A Lover of Rain

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE:

"She thought I was fucking gay? How did that even happen?" Clyde screamed as he stormed inside the parking lot, trying to find his car so he could leave the campus immediately after Sera outed him–or at least, she announced to the world about a rumor that I just realized wasn't true. Markie walked as fast as she could even if she's wearing wedges to catch up with her brother who had veins almost popping out at the side of his head from anger.

"Clyde! Just stop walking away so we can talk!" Markie insisted while I was following them from a safe distance. My fingers kept fidgeting from the damage I caused even if it wasn't my intention at all. I thought I was doing the right thing for Sera by telling her the rumor Maya shared with me since I found out that Clyde was lying to her about his whereabouts. It seemed like the best idea at that time when I saw one of my closest friends struggling to keep Clyde's grades from declining by doing his school activities for him while he was out with a friend, probably having the best day. He lied to her, and I just couldn't stand it anymore.

I did it to do right by her, but it seemed like lately, everything I touch would end up being ruined because of the decisions I make–it doesn't matter if it came from a good place in the depths of my heart and best intentions, I always fuck things up. Seeing Markie trying to calm her brother down who only wanted to confess his feelings for Sera made me realize how big of a mistake I have made.

"You..." Clyde stopped on his tracks before turning around to face his sister who couldn't stop catching her breath since we ran all the way from the field to the parking lot when the people started crowding him after hearing the news. "Is that why you asked to eat dinner with me two days ago? And how you kept telling me that whatever happens you'd accept me–fuck, Markie! A simple, "are you gay?" question could have avoided all of this shit, you realize that?"

Markie was taken aback after Clyde shouted, making her straighten her back when she finally got what she wanted; to have a conversation with Clyde about what's going on. My feet felt like it was drilled to the ground and nails were hammered on each foot to stop me from taking any steps further. I couldn't stop my bottom lip from shaking as a ton of guilt washed down on me like cement from how heavy I'm feeling inside. "I was just trying to tell you that I love you no matter what happens–that I would be here for you because I know coming out as gay isn't easy especially to the kind of family we have." Markie said as calmly as possible, but it wasn't in any way effective.

"But I am not gay!" Clyde screamed, each word echoed throughout the parking lot where some students could be seen coming in to find their cars. I scanned the place around to find some of them were discreetly watching and even had the audacity to take their phones out to film. His hands were trembling as he tried to cover his face. Clyde breathed loudly while his eyes were still closed shut. "The girl that I love walked out of this school thinking that I used her to hide who she believed I am. Don't I deserve some–I don't know, at least some fucking space so I could hear myself think?" Clyde replied with the tone of his voice lowered as he couldn't stop from cursing. There's a heavy sigh escaped from Markie's mouth after we watched her brother slamming his car door closed before driving off campus.

My eyes followed Clyde's car with a heavy heart and guilty conscience. The only time my focus left Clyde was when I heard Markie's footsteps heavily walking closer to where I was standing. Our eyes met and I instantly felt her anger like she's about to dig her claws in my face because of what happened. "This is your fault, you realize that... right?" The only response I could give Markie was a sigh before she continued walking away from me until she disappeared from my view.

I stood alone in the parking lot while grabbing my hair using both of my hands before I screamed my frustrations out in the near empty building. There were students around the campus who kept chattering about what they witnessed in the field which frustrated me even more, but I didn't have the time to be affected by it. I marched back to the gymnasium where most of the students had already left so I could find the one person who planted the rumor inside my head. I had a lot of thoughts about him being an asshole but not once have I ever assumed his sexuality until I was informed of a rumor that took over my opinions and prejudices against Clyde. Don't get me wrong–it's my fault since I was the blabbermouth who told Sera even though it was supposed to be a secret. I let my prejudices against Clyde cloud my judgments and the moment he made a mistake, I took the opportunity to tell her everything I was trying to keep to myself which was wrong.