28 ✒ Chapter 16 : Jealousy

PRESENTATION DAY

"I'm a bit nervous" Ethan said softly as he sat beside Rei. The day has come where Ethan and his classmates were going to present their tasks with their partners. Ethan has to sing while Rei has to play guitar with the president.

"Relax, Pres. We can do it" Rei said cheerfully as he tapped Ethan's shoulder lightly. Khein was too happy because of the merchandises he received from Rei that he never felt nervous about his solo performance. The whole class was called to proceed to the stadium, so with the other classes. Students were not allowed to wear costumes and bring props. They were strictly ordered to wear complete uniforms and were only allowed to bring musical instruments. Rei carried the guitar case and left the classroom with Ethan beside him. For all the time that Rei was with Ethan, the psycho guy could not have the chance to glance at Khein who was slightly annoyed with no particular reason. The whole batch were gathered inside the gym and Ethan spotted Center who was waving his hands at him. Ethan smiled at Center from afar and Rei looked for Khein in the crowd. The rebel guy was nowhere to be found and Rei began to worry. Khein went to the comfort room to fix his hair and made a final rehearsal. He was not doing it for his grades but for his reputation. He never wished to be a laughing stock for the whole year because of his failed performance. Khein went back to the crowd and spotted Rei with Ethan on the mini stage. Khein leaned towards the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. One of his legs crossed the other as he raised an eyebrow.

"The Pres and the Prince! They'll be performing soon!" One of the girls said to her friend which made the rebel guy hissed in annoyance.

Rei smiled at Ethan as the president smiled back consciously at the prince. Ethan was too shy and he was afraid he might make a mistake and the thing he feared most -he might drag Rei down together with him. Rei leaned closer to Ethan and whispered something. Both Khein and Center noticed how the Prince and the Pres had become so close.

"Remember that your father is watching somewhere in the crowd, think about it" Rei said. Ethan followed what Rei said and imagined that the old man was watching him. It was supposed to be Rei who was going to sing while Ethan would play the guitar but the psycho convinced him repeatedly that the good boy just gave up. Ethan never thought he could sing again in front of the crowd.

'Staring at the bottom of the glass.

Hoping one day you'll make a dream last.

When dreams come slow and it go so fast.'

The people were amazed by how the song was delivered meaningfully. Most of the girls were watching Rei and how the tall guy played the acoustic professionally. The boys watched the adorable angel singing on the stage peacefully.

'You see her when you close your eyes

Maybe one day you'll understand why

Everything you touch surely dies'

Center watched every movements of Ethan's lips as the angelic voice echoed through his ears. He thought he saw an angel singing in front of the crowd.

'But you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

You only know you love her when you let her go'

Center felt that the lyrics were directly delivered for him. He regretted everything he had done to Ethan before. He wished he could turn back time and take back everything he said that hurt Ethan. He wished he never made those things up and never bullied Ethan. He wished Ethan never hated him once. He wished he heard Ethan's words for his birthday back then.

'Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when your missing home

You only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go. '

Center clapped his hands together hardly as the pair finished their presentation. Khein watched the two of them went off the stage with smiles on their faces. Center immediately ran towards the two of them while Khein watched them from his spot constantly.

Rushing, Center happily shouted, "Hey Eeth! you did a great-"

"We did it!" Ethan said happily as he smiled at Rei.

"Yeah! That was great! I knew you can do it without making any mistake!" Rei said happily. The two laughed together as if there were only two of them in the gym. The crowd was too focused on the stage for the next performers while two parties were staring at the President and the Prince.

"I thought I would choke my saliva and even imagined I would suddenly lose my voice!" Ethan said laughing as Rei shuffled his hair.

"You're exaggerating, Pres! It was purely just a presentation, don't take it seriously as if you life depends on it!" Rei laughed as he fixed Ethan's messy hair. Center took a step back as he watched how the taller guy played with Ethan's hair freely. Khein saw it, he saw how Rei acted like a kid whenever he was around Ethan. He assumed Rei would be happier if he was with Ethan.

"Stop messing with my hair!" Ethan pushed Rei's hand away as they both laughed.

Center and Khein ended up with the same thought, "Why do I see them looked so good together?"

Center inhaled deeply as he grabbed Ethan's arm as if he was stealing the smaller boy from Rei. He gave Rei a friendly smile but his eyes were glaring as if he wanted to murder someone. Before a war could happen, the host perfectly announced the next performer.

"Khein from 4-A!" Rei immediately looked towards Khein's direction as he realized that Khein was around. Their eyes met but Khein snobbed his eyes towards Rei and walked out of the gym. The host called Khein's name repeatedly but the rebel guy exited the place without a care. Rei immediately followed Khein and wished he wouldn't lose sight of the rebel boy.

"Khein! wait!" Rei shouted as Khein drifted away from the crowd. Khein made it out of the gym and continued walking as if he wanted to run away. Luckily, Rei reached one of the rebel guy's hand and pulled Khein to look at him.

"What's wrong, Khein?" Rei asked while panting. Rei averted his eyes towards his side and avoided Rei's worried ones. He made a forced chuckle as he pulled his hand away.

"I won't tell you what's wrong" Khein said with angry eyes and walked away.

"Kheiny! I'm sorry?!" Rei shouted while biting his bottom lip. The psycho guy looked like he was about to cry as he bowed his head and stared at the floor.

"What I did was wrong! I promise I'll be good! Please don't walk away any farther" Rei said continuously as he rubbed his thumbs together in a circular motion.

"I won't make you mad anymore. I'll buy you more merchandises. I'll stay away from anyone, including Ethan if you'd like. I promise I won't do anything that will make you feel worse. Kheiny, I'm sorry?" Rei said continuously. He wasn't sure what he did to make Khein mad at him, yet he still wanted to apologize.

"Then, stay away from him" Khein said with a straight face. He felt like his heart was going to explode anytime soon if Rei would say another word again. Khein thought, "How could he do this to me?"

"From whom? From Ethan? Sure!" Rei said and smiled at Khein. He hurriedly went to Khein and gave him a soft pat on the head.

"I'll stay away from everyone. You're an exemption" Rei stated and slid his hand from Khein's head down to the back of the rebel guy's neck. Khein felt his cheeks burned as he felt Rei's warm hand behind his neck.

"Now, tell me. Who was that guy who kissed you on the cheek?" Rei asked with his mouth near Khein's ear. Khein was not able to respond not because he was guilty, but because he was too scared to say Kyle's name. He knew what Rei could do to his friend if he would ever tell him.