Chapter 27 - I’m seeing red (1)

Aki glanced at his phone as it vibrated against his hand, not long after the last one. Another photo. This time it was a pillowcase. Before that, it was plates and mugs. Even before that, curtains. He tried to ignore the sharp pain he felt every time he looked at those photos.

'Akiiiiii. Which one is cuter?'

He tapped his phone on his lips as he deliberated whether he should reply or not. Even without directly telling him, Aki knew that Drew and Zy were going to live together. Zy updated his Twitter about the places they had been. Of course, Aki did not even think muting or unfollowing Zy. Instead, he kept on refreshing his feed like an addict short on his supplies.

Before he could think of an answer, there was another ping from his phone.

'I bought the yellow one! Yey!'

Zy sent a picture of his fingers posed in a V sign with a yellow pillowcase in the background. Lately, he flooded Aki's phone with photos of different things. Aki continued that dull thud in his chest and replied whenever his opinion was needed. Surely, whatever that thud was, it was just his imagination.

'Yay :D' was his reply.

'You're the biggest idiot Aki.' He had not seen Zy since that day with so many things happening around him. The first few days he tried to stop thinking about Zy but his mind would slip into his memories with Zy and it would hurt all over again. It was as if scratching out a newly formed scab to have it bleed all over you once more. Then you try to mend it and repeat the whole process.

Sometimes, a lot of times actually, Aki thought if there would be any difference if he decided to confess to Zy. Would it be him beside Zy and not Drew? Or his confession would not change anything at all?

They said that time heals all wounds. Would it really? Would his heart stop aching? Would this ever end?

Aki trudged along, letting the wave of students push him towards the gate of the university. It was not until he was near the gate when he noticed a cluster of students. In the middle of it was the same brushed up black hair partnered with an easy smile. Aki paused in his steps and gawked.

"Aki!" Liam broke through the group and approached him, wearing his mega-watt smile. "Are you going home? Where's Jun?"

As Aki walked closer and closer to where Liam stood, he could hear their chatter and laughter ceased as he approached. Liam did not seem to be bothered and met Aki halfway.

"He's got a part-time job today." Jun joined them the last time they studied together. From then on, Jun would drop by from time to time and join them with their study sessions.

Liam was a diligent student. If he was not working, he would be studying or hanging out with Aki in their house or cooking. He would hang out with his friends during weekends. Despite his flashy looks, Liam had a really simple lifestyle.

"Are you going home?" When Aki nodded, Liam added, "Let's go home then?"