Chapter 12

The next morning, Ray woke up by his alarm clock that he has deemed 'stupid' He took a quick shower and wore his uniform, he looked at the clock 6:35 am, Ray sighed as he realised Rome didn't came and that they would not walk school together.

He draped his bag over his shoulder and walked out of his house, he turned and looked at the door to Rome's apartment, his heart tugged and a lump slowly formed in throat that irritated him, another sigh escaped his lips as he walked down the stairs.

Ray arrived at the school, all the way to classroom, he was thinking what to say to his bestfriend, to Rome, should he casually go and say 'Hi' or immediately apologize for everything that he did and said, or should he first apologize to Tony for punching him.

The thoughts never stopped until he reached the door to his classroom, he took a step in and looked at Tony who was sitting on his bench, with his phone on.

Tony had recieved a text from Rome, saying that he won't come to school today as he is not ready to face Ray yet and had requested him to take notes of whatever the teachers taught, Rome had also apologized and thanked him.

Tony looked up to see Ray, his gaze immediately turned cold.

Ray noticed the the cold gaze and felt shivers down in his spine, he noticed that Rome has not came to school. He frowned as he took a quick glance at the clock hanging on the wall, 6:53 am, It's late and Ray knew Rome was not going to show up today. So what about his apology?

Ray walked towards his own seat, Tony was the only person who knew why rome was absent today, Ray wanted to ask Tony but doesn't know how, afterall he did punch the guy yesterday and also there was also something else that was acting as an obstruction, something that Ray couldn't put finger on.

After a minute or two, Ray took a deep breath, turned to Tony and asked straight away,"Tony do you know why Rome didn't come today?"

Tony peeked up from his phone, his voice cold,"Why do you care?"

Ray clenched his fist trying not to let his anger out at the question, he cares, he cares a lot about Rome, but the question 'why' stinged because he couldn't answer it, Ray tried to gulp the lump that was once again forming in his throat,"Look I am really sorry."

Tony turned his phone off and looked more like glared at Ray,"Sorry fo what?"

Ray blinked hard trying to fight the tears,"Sorry for everrything, sorry for punching ou, sorry for getting angry at Rome and sorry for ki-kissing him." At the end of the sentence, Ray choked oon his own saliva, his heart ached.

Tony was shocked, as per Rome had once said, Ray has never cried after turning 5 but now he was, this showed how much the situation affected him.

Tony took a deep breath,"It's okay Ray, and I am sorry for yesterday too." Tony handed Ray his water bottle, trying to calm the person down.

Ray took a few sips and he felt the water soothing his dry throat,"So tony where is Rome? He never skips schools and he is not answering my calls nor replying to my texts."

Tony knew Ray was feeling guilty for everything but he he also knew Rome's pain, so he decided to tell the person infront of him what he saw,"Ray you should know what happened yesterday hurt rome, he was bawling his eyes yesterday and he cried himself to sleep."

Ray felt a wave of guilt wash over him, 'he hurt Rome' was repeating in his mind, Tony saw Ray's anguished expression, so he placed a hand on ray's shoulder,"Ray to be honest, yesterday I didn't kiss Rome."

Ray's head snapped towards Tony,"What do you mean?"

Tony took his hand back,"I just acted like I kissed him." Ray didn't understand what Tony was saying at all.

Tony understood this and said,"Actually Rome was sad that his bestfriend was hanging out with someone else, so I suggested that we should make you jealous, that obviously backfired but Rome just wanted to spend time with you because you gave all your time to Lacy, I know what we did was wrong so I apologize."

Ray took all the that in and he felt relief in his heart, relief over what he doesn't know, he smiled,"It's okay, Tony can you come to Rome's place after school is over with me?"

Tony nodded and smiled,"Friends again?"

Ray grinned,"Friends again!"

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Ray and Tony walked towards Rome's place, Ray's thoughts were filled with what he should do, what he should say when he met Rome. He was nervous, his palms were getting sweaty, his heartbeat picking it's pace up at every step he took.

They both arrived at Rome's house, Tony rang the doorbell,"Rome it's me Tony and um...Ray."

Ray took a deep breath and then said,"Rome I want to talk to you, please open the door."

There was few shuffling heard from the other side before Rome opened the door. They both walked in, and Rome led them to the couch.

Rome and Tony sat side by side while Ray sat in front of them. Nobody said a single word. The Tension in the air could cut someone.

Tony drank a few sips on water and then said,"Rome actually I told Ray everything." Rome's eyes widened, and his jaw hung, Tony noticed this and continued,"I told him that you were upset that your bestfriend was not hanging out with you and I adviced you to make him jealous which we did but that came out bad."

Rome shut his mouth at that, Ray looked at Rome and said,"Rome I am sorry for everything I did, I know I shouldn't acted that way, please forgive me~"

Rome pulled his knees to chest, and thought,"You shouldn't apologize Ray, I was the one foolish to think that I can date you."

Rome smiled,"It's okay, Ray afterall you should give your time to your girlfriend, she is important to you too. I am sorry for acting that way"

Ray grinned,"You are precious to me too. Also I will give my time to you too. "

Rome tried to ignore his racing heart, and heating cheeks, and smiled,"Friends?" Ray got up from his place and hugged Rome,"Bestfriends!"

Ray pulled Tony into a hug too and they all smiled for different reasons.