Saturday night.
"Come on Gulf , you have to dress up a little" Mild said as he rummaged through his closet. He had been cooped up at home for the last 3 days and he was keeping his promise, he was going out tonight.
"Mild, I don't even like dancing, well more like I can't, no need to be fancy" Gulf repeated for the 50th time while sitting on his bed wearing a plain T-shirt and jeans.
Mild frowned "Gulf you've been here hiding for God knows what reason" Gulf was about to protest when Mild held his hand up to stop him" it is hiding no matter what you say" he went back to looking in the closet "If you are going to go out with us after all these years I want you to look good.Ah! Yes this is it!" He said smiling widely.
He handed Gulf the burgundy button down shirt and black jeans "Hurry go change! The guys are gonna be here any minute now" Gulf rolled his eyes and complied. He came back out and Mild wrinkled his nose "I'm not changing again Suttinut!" He exclaimed before Mild started treating him like a doll again.
Mild shook his head "No the shirt is perfect you're just wearing it wrong" he grabbed the sleeves and rolled them up to his elbows, then he unbuttoned the first 4 buttons of his shirt making sure his chest was slightly exposed, Gulf widened his eyes "Why the heck would I need for my shirt to be this opened?"
Mild laughed "I'm sorry to have to admit this but babe, your hot! And sometimes I feel sad you don't know it and waste it" he tsked , Gulf tried to button up his shirt and Mild smacked his hand. "No Gulf! Trust me" he smiled looking at his work "okay how bout some cologne? You smell so girly sometimes with that Lavender soap"
"No." Gulf said face serious, he hated smelling like anything else, the lavender scent soothes him and he definitely needed it tonight, Mild tried to protest but Gulf walked away. He heard chatter as he entered the living room.
"Wow who's this?!?" Exclaimed Saint looking at his friend, Bright turned and stared without saying a word. Gulf looked at him arching his brow "it's that bad?" Bright blinked and relaxed "No you look great Kanawut" he said smiling fondly at him. Gulf felt weird at the way the comment had come out "But never better than me!" Bright yelled walking towards him "sorry but I'm still 10 times hotter than you!" He said throwing his arm on Gulf's shoulder and chuckling.
Gulf eyed him, but decided to let it go. He was overthinking already and the night had just began.
"Okay bitches lets go have fun tonight! Let's get drunk!Woo!" Mild screamed as Boat hugged him from behind. Gulf grimaced , it was going to be a long night.
——-
The music was blasting at the bar, lights shinning everywhere, people talking over the loud thumping of the base, the floor slightly vibrating to the rhythm. Gulf felt his senses had been overwhelmed. "Come on Gulf! Take a shot! At least one" Mild who had by now had at least 20 of the shots he was offering him screamed.
Saint was smiling and swaying to the beat, he kept glancing at a cute guy who had sent them a round of shots earlier. Gulf smiled at least his friends were enjoying the night. He shivered again at the sense of being watched washed over him again for the 5th time that night. He scanned the multi colored light filled room, not making eye contact with anyone as he searched.
"Relax a little Gulf" Bright whispered in his ear while patting his hand, Gulf turned to look at him, he seemed sober, but Gulf knew better "You should cut back Bright" he said back, over the music. Bright just winked at him and took another sip of his drink.
"Let's go dance!!" Screamed Mild excitedly as he popped out of his seat, Boat who was sober just laughed " Babe can you even stand?" Mild laughed hard "I can even throw it back if I need to!" He said winking at his boyfriend causing him to blush. Gulf smiled.
"Let's go!!!" He grabbed Gulfs hand who tried to resist but was getting dragged along by an incredibly strong drunk , he reached and grabbed Saint who giggled at his panicked face and Bright got up and followed after them. They made it to the dance floor and Mild pushed everyone to dance. Gulf felt incredibly tense.
Bright came behind him putting his hand on his hip "Go get yourself a drink I'll handle Mild" he whispered. Gulf was thankful so he moved quickly and headed to the bar. He finally made it and steadied himself. He looked up at the bar tender "Whiskey.Neat" the guy nooded and headed off to make it.
"Well, well, if it isn't Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong" the voice behind him said dripping with venom. Gulf knew who it was and he cursed internally. He kept his poker face in place and turned. He looked at the man and arched his brow. He laughed in response "Don't tell me you don't remember me" he chuckled " we both know you drooled after me like a puppy"
Gulf kept his cool, face blank. "Hi Jimmy is good to see you too, where's Tommy?" He said glancing behind him causing Jimmy's smile to vanish instantly. Here it comes, the venom. Gulf braced himself.
