Heartbeats episode 22 – 23

🖤❤️HEARTBEATS 🔞
( I Think I
Love You … )

CHAPTER 22&23

By, Naomi Cindy B.

★★★★
( BIKE RACE )

RIVERSIDE**

JoJo only calmed down after several minutes of petting.

Butter made her stay in his arms throughout, and he was even hoping the time would stop so it’d remain that way for life.

He has never hugged a girl all his life, she’d be the first girl he’d hug, and the fact that he’s wanting more is just a proof that what he has been thinking is actually right.

He tightened his arms around her, and when JoJo tried to break it, he hugged her even tighter.

“Wait….till you calm down completely” he said, knowing it’s an obvious excuse.

“I’m…I’m fine now” she replied gently, and he reluctantly broke the hug.

He held her face with his right hand, and their eyes met.

“Are you sure you’re ok now?” He asked calmly, and she nodded.

“I’m fine, thanks” she smiled lightly and sat back on the bench.

He looked at his palm and then at her before sitting beside her.

None talked for the first two minutes, only the cold night breeze whizzing past them and the serenity of the calm water surrounding them.

Butter looked at her again and settled his eyes on her.

The breeze was blowing her hair around, and she kept brushing it back with her fingers.

Even gawd knows that she looks too cute as she did, he couldn’t stop staring.

The breeze kept blowing her hair, and she looks like she’s having a hærd time brushing it back everytime, so he shifted closer and turned her face to himself.

He tucked her hair behind her ears, and it stayed there, saving her from the stress of brushing it back every minute.

“Thanks” she murmured, and he smiled before shifting back.

“So…are you interested in telling me why you were crying?” He said, and she smiled slightly.

“I was just frustrated” she said.

“Family problem?, Your hateful dad?” He said, and she looked at him.

“Something like that, but I’m ok now, thanks to you” she replied, and he shifted his gaze to the river.

“Why are you here anyways?” She asked.

“I saw when you branched to this place, I was driving across the road when you came here” he replied.

“So…you followed” she said.

“Yeah, and I’m glad I did” he replied.

“Why?”

“I calmed you down, you’d probably still be crying like a baby if I didn’t show up” he said, and she chuckled.

“But yunno, sometimes you just have to turn blind eye to some things, that’s when you’ll be able to live normally, you can act as if you don’t see your dad” he said, and she faced him.

“How?”

“Anything he does, reply with a smile and act like you don’t care, act unconcerned and you’ll find yourself focusing on other things that needs your attention, other than him” he replied, and she smiled.

“You just talked like someone I know” she said, remembering firefighter.

“Who?, Draco?” He asked curiously.

“No, just someone” she replied with a loud sigh, and he smiled, glad that she’s not talking about Draco.

“You do attend LOVERBOYZ concerts?” He asked.

“I dare not miss it, I love Lustre’s voice so much!, I can’t wait for the day he’ll reveal his face gosh!, Stanford University will shake!, And I can’t wait for tommorow’s concert” She said enthusiastically.

“What about my concerts?” He asked, and she bit her lip.

“I’ve only attended once” she said slowly, and he felt bad immediately.

“I wasn’t your fan before, yunno I told you I used to think of you as arrogant, but trust me I enjoyed it the one time I attended, I promise to start attending now that we’re friends, I promise!” She quickly said, and he smiled.

“Cross your heart”

“Yeah” she replied, placing her arm on her chest.

“When do you usually wake up?” He asked.

“As early as 5 if I sleep early, why did you ask?” She asked.

“I go for bicycle ride every morning, if you’re interested…

“I’m interested!” She interrupted.

“Tommorow morning, 6am, let’s meet at the intersection of your street” he said.

“But I don’t have a bicycle” she pouted.

“I’ll cover that, just come” he replied.

“Sure” she replied.

“JoJo” he suddenly called.

“Huh?” She faced him.

“I’m glad I’m with you right now” he said.

“Me too, I love being around friends” she replied, and they started smiling at each other.

*****

10PM★ MYSTIC CULT HOUSE**

Draco was still looking so livid as he walked in, not looking sidewards till he assembled on the last s₱0t.

Stone was already on the throne.

“Kavita, Kelly , Draco, you guys are going for survival of the fittest tommorow night, 10pm” Stone’s husky voice said through his mask.

👥 Why is it always them?

👥 We’re here too

👥 Why are they the ones who get the important missions

👥 I wanna go on survival of the fittest too

Members started murmuring amongst themselves.

“Silence!, Capo is on the throne!” Kavita shouted, and everyone went silent.

“Anyone who side talks will get beheaded” Stone said, and the silence became more deadened.

“The info of the target will be sent to your mails before due time, as usual the one who kills the target is getting promoted, this time … To number two” he announced, and Kelly smiled.

Kavita smiled secretly too, while Draco kept his expressionless look.

