My phone ringed again and like the other times I ignored it.

I turned around in my bed and stared at the celling. Why hurt so much to love someone? It was because “that” someone was another guy? The world was so cruel to punish me about it?

Of course not, but I was unable to suppress my feelings for Noh anymore. Everything started when we began hanging around and seeing each other too often; unavoidable I started feeling weird around him and soon I discovered that I saw him differently, in a more romantic way that it was supposed to see a guy.

-Ah~-my poor mind was suffering too much

I felt so tired that I just turned around in my bed and covered all my body with my blanket, letting my mind and body rest.

***

My heart was beating so fast that I thought it was going to fly away from my chest. I peered my head a little just to see that Noh was walking to where I was hiding. I was so worried and feeling so uneasy for what he told me yesterday that I couldn’t rest well. But have received his call yesterday made me so happy that I thought I would die.

I breathed deeply and right when Noh appeared on my field of vision I put one of my hands on his mouth and made him walk towards me.

He looked at me with a mix of fear and annoyance mixed. Immediately I moved away my hand from his mouth

-Were you trying to kidnap and me?!-Noh said with anger in his voice

-No-I said quickly and a bit nervous-but I know that if I had told you to come see me you wouldn’t have do it, that’s why I just grabbed you-I smiled at my own thoughts

-Oh~ geez it’s your father a soldier or something like that? I think you should talk to him about violence-Noh told me with a serious face

-Right, but now he’s on a secret mission-I laughed a little because his facial expression was priceless

For a moment Noh simply stared at me with skepticism furrowing his eyebrows and then he spoke again.

-You haven't slept well, have you?-

-In fact I slept very well on my own bed-I lied but I needed to do it-what about you? Where did you sleep last night?-I was dying inside to know it

-Ah?-was the only sound that escaped Noh’s mouth

-I mean…last night you called me for advice about sleeping with a boy or a girl, do you remember?-

I stared at him and noticed that he was starting to look really nervous. Was he hiding something? Surely he was because his eyes began to wander and avoid looking me.

-Ah! Right!-he said suddenly and from his briefcase he took a package of squid-I bought this for you-he said smiling

-Is it all for myself?-I was trying really hard to hide my happiness

-Yeah, eat it, well I have to go see you around-was all he said before walking away from me

-You’re leaving now?-I muttered softly but Noh was gone

I stared at the little package on my hands and couldn’t help but feel really happy about this present from Noh. He bought it for me and the most important thing it was that even in his little trip he thought about me.

I smiled without trying to hide my happiness. But my little time was abruptly interrupted by Pete.

-What’s that? Give me a little-in the moment that I looked up at him he spoke and tried to take my package of squid

-This is mine, stay away-I told him with a hint of possessiveness in my voice

-Yesterday we were talking about our friendship and now you can’t share your food with me?-he said sounding a little upset

-I said that because I was angry by your behavior, but today I finish our friendship-I spitted the words

-Are you saying that our friendship it’s done because of this squid?-he looked me with disbelief

-Yeah, this squid is exclusive-I said and put the package in front of his face-you don’t have idea how much effort and time took me to get it-

-I want to eat it-he said and took the little package from my hands

-You can’t! I will buy you another, you can’t eat this!-I almost shouted because the anger was starting to boil inside me

Quickly I grabbed the package in his hands before he could open it.

-I want to eat this-

Then we started to fight for the squid, he pulled and I pulled too.

-I said you can’t!-I pulled the package

-But I want this!-he pulled the package

-No!-I shouted and pulled again but this time harder than before

The package slipped from our hands and ended up in the floor. I stared intensely at the little pieces of squid spread on the floor. I looked straight at Pete and he flinched a little.

-I’m sorry man-

-Are you crazy?!-I shouted at him-what the hell it’s wrong with you?! I told you that I was going to buy you another!!-I screamed because I was feeling really angry

I breathed deeply and without saying a word more I took the plastic package with only one squid left. I just stared at him briefly before walking away.

Why he did that?! I was so angry that I just walked toward the classroom. Without saying a word I sat down and stared outside the window trying to lessen my anger.

