[ Rain's POV ]
Fran had already left, but I was still standing in the kitchen, downing a glass of cold water despite the freezing weather at night. My skin felt like it was humming. Every time I closed my eyes, the scene under the slide flashed back, the heat, the weight of his hands, the way the world narrowed down to just the taste of him.
I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. What am I supposed to do with this? We've been together since childhood, but I never imagined our relationship would come this far.
I couldn't stop my lips from curving into a stupid, helpless smile. Aish, whatever. I need to sleep.
I tiptoed back to the living area to lie down beside Michael. As I settled in and turned to face him, I nearly jumped out of my skin. My soul practically left my body.
Michael was wide awake, staring directly at me with unblinking eyes.
"What the hell, Michael?! You're still awake? Why didn't you say anything?" I hissed, clutching my chest.
"Hmm," he hummed, his voice low and gravelly with sleep. "I saw you smiling all by yourself in the kitchen. Hmm-mmm." He gave me a knowing, suspicious look.
"It was just a dream! Go back to sleep," I whispered, reaching out to manually shut his eyelids with my hand.
He didn't fight me, just let out a huff and drifted back off.
The following days were a blur. Between the stress of finals and the high-pressure research presentation, Fran and I barely had a moment to speak about that night. It was like we were both holding our breath, waiting for the semester to end.
Finally, moving day arrived. I was officially going back to the apartment. I didn't have much to carry, but Fran and his friend Fer insisted on helping, which really meant making things complicated.
"I'm sorry, Sean," I whispered to him as I taped up my last box. "I didn't mean for this many people to show up."
Sean just nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Wow. Is this you? You really were a puppy even as a baby. Cute," Fer said, picking up a framed photo from Sean's cabinet.
Sean immediately snatched it out of his hands, his eyes flashing with anger. "Stop touching things that aren't yours! What are you even doing here?!"
"Hmm. I'm bored. No one wants to play with me," Fer said, leaning in until he was inches from Sean's face. "Actually... do you want to play with me, Goldy?"
I looked over at Fran, who was leaning against the doorframe, shaking his head with a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips. I gave Fran a questioning look, but he just smiled back, looking like he knew a secret I hadn't figured out yet.
"I'm not your dog! Go away!" Sean snapped, shoving Fer back.
"Whose dog are you then? I'd like to pay the adoption fee," Fer teased.
Sean looked like he was about to throw a punch, but Fer was faster, he caught Sean's wrist mid-air, pulling him closer with a smug, daring smile.
"Stop it, Fer. We're done here. Let's go," Fran interrupted, picking up a box to carry outside.
"You can go. I think I'll stay here," Fer replied, not letting go of Sean's wrist.
"Fer," Fran said, his voice dropping into that serious, don't-test-me tone.
"Sigh. Fine. Bye, Puppy. See you... soon," Fer said, finally releasing Sean and following Fran out the door.
"I'm really sorry about him, Sean," I said, walking over to my friend.
"It's fine," Sean sighed, rubbing his wrist. "Birds of a feather flock together, indeed."
"I'm sorry for disturbing you for so long. My stay dragged on a bit, didn't it?"
"You keep saying sorry," Sean said, tapping the top of my head with a genuine, gentle smile. "I already told you, Rain, I'm just glad I could be the one to help you."
"Thank you," I said, looking at him with all the sincerity I had. "I don't know what would have happened to me if we weren't friends."
Sean's smile faltered for just a second after I said that.
"I'll be going now. I guess we won't see each other for the two-month summer break," I said, feeling a bit emotional. I spread my arms wide for a goodbye hug. "Really, thank you for everything, Sean."
Sean looked at my open arms, then let out a little laugh, shaking his head.
"I think you should save that," Sean said, nodding toward the doorway behind me.
"Unless you want that Husky to eat me alive."
I turned around. Fran was standing right there, his arms crossed, watching us with a look that was half-protective and half-possessive.
I looked back at Sean, and we both burst out laughing. It was the first time the air had felt light between us in weeks.