A Note Between Us

Chapter 7: I'm Only Me When I'm With You

The next day came, and Fourth woke up in their dorm to find Gemini already dressed, almost done preparing to head out for their classes.

It startled him. Normally, Gemini would shake him awake, grumbling about how slow he was, or joking that Fourth would be late if he didn't move faster. But this time, Gemini didn't even glance at him.

"Hey," Fourth mumbled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

Gemini paused, slinging his bag over his shoulder. His voice was short, almost too casual. "I forgot. Sorry."

And just like that, he left.

Fourth blinked at the door that clicked shut behind him, his chest tightening with confusion. He sat there for a moment, trying to absorb what just happened. Something felt different—off—and he couldn't understand why.

They were already in class along with their friends when Win noticed how unusually quiet Gemini was. Normally, they would be chatting nonstop—teasing each other or laughing over something random—but today Gemini's replies were short and dry, as if he didn't want to talk at all.

"Hey, what's with the long face?" Win asked, leaning over with a playful grin. "Did you fail the quiz? Or maybe... Namtan scolded you again?"

He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but Gemini only gave a faint smile and went back to staring at his notebook.

Everyone exchanged confused glances. Fourth noticed it too, but unlike the others, he didn't jump to conclusions. He just thought Gemini wasn't in the mood, though their friends whispered to each other that maybe he and Namtan had fought.

Even during lunch, Gemini remained quiet, barely lifting his head. He didn't join their usual banter, didn't laugh along with the jokes—he just ate silently. When he finished, he stood up without a word and walked away, leaving the table in awkward silence.

The group quickly started creating their own assumptions about what was happening.

"Did something happen between him and Namtan?" Win whispered.

"Maybe he's just stressed with schoolwork," Prang reasoned, though she herself seemed unsure.

Finally, all eyes turned to Fourth.

"Fourth, you're his best friend," Win said softly. "Do you know anything?"

Fourth shook his head, a bit helpless. "No... he hasn't told me anything either."

"Then maybe you should talk to him," Win suggested. "He listens to you more than anyone else. If something's wrong, you're the one who can figure it out."

Fourth looked down at his food, unease creeping into his chest. He didn't know why, but Gemini's silence felt heavier than usual.

------

Fourth hurried after Gemini the moment he saw him leaving the cafeteria. He called his name once, twice, but Gemini kept walking as if he didn't hear him.

"Gemini!" Fourth shouted, his voice echoing across the corridor.

That finally made Gemini stop. He turned around with a sarcastic smile that stung more than it should.
"Oh, so now you notice me? What, suddenly curious why I'm not laughing with you?"

Fourth's brows knitted together. "Why are you saying it like that? I've been trying to talk to you since this morning."

"It's nothing, okay? None of your business." Gemini's tone was sharp, defensive. He spun around, ready to leave again.

But Fourth didn't let him. He grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Don't do this to me," Fourth said, his voice tight. "I don't like this... I don't know what's wrong, but if I did something, just tell me. I want to fix it."

Gemini clenched his jaw, avoiding his eyes. For a moment, silence pressed between them, the kind that felt heavier than words. Fourth's grip loosened, but he didn't back away.

"Please," Fourth added softly. "I don't want us to be like this."

Gemini finally snapped, his voice trembling with frustration. "Fine! You want to know? I know about the book, Fourth. I know you've been writing to someone. And you didn't even tell me."

Fourth froze. "You... you found out?"

"Yes," Gemini said bitterly. "And do you know how it felt? You've always told me everything, Fourth. Always. But this time, you kept it from me, like I'm not someone you can trust anymore. Like... I'm not important enough." His voice cracked at the last word, and he quickly looked away, hiding the wetness forming in his eyes.

Fourth's chest tightened. He stepped closer, desperate to explain. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you. I just—" he paused, searching for the right words. "I was afraid. Afraid you'd tell me to stop, that you'd think it was stupid to talk to a stranger through a book. I didn't want you to laugh at me."

Gemini finally met his eyes, anger giving way to something more vulnerable. "Do you really think that low of me? That I'd stop you from doing something that makes you happy? I don't care who that person is, Fourth. As long as you're safe, as long as you're smiling—I'd never stop you." He exhaled shakily, his voice softening. "I just want you to trust me, like you always did. Because when you hide things... it feels like I'm losing you."

The sincerity in his words hit Fourth deep. He stepped closer, guilt heavy in his chest. "I'm sorry, Gem. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I promise—I'll tell you everything from now on."

For a long second, neither of them moved. Then Gemini sighed and gave him a small, tired smile. "That's all I want, Fourth. Just... don't shut me out. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing. But if you hide it, people might think you don't trust them. Especially me."

Fourth nodded firmly. "I understand."

-------

When they returned to their friends, the tension between them seemed to have lifted, as though the heaviness from earlier had finally dissolved. Fourth felt lighter too—like he didn't have to keep carrying the secret on his own.

Gathering his courage, he cleared his throat and said, "Actually... I want to tell you guys something." Instantly, all eyes turned toward him, curious and expectant. "There's this mysterious person I've been exchanging notes with... through a book in the library."

The table fell silent for a beat before exploding into gasps and chatter. Win leaned forward eagerly. "Wait, like in a drama? Who is it? What do they write? Tell us everything!"

Prang clasped her hands under her chin, beaming. "That's so romantic! I didn't think things like that really happened outside of movies."

Everyone started throwing playful guesses and theories, their voices overlapping in a whirlwind of excitement. Fourth's face heated up under the attention, his ears burning as if he'd been caught in something scandalous.

And right at that moment, Namtan walked in with perfect timing, sliding into the seat beside Gemini with a teasing grin. "So it's true? Fourth has a secret admirer?"

The table erupted once more, louder this time with cheers and teasing.

"Ooooh, Fourth!" Win sang, nudging his arm dramatically.
"Careful, or you'll be walking down the aisle next semester," Prang teased, making the others burst into laughter.

Fourth waved his hands in protest, his words tumbling out in flustered defense. "No, no, it's not like that—seriously! We're just... talking. That's all."

But even as he tried to dismiss their assumptions, a smile crept across his face and refused to leave. Their laughter, their support, their playful energy—it wrapped around him like a comfort he hadn't realized he was missing.

And when his gaze flickered across the table, he caught Gemini's eyes. His best friend wasn't teasing like the others; he wasn't even laughing. He was just smiling at him—steady, gentle, but with something else behind it. Something heavier, quieter. It was a look that lingered a second too long, warm enough to reassure Fourth that things between them were okay again... yet deep enough to hint at something he wasn't ready to admit aloud.

Fourth, flustered by the teasing, didn't notice it. But if he had, he might have seen it for what it really was—a smile that carried more than friendship.