The evening descended over the campus dormitory, casting a tranquil silence across the hallways. In Santa's room, the glow of a desk lamp illuminated his face as he flipped through his textbook. His thoughts, however, were far from his studies. Across the room, William lay sprawled on the bed, idly scrolling on his phone. The rhythmic rustling of papers was broken when Santa sighed deeply, his pen coming to a halt.
“William,” Santa said, his voice soft but tinged with curiosity. “Can I ask you something?”
William put his phone down and sat up, giving Santa his full attention. “Of course, Ta. What’s on your mind?”
Santa hesitated, fiddling with his pen before speaking. “If I feel jealous when someone I’ve known for a long time talks to someone else... what does that mean?”
William raised an eyebrow at the question. “Well, it sounds like you have feelings for them,” he said, matter-of-factly. “Jealousy usually means you care more than you’re willing to admit.”
Santa's brows furrowed as he mulled over the response. “Even if I’ve always thought of him as a brother?”
William nodded slowly. “Unless he's actually your brother, it’s possible. I mean, relationships can evolve over time. Are you sure you see this person as just a brother?”
Santa looked down, avoiding William’s gaze. “I don’t know…” he admitted. “Have you ever felt this way before?”
William leaned back, his expression unreadable. “No, not really. I’ve never actually liked anyone... except—” He stopped abruptly, shaking his head. “Never mind.”
Santa, sensing William’s reluctance, didn’t press further. He turned his attention back to his textbook, but his mind was far from the material. The image of Perth talking to View at the faculty café earlier replayed in his mind. The brightness in Perth’s smile, the ease in his tone—it lingered, gnawing at Santa’s thoughts. He closed his eyes and asked himself silently, "Do I... like phi Perth?"
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in Perth’s room, the atmosphere was just as restless. Perth lay on his bed, his hands tucked behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. Gemini, was already fast asleep, but Perth’s mind was busy replaying the events of the day. He couldn’t shake the memory of Santa’s red, swollen eyes. Even when he had dropped Santa off at the dorm building earlier, Santa insisted it was nothing. But Perth wasn’t convinced.
Grabbing his phone off the nightstand, he opened a chat with Est.
Perth begin to ask, "Est, can I ask you something?"
It doesn't take a long time before est reply to Perth, “What’s up?”
Perth pause for awhile and say, “Why do you think Santa’s eyes were red earlier?”
Est then reply, “I’m not sure, but it kinda looked like he’d been crying. Why?”
Perth then thought to himself, "crying?" His heart sank at the thought. Was Santa upset about something? Or worse—had someone hurt him?
Est then say, “Why? Are you worried about him?”
Perth huff, “Of course I am. He’s my brother.”
Est, pause for a while and say, “still playing the brother card huh? You sure that’s all he is? Come on, Perth. Haven’t you figured out your feelings yet? Is Santa really just a brother to you?”
Perth felt his face heat up, his fingers pausing over the screen.
Perth, replied “Shut up, asshole. I’m going now. Bye.”
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By Your Side ✧*。
FanfictionA story of two childhoods bestfriend who have always been so close with eachother and clueless about their own feelings, however once they enter the same university, jealousy begin to spark among one of them which driven to furious, disappointment a...
