Chapter 6: CHAPTER 6: TAKE CARE OF ME, PLEASE
The photo shoot today is going well, if I may say so myself. Thanks to the drama club, engineering students (who fix the snow blowing machine thingy), and some volunteers, I managed to create the perfect studio with the props I wanted.
We're in the middle of shooting the month of July. I have been shouting a lot since we started. Not only because I have to direct the five year olds (yes, they're freakin' five year olds who can't stay still and keep playing with the props and each other, punching and tackling each other), but also because there are lots of audiences watching us, well, them.
No surprise, though. Once someone sees the topless, buff, muscle-y boys playing with each other and getting their picture taken, it's bound to attract lots of people. And they've been swarming and keep growing in number.
But it starts to get annoying because my voice starts to get hoarse and my throat is hurting. I keep raising my voice higher each time to drown out the laughter, the cat calling, the chirping and screaming of those thirsty people. I'm already feeling a bit agitated and tired when Chuck (who has been accompanying me since the start of the shoot) gets up from his seat not far from me and walks over to the crowd. I don't know what he says to them, but he manages to chase the people away and lock the classroom door (that I borrowed for the shoot). Chuck returns to his seat with a grin and a thumb up. I smile gratefully at him before turning back to the boys and shout.
"Take five!" I tell them and sigh, feeling tired already. I walk to where Chuck is seating, behind a desk, in front of my laptop and set down my camera. I sit beside him and he hands me a bottle of warm water and I drink it with gratitude. It immediately relieves my sore throat.
"I'm sorry. It's taking longer than I expected," I apologize to Chuck who turns to look at me. It's already two and we've been here since morning.
"It's okay," He says and brushes the sweat from my forehead with a paper towel.
"What about your lunch?" I ask again. Feeling a little guilty though he doesn't have to be here at all, actually.
Chuck then points at a big plastic bag behind my laptop and he grins. "Yours too," He says and I flash him the biggest smile in gratitude. I get up and turn to the boys before shouting, "Lunch time!" I tell them and they cheer happily. I hear some boys groan loudly.
"Finally!" they say and I chuckle apologetically. Yeah, I tend to forget about such things when I start working.
I sit back down while Chuck grabs the bag and opens it. He bought lamb fried rice for himself and Hainan chicken rice for me. My grin widened. "Man, I love you so much." I sigh heavily and start to dig in.
"Eat slowly!" Chuck flicks my forehead when I start to devour my meal like a beggar.
I choke and he hands me a bottle of water and I gulp it down as he gently brushes my back. "Sorry." He smiles apologetically.
I'm not answering because I'm too busy eating, but I can hear him chuckling softly as he occasionally brushes the sides of my mouth, where I make a mess when I'm eating, with his fingers.
"Hey." I hear Allen's voice but I'm not looking up. Too busy. Sorry Allen. Heh heh heh
"Humm umhh humm..." I manage to mumble through all the chewing and swallowing. 'Hi to you too' is what I'm trying to say to him.
"Don't mind this pig," Chuck chuckles to Allen as he ruffles my hair. I don't care if he messes with my hair. It's already messy in the first place anyway. I'm too starving and this Hainan chicken rice is too good. But, did he just call me 'pig'? Huh? Whatever. Food first.
"Not eating?" Allen asks Chuck, I suppose, 'cause I'm obviously eating.
"Later," Chuck says as he once again wipes a piece of rice from the corner of my mouth and brings it to my face before I lick it. "Those won't be enough," I hear him whispering to Allen as I frown.
Not long, my plate is already empty. But I'm still slightly hungry. And Chuck knows it because after I put away the traces of my meal, he puts his lamb fried rice in front of me, already open and ready to eat. I grin widely at Chuck who ruffles my already messy hair and now I'm back to eating.
I am so busy eating I don't even notice what Chuck and Allen is talking about, though I can hear them laughing. I like their laughs. I can't help but smile to myself when I hear them laugh. It's also relieving to hear Chuck laughs like that with someone we've only known for a few days. That means Chuck actually does think that Allen's an okay guy and he's starting to accept him.
"You done?" Chuck asks when I finally put away the empty plate, sighing contently. I nod and he gets up. "I'll grab my lunch and head to practice," He informs me and I nod.
"Thanks for the food." I smile at him shamelessly even though I finished his lunch. He ruffles my hair and turns to Allen.
"Take care of him for me?" Chuck asks. I kick his shin but miss when he jumps back, grinning.
"What are you, my mom?" I shoot glares at him, annoyed. Chuck just laughs and dash outside before I can jump on him. But I'm too full to even lift my fingers, so I'll just deal with him later. Allen is laughing. "See what I mean?" I ask him. He just smiles as I drag myself up and we walk back to the photo area.
"Kinda get it though." He says thoughtfully.
"Huh?" I frown at him but he's already a few steps away from me, joining his team mates to continue the shoot. I scratch my head before positioning myself and start getting back to work.
What was that again?
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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