Chapter 20

"You're back?" August asked from the couch. He was huddled in a blanket, a cup of coffee by his side. It seemed like he's been waiting for him.

"...Mhm," Edward grunted, his eyes lifeless. His face looked gaunt, like he's just aged 5 years.

Without explaining any further, he went in, grabbed his jacket and came out.

"Where are you going?" August asked, getting up. He walked by his side and smiled.

"...No, not now,'' Edward pushed away August's hands which were just about to intertwine in his. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid the shorter boy's gaze.

August was surprised, but didn't press on it. He asked again , "Off to where, Edward? It's the middle of the night, you know."

"Just- Just somewhere," He replied with difficulty. August felt strange. Edward was so...different. Just where had he gone before?

Someone who previously spoke so comfortably appeared so stiff now, forcing the words out. His expression was pained, as if every moment he spent here was torture, absolute agony for him. Edward walked off, not saying anything else.

"Hey, Edward! Wait!" August cried, "Where are you going at this hour? Hey, just spend the night-"

Edward paid no mind to him and left, slamming the door in August's face.

"Hey, are you really sure?" The girl whispered to her friend doubtfully.

The other girl reassured her, "Of course, girl. We just have to talk about what senior Kaitlyn told us and we're done! It's a simple deal for getting your crush's number, right?"

The first girl nodded, although she still looked skeptical. Finally, her desire for her crush's number overpowered her conscience and she decided to go with it. "Okay, let's do it."

Her friend praised, "That's my girl. C'mon, let's go. Senior August might be arriving anytime."

August picked the relevant books off their shelves and went to his usual seat. The library was mostly empty, except for two girls who were seated at the table near his.

As he walked closer, some words of their conversation fell in his ears.

"Hey, did you hear about the rumor?" She twirled her hair and whispered not so quietly, "-About that hot guy, what was his name…Edward!"

Her friend acted surprised, "Oh, which rumor? Tell me-" She flapped her hands overdramatically and exclaimed, "I'm dying to hear!"

"So apparently, he and Kaitlyn are going out."

The second girl gasped, "What? For real?"

The first girl nodded knowingly, "Of course. I even heard that someone walked in on them kissing in an empty clubroom!"

August clenched his hands, gazing down. Still, he didn't say anything and continued to listen silently.

"Oooh, senior Kaitlyn is really pretty, right? Edward is really handsome too. It's only natural they are a couple, ah!"

"I know, right. I feel like they're gonna be the perfect CP soon."

They took each other's hands in an excited way and gushed, "Omg, I almost can't wait!"

"Me too!"

'SLAM'

August banged the book shut on the table and got up. Actually, he didn't use much force but since the library was mostly empty, the sound echoed, making it louder.

His head down, he went away, not noticing the two girls turning around to look at his departing back.

"Hello? Senior Kaitlyn?"

Kaitlyn was sprawled on her bed, face mask on her face as she answered, "What?" She scowled, "Who's this?"

"It's us, Tina and Belinda. We did what you told us to."

"Oh?" Kaitlyn muttered uninterestedly. Still, she confirmed, "You did exactly what I told you?"

"Yes!" They almost couldn't contain their excitement and beamed, "We did! Say, senior, are you and Edward really a thing? Or did you tell us to say this because you wanted to make senior August jealous?"

Kaitlyn was already very annoyed at Edward for contacting her after so much time only to make her do an errand. She didn't know why he wanted her to make August hear about himself and a girl, but she had a guess. She snapped, "No, shut up if you're just going to spew nonsense."

Rather than getting discouraged, the girls got even more excited, taking her annoyance as embarrassment. She knowingly giggled, "Okay, senior, we won't ask any more. Anyway, the number-?"

"What number?"

"Belinda's crush!" She continued in a wronged tone, "You promised!"

"Don't chew my ears off, girl. Just ask Lera."

"Your sidekick- no, friend?"

'-BEEP'

Kaitlyn had already hung up, not waiting for her answer.

August absent-minded walked through the halls, not looking where he was going. As much as he tried not to think about it, his mind constantly went to their conversation, each word burned deep in his mind. Why...Why did they say that?

Was Edward really…?

No! No, Edward won't ever do that. They love each other so much, he cares about him so much and yet August thinks that way about him. It's...It's just his overthinking. Of course it's that.

After all, can rumors really be trusted? The more mouths, the more talks. These girls must be gossiping about something they're not sure about. Besides, even they admitted they only heard it from somewhere and weren't sure about its authenticity. It's...It's just a rumor…

He tried to convince himself it was false, but his heart couldn't be at rest. It felt like with every passing moment, Edward slipped further away from him. It was just an instinct, and it's probably nothing. People with anxiety really over think even the most insignificant things.