Chapter Text
He didn't know why he was so worked up. He couldn't stop thinking that right now, at this second, Sonia and Eddy were together somewhere, talking or walking or whatever the hell they decide to do. He shut his eyes and tried drifting off to sleep but since he just woke up, he couldn't do it.
Brett decided not to call Liv as she would probably tease him about this problem. He's already confused as it is, he didn't need some more confusion.
He had a brilliant idea after some time, he decided that he would train for the sports day at the gym near his house. That would be reasonable, right? It would also help him prepare. Brett quickly jumped off his bed and ran to the shower. He immediately set it to a cold shower, he needed to get his head sort out and he was determined to do so.
He couldn't let a tiny problem like this affect his whole system. After all, it isn't even supposed to be his problem in the first place. He had already helped them get together, or somehow like that. Now that they're hanging out, he's already out of the picture from their slowly blooming love story.
Then, why is he so bothered by all of this?!
He sighed inside the shower while rinsing off the shampoo from his hair. He really needed a time to himself, he needed to also avoid them at school.
After the cold shower, Brett looked for his favorite shirt to wear at the gym since it gave him a cooling feeling. He grabbed his gym bag and started walking to the gym. He could see a pastry shop nearby and decided to have his breakfast there. He could already hear his grumbling stomach when he saw the strawberry cake that was waiting for him on display outside the pastry shop.
The cashier was a sweet old lady that asked him questions while he was waiting for his order.
"That watch, my son has the exact same model, you remind me of him," She smiled, her eyes forming creases. The lady brought the tray with his order in front of Brett.
"Oh, that's very nice to know, it's a quite durable watch. Thank you for the food," Brett returned the smile and carried the tray to a table.
If there's anything that Brett loves the most is sometimes, his alone time. He loves being alone, he loves the company of himself. Most especially when he's noticing the littlest of things. The small reminders that he's alive and breathing in this world. The gentle reminders that there are humans like him all around that would make his day special. Regardless if he was extroverted or not, he still enjoyed his own company the most. With himself, there's no judgement, he doesn't need to explain his side every time.
Even a strawberry cake and cup of caramel macchiato on a warm Saturday can already make his whole month count. He took a sip from his coffee and stared outside. It was pretty early in the morning so he couldn't particularly see a lot of people. In their city, they're more of night people than morning people which was a rare sight to see.
He quickly finished his meal and exited the shop. He was now focused on arriving at the gym. The staffs at the gym has already recognized him as he was a frequent comer.
The kind staff at the desk greeted him with a smile, "Mr. Yang, you missed a week but you came back. How are you this morning?"
"I'm fine, I just had a lot of work to do last week but now I am training for the sports day that is coming. Can I have reservations until this afternoon? I'm feeling a bit determined today," He said.
"Sure, that is noted," The staff responded. While the staff was clicking on their computer, they asked, "Sorry, I have to ask, I no longer see your taller friend with you nowadays when you come to the gym. Has he found another spot? It's just that you've been with that friend in this gym almost every other week."
Brett paused while rummaging inside his bag, "Oh yeah. No, we aren't really friends anymore. Something happened and you know, when you're graduating, friends do tend to fall apart no matter how long you've been friends."
The staff's expression changed at that, "Oh! I am sorry. I am really sorry that I asked. I totally understand that. I hope you're both okay. Here's your card with stamp."
"Thank you, it's no big deal," Brett smiled and went inside.
He trained by himself, it wasn't a busy day today so, he had the gym all to himself. He exercised with his headphones to classical music.
After almost 2 hours of silence, Brett decided to take a break. He'll do his plyometrics next. He got up from the gear and sat down on one of the benches.
While he was drinking water, his phone suddenly rang out loud and reverberated over the gym. He almost choked and grabbed his phone to put it on silent mode.
>> INCOMING CALL: SONIA <<
He had the urge to look around the gym, no one was there besides him. Why was Sonia calling him right now?
He pressed Accept Call and put it near his ear.
"Sonia?"
"H-hi Brett! Uhm... Thank God you answered!" She sounded shaken up so it worried Brett even more. "There seems to be a little problem.... I didn't know what to do so I called you! Sorry! I hope you have the time!"
Brett stood up, "What seems to be the problem? It's around lunch time, aren't you supposed to be with Eddy?"
