Moment of Truth

Chapter 15: Fighting

It's been two weeks since Ricky came here to Canada to visit me. Well, that's the biggest reason he came here. But he's looking into University of Toronto to continue his business degree. He's always wanted to go to Canada and was kind of jealous that I got to get here first. He'll still be here for another two weeks before heading back to the Philippines. I went on a campus tour with him as his plus one. It was cool touring the university and it might be the place I could transfer too after I finish my small stint at a local college.

I've invited Yuzuru and Javier to hang out with Ricky and I a couple of times. Javier seems to like Ricky, but Yuzuru mainly stays quiet. He'll answer when talked to, but doesn't really engage in the conversation. I hope this isn't weird for him or something. I think it's time to have a bit of talk with Yuzuru.

Today Ricky is talking with a counselor at UoT so he'll be busy all day. I'm at Yuzuru's practice as it's just him today. He has a week before he goes to Skate Canada. Luckily, it's in our own backyard so we don't have to travel for it. But I do enjoy traveling.

"Yuzu," I call to him after his practice. I hand him his water bottle and his towel. "Do you want to hang out with me today?"

"What about Ricky?" Yuzuru asks emotionlessly.

"He's busy at UoT so he's gone for the day."

"What about Javi?"

"I asked if he wanted to hang out, but he said he was busy."

"Okay."

Yuzuru grabs his stuff and motions for me to follow him. I grab my own bag and follow Yuzuru out of the Cricket Club. But not before telling Coach Brian bye. I follow Yuzuru to the cafe that's down the street from the Cricket Club. We order our food and drinks first and then grab a table. I pay for both of our food before Yuzuru had time to take our his wallet. I earned a huge pout for that.

"You didn't have to pay," Yuzuru grumbles childishly.

"Let's just call it pay back for you paying for my meal after the Autumn Classic," I say with a smile.

"But the man should always pay. It's the gentlemanly thing to do."

"Sure, sometimes. But not all the time. I'm a big girl, Yuzu. I can pay for myself and another person if I want to."

"Hmph."

Yuzuru crosses his arms in front of his body and continues to pout. He is such a little child sometimes. It's honestly adorable on him. For other guys, it would be weird, but it fits his personality. I give him my biggest smile to get him to smile. He doesn't smile back. I start making funny faces at him till he cracks. It takes a couple faces but I get him to crack and he starts laughing. He practically loses his eyes when he laughs or smiles real big. It's adorable.

"You're so silly, Mai," Yuzuru comments as he unfolds his arms.

"That's what I'm here for," I say as I pull another funny face. Earning a chuckle from him.

"Okay, but next time, I pay."

"Well, it's whoever can pay the fastest, Yuzu. Are you up for that challenge?"

"Yes I am."

We laugh at one another as we pretend to be serious. Our food comes out after a while. It feels good to have Yuzuru talkative. He's been so silent since Ricky came into town. I'd hate to think that he doesn't like Ricky. Ricky is my best friend and Yuzuru is one of my really good friends here. I'd like for them to get along.

"So, Yuzu," I say to him after we've finished eating. "Do you like Ricky?"

"Um..." is all that comes out of Yuzuru's mouth before he remains silent. He adverts his eyes away from me as well. But that's all I needed for that question.

"Why don't you like him?"

"Um... Oh..."

"Please tell me if you don't like him. I'd really like to know so I can fix the problem. If there is one."

"Um... I do like him..."

"Then how come whenever you're around him, you don't talk?"

"Um... Oh..."

"Yuzuru. Tell me what's wrong. I want to help."

"What exactly is Ricky to you?"

That question takes me by surprise. Especially since Yuzuru gave me a serious face with that question. Of course, Ricky is my best friend. He was my suitor, but I've denied him already and I don't exactly like telling people that he was my suitor.

"He's my best friend," I state after take a pause.

"Are you sure? You hesitated," Yuzuru presses.

"Well, I didn't really feel the need to tell you this, but Ricky was my suitor back home. But I told him to stop cause I was leaving him and the Philippines and I knew long distance courting wasn't going to work. But we're just best friends now."

"Why is he here then? Does he still want to court you?"

"He's here to visit the University of Toronto because he wants to go there. And that's not really any of your business, Yuzu. Unless you have something to say that'll make it your business."

I look Yuzuru in the eye and he looks conflicted. He looks like he wants to say something, but stops himself every time. I sigh and look away from him. I don't understand why he's acting like this. It doesn't make any sense to me. I know we haven't been friends long so I am not certain of the tendencies of his, but he can be very readable. I didn't think Ricky coming to town would affect him like this. He's such a wild card sometimes. I wish I could read his mind. We don't say anything for the rest of our time at the cafe. We soon go our separate ways; not even saying goodbye to one another. I don't know what just happened between us. But I think it was a fight.