HIS BOY

CHAPTER 15

PHAYU'S POV

The week dragged by, slow and sharp like glass.

Rain didn't look at me.
Didn't smile.
Didn't say my name.

He laughed with others, kept close to Sky and First, but whenever I walked into the room — he went quiet.
And I hated it.

I told myself it didn't matter.
That it shouldn't matter.
But every time he avoided my eyes, something inside me twisted a little tighter.

---

"Still thinking about him?" Pai asked one afternoon, leaning against the lockers with that knowing grin.

I glared. "Don't start."

He raised his hands. "Relax, man. You've been off all week. Even Ja noticed."

"Maybe I'm just tired."

"Or maybe," Pai said, smirking, "you're losing your mind over that omega."

I slammed my locker shut so hard the metal echoed down the hall.
"Drop it, Pai."

He didn't. "You ever find out what happened in the bathroom?"

My jaw clenched. "No."

"Whoever it was, they're keeping quiet."

I nodded once — more to myself than to him.
Because the not knowing was worse than anything.
Someone had scared him. Someone had touched him — and the thought burned through me like poison.

---

That evening, I went looking for answers.

I cornered a few guys who were always hanging around the back of the school — the kind who liked rumors more than homework.

"You hear anything about what happened to the new kid last week?" I asked.

They glanced at each other.
"No, man. Why? Something happen?"

I stared them down, hard enough that they shifted uncomfortably.
"If you're lying to me, I'll find out."

They went silent.
And I walked away before I said something I'd regret.

---

Later, I found myself near the courtyard — the same spot where Rain usually sat after class.
He was there, of course.
Head down, drawing something in his notebook, headphones in.

I should've left.
But I didn't.

I stood there for a long time, watching him — the way the light hit his hair, the small frown between his brows.

He looked so calm.
And I felt anything but.

When he finally noticed me, he froze.
Our eyes met.
For a second, I thought he might smile.

He didn't.
He just packed his things and walked away without a word.

Something in my chest cracked.

---

That night, I couldn't sleep.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him turning away.
And every time, the anger came back — sharp, restless, senseless.

I punched the wall beside my bed, skin splitting over the same knuckles he'd once bandaged.
The pain grounded me.
But it didn't help.

Because no matter how many times I told myself to forget him —
I couldn't.

And maybe I didn't want to.

---

"Why does it matter?" I muttered to myself.
"He's just another student. Just another face."

But that was a lie.

Because when Rain was near, the noise in my head went quiet.
And when he wasn't — it felt like something was missing.

I didn't know what this feeling was.
Obsession?
Guilt?
Something else?

All I knew was that I wanted to protect him — even if he never looked my way again.

---

The next morning, I saw him in class, sitting where he always did — right beside me.
He didn't greet me. Didn't even glance my way.

So I said it first.
"Morning," I muttered, barely above a whisper.

He looked startled, like he didn't expect me to speak.
And for a split second, his lips curved — just a little.

Then it was gone.

But that tiny flicker was enough to keep me breathing for the rest of the day.

---

Maybe I'll never find who hurt him.
Maybe he'll never forgive me for whatever he thinks I did.

But one thing's certain —
I can't stand seeing him afraid.
And if anyone tries to hurt him again...
They'll answer to me.

---