Anyone But You [PhayuRain] [Love In The Air]

4: BURN MY HEART

FINALLY! He was done!!!

His last final of the year and he was pretty sure that he had ACED IT!

Rain shot off a quick text to Phayu to let him know he was done and added a ridiculous number of smiley faces and kissy emojis to the next text telling him he COULDN'T WAIT to see him, even though he knew that he was right outside waiting for him.

Again, just like before he flew through the halls, down the stairs, and out the front door and into Phayu's arms.

However today, it took a couple of seconds for Phayu's arms to come around him. 

Was it his imagination or was Phayu's body tense and a bit rigid?

Rain pulled back and looked at his face. "Is everything okay?" He asked, head cocked, trying to get a read on his mood. But Phayu quickly stepped back and eyed the other students going about around them.

"Let's go find a place to talk," Phayu said.

Huh.

"Okay," Rain replied a bit confused. "I thought we were going to a late lunch to celebrate my last final."

"Um. Let's find a quieter place first. Ok?"

Rain took a couple of steps back, eyes searching desperately to find a clue in Phayu's gaze. His scalp tingled with the beginnings of unease.

Phayu handed him the extra helmet. Rain put it on by himself, his unease spiking even more at this change in routine.

He got on the back of the bike and wrapped his arms anxiously around Phayu's body with dread and desperation. What had happened to cause this tension? This...distance?

They pulled into a cafe that was not too far from Rain's house, and since it was an odd time, not too busy. 

They went to the counter and Phayu ordered just an iced coffee, so Rain did the same. Phayu didn't seem to notice that Rain's drink order didn't have any of the usual sugary sweet additions he loved. He didn't think he could stomach the caffeine with how anxious he was becoming but he welcomed the excuse to prolong whatever it was that Phayu had to say, trying to tamp down the sense of foreboding. 

They picked up their drinks and Phayu led him to a quiet table in the corner of the room away from the other customers who were there.

Rain put a smile on his face determined to get back some normalcy, and started to babble. "Are you excited for Friday? I can't believe that your graduation day is almost here!"

Phayu's graduation was in two days and all of his family would be there. Phayu had excitedly invited Rain to meet his family when they had spent that memorable weekend together a few weeks back. 

"I'm a little nervous about meeting your parents. I hope they like me. Maybe I should go shopping tomorrow and buy-"

"Rain." Phayu interrupted him, finally looking him in the eye.

A pebble of fear lodged in Rain's throat and his breath became uneven. 

He swallowed. His desperate smile dropped as he bravely looked into his boyfriend's eyes. He saw it. The pain. The sorrow.

"I don't think this is going to work between us."

The pebble sank into his stomach and grew into a rock. One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. 

"What do you mean, Phi?" He asked in a whisper.

"Rain. I don't think we should see each other anymore. Our lives are going in two different directions. My new job is going to be demanding and I won't have any time for a relationship. This is too much for me right now."