More Than Friends (boyxboy)

Chapter 25: The big secret

"Is he that bad at maths, really? Is that all you do?" 

☆

Archie backs away from the scene as quickly as he had approached. His feet seemed to take over as his mind was fixed on what he had witnessed. Mark and Bay… more than friends. As he pushes through the library doors out into the corridor, his eyes turn back towards the doors as they close behind him. 

He didn't know why exactly but something inside of him hurt. Too many thoughts were rushing through his mind in that moment like comets crashing down to earth. It didn't matter that Bay had other friends, or he was evidently into boys. What got him the most was that Bay didn't feel like he could tell him. 

Archie slowly heads to registration, head down, mind full as to what to do next. Should he act like he didn't know, or should he confront him?

***

Bay heads into the classroom, a minute to spare. His eyes looked distracted as he seemed to scan the room. 

"Cutting it a bit fine aren't we?" Archie looks up at him, adopting a relaxed position in his seat. "Are you looking for something?"

"My phone." He begins as he sits down. "Have you seen it?" 

Archie pulls the phone from the side of his bag and drops it rather clumsily on the table. "You left it in the canteen." 

"Oh… thanks." Bay smiles, feeling a little nervous with the phone being in Archie's possession. Not that he would be able to access it, but then again, Archie would have probably guessed his password, knowing him like he did. "You didn't look did you?" He asks, trying to make light of it.

"Why would I do that? Archie looks at Bay, tilting his head a little to one side. "Are you hiding something?"

"No." Bay puts the phone in his bag, avoiding eye contact. 

Archie leans his head forwards, trying to catch his gaze. "You know we are best friends right? Best friends tell each other everythng. We have been with each other for the longest time…"

"Is this about Mark?" Bay suddenly snaps as he finally turns to look at Archie. "Are we having this conversation again? You don't have to be jealous."

"I'm not jealous. I already know you met up with him this morning…"

"Yes, I met him in the library.  What of it?"

"Is he that bad at maths, really? Is that all you do?"  Archie says, eyes glued to Bay. 

Bay looks at his friend, feeling the adrenaline hit as his heart begins to pound in his chest. The guy was making him feel weak. Weak in all the wrong ways. Reminding him that he crushed on him so badly and that it would never happen in a million years whatsoever. Telling Archie the truth about himself wasn't worth the risk, let alone his changed relationship with Mark. He couldn't bear to lose him, even if he were just a friend.  "We… we just studied." 

"Just studied?" Archie asked again, hoping Bay would open up to him at least just a little, but all Bay does is nod. "Ok." He sits up in his seat, feeling annoyed at his failed attempt at getting Bay to confess. Maybe things between them were changing for real. 

Whatever was left unsaid, remained so as the teacher entered the classroom. The school day had begun. 

***

"I'm thinking of getting another piercing." Lena looks to her left at Archie as they sit outside on a bench on the perimeters of the school grounds. 

"Oh yeah?" Archie replies, not paying one bit of attention to his girlfriend, with his eyes scanning for one or maybe two people. Bay had avoided any mention of his new 'friendship' with Mark and it had left Archie with a need to somehow keep an eye on the situation. His protective instincts were at an all time high. If Bay wanted Mark as a friend or a boyfriend, he had better treat him right. 

"Yeah, and a big tattoo saying marry me Archie on my left thigh…"

"Sounds nice… " 

"I knew you weren't listening to me. What did I say?" She pushes his arm to get his attention once and for all. 

Archie finally looks at her as he tries to recall the bits of information he did hear. "Something about your thighs…. You're not fat."

"I know I'm not fat!" Lena shouts. "What's up with you? You've been out of it since yesterday. Didn't you clear the air with him already?" 

"I did but …"

"But what?"

Archie turns to Lena. "Look at us. We are in different leagues. I know that. You are top tier and I'm …. Well I'm average, but here we are. Sitting out here. You're not embarrassed to be seen with me."

"Because I like you." Lena smiles. "And I don't care about what other people may think. It's what we think that counts. I have nothing to hide and you shouldn't refer to yourself as average."

"Then why does Bay have to hide the fact he knows Mark? I mean, look." He gestures towards the popular boy in question emerging outside from the school's double doors. Mark makes his way to his usual group of friends. No sign of Bay until two minutes later he emerges, glancing at Mark who pays no attention to him, unaware of the look of rejection he tried to conceal as Bay makes his way towards him and Lena. 

And then it all becomes clear.  All too painfully clear for Archie to witness... "Because Mark has something to hide." Archie utters under his breath.