"About that... yeah we were together this morning but something happened and I really need your help. I hate to disturb you but I am really worried."
"Go ahead. Tell me what happened."
"We were just speaking at a coffee shop. I mentioned that we knew each other through you, which was right, right? I asked him how you became friends. Of course, I wanted to know. He was really happy to tell me, he got to when you were a team at school but then, he stopped all of a sudden. I think he got upset, he stood up and left and I don't know where he went!"
He frowned, "He just – left?"
"Yes... I didn't think the topic was too sensitive for him. I feel like I offended him and I need to apologize but I have no idea where he went. I am really sorry."
"Hang on, I'll try calling him and sending a text first."
He could hear the sigh of relief from Sonia from finally having someone to help her, "Okay, thank you so much, Brett. I'll wait for your update. Although, I already tried calling him but he wasn't answering his cell so I have a feeling he won't answer too."
"That's alright. I'll stop by his house, it's no problem. Just calm down and I'll call you again later." When the call ended, Brett rushed to get his things out of the locker and informed the staff that he was cancelling the rest of his hours because of an emergency. While he was rushing to the train station, he started dialing Eddy's number.
"Eddy, please pick up the phone," he muttered under his breath, fidgeting the hem of his shirt. The call did not went through, he dialed over and over again but it was not answered. He decided he would go directly to Eddy's house. He wished he would see him there.
While buying his ticket for the train, he saw a familiar advertisement poster near the station, he smiled at the sight of it.
"Oh! bubble tea, we should get some next time."
"Why don't we get some now?" Brett shrugged, peeking at the poster Eddy was looking at.
Eddy shook his head, "I am not allowed to, I can't get anymore sweets this month."
"You know, you shouldn't let your parents control even your diet, every once in a while, enjoy yourself and do what you actually want. They can't control you forever."
Eddy shrugged, "Well, they're mostly right about this. It's about my health and I have so many extracurriculars so I could never get sick."
They both got their tickets and head on to the stations.
"Aren't your parents going to get angry when they find out you've been going to the beach with me again?" Brett chuckled. "You know what happened last time. They took away your games."
"They can control anything else about my life but never my hangout time with you. I treasure our hangout times. Plus, the beach is my comfort place and if I am with my comfort person, too. I'd be the happiest man alive."
"What a goof." Eddy had hit him for teasing but how he wished that moment would just freeze.
Brett frowned, "It's a weekend. Eddy's comfort place..."
He checked his ticket, straight to the station near Eddy's house. He ran to the ticket area and exchanged the places. He needed to go to the beach.
<<BRETT---SONIA>>
<BRETT: Don't worry too much Sonia, you'll be consoling with Eddy soon.>
He shot a text before catching the train to the beach. Brett tried calling him again but to no avail. While inside the train, he sat down and contemplated. He didn't even know what he was doing, he told himself and Liv that he would leave the both of them alone but here he was, coming up solutions to get their blooming romance fixed.
"Why do I even bother," he whispered to himself as he sighed, leaning back against the window. The train ride was thankfully quiet and he could clear his thoughts. He truly didn't want to be associated with their romance anymore and so, he promised himself that this would be the last time that he would allow himself to fix somebody else's relationship.
The doors finally opened as he reached the destination and he rushed outside. From outside the train station, the sea was already visible in his eyesight. While on his way, Brett decided to get a drink from the machine just to quench his thirst and he bought another one for Eddy as well.
When he reached the seaside, he looked around for any sign that Eddy was there. Surprisingly, he found none.
He opened the can and sat down, "What the fuck was I even thinking?" Brett immediately gulped half of the can.
"Why did I even think he would be at our comfort place? Of course, he's back at home," he scratched the back of his head and sighed. Maybe, just maybe, this was his sign to stop associating himself with them and let them fix their own problems.
"Brett? What are you doing here?"
Brett turned around and to his surprise, it was Eddy. The Eddy he knew that had red eyes and a runny nose. It was obvious he had been crying. Brett noticed he was also holding two cans of soda. He raised the soda he bought for Eddy.
"Here to get you."
"You know I'd be here?" he had asked.
Brett chuckled, "We went here every single week, how could I ever forget?"
Eddy looked down, "I don't know.... I just thought – it's nothing."
