on the message is him smiling cheerfully and holding up victory signs with both hands. Nah, he wouldn’t do that…would he?

High school best friend, huh?

I tell this to my chat friends and ask them what does this mean.

QuibblerGirl: I think this friend of his must be really close to him, and he wants to find out if you’re a good guy (no offense), so keep an eye out.
PotionsMaster: Gay boys are just as picky with the men they like as women do. You can judge it by the message itself. I mean, even regular straight couples have friends that give crazy comments and opinions on other people’s lovers, so if Dragon Guy didn’t like you, he would never have told his friend about you.
Moony: I think he must’ve told his friend about you rescuing him, so the friend is interested to meet you in person. Don’t think too much about it, just go see that friend with a light heart.

Really, huh? Even I as a gay never knew this is what other gay boys think. They seem to know more than I do though.

Come to check me out, eh? If that’s the case, I can’t wait to meet him and his friend. They can check me out all they want, baby!

--:--

Hey, guys. I just bought some clothes for our next date. We’ve decided it to be on the 4th of July, on Independence Day. We chose to eat Chinese, so I checked out on some proper table etiquettes on Chinese cuisines. I spent a lot for dress-up, but for this date, it’s always worth it. I even studied up on things that I can use as topics of conversation, and that includes movies like you suggested. I even agreed to lend a couple of movies to Dragon Guy that he hadn’t watched yet. Oh, and I just got a message from him. He sms-ed me a picture of him and his dog Salazar. It was a German Shepherd breed and I ended up envying it, coz it’s in his arms! I wish I were the dog!

Twincest: Dang, Train Boy. You’re really getting it good.
Padfoot: Feels like Train Boy is getting further and further away from us. I feel both sad and happy for him just thinking about it.
Wormtail: If Train Boy’s love life becomes a success, it’ll be all thanks to us, eh?
PotionsMaster: Shut up, you dunderhead!
HerbologyFreak: I’ll have to apologize, Train Boy. I shouldn’t have underestimated you. At first, I thought we should just support you for the sake of it since you’re so indecisive over a phone call and all. Now you’re way ahead of us, and yet I’m still stuck in one spot.

I don’t know whether to feel good or bad about that.

Aww, don’t be sorry. I wouldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for you guys. Sometimes I wonder to myself if this were all a dream, and if it is, I don’t wanna wake up from it.

QuibblerGirl: Alright, moment of truth here, Train Boy. I’m gonna ask you a serious question and you’re gonna answer me truthfully. DO YOU TRULY, HONESTLY LOVE HIM?

It is a question I don’t have to think twice.

Yes, I LOVE HIM, coz I can’t stop thinking about him, not even when I’m awake or asleep.

Everyone is ecstatic at my answer, but not as ecstatic as I am when Dragon Guy’s message comes in again.

--:--

I’m standing at our promised meeting place. Again, I get there early, but I’m clever now. Instead of waiting for one hour, I wait for 30 minutes before he comes.

This time he is wearing a nice body-fit black T-shirt and a white jacket, matched with black leather pants and dark boots. He has his slightly longish hair tied into a teensy-weensy ponytail. He’s beautiful, as usual.

“Sorry, I’m late again.”

“Now, really, you’re just in time,” I reply. “You’re never late for me. By the way,” I look around, “where is your friend?”

“Oh, sorry about that. He said he’ll meet us at the restaurant later since he’s got a small errand to run first. So shall we make a move first?”

“Yeah, sure.”

We walk down the crowded street again, and it is even more crowded than the usual weekend nights because of the holiday season. We’re lucky to be here early at least before it gets much worse.

“Kinda crowded again, eh?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Dragon Guy replies. “Well, at least it’s much better than being in the countryside. I won’t get hay fever then.”

“Oh, hay fever, huh? You alright now?”

“Yeah, I’m cool. I’ve got some preventive medication prescribed by the docs, just in case it occurs unannounced. I took some before I came.”

