The Boy next door

Chap 31: Decisions

Tae awkwardly strolls beside Caleb, making sure to keep his distance, chewing on his cheek out of nerves. Caleb walked silently, both allowing the quiet eat them up-devour them in its glossy haze. Neither knew what to say, the air had suddenly turned thick between them and it was suffocating. What Jungkook said kept replaying in both their heads like a broken record. The question lingered, Tae couldn't help but ponder it. His heart never lied to him, always told him the truth unlike most things in his life. His stomach would churn and knot when Caleb would smile or laugh that beautiful beat he loved to hear. He had managed to suppress his feelings, lie to himself about how he really felt towards the blonde haired boy. 

He never imagined he would fall into Caleb's goofy trap, he wasn't someone who easily succumbed to teenage crushes. He knew they weren't ever going to blossom into anything but somehow he couldn't shake this one. Caleb had got under his skin, wiggled his way snuggly into his heart with his boyish charms and childish wit. He enjoyed being around the blue eyed boy as much as he did with Jimin. In fact, he looked forward to spending time with Caleb, his heart beat faster in his chest like a torturous drum ready to burst right out of his chest.

His palms become sweaty, this urge to be close to him burnt deep in his soul. He'd purposely hang around or find a way to be near Caleb every chance he could get. When Jimin accused him of liking his brother he felt embarrassed and ashamed like he was doing something wrong. It didn't feel right, it scared him when he thought about it too hard. Somewhere inside him knew it would not end well, he could never really be with Caleb because they weren't meant to be. Caleb didn't like him, least not the way he did and he knew that even though it hurts. Tain had got there first, stolen Caleb's heart right from under him.

"So, what Jungkook said is crazy right? I mean, us together? That's insane." Caleb attempts to clear the air, hating the numbing silence that trapped them.

Tae shallows the nut stuck in his throat, he keeps his eyes down, unsure how to respond since to him it didn't sound so insane.

"Y-yeah Jungkook doesn't know what he's talking about. It's completely crazy to think we'd ever be together." Tae laughs to hide his sadness, struggling to shield his hurt.

Caleb joined in the laughter, he to trying to hide his pain that he didn't realise he felt until Tae had spoken. He'd secretly hoped Tae would disagree, say what Jungkook said may have some truth to it. Caleb himself felt torn and confused as when Jungkook thought they were together his heart fluttered. One side of him blushed at the idea whereas the other felt guilty for ever thinking it. He liked Tain, he really did but Tae had started sneaking his way into his heart.

He'd only just discovered his interest in boys, being gay is completely new to him and he hadn't fully come to terms with all the emotions that boiled up inside him. He felt strange yet he kind of liked it. He'd been confused about his sexality for awhile, questioning it since he started noticing how attractive some of the boys were at school. Found himself blushing whenever a cute boy talked to him or came close. Having Jimin around to help him figure things out really made it easier. He counted himself lucky to have a brother so kind and caring, Jimin was a good big brother.

Caleb just hadn't quite figured out who he wanted to be with. Did he like Tain or did he Tae? That is the question he couldn't find an answer for, well at least not yet as his heart had not decided.

Jimin rubs his clammy hands on the scratchy material of his school pants, sweat drooled down the crevices of his spine. He couldn't muster up the courage to look at Jungkook who smirked behind the wheel. His cheeks were stained a rose red, taunting him everytime he thought about what Jungkook had said.

Had it been real? Did Jungkook just imply what he thinks he did. Were they going to do something naughty? Sexual like in the horny dreams of his that would flood his mind the moment he closed his eyes.