Learning To Love (bxb) ✔️

Chapter 8

Bella! ^^

Liam's POV

After that, my new school was one of the best times I've ever had.

People were friendly, and I had an easier time making friends and acquaintances. The teachers were also pretty good, and I even managed to maintain really good marks throughout the years.

Now, at age 20 (going to be 21 this year!) life's pretty satisfactory.

I think I've changed quite a bit over the years, considering I used to be a shy boy who wouldn't talk to anyone except my own mother. Now I'm an adult in university with friends, and I volunteer regularly at a vet clinic close by.

There is one thing though.

I've never had a boyfriend. 

It's not even terribly uncommon is it? To not have a partner by the age of 20?

Ethan likes to tease me about it, and so does Brie. Theo doesn't really participate though, since he also technically doesn't have a partner either.

He has a fake girlfriend by the name of Stephanie, a girl we met in the last year of secondary school. She's very nice and friendly, but she's not very close with our group of friends. For some reason she agreed to play as Theo's fake girlfriend to please his parents. I find the whole situation a bit odd, since this has been going on for about... three or four years now, but I'm not going to criticize my friend if I'm not sure of the whole story.

I do know that his parents are pressuring him to settle down, get married, and have kids soon though. Personally I think we're all too young for marriage, but to each their own I suppose.

Brianna has a boyfriend called Sean. He's pretty nice, although I don't see him often.

Ethan... has had a lot of relationships. He's the type to date spontaneously, so his relationships don't often last long, and some of his break ups have been really bitter.

As much as I want to tell him to stop dating so much, (because surely this isn't great for your mental health when you're constantly breaking up with people) who am I to be giving him relationship advice when I've never even experienced one myself?

Ethan, Theo and I are sharing a dorm for third year. Brie is staying at her house that's located near the university. Unfortunately we don't see her as often as we did in high school, but all four of us meet up whenever we can.

Everyone is really busy with all their classes, especially since we're all in different subject fields. Theo is studying psychology, Ethan is studying technological design, and Brie's in the business field. I'm studying animal medical.

As I get closer to this group of friends, my caring side tends to come out, so I'm often labeled as "the mom friend". The one who takes care of everyone in the group. 

I don't mind it, I like caring and taking care of my friends because it's very rewarding. Ethan and Theo are both not morning people, so I'm usually the one making breakfast on Fridays, because we all have morning classes then. 

Theo currently works at a bakery/cafe near the campus part time. He initially took the job to help him improve his social skills and help him get rid of his shyness with new people, and he loves to bake. It's great that he took the initiative to do so.

Ethan does dance in his spare time, so he's often busy practicing at the dance studio or in his room attempting to do some moves. Ethan's been doing dance for a long while, and it's clear he's passionate about it.

"Fuck!" I flinch at the loud outburst from the room next to mine. Is it pathetic that I still flinch whenever someone aggressively swears? Probably. 

I hesitantly walk over to Ethan's room, which is where the expletive came from.

"You okay?" I ask quietly. E's got his phone gripped tightly in his hand, glaring down at it angrily.

"Fine. Fine, just fan-fucking-tastic." He spits, tossing his phone onto his bed and letting out a frustrated groan.

"You wanna talk about it? Or do you need some alone time?" 

"Just... yeah sure," Ethan takes in a deep breath, "turns out Leo cheated on me. Didn't even find out from him, but his friend said she was feeling guilty that he was doing this and was going behind my back. It's just fucked up. I thought... I thought I was worth a bit more than that." The last sentence comes out broken, desolated. My heart breaks at the emotion in his voice.

"I'm sorry. How about some comfort food? Want something to eat? Drink? I'll make it for you." I offer, feeling terrible for my friend. I haven't met Leo, but I've heard Ethan talk about him from time to time. He seemed pretty invested in the boy.

"Thanks, Li. God, you're a lifesaver. Some pasta would suffice, I'll help you make it." Ethan looks at me, and I can see the smallest twitch at the corners of his mouth. 

"Hey, just... don't tell Theo, okay? He's not home right now, and I know he puts up with a lot of my shit already, I don't want to burden him anymore. Maybe I'll tell him myself someday- I'm sorry I'm telling you all this, you probably don't even want to know-" Ethan rambles. I cut him off with a gentle hug.

"It's okay, as long as what I'm doing makes you feel even the tiniest bit better, it's worth it for me. And yeah, I won't tell Theo. I promise." I pull back and I can see the faint smile on Ethan's lips.

"You're an absolute angel. What did I do to deserve a friend like you?" Ethan pats my back, "Let's make some pasta!"

-

One Tuesday morning, I'm standing at the stove cooking some bacon and eggs when Theo comes into the kitchen.

"Hey Theo. Want some bacon and eggs?" I offer. 

"Yeah, that'd be nice. Thanks Li," He sighs tiredly as he sits down at the small kitchen table. "where's E?"

"Umm... I think he might be on a date with some girl or something." I reply, sliding an egg onto a plate before starting another round of bacon.

"Already? Didn't he just break up with that last guy a week ago?" He mutters tiredly. Ethan has too many exes to keep count of. I'm mildly surprised Ethan told Theo about Leo, but then again, they are best friends.

"Mhmm. Trying online dating this time I think," I sigh, "I really wish he'd just focus on his studying, or find one person to stay with."

"Maybe this one will be the one." He shrugs as I place the bacon and eggs on the plate and hand it to Theo. I sit in the seat across from Theo with my own plate of food.

"Got any plans?" He asks, "Maybe meet someone?"

"No." I smile. "Not interested in meeting anyone right now. Maybe later." Probably not later, since my social anxiety heavily hinders my ability to get close with people, but he doesn't have to know that.

"You've never been interested in meeting anyone. I'm starting to think you hate people." He groans. He's not wrong. 

"Maybe I do." I say softly, putting more food in my mouth.