The Love That Can't Be Ours

It's another quiet and peaceful day for Nick as he slowly opens his hazel brown eyes when rays of sunlight hit his being. It seems like there's nothing new about waking up in the morning with nothing to think about but lying on the bed all day long. However, another school year enters and the leisure time comes to an end. Nick is a college student who didn't want to come in contact with anyone. Maybe being an orphan is one of the reasons why he isolate himself from the people around him. Ever since when he was a child he has social anxiety. He doesn't like being in a crowd of people. It seems like the supply of oxygen stopped whenever he's with someone he didn't know. Perhaps, the word alone was already engraved in his vocabulary. Even though he is under the custody of an orphanage, he is still fortunate to have the opportunity to attend school. At first, he is a bit doubtful about the offer but eventually he takes the risk and paints some colors in his dull life. It started rough for him to cope up with the new environment but thankfully, as years passed by it went smoothly. No one bothered him, it also means he doesn't have friends at all, but he's okay with that. When he entered college the orphanage continued to give him financial support. However, since the university is quite far from their location, it's not convenient for Nick to travel back and forth. So, the head of the orphanage arranged his accommodation and rent a small apartment near the school. Nick yawned and about to get up when a pair of hands tightened around his waist. He smiles to himself remembering that at least once in his lifetime he met someone who became his friend, hero, and most importantly act as his older brother. Juno started living with Nick ever since when he was a sophomore and the small guy was a freshman. The man is well built with towering height and a God-like physique. His bluish-gray eyes didn't help at all to avoid unnecessary attention. The small apartment that they shared to rent is simple yet comfy for their likings. At first, Nick is a bit anxious about Juno's presence. Just think about it, who would have thought that the most popular student and president of the student council will suddenly grace his existence to someone antisocial like him. It started when Juno decided to share a table with him during lunch in the school cafeteria. There's no exchange of words between the two, they're just sitting and peacefully eating their meals. It continued for a whole week. Although Nick avoided the tall guy his presence still bothered him. Just to add some spice in the story, it seems like fate wants to play with Nick when one day, the door of the cheap apartment where he lived opened and revealed a very familiar face that's been haunting him from the past few days. Juno timidly smiles to Nick which the small guy awkwardly returns. Since then, Nick slowly copes up with Juno's existence. He learned that the guy has a good heart and very comfortable to be with. All the chores in the apartment were smoothly handled by Juno not letting Nick to do even a single thing. Because of that Nick learns to open up with him and tell everything that's going on in his mind. And Juno knowing everything about Nick makes him happy and satisfied. The feeling of being overprotective towards Nick ignites in Juno's heart when he learned that the smaller guy has social anxiety. However, as time goes by Juno noticed something about Nick's condition. Every time Nick was surrounded by many people he will just fidget his hand and shake due to nervousness but when a girl touches him he will suddenly hyperventilate. Seeing Nick hyperventilating made Juno like a mad dog and everyone in the school knows not to put themselves into his curse list. Despite his warm treatment towards Nick, Juno still can't be called as someone with a good heart. He's far from that. Juno always acts cold and distant towards the people around him. He doesn't give a damn about those w***e and social climber who wants to get his attention. The only thing he care about is the well-being of the fragile boy, Nick. No matter what your gender is, social status, age, or degree, once you trigger Nick's hyperventilation, in a blink of an eye you will see yourself covered with blood and almost lifeless. That is not an exaggeration rather stating a fact. Juno didn't mind the consequences as long as it concerns Nick's safety and besides, who will dare to backfire a man who possesses power and connections. Having multi-billionaire parents and a large network of connections, Juno can easily turn the table. Studying in a cheap university and living in a small apartment despite being an elite, Juno surely has good reasons and part of that reason is Nick. Nick slowly freed himself from the tight grip of the tall guy. He's still thinking why this guy keeps on sleeping on his bed even though he had his own on the other side of the room. He grabs his eyeglasses on the nightstand table to have a better view since he had poor eyesight. He looks at the clock placed on the wall and saw it's only 6:30 am, he had enough time to prepare breakfast for him and Juno since school starts at 8. Nick separates himself from the bed and covers Juno with a blanket. He let him sleep for a little bit more while hugging his pillow. He proceeds to the kitchen and looks for something that he can cook in the fridge. At first, Juno is against the idea of Nick cooking their breakfast because he didn't want the small guy to do any household chores. However, since Nick always wakes up earlier than Juno he protested. In the end Juno admits his defeat and lets Nick do the chore, besides who can resist a pouting Nick while having his tantrums. Closing the fridge, Nick decided to cook eggs, slices of bacon, and pancakes. It takes several minutes before he finishes cooking all the dishes. When he made sure that everything is settled he decided to go back in their room and wake up Juno. Nick entered the room and saw the tall guy still sleeping soundly. He sighs heavily knowing that they will be late on their first day of school if Juno will not wake up anytime soon. Nick walks near the bed to wake up the tall guy from his deep slumber. He gently shakes Juno's shoulder but the guy only buried his face deeper on the pillow. "Juno... Please wake up... We'll be late if you don't wake up now..." Nick said softly. Juno groans and stubbornly ignores Nick. Although he already woke up when Nick left the room he remained slacking on the bed since he's damn tired from what happened yesterday in the student council office. On the other hand, Nick is somehow tired of forcing the guy to wake up. He thought that maybe Juno is too tired due to the preparation he did with the student council yesterday for the opening of classes. He decided to let the tall guy sleep and sigh heavily. "I know