HEMP ROPE

25.

 

The tall figure waved goodbye to his friend, exhausted. He discussed the university report with them from morning till 9 p.m.

 

Life had been extremely chaotic for Win ever since he came to England for a master's degree. The former vice president of the swimming club scratched his head. Though still with an undercut, his hair was dyed black with no more samurai bun. He'd gotten rid of it in Thailand, which made it easier to take care of.

 

Win picked up his cellphone. A Facebook reminder popped up with 'a year ago today.' His mouth turned up into a soft smile. Picture of one stick of Pocky taped to his locker door...

 

Ah, he'd forgotten it was 11/11, Pocky Day. Thailand was day 12 now; what a shame.

 

The young man pocketed his cellphone and hurried up the stairs to his room, attempting to call his Pocky partner. The day went by without a conversation. But as soon as he reached his room, his hand holding a key went still. A box of Chocolate Pocky was taped to his front door. His heart gave a sudden pound.

 

"Whoa!!"

Tmp!!!!

 

His body was slammed against the door. Win stared in bewilderment as his Pocky partner, who shouldn't be here, was waggling his eyebrows in front of him.

 

"Happy Pock!!!" Team was pressed close to the door before he finished talking. Then he was yanked into a crushing hug; he thought he'd break a bone.

 

"Ai Hia!!! Easy! It hurts!" Team tried to push the other off. After getting off the plane, he had a taxi drop him off here. He was starving, and Win's gut-wrenching squeeze wasn't helping.

 

"You..."

 

"What? Oop!" Hot kisses drained down on Team, followed by biting and suckings, hitching Team's breathing.

 

"Wait, gasp. Oi, wait."

 

Win turned a deaf ear to Team; he kept kissing and kissing, ignoring all else, from passerby whistles to his next-door neighbour opening the door to check on him and closing it after.

 

By the time Win released him, the national team swimmer had almost run out of breath. Win licked his lips and held the visitor's arm as he led him into his room. How Team got here, he'd ask later. But for now...He took the Pocky box from the door.

 

"Just as I thought." Win shook the empty box back and forth.

"Your kiss tastes like chocolate."

 

Win wiped his bruised lips. "I was hungry waiting so long for you, and all I had on me was Pocky." Win laughed..Geez.

 

There had never been a dull moment with this kid.