Phayu's 'Fake' Lover

Chapter 7: Good Graces

-Third Person's POV-

        Warm. That's how Rain felt as he sat at a familiar backseat once more. It was raining cats and dogs, the streets were foggy and the tinted windows blurred. Despite the cold, all that he felt was warmth as he leaned into the backseat of the car, staring at the empty streets.

It was past 8 pm when he rushed out of his classroom. He didn't have any plan on leaving, really. He had his sketch in front of him, drawing lines as he rolled his eyes and sighed, listening to his classmates complain and bicker about what color to use for their plates behind him. A simple ding from his phone got his attention, breaking his focus from the half done canvas. He looked to see who it was through the notification, his eyes widened at the name of the sender. Phayu.

‘I’m outside. I have food for you.’ it reads.

He looked at his painting once more and sighed. Oh screw it! I'll just do this at home!

Rain instantly began to gather his materials spread at the white table. He never packed art supplies quickly and neatly his whole life. Sky watched him, dumbfounded as his best friend fixed his things at breakneck speed. He was used to seeing Rain stuff paints, pencils, and brushes in his bag without care—if they had caps on or not—when he was in a hurry. Only to hear him whine and complain about paint exploding inside his bag the next morning and his bag completely ruined. He had to witness Rain starve for many days just to buy himself a new bag and a tube of paint, which were really heavy in the pocket.

“Bye Sky! Bye everyone! I'll see you tomorrow.” He waved as he darted out of the room before Sky could utter a word. Rain rushed out of the hallways, hopping and skipping through the stairs, an unconscious smile plastered on his face.

He stopped in front of the glass door and saw Phayu leaning on his car door not far away, glued to his phone. He was still in his blue and white uniform, clutching a plastic bag. Rain smiled wider.

“P’Phayu, did you wait for long?”

Phayu looked up to see Rain standing in front of him. “No, not at all.” Phayu extended his arms and handed him the bag. “For you.”

“Phi you didn't have to.”

“No, I insist.”

As Rain reached for the plastic bag, a distant thunder roared, grabbing both their attention. They looked up to see a starless sky. Then a light rain began to pour.

“Shoot, it's raining.” Phayu immediately opened the door to the passenger seat. “Quickly.”

Rain nodded and immediately hopped inside the vehicle. Phayu trotted to the driver's seat and joined Rain inside the car. A comfortable silence fell upon them as Phayu began to start the car seconds later. Rain looked at his senior’s buff shoulder as the bright orange light bathed him. His sharp and defined features with his long hair tied in a man bun being the cherry on top. He looked stunning.

“What's wrong?” A line of words intruded his train of thoughts.

“Oh nothing.” Rain looked down at the food sitting on his lap.

“You better eat it while it's still hot.”

Rain nodded and opened the warm bag, he smiled as he saw skewers of his favorite barbeque and dumplings neatly arranged in a plastic container. “Thank you.” Rain smiled and took a piece out, bringing it against his lips for a bite. Phayu smiled at him through the rearview mirror.

“Should I take you home or should we stop by and grab dinner first?”

“Oh no, P’Phayu has already brought me snacks. I can't trouble you any further. As much as I would love to treat you to dinner, I don't have my wallet with me right now.” Rain rubbed the back of his head.