They stayed in silence for a while until Eddy spoke up again, "I know Sonia sent you, or something like that. I am not mad at her. You can tell her that. If there's nothing else, you can leave."
Eddy was about to move at a different area but Brett called him, "That's not the only thing I came here for."
The other turned around, "What do you mean?"
"Why'd you get another soda?" He pointed at the two cans of soda Eddy was holding.
"Oh this? Force of habit, I guess. Just like you said, once you've done something before every week, it'll never grow out of you." Brett could tell his tone was sad but he didn't know why. He thought that's what Eddy wanted, for them to give space to each other.
Brett smiled, "I know, I got one for you too. Would you care to join me?"
Eddy sighed, "You should really leave. I've already taken up so much of your time. You didn't have to go all the way here."
"It was my decision to go, nobody forced me."
Eddy stayed silent, staring at the sand beneath them.
"Why do you keep pushing me away? I get confused. Tell me what's the problem."
The other shook his head, "I need to fix myself first."
Brett nodded, "Okay. Let me help you, then."
Eddy's whole hand formed into a fist, he was desperately clutching onto nothing, "How can you help when you're one of the reasons I am becoming like this?"
Brett stared at him in shock. Eddy started to run but Brett got up and went after him.
It's ironic, isn't it? The last time they went there, they were chasing each other with smiles on their faces. Now, with hesitancy and confusion. Times change quickly.
"Eddy wait! Talk to me! Please!" Brett panted. He could feel the heat of the sun burning his skin. "What did I do? How would I fix it if I don't even know what I did?"
"I can't tell you, okay! You're not the problem," Eddy screamed back. "I am so confused and I don't know what to do and it is killing me. I need to be away from you to understand myself."
Brett sighed, "If this is about Sonia again, how many times do I have to tell you?"
Eddy shook his head, "I don't know, Brett. I just wanna be left alone. Say what you have to say to Sonia. I am sorry that I ran, I just couldn't handle my emotions. It just bottled up and spilled."
Eddy started to walk away, further from Brett.
"But you're hurting me by not saying anything about what you're feeling!" Brett shouted back. "I am confused, too. If you would just tell me what's wrong, I could help you. I could help the both of us."
The other sighed, "I didn't mean to make you feel like that. Not at all, I am always the problem. You've done nothing wrong. You shouldn't worry about me. I'll figure out the thing with Sonia by myself. If I don't realize it on my own, how will I grow?"
He looked back, his heart broke at the sight of Brett looking dejected, "I am sorry for the way I am acting towards you, you don't deserve any of that and I am such a bad friend. But right now, I can't control it. So, give me time and space to reflect on what I am experiencing."
Brett nodded, he knew he wouldn't be able to change Eddy's mind considering his mental state right now, "I trust you. I always have and I always will."
He couldn't reach Eddy now, he was too far away.
"Go home and have some rest, we'll be exhausted next week, after all," Eddy said, turning his back once again.
<<EDDY---SONIA>>
<EDDY: Sonia, you don't have to worry. I am not mad at you, at all. I was just acting dumb. I should be the one apologizing, I am sorry I left you alone in there and ran away. I hope you'll forgive me.>
<SONIA: Eddy! Thank God, you're alright. Did you meet up with Brett? I am sorry for being so insensitive! I was just really excited on getting to know you. I never meant to hurt you!>
<EDDY: Yeah, I did. But I also left. I don't want to involve into my own personal issues. And you too. I am the problem, none of you are. However, I wanna thank you for your concern. I'll be fine.>
<SONIA: Do you wanna talk about it? I am always here, you know! I'll be more than happy to hear you out.>
<EDDY: No need, but thanks for offering. Like I said, I'll be fine. I need some time to myself. Goodnight, Sonia. Rest up for next week.>
<SONIA: Good Night, Eddy! I hope you'll be alright.>
Brett sighed, jumping on his bed and staying like that for a minute. It seems like going after Eddy did not do them any good. He knew what would happen, he knew Eddy was stubborn. If he was determined to do something by himself, he would do it, even if people are reaching out to help him.
Brett groaned and buried his head on the pillow. His phone pinged and he hoped the notification was from Eddy.