you're tired but we will be late... if you want I'll go first. Just don't forget to eat your breakfast before you go." Nick said softly then proceeds to walk. Hearing those words coming from Nick's mouth, Juno automatically separates his body from the bed and back hug Nick who is now halfway from the door. A quiet unusual scene for both guys to do but believe it or not this is just normal for them. "I'm sorry I'm just having a hard time sleeping last night... So many things to think about." Juno said in his deep groggy voice. Nick face the tall guy while making a little space between them, "I know, I understand. You shouldn't have force yourself. You must take care of your health as well." "Yes, I understand. Don't worry it won't happen again." Nick separates himself from Juno and offer him a warm smile, "Okay let's eat our breakfast now before it gets cold" He is about to walk outside when the tall guy yanked his arm again and enclosed him to a tight embrace. "One more minute" Juno said burying his face on the latter's head. Nick sigh in defeat and let the taller guy do whatever he wants. He hugs him back eventually and let the peaceful silence take over. "Please do not get any taller than this. I like it this way" Juno said inhaling the intoxicating scent of the small guy, a combination of strawberry and banana. Until now he can't still figure out why Nick smells different from him though they are just using the same brand of toiletries. Meanwhile, Nick can't still decipher whether the tall guy is teasing him or not. Juno always had this emotionless voice that is hard to comprehend. So, he just hummed in response and stay still. Besides, he can't blame the guy for what he said since his height barely reaches the latter's shoulder. Juno finally separated himself from Nick and ruffled his head. He grabbed his phone on the nightstand table and then walked outside together with Nick. After several turns, Juno and Nick finally arrived in the dining area. Juno sat across from Nick. He switched on his phone and look at the messages and emails that he received. "Juno keep out your phone, let's eat our breakfast first." "Okay" The two ate comfortably talking about random things. Juno reminded Nick to call him if something happened. It was like a routine where Nick already memorized all the reminders of Juno but he doesn't have a choice but to pretend to listen and constantly nod from the rant of the tall guy or else it will not end. It takes a few more minutes before the two finally finish preparing all that they needed. They walk outside their apartment and as usual they ride Juno's motorcycle. On their way to Chabeeth University, a renowned state university they attended, Juno asked Nick about the papers that he needed to submit for his scholarship. "Nick, when are you planning to submit your papers to the orphanage?" Juno asked while driving the motorcycle. "Ahh... I don't know yet. I want to arrange first all the papers that I needed to comply." Nick replied. "Ahhh... Ok... I'll accompany you. It doesn't matter what day it is." Few minutes had passed and two finally arrived in the university ground. Juno as usual had his stoic face. He parked his motorcycle in the school parking lot and carried both his and Nick's bag. It is habitual for Juno to always escort Nick to his classes. It started when they shared the same apartment. Well, not only that, but he also buys lunch for him, provides all his school materials, and he always brings an extra shirt to make sure that the small guy is not soaking in sweats. If we look at the situation it was like Juno is Nick's servant although in reality he's only serving Nick while everyone in the school is his slave. The two proceed to Nick's classroom and as usual a lot of girls are giggling over Juno. However, the tall guy's attention was focus on the fragile boy beside him. He wants to make sure that Nick feels his presence so that he will not get uncomfortable. It takes a few more minutes before the two arrived at their destination. "Will you be alright?" "Don't worry I'll be okay" Nick replied smiling a little. "Call me if there's something wrong okay??" Juno reminded Nick. He is overly concern about the small guy. The series of events that had happened before greatly contributed to his anxiety of not being with Nick. "Okay I'll do... You should get going now... You will be late if you don't." "Okay... I'll pick you up after your last class." Juno said pulling Nick for a hug. Nick returns the warmth to Juno for a while before breaking the contact. He looks at Juno's face but the guy's attention is nowhere. Nick follows the taller guy's gaze and saw his classmates bowing all their heads and the atmosphere in the room becomes thick and heavy. Nick nudged Juno's side and mouthed 'don't scare them' Juno just ruffled his hair and bid his goodbye. Nick enters the room while his gaze pasted on the ground, afraid to meet the looks from his classmates. Fortunately, ever since he was a freshman, all of his classmates were boys. Well, at first there are few girls in his class but surprisingly in the mid of semester they changed their courses and some even dropped out. Nick sat on his chair and quietly wait for his teacher. When the teacher finally arrived Nick sigh in relief and the long day begins. ------------- Nick's classes for the day finally ended and everyone in the room was already gone leaving Nick alone arranging his things. He was about to exit the room when a girl with pale skin and blonde hair enters the room while catching her breath and panting heavily. Nick feels the familiar thing after a long while. He can feel his breathing slowly failing its pattern. He was about to barge outside the room when he heard someone shouted something like 'CRISTINE' and the girl who just came in grab his wrist and pin him on the wall while covering his mouth with her other hand. Nick anytime soon will break down. He can feel the urge to cry because of the pain in his chest due to the lack of air. With all the force he had he push the girl away from him and run outside. Nick's vision becomes blurry as he slows down his pace, walking like a drunk man. He thought to himself why it is happening when Juno is not by his side. He keeps on walking until he bumps into something, no, more likely someone who catches him immediately. With his blurry vision Nick tries hard to see the face of the person who caught him and when the time he saw who it was his tears pour down from his eyes and he whispers a single word. "Juno" ---------------->>>><<<<------------------ Hello dear! This is my first time writing a non-fanfiction story. I just want to create my own character and give life to their story. I've been thinking of this concept way back then but I just don't know how to start. Please be patient and support Juno, Nick and Cristine in their epic journey! Thank you XOXO