That’s when I realize in shock that Dragon Guy is almost going to walk into traffic because he’s talking to me. Instinctively, I grab his hand and pull him back to me.

“You almost made roadkill outta yourself there, Dragon Guy,” I comment, motioning him to the still moving traffic and the DON’T WALK sign still on.

“Th…Thanks,” Dragon Guys says apologetically. I get a little tipsy after taking my meds. It’s a side effect thing.”

“No worries…”

We then notice our hands holding, with mine in a slightly tighter grip. We quickly let go of each other, laughing nervously, but it isn’t as bad as when we first held hands. In fact, we smile at each other sheepishly before continuing our way to our dinner spot.

Our dinner spot is somewhere in the Cho District of Chinatown where Dragon Guy claims to have some of the best Chinese restaurants around. As we wait for Dragon Guy’s friend, we agree to make our orders first.

“Go ahead and order what you like, Train Boy.”

“I…uh…I’ll eat anything. You decide, Dragon Guy.”

Honestly speaking, everything is written in Chinese and the food description of the meal in English is not exactly too familiar to me either. I’ll just let Dragon Guy be the judge.

“Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late!”

“A little too late, if you ask me!”

“Sorry, my friend. It’s not easy getting out of it. You know how it is.”

The friend Dragon Guy talked about finally comes and sits beside him. He’s an interesting-looking fellow, with longish hair like Dragon Guy the colour of roasted almonds and healthy tan skin, and dark brown eyes like those dark chocolate Light likes to eat, and he’s probably taller than both of us put together. He’s wearing a canvas shirt that exposes his chest and a pair of designer khaki pants and designer shoes, and I can’t help noticing he has a scar on his neck that runs almost dangerously near his jugular. He must have noticed me staring because he gives me a good-natured smile.

“Don’t mind the scar. It was just a car accident. Drunk driving on my father’s part. I see you got one too.”

“Oh, this old thing?” I finger mine on my forehead. “Yeah, got that when a robbery in my home went bad. Took both my parents’ life.”

“Oh, oh, I’m sorry. I heard my friend talk about it, but I didn’t think it was really…”

“No worries. I never knew my parents enough to remember them. No big.”

“Well, pleased to meet you then, Train Boy. The name’s Aaron Turunen, but since you guys go for nicknames, you can call me ‘Muggle-born’. Yup, I’m a true blue city boy born from parents from the countryside.”

I grin. He sure is a cheery optimistic person to make humor out of that racial slur “Muggle” we always call people who are from the countryside.

“I heard a lot about you, Train Boy! Almost everyday, you know!” Muggle-born grins in that mischievous way.

“That’s not true!” Dragon Guy denies it with a tint of pink on his cheeks.

I laugh it away as I let them do the ordering, though I feel kinda left out when I order Chinese tea, not knowing they were going to order beer. While we wait for our order, we toast to each other and do a bottoms up before I decide to order beer as well to accompany them. When Muggle-born looks at me slyly, I wonder if something is afoot.

I sure hope everyone back in the chatroom is backing me up on this.

--:--

8:42pm
Twincest: Will he give us a sensational update now?
Wormtail: It’s still early, dickwad!
Padfoot: Who knows? He might hit the jackpot tonight!

10:39pm
PotionsMaster: Still not on yet, huh?
Moony: Looks like it.
QuibblerGirl: What if he doesn’t come home tonight?

11:44pm
Know-It-All: That’s funny. It’s so late. Why isn’t he online yet?
Padfoot: You’re right. He’s kinda late.
Twincest: You got us there…
HerbologyFreak: I’ve got a funny feeling about this…
Know-It-All: Funny feeling? What sort?
QuibblerGirl: You don’t mean…
Moony: No way…
PotionsMaster: That this Dragon Guy and his friend might actually be tricksters…and lead him to a trap?!

