(BL) Friendship On Fire

Aiden was so sure things would go back to normal.

For him, Hunter just needed some time. That's all. A little space and everything would reset.

However, he began to panic when days passed and nothing changed.

Hunter wasn't following him around anymore, wasn't waiting for him after class, wasn't texting him to take care of himself, was listening to him complain about stupid things. He barely even looked at Aiden. It was like he had actually taken Aiden's words seriously and given up.

Which was wrong! That wasn't how this was supposed to work!

Aiden groaned loudly, slamming his head against his desk. What the hell?!

This was not what he planned. Hunter was supposed to sulk a little, then get over it, and then—BAM! Back to best friend mode! But instead, Aiden was left feeling like some broken toy that got thrown away.

He turned his head, cheek squished against the desk, his face twisted in confusion. Why did Hunter even like me anyway?

Seriously.

Hunter was a great guy. Loyal, funny and stupidly nice. He always looked out for Aiden, always cared about him. But—romantically? How the hell did that even happen?!

Aiden racked his brain for an answer, but all he could picture were dumb moments—like when Hunter laughed at his terrible jokes, or how he always saved him a seat at lunch, or how he used to rest his chin on Aiden's shoulder when he was tired.

Aiden jolted. Wait, was that romantic?

No—right? That was just normal best friend behavior! Right?

He groaned again, louder this time. His brain was a mess. This was too much thinking for someone like him. 

Aiden was fucking miserable. His head was a goddamn mess, Hunter was ignoring him, and now his dumbass friends were adding to his suffering.

"What the fuck is up with you?" Nick asked, raising an eyebrow. "You look like someone just took a fat shit on your entire life."

Aiden wailed dramatically, slumping onto the desk. "That's exactly how I feel."

Jack smirked. "Lemme guess. You bombed another test?"

Ethan snorted. "Nah, this is different. Look at him. My man looks heartbroken. This has to be about a person."

Nick's eyes suddenly lit up like he had the world's dumbest epiphany. "Oh shit—wait, wait, wait. Don't tell me…It's about Hunter."

Aiden strengthened awkwardly.

Jack and Ethan howled.

"Holy fuck, yeah!" Jack wheezed.

Ethan wiped a fake tear. "Bro's out here looking like a sad, abandoned puppy. Damn, Aiden—Hunter really ghosted your ass, huh?"

Nick leaned in with a shit-eating grin. "You're sulking because your little slave finally ditched you."

Aiden glared at him. "Shut the fuck up. And don't call him that."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Dude, why do you even care? Hunter is like the human embodiment of a fucking funeral."

Ethan laughed and agreed. "Yeah, man. All he does is sit there, pouting like he's the main character in some tragic ass anime. Depressing as fuck."

Nick sneered. "Honestly? It's kinda good he's out of the group. He never really fit in with us anyway."

Aiden's expression darkened so fast it could've made the weather change. "What the actual fuck did you just say?"

Nick blinked in dread after seeing his reaction. "Uh—"

"No, say that shit again."

Nick hesitated before shrugging. "I mean…it's true. Don't you think he's kind of strange? Weird, quiet, kinda fucking creepy sometimes."

Ethan nodded. "Exactly. No offense, but dude was a walking funeral march."

Aiden's jaw clenched so hard his fucking teeth hurt.

Jack sighed. "Come on, man, don't tell me you'll fight with us for that freak."

"Yeah, man. You're Aiden. You should be hanging out with hot girls but instead, you're out here crying over some sad boy who probably writes poetry about death in his spare time-" 

BAM! 

Nick got cut off by a loud thud. 

Aiden slammed his fist onto the table so hard their drinks fucking jumped.

The whole group froze.

"If Hunter is out of the group," Aiden's voice sharp as a fucking knife as he warned them one by one, "then I'm out too."

Dead silence.

Aiden's glare could've set shit on fire. "I don't give a fuck what any of you think. I'll always follow Hunter. He jumps off a cliff then I'll fucking jump too without any question."

Jack, Ethan, and Nick looked like they just got slapped in the face.

Nick let out a nervous chuckle. "Relax. We were just joking."

Jack nodded a little too quickly. "Yeah, man, don't take it so personally."

Ethan held up his hands. "We're just messing with you, no need to go all ride-or-die on us."

Aiden scoffed. "Yeah? Well, your jokes fucking suck."

"Alright, damn, chill." Then his shit-eating smirk returned. "But for real…why the fuck is Hunter ignoring you?" Nick asked curiously. 

Aiden froze.

Shit. How should I answer that? 

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, what the fuck happened? You two were attached at the goddamn hip. Now you look like a divorced couple post-custody battle."

"Ooooh, lovers' quarrel?"

Aiden's face flushed so hard he thought he'd fucking explode.

Jack's jaw dropped. "Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait—"

Ethan gasped. "HOLY SHIT, AIDEN—DID YOU?!"

Aiden's brain short-circuited. "NO, YOU STUPID FUCKS—"

Nick squinted. "Then why the fuck do you look guilty as shit? Are you gay, buddy? Ewww!" 

