Bad Boyfriend

Property Of Phayu

"From now on, you're mine."

Rain is still in a daze as he walks home from school with his friends—one of them about to be his ex-friend.

"How did that happen?" Som muses, scratching his head. "I'm sure I put it in P'Pai's desk. Do you think they switched seats after lunch?"

At this, Rain shoots him a murderous glare and exclaims, "Why're you asking me? I'm not in that class, that's why I asked you! You had one job!"

Sky sucks air sharply through his teeth to warn the two boys. "Stop it. That's not gonna help your situation, Rain." He chides. "And Som, drop it already. Can't you see Rain's frustrated?"

Som mutters a 'sorry' then goes on to say, "It's the damn school's fault. Why couldn't they have given us lockers or assigned seating instead of letting the students sit wherever? Ugh!"

"There's no point assigning the blame now." Sky states matter-of-factly, turning to Rain then. "What do you plan to do? Don't tell me you'll actually date Phayu?"

Rain looks up at him with soulless eyes and just looking generally dejected. "What else can I do?" He nearly sobs. "I can't dump Phayu; he'll kill me!"

"You're exaggerating." Sky remarks.

"Am I?" Rain retorts to which Sky gives it some thought and falls silent. At this, Rain groans into the heavens. "What am I gonna do? I never dreamt to become the wife of Satan's incarnate. And there were so many witnesses too. What if P'Pai finds out? Then I'll really have zero chances of getting together with him."

Som and Sky both sigh simultaneously. There's really nothing they can do no matter how bad they feel for their friend.

"I just want to evaporate." Rain whimpers quietly.

~~~

Meanwhile, Prapai marches towards the basketball court after soccer practice. The gym is currently not being used and has stacks of tables and chairs scattered throughout, some of which Phayu and his friends are sitting on.

"Phayu!" He calls out as he makes his way to the said boy who is in the middle of getting his shoulders massaged by a big guy named Aon.

Phayu responds with a very unamused, "What?"

"We need to talk." Prapai tells him to which Phayu gestures to Aon to stop and step away. The latter obliges.

"What is it this time, Pai? I don't recall beating anyone up recently." Phayu scoffs, earning subdued laughter from his crew.

Prapai ignores his remark and gets straight to the point. "Is it true?" He pauses as though he doesn't even want to say it. "Did Rain confess to you and...you accepted?"

"News travel fast, I see." Phayu comments which is as good as a confirmation in Pai's book. "But...what's it to you?"

"Phayu, Rain is a good boy." Prapai says with a hint of desperation in his voice. "If you only intend to toy with him, I'm asking you, just leave him alone."

But at his sincere request, Phayu smirks and says somewhat maliciously, "Seeing how affected you are, I think I'm even more curious about him. And as for Rain being a good boy, I'll be the judge of that."

"Are you just doing this to spite me?" Prapai questions, his demeanor shifting from diplomatic to somewhat threatening.

But Phayu isn't backing down either. "Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself, Pai. I couldn't care less about you or what you think. But the fact remains; Rain confessed to me and he's my property now so deal with it."

Prapai clenches his jaw and fists, not appreciating one bit how Phayu refers to Rain like he's some object to be owned. But he was right about one thing; Rain confessed to him. And so, there isn't much Prapai can do.

He retreats—for now. But he makes a resolve to step in regardless of Phayu's opinion if he ever hurts Rain.

~~~

The next day started out so normally that Rain almost forgot about his predicament—almost.

But the moment he enters the cafeteria which is a literal jungle, there are suddenly so many eyes on him and they either look condescending or in disbelief. He tries to ignore it as he slips into an empty table with Sky but not even halfway through his lunch, a group of girls approach their table.

"You're Rain, right?" One of the girls pipes up. Rain looks up and sees that it's Chompoo, a senior. She has long jet black hair, is well built since she's a gymnast and is considered very attractive by most boys. Of course, Rain wouldn't know since he isn't attracted to women at all.

"Yes, I'm Rain." He replies timidly as he can already smell the venom dripping from the young woman. "Can I...help you?"

And at this, she smirks and tells him, "As a matter of fact, you can...by leaving Phayu alone!" She says the latter half while pouring her diet slushy on Rain's head and covering him in the sticky substance.

The place erupts in gasps and both Rain and Sky have a rather delayed reaction due to shock. But once it wanes, Sky shoots up from his seat and exclaims, "Are you crazy?!" He swats the girl's hand that was holding the near empty cup and the remaining pink liquid spills across the floor.

Meanwhile, Rain tries to get as much slushy away from his eyes as it somewhat stings. But then again, that might be his tears. He hasn't even come to terms with his recent misfortune yet and now, this?

"Serves you right!" Chompoo exclaims, pointing a manicured finger at Rain. "Ha! Phayu's boyfriend? What a joke! I know you spread that rumor yourself for your fifteen minutes of fame. Well, there you go! Smile for the camera, Rain."

Rain sees that another one of the girls has her phone out and is filming. But he can't react properly because he's covered in slime and can hardly open his eyes. Sky is trying to take the phone and is calling foul on the bullies but it's a lot to do for just one person.

But just then, someone snatches the phone much to the girl's annoyance, that is until she sees who's standing behind her.

"P-P'Pai."

"What do you think you're doing?" Prapai asks, not a trace of his typical warm and kind expression. There's a shadow on his face that makes the girls fall silent and still under his gaze and he tells them then, "This is bullying and can get every single one of you expelled. Is that what you want?"

Rain knows this isn't a good time but he practically swoons over P'Pai's stern side that doesn't really make him terrifying, only like a big brother who doesn't want his sisters to go astray.

Prapai then deletes the video and makes the girls apologize which they do so very begrudgingly but Rain accepts anyway.

After that, Prapai takes Rain by the hand and gently pulls him up. "Let's get you cleaned up, Rain."

And Rain willingly comes along, pretty much forgetting that he's "taken".

On their way home later that day, Rain is quite thrilled while prancing around in Prapai's jersey shirt which the latter let him borrow. Rain is basically on cloud nine but his always voice of reason, Sky, bursts his bubble then.

"What are you so happy about? This just smells like trouble."

"Whadayamean?" Rain questions, embracing the jersey on his body as though someone would snatch it away.

"What do you mean what do I mean?" Sky retorts. "Have you forgotten? You are Phayu's boyfriend. What if he hears about what happened?"

Rain frowns thoughtfully but also stubbornly argues, "I don't think he will. I heard he and his crew cut classes today so he's probably not even on campus. Also, why would it be a problem? P'Pai literally saved me; shouldn't he be thankful as my "boyfriend"?"

"I don't know." Sky shakes his head. "I wouldn't want my lover wearing another man's clothes if it were me and we're talking about Phayu here; that's double the jealousy and possessiveness even if it's just his ego. Plus he and P'Pai have bad blood which just makes it worse."

"Y-you think so?" Rain sputters to which Sky rolls his eyes and says, "I know so."