THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapter 42. The Bad Boy Of Manhattan

"You got a problem with me?" Elric folded both palms to the front of his chest. Staring sharply at the hordes of young men who have been bullying him so often.

"Well, look at this spoiled kid, apparently he's got courage too." The youth who was the biggest among his peers made a sound, greeted with the ridicule of his friends aimed at Elric.

Elric shook his head slowly. He thought again to beat up the young men. For what he wastes his time serving those fools who know nothing about his life.

"Elric, is there a problem?"

Ryan's voice surprised him. He came with Michael and some three friends from East Harlem who were average-looking. They're ready to put up a body for Elric. When it comes to fighting, they are used to facing gangster members who are far more brutal than the pretentious youths who feel powerful in Hunter Science.

"I don't have a problem. They're the ones who make trouble." Elric pulled the corner of his lips to see the guts of the young men looking shrieked. Of course they do not want to find trouble with the children of East Harlem who are famous for not playing games if they have been involved in gang fights.

The big body raised both hands. Then without saying anything, he invited his friends to pass from before Elric. Even though his gaze on Elric still looks cynical.

"Bunch of losers (a bunch of losers)!" dismemberment Michael.

Elric shook his hand. He invited Ryan and Michael into the main building of the school after previously rewarding three other high five friends (tos).

"El, look at this!" michael's steps came to a halt in front of a large screen attached to a wall adjacent to the teacher's room. The screen is a place where students can see important announcements, works, and everything related to school activities and activities outside the school that are considered quite useful, such as summer camp info, competitions, and so forth.

Elric stepped back toward Michael and stood beside his best friend, then checked the screen. Michael's palm rubbed the surface of the screen to return a poster that had changed with other info.

Hi, we are looking for a talented lead guitarist for joining our experimental band "The Bad Boy Of Manhattan". If you feel you're the choosen one, come and get us at Columbia University.

Contact me, Darren Chevalier.

So did Elric read from the virtual poster on the screen. He looked alternately between Michael and Ryan trying to ask the opinions of his two best friends. A band audition to find talented guitarists. What makes Elric interested is the experimental word that they pinned on the genre of the band.

"You can try it, El," said Michael.

"Aren't you going to play music again?" ryan asked, looking at the worried looking Elric.

"I want to play some more music. Because ...." Elric hung his words. It is impossible to say there is someone who makes his musical passion reappear. Elric did not want to be the months of his two best friends.

"So?" asked Michael who was waiting for Elric to continue his words.

"I'll think about it." Elric smiled at his smile. He can't wait to see Emma and ask her opinion.

***

Emma realized that James had just entered and approached her. His throat was immediately blocked. His chest was pounding erratically. It also became a mistake.

"Hi, Girls (hello, girls)," said James kindly and made Alice and her two colleagues seem to want to faint. Another case with Emma who just stood still without being able to say James' greeting.

"You're going to pick up Emma?" alice asked as she glanced at Emma who was now glaring at her.

"yeah. Is this pretty lady ready to go home?" James turned to Emma while throwing his smile.

Emma could only nod. Then, while glaring at his three friends and saying stop it (stop) to those who continue to tease him, he followed James out of the restaurant.

James wears his winter knit hat as camouflage to keep anyone from recognising him. She took Emma by the hand walking through the sidewalk of East Harlem which was not too many people passed by that afternoon.

"Emma, I'm sorry I didn't call you this week. I'm so busy." James began his conversation.

"It's okay (it's okay)," replied Emma softly. Of course it's okay. He understood this man beside him must be very busy. And Emma did not dare to bother him. Although there was a kind of longing feeling lingering in his heart. But, Emma realized, she was still able to give an answer to James' offer to become her lover.

"It seems I'm ready to hear your answer" James chuckled as he rolled his eyes at Emma.

Emma swallowed her saliva with great difficulty. "I ...."

"Hold it, Emma. I don't want you to answer it on the roadside like this ...."

Emma stroked his nape. Gosh darn. James's appearance really made his chest flutter. Why is that guy so handsome. Black coat layered with open buttons, showing the shirt stripes on which the clothes are based. The knit hat that hid his long hair made James look more handsome than usual. And do not forget the thin sideburns that adorn his face. So manly (once macho).

"We'll go to your apartment first, okay?" James is not asking for permission. He is deciding where they are going now.

Emma could only nod. He left his hand still held by James, and occasionally glanced at the man. James knows what he wants. He never made small talk, but he was not rude. He treated Emma like a girl in his protection.

"Ladies first" said James as Emma opened the door to her apartment and let her in first.

Emma was followed by James. The girl allowed the Hellbound base to sit on her living room sofa which was not spacious but also not narrow.

Elric came out of his room when he heard the sound of an apartment door being opened by someone. "Emma, are you home? Someone wants me ...." His words evaporated just like that when he saw his godfather sitting on the sofa, looking at him with a frown.

"Elric's? Why are you here (why are you here)?"