Chapter 21

"I craved him constantly, so deeply it was a physical ache"

Shuyi's Pov

He left..without saying anything at all, without even looking at the coffee I got him, or asking me what time would I get free just like he always does. Is he more relaxed since he no longer has to drag me with him everywhere he goes?

His reaction was confusing and ignorant, but more than that, cold and mean, very unlike Shide. I can feel the distance between us increasingly everyday...

I was in my thoughts when Yue cupped my face in his hands alarming me a little.

"Hey..you look so blue all of a sudden, are you okay?"

I backed off a little to get his hands off my face and just gave him a nod.

"I'm here if you wanna talk about anything"

I just smiled at him.

"Also, I don't want my lead singer to divert his attention a day before the final event!!"

"I'll do my best" I said trying my best to conceal my anxiety.

"I know you will" he said ruffling my hair lightly.

He has been acting a little strangely recently. I've not been able to really notice when his behaviour started changing since I was more focused on things between me and Shide but Yue's behaviour clearly is different these days. He's more....I don't know how to put this...touchy.

Today was the last day I could use the fest as a reason to avoid Shide. I could feel the stress between us now, it wasn't like before. I felt like he had something to share with me as well but every time he tried, he couldn't bring himself to it. "Oh what if he wants the apartment to himself now and wants to ask me to move out!?" He never signed up to let me stay for as long as I wanted to anyway, his brother probably forced him to let me stay for a while.

I hated the thought of getting brother zoned by Shide but more than anything, I hated not being close to him. Even when that closeness will shatter my heart every day....

"Heyy!, where are you lost!?" Yue said snapping his fingers in my face.

"um..nothing...were you saying something?"

"oh well we need to be at the practice, the final run through will start anytime now"

I nodded and we both quickly went to the auditorium.

Shide's POV

I was with my friends killing time, trying to get my mind off Shuyi, which wasn't working btw..when I suddenly got a glimpse of his face. Those eyes...I could recognise them in millions..

"They are putting the posters up for tomorrow's fest" one of my friend's said pointing towards the poster on the wall.

"Oh, isn't this your boyfriend Shide!?" another said putting a finger on Shuyi's face."Bhahahahhaaha, for a second I really thought you were gay..that was so funny bro..."

"what if I am gay..you got a problem?" I said removing his hand from the poster.

He clearly seemed a little stunned by what I said but he tried calming me down by swinging his arm around my shoulder "oh...that's cool bro..love is love..just don't fall for me" he said and started laughing along with the others.

"you wish asshole" I said removing his hand over me "I have a class, I should get going" I quickly left since looking at Shuyi right next to that clingy bastard had already ruined my mood.

***

I hadn't heard from Shuyi that entire day, he was probably preparing for the big day tomorrow. I was truly happy for him since he is doing something he actually loves. His happiness, meant more than anything, even when I felt uneasy to my bones even at the thought of him being around Yue all this time.

I decided to suck it up for one more day since it was going to be over very soon. I went home early that day because I wanted to cook Shuyi some comfort food for dinner and help him calm his anxiety when he came home tonight. Afterall, it was an important event for him.

It was 11:00 pm and he still hadn't shown up. I was just about to give him a call when the door unlocked.

"Hey, you're still up?" he said looking surprised to see me.

"Um...couldn't sleep for some reason" I said without looking back at him. "Anyway...I have made you din....." I couldn't finish when I saw Yue following Shuyi in our apartment.

I looked at both of them questionably and Shuyi understood it.

"He just came to help me grab my stuff....I'll be at his place tonight and later that night, the team will go to Phuket to relax for a couple days" he said looking at me as if asking for permission.

"So you won't be home for so many days?" I said instantly sounding really pissed that he no longer wanted to spead time with me, let aside have a quality discussion about what happened between us at the ferris wheel. Was I the only one that felt something between us..? Does he really not care..?

"Don't worry, he is at home at my place too" Yue said interrupting between us..like always.

I gave him a smirk before turning back to Shuyi, "As long as you're happy. Have fun and all the best for tomorrow. And yes...I made udon noodles for you..take them with you before you leave"

"You remember..udon noodles calm me down when I'm too anxious"

"i remember...everything.." we both stared into each other's eyes as if we were talking without words...before that jackass interrupted again.

"Shuyi...let's quicken up a little...you have to rest early tonight too"

Shuyi nodded, "thank you Shide, I'll go pack some for me, I'll eat them later tonight after practice." He said and went in his room.

I was going to go help him pack his stuff but Yue's words froze my feet.

"You know I like him" he said looking towards his room's direction. "You can call it love at first sight" he said calmly. "I never thought I would fall for someone so deeply, but here we are now hahahaha." Then looked at me straight in the eyes and said "you should stop confusing him, I can make him happy, happier than someone who is not even sure of their sexuality."

I was about to say something in return but Shuyi came out with his night bag. "I'm all done, I'll leave now Shide. Eat before you sleep and don't miss my performance tomorrow okay"

I nodded trying my best to hide how annoyed and frustrated I was feeling in that moment.

Next morning:

I had prepared myself all night to not be affected by Yue since it was the last day Shuyi would be hanging out with him for so long anyway and I can work on my feelings towards Shuyi when we again start spending some alone time at home together again.

I got dressed and left quickly. I stopped on the way and got some flowers to wish him luck. Then stopped at a coffee shop to get his favourite coffee and donuts since I was sure he wouldn't have eaten anything out of nervousness.

I got to the campus and rushed towards the artist practice rooms. I was about to walk in the room when I heard Yue talking to someone else.

"Is everything ready? Nothing can go wrong today!" I thought he was talking about the performance and turned back to walk in the artist room but his next sentence froze my legs and sank my heart.

"I want all lights focused on us when I ask him to be my boyfriend after the performance. I'll make this the best moment of his life" he said.