In hindsight, Claude figured it was embarrassing. Someone like Len shouldn't have his Parrot filled with food. Should he find accounts with good fashion tips? Len dressed well every time; he should be interested in making himself look good.
Eugene laughed in ridicule, doubling down on Claude's shame. "Yeah, school buzz… like programs and upcoming free seminars."
While Claude and Eugene bantered and laughed about what accounts to have Len follow, Irving sat there in shock. He never saw anyone else touching Len's phone. The elders and the whole pack messaged him through the group chats, and reading through the Alpha's messages was a crime. However, Len wasn't even trying to get the phone back.
"Irving, look!" Eugene said so, and Irving lifted his face. His fear froze his small smile as he watched Claude take pictures using Len's phone.
"Post it! Post it! Then we scurry back to our dorms!" Eugene laughed, standing up to encourage Claude to do the mischief. "Make those bitches bite their pillows! Hahaha!"
Claude chuckled, unsure of pressing the 'post' button. His grin, however, didn't dampen at the thought. "Hey, what if they scour the dorm for my Hofner? I don't want to lose that. Hey, Len, you won't get mad if I find it broken because of my provocation, right?"
Len leaned closer and held Claude's hand on his phone. His thumb pressed the 'post' button. "Then let me take the responsibility off your shoulders."
Eugene sat down and took another photo of Len and Claude. "We should finish eating or something. These two guys need a room for themselves now. Hey, can you not? Really? In front of my barbecue?"
…
"Damn, it should be a crime to ban student-owned vehicles in the dorms…" Eugene pouted as they reached another intersection on their way back to the dorm. "I don't want to walk every time. Hey, Len, does Psi Saint Alpha have a car or something?"
"No, we're not exempted from the ban." Len chuckled. "If you want a ride, pick a teacher to bring next time. You need to remember that they cannot bring a vehicle if they are staying in the teacher's dorm. Some of them should be renting here in the city. Find one of those."
"Doesn't Psi Saint Alpha know anyone like that? Don't tell me you guys ran from the dorm when Claude and I were in trouble…" Eugene nudged Irving, who was on his phone. "Don't copy your boss. Don't lie to me, Irving."
Irving lowered his phone and smiled. "Eugene, we were carrying you two in our arms and back. I think we would have used a car if we had one that night."
Eugene groaned in complaint. He rapped at Claude's shoulder next. "Dude, command your boyfriend to make our life better. My feet are killing me. There should be some kind of loophole!"
"We can bring bicycles, but Len doesn't like to ride one," Irving answered with a whisper. However, he flinched in fear upon realizing what he had just said.
"…dude, don't be shy now. I don't know how to ride a bike, either. Even Claude hasn't touched a bike his entire life." Eugene huffed, receiving two pairs of glaring eyes. However, he just frowned at both guys. "What? You're suddenly experts in bike riding?"
"I know how to ride a bike. I just don't have one. Grandpa said it's dangerous for me. I heal inhumanely fast. If I fall, my injuries will vanish under everyone's eyes." Claude massaged his forehead.
Freeze. Claude figured he shouldn't say alarming matters like that to people outside his family. However, he only needed to glance at Eugene. The other person pulled a long face. Before Claude could say something, Eugene grabbed the muscles between his neck and shoulders.
Eugene growled and shook Claude mercilessly. "No fair! Teach me! Teach me! Hey, Len, buy bikes for us! Next time, we're not walking for so long!
"Oh, yeah… we can practice in the woods!" Eugene stopped and allowed Claude to fall over toward Len. He stroked his chin. "Psi Saint Alpha has access to those woods behind the school. We don't need the cottage. We just need the trail. Yep, let's practice—!"
"You!" Claude poked Eugene's face with gritted teeth. "What if I slipped? I'm not even drunk! And what woods? There could be wild animals there."
Eugene avoided the next poke, but to no avail. He just caught Claude's hand and poked Len's face with Claude's finger. "Lavallee, please! The only wild animals in those woods are hormonal couples. Come on, we're completely safe. They're more afraid of us spotting them than you are of them spotting us. Ask Len! He knows!"
Claude didn't take back his finger against Len's cheek. He frowned deeper. "Please don't tell me you go there to do things."
"My friends do. I have no one to bring." Len chuckled, holding Claude's hand. "Do you want to see? I can take you there later in the week."
"Can I say no? I'd rather ride the bike along the trail. Also, we can see the sea from the cliff. Do you want to fish down there instead?" Claude shook his head and regained proper footing. "We're going home this weekend, so… the next one? I'll bring my fishing rod. I think it still works."
"Oh, yeah, yeah, Claude can fish six big ones if you give him the whole morning! Let's skip to the sea to fish next weekend!" Eugene laughed and rubbed his chin. "I'll show off my fishing skills, too!"
Len only chuckled and agreed without a word. He could only pass on anything the pack wanted to do for two weekends. Then again, Jameson would surely hear about an actual fishing expedition. Moreover, Len would bring his equipment to the dorm. They would all find out. He glanced at Irving, who only watched Eugene and Claude talk about fishing.
The quiet person felt Len's gaze and responded with a small smile. Len only nodded and glanced at his watch. He chuckled. "Babe, it's five to ten."
"Wait, what?" Claude flinched and checked his watch. "Shit, we won't make it. We're only halfway through… What if we just run? Can you run all the way, Eugene?"
"Dude, do you want me to spill everything I ate?" Eugene hung half of his body while they walked. "I'm so tired and full. I'll just tell Tommy we're still walking back."
Len took out his phone with a little smile. "I'll tell Joshua to let you guys in again. The General's dorm doesn't have a curfew. He should contact your dorm head, too."
Eugene fished for his phone and checked. "If he can contact them, that is. Bastards are testing the karaoke tonight. Will they even hear you…? Wait, if they aren't checking the rooms, maybe we can still go! Let's walk faster, Claude!"
"You're the only slowpoke around here." Claude gestured for the two others to follow them. Eugene did his best to jog and not harm his stomach.