APRIL

I hope he doesn't get angry.

"Hey, I can't make it later because I need to…"

No, that's too direct.

Aster lay in bed, muttering to himself as he attempted to craft the message that he had put off since Friday. He was a natural procrastinator and conflict avoider, a deadly combination for the situation that he had to resolve. That resulted in him taking so many days to come up with what to say to Ash.

"Hey, sorry for the last-minute notice. I just found out that I have to…"

Ugh.

Aster clutched his head in his hands and audibly groaned. He backspaced the entire message and threw his phone on the bed next to him.

Why was this so challenging?

He had no choice. He had to do what he needed to do. Aster clumsily picked his phone up and typed a hasty message.

"Hey babe, sorry, I have to practice today with my duet partner for a performance. We'll have to push back this date. So sorry."

He tossed the phone aside, and it began vibrating.

Who am I kidding? Of course, he's furious. 

Aster lay back down on the bed, his arm covering his eyes. 

When will I have the guts to break up with him?

***

"Call me now." Those were the words in the singular text that Ash had sent Aster, before ringing him several times. Aster had planned to ignore the message for now, until he was ready to respond. Something about Ash just made Aster feel enervated whenever he had to deal with his antics. Navigating a relationship was a tough thing for an eighteen-year-old, especially when it was something that was agreed upon without him being fully aware of what it would entail. He had school to attend, and that was the perfect excuse for why he was not able to respond to Ash's text.

It had been on his mind the whole day, but now Aster had to park that thought in the recesses of his mind and focus on the present. He was sitting at one of the school's cafeterias, waiting for Hazel to arrive with their food. The two of them had agreed to meet for lunch before they started practising. Unfortunately, Calix was not able to join them, but Aster appreciated that he would have some time to get to know his duet partner better.

Finally, amidst the bustle of the crowded cafeteria, Aster spotted Hazel, who had been gone for a good half an hour. She was carrying a tray with two full plates of fried chicken on it. Aster sprang up from his seat and approached Hazel. 

"Let me help you with that."

Hazel blushed as Aster gently took the tray from her and walked it back to their table. The fried chicken was tantalising. Its perfectly golden-brown and mouth-watering aroma made Aster's stomach grumble. He placed the tray down on the table.

"Looks delicious!"

"Y'know what's the best part?"

Hazel picked up a chicken drumlet and sank her teeth into it. Little crumbs flew off as she crunched through the crispy skin.

"It’s so crispy!" 

Aster took his first bite, and his taste buds were instantly sent on a culinary adventure unlike any other. Never in his life had Aster tasted such succulent fried chicken. Although his mouth was full, he felt the urge to express just what he felt about the meal.

"Wow dish ish reary gour" 

"I know right?"

Hazel chuckled as she devoured another piece of chicken. 

"Now you know why it was worth the half-hour wait."

As they demolished the food, Hazel attempted to start a conversation.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to try playing the guitar for our performance."

Aster was still busy inhaling a chicken wing, so all he could spare was a nod. Hazel beamed.

"Great! Let’s try it out later during practice! I-"

She was cut off by her phone, which started to vibrate loudly. 

"Sorry, I'm going to have to take this call."

As Hazel listened to the person on the other side of the line, her face started to develop a frown. 

"What? The professor wants to see us? Now? Okay, I’ll rush over."

Hazel turned to Aster and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Sorry, it’s urgent! I’ll see you in the club room!"

With that, she dashed off, leaving Aster and half a plate of fried chicken in her wake. 

I should help her pack her share, I guess.

After finishing the rest of his share, Aster politely asked the store owner for a plastic bag for the chicken.  Aster picked up his guitar and Hazel's bag of fried chicken and headed to the clubroom. He could hear the muffled sounds of a piano being played emanating from the room. He stood outside to listen for a while before finally knocking on the door. There was a momentary pause.

"Come in!"

Aster recognised that that majestic voice belonged to Calix. He deftly opened the door and peered through. Inside sat Calix, playing the black, upright piano that was in the room. Calix turned to acknowledge Aster, and their eyes met once again. To his wonderment, Calix was wearing a pair of clear frame glasses. Somehow, they made him look even more attractive. They made Calix look even sexier. Aster had to stop his imagination from running wild.

"Hey."

Aster almost ascended to heaven then and there. Calix greeted him!

"Hi."

Aster gave a little smile as he returned the greeting.

"Hazel and Lila will be a while, so I guess you can just chill here first."

Calix turned back around and started to play the piano again. Aster took a second to process what was going on.