Chapter 1

01

Peter's walking his way towards the music room of his school. Steps are heavy, hair's messy, eyebrows are knitted and cheeks are puffed. Whoever took a glance at him will say that he's not in the mood.

Who would be happy waking up realizing that you slept while leaning on the wall of your apartment? His neck and back's sore because of the position he took while sleeping. It was unintentional, okay? He wasn't really planning on sleeping like that. He wasn't even planning on sleeping at all.

Peter let out a deep sigh before he pushed the door open and walked inside. His co-members who are already there, actually waiting for him greeted him.

"Peter! Wow, you look awful..." the girl who comes by the name Pepper said. She's holding a paper and a pen, probably making her assignment for her next class just like what she always do. She's the secretary too.

"Dude you okay?" Dave commented that gained a chuckle from the other members who are listening. Dave's boyish grin showed up which was really attractive but appeared irritating for Peter.

"Spare me the comments, I'm not in the mood," Peter groaned. He put down his bag on a vacant chair before walking to the small platform, holding his own guitar.

"Why?" Rave asked curiously. Rave's the closest to Peter. A silent type just like him and the one who really understands and knows about him. He's his bestfriend.

"I woke up at the wrong side of the bed. Literally."

Rave chuckled and shook his head after hearing the answer of his poor friend.

Peter started to connect wires on his guitar. They’ll start their practice any moment now. They're busy practicing for the upcoming stakeholders' day. They'll be performing for the night band program and for sure there'll be so much people since it'll be an open house. Just by the thought of it, Peter can feel his legs weakening.

"Guys, let's start?"

Everyone went to their positions. Rave's the drummer of the band, Dave's the main vocalist, Train's assigned on the keyboard and also the back-up vocal, and lastly, Peter's the guitarist of the band. They're not really an official band, they're like a group, formed just for this occasion.

The whole place was filled with the sound of instruments and the good singing voice Dave had. Some members are listening in awe as to how good the boys are. The girls would surely swoon once they see the performance and how good looking the performers are.

After practicing the chosen songs, fixing some errors and trying new renders, the practice finished. Peter immediately grabbed his guitar, put it inside the case and sling it on his shoulder.

"Let's go grab some lunch," Rave invited.

Peter nodded his head and then both of them got out. They found themselves sitting on a nearby convenience store, ordering some packed lunch, a drink and some sweets.

"How's your new apartment?" Rave asked in the middle of eating.

Peter swallowed his food before answering.

"It was okay, so far," he answered in a monotone voice.

"And the neighbours?"

Peter stopped for a while. He tried remembering how's his neighbours but ended up with nothing. He hadn't met any of the people living beside his room or near it. How could he met them if he's not going out and is socially awkward? He's not good at conversing with strangers and most of all not good at approaching them.

"I haven't met any of them but I bet they're good. The walls are thin but they're not really noisy. I don't know, I haven’t been there for a week after all."

Rave nodded his head at Peter before shaking it with a chuckle. He's really fond of his friend being all honest to him.

Peter might not be a talker and more of a listener. He might look cold despite of those brown orbs expressing innocence the guy possess. However, once you looked at it thoroughly, you'll never expect to see so much pain inside of it.

—

After class finished, Peter quickly went home with Rave giving him a lift to his new apartment. His apartment’s far from Rave’s so the latter wanted to visit just to also check the security of the place.

They were just silently walking towards Peter's room. When they were near on Peter’s room, the door besides Peter’s apartment opened. A man, sipping a box of milk drink, stepped out and immediately noticed Peter and Rave.

"Hey," the man greeted, slightly taken aback with the new faces.

Peter was silent, secretly panicking on how to reply with the simple greeting from his neighbour.

"Hey, good afternoon," Rave greeted, realizing that his friend's not good at conversing. "I'm Rave and this is my friend Peter," Rave reached his hand for a shake.

"I'm West," West said as they shook hands. After, he then reached out his hand on Peter which the latter hesitantly received.

He's blushing. West thought when he touched hands with Peter.

Peter immediately pulled his hand back and lightly pulled the hem of Rave’s shirt. Rave automatically understand the meaning of the gesture so he excused themselves to the man.

"We're going in. We still need to finish some things but it's nice meeting you," Rave politely excused with a smile.

"Sure. It's my pleasure to meet the both of you too. Let's hang out sometimes," West replied with an enthusiastic smile. Peter couldn't help himself but to admire at how bright and warm West's smile is. He looks like a carefree person with no problem at all, that's what Peter thought.

With a good and nice goodbye, the both party parted ways. Rave and Peter went inside the apartment first while West was left on his way outside. He jerked his head on the door beside his room and remembered the blushing boy who looks really cute for him.

He shook his head.

Damn, what am I thinking?

He continued walking out, thinking if who among the two was the one singing last night. It could be the first man whose name's Rave. He had a cold and whole voice, which added to the possibility.

But it could also be Peter—the shorter guy—since he had a guitar with him. But who knows? West couldn't find answers to himself so he washed the thought for the meantime.