Train Boy Who Lived-Chp 8

CHAPTER 8: THE SIGH OF A TRAIN BOY

I sighed today.

Not just any sigh where people are just gonna hear it and forget about it.

It’s one of those sighs that is really long and drawn out and makes everyone look at you like you just suffered some sort of mental breakdown kind of depression.

And it definitely didn’t make me feel any better getting it off my chest.

Wait. Lemme just start from the beginning.

Today, after last night’s date, Light approached me as soon as we met in front of the office building. She was giving me that expectant smile, like some teenage cheerleader waiting for the next gossip of the new blood in the jock team.

“So~? How did it go?”

“H…How did what go?”

“Your date, gay-bo! Your date! Was it a success?”

I hushed her, knowing that she said it a little too loud. After calming down some, I muttered, “I told you, Light. It’s not a date. It’s just dinner.”

“That’s called a date, gay-bo,” Light groaned. “I ain’t born yesterday. So? When’s the next date?”

“Well…there isn’t any…”

“What? There is no next time?” Light guffawed and clapped my back real hard. “You’re incredible, my little gay-bo senior, you know that? What the fuck are you doing?”

I just laughed that comment away. Like I said, she may be crude, but she’s a good girl. She didn’t mean any harm. Everyone in the office is used to her way of talk, as long as you know how to read between the lines. I guess this is how dykes comfort people.

I thought about what my chat friends told me. I thought about what they asked and what they suggested. One told me to ask myself whether it was really OK to end it like this. One suggested that when Dragon Guy said he didn’t get to do dinner very often, he must have meant to hint that I should’ve responded by offering to go out for dinner. One told me that someone had thrown me a straight ball, and I didn’t have the glove to catch it and that it was a chance in a lifetime.

So I sighed.

I sighed at work.

I sighed at lunch.

I sighed at class.

I sighed for my indecisiveness. I sighed for my cowardice. I sighed for being so fucking stupid. I sighed for being me.

And it sucks.

Now here I am, sitting in front of the PC, sighing for goodness knows how many times. I think about what Dragon Guy said, about how he no longer goes out for dinners and being adventurous in an eating sense because all his friends had their own life to live, about how he couldn’t do anything about it and about how happy he was to eat out again.

Should I have done something?

Should I have said something?

I don’t know…

Hey, guys. Train Boy here. You think…it’s alright for me now? I haven’t called him yet…I’m still nervous as usual.

Twincest: Gah! What are you doing?!
Padfoot: Why don’t you just bloody call?!

I’m afraid if I call too soon, he might think I’m too clingy…

Know-It-All: Are you a moron?! What are you so afraid about, dammit?!
QuibblerGirl: I understand how you feel, but didn’t you agree to call him back?
Moony: Yeah. If you don’t call now, when ARE you gonna call?
I…guess they’re right. I guess I should still call…
HerbologyFreak: Don’t ask him out this time. Let him decide. Steer him right. Besides, he’s more of a food expert than you are.
PotionsMaster: Say something like “Thank you for last night. I had a great time. If it’s alright with you, may I have the honour to ask you out again?” or maybe “If you have no friends to eat out with you, how’s about I take over?”

Well, he’s got something here. It should be alright.

Alright! I’ll call!

Twincest: That’s the spirit! Charge on!
HerbologyFreak: Go all out kamikaze mode, man!
Padfoot: Right on, Train Boy!

No one’s picking up…

HerbologyFreak: I knew it…

I hang up the phone and sigh. He’ll see a missed call. He’ll call back. Or I could just call back later. I just need to get my words right.

The phone rings. I see the number ID. It’s him. I pick it up.

“Yes, hello?”

“Hey,” Dragon Guy’s beautiful voice ring in my ear. “Sorry I missed your call.”

“Oh, it’s OK,” I chuckled good-naturedly. “Just wanna say thanks for last night.”

“Naw, I should be thankful. I really had fun.”

