Between Us

Chapter 19: Prae's Return

The campus buzzed with its usual energy, students rushing from one building to the next, some lounging on the grass between classes. Babe walked through the courtyard, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. The talk he'd had with Billy yesterday had left him with a sense of calm. They were figuring things out, and for once, he wasn't obsessing over every little thing.

But just as he was heading toward the campus cafe to grab a quick drink, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye. A flash of long, flowing hair and an effortlessly elegant smile.

Prae.

Babe's steps faltered for a moment as he spotted her standing by one of the campus benches, casually chatting with none other than Billy. The two of them seemed to be in the middle of a friendly conversation, laughing at something Billy had said. Prae was always beautiful, always composed. And despite his newfound calm, a knot began to form in Babe's stomach.

Prae had always been a presence in Billy's life, a family friend who had shared enough history to make anyone feel insecure. And now, seeing them together—so at ease—it was impossible for Babe not to feel a flicker of doubt creeping in.

It's fine. She doesn't even know we're... whatever we are now. Babe tried to reassure himself, but it wasn't working. Seeing them together like this, with Prae's easy smile and Billy's relaxed posture, stirred up feelings he thought he had buried.

Taking a deep breath, Babe walked toward the cafe, deliberately avoiding Billy's gaze. He didn't want to interrupt or make a scene, but he also couldn't stand there and watch them anymore. It felt like stepping into a memory of all the times before his confession, when he'd watched Billy and Prae together and wondered if he could ever fit into that world.

As he waited for his coffee, his mind spiraled. Why hadn't Billy mentioned Prae was back? Was this just a casual hangout or something more?

He could feel his heart racing, old insecurities bubbling to the surface. Had he read things wrong? Did Billy feel the same way about Prae as he did about him? Was Billy just being polite, trying not to hurt his feelings?

The door to the cafe jingled, and Babe looked up to see Billy walking in, Prae following right behind him. They hadn't seen him yet, but his heart pounded in his chest as he watched them approach the counter.

Billy spotted him first, his face lighting up with a warm smile. "Hey, Babe! Didn't know you were here."

Babe forced a smile, hoping it didn't look as strained as it felt. "Yeah, just grabbing a coffee."

Prae turned her head and smiled at Babe, her usual grace and charm radiating from her. "Hi, Babe! It's been so long! I didn't know you were around."

Babe nodded, his fingers tightening around the coffee cup. "Yeah, been busy."

Billy, completely oblivious to the tension simmering beneath the surface, turned to Prae with a grin. "You remember Prae, right? She's back on campus for the semester."

Babe nodded, forcing his expression to remain neutral. "Yeah, I remember."

There was a moment of silence as Prae looked between the two of them, clearly unaware of the shift in the air. "Billy was just showing me around," she said with a smile. "I haven't been here in ages."

Babe tried to keep his voice steady, but the sight of them together, even just casually hanging out, gnawed at him. "Cool."

Billy, noticing Babe's unusually curt tone, raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

Babe nodded quickly, not trusting himself to say more. Am I okay? I don't know.

The rational part of his brain knew there was nothing happening—Billy and Prae had always been friends, nothing more. But the emotional side of him was tangled in knots, questioning everything. What if Billy realized he still had feelings for her? What if I'm just a placeholder?

"I should get going," Babe said suddenly, his voice sounding sharper than he intended. "I've got class in a bit."

Billy blinked, clearly sensing something off but not understanding why. "Oh. Okay. I'll catch up with you later?"

Babe nodded, already turning to leave. "Yeah. Later."

He didn't stop to look back as he left the cafe, his heart racing and his mind spinning with doubt. This was exactly what he had feared—that despite everything, Billy would realize that Prae was the better option. That she had always been the better option.

As he walked away, Babe couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he wasn't as secure in this new relationship as he thought. Maybe Billy was still figuring things out too—just like he was.