Rock and Roll

Gumi might not be the nicest friend one could ask for, but she was actually the best friend Miku had. The green-haired girl was notorious for her profanity, swearing here and there as though it was her way of "pausing". See? Not the nicest.

"I can't believe that out of all of my fucking friends, you fucked up the worst. Seriously, Miku," Gumi leaned forward the sullen girl who was stirring her cup of hot choco.

The girl on the hot seat shrugged. Yes, Gumi was her best friend, the most trustworthy at that, and sometimes she could be unnerving. Just like now.

Looking up, Miku met her friend's scrutinizing eyes. "Like what I anticipated, you'd say that. Now, are you coming with me in Hastings or not?"

"No," Gumi chuckled, pushing herself away from the countertop. "You can't ignore this shit. I mean, deal with me first before you look for that ass who got you."

"And no," Miku said, rolling her eyes. Typical Gumi like what she thought. "I know what you're gonna say. Listening to you will be suicide."

Miku rose from her seat and downed the content of her mug that has cooled down while she told Gumi the whole story. She had predicted how her confession would turn out, and everything went the way she thought it would. Gumi was not delighted with her news. In reality, no one would be.

Today was just one of the days when she craved badly for anything chocolate. Seeing the mug empty, she walked to the sink and began to wash it. Her craving for today was now satisfied. In case her body yearned for the same flavour again, she had a stock of chocolates in the fridge. You know, better late than sorry.

Rinsing the soapsuds on her hands, Miku walked away from the kitchen whilst ignoring Gumi's protests. Their argument wouldn't end for sure, so why start argue?

"Miku, you don't walkout while I do the talking here. This is just the worst thing you've fucking done," Gumi hopped down from her seat and trailed behind Miku, who was still pretending that her best friend wasn't nagging. "Have you no fucking mind? Why did you do it in the first place? Hey lady, look at me."

Miku was yanked back by the arm, forced to look at her best friend in the eyes. There was rage, concern and sincerity surfacing in those irises. It was a fit of honest and harsh scolding only friends could give. Sighing, Miku relaxed under her hold. She had no parents to scold her for saying this news, so she might as well listen to the only family she had.

"I was...out of my mind. Tipsy," closing her eyes to recall how things happened in Hastings, Miku continued. "I think the two of us were. Then it happened. Yeah, I have no brain. I'm sorry."

Gumi pulled Miku close and gave her a hug. Her hand patted the girl's back, soft strokes like a mother's. "Don't be sorry. What is done is done. I just can't believe how you ended that fucked up."

"Yeah," Miku returned the hug. "Thanks, Gumi. You're really great. So are you coming with me in Hastings or nah?"

"You bet."

Gumi and Miku were orphans who grew up together in the orphanage, of course. When they reached eighteen and no couples took them in, the nuns sent them out with a little amount of money enough to start a living. The two went from town to town, homeless and clueless how to survive everyday. Nevertheless they managed, and here they were in their mid-20's. Gumi and Miku were wedding organisers now.

Everything was doing well until a month ago. Miku attended her client's wedding in Hastings last month, where the worst thing she could have done happened. It was a perfect day according to the bride, and the groom thanked her for the wonderful effort she gave to organise everything that well. During the reception she sat aloof at the bar, watching how people's merrymaking. She suddenly realised the pang in her chest, a desire she wished to keep a secret forever. Being an orphan she knew how hard it was to live without any parents looking after you. She and Gumi believed that one day, they would have families of their own, and they would never let their children feel the misery of being no one get into them.

The distant look she was giving the newlyweds didn't go unnoticed by the bartender. The blue-haired dude tried talking to her, tried to squeeze any information out of her, but her lips remained sealed. Giving up, he just served her drinks she asked for. That was until blue-haired dude came back with a friend. She recognised the guy with black hair, he was the band vocalist the groom asked to play for them. He was a personal friend of the groom.

Miku couldn't forget how his blue eyes looked at her; how his milky white skin dusted pink when he looked her way. The blue-haired dude pushed him to her stall, and they ended up chatting. Yeah, just chatting. Until that jerk - aka bartender - gave them alcoholic drinks. At first she and the guy protested, but the bartender smiled and told them it was nothing strong.

Yes, it wasn't that strong. She and guy just woke up on the same bed the next morning, really. Naked.