“Capo, I brought a new member” Kelly suddenly said, and everyone faced the door as a guy in hood came in.

Even without removing the hood, Draco knows who he is already.

Kent.

He finally removed the hood and it’s really him, he still has bruises on his face from yesterday’s beatings, and his head was still wrapped with bandage.

“You think this place is for weaklings?” Stone said.

“He’s stronger than he looks, a road accident made him like this” Kelly replied, and Draco smirked.

Road accident indeed.

“Weaklings join at their own demerit, you’ll lose your life before you know it” Stone said, and Kent went on his knees.

“I’m ready to take the risk, please take me in”

*****

KLEIN’S MANSION★ 10:40**

Aurora smiled brightly when Draco came in, he’s spending the night in the mansion tonight.

“My prince charming” she beamed, and he smiled handsomely before coming in fully.

“Did you wait for long?” He asked as he knelt in front of her wheelchair and hugged her.

“No, I’m just glad you’re finally here” she replied, and he k-sed her hair before releasing her.

“You look skinny, don’t tell me you haven’t been eating” she said, holding his face fondly.

“School stress, but I’ll get back to shape this weekend, it’ll be less” he replied, and she k-sed his cheeks.

“You’re the only one I have, always eat well, sleep well and stay safe..
For me ok?” She said affectionately.

“Sure mum”

She saw the necklace on his neck and smiled.

“You still have it”

“It’s the only treasure I have to keep, I can never lose it” he replied, standing up.

“Now it’s time to get you to bed” he said.

“Sure, let’s go” Aurora replied, and he started pushing her wheelchair to her room.

Twenty minutes later, he finished putting her to bed and went to his room.

He had his night shower and slipped into furry sweatshirt plus joggers, then he sat on his bed.

He got a message from Kavita immediately.

*CAN YOU NOT SLEEP AT THE MANSION TONIGHT?, COME TO YOUR UNIT… I’M HORNY*

He hissed and another message came in on WhatsApp, from Viola.

It’s actually video, and he immediately played it.

She has a big bowl of chicken in front of her, eating and drinking beer.

“Brother!, I never knew chicken is as sweet as this I swear!, It’s my first time tasting it with beer and f*****k!!!, I want mooooore!!!”

She was s¢ræming crazily as she ate in her computer lab.

Draco smiled and dialled her line immediately.

“Big brother!!!” She s¢ræmed.

“What did I tell you about drinking?, You’re just eighteen Viola” he said.

“But beer is sweet brother, I can’t resist it” she replied with a loud mouth.

“When are you gonna go back to school?” He asked.

“I’m not going back, I just wanna hack and be in love with computers till I die” she replied.

“Viola you’re…

“Bye brother!, I love you!!!, But I love chicken and beer more!!!” She s¢ræmed and hung up.

“Crazy girl” Draco said and sighed.

The next thing his mind went to…is JoJo.

He remembered how s*xy she looked during the audition, and when she called him to come to the river, how she went there and met her with Butter.

The hug.

He stood from the bed immediately, then he stuck his hands in his pocket and walked to the door.

He opened it and shut it again.

“F**k” he muttered, resting on it.

*****

JOJO’S PLACE★ 11:30PM**

JoJo finished using her facial treatments before sitting on the bed, she came back from the river not long ago.

Spending time with Butter really cheered her up.

The door creaked, and she quickly lay on the bed.

She covered herself and pretended to be asleep already.

Victoria came in and walked to her bed.

When she saw she’s asleep, she k-sed her forehead and stroked her hair shortly.

“I love you baby, sleep tight” she smiled and stood, leaving the room immediately.

Immediately she shut the door, JoJo opened her eyes and sat up in bed.

Not like she doesn’t want to speak to her, but she was feeling guilty about how she left the house earlier, and she’s not ready to talk about it yet.

Her mind went to Draco, and she stared at his number on her phone.

She actually got it from the photographers team in the club, she did it secretly though,, cos she wasn’t sure if he’d give her if she asked him for it.

“He didn’t come, is he busy?” She mumbled.

She looked at the number again and tried calling him, but she stopped herself.

“No, it’s too late, he might get the wrong idea” she said and sighed.

A message popped up from Secret-room, and her eyes brightened as she clicked on it.

Firefighter finally replied!

FIREFIGHTER: Sorry I replied late, I mistakenly uninstalled the app on my phone, it took so long to reinstall

MIMI: Apology accepted, I missed you online

FIREFIGHTER: Me too

MIMI: I know we’re not allowed to know anything about each other till we meet, but can i ask something?

FIREFIGHTER: What?”

MIMI: Are you a male or female?

FIREFIGHTER: I can’t tell you, see for yourself when we meet

MIMI: It’s unfair, but I told you I’m a female

She pouted as she typed.

