Always A Step Behind: An EarnPete Fanfic

3. Friend

Earn

It's over. Finally, it was.

We're on our fifth and last day at the camp. All in all it was fun. It was all worth it. Right after my talk with Phun, about my accidental kiss with Noh---which asshole Phun didn't consider as such---I put up all the courage to talk to him and finally clear the air out.

That was when I finally realized that it was time to move on from Noh. I knew I've said it a thousand times before, but this time, it felt real. It was real. I would let my feelings for Noh go.

To prove my point, I joined the group as they frolic on the nearby stream. Noh's rowdy group was in there except for Phun.
Without any malice whatsoever, I proceeded to Noh and striked a friendly conversation. We were all laughing and Joking splashing water at each other when my turdhole of a bestfriend came over and spoiled the fun.

"Hey, Noh! Isn't that  Yuri, your ex girlfriend?" Noh and I looked at the group of girls approaching the stream. Indeed, Yuri was one of them.

"She's cute. Now that, you've finally cleared things with Phun, can I make a move on her?" The asshole continued with an obvious mischief in his eyes.

I was stunned. So was Noh. This was the first time I heard Pete air out his intention of pursuing someone. Come to think of it, in all of our lives together, I've never seen him with anyone. Sure, he flirts but those were really nothing serious.Was this idiot even in a relationship? and why, Yuri of all? Was he serious? I should talk to this asshole later.

" If you think you can make her happy, and take care of her. Then, yes. You can make a move on her." Came Noh's reply which brought me back to the case at hand.

"Nice." Was all that Pete said after he gave me a side glance and swam towards the  nook of the stream. I didn't know why, but I waved Noh goodbye and followed my brat of a bestfriend.

"Hey, Pete! What was that about?!?" I was almost breathless when I caught up with him.

Pete faced me with water still dripping from his hair and into his still wet clothes. "What?" Was all his reply.

I was starting to get really pissed at him. "You know what I mean!"

He gave me a smirk before he turned his back on me and started walking towards the camp. "I don't."

Now I'm pissed.

I grabbed his right shoulder forcefully to get him to stop walking and face me.

"Pete, whatever this game you're playing, stop it now! I won't let you hurt Noh. He's my friend!"

"Friend?!?" Pete let out a bitter laugh. "Then, what about me, Earn, what am I to you, am I not your friend?!?"

Whatever this asshole was blurting out? I didn't and couldn't get him.

I followed him as he strode faster this time. Damn this guy and his long legs!

"Pete, come on! You're both my friends, no need to go all mad about it. All I'm saying is, whatever it is that you planned on Yuri, stop it. You know how Noh cares for Yuri. In the end, I just don't want the both of you to have misunderstandings because of this."

Pete must have found my explanation funny or irritating, I don't know, I actually, cannot say. But he rolled his eyes and  let out and even bitter laugh before saying,

"And at the end of the day, it is still because of Noh. Always Noh. Earn, When will you ever wake up and free your eyes of Noh?" He paused and waved his hand at me. "You know what, don't answer that. When you think you can no longer see Noh, with that stupid eyes of yours, come find me. Until then, maybe it's better if we would distance from each other for now. And, oh, with Yuri, don't worry, I'll take care of her. For you and for your friend, Noh." Was all he said after he walked towards the camp without even bothering to look back.

I was standing there, dripping all watery and confusion surfing through my body. Before this camp ended, I was ready to let go of Noh, but why did I feel like I accidentally let go of someone other than him though? And this time, I was more of scared than hurt.

What was wrong with my friend, Pete?