Coming Undone

Chapter 6 : An Unfathomable Fear

"I guess, we both win"

Those words were like a distant murmur to Bai Luo Yin. Gu Hai was attentively watching him, visibly breathing faster than usual.

It took a few more seconds for everything to sink in, but then Bai Luo Yin noticed Gu Hai slowly drawing close again, his eyes fixated on Bai Luo Yin's lips as if he was intoxicated.

Suddenly an alarm went off in Bai Luo Yin's head. "Stop!" he said forcefully placing his hand on Gu Hai's chest to push him. "What are you doing?!"

Gu Hai paused as his eyes softened. "Bai Luo Yin.."

Bai Luo Yin no longer wanted to be the subject of that affectionate gaze. He quickly turned around and started walking away as fast as he could. Gu Hai stood, rooted to the spot, watching him retreat.

Bai Luo Yin's mind was racing, twice as fast as he walked. 'He was just goofing around as usual.' He tried to convince himself. Then suddenly, the gentle look that was in Gu Hai's eyes just a moment ago, flashed across his mind.

BAM!

"Dude! Haha you okay?" Said Ming Shu who Bai Luo Yin had just bumped into.

"Hey., sorry! Yeah I was just leaving" Bai Luo Yin managed to say.

"Thought you'd have left by now. I stuck around to discuss something with our coach." Ming Shu explained voluntarily.

Bai Luo Yin's mind was too occupied to come up with a response.

Ming Shu scrunched his eyebrows. "You're sure everything's fine?" He placed a hand on Bai Luo Yin's shoulder.

"He's leaving with me!" They turned to find Gu Hai approaching them, his demeanor reflecting the sternness in his voice.

After watching Gu Hai silently, Bai Luo Yin adopted his aloof persona again. However, he neither agreed nor disagreed with Gu Hai.

After staring daggers at Ming Shu for a few seconds, Gu Hai spoke. "Let's go"

Bai Luo Yin hesitated, but in the end gave in.

"I'll see you later." He patted Ming Shu on his shoulder and started walking ahead.

Gu Hai followed, with a sense of ache still shrouding him.

"I'll drop you at home." Gu Hai said when he finally caught up with Bai Luo Yin.

Bai Luo Yin didn't even spare him a glance. "No need. I can take the bus like I always do."

There was a pause. "Okay." Gu Hai said calmly.

However Bai Luo Yin noticed that Gu Hai was still following him as he walked towards the bus halt. Yet he didn't react.

They stood in mutual silence waiting for the bus.

There was a battle inside Gu Hai's head. He truly wanted to accompany Bai Luo Yin home, but given what had happened that evening, he understood that Bai Luo Yin felt uncomfortable and probably needed some space. He struggled to get his emotions under control enough to just walk away. He stole a glance at the dear boy standing next to him.

Noticing this, Bai Luo Yin turned to look. "Why aren't you leaving?" he sounded relatively calmer.

Gu Hai averted his gaze. "Yin Zi.., do you need some space?"

Before Bai Luo Yin could respond, his bus arrived. Though he seemed hesitant to leave, he looked at Gu Hai one last time before slowly turning around and getting in without a word. Since it was a Friday, they knew they wouldn't meet again for two days.