I was so mad at Pete for what he did that I tried, and succeed, to avoid him the entire class. No matter how much he tried to apologize with me I ignored him. After like seemed an eternity the bell rang and I immediately stood and exited the classroom.

I felt the need to apologize with Noh for the squid so I ran straight to the place where I suppose Noh was.

I heard voices when I was near the music club’s room. But in the moment that I was able to look inside the room I felt depressed. Every single person there had a plastic package of squid like mine. I looked down at mine and felt even worst.

-“It wasn’t something specially for me after all”-I rolled my eyes and without letting anyone notice me I walked away

I wasn’t feeling like eating so I just walked to the cafeteria and sat down on a free table.

After a few minutes more my friends joined me. They asked me if I was feeling all right but I just nodded because even talking was exhausting right now.

Out of nowhere a dish of squid appeared in front of me. I looked up and saw that the person who put it was Pete.

That was a nice and cute act of his. Maybe I was overreacting earlier. Thinking of that made me regret the fact that I shouted at him.  

-Squid?-I told him with a hint of laugher in my voice when he sat down next to me to let him know that I wasn’t angry anymore

-Yeah, listen man, I'm really sorry for what happened earlier, it wasn't my intention, I thought I would buy this to compensate it, and honestly I think these taste better than the packed ones-

Seeing him look so depressed and guilty made me feel bad too. But a little more of tease would compensate the damage in my heart.

-I even didn’t have the time to eat it, not even one of them-I said and looked how his head turned even more down if that was possible

Maybe I was teasing him too much. I smiled and touched his head messing his hair a little. Was his hair so soft before?

-It's ok forget it-I said and touched his hair again, it was a nice feeling

After a few seconds he messed my hair too and then his eyes stared straight at mines and I could see how his cheeks turned a little pink.

-oh~~ you're blushing-I and immediately he put away my hand from his hand

-I...I'm not-he said and turned his head to avoid look at me

It was so strange seeing him blushing but he looked in some way cute I don’t know why but that word came to my mind in the moment I saw the pink in his cheeks.

-We're friends so just forget it, it was my fault too-I told him to make him feel better but for a moment he looked more depressed

Was I imagining things?

-Yes-was all he said and then turned to look at me again

-Thanks-I said smiling at him

-You’re welcome-was the last thing I heard from him before start eating our food

***

The classes were finally over. I put all my stuff inside my briefcase and when I was about to leave a saw that Pete was only sitting beside me, on his chair.

-Hey Pete, want to play videogames with me?-I asked him suddenly

I just feel like I have to do something for him because I was being too mean with him earlier and he didn’t deserved that, well, maybe a little but not too much, after all, he was my best friend.

An hour later we were playing videogames on my room. Seeing him smiling made me feel good again so I just enjoyed the game.

A sudden ringtone echoed in my room, interrupting us, I put pause in the game and took my cellphone to answer the call. I couldn’t avoid smile widely when I saw who was.

-What’s up?-I said trying to sound cool

-I just wanted to know how the squid was, did you like it?-Noh’s voice echoed through my ear and I smiled even more

-Ye..yeah it was good, thanks again-I lied and felt a stab in my chest

-oh~ that’s good…I have to go, bye-he said and without letting me said bye too he hanged the phone

-Uhm~ Earn?-Pete’s voice made me stop staring at the device in my hand-can I spend the night here? I just don’t feel like going to my house-

-No problem-I simply said but I wasn’t feeling like continue playing so I stood up-I’m going to take a shower-I told him and after grabbing a towel I entered the bathroom

After finishing I put the towel around my waist and exited the bathroom I saw that Pete was still playing. He saw me briefly and maybe it was my imagination but he looked a little flustered.

-Hey Pete!!-I said a little loud and he jumped a little

-Wha…what?-he stuttered

Why he seemed so nervous and self-conscious right now?

-Aren’t you going to take a shower?-

-Ye..yeah-he stood up and went straight to the bathroom without looking at me

What was that? He was acting weird, almost so nervous like the other day when he tough that I liked him beyond friendship. But maybe I was just imaging things.