A mean smile spread across Jimmy's face "Why? Still pinning over me?" He smiled but it didn't touch his eyes "I'm surprised to see you here. Last I heard you were still a broken little boy who didn't talk to anyone"
Gulf knew the hate he was receiving was just the bitterness Jimmy lived with now. He had been expelled from the university after Tommy had left his drugs in his dorm room, when he had asked Tommy to explain to the dean he had acted as if he didn't know Jimmy. Gulf had seen the whole scene play out by accident and Jimmy hated him for it. He ignored the sting his words brought him.
"I'm glad you're okay." Gulf said sincerely, the cold smile on Jimmy's face faltered. Gulf turned and left the money on the counter and grabbed his drink. "See you around" and he walked past him. Jimmy felt anger rise in him.
"Kanawut!" He yelled grabbing his arm causing him to drop the drink , Gulf tensed immediately, Jimmy laughed bitterly "What? Still scared of people touching you! What a fucking loser, your still the same pathetic guy, still mopping around and living in your self loathing" Gulf felt his heart start to speed up, he smacked Jimmy's hand off his arm and started walking towards the exit he needed fresh air.
"Kanawut!" Jimmy yelled after him but he ignored him, he felt the anxiety rise in him he made it to the hall and Jimmy caught up to him, he grabbed his arm spinning him around and shoved him against the wall "You think you're so much better than me?!" He yelled.
"Why?!? Cause you have a job? Cause you can go out with friends now?" He laughed again and pushed Gulf harder against the wall "Please you're still the same orphan who got his parents killed! You're still a coward who hates being around people!" He yelled, Gulf felt his breaths start to come out in short gasps. He closed his eyes trying to stop the panic attack.
Suddenly Jimmy's weight was no longer on him and he heard a crash, he opened his eyes to find Mew looming over Jimmy.
"What the fuck?!? Who the fuck are you!!!" Jimmy yelled.
"You're such a piece of shit" Mew said in a low menacing growl that had Gulf shocked. Gulf closed his eyes and clutched at his chest trying to calm himself.
"Gulf!" He heard Saint yell, he opened his eyes to see his friends running to him.Zee had reached Mew and was holding him back. Bright looked over at Jimmy on the floor "What the fuck happened here?!?" He asked pissed off.
"He had Gulf pinned against the wall talking a bunch of bullshit!!" Mew roared. "Bitch!!" Mild yelled while Boat held him back.
Jimmy wiped the blood from his mouth "It ain't bullshit! It's his fault his parents are dead! His just a fucking burden!" He yelled again. Everyone collectively gasped.
Mew, Bright and Mild tried to reach for him as Zee, Boat and Saint held them back. "You piece of shit!! I'll make you eat your words!" Mild yelled while trying to break free from Boat's arms.
"Stop" Gulf's cold voice pierced through the yelling. They all looked back at him. He stood there clutching at his chest , raspy breaths shaking him. He looked down at Jimmy "He's not worth my time" the words had come out strong, and landed on Jimmy like lead.
Gulf pushed himself off the wall and began to walk away. "Gulf.." Mild said softly, he knew how hard the words Jimmy had said had pierced through him. He finally shoved Boat off and stomped towards Jimmy.
"You're so fucking pathetic" he said fervently "He gave you care and love and stood by you, even when he was fucking broken he still stood by you, did you know he went a told the dean the drugs were Tommy's when you were getting expelled!" This caused Jimmy to look up instantly "Wh-what?" He croaked.
"That's right! That orphan like you said stood up for you even though you had used him and disposed of him, even though you cheated the entire time, even though you told him he should give up on life, he still cared enough to stand up for you!" Mild was at the brink of tears "and you! This is how you repay him!?? Why!?? What's so bad about him?!? Huh??? What did he do so wrong!!!"
Jimmy looked down he felt ashamed. He knew Gulf hadn't done anything wrong it was his pride speaking, he had purposely said those words to hurt him because he knew nothing else would. He felt like shit "I-" he didn't know what to say.
"Fuck you! I hope you rot in hell" Mild said angrily and stormed off. The group following leaving Jimmy behind. Mew glanced back one last time and saw the man cry bitterly.
Mild ran outside and looked around no Gulf in sight. He cried "This is my fault I should've never brought him here" Boat hugged him "Shh shh baby no it isn't , it's that bitter man's fault" Mild cried hard in his arms. Zee glanced at Saint who's eyes were burning with fury.
"Let's go" Bright finally said. They needed to get to Gulf by the looks of it he was in the middle of a panic attack, he walked over to his car and started the engine. Everyone got in, they drove out of the bars parking lot , in the rear view Bright saw Mew and Zee standing there. He frowned.