<<BRETT---SONIA>>
<SONIA: Couldn't get him to really talk. What happened when you saw him?>
He sighed again, he almost didn't wanna reply. He just wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
<BRETT: It was a long story but nothing really happened.>
<SONIA: It seems like he's a tough shell to crack, isn't he?>
<BRETT: That he is, but he's also determined so there's nothing else we can do about it.>
<SONIA: At least you seem a bit calmer than I am, considering you're probably familiar with his behavior? I hope you're also doing well, Brett. Goodnight! See you next week!>
Brett stared at the last message. He was definitely not calm. His bestfriend of God knows how many years wouldn't talk to him about his problems. He felt like he failed as a bestfriend. He decided to just send an emoji back to Sonia. He threw his phone on his nightstand.
"How can you help when you're one of the reasons I am becoming like this?"
Brett shut both of his eyes, trying to fall asleep. He couldn't get that sentence out of his mind. What could he have possibly done to Eddy to keep him in that state? He must've been exhausted since even though his head was full of questions, he managed to fall asleep.
His alarm rang loud. It was finally sports festival day.
He wore his P.E. uniform and quickly head to school to give himself time to relax inside the classroom. While he was resting his head on his desk table, somebody tapped his shoulder, shaking him awake.
"Yo! Are you ready?!" Liv shook his frame. "Oh man, you're looking... I don't know what to call it."
Brett scoffed, "Should I be offended by that comment?"
"Well, did you get any sleep at all?" Liv sat down on the desk near him.
"Yeah, actually."
"Were you up all night thinking about your troublesome bestfriend, again?"
Brett frowned at that, "I've never regarded him as troublesome, you're mistaken."
Liv rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I hate seeing you worry over that. You're always worrying about him, to the point you don't even think about yourself anymore."
"That's not even true. I feel like I don't worry about him enough and now he's slipping away from my grip when I thought it would never happen," he just groaned and slumped over his table again. He felt emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted.
Liv shrugged, "You got no choice, you need to get out of that seat and freshen up before the games start."
His friend walked towards the door, "Brett, I swear, if you don't get up and get your ass moving, I'll drag you myself, okay? If you don't feel well you could always go to the clinic and get a slip to be allowed to go home."
Brett stood up immediately at that, still facing downwards towards the surface of his desk, his bangs falling dramatically, "I would never miss sports day. I just need to suck it up and get to work."
The girl leaned against the door frame, "Good confidence, but I am pretty sure you'll end up sick after."
"That's alright with me. I just don't wanna look like a loser who skipped sports day. Plus, I never lose sports day, and if I don't attend today, that'll be an automatic loss at my part."
"Would you be able to handle it if you went up against him?"
The question hit him like a truck, "I have to compose myself. I have a lot of people counting on me to win, I can't just let them down because I am worried about my best friend, right? Including Sonia, the girl he likes. He would be angrier if I make Sonia's team lose just because I am being a major loser right now."
Brett ran to catch up with her friend near the door entrance of the classroom. Liv didn't think about replying to what he said. They both head to the washrooms to get ready as the sports tournament would start in 20 minutes.
Liv raised a fist and Brett bumped it without hesitation, "Just friendly fire, alright?"
"Friendly fire. Good luck, Liv. I'll see you there," he said, watching as Liv ran to her teammates.
"Let the games begin, I guess," Brett sighed, looking for his own teammates. He went up the stairs and saw a group of people wearing red shirts. It was his team.
Sonia immediately spotted him and waved, "Brett! Over here!"
When he caught up to the group, he felt that Sonia was nervous.
"I am so glad we're teammates, I feel so nervous!" Sonia sighed. "I am sure you've done this countless times before so please take care of us! I'll be sure to do my best also."
He just smiled at Sonia and quickly tied his shoelaces.
The other people in their team also surrounded Brett and greeted him cheerfully. Of course, who wouldn't be glad to be teammates with one of the all-time champions in every sports day? Before the sports tournament, each team are tasked to compose their own group yell to be presented right before the games.
Sonia and her friend, Yulia, led their group yell as well as the musically inclined people in their group.
5 minutes left before the tournament....
"I wish you a good luck, everyone. Let's do our best!" Sonia said, the whole team cheered and they formed a line to finally go down to the field and start the tournament.
The sports tournament finally commenced.