Ash was breathing heavily, trapped in the arms of Phoenix. Lying on the ground of their classroom while Phoenix was hovering above him. With an unexpected turn of events, both found themselves in an awkward position.
Their eyes met as the rays of the afternoon lights revealed the hazel eyes of Phoenix, and his face lightened up. Ash felt this tingling sensation in his stomach, something he had never felt before.
"Can you... get up?" Ash spoke softly, looking away from Phoenix.
"Right, sorry about that," Phoenix stood his ground and cleared his throat.
"Let's continue decorating," Ash said, grabbing a piece of paper and tape. Dashing away from Phoenix, he left the room and went outside to where they were decorating booths for an upcoming festival.
Phoenix left in the air, held his chest tightly, and looked out of the window.
"What took you so long, Ash?" a girl with mono bangs spoke. Her hands were on her hips, and her brows were raised.
"Somebody hid the scissors on the desk! I almost went back without finding it, Chey!" Ash shouted, giggling a little. Chey cracked at what he said. He laid the materials down on the table and started to walk backwards, trying to envision the look of their booth.
Each class was given a tent for the school festival. They were assigned to do something creative, and as a way, it was also a fund-raising event. Other classes have already begun decorating their tents earlier in the day.
"I trust you, Ash. I already gave them the blueprint of your design. This is what they get for cramming!" Chey shouted at the freshmen as a joke and patted Ash's back.
"No worries, Pres!" Ash gave a salute. He went back to the desk and grabbed the materials he needed. He tied a plastic chain at the bottom of the tents and at the top as well. He made sure it was tight and secure. He was tying it in many ways—horizontals, verticals, and diagonals.
Halfway there, his arms got sore. He tried shaking it off until somebody grabbed the plastic chains away from him. Shocked, he looked back and saw somebody tower over him.
"Go, rest for a bit." His voice was hoarse, and at that moment, Ash's guts felt weird once more.
"Phoenix," Ash's voice was shaky as he whispered it so that only Phoenix could hear.
"What is it, Ash?" Phoenix tilted his head.
"Nothing! Thank you!" Ash dashed away from Phoenix and went to the comfort room, locking himself in the last stall.
No! This just can't be it. I've already moved on, gosh, please not him, again! Ash whispered to himself. Holding his chest as it beat profoundly. Trying to regain his composure, a knock diverted his gaze towards the stall's door.
"Ash? Are you okay?" It was Phoenix. Ash shook his hand, trying to sound normal.
"Y-yeah! I'm doing good." His voice cracked a little.
Crap. He told himself.
"Are you sure? Do you need anything?" Phoenix sounded concerned.
"I don't need anything. I'm all good."
"Okay, whatever you say." Ash heard Phoenix's footsteps disappear into the distance.
Of all the people Ash could be attracted to, why him? Why Phoenix? Why his best friend? These questions clouded Ash's mind as he sunk down in the stalls. He didn't want to go through the pain of liking someone, especially someone that close. He never found Phoenix attractive in the first place, or was it just the denial and the barrier Ash put himself through?
He hated the idea of liking someone who is your friend or best friend in this scenario. He didn't want to make things awkward between them, but then again, can he even control such thoughts and feelings? While attraction is inevitable, how long can you keep denying the feelings that are etched in your heart?
Phoenix has always been Ash's safety net. He didn't want that to be lost, or rather, he didn't want it to be something more than that.
After a couple of minutes with Ash and his thoughts, he returned back to their booth. Phoenix did an incredible and fast job. He did this that fast? Ash was in awe.
"Ash! Phoenix already finished putting up the plastic chains. He left for a bit, didn't know where he was going." She shrugged her shoulders.
"I already spoke with the others to work on the name of our booth. I know the style you wanted, so I just gave them the description I think you might lean into." Chey winked at Ash.
"Thanks, Chey! I knew I could trust you when it comes to things like this." Ash gave her a smile as well.
They took the rest of the afternoon to finish putting up the finishing touches of their booth. Other classes were already starting to pack up and go home. It was already quarter to five, and Chey has decided to let everyone go home as well.
Ash stayed a bit to finish cleaning their booth. He was holding his last garbage bag and was almost finished tidying up.
"I'll go first, Ash! Be early tomorrow!" Chey waved goodbye to Ash and left the school. Ash threw the last of his bag and went back to the booth to get his stuff.
There in the booth stood the person he had yet to face. Damn it. He cursed at himself.
"Are you okay now?" Phoenix rushed to Ash, holding his backpack.
"I said I'm fine, Phoenix. There's no need for you to be... that." Ash grabbed his backpack from Phoenix's hands. Ash tried to walk away, but before he could do so, Phoenix blocked his path.
"Be what, exactly?" Phoenix asked. Ash pouted. He's always this stubborn.
"Be you know... that. And stop blocking my way!" Ash walked beside Phoenix. Phoenix sighed and lifted Ash in a bride-style.
"Phoenix! Let me go!" Ash fought back, trying to let himself go.
"Not unless you say what's wrong with you," Phoenix started walking.
"You're not planning on carrying me all the way home, right?! You're crazy!" Ash continued fighting back, lightly punching Phoenix's chest.
"Cut it out, Phoenix! Let me go!" Phoenix laughed as he continued carrying Ash home.