the bully's bestfriend (bxb)

17

Cole's POV

I didn't want to open my phone again, but I couldn't help it. Tommy hadn't replied to my text from the earlier, and the silence was becoming unbearable.

I told him I wouldn't bother him anymore, that I'd back off and let him sort through his confusion on his own.

But waiting like this, in limbo, felt like slow torture.

Tuesday morning came, and I walked into school early, my mind replaying the last time we talked- Tommy's uncertainty, the panic in his eyes when Kamari had walked in, and the way he'd pulled away from me. I knew it was fear, but it still stung.

I kept my head down, hoping to avoid any encounters as I made my way to the theatre room, where I figured Tommy might be. I needed to clear my head, and the only place that felt safe was there, surrounded by the scent of paint and the scattered props.

But when I pushed open the door, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest- Tommy was already there, sitting on the stage, alone.

He looked up as soon as I entered, and for a split second, his expression softened, like he was relieved I was there.

"Hey." I said quietly, standing awkwardly by the door.

"Hey..." Tommy replied, his voice low and uncertain, like he didn't know what to say next.

The tension between us was palpable, and I shifted on my feet, not sure if I should stay or leave. "I didn't mean to- well, the text-" I fumbled, trying to explain myself, but the words came out a mess.

Tommy stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I know," he said, meeting my eyes. "I read it... I just didn't know how to respond."

My heart pounded harder. "Look, I don't want to make things worse. I didn't mean to complicate stuff for you."

His gaze softened for a moment, and he took a step closer. "It's not your fault, Cole," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm the one who's messed up. I don't know what I'm doing."

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning with everything that had happened between us. "It doesn't have to be so complicated, Tommy."

He hesitated, eyes flicking away for a moment before locking back on mine. "Maybe for you it's not," he said quietly, his voice strained, "but for me... it is."

The sadness in his voice hit me like a punch to the gut, and before I could stop myself, I stepped even closer, "It doesn't have to be," I whispered.

And then, without thinking, I kissed him.

It wasn't planned. I didn't stop to consider what might happen next or if I was making things worse. I just leaned in, closing the gap between us, my lips brushing against his softly at first, testing the waters.

Tommy didn't freeze this time. He kissed me back, his hand instinctively reaching up to cup the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

The kiss deepened, and for a few blissful moments, everything else fell away, no Ej, no Kamari, no fear of what would happen if anyone found out. Just Tommy and me, wrapped up in a moment I wished could last forever.

But then, he pulled back, his breathing ragged, his eyes wide and filled with uncertainty again.

"Cole, I-" he started, his voice shaking.

I stepped back, my heart pounding in my ears. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"No," Tommy interrupted, shaking his head. "It's not that. I... I wanted it."

His words hung in the air between us, thick with everything left unsaid.

"But I don't know what to do now," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "With you, with this... with everything."

I felt a lump forming in my throat, and I tried to swallow it down. "Tommy, you don't have to figure it all out right now. We can take things slow."

He ran a hand through his messy hair, frustration etched into his face. "I don't know how to take things slow when everything feels like it's spiraling."

"Then let me help," I said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "We don't have to have all the answers yet."

He looked at me, and for a moment, I thought maybe he might let go of some of the walls he'd built. But then his phone buzzed in his pocket, and the moment shattered.

Tommy pulled it out and glanced at the screen. His expression changed instantly- tense, guarded.

"Ej's waiting for me," he muttered, stepping back, his eyes flicking towards the door.

Of course. Ej.

I felt the sting of reality crashing back in, but I nodded anyway. "Go. I get it."

Tommy hesitated for a second longer, then turned and left without another word, leaving me standing in the empty theatre room, the echo of the kiss still lingering on my lips.

As the door clicked shut, I let out a shaky breath, trying to hold back the disappointment tightening in my chest.

I didn't know how much longer I could keep pretending everything was fine.