I changed into my pajamas, well only a sleeveless shirt and a pair of shorts, and took one of the controls to continue playing. Suddenly the noise from the water was gone. I paused the game again and realized that Pete didn’t take a towel to dry himself. I smiled and took a clean towel to give it to him.

I knocked slowly the bathroom’s door.

-Hey Pete I have an extra towel for you-I said loud enough for him to listen me

A few seconds later, and without an answer, the door opened a bit just for my hand to slide the towel and when a pale hand took it from my hand the door closed immediately.

I was feeling a bit hungry so after putting clothes for Pete in my bed I went to the kitchen. I grabbed an apple and eat it, it tasted sweet. After finishing I went upstairs to my room and when I opened the door the first thing I saw was Pete in front of the mirror in my closet.

-Want to eat something?-I asked him after staring at him

-Only milk-he said and I nodded

But I didn’t move because I couldn’t avoid staring at him. My clothes looked way too big on his slim body. That just looked cute and adorable.

-“I wonder if Noh would look that adorable on my clothes”’-

I stared a little longer and then notice that again the blush was back in his cheeks.

-Wh...what?-he suddenly said stuttering and turning around to see me

-Nothing, I’ll be right back-I said and exited the room to go get some milk for Pete

***

I was really nervous. The entire band was standing in the stage ready to start playing. We were going to perform two songs for the Band club’s Live Contest and honestly I was starting to feel really nervous because I chose a special song to let Noh know about how I felt.

I looked over Noh while singing our first song, it was in English so I didn’t sound so good, and judging by the way all the judges were falling asleep I confirmed that our performance wasn’t going too well.

-Noh, don’t fall asleep yet please-I spoke on the microphone after we finished our first song-we got another song yet, listen carefully all right?-I told him directly staring at him and smiling

I started singing with all my passion to let him know that he was the person I liked. The entire song I didn’t stop staring at him. I really wanted that he noticed my feelings.

An awkward silence grew before the noisy voice of Om, the vice president of the Band Club spoke.

-Earn, you got balls to sing a love song and flirt with our…-his words were abruptly interrupted by Noh

I only bit my bottom lip and smiled by his words.

-Shut the f*** off Om-Noh shouted while hitting Om’s head

-You got the higher score for your bravery Earn-Om said and I laughed a little by this

I leave the microphone and turned around to leave the stage. I sat down and a little moment after Pete joined me. I listened carefully all the next performances but suddenly Pete stood up abruptly just saying to everyone that he wasn’t feeling right and then walked away.

I furrowed my browns a little and then stood up too just to follow him because I was a bit worried for him.

-Hey Pete!-I shouted when I spotted him

He only stopped but didn’t turn around to see me.

-Are you ok?-I needed to ask only to make sure he was fine

-I’m fine don’t worry-he said but didn’t sound convincing

-Do you want me to accompany you?-I was starting feeling uneasy about his behavior

I walked one step but his voice made me stop.

-I’m ok Earn, just go back-he said but his voice cracked a little at the end

-Call me if you need something ok?-I said and my voice sounded worried

-See you-was the last he said and then he started running

Was he all right?

***

I entered my room and the lights. I leave my things on the floor and then took my cellphone from my short’s pocket. I unlocked it and opened Kakao Talk. I clicked Pete’s chat and stared at it for a moment. Was he really all right? Maybe I was just overthink, but making sure he was fine wouldn’t hurt, right?

                        Are you ok Pete?

I send the little message and waited for an answer. After 5 minutes of waiting and no answer I wrote another message.

                        What happened with you?

I waited again but none answer came. I took a shower and before going to sleep I checked if Pete has answered me but he didn’t so I just went to sleep.

The first thing I did in the morning was check again for replies from Pete but he even didn’t saw the messages yet so I texted him again.

                        Are you sick? : (

                        Are you awake?

I waited for a reply and this time an answer came.

                        I’m awake I’m awake ; D

                        Don’t worry. I’m fine.

                        See you in school.

After reading his messages I felt better.

***

I was feeling so ing angry after talking with Pete this morning. Why was he acting like that? It was all my business if I didn’t wanted to tell him about Noh so why keep pestering me about it.

-Agh~~~!!-I shouted and hit one of the door from the men’s bathroom

I just don’t understand him at all. Why was he being so stubborn about it?

