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Chapter 8 ELLA

“Uno! Yohoo!” I called for him, shouting his name as I took out my shoes and entered the living room.

“A-ashley..”

He looked up from playing on his playstation 4. I smiled at his figure who looked like a kid slumped on the floor. He fixed his eyeglasses before he stood up, dusting off the dirt on his pants.

“Let’s go shopping!”

“Uhmmm, I-I’m going to make my homeworks.” He looked down and suddenly made his way to his room.

“Homeworks on the first day of the class?!” I exclaimed making him froze and his eyes widened. “Let’s go Uno!”

“A-ashley..”

I swiftly reached for him and pulled his hand. His deep masculine chuckle had me shutting my eyes tightly.

After two minutes, we were in the elevator. I leaned against the glass wall as Uno pressed the ground floor button.

“I haven’t seen you in school Uno. Where’d you go?” I asked, catching his trembled hands. I intertwined our fingers and he seemed to get tense again and I chuckled. “Are you nervous?”

“Y-yeah,” he stuttered like he always did.

“W-why?” I mimicked him, mocking. Both condescending and confused.

“B-because..”

Before he could finish his sentence, the elevator slid open.

We walked out of the elevator holding hands. As we walked into the crowded and well-furnished lobby, we were stopped by a yell behind us.

Uno quickly let go of my hand and plastered a genuine smile on his face when the young girl with long blonde hair and pale skin walked up to us. She was pretty with her flawless skin and large blue eyes. I estimated her age to be in 20’s or same with us? I guess so.

“Hey Uno.” She greeted. She was carrying a stout little baby on her hip. This little angel was so cute. Her cheeks were almost overflowing. Like her mother, she too had blonde hair which was curly in the best way possible.

“H-hello Ella. How are you?” Uno replied and reached up to ruffle the baby’s hair. “And how is little Missy?” he cooed making me laugh, internally. Cute!

“I’m great Uno. And who is this beautiful girl here? Did you finally find someone?” Ella made her way to me and shook my hand. “Thank God.”

Uno and I looked at each other. I wasn’t surprised to see him reddened.

“You have no idea how relieved I am seeing him with you. Oh my god, I was beginning to think that he was gay!” Ella whispered to me and I took a liking for her. She was nice.

I laughed loudly and nodded my head slowly. “He is gay!”

“Hey!” Uno said exasperated.

Ella and I laughed and I took that moment to introduce myself. Hi, I’m Ashley Anderson, this Korean sausage’s housemate.”

After the words left my mouth, I realized what I’d just said. Ella’s big blue eyes widened in shock and Uno blushed like a beetroot.

“Oh no! Shit, I’m horrible at this! I didn’t mean it like that. What I mean is—“

“It’s okay Ashley, I understand.” She recovered soon and giggled.

“I’m sorry.” I sputtered, shaking my head.

She tapped my shoulder and smiled at Uno who was still blushing. “I live here, in this very building. My flat number is 20R. You should come to me sometimes Ash. We can gossip or talk about Uno.” She giggled and I smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a fellow female to talk to.” She trailed off as her eyes drifted to her baby Missy.

I grabbed her hand on my shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

“But I have no regrets.” She grinned and touched her head against Missy’s making the little bundle of joy giggle.

Honestly, I didn’t want to gossip with this girl but after seeing her infinite love for her child, my stone heart managed to melt. A mother and her daughter—

“I would absolutely love to.” I smiled at her widely and she smiled back warmly at me.

“Great! See ya!” she kissed my cheek and I turned too, ruffling Missy’s hair before Ella walked away.

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The streets were almost empty and lit up by the street lamps. A few people passed us, mostly couples. There was a Korean restaurant across the street. “You get your food from there?” I asked Uno and he nodded not looking back at me.

I frowned at him not speaking but thought of ignoring it.

“Ella is a nice girl right?” I asked again, hoping to make a conversation.

And he nodded again for the second time, looking straight forward and digging his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

My hand was itching to reach for his big hand and hold it but he’s hiding it like he didn’t want for me to touch him anymore.

I shrugged my shoulders and tried to talk to him again. “I like her.”

He stayed silent and that made me snap.

“Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?” I stopped and turned around to face him. With his way blocked, he stood there, looking at me with hooded eye, fixing his glasses.

“Nothing Ashley, nothing. Let’s go?” he attempted to walk around me but I caught his shirt and pulled him back, ignoring the electricity.

“Tell me.” I pleaded.

He took a deep breath and spread his hands out. “Do you think I’m gay?” he yelled suddenly, making me take a step back. I remembered his voice the first time we met, the voice that didn’t stutter, the voice that’s very authoritative. Oh god, the voice I like.

I noticed that he didn’t stutter when he’s mad.

I laughed. “No Uno, I don’t. That was a joke.” I amended, hoping to correct his misunderstanding. His eyes flashed with an unknown emotion.

“I-I’m sorry.” He suddenly whispered.

“Hey! Why are you apologizing? I should be the one doing that.” I told him, clutching his hand. “I’m really sorry Uno.”

“N-no, I shouldn’t have y-yelled like that. I-I just don’t like p-people calling me g-gay.” He murmured.

Has anyone called him gay before? I wanted to ask that question but I shut my mouth because I knew that we had to grow more close before we braid each other’s hair and tell our secrets.

I nodded slowly. “Let’s both say sorry and forget that this ever happened.” I suggested and he nodded.

“I’m sorry Ashley.” He mumbled.

“And I’m sorry Uno.” I said and then smiled, looking at the small grin on his face.

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