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Whenever I say I have a bad feeling about something, it usually turns out correct. That bad feeling right now is slowly twisting my gut as I watch Beam, Wayo, and Phana eat together at lunch in the cafeteria. I knew it. This Phana guy is bad news. Beam does not, I repeat, does not eat lunch at the cafeteria. No matter how I force him to sit with us in our table at lunch, he always declines. But now, just because some good-looking dude likes to have lunch, he was all for it.

My face now sports a permanent scowl as I blatantly glared at Phana. He was talking about something while Wayo and Beam listened. He must have said something funny as Wayo was now laughing his ass off. While Beam, my usually reserved Shorty was giggling, his blinding smile was there for all to see. Even people at other tables turned their heads to look at them. I scoffed. How dare him use his charm to win Beam and my bro-in-law.

“Show off,” I muttered as I stabbed my lunch.

“Huh?” Ming asked.

I just growled as I chewed hard. Ming glanced at their table and snickered.

“Oi lover boy, jealous much?” he whispered.

“Shut up, Ming,”

“You have to work double time, Boss. Or else, you know, Shorty over there might get taken away from you,” he reasoned.

Looking back at them, they really looked like they were having fun. There was nothing I can do but groan.

***

I just want this bad week to end. But it looks like all good fortune managed to avoid me. What was more annoying was I just knew Phana and Beam has almost all classes together. How did he do that? He was spending more time with Beam, while I only have two subjects with him. This really puts me at a disadvantage.

Early morning Chem class just started and our teacher decided to make us work in pairs. I bolted up and walked to Beam’s seat as soon as the teacher asked to find a partner.

“Hey, Forth,” Phana greeted. I ignored him.

“Shorty, pair up with me,” I said while smiling.

“Oh, uhm… Forth, I…”

“Come to my desk,” I said.

“Sorry, but I… I already partnered with Phana,” he said quietly.

“What- oh…” No, switch places! I yelled in my head.

“Who doesn’t have a partner?” our teacher asked.

“Forth over here, Sir,” Phana raised his hand and shouted. What the fuck.

“No, Beam pair with me,” I said firmly.

“I, uh-” Beam looked adamant.

“Sorry, but I really need Beam to teach me the past lessons so I can catch up and answer today’s exercises,” Phana inserted.

I just gave him a stink eye.

“Come on, Shorty,” I pleaded.

“Sorry, but I already promised him,” Beam said with his head down.

Phana just shrugged at me and started placing his stuff in Beam’s desk.

Having no choice I approached our teacher and let him find a partner for me.

Great. My day is ruined.

***

Later that afternoon, I saw Shorty on his way to the lockers. A silly grin formed on my lips as I watched him open and take a bite off a Snickers bar.

I was about to approach him when Phana jogged to him reaching him first.

“Hey, Beam,” he greeted.

“Hey, Pha,” Beam said.

“Wow, that looks good, can I have a bite?” the idiot asked. No way.

“Sure?” Beam said and offered the bar.

“No!” I ran and snatched the piece of chocolate.

Both of them looked startled and looked at me.

“I-,” Even I was shocked.

“B-Beam looked hungry, you shouldn’t take away his food,” I adlibed.

“It’s fine,” Beam said.

“No, it’s yours,” I said stiffly. “Only yours.”

Beam opened his mouth to say something.

“I mean you really love sweets… so you should eat it by yourself,” I explained and took a wad of cash from my pocket.

“Here, buy your own food or whatever,” I said and shoved the money in Phana’s hand.

Phana was looking at me and Beam and then at the money in his hand.

“Okay, wow. Thanks,” he said clearly looking confused.

“You’re hungry right? Go away and buy it now,” I said, trying to hide my annoyance.

“Geez,” Phana grumbled but walked away anyway.

Beam just stood there looking puzzled.

“Eat,” I said.

He took a bite and chewed slowly, looking at me curiously. Then for some reason, his cheeks started to become red.

“You okay?” I asked.

He shook himself and muttered. “No, it can’t be.”

I raised my brows. “What?”

“Nothing,” he answered.

“I want to see you finish everything,” I said.

He just stood there while chewing.

“You’re so skinny, you have to eat a lot Shorty,” I added.

“Oh, o-okay. Is that why you don’t want me to share with Phana?”

“Yes,”

“Oh, I thought…” he said.

“What?”

“Nothing,” he said silently.

We both stood there. I watch him eat the entire bar. He looked really cute munching I can’t help but smile. He is a bit clumsy too, smearing chocolate on his chin.

“So clumsy, don’t let anyone see you like this,” I said.

