Chapter 7

-MYCA-

"Vince likes watching movies especially those with superheroes like Marvel."

That's another thing Sugar told me, that's why I plan to invite Vince to a movie marathon.

But of course to not be obvious, I need props.

"Pssttt! Vann! Psssstttt!" I called Vann who was currently on the balcony talking to his plants and watering them.

"Waaaannnn!" I whispered a little loudly.

Finally he came forward.

"Oh, Myca. Why?" he said in a loud voice.

I approached him and immediately covered his mouth.

"Shhh! Don't make any noise!" I said in shock.

He removed my hand from his mouth.

"What is that! Why is your hand salty? And why are we whispering?" he asked.

"I put salt on the tilapias that I will cook later. I guess I haven't washed yet."

His eyes widened and then he started to feel sick.

"Joke," I said laughing.

He just hit me on the head.

"Crazy woman. So, why are we whispering?"

"Because it's like this..." I whispered in his ear. "Didn't Sugar say your brother likes movies? What... can you invite him to a movie marathon later?"

I was surprised when Vann suddenly spoke but it wasn't me he was talking to.

"Brother, are you busy later? Do you want to go to a movie marathon?" he asked Vince who was right in front of us!

Why didn't I smell him right away!

"Hmm. I'm not going to do much. What are we going to watch?" he asked looking at me and my hand holding Vann's ear which I immediately let go of. He might even be jealous, eh! Hehe

"What... the Marvel one," I answered. I saw how his face lit up like a child excited to buy a new toy.

"The Superman," I added with a smile. Because among superheroes, isn't Superman the most famous? So I'm sure that's what Vince wants to watch. Even though I have never seen a single movie about superheroes!

When I mentioned Superman, Vince's smile suddenly disappeared and then he frowned.

I was just surprised when Vann hit me.

"Crazy girl! Superman doesn't belong in Marvel!" he said in shock.

What?! Really?! When?

-VINCE-

"Why is that the hero's sign in Iron Man? But he's fat, huh," Myca asked Vann.

They were both sitting on the long sofa while I was on the single seat sofa.

Myca kept on munching popcorns while watching. She seemed so engrossed even though it was obviously her first time watching a movie like this.

I stopped laughing when I remembered how she had said that we were going to watch Marvel while also saying Superman. I still thought she really knew something about Marvel.

What's weird though is I found that really funny instead of being annoyed by it.

I saw Vann stretch out and put his arms on the back of the sofa so it looked like he was hugging Myca.

Vann looked at me before answering Myca.

"That's how it really is. Tony Stark is an adult even in the comics," he said to Myca.

"Ohh, I see! But what's the actor's name?" Myca asked as she faced Vann who was bending down so they looked like they were inches apart from kissing.

That kind of irritated me so I stood up and seat beside Myca. They immediately looked at me.

"His name's Robert Downey, Jr. And he's the man who started it all," I answered even though I wasn't the one ehe asked.

I can't help it. RDJ became my favorite actor since the release of Iron Man 1. His acting skills are superb. He did not become Tony Stark but rather it was Tony Stark who became Robert Downey, Jr.

I looked at Vann when he removed his hand from the back of the sofa. He was smirking at me and then he shook his head.

What is he up to this time?

"Woah... I think I have a crush on you," Myca suddenly said while looking at me.

I caught my breath at what she said. What did she just say?

I looked directly at her round, black eyes.

She blinked and then she licked her lips while looking back at the TV.

"I have a crush on you, Iron Man," she said on TV.

I heard Vann's suppressed laugh while I let out the breath I hadn't noticed I was holding.

My chest feels kind of weird. It feels... heavy yet warm.

I guess I need to cut back on beer. I guess that causes heartburn.

We just continued to watch silently.

Myca stopped asking questions and focused on the movie. She didn't seem bored, she looked like she actually enjoyed it.

I'm glad. It's fun to feel that other people like the things you like.

I got some popcorn but Myca and I took it at the same time. Our hands touched for a while before Myca took hers away with a handful of popcorn as if burned.

"Great. The power of the spark," I heard her whisper to herself at the same time as the fortress of those who kidnapped Tony Stark exploded in the movie.

'The spark is really strong,' I thought as I stared at my hand.

And then Vann's loud laugh filled the room.

What's so funny, you fool?

-VANN-

I can't stop laughing at the cuteness of these two!

Clearly, there was something about her but they were too oblivious to understand!

Well, Myca being Myca - being unaware is natural to her. But she's at least aware of her feelings. sHe just misses so often that he needs proper guidance.

And brother- I know he was just 16 years old when he first fell in love, so maybe he doesn't know what it feels like to be thrilled or to have a crush. But I know that he has feelings for Myca somehow because he wouldn't be jealous of me if not. Also, his going out has decreased. He doesn't drink much anymore either. He was definitely better now.