Miku almost went hysterical that moment. Of course, she grew up with a nun's care. What had happened was just banal. It was against her upbringing. The guy sympathized her, he, too, was nice to be a pop-rock singer. He said he'd take the responsibility if ever something...ugh, developed. Whatever. He was a nice guy, actually. When he talked to her, he seemed to have no ulterior motives unlike the blue-haired dude. That one was obviously hitting on her.

She left Hastings with the newlyweds satisfied, leaving the guy she slept with there too.

Miku kept this from Gumi. It would only ignite a horrible argument between them, so she would tell her in time. That time, though, came quickly when she learned that she was pregnant for a month already. Oh, what a turn of events. Now, she'd go back to Hastings and find that guy–too nice to be a rock star. Not that rock stars weren't nice, okay. He was...too soft, you know. It didn't help that she was now a mother of someone's child.

Right away, Gumi and Miku packed their things. From Seaford to Hastings, they traveled. Soon they reached the place, the familiar forts came into view. It smelled like the ancient, history was evident anywhere. The two didn't wait for another second, they went to the place where Miku first talked to the band.

"Miku?"

The two hadn't knocked on the door of the flat yet when a voice called out. Stirring, Gumi and Miku looked around and saw a tall guy whose black hair was pulled back. He had his shopping bag craddled in front. He was gawking at the girls, perhaps surprised to see the lady on his door.

Blue-eyed and black haired, yes. Just like what Miku told in her stories. A beautiful guy, indeed. A little soft-spoken to be a rock star? Confirmed. Gumi rushed to guy and pulled him by the collar. She'd give him a good beating.

"You got the spine to call her by her name, you fucking bastard! What do you say, huh?" Gumi shook him with all her might, making the guy fumble backwards.

"Wha–I don't know what you're saying!" His shopping fell on the ground, cans of goods scattered on the cement floor. How nice of a visitor he had.

Miku, displeased with how things work out by now, rushed to Gumi and pulled the girl away from the guy. "Calm down, Gumi! Why not let me talk first?" The girl just gave her a nasty look, mouthing her to shut up.

Then the guy. She flashed him an apologetic smile. "Hey, Len. Sorry for that...ruckus. By the way, she's my friend, Gumi. Gumi, this is Len, the band singer."

Fixing his creased shirt, he ran a hand through his dark locks. "It's okay. I guess I was mistaken as a bad guy–which I wasn't. Now what do we have here? It's nice to see you again."

"I think I'm not mistaken," inserted Gumi. "Because boy, you got my best friend–"

Miku covered Gumi's mouth with a hand before she could say a word. Some things were better talked about in private, honestly. "Can we talk for a moment? Somewhere? The two of us alone?"

Nodding, he crouched down to gather his things scattered on the ground then led the girls inside his flat. His band mates were inside, arguing about a certain song they were working out. Miku saw the blue-haired bartender there, and surprisingly he was also a part of the band. He was one of the composers and mixers, said Len. Leaving Gumi in their care, Len and Miku went to his room and talked about the matter.

She saw his shoulders relaxed when he locked the door before them. It was as if he knew why she was here. He was tensed all the while, she knew. When his hand dropped to his side from gripping the knob, he instantly turned and wrapped his arms on her frame. Now, it's her turn to freeze with the sudden intimacy.

"H-hey, are you okay?" she awkwardly patted his back, quite unsure how things like this was done. Well, she had never had a boyfriend before. Moreover, Len wasn't a friend at all. He was just a mere acquaintance she made over a night. Literally.

"It's there, isn't it?" he asked, resting his forehead on her shoulder. Given their height difference, it was a pain in the back for him. "That's why you're here, aren't you?"

"Yes," she replied like a sigh. "I'm...I'm gonna be your child's mother. Sorry. You know, I just came here to tell you. You don't have to marry me or anything. I just want to tell that in case you're thinking of abortion, I'm not into it. I'll be glad if you'll help raising the child, but if you aren't –"

"It's okay." He laughed, pulling away from her. "Though parenthood came to me unexpectedly, it should be fine. After all, we did the thing. What to expect?"

She shrugged. That was a bit harsh, no? Like he really had no choice.

"And I think you'll make a pretty wife," Len smiled at her, tracing a finger at the side of her face. "I hope you wouldn't mind if I get to know my child's mom first?"

She studied the serene look he was giving her right now. His blue eyes were so calm underneath those black fringe. He was a pretty guy. He sounded like a gentleman too. There should be no problem, right?

Right.