FIREFIGHTER: I didn’t ask before you said it

MIMI: I hate you

FIREFIGHTER: 🤣🤣 I love music though, that’s the only fun fact about me

JoJo smiled widely.

****

NEXT DAY★ BUTTER’S UNIT**

“Can I follow you to your ride today?” James asked after Butter finished dressing up.

“No, you’re not needed” he replied, and James pouted.

“I’ll just go hiking, the first class today is by 9 so I have a lotta time on my side” he winked and rushed into his room to dress up.

Butter left the house and was surprised that the two brand new bicycles he ordered last night aren’t in the driveway yet.

“What the hell is happening?” He said and got his phone.

He dialled the store’s line immediately.

“And why the hell are the bicycles not here yet!” He said loudly.

“We’re so sorry, there’s a problem with the delivery, it was delivered to a wrong apartment but it’ll reach you in ten minutes I promise” the female voice replied.

He hung up and sighed, JoJo will definitely be waiting already.

He dialled her line, but she’s not picking.

“Damnit”

v×rgiπia was looking at him from the front of her unit, she plans to move when he moves.

She’s going on a bicycle ride too.

She adjusted her bum short and thin singlet, then she got her helmet ready.

Luke and Walton came out of their unit, dressed for hiking.

“Gosh, I’m glad we have time to have fun before the darn classes, I hate classes so much” Luke stretched lazily, and Walton smiled before coming closer.

“You suggested the movie last night but you slept off, sleepyhead” he said, and Luke smiled.

“So sowwy, I couldn’t help it” she said cutely , and Walton stroked his hair gently.

“Let’s go” he winked and led the way.

Luke bit his lip and touched his hair, blushing hærd as he ran after Walton.

James finally came out of the house, dressed for hiking.

“Your bicycles haven’t arrived?” He asked, unable to hide the mockery in his voice.

“Shut up and just go your way” Butter replied, and he giggled.

“Oh!, Snow Denmark is going for hiking too?, Today is a good day” he said and rushed to Snow who was passing by.

“Let’s go together” he winked, and she rolled eyes at him.

“Don’t follow me, or I’mma strangle you, I hate guys” she said.

“I love getting strangled, especially by pretty girls” James winked again.

Snow blew air out of her mouth before walking away.

“Bye Butter!” He waved at him before running after Snow.

Butter called the store again.

“Are you guys joking right now?, It’s eleven minutes already!” He shouted impatiently.

“We’re so sorry the…

He hung up before they could finish.

“Today is just f*cked up” he muttered and tried JoJo’s line again, but she’s still not picking.

“Should I just go hiking too?, I’ll meet her at the intersection” he said and almost got into his car, but he decided to take his bike.

He mounted the bike and drove out of the hostel.

****

INTERSECTION**

JoJo has been waiting since thirty minutes ago, and there’s rarely any sign that Butter will show up.

The worse is that she forgot her phone at home, no means of contacting him.

She kept shifting from one foot to the other as it hurts to stand for that long.

It’s 6:30 on her watch, and she’s getting impatient already.

Draco was on his way to hiking when he saw her standing by the road.

He was actually driving on his bike, but he lost concentration immediately he saw her.

She was wearing black tights which hugged her slimness, then her usual black sneakers, she has a thick and big Ash coloured hood on her body, and her hair was packed in a ponytail, she even braided the tail neatly.

He wasn’t planning to stop when he remembered how she hugged Butter last night, but he just couldn’t move anymore after seeing her.

He stopped the bike beside her and removed his helmet.

JoJo’s eyes w¡dened.

“Knight in shinning armor!”

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“You didn’t come last night” she pouted childishly, and he looked away.

“I was busy” he lied.

“I knew it, I forgive you” she smiled, and he almost chuckled.

He looked at her from her legs to her face, he felt his throat drying up.

She’s simply beautiful.

“I’m waiting for Butter, we were supposed to go for bicycle ride together, but it doesn’t seem like he’s coming” she said.

Merely hearing Butter, Draco looked at her.

“Wanna go hiking?” He asked and her eyes w¡dened.

“I’ve always wanted to do that!, Are you going right now?”

“Get on” he replied, giving her an helmet.

She quickly took it but she found it difficult to wear.

Draco took it from her and wore it on her head, clipping it gently.

She mounted the bike immediately, sitting beside him.

“Hold me” he said, and JoJo bit her lip before holding him by the sides.

Draco used his helmet too before moving the bike.

Immediately he drove away, Butter’s bike drove past.

He has actually seen them.

“That @sshole” he said and started chasing after them fastly.

Draco saw Butter coming from behind through his bike mirror.

He smirked and increased the speed of his bike suddenly.

JoJo wrapped her arms around him tightly immediately.

“F**k!” Butter spat when he saw that.

He increased the race of his bike completely, almost colliding with a car.

TBC