Always A Step Behind: An EarnPete Fanfic

4. Avoidance

Earn

After the camp, we had a week more before the class started again. In all of those seven days, I never heard of Pete. Strange, because from the day that I met him, there was never a time that he let me off the hook. Even from overseas---when he's outside the country galavanting, he would always make his presence in my life known. Be it a text, a call, a DM a meme tagged or an offensive message on my facebook wall, there would always be a hint of Pete in my life. That was why, I can't help but feel the impact of his MIA big time. Whatever happened to that asshole?

Sunday night, I tried calling him but just like the past few days, my call would always end up with the answering machine.

I tried visiting his house three times, but as expected, the house was empty. As an only child with parents who were both doctors, it's not a surprise to end up in  Pete's deserted abode.

I tried calling him again. This time the phone was already turned off. I hate this!
When Pete and I had misunderstandings in the past, the most that we had without talking to each other was half a day. And it's usually Pete who did all the compromise that was why I can't help but felt anxious.

Monday came. No sign of Pete. I asked our classmates and acquaintance about him, and just like me, they too had no idea where the asshole was at.

Tuesday and Wednesday came by in a blurr. We were so busy that I wasn't able to talk with Pete who's obviously avoiding me if we based the notion from the fact that he's now seated two rows away from me, saying he felt suffocated and hot on his previous seat next to me when I got the chance to ask him. Asshole, it's the beginning of winter and the room got an AC. But atleast he can still spare me even a curt reply.

Thursday, and I finally got a hold of Pete in a flower shop near the campus. He was eyeing a colored cacti. I went up to him as he was still oblivious to his sorrounding.

I picked up the plant he's eyeing and went on saying, "You can't just carelessly buy plants like this one. But if you really like it, then wait for me, I'll just go and pay it to the cashier." I was busy fishing for my wallet that I looked up seeing no Pete around.

The assholed bailed on me. Again.

Friday, at the men's CR, I finally cornered Pete as he was dodging my prescence all week, as far as skipping the band practice just to do so.

The Cr was deserted except for Pete who's doing his business in one of the booths. I stood beside him.

"Pete."

I was faced with an amused and surprised Pete. "Hey, pervert! Don't stand too close." He said as he was comically moving trying to keep his weiner away from my sight.

Now, that was a good sign. I moved one step back before I said, "About last time, at the camp...I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have judged you. I'm sorry, and I know and understand why you're angry."

Finishing his business, Pete moved to the lavatory to wash his hands, but not before saying, " It's okay, don't worry. No hurt feelings." then he smiled.

I beamed back. "So you're no longer mad at me?"

"I was never mad at you. I can never be mad at you." He looked at me with all seriousness, I was starting to feel uneasy if not for what he did next. He used my uniform to dry his hands. The ultimate seal that proved the truthfulness of his words. My bestfriend is back to his usual arse self.

"I was just not in the mood these past few days, that's why I was acting grumpy and stuff."

"I was really convinced that you hate me."

"I don't. But I will soon, if we don't go out of here. It stinks!"

We both laughed at his antics, and with his arms on my shoulders, we went out of the Comfort Room all angst forgotten.

A week after I finally made up with Pete, I was on the phone trying to get him to watch a movie with me. It had been so long since we went out together and I wanted to change that. But I was not expecting his reply. "Maybe some other time. I promised Yuri I'll accompany her to check out guitars today."

After we made up, we never brought the topic up again, until now. I thought his Yuri phase was already over. I don't really feel good about this. And I honestly don't feel good about myself either. Why do I feel like I'm  jealous? Upon hearing what he said.

"Are you two officially dating?" Was what I said after a long period of silence.

I heard him chuckle on the other line. "What? No. I just happened to bump into her checking out guitar flyers that one time I eat out with my mother. She was confused, and so I offered to help."

I heard him groan before he said, "So what if we're dating then?"

That's right Earn, so what? Aren't you  happy that your bestfriend was finally trying to get himself a girlfriend already. Pete was there in all of your romantic conquest with his full support. Why can't you do the same for him?

Ahhhhh, I hate feeling this way. I've known Yuri from occasionally bumping with her from time to time when she was still together with Noh. She's a nice girl. She and Pete would be good together, but why do I feel this way?

"Nothing. Just asking." I said instead.

We ended the call with Pete promising to treat me with a movie and a dine out on Friday. I should be happy. But I was not. Him and Yuri getting together still bothered me and this time it's no longer because of Noh. Of what's the reall reason behind, that I don't know.

All I know was that I needed to sort this feeling out. What ever this was.