More Than Friends (boyxboy)

Chapter 19: Out of place

"Maybe I should go. "

☆

Archie picks up the carton of milk, the protruding straw is directed towards Lena's mouth. She smiles at him as her lips open, taking the drink being offered to her, accompanied with a kiss to her cheek. She relishes in the attention being directed her way by the boy as she glances to her side towards him, with her lips still around the straw as she slowly draws them back. "Archie, remember, we have others present." She bites her lip, as she looks over at Bay, who looks away as soon as the eye contact is made.

Archie pulls back from the moment, "Sorry Bay." He looks at the uneaten bagel on the plate before his friend. "I thought you were hungry." 

"I seem to have lost my appetite." Bay replies, pulling the carton of juice towards him to drink. He looks across the canteen towards the rather busy table in the corner. There sat Mark with his friends. He seemed to be mirroring the same kind of action Bay is currently portraying. One of being there in body but not in mind, as he spent most of the time staring at his phone, rather than engaging with any of his larger than life friends. Maybe Mark was telling him the truth about who he actually was. Was his school persona all a convincing act? Their eyes meet briefly before Archie speaks, drawing Bay's attention back to the table. 

"Here, should I feed you too?" He laughs as he reaches forward, pulling the plate with the bagel on it towards him. 

Bay pulls the plate back. "I'm not a child." He picks up the bread and tears a bite from it with his teeth. "I'm eating." He says with a mouthful. 

"Alright!" Archie laughs in defence, if only to keep the peace at the table. 

"Maybe I should go." Lena suggests as she goes to leave. 

"Don't worry. I'm done." Bay beats her to it as he stands up. 

"Bay, don't leave. Why can't we all enjoy breakfast together?" Archie looks up at his friend. 

Bay could see the puppy dog eye effect and it was almost working on him until Lena adds, "Yes Bay. Why can't we all have breakfast together?" Archie cannot see the way she is looking at Bay. It's as if she knows. She knows Bay's feelings may just cut a little deeper.

"See you in class." Bay pushes the chair under the table as he turns away from them both. 

"Bayley, wait…" Archie begins, but looks down when he feels a tug on his arm. 

"Just give him time."  Lena keeps him in place.

Archie looks once again as Bay disappears out of the canteen door. The moment now passed for him to go and stop him. "He's not right. Something is up."

"Have you thought he may be jealous?" Lena deduces. "Maybe he has trouble sharing."

Archie looks at Lena and frowns. "No. That can't be it." Bay came from a houseful of people. He knew how to share better than most. He glances over at the popular guy still glued to his phone. "Something must have happened between…" Archie stops himself just in time before he lets the name Mark slip. 

"Between….?" Lena prompts. 

"Nothing. Doesn't matter." He forces a smile as he turns to her once again and kisses her on her lips.

***

Bay heads back to the classroom where he had once been already that morning. He could feel his body full of unease. Was it that obvious? How could Lena read him like a book like that? What if she told Archie what she thought? Would he still want to be his friend? 

He gets distracted by his phone vibrating in his pocket. 

'If you need to talk?'

Bay sinks back into the chair as he sees the words Mark had texted. He pulls the phone towards him and begins to text. 

'Are you free after school?'...

***

"What are you smiling at?" Gus says as he notices Mark paying little attention to the actions of the others around the table. 

Mark looks up, pocketing his phone, the smile still present on his face, though he tried his best to hide it. "Meet up later at yours. I can't make it."

"Don't tell me you're quitting on us." Gus looks at Mark, clearly sad at the news of his absence. 

"My Dad wants me home. He's back from his business trip." Mark shrugged. "It is what it is." 

"Since when do you listen to your dad?" Gus laughs. 

"Since now." Mark replies. "I'll come over next time ok?"

Gus shakes his head. "You're acting strange lately, like you're not yourself." Mark shrugs as he looks back down at his phone. He wasn't acting strange or not himself at all. For the first time he was feeling brave. He was beginning to reveal his true self, if it was only to that one person.