16 : Right Here

"At last you two made up," Leo sigh in relief. The first class this afternoon ended and the president and vice president came back. It's the first time they skip class all these years. A smile crept in Leo's lips as he heard Dave's answer.

"Yeah," his friend clung its arm in Steve's shoulder who nodded and walk to his seat, ignoring them.

"It's hard to be stuck in your friends quarrel. You must stay neutral. Thanks to Chester he don't need to suffer alone," he explained to himself and then look at Chester.

"What are you looking at? Wanna get punch?" Chester remarked and sit properly making him laughed.

𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘥.

Just a minute pass the second subject teacher come with a book on his arm and a stick wearing his thick glasses. The whole afternoon spent with the student listening and the teacher discussing. Now, the only left in the room is the cleaners.

---

"Good morning Steveee!" the voice of a particular student was heard in the entrance. All of the students look at the lad's ways. It's been days since they heard the energetic voice of the president greeting his vice president. The aura surrounding the latter is much more lively than before making the student feel at ease and greet him like they always do.

"Good morning pres," the students greeted with a smile that Dave repay with a smile and a simple, " Good morning."

"You know Dave, I'm not deaf," Steve reminded him since he forget it.

Unlike before, Steve wait for him. Of fourse, it didn't leave unnoticed to Dave. His smile brighter than the usual and clung his arm on Steve shoulder who didn't budge to remove it. Since the confession, Steve let Dave to get touchy with him. He didn't need to avoid him, Dave is his after all.

"Yikes flirting this early. Respect us, will yah?" Chester welcome them bitterly. They're early for the first period and it's only a few student inside the room.

It's Tuesday means no guarding for the four youngster who sit in their sit. Lucky, their sit is not far from each other, no need to move to chat with each other.

"We're not flirting but of course you wouldn't understand that because you're too malicious," Steve explained sitting in his seat and look st Chester who gave him a what-the-fuck-look.

"You have attitude, huh?" Chester's voice is a little bit irritated.

"Yeah just like you," Leo blurted sipping the last milk drop in the milk drink he bought this morning in the cafeteria.

Dave and Steve laugh because of Leo's sudden remark. Leo gave them a questioning look unaware of the glare that Chester's throwing him.

"You have a problem with me?" Unlike them, Chester angrily smack Leo's head for the real talk.

"Ouch! I'm stating a fact, what's about that?" the defender argued caressing his head that was hit.

The two continue to fight and Steve watch them silently while Dave laugh his ass off. The once empty room started to get crowded. Their classmate who'd hear about Dave going back to his old self, the friendly and kind one, greet and surrounded him.

The two stop from fighting and watch Dave entertain their classmate. Soon, Leo join Dave talk to the girls. Chester went to Steve's place and sit on the his friend's table.

"It's so hard too have a famous boyfriend, right?" Chester whispered.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Steve lied.

"C'mon are you really gonna keep it a secret with us? I'm gay too, you know?" Chester reassured his friend adding, " I won't judge you."

"I know you're not that kind of person but your mouth can't keep shut, can it?" Steve shove the guy sitting in his table, release his notebook and place it in the table. The table feel hot from the contact with Chester.

Chester just pout and call Leo to go back in his sit. Leo complied and so Dave. The girls went back to their sits giggling.

"I'm sorry," Dave lean in and whisper in Steve ears making the latter shiver.

"It's okay. It can't be help, you're famous." No, it's not okay. If Steve can shove those dirty hands off of Dave he would. They keep touching and caressing Dave's shoulder and arm as if they are some kind of leech, cringe.

"You sound bitter," Leo butted in.

Chester laugh out loud, holding his stomach gaining the attention of the other student, " You're so naïve Leo." Chester clean the tears of joy from his eyes.

"Good job Leo," Dave gives him a thumbs up between laughs, his hand is trembling a little from the sensation.

Steve on the other hand, glare at him. His face, neck, and ears are all red. Leo wonder why.

---

*Ding dong*

A loud alarm cover the school signaling it's time for lunch. The teacher stops from teaching, clean his things and left the room while the student dash outside making the empty hallway a sea of students.

"Dave, Ms. Lee is calling you on the office." That was teacher last words before dismissing the class.

It's already 29 minutes since then and Dave is not in the office yet. He wonder what the two may be talking about. Is it about school or personal stuff? Did she call Dave as a the SSG President or as her son? Ms. Lee is known for being strict, with that fact Steve felt uneasiness. He's worried about Dave, did the teacher hears about them skipping the first afternoon class? But, it's only one time thing besides it's natural for a student to become a little rebellious.

Chester and Leo weren't around. Leo was dragged somewhere by Chester. Steve didn't know where, and didn't bother to ask. He's not a nosy person. A rattle from the opening door hook Steve's attention. It's Dave.

"Dave how's your talk with your mom—

Dave walk toward him abruptly and hug him stopping him from his sentence. The lad embrace him, his forehead is leaning on Steve's shoulder for support.

"What happen?" Steve's voice is fond.

Dave cant say it. If he tell Steve what happen, it will probably feel bad and blame himself and he didn't want that. It's his decision to skip a class he just drag Steve along with him. If he didn't confess, they won't ditch. That's right, it's his fault alone.

As if Steve is a psychic and happen to read his mind said the exact words he need to heard, "It's okay. Don't blame yourself, we're both responsible for that so don't be selfish and take all the blame. It's our wrong and we won't do that again. I'm right here, you don't need to face the consequences alone."

Steve feel the hug tighten and patted Dave's head. They stay in that position for a moment in silent until Dave is finally calm down and able to reply him.

"You know. You're more mature than your big brother. I'm ashame," he whispered still hugging the lad.

"Don't spoil the mood or I will kill you," the subject of his affection warned.

He chuckled and lean closer. When he's so close in Steve's ear he whispered unaware that his voice is husky, "thank you babe."

Steve's heart skip a beat. The blood rush through his face making him a walking tomato. He push Dave harshly who gave him a boxy smile.

"I hate you!" Steve shouted and storm out of the office leaving the latter who sighed.

"Ah, that was close Dave. That was close."