***Flashback***

-so…are you going to say it to me now?-

-Tell you what?!-

-Don’t act like a fool, say me who you like-he shouted at me

-Are you going to die if I don’t tell you every little detail of my life?-

He made a brief silence before talking back.

-I just want to know if we are still friends-

-If you are going to keep being so stupid, then I finish this friendship right here right now-I shouted at him while staring at his eyes

-Fi...fine then, if you can do that, then do it-he said and his voice cracked at the end

***End Flashback***

After a moment of rage I started calming down and know I was thinking again about our little fight I felt like a fool. I stared at my reflection on the mirror and smiled a little.

-He’s just worrying about me, maybe I need to apologize for not wanting to tell him about Noh but it was because I’m afraid how he would react about it-I sighed deeply before looking down to the little present in my hand-I need to give this to Noh-I said and I exited the bathroom

Where would Noh be?

I walked until the room where the Band club was always but Noh wasn’t there so I decided looking for him elsewhere. I was about to walk away when my eyes caught the sight of Noh and Phun talking on the benches beside the basketball yard.

I hid myself behind a pillar to not be noticed. From where I was standing their conversation was unable to be heard so I peeked out my head a little and saw how Noh stood up from the benches.

He spoke loudly and I was able to hear what he was saying but in the moment his words entered my system I wished I wouldn’t have heard it.

-There’s only one guy I like…and it’s you!!-

My heart stopped for a moment and all the strength of my body left. The little box I was carrying ended on the floor and I only could turn down my head.

So in the end, there was no chance for me in Noh’s heart.

I walked away feeling totally devastated. I sat outside my classroom and took my phone to update my Kakao status. I didn’t wanted to recognize that there wasn’t hope for my feeling towards Noh.

Always one step behind. : [

I finished writing and clicked the accept button.

A few seconds later my phone started ringing by my side but I was not feeling like talking with anyone so I just ignored it.

When the bell rang I just took my stuff and walked away from school. My home was empty when I arrived so I just walked to my room and locked myself. I let myself drift away in sleepiness to finally stop thinking about Noh but my phone sounded with Kakao Talk’s ringtone. It sounded sixth times and then stopped but two seconds after the ringtone for calls started sounding.

I lay on my side and took the annoying device to look at it. It was a call from Pete and knowing that he wasn’t going to stop until I answered, I did it.

-What’s up?-I said and waited for a reply but didn’t come so I spoke again-Pete?-

-He..hello, where are you?-

-I’m in my house-I said and was about to hang up because I wasn’t in the mood to talk and even less with Pete, I was still mad at him

I waited on the line only listening to Pete’s soft breath against my ear.

-There's something you want to tell me Pete? If not I’m hanging-I said feeling irritated and a bit angry

-I..I just wanted to apologize, I behaved like an idiot-he said after a brief silence

His voice sounded so hurt that I just felt like an idiot too for being angry at him even when the only thing he did was worrying about a friend.

-Yes, you were an idiot…but..so did I, I’m sorry too-I said and felt exhausted all of sudden

-It’s ok-he said and made a brief silence before continuing talking-so…something happened with Noh?-

I snapped by his words and ended sitting on my bed. My heart was beating really fast and I could feel how the oxygen failed on entering my system.

-…why you ask that?-why was so nervous?

-Earn, I know you like Noh, no need to hide it-

-…If you knew already, then, why you kept bothering me about it?-

-Because I’m your friend Earn, and I wanted YOU to tell me about it-

His words keep echoing inside my mind. Was I the only one that was failing as a friend?

I didn’t want to think about it because right now the most important thing was that Noh’s heart belonged to someone else and that was killing me slowly.

-I’m really tired Pete, I’m going to sleep now-I said finally and without waiting for a reply I ended the call

----------

Hello everyone. I want to thank to all the beautiful people that keeps reading this fic. 

I made this chapter to let all of you know a little of Earn POV, but it's longer that I was expecting so I split it in two parts, perhaps in a few hours I upload the second part.
I hope all of you enjoy this chapter and understand a little more Earn's behavior. 

Love <3 <3