I shook my head. I need some iron will and resolve so I can play Cupid to these two.

They are such a headache!

But I definitely know what to do.

I will make brother jealous to the point of him realizing his feelings for Myca but I won't tell this to Myca because my plan will definitely fail if I tell her!

I grabbed some popcorn and continued watching.

Iron Man is a great movie and RDJ is a brilliant actor but I enjoy being an actor myself more.

I looked at the two idiots sitting beside me...

brother was looking at Myca while Myca was biting her lips, obviously suppressing the thrill because she knew that brother was staring at her.

Yes, I enjoy watching this more.

-MYCA-

"Myca, I'll just go out for a while. Can you clean my room? It's not that messy actually. But could you please change my bedsheets? Thank you. Be back in an hour."

My smile widened when I remembered Vince's will for me. Just kidding, he's going to leave and entrust his room to me?

Crush trusts me that much!

That's why, self, don't give up. Vince can be trusted too, just trust me!

When I made sure he was gone, I immediately lay down on his bed and smelled Vince's lingering scent on his bedsheet, pillow, and blanket.

Very fragrant! Smell handsome!

I hope I'm just in bed so he can touch me too. Ayy, that sounds rude. Let's just lie down.

I'm alone now because Vann went to school. I don't even know if that's really studying or just playing around.

I quickly changed Vince's bedsheets and pillowcases and then I also cleaned his room, which actually didn't have much dirt.

I just fixed the papers that were a bit messy on his desk.

I was about to go out when I noticed the guitar behind his door.

I just saw that now.

Vince plays the guitar? That's too much! He has everything then!

I took the guitar and tried to strum it. That's out of tune.

I went to Vince's seat and tuned it. I also know how to play the guitar. Actually, even piano and violin because when I was young, my parents forced me to take lessons.

But my most favorite musical instrument is the guitar because it is the instrument that I studied on my own.

Once I got that in tune, I started playing my favorite - the song With A Smile by the Eraserheads. This is the very first song I learned to play on the guitar, so it's very special to me.

I closed my eyes and just continued playing accompanied by humming.

At the same time as I finished the song, someone applauded.

I immediately turned to the door.

Vince was leaning on the door jamb while smiling at me.

"Didn't know you had it in you, Mycs. You play so well," he said and walked towards me.

"S-Thank you. I'm sorry for messing with your guitar," I answered suddenly embarrassed. I'm not used to him praising me.

"Nah, it's fine," he said and then took another chair and seat in front of me.

"Keep playing. I'll try to sing," he said then winked.

Holy sweet. I think my superlike with Vince has leveled up.

I think I love him. And I can't believe that's just because he winked at me!

I am so fragile.

When you wink, you're mine. Kind of like that.

"Y-you know Your Song/My One and Only You by Parokya ni Edgar?" I asked him.

This is my song for Vince.

He smiled and nodded. "Of course, who wouldn't?"

His closeness. I can see his smile very closely. My heart doubled its beating speed.

I started strumming and I just couldn't break the strings because I was shocked by Vince's cold voice. I immediately looked at him.

It took one look

And forever laid out in front of me

One smile then I died

Only to be revived by you

Why, he could actually sing!

I just keep playing while Vince just keeps singing and doesn't take his eyes off me.

Dear Lord. I feel so much excitement. Isn't there too much pain to replace it next time? I hope not!

I take one step away

And I find myself coming back

To you

My one and only

One and only you

Now I know

That I know not a thing at all

Except the fact that I am yours

And that you are mine

Oh my God. I think I'm going to explode from being so nervous. He was really looking directly into my eyes while he sang the last two lines.

I hope it's true. The case is, I am his, but he's not mine... YET.

I take one step away

And I find myself coming back

To you

My one and only

One and only you

I played the last chord along with the last words of the song.

The song is over but what Vince and I are looking at, not yet.

I licked my lips because I was so nervous!

I saw how Vince looked at my lips and then swallowed.

And seconds later, his face slowly approached.

And because I was so nervous, I closed my eyes and brought my face closer to him.

Our lips touched and sparks flew all over, well at least for me.

I felt Vince smile against my closed lips and then he held my neck and pulled my head closer to him.

He angled my face and kissed me fully on the mouth until we were both out of breath.

"Myca."

Finally, he called me by my name and not someone else's name.

I opened my eyes when the kiss finally ended and saw Vince's conflicting emotions in his eyes - desire and doubt, happiness and fear.

And then his eyes became apologetic. No, Vince. That's the last thing I wanted to hear from you.

I knew he was very confused about what he was feeling right now so before he could speak, I went ahead of him.

"I love you, Vince. I sincerely, wholeheartedly love you."