His beautiful eyes

[ Five Days After 31 December 2017] 

—

–DAVID CHWE

"Your father must have explained the consequences of repeating your silly mistakes, I reckon?" 

A voice that waved with clamour left a question hanging in the air, leaving echoes of peril to linger across the limo. 

It was dark inside— the luxurious car was bombarded by smoke from the cigar that was exhaled by an individual who sat in the darkest corner. His deep, life-threatening voice sent immediate shivers that carried electricity, throughout the system of David who flinched at the vibrations of his voice. 

There— David sat ten seconds away from the unknown individual, where the one bulb was illuminating fear as it caressed his veins. He was visibly shaking like a leaf, his whole body was covered in sweat. The unknown man behind the shadows made a four with his legs shortly after throwing out peals of guffaws that further influenced aghast to envelope itself on David's figure. 

DAVID— the only thing he'd do was to nod whenever thrown a question. Words were scattering around in his head, discouraging him from speaking. Beads of sweat were trailing on his bruised face. 

"It…it won't happen again…I promise!" David spoke in a stuttering whisper and tiredly tried to fish more words that he thought would appease the one behind the shadows. 

"50,000$— take it and get the hell out! Your face disgusts me!" The man urged in a displeased, indignant tone, and grunted briefly after he threw a big, black leather back at David's face. 

Nodding without uttering a word, David hastily got out of the car, breathing heavily with relief. The car roared away leaving him behind as he tried to catch up with his breath. 

"Who called the police?!" 

—

[15 January 2018] 

Days passed— Travis was not yet used to his new neighbour, David. To him, David was like a parasite that was going to feed on him sooner, than he least expected it— hence it was important for him to keep his eyes peeled whenever David was around him, even during lessons. 

He had to stealthily lock his eyes on his movements, be they tiny or silly movements— it did not matter as long as his eyes were on him. It was just his luck that he was still not caught on his mission, but today the unexpected occurred— changing everything. 

"He has a face structured non-distinguishedly to a koala." Travis secretly complimented whilst his eyes carefully glided over David's face, failing to pay attention to what the teacher was saying. 

"His dark brown eyes shamelessly remind me of the sweetest chocolate I ate last night— so dark and mysterious, they haunt my heart every time I look into them and yet at the same time, they shower me with warmth!" Continuing, Travis silently said to himself while a light flickered across his face. 

"Maybe I should…!"

"TRAVIS! TRAVIS! TRAVIS PARK!" 

Mrs Tanaka, their English teacher, called out to Travis. Her tiny, high-pitched voice reverberated across the classroom, capturing Travis's attention who hastily rose from the chair, completely startled. His dilated eyes with fear looked at Mrs Tanaka whilst, at the same time, everyone turned their eyes at him. 

There was a soft murmur that washed the whole class that made Travis realise that all eyes were on him, including those of his neighbour, with that he embarrassingly lowered his eyes, rubbing his suddenly sore neck. 

"Recite lines 13 and 14 of Sonnet 18!"

Mrs Tanaka spoke in an indignant tone that instantly sent fear to caress Travis's system. His heart instantly skipped a beat when he realised that he did not remember the poem— he had no slightest idea what she was talking about. 

He could hear his own heart throbbing crazily right in the depths of his ears. 

"I…!" 

As he was about to air out something, his lowered eyes caught David stealthily pushing his book in his direction— steadily and carefully, the book reached Travis. 

It was fortunate that they sat at the back and Mrs Tanaka could not notice when David pushed the book for Travis to see. 

"Well?" Mrs Tanaka spoke again, her patience visibly running out. 

"So…so long men can breathe, or eyes can see…so long lives this and this gives life to…thee!" Travis replied in a voice that was audibly shaking with emotions and immediately pressed his lips together soon after he spoke. 

"Sit down! I won't let it slide next time!" Mrs Tanaka sighed and warned before looking back into the book that was in her hand. An embarrassed Travis nodded and slowly sat down as he exhaled deeply. 

