BCJ 10 • duet

***

Kao felt uncomfortable as he watched the empty bed in the room. It was already 11:20 in the evening but there was no sign of Pete; not even his shadow was on sight. He wanted to search for him, but he didn't wanna look like an obsessed boyfriend who couldn't get his lover by his side.

He wanted to believe that he was just out there, spending time with Peter but he didn't wanna make a fool out of himself.

And he didn't even know why he was feeling that way.

"You're just concerned about him, Kao. You went here together so of course, you have to take care of him."

"No! He's old enough. He doesn't even need babysitting! Stop acting like he's a five-year old, Kao!"

"But he can be careless sometimes. And it's gonna be me who will be held responsible if something happens to him."

"Come on. Why would it even be your responsibility?"

"Of course, I am babysitting him!"

"Oh, are you really?"

"I don't know any----- AAHHHH!! Why am I even talking to myself?! Fine! Fine! I'll look for him!"

He immediately grabbed his phone and headed to the door but even before he could hold the knob, the door flung open and in came a drunk Pete.

"Where have you been?!"

Kao couldn't help but exclaim as he saw Pete's current state. His hair was in great disarray and there were lipstick marks on the collar of his shirt. He could even see a small hickey on the side of his neck.

And for some reason, he felt a slight pang in his chest.

"Shhh. Why are you beeing shooo loud? I am going to bhhed. I'm shleepy ash hell."

"We're at an orphanage, Pete! How could you even think of getting drunk?! The kids may see you!"

"It's almhost midnight. And beshides, we stayed shomewhere secluded, okhay? Now, shut up. I'm sleeping."

"Who were you with?!"

Kao wanted to grab Pete by the neck and shake the answer out of him but he already heard his loud snores, indicating that he was fast asleep.

He had the strongest urge to kick Pete in the gut, scream at him, and maybe give him a few punches on the face, but instead, he removed his shoes and covered him with the blanket.

"Fuck you, Pete."

***

He scowled as he watched Pete happily playing with the kids. Surprisingly, he looked fine. Not even a soul could tell that he was just drunk last night.

And he hated Pete for that.

"Pete's gonna melt if you keep your stares any longer," Sandy's voice pulled him back to reality.

"I-I, uh, I'm just watching the kids. They might get hurt from playing or something," he nervously reasoned out. It was the truth, okay fine, the half of it.

"Okay, if that's what you believe in. By the way, there will be a charity party this Friday. Different sponsors of the orphanage are gonna be here. It's a tradition for the volunteers to prepare something for the guests. You know, something to entertain them. Maybe you and Pete could perform a duet."

"Pfft. Duet? Duel, maybe," he murmured to himself before boring another gaze on Pete.

"I'll leave you, then. You better prepare something, okay?"

He just slightly nodded as he was still unsure if performing a duet with Pete would be a good idea.

"Maybe, I'll ask him later. "

***

"Have you heard about this coming Friday?" Pete asked in a high-pitched voice.

"You seem excited?" he nonchalantly asked before placing a bowl of soup in front of Pete.

He didn't want to have lunch as he wanted to avoid Pete but Miss Stella was observing them so he tried his best not to raise any suspicion or she would definitely report to the school director.

"The volunteers are expected to prepare something."

"Uhm, about that, what are we going t --"

"I'm performing a song with Celeste! " Pete exclaimed lowly, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Shit, I'm so excited. I'm planning on playing the guitar as well."

That announcement definitely subsided the remaining hunger in him.

"What about you? What are you going to do?"

"Nothing."

"Huh? But Celeste said everyone is encouraged to participate."

"Encouraged, Pete. Encouraged, not required. And can you stop saying her name for once?" he hissed before grabbing his plate and leaving Pete confused.

***

"Can I get a glass of water?" a tiny yet firm voice came out of nowhere. It was Peter.

"Oh, of course, young man."

Beads of sweat could be seen on Peter's face, indicating that he had been playing outside, thus the thirst.

"There you go."

Peter immediately gulped the water and lightly slammed the glass on the table afterwards.

"That felt great. Thanks!"

"Have you been playing all day?"

"I'm practicing."

"For what?"

"A basketball game. Pete said he would give me anything that I want if I win against him."

"He said that?"

"Yes. That's why I'm trying my best to practice so I'd smash him in the court," he proudly said with a grin, his hands akimbo and his chin lifted.

Kao internally chuckled. He knew that Peter was no match to Pete's skills but he was sure Pete would let the kid win.

"What toy will you ask from him?" he asked with a smile as he crouched down to level his face with Peter's.

"Pfft . Who said I want a toy? That's so childish," Peter grimaced.

"You're still a child, Peter. You're just ten."

"No. I am not a child anymore. Anyway, I've got to go. I still have to practice shooting."

Kao could clearly see how much Pete wanted to be an adult. He was just ten but the way he spoke was that of an adult.

"He wants to grow faster so he could leave the orphanage."

Miss Stella's voice from behind startled Kao. Luckily, he was able to recover quickly and flashed a smile.

"Hi, Miss Stella."

"Hi, Kao. How as the experience so far?"

"I'm really enjoying it here, Miss. The kids are the sweetest."

"That's good. I noticed that Pete seems to be fond of Peter."

"He's an only child so maybe he enjoys his company since he doesn't have a sibling. Though, technically he has a stepbrother but they are not in good terms. "

"I don't know how you got into this situation seeing that you are a diligent student."

"Well, things just happen, Miss."

"Anyway, I'm just checking on you since the school director is asking for updates. I'll give him my word of your diligence in helping here."

"Thanks, Miss."

"Anyway, don't forget to prepare something for this Friday, okay? I will be expecting."

***

"Lucky, I'm in love with my best friend.

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh"

The voices of a man and woman singing together and the strums of the guitar stopped Kao in his tracks. He couldn't see who were singing but he was sure who they were.

"Oh my God. I can't wait to perform this Friday!" the excitement in Celeste's voice jumped out.

"Yeah, me too. I didn't know you can sing that well."

"Psh. Thanks! You're a good singer yourself."

Kao unknowingly rolled his eyes upon hearing Kao's compliment. He knew Pete. They hadn't been that long together but it was enough for him to know that he was a complete jerk.

"What about Kao? What is he doing? Shouldn't you two perform since you came here together?"

Celeste's question was totally unexpected. He was not expecting for her to care about him. He was supposed to leave as eavesdropping wouldn't do him any good but he stayed hidden behind the plants.

He was curious about Pete's answer.

"I don't know. Maybe he'd sing, too? Tss. Forget about him. He's old enough to figure things out. It's not like I'm supposed to take care of him."

Pete's answered marked a hole in Kao's heart. He was not supposed to be affected as he wasn't expecting for Pete to be concerned about him.

And why would he be concerned about his babysitter?

But no matter how many times he convinced himself, a tear still fell down his cheek.

***