Lovesick the Series : The Declaration

1- Phun vs Earn

"That song was for you", and with that Earn winked at Noh who was left speechless. Noh's awkwardness at the receiving end of the serenade made him blush as he playfully started to push away the other boys who were teasing him with smooching gestures. Noh knew that Earn, the boy who was the president of the cheerleaders squad, had a silent crush on him. He was a quiet guy with a big bright smile and a good friend of Noh and Noh wanted it to remain so. However, as Phun's rumored relationship with Noh started circulating in the school, Earn's desperation to seek Noh's attention and heart became more apparent.

The show was over. Winners were declared. Jubilation and celebrations were called for. At the party thrown by the Music Club, Noh played his part as the host like he always did. His playfulness and the hearty laughter earned him the popularity and an ardent fanclub that supported all his activities in school. He was the heart of the party as well as the centre of attention - particularly those of Phun's and Earn's.

Phun was busy fooling around with his bandmates and in all that playfulness, he still looked around for Noh and kept a watch on his whereabouts at the venue. Phun and Noh had stolen a kiss not too long ago and Phun clearly remembered Noh's befuddled expression, his hesitation and his surrender to Phun's warm embrace, all to well. Noh, the popular guy with a carefree attitude and confidencec transformed into a shy person behind closed doors. Phun loved Noh. Period. Noh was still unsure.

While Noh was hi-fiving the members of Earn's band, congratulating them on their win, Earn tugged at Noh's shirt and whispered, "Hope you liked my song". Noh, turned to Earn whose lips suddenly seemed too close for comfort and Noh broke into a smile as he pulled himself away from a such a daring close encounter. Earn smiled innocently at the the little awkward jerk by Noh and teased him with a wink. His band members caught their band leader in the act and started teasing them. Noh and Earn tried to laugh it off, trying to avoid an embarrassing scene.

Phun was watching the drama unfold from a far corner and his blood was beginning to reflect on his face. "That flirty sly Earn needs to back off now or I will have to do something about it" his mind screamed. Noh was trying to get away from Earn's group and happened to catch Phun's expressionless face staring their way.

Noh walked towards the bar, ordering his 3rd drink for the evening when Phun decided to join him. Noh, was still smiling and shaking his head when Phun caught his wrist and dragged him off the high stool to a secluded area outside the bar. Noh was caught off guard and didn't have enough presence of mind to protest.

"What was all that about?" demanded Phun.

"I don't know what you're talking about?", replied Noh.

"What's Earn got on you? And why was his friends playing you guys up as a couple? I saw all that", Phun sounded off his frustration with a furious face.

"The boys were just fooling around." Pause. "Why do you have to get mad at me for that? What's wrong with you getting all worked up?" snapped Noh on sudden realization that he was being interrogated.

"Are you happy that Earn crooned his heart out for you? Huh?" Phun wanted to know the truth yet didn't. Yet he had to know so that he knew where exactly he stood.

"Am not having this discussion with you. I don't care what you think Phun. I really don't. I have to go back." Noh replied with a tone of disappointment. He turned to go back in when he saw Earn leaning against the doorway. Phun strode briskly and grabbed Noh's wrist to lead him indoors.

"Noh, you don't have to be dragged around like that" chimed in Earn as they crossed path. Phun and Noh stopped on their tracks. "Phun, you can let go off Noh. I think his discussion with you ended about 10 seconds ago and you may want to respect that."

Noh rolled his eyes. Phun glared back at Earn and controlled his anger and the urge to throw a punch at Earn's calm face. Instead, he turned around and grabbed Noh's cheeks and forced a kiss on Noh's lips. This time, it was Earn who stood speechless as Phun pulled in Noh and aggressively took over his lips. Noh was too shocked to react at the sudden move made by Phun. When Noh managed to wrestle his way out of Phun's gridlocked arms, Earn made his move and punched Phun on the face.

"Are you done? I hope you are because you will see more of it if you keep at it", Earn snapped at Phun whose lips were now bleeding. Noh quickly grabbed Earn's arms and dragged him indoors. He didn't want this to spiral out of control while Phun slowly wiped the blood from his lips and had a more determined look on his face.

The party inside was oblivious to the quarrel outside. Ohm, Noh's best friend and a mighty big guy caught Noh and Earn stumbling inside. Ohm knew something was wrong from the expressions on their faces. He quickly ran around the bar and caught up with the two of them. Ohm looked at Earn's angst face and Noh's bewildered expression. Something was not right.

Phun drove home in his car with a bloody lip and a throbbing pain in his chest. Ohm slowly walked over to Noh and asked if everything was alright. Noh tried a re-assuring smile.

"Noh, can we go and talk somewhere else?" asked Earn as he came up behind them. Ohm walked away and gave them their space.

"Earn, let's just forget what happened tonight. I want to. I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me", Noh non-chalantly put it across as he was summing up the bill for the party.

"Noh, just as friends, is all I am asking. I don't want things to remain awkward between us. I've confessed my feelings up on that stage. I know you're still on a puzzle mode with Phun and I think I deserve a chance too", Earn pleaded.

Noh was having non of the drama. This had to end tonight. It wasn't too long since Phun confessed his confusion about his attraction to Noh. Noh was still trying to analyze and process his own feelings after that brief kiss. He was so sure he was straight and though his relationship with Yuri, the Japanese Thai girl from nearby Convent, sort of happened on its own, he didn't have an answer for himself. Now with Earn, Noh wasn't sure about anything at all.