Between Us

Chapter 6: Cracking the Surface

Billy had never been one to overthink things. Normally, he trusted his gut and acted on it without hesitation. But this—this situation with Babe—was starting to get under his skin. The unresolved tension from their last conversation gnawed at him, keeping him up that night as he replayed every word, every look, every awkward silence in his mind.

Something wasn't right. That much was clear. And Babe wasn't telling him the truth.

Billy's frustration mounted as he paced back and forth in his apartment, trying to figure out his next move. He had given Babe the chance to open up, to be honest about whatever was going on, but instead, Babe had deflected. It wasn't like him to be so closed off.

What is he hiding from me?

The question had lodged itself in Billy's mind like a splinter, refusing to leave him alone. He couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just about stress or school. Babe was avoiding him—dodging something important—and Billy was determined to get to the bottom of it.

A buzz from his phone broke through his thoughts. Pete.

Pete: Yo, basketball later?

Billy stared at the message, his mind still too focused on Babe to think about anything else. But maybe Pete could help. Pete had been good at giving him advice about Babe, even if it was sometimes off-the-mark.

Billy: Need to talk. Wanna meet up?

Pete: Sure, let's grab coffee.

A short while later, Billy found himself seated at a small table in their usual cafe, nursing a cup of coffee as Pete strolled in, looking his usual laid-back self.

"Dude, you look like you haven't slept," Pete said, sliding into the seat across from him.

Billy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't. I'm still thinking about what happened with Babe."

Pete raised an eyebrow. "What's up now?"

Billy leaned back in his chair, staring into his coffee cup. "I tried talking to him yesterday, asking what's been going on, but he shut me down again. It's like he's hiding something, but he won't say what."

Pete took a sip of his drink, nodding thoughtfully. "Maybe it's what I said before. Could be he's crushing on someone and doesn't know how to tell you."

Billy frowned, leaning forward. "But why would that make him avoid me? We've always talked about this kind of stuff before."

"Maybe he's embarrassed," Pete suggested with a shrug. "Crushes make people act weird, even around their friends. Or... maybe the crush is on someone unexpected."

Billy's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

Pete leaned back, his expression smug. "I mean, maybe it's someone you wouldn't think of. Someone close to him."

Billy's heart skipped a beat. "You think... you think Babe has a crush on someone we both know?"

Pete shrugged. "Could be. You never know with these things. But if you want my advice, man, just go talk to him again. Be direct. Get the answers you're looking for instead of sitting here driving yourself crazy."

Billy thought about it for a moment. Pete was right—sitting around wasn't going to solve anything. He had to confront Babe again, but this time, he wouldn't back down so easily. He'd get the truth out of him, one way or another.

Babe's POV

The gardens on campus had always been one of Babe's favorite places to escape to when life got overwhelming. The quiet, the greenery, the soft rustling of leaves in the wind—it was the perfect place to gather his thoughts. But today, not even the gardens could soothe the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling inside him since his conversation with Billy.

He had been dodging Billy's questions, avoiding the confrontation that was coming. But he knew he couldn't avoid it forever.

Babe wandered down one of the winding paths, hands stuffed into his pockets, his mind replaying the way Billy had looked at him during their last conversation. Concerned. Confused. Frustrated.

You're hiding something.

Billy's words echoed in his mind, and Babe felt the guilt clawing at his insides. He hated lying to Billy. He hated keeping his feelings a secret. But he was terrified of what would happen if he told the truth.

What if I ruin everything?

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Billy approaching until he heard his name.

"Babe!"

Babe froze, turning around slowly to see Billy walking toward him, his expression serious.

"Hey," Babe said, trying to keep his voice steady, but his heart was already racing.

Billy came to a stop in front of him, hands on his hips, his eyes searching Babe's face. "We need to talk. For real this time."

Babe's stomach dropped. This is it.

He forced a smile, though it felt shaky at best. "About what?"

"About you," Billy said, his voice firm. "And whatever it is you've been hiding from me."

Babe's heart pounded in his chest, and he took a step back, instinctively retreating from the confrontation he had been dreading. "I'm not—there's nothing to hide."

"Don't do that," Billy said, stepping closer. "Don't lie to me, Babe. I know something's been going on with you. You've been avoiding me for weeks. You barely even talk to me anymore. What's changed?"

Babe felt the pressure building, the weight of everything he had been holding in threatening to crush him. His hands trembled at his sides as he tried to come up with another excuse, another way to dodge the conversation. But the look in Billy's eyes—the hurt, the confusion—made it impossible.

"I... I can't—" Babe stammered, his throat tightening.

Billy's expression softened, his voice lowering. "You can talk to me. You know that, right? Whatever it is, I'll understand. But you have to be honest with me."

Babe's heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise. He wanted to tell Billy. He wanted to spill everything, to confess the feelings that had been eating him alive. But the fear—the fear of losing Billy—kept him frozen.

"I... I don't know how to say it," Babe whispered, his voice barely audible.

Billy stepped closer, his gaze gentle but firm. "Just say it, Babe. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."

The words were on the tip of Babe's tongue. I'm in love with you. But when he opened his mouth to speak, they wouldn't come out. Instead, all that escaped was a choked, "I can't."

Billy's frown deepened. "Why not? What are you so afraid of?"

Losing you.

Babe swallowed hard, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. He couldn't do this. Not now. Not yet.

"I... I just need more time," Babe whispered, his voice breaking.

Billy studied him for a long moment, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Okay. But I'm not going to wait forever. You need to talk to me eventually, Babe. I don't care what it is—I just need to know the truth."

Babe nodded weakly, feeling like the ground was slipping out from beneath him. "I will. I promise."

But even as he said the words, he wasn't sure if he could keep that promise.