"I got caught!" He thought to himself while he adjusted himself to his cold chair, trying to shift his focus on his books. The rest of the lessons began and went by, and soon it was lunchtime. 

"Should I? I think…I should!" Having a silent squabble with his heart and head, Travis's eyes stalked David who was already packing his books, readying himself to go out. 

"Uh…hey!" Shortly after David had risen from his chair, Travis blurted, gulping as he forced a smile to come out. "Yeah?" Turning his features at Travis, David aired. 

"He's…beautiful!" Instead of speaking, Travis screamed mentally as soon as his eyes landed on David's bright features. 

"You…!"

"Are you ready!?" Jiyeon exclaimed from behind, her words jumping into Travis's mouth, discouraging him to untangle words from his lips. In a jiffy, Travis packed his books and stormed out with his hand curled around Jiyeon's arm, leaving behind David who frowned at his manoeuvre. 

"So handsome!" David said briefly after throwing out a soft chuckle as he shuffled out of the classroom. 

"Oh…no practice today?" Jiyeon questioned immediately when saw Kevin rush to them, breathless and sweating. 

"Mrs Kim suddenly fell sick, that means tea time for me!" Kevin replied cheerfully, fixing his spectacles as he stuffed strawberry juice in his mouth. At this point, everyone had worn glowing faces with delight because the truth was that, Kevin rarely found the chance to dine with them— the last time was on 25th December 2017. 

His father had always been urging him to be excellent in music— one would say that his father is strict and oppressive but no one brings that topic to life.

The group was more lively than the other days, everyone was throwing guffaws left and right, except for Travis who yearned his eyes every now and then to look for David, unfortunately, he was nowhere around. 

"DAVID!?" 

Kevin exclaimed after sighting David walking inside the cafeteria. Upon hearing David's name, Travis jumped, looking behind him with eyes that were widened with sudden fear. He felt his heart skip a beat as he gulped, whilst his eyes looked into David's eyes. 

"Hey!" Cheerful and welcoming as always, Jiyeon invited David to join them. Slowly, David walked over not realising that Travis had his eyes gliding on every part of his features. 

"You always arrive late. Got in trouble again?" Jaden teased, briefly after he had gotten him a vacant seat 

"A little!" Forcing a smile, David answered, hiding his eyes away from Kevin who had already worn a frown at his presence. 

"Enemies?"

Witnessing the sudden uneasiness between Kevin and David, Travis said silently to himself, sipping his juice. David and Kevin hardly said anything to each other, in fact, they did everything in their power to avoid each other, encouraging Travis to grow curious. 

"Oh, I forgot to share! Someone got scolded today!" Without warning, Jiyeon blurted words that instantly influenced adrenaline to rush throughout Travis's system. 

For an obscure reason, David's cheeks were slowly turning red. 

"JIYEON!" Travis growled mentally promptly after the group began investigating him— it was not the first time Travis was scolded. 

"Seriously…what did you do now?" Kevin nudged Travis, as he threw guffaws left and right. "NOTHING!" In a loud, deep voice, almost high-pitched, Travis answered swiftly after the question was thrown at his face. 

On his left was David who was smiling alone. "There it is! The twinkle in his eyes!" He said to himself as he watched Travis try anything by all means to change the subject. As if hearing his wish to get away as soon as possible, the bell rang, rescuing Travis from all the laughter and he dashed away when he got the chance. 

——

[Five Minutes Before Going To The Cafeteria]

"I can't breathe!" David hissed with the brightest smile on his face, whilst his shuddering hands clenched his chest, trying to slow down his palpitating heart. 

"He was looking at me with the very same look he gave me the first time we met." David giggled as he placed his hands on the basin for standing support. 

As he was enjoying his moment, remembering the way Travis was looking at him, a phone rang loudly, intruding into his head. 

"Hello. I've been meaning to call you. I need your help!" As soon as he answered, David spat in a breathy voice. 

"I know…but it has to be done!"

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