I don’t want other people to know how tempting he is. I fight the urge to lick his chin and lips clean, I just used my fingers instead.

He nodded looking puzzled but still took a bite and chewed. His cute cheeks puffing up as he munched on. I was smiling the whole time. Who would have thought just watching him eat chocolate would be very enjoyable.

After the one last bite, I ruffled his head.

“Good boy,” I said.

He smiled at me.

“I got practice, I have to go,” I want to kiss him goodbye and taste the sweetness of his mouth, but I know that’s harrassment.

“Okay,” the dazzling smile was still there.

I turned and waved a hand as I ran. Afraid of what I might do if I stayed and stared much longer. We’ll hang out in my house this weekend anyway, just him and me. I grinned at the thought of My Shorty being all to myself. No stupid Phana hanging around.

***

Okay, I was able to stop Phana on the chocolate incident the other day. But today is another day and I have to be alert at all times. He is still sticking to Beam like glue and it annoys me to no end. I get that he is new but duh, there are a lot of people at school he can be friends with.

Just when my day couldn’t get any crappier, Beam approached me during Math class to deliver bad news.

“Forth, I’m so sorry, I know I said yes to this weekend, but…” he hesitated.

I just stood there quietly dreading the next words.

"... something important came up. So can we hang out some other time?" he said biting his lip looking apologetic.

I fight the urge to throw a fit or maybe act really sick again to change his mind, but that would be pathetic. I guess I don't have a choice.

I breathed deeply and lowered my head.

"Sure, it's fine," I looked up and smiled widely acting unaffected. I don't wanna show my disappointment.

"Thank you," he replied.

I nodded and ruffled his hair.

***

Early morning and my phone was ringing. Ming, the idiot.

"What the hell Ming, it's weekend," I grumbled.

"It's almost noon Forth, get your ass up and let's go shopping,"

"Why would I go shopping?"

"For prom!" he yelled.

"Oh shit," I completely forgot about prom.

"You forgot didn't you?"

"Yes, and I haven't even asked him yet!" I scolded myself. Prom is three days from now. I was preoccupied with Phana and was busy getting jealous I completely forgot about prom.

"Well-"

"Can't go shopping with you, bye!" I cut off the line.

I dialed Beam's number, but it just kept on ringing. So I sent him a text message asking what he's doing. Pacing back and forth, I think of how to ask him to be my date without sounding weird or creepy.

A few minutes after, still no reply. So I change my clothes, wash my face and brush my teeth and drove to his house. I know he said he's busy, but if he's not in, I could just wait for him there. Maybe his mom would let me eat some yummy snacks while I wait.

My hands are slightly trembling. A little bit nervous of how he will respond to my invitation. I remind myself to ask him as casually as possible.

I parked my car beside their front lawn and got out. I composed myself as I walked my way to their porch. Two steps in and I stand frozen in my spot.

Just right by the door, Beam and Phana are hugging tightly. Phana was whispering something in Beam's ear, and Beam was nodding, with a smile on his lips.

Painful, that's how I describe it. It was like my chest was being hit by an accelerating football. I clenched my fist tightly as I control myself. I want to turn around but I can't move, I can't help but look on.

Phana was now holding Beam's face. From this angle, they looked like they were about to kiss. Jealousy soared through my brain as I run to them. Strongly grabbing Phana's arms and pushing him forcefully, he almost lost his balance but Beam was able to grab him.

"What the fuck," Phana yelled at me.

"Forth? What are you-" Beam looks perplexed. Or maybe mad since I interrupted them.

I glared at Beam and pursed my lips. My hands are shaking, and within a few seconds, my mouth opened.

"So you didn't hang out with me today so that you can flirt and get chummy with this idiot?" I spat at him.

"Flirt?" Phana asked raising his eyebrows.

"You know what, Beam, let's just go back to ignoring each other," I said coldly.

"What do you mean? What are you talking about-"

"Look," I held my hand to interrupt him.

"Just go on with whatever you're doing," I said.

"It's not what it looks like, we are just-" Phana inserted.

"Shut up!" I glared at Phaha.

"You can go back to kissing or whatever," I looked at Beam devoid with emotion.

"Forth-"

"Also, you can stop giving me food, so it won't burden you any longer. Sorry about that,"

"But Forth, w-we were just-" he stammered.

"You can also continue ignoring me just like you did before," I gave him one last look.

"Both of you enjoy the prom," my voice full of sarcasm. I turned and walked back to my car.

I completely ignored Beam as he repeatedly called my name. I unlocked my car, went inside and drove away.

"Shit, it really hurts," I whimpered as I slowed down in front of my big empty house.

I guess I'm just meant to be alone.