February 2020

A boy with a NY cap perched on his head found himself navigating through the hallway. As he made his way through the crowd, his gaze flickered from left to right—taking in the vibrant Valentine's Day decorations adorning every corner of the school. The day had finally arrived.

Amidst the sea of lockers, he immediately spotted a pink-decorated one right across from his own. With a determined stride, he approached it. With a click, he swung the locker open—only to be greeted by chocolates tumbling out in a messy heap.

Annoyance flickered across his features as he sucked air through his teeth, eyes narrowing in irritation. In brisk sulkiness, he gathered up the chocolates and roses—stuffing them unceremoniously into his backpack. A few moments later, the boy skidded back to the locker—retrieving something from his backpack.

A lock.

With determination etched on his features, he meticulously installed the lock onto the locker—following the instructions with precision. Creating a password, his brow furrowed in concentration—before he finally settled on a combination. With a smug smirk, he rolled the locks into place..

2 — 1 — 1 — 2

With a satisfying click, the lock secured the locker, and Tyler couldn't help but let out a scoff of satisfaction as he placed his hands on his hips—proud of his handiwork. However.. as his gaze darted to some corner.. one present, left behind, caught his eye.

A beautifully wrapped box with a familiar—and as he recognized his friend's handwriting, his face soured. Without a second thought, he crushed the chocolate in his hand, the wrapper crinkling beneath his grip. Briskly opening the wrapper, he tossed the chocolate into his mouth, crumbs scattered everywhere.

"That fucking—"

"Dom!"

At the familiar light voice, the blonde with dark blue eyes turns his head to the source. His mouth breaks into a little smile as he lifts his left arm, leaving space for you to scoot in. For a moment, you almost halt in your strides at his usual gesture. With a slight smile, you scoot closer, completing the piece of puzzle—to have him to squeeze your shoulders.

"You're going to practice?" you ask, eyes glued to him as the both of you walk through the hallway.

He nods before turning his head to you and suggests, "Wanna grab some sugarcane after?"

Smiling in approval, you nod eagerly, causing him to squeeze you once more with a smile.

"Do you want to.. meet my parents too?"

You blurt out the question, the words escaping your lips before you can fully process them. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest as you wait for his response, unsure of how he'll react to your sudden proposal. It's not that you're rushing things—but this is kinda needed in your situation.

You need this. This validation. You need this reassurance. The reassurance that he is the one. No one else. Not Tyler—

"Wow what's with the.. rush, babe?" he stops in his tracks—turning to you, awkwardness paints his face as he stares at you.

"I—I'm not rushing anything! I just—maybe.." you trail off as you see him tilting his head in confusion. Gulping, you decide to shake off those negative thoughts and continue, "And maybe.. we can stop sneaking around! You know—so you can go through the front door.."

Darting his eyes away from you, you watch Dom knit his eyebrows. A bad sign. Cos you watch the way he lifts an eyebrow—before darting his eyes back to you, expression becoming stern. Eventually, with a hint of sarcasm, he decides to retort—

"Tyler usually go through the window too, right?"

Noticing how he spelled the name already sends chills down your spine. But you really push yourself in shaking off the feelings because in this argument, you have to be the one sinking down your ego. So you take a swift deep breath to heal your zen.

"Well.. I mean, you're my boyfriend so—"

"It doesn't feel like it."

Bang. With the sudden change of course, you stare at him in startle as you notice his arms no longer circling over your shoulders, and you feel a knot forming in your stomach.

"W—what do you mean, Dommy—"

Your voice trails off as he exhales a big sigh.. before finally focusing on you. You watch him on the brink of opening his mouth—but instead of saying anything.. he stays silent. Hunt grips the edges of his bag's straps tightly—knuckles turning white as if he needed something to hold onto.

Probably afraid.

Afraid how it might cause damage. Afraid he won't get the answer he'll like—afraid how he might.. already know the answer.

You stand there. The silence stretches on. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest, mind racing with a million thoughts.

But instead of him—it's you. Feeling as if it's a great momentum to do so, you throw the question. The question you've been meaning to ask him since a while ago. Something you've been holding back after these past few days. Wanting to prove Reed wrong so bad, you ask,

"Is it ever okay with you that me.. and Ty.."

But you couldn't finish. Immediately looking away, you slightly take a shaky breath and put a hand over your chest.

I mean.. what to ask? What was the question again? What do you mean is it okay for him—why do I have to ask? What's with Tyler? What's with me and him? What are we—

"No. It never will."

Your stomach churn. For a moment, he looks at you, his gaze cold. After what feels like an eternity, Hunt takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, and when he finally meets your gaze with a stern expression—

"And it never was."

Fuck.

Eve is right again. Your heart sinks, his words hitting you like a ton of bricks. Looking away from him, you struggle to find the right response—

"But are you going to do something about it?" he continues with a heightened tone, garnering your attention once again. And all you can do is stare at him in perplexity as he adds bitterly, "No. Right? It's gonna be impossible. So why bother? And you don't even—"

For a split second, you can see the hurt in his eyes before he looks away, unintentionally punching the locker behind him with his elbow. Jumping in your heels in surprise, you cringe, almost reaching for his elbow—before he already covers it with his own palm and seethes through his teeth.

