Bad Boyfriend

In Betweens

The way to the court felt longer than usual.

Rain is catching his breath by the time he reaches the doors but despite rushing to get here, he hesitates once he's outside.

What if Ple is inside? What if Phayu already knows and he's mad as hell? What if they break up?

Rain screws his eyes shut and a tear slips out.

Get it together, Rain! He scolds himself inwardly before he glances back at the other two and says, "Guys, just stay here."

"But Rain..." Sky almost protests but Rain tells them then, "This is between me and P'Phayu." His eyes are scared but his tone, firm. Finally, Sky nods and he and Prapai stay back.

Rain takes a deep breath and pushes the doors open, just enough so he gets past then closes it behind him.

Inside, he immediately notes that it's almost empty. The boys aren't around and...neither is Ple. The only one there besides Rain is Phayu who's standing with his back to the door.

For some reason, his back looks dejected but Rain doesn't know if he's just paranoid.

But it's almost ominous how Phayu doesn't even turn his head to greet him even though, surely, he heard the doors open and close.

Another deep breath and then...

"P'Phayu?"

He notes the way Phayu steadies himself before turning around. His face doesn't look angry but he doesn't seem happy either.

"Phi, is...everything okay?"

A silent pause. And then, Phayu nods. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired from class. Are you ready to go?"

Rain is surprised. So Ple hasn't told him yet? He's confused. Did those girls just tell his friends that to scare him? He inwardly shakes his head; he's getting distracted and getting relieved. He shouldn't.

If anything, he should take this as an opportunity to tell Phayu himself before anyone else does.

"Um...P'Phayu, t-there's something I need to talk to you about." He says despite himself. God, he wants to cry.

But to his relief—and disappointment—Phayu says, "Can it wait? I don't feel too well, Rain."

"What?" Rain asks, his nervousness getting instantly replaced with worry. "Are you sick, phi?" He rushes over and touches Phayu's forehead. It's a little warm.

Phayu takes his hand and kisses his knuckles. Then he presses it against his own cheek and almost whispers, "Let's go home, Rain."

~~~

Rain couldn't quite put his finger on it. Phayu seems different and yet, it doesn't look like he already knows about Rain's secret. Otherwise, he'd be pissed.

But instead, Phayu has been...sweeter.

Not that he wasn't already but more so than before. The next day, when Rain came to the court for their usual lunch meetings, Phayu said he didn't feel like eating. And now, he's just laying his head on Rain's lap with his eyes closed even though Rain can tell he isn't really asleep.

Would this be a good time?

Rain's been trying to tell Phayu what he's been keeping since yesterday. But the timing never seems right or maybe there's no such thing as right timing and it's just an excuse people use to stall.

"Phi?" Rain utters softly, so softly that it feels like a feather lightly brushing Phayu's ear.

He doesn't respond, only adjusts a little so he's lying more comfortably.