Aiden grabbed his drink and fucking chugged it like his life depended on it.

The group exchanged glances. It was rare for Aiden to get actually mad. He was always the carefree idiot of the group, the one who never took things too seriously. But now, his jaw was clenched and his eyes dark with something uncharacteristic.

Aiden took a deep breath, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Stop talking shit! I'm not gay and neither is Hunter."

The group awkwardly looked between each other not knowing what to say.

Meanwhile, Brian, who had been silent the entire time, just observed them in silence. Unlike the others, he wasn't an idiot, he could tell something was seriously wrong with Aiden. This wasn't just about a dumb argument with Hunter.

But he didn't say anything.

Because Brian wasn't nosy like them. 

The moment the bell rang, Aiden bolted out of his seat like his ass was on fire.

His next class is with Hunter. He wasn't about to miss this chance.

Unfortunately, his dumbass still ended up late.

Bursting into the classroom, Aiden stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the teacher already standing at the front, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at him as if he was specifically waiting for Aiden.

"Aiden," the teacher deadpanned.

Aiden grinned sheepishly. "Yo."

The while class snickered.

The teacher just shook his head and sighed. Like everyone else, he's tired of Aiden too. "Take your seat."

Aiden skipped over to his usual seat next to Hunter, absolutely fucking thrilled.

Aiden smiled widely and turned to face Hunter. 

"Hunter!" he whispered while grinning like an idiot. "Guess what? I almost—"

But Hunter didn't even look at him making Aiden's grin faltered.

Okay. Ouch. But fine. Maybe Hunter was just super focused on class.

Meanwhile, Nick, Ethan, and Jack finally stumbled in even later than Aiden.

The teacher's face darkened. "You three—"

"Sirrrrr," Nick whined, slouching dramatically. "Why are you only mad at us? Aiden was late too!"

Aiden gasped like a scandalized princess. "EXCUSE YOU! I got here before you. I'm practically early compared to you dumbasses."

"Sit down. All of you," the teacher snapped.

Aiden flopped into his seat, already sulking. The disrespect.

"Alright, take out your notebooks and write down today's prompt," the teacher went on. 

Aiden reached into his bag. only to freeze. Because his notebook, his pen, his entire fucking existence. They weren't there. 

It was Hunter who always made sure he had everything. Hunter reminded him. Hunter packed for him. Hunter even did his homework most of the times.

And now? Nothing. His life was falling apart.

Aiden slowly turned to Hunter, poking his arm. "Psst. Hey."

No response.

Aiden poked harder. "Hunter. Babe. Sweetheart. Love of my life."

Still nothing.

Aiden pouted. He leaned in and make his voice extra sugary sweet. "Hunter, my dearest friend, my partner-in-crime, my beloved study husband—"

Hunter stiffened at that. Bingo! 

For a split second, his fingers twitched, like he was about to cave but then he clenched his jaw and kept writing.

Aiden gasped. The betrayal. The absolute betrayal.

The teacher glanced at him and yelled. "Aiden?!"

Aiden quickly sat up. "Yes, my favorite teacher in the whole world?"

The class chuckled. The teacher sighed helplessly. "Do your work and don't disturb the class."

"I would," Aiden let out, voice dripping with suffering, "if I had something to write with."

The teacher rolled his eyes. "Then borrow one."

Aiden turned to Hunter again, giving him his best pathetic puppy eyes.

Hunter refused to look at him.

Aiden nudged him. "C'mon, I know you have an extra pen."

Silence.

Aiden huffed. "I swear, if I die because I fail this class, I'm haunting your ass."

More silence.

Aiden leaned in closer, whispering right in Hunter's ear. "Are you really gonna let me suffer like this?"

Hunter's grip on his pen tightened. He could feel Aiden's breath tingling his skin.

He almost gave in.

But no. He had promised himself. The more he stayed away from Aiden, the better it would be for his already weak heart.

He kept his eyes on his paper and ignored the ache in his chest. 

Aiden deflated next to him, looking utterly defeated. He slumped forward, chin resting on his desk, bottom lip jutting out in a full-blown sulk.

He even let out a tiny, miserable whimper.

Hunter nearly cracked. 

Aiden complained painfully. "Fine, be this way."

The teacher yelled again. "For the love of—Aiden, borrow from someone else."

Aiden grumbled, begrudgingly turning to Nick. "Lemme get a pen."

Nick smirked. "Say please."

Aiden scowled furiously. "Say goodbye to your kneecaps."

Nick laughed and tossed a pen at him.

Aiden caught it and slumped back in his seat, still sulking.

Hunter didn't look at him once.

Aiden had never felt more abandoned in his life.

After the class finished, the second the teacher left, Hunter immediately started packing his things, shoving his books and notebooks into his bag like he was in some damn rush to escape.

Aiden was about to say something to him when Nick leaned over and slung an arm around Aiden's shoulder.

"Wanna play basketball after class?"

But before Aiden could answer, a soft voice from the front of the class cut in.

"Aiden?" Sophia called out to him.

Aiden turned to face her. She was sitting at the front desk, looking weirdly shy.