"Fuck. Nevermind. I don't even want to know," he stops and tilts his head to you with a squinted eye, "you think I don't notice—and when you proceed to go on a date when I—" but then stops again and shakes his head, majorly in disappointment.

"I'm sorry Dommy.." you manage to choke out, your voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to—it's just—the dare was—listen, I've known him since we're just babies ok—he's my bestfriend—!"

"I know, Em. But—" he hesitates, squinting his eyes, he bitterly asks, "why do I feel like I'm just a placeholder until you figure things out with Tyler?"

A lump formed in your throat. A cold wave of realization washing over you. Hearing the words out loud—from your boyfriend.. makes it feel all too real. You feel a wave of guilt washing over you—especially the way your mind immediately races to when—

Fuck—should I tell him now? Is this the right time—fuck there'll never be a right time for that—but—does he know already? Did Tyler tell him—but no. There ain't no way. He wouldn't still be able to hold it together like this if he knew. He hasn't. Oh God, I still don't have the courage to—

"I never meant to make you feel like that, Dom. You mean a lot to me—"

"Actions speak louder than words, Emily."

He gives you a bitter smile before looking away.. and walks away from you. The hallway suddenly feels emptier, the sounds of footsteps fading into the background as you stand there. Staring at his back, you feel tears threaten to spill from your eyes as you struggle to process what just happened. Feeling a pang of pain in your chest as you lower your head, the realization sinking in how you might destroy everything. And you can't shake the feeling that things..

May never be the same again.

"Babe~ it's okaaayy~ come onnn~"

With a voice as gentle as the wind breeze, Evie comforts her boyfriend—shaking his body all while hugging him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"How can I fix this, Evie?"

Liam's voice carries a sense of desperation as he speaks, his fingers still gripping the wheel tightly. Still wearing a pout, he stares ahead with weariness evident in his eyes.

"Babe I feel you, I.. kinda feel the same way, but—"

"The fact that I made this happen—"

With a sigh, he releases his left hand from the steering wheel, resting his elbow on the windowsill—massaging his forehead. Under his breath, he whispers a curse out of frustration—before going on full defensive.

"You feel me? I mean—babe listen—I didn't know Dom was into her either! Imagine my shock when he goes all speech about Em to Ty in front of everyone," he begins, bringing his hand back to the steering wheel. "I love seeing him happy—but—" his voice trails off as he tilts his head, eyes squinted. As if a huge lump stuck on his throat, a mouse-like squeak escaping him, "It just feels wrong babe—I feel like Em and Ty are supposed to endgame—" and he explodes, pounding the steering wheel before gripping them tight in his hands again, "fuck! I don't know—maybe I'm just fucked up—" Liam rambles, his thoughts jumbled. Before in helplessness.. his words now full of self-deprecation.

"I'm such a bad friend aren't I?"

Exhaling in patience, Reed strokes the light blonde hair beneath her fingers, attempting to comfort her distressed boyfriend. "Listen babe. Ok. Now.. all we need to do—is acknowledge. Yes. We were wrong to send them on the dare while knowing Dom is with Em and Em is with Dom—"

"I just can't help it seeing how Ty is with Em you know—!"

"Yes. I know. So listen. Acknowledge it. We were wrong. That's as far as it goes. Because—as for the rest of the road.. we really don't know. It's a gamble. Whether it's going to be harmless or not,"

Reed's tone is firm—yet compassionate as he massages Wyatt's shoulders. "I mean—if they truly have no feelings for each other, then it'd be just—sweet bestfriends having a harmless date, right? We thought they were growing apart and needed some besties time! That was also the main intention behind all it was right?! We weren't just playing matchmaker on them!"

Liam falls silent, funnily enough, catching Eve's—also—insecure reassurance for herself. His expression turns into one of panic as he moves his head in disagreement. "Well fuck—unless they have feelings for each other and we already know and—matchmaking was the intention, Evie! Stop altering my sin!"

Rolling her head in resignation and guilt, she pouts, continuing the rambling, "Now we don't interfere in any shape and form. Let them sort it out first to know where they're actually heading. All unless~ they ask for our help." Liam stays silent. This time.. seemingly in agreement. "Let's not be smartasses anymore, okay? Promise, babe?"

Liam nods silently, a weight lifting off his shoulders. As they continue driving, the tension in the air slowly dissipates. However, as they get closer to Eve's lawn, they notice something uncanny.

"Huh, babe, isn't that your dad's car?" Eve points out, eyebrows furrowing in confusion as Liam glances at the familiar white vehicle passing by.

"Uhhh yeah, I think it was—" Liam responds, his body automatically turning to look behind him—but the car has already turned the corner, its license plate no longer visible. They exchange puzzled glances, but Liam shrugs it off, "I didn't catch the plate—maybe.. not. There's a lot of that kind here too, right?"

"But the plate—" squinting her head as she tilts her head, Reed tries to make sense of the strange-possible encounter—before finally pushing her suspicions away with a shrug.