“Um…remember at the station I said I’ll call?”

“Yeah?”

“Well…I…I was wondering…” I swallow and take a breath before I continue, “Last night you told me you got no one to eat out anymore, so…you know…Could I…I mean, if it’s alright with you, can I…do that…for you…?”

Finally! I said it! I managed to say it in one go! Atta boy!

“Oh yeah, sure, why not?”

I stop. Did he…Did he just say…?

“Ex…Excuse me…?”

“I’m cool with you going food hunting with me. I appreciate your food expertise as well, he he!”

“R-R-R-R-Really?!” I am stuttering again.

“Of course really. Are you always that articulate?”

“W-W-Well, sorry…I wanted to tell you that last night but…”

“Well, FYI, Train Boy, at that time I was already hinting you.”

I drop the phone in shock. Oh my God! It’s just as what my chat friends predicted! Fuck! How can I be so stupid?! I hurriedly pick up before I lose him.

“Hello? You there?”

“Y-Yeah! I’m here!” Thank God, my phone is still intact.

“Well, now that you’ve mentioned it, there is one place I’d like to go check out.”

“OK, OK, cool! I’m cool!”

“I’ll give you a call then. Wait, maybe we don’t have to waste so much credit calling, since I might not be available. How’s about we sms each other? Would that be alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure! No problem!”

We talk for quite a while. An hour, maybe, just about nothing in particular as usual. Technically I don’t really care about the topic we’re talking about, as long as we are talking and as long as I’m hearing his voice. It feels almost sad to say goodbye, but Dragon Guy has an early meeting tomorrow morning, so he has to turn in soon. We give each other our goodnight wishes and as usual Dragon Guy hopes for me not to get bitten by bed bugs. As soon as I hang up, I am as high as a coke addict.

I finally got him to agree on a second date! Thanks to you guys! I really owe you one! You guys done so much for me!

PotionsMaster: Are you bloody serious?
QuibblerGirl: Second date is in the house, baby!
HerbologyFreak: You’re amazing, Train Boy! You really did it!
Know-It-All: I’m so happy I could cry right now! (sob)
PotionsMaster: Huh! I told you he was hinting you on something! I can never be wrong about these things!
Twincest: Yeah, whatever. Look, it’s about time we plan out the next date! Since you guys already decided on the place, think about what to wear!
Moony: You said something about hinting. What does that mean?
Padfoot: Forget about hints, and forget about dressing! Topic of conversation between you guys is much more important.
Know-It-All: I agree. Train Boy is running out of stuff to say now.
Wormtail: Wait, how old is Dragon Guy and how does he look like? At least tell me how his voice sounds like?
Padfoot: Get off the line, you fucking pervert! Why are you asking that for?!
QuibblerGirl: Eh? Another new addition?
Twincest: I think it’s best if Train Boy talk about things he’s expert at, like his hobbies or anything to do with his profession, maybe.
HerbologyFreak: No way! Remember he’s a Honeydukes boy. You don’t want to bore Dragon Guy with stuff like that!
QuibblerGirl: How about movies? Ask Dragon Guy what sort of movies or movie scenes he likes.
Padfoot: I envy Train Boy. I’ve never had dinner with anyone special before. Every time I try asking for a date, they all say “Why would I wanna eat in front of you with a face like that”…
Know-It-All: He doesn’t have to talk much really. Shy boys are quite cute as well.
Wormtail: At least tell me if his voice is high or deep…I really need to know.
It feels like things are getting more and more chatty now, and I’m pushed aside as a third person. Oh well, at least they are trying. I mean, they are doing this out of concern for me.

Oh, I’m getting a message. I pick up the phone to check.

Thanks for calling me. I’m really happy. Goodnight.

Oh my God! Oh my God! He sms-ed me! He sms-ed a goodnight message to me! Oh my God! I squeal and toss and turn happily on my bed.

I think…I think…

I think I’m really in love with him.