If Only You Can Stay (BL/BXB)

XIV

We got back to the campus and I was certain that the ride there was the most excruciating silence I have ever experienced in my entire life. He was dead silent and the food was good but the whole experience after I said what I said made him stunned and was trying to collect the right words. He even gave me quick awkward glances as his hands were on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.

Well, I hoped that that would make him stop like every other kid back home where they were all stopped being so nice for the fear that others might look at them the same way they did to me. I hoped that he could also not get in my way anymore after I told him that.

"Can I have my bracelet back?" He played with it as he thought of the right words to use. But when he was about to say something he held his tongue back.

"You wouldn't want to be with someone like me." I smiled painfully at how I worded it that I couldn't be friends with anyone because of what I am. And it seemed like a curse to know that I wouldn't be able to connect with people without having the consequence to endure insults for the entirety of my existence as everytime I did, someone from the group would make snide remarks about my sexuality and make fun of it.

"Well, we still have our scheduled hangout later or tomorrow at the pizza place near your house. "

"I won't be going." I honestly told him.

"So you would just let the dogs chase after me."

'I honestly would do that too. As if I could control their minds."

"Well, how can I change your mind?" He swung the bracelet with his index finger. I hoped that it would fly somewhere so that I could run and go for it before he could possibly do.

"Don't you have any other gym friends? They'll gladly take your offer for a pizza after a good workout." I told him.

"They don't. Plus, how sure are you that they were my friends?" He raised his brow.

"I don't know. Gut feeling, I think." I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"Well, that gut feeling of yours was incorrect." He denied my thoughts as if he was some fact-checking body.

"Give me that back and I will do that."

"Well, if I give this to you then I don't have anything that makes me sure you're coming?"

My phone vibrated the message of Auntie.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I won't be able to do that tonight." My voice lowered in regret as if it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. His face sombered with a worried look.

"Why's that?" He asked. He stepped closer and I readjusted my position so that our distance would still be the same as it was before.

"Hm. there will be a visitor tonight at my aunt's house that she wanted me to meet."

"Is it a guy or something?" He asked as if his voice was trying to tell me to not answer the call or something like that.

"I don't know. You don't have to know though." I told him. "Oh, I am getting late for the orientation." I told him after looking at the time on my phone. I quickly ran past him and it did take me a couple of turns to corners and a run to the hallway before I realized that I have yet to take my bracelet from the thief.

I found myself sitting at the back of the auditorium. There weren't many people since this orientation was meant for international students who were either transfers from their local campuses and were also starting today. The principal led the discussion and welcomed us with warm regards just like any other professional ones that followed after her introduction.

We had a full blast rundown on the student's handbook then proceeded with a campus tour after a two hour long discussion. We started to vacant our seats and gather in front of the auditorium doors. The door swung open and my eyes set on the familiar face waiting outside.

He jerked his head side to side, from left to right, scanning faces as if he was looking for someone. I quickly hid when he was about to meet my eyes as I watched him. I scooted down and pretended to tie my shoe so people behind me won't find it a nuisance or weird.

I looked for another exit and thankfully, this big auditorium didn't have only one entrance. I quickly took the other exit and went with the flow of where the students were going. I heard someone with a microphone, a lapel of some sort.

His voice echoed through the hallways and made others jolted in surprise at how loud that small speaker of the lavalier was. With such a haste, I squeezed myself between bodies and found myself in front of all of them. I thought to myself that with my height he wouldn't notice that I was part of the group that would be touring the entire campus.

"Okay, guys. Let's get going." The proctor told everyone and we all made a step to follow him in unison.

"Hey." A hand wrapped around my wrist and made my feet stop from doing any further moves. I turned to look at the owner of the hand and for a moment I could feel my heart skip a beat at how his face was so near mine.

To my surprise, I jolted back at the realization of the small gap that was separating us. He was really into invading personal spaces and I found myself contemplating with confusing thoughts on whether this was okay or not. His eyes knitted together and his shoulders were jerking up and down as if he just ran down a whole 10 kilometer marathon.

"I thought I lost you."

***

Hey, Author here. It's been awhile. I am traveling a lot due to work and I found myself exhausted every single night before I could even write one single word. Thankfully, I was able to pull myself together so that I could write a chapter or two. I hope yall enjoy this. Thank you so much for the support. Give me a follow here and on other socmed in my profile.