"If you're free tomorrow," she said hesitantly, "me and a few friends are going to the movies. If you wanna join…?"

Hunter's hands froze mid-pack.

Aiden saw it. The barely-there hesitation, the way Hunter's grip on his zipper tightened. He noticed everything. 

Nick whistled. "Damn, she's totally asking you out, dude. Come on, say yes."

Sophia blushed and bit her lip as she waited for his answer. 

Aiden barely heard them. His entire focus was locked on Hunter.

Why?

Why did he want to see Hunter's reaction? Why did he want to know what Hunter was thinking?

Wasn't this good?

Yes, he thought, his heartbeat thundering in his chest. Maybe if he got into a relationship, if he had a girlfriend then everything would go back to normal.

Hunter would move on and he would find some nice girl to love. Hunter would forget about him and they'll be good friends again. 

Aiden swallowed hard, feeling like he was making the biggest decision of his life.

His chest felt tight and his fingers felt numb. He turned back to Sophia and said. "Yeah. Sure. I'm free."

Sophia's soft face lit up.

Her friend nudged her, giggling. While Nick let out a low. "ooooohhhh " 

"Damn, my boy finally growing up," Jack teased. "No more being a pathetic virgin forever."

Ethan laughed. "Let's see if he even lasts a date without embarrassing himself—Woah!" 

BANG! 

Hunter suddenly stood up so fast his chair slammed onto the floor with a loud noise making everyone flinch. 

Aiden's breath caught seeing Hunter's blank face. 

Without a word, he roughly zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, turning sharply on his heel and walking out of the classroom.

Just like that.

"What the fuck was that?" Nick grasped his chest to calm himself down. 

Jack frowned. "Why does he looked pissed?"

Ethan let out a low whistle. "When he's not pissed? He's always annoying."

The group laughed, but Aiden didn't.

He was still frozen from Hunter's reaction, heart beating in trepidation.

A weird, awful guilt crawled up his throat like poison.

Why did it feel like he'd done something wrong? Why did it feel like regret was chewing at his insides?

His fingers clenched under his desk. 

"Leave it. Aiden we think-" 

But Aiden was already running out of the class. He couldn't think straight and his instincts screamed at him to chase after chase. 

Literally, it felt like someone had punched him in the chest.

For some reason, he feel shit seeing Hunter walking away like that from him? Why did it feel so wrong?

Hunter never walked away from him. That was his job. He was supposed to be the one ignoring, dodging and avoiding him. 

Oh, how the tables have fucking turned, he thought bitterly.

Just a few days ago, it was Hunter running after him. Now, he was the desperate one.

Fucking karma.

"H-Hunter!" he called out, huffing as he caught up, grabbing Hunter's wrist to stop him.

Hunter jerked to a halt. Aiden swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of the fact that Hunter wasn't looking at him.

He was staring through him.

And holy fuck, Aiden didn't like it.

Hunter's eyes were cold and angry. Aiden felt uneasy. He's only used to Hunter's soft and endearing gaze. 

And not the sore look Hunter was giving him. 

Why my heart is hurting like this? Aiden hated this odd feelings. 

Even in the most fucked up situations, Hunter stayed calm like a goddamn zen master with a "whatever" attitude.

But right now?

Right now, he looked like he wanted to punch a hole through something.

Aiden's mind went blank. Everything he had planned to say…about Hunter forgetting his feelings, about how this was for the best—completely vanished.

All he could do was stare at Hunter. 

Shit, when did Hunter's jawline get so sharp?

When did his eyes get so intense?

When did his lips—

STOP, YOU FUCKING IDIOT.

Hunter was the first to break the silence.

"What?"

Aiden blinked profusely, snapping back to reality. 

Fuck, what was he gonna say again?

Oh! Right!

He huffed and quickly started rambling, words pouring out with no brakes.

"Okay, first of all, I'm not going on a date like Nick said! I mean, he's an idiot, you know how he just talks out of his ass, right? Like, seriously, if I had a dollar for every time he said something dumb, I'd be richer than my dad."

Finally Hunter's brow twitched. Aiden kept going, flailing his hands for emphasis.

"And it's just a movie night! Like normal friends do! I mean, people watch movies all the time! It's not like I'm gonna hold her hand or do that yawn and arm around the shoulder thing—why would I? I mean, sure, she's nice but like—I didn't even think when I said yes! It just came out because my brain is fried and I—"

"Did I ask you?" Hunter cut him off in a calm voice making Aiden suck in his breath. Aiden opened his mouth but no words came. It's as if his brain short-circuited. "Why are you explaining yourself to me?"

When Aiden didn't answer, Hunter rolled his eyes in defeat and left. 

Aiden stood there.

Like a statue.

Frozen.

Processing.

His thoughts were a fucking mess.

Why did he explain himself? Why did he panic the second he saw Hunter walking away?

As if he was afraid Hunter would misunderstand his relationship with Sophia?

Isn't that exactly what he wanted? For Hunter to think he is dating Sophia?

Then why the fuck did he come running after him like some desperate, insecure girlfriend?

He groaned and dragged his hands down his face.

"What the fuck is happening to me?"