english ✱ muke

三

"so you're just going to continue letting luke believe that you only speak chinese?" trang asks, her dainty little hand resting on her waist.

"it's working out so far," i shrug, tilting my head to look at her differently.

"okay, i just hope that you're aware that you guys can never get serious until you tell him the truth. i can't always be there; translating for you." trang purses her lips that she coated in a dark purple.

"he'd get so pissed if he figured out i lied to him," i pout.

instead of offering me decent advice, trang shrugs and takes a sip of her blueberry slurpee. i stare enviously at her; she managed to snatch the last blueberry slurpee the store had to offer. i got stuck with the purple slurpee that is supposedly 'grape' flavoured but in reality, it tastes like mouldy socks.

"well, stop talking english. lover boy is walking over," trang warns me, her brown eyes darting over to luke.

i turn and look back. true to trangs word, i see luke skipping over with a huge grin on his face. under his arm is a huge stack of papers that he's tucking safely so everything doesn't fall.

i scowl at his sweaty face and flexed biceps. he's struggling and even i --the most oblivious person in the world-- can tell. i sit up, push my slurpee away and take the huge pile of papers into my arms.

"我可以拿着它," luke insists, trying weakly to grab the stack back.

(translation: i can hold it)

since i don't speak chinese, his statement passes right though me without problem. i don't even have to pretend like i don't understand when i divert my gaze from his gorgeous, red sweaty face to the blue papers.

intermediate boys elite soccer tryouts!

meet us at the soccer field behind the community centre. bring water, light snacks and your best effort!

notice: all players must be aged 16-20

"我今年执教足球队," luke states proudly, pointing his index finger to the title.

(translation: i'm coaching soccer this year)

"you're coaching soccer?" trang cuts in, smoothly translations his sentence for me.

"well, co-coaching. truth be told, i can't play soccer for shit. i'm just helping out my best friend calum, he's a monster!" luke grins enthusiastically.

"is calum hot?" trang asks.

luke's face straightens. "i mean, he's a pretty decent looking guy."

i roll my eyes at trang's desperation and prod luke in the tummy lightly. he takes my hint and follows after me; my slurpee in his hand.

"just hand out?" i blurt stupidly, my faux chinese accent strong.

"yeah," luke nods. "thanks for helping me out!"

i follow luke's lead as he weaves his way in and out the crowd. he explains the concept over to every person he sees. the way his eyes light up and his pink lips grin, i almost find it impossible to resist him.

it's ironic how i hated him just a few days ago. now, i'm struggling to simply take my eyes off the charming blond boy.

"hey blondie, this is the elite tryouts?" an attractive guy with a british accent asks. his piercing blue eyes stare right into luke.

"yup! i recognize you, louis right?" luke beams, his white teeth almost blinding.

"that's the name," he nods cooly. "you've changed a lot since i last saw you, so much more fit."

luke blushes and suddenly i feel my blood getting a bit warmer. the anger in my body slowly causes my cheeks to redden.

"thanks louis," luke practically whispers.

"a beautiful boy deserves compliments. i bet smurf over here doesn't treat you right, i can do so much better." louis flirts shamelessly, his eyes dragging across luke.

i clench my jaw and i have to try my hardest not to jump onto louis and deck him so hard, he'd see jesus himself. i lightly bite down on my tongue to refrain myself from yelling curse words at him.

"we're not- he's not- we aren't dating," luke stutters, his cheeks redder than a lobster.

"hmm, that's not a surprise; he's not good enough for you. well, i have important things to do. i'll see you at tryouts, blondie. you better leave smurf behind," louis calls, a blue sheet of paper in his hand.

my blood is boiling at this point. it's almost as if someone ignited a fire within me. if i don't let out my anger soon, i will surely combust into flames.

"are you okay, mikey?" luke asks innocently, rubbing circles on my back.

"uh, 'm fine. gotta pee, wait here." i mumble under my breath,

luke calls after me; saying something in chinese. i obviously don't know what he's saying so i pretend not to hear as i race across the long stretch of concrete that leads to the community centre where louis is walking towards. louis's a fast walker which is fortunate. by the time he enters the building, i'm right behind him. he doesn't notice my presence until i grab his collar and drag him to the washroom.

"woah! chill mate, what are you doing?" louis yelps, clawing at me.

"you fucking stay away from luke," i threaten, my voice raspy and low.

"who the fuck is luke?" louis wails when i throw him against the washroom wall.

"the blond boy you were talking to earlier," i answer steely.

"what the fuck? i don't give two flying fucks about 'luke'. i've already got a boyfriend and he's made of gold, i wouldn't trade harry for the world." louis spits at me.

i suddenly feel bad for basically jumping louis and throwing him around.

"oh. i misunderstood the situation," i try to retract.

"no shit. i thought harry was the most idiotic person in the world, but you're a close tie." louis snarls at me.

"whatever," i brush him off. "just stay away from luke."

"and why should i do that? you guys aren't even together," louis scowls.

"not yet."