"Yeah, maybe not."

Looking distressed, Tyler made his way down the hallway. Way behind him, a girl with fiery hair suddenly appears from the crowd—her steps quickening as she hurries to catch up with him.

He knows.

He tries to speed up, hoping to avoid her—he's just not. in the mood for some stranger to worsen his already ruined day.

However, with determination, she only draws closer! Until finally, her voice carries a note of desperation as she calls out his name. "Tyler, wait!" she exclaims, her tone urgent.

Rolling his eyes at his incompetence—not just at life—Tyler reluctantly slowed his pace, turning to face her with a polite smile. "Hey.. uh.. Red. What's up?"

Seemingly disappointed, the initial sparkle in the girl's eyes dimmed as she slumped her shoulders, jeering, "You still don't remember my name, don't you?"

Tyler's demeanor remains unbothered, his fake polite smile masking his inner discomfort as he plays riddles, "Uh.. Brett..? Brianne—"

"Burns. Lucy Burns."

Exhaling in artificial patience, Tyler says, "Ok Lucy Burns. Can I help you? I was kind of in a middle of something—"

"What? Walking?"

Raising an eyebrow, Tyler wonders out loud, "Are you always this bitter, Lucy Burns?"

Satisfied in his slight 'interest', a smirk breaks on her lips as she smugly replies, "You can say that,"

With squinted eyes, Cavill retracts his head at the boldness of this new-old girl. But yes, she's still the same Lucy Burns he once acquainted with when he was still a child—not that he ceases being a child nowadays too, though.

"Ok. You get my full attention for—" he glanced at his watch, then swiftly lifted his head again to her, "1 minute. Starting now."

He folds his hands upon his chest and watches her in disinterest. He waits for her to talk—but strangely, not a word comes out from her mouth. Instead, the girl just stares at him with a smirk, remaining chill and composed. His patience wears thin as he changes his position—but before he can open his mouth to protest, the girl extends her phone to him, and lays bare a sentence that makes Cavill drop his jaw to the ground.

"I like you."

With a cigarette clamped between his lips, Tyler walks while flicking the lighter, his focus fixed on it. However, it seems like his lighter has run out of fluid. Annoyed, he lets out a never-ending groan, occasionally glancing around to avoid crashing into any walls.

Flick. Fail. Annoyed. Eyes up—down. Repeat.

Groaning in irritation, even his cigarette almost falls out from the constant vibration between his lips. Feeling as if he's arrived at his destination—he lifts his gaze for the hundredth time—

To find Dom, already leaning against the wall, cigarette between his lips.

Flicking the lighter, he succeeded in litting the cigarette on fire. As Dom takes a drag from his cigarette, his eyes finally land on Tyler—who has stopped in his tracks, hands lowered—looking awkward while seemingly wanting to leave but unsure how to. Head thrown back, Tyler closes his eyes—lips pursed. Stuck.

"Since when do you smoke?" Hunt asks with narrowed eyes as he takes another drag. Extending a hand, he offers to light his bro's cigarette.

Cavill strides closer helplessly before offering his cigarette—which has been sandwiched between his lips—over Dom's lighter. His cigarette finally lights up, and in awkwardness—he takes a slow step back and leans against the wall beside Dom, taking a drag.

"Been a while since we two hang, huh?" Dominic initiated a talk, his gaze shifting to Tyler.

Seemingly more distressed than before, Cavill takes another drag—his movements hurried—before replying dryly, "Yeah, been a while."

Dom takes a drag from his cigarette, the smoke swirling around him as he exhales slowly. He studies Tyler for a moment before speaking again. "Something happened? You seem.. off lately. And you smoke only when—"

"Everything's fucked up."

Tyler runs a hand through his hair. Letting out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumps as he leans against the wall. "I just—don't know what to do, man. I feel like I'm stuck in this endless loop of.. confusion?"

Seeming hesitant, Hunt pauses, a hint of trepidation in his expression as he considers his next words. "Is there.. anything.. you want to tell me?" he finally asks, tone hesitant.

Tyler's expression morphs into guilt. His brows furrow slightly, lips press into a thin line—he wrestles with his thoughts. Reluctant, he meets Dom's gaze.. and with a steadying breath, he braces himself to speak.

"This girl from.. elementary—suddenly confessed to me."

Casually bouncing his eyebrows as if it's a usual thing, Dominic tries to light his new cigarette—although starting to struggle as it seems like the lighter has run out of fluid. In between his attempts, he asks—cigarette between his lips, "Wow is she hot?" all while lifting his gaze to Tyler, noticing him raising his eyebrows and giving a side shrug.

Dominic grows annoyed as he struggles with the lighter, until finally—it sparks to life. Exhaling a big sigh, he lights the cigarette.. and takes a drag, exhaling the smoke in relief.

Relieved.

If his best bro's not saying anything, that means nothing happened. Hunt manages a small smile as his body relaxes against the wall as he praises, "Well then that's a good thing, right—"

"I kissed Em."

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Cecylia Costania @rcpcswrites

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The song that matches this Chapter's vibe:

https://youtu.be/R8FHtIhWqNo