Crossing the line between us

CHAPTER ONE YAS “I think you should leave your girlfriend.” The words leave my mouth so smoothly that I don't even realize I have said it, until he raises a brow. I quickly slap my palm over my mouth. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Um,” I try to come up with an excuse, but the conviction in my heart is too strong to let go. “See…” I stretch forth my palm, “You, and…” “I get what you're trying to say.” My lips clamp shut as soon as he responds. I watch gently as his chest heaves releasing the deepest sigh I have heard in days. “You're actually right, you know.” He speaks forward, leaning on my pink chair. I gently scratch the nape of my neck. Should I be advising my best friend to leave his toxic girlfriend while he is in my dormitory? I don't want to come off as a jealous best friend… “No.” I shake my head, “It was not in my place to tell you what or what not to do in your relationship. We are grown adults, almost in our final year, you can make a decision for yourself.” His jaw twitches almost immediately. “If I didn't need your advice, I wouldn't be here telling you about her.” I ponder on his words. There's a certain sense of truth to that. “Do you remember the day we met?” He asks, “Um, yeah. Why is that important?” “It was the first day of classes.” He says, ignoring my question, “Most of us weren’t done with our registration, yet we knew we could not afford to miss that introductory class. I sat directly behind you.” He takes a pause, “you were in a red top I’ve never seen you wear again.” “Okay… where is this story headed?” “Just listen, okay?” Reluctantly, I nod in consent. “When the lecturer opted to toss me out of the class due to the length of my hair, do you remember what you did?” “I told him we weren’t in high school anymore, and he had no right whatsoever to send you out of his class because your hair was the length of a rapunzel.” I said with a hint of tease at the rapunzel part. “Exactly!” He exclaims with a gentle laugh, “I still don’t get where this story is headed,” If he thinks his story will make me support his relationship with Rhea, then I can’t wait to pop his bubble. “You did that even when you knew there was a chance that the lecturer would hate you for the rest of his days.” “He does,” I let out a smirk, “And yet you defended me. We’ve always protected each other. It’s the dynamic of this friendship. I don’t want you to stop now. Tell me exactly what I need to hear.” “Fine.” I sit up, properly on the chair. “Look, if I'll be brutally honest with you, I do think you should leave her, but only if you want to. Your girlfriend cheated on you!” I straighten my spine, “I mean, you were lucky enough to find out the pregnancy she pinned on you wasn't actually yours, but imagine if you hadn't found out. She was willing to let you take care of another man’s child forever.” “She was scared. People make stupid decisions whenever they're afraid.” My eyes immediately take a field trip round their sockets. “I can't believe you're saying this! You're defending her? This girl was willing to ruin your life! Do you think you will be able to raise a child while in school? Let me guess, you still love her…” I ask, staring at him. He doesn't avoid my eyes. He's one of the few people who don't. “No.” “Then I don't understand why you're defending her, when she's clearly wrong. She had s*x with a senior, got pregnant, pinned it on you. She only aborted it when you found out about her lie.That’s not someone you should be with.” I reemphasize. “She's alone. An orphan. I don't want to be one of those people that leave her devastated again. She's always sad that everyone she loves either dies, or leaves.” Inhaling a deep breath, I shut my eyes, letting the air move through me. There's no need to crash out… I remind myself. I cannot help a person who has no desire to be saved. Even if they refuse to admit it. “If you believe so, then take a go at it. I'm sure you'll both find a way to settle this betrayal.” I conclude, pulling my textbook open. I don’t get why he asked for my opinion if he would only toss it aside. “We have upcoming exams in less than two weeks. I'm sure we can deal with this later,” I will myself not to look at Dian. I hate seeing him being treated as such, but there's nothing I hate more than the fact that he is letting himself be the victim. “I even forgot to tell you. You mentioned wanting Chinese food, so I ordered some while coming over. It should be here in a few minutes.” Fuck it. I slam the book shut. He looks up immediately. The brown twist in his eyes gives off a warm sense of compassion. I can't let him destroy his life with his own hands. “You're too kind.” I say to him, He gently closes the book before him. “Why do you say that?” “It doesn't even matter.” I shake my head, “I want you to answer a question for me.” He leans in closer. “I'm all ears.” “If I was with a man that had an affair, and then I took him back, would you support it? Would you let me go back to him?” His brows fall, and the eyes immediately deflect, until he faces the floor. I wait for a response, but he gives none. “We only have two weeks to prepare for our exams. How about we deal with this later?” I don't bother arguing anymore. She is a b***h for toying with him, and I can't say he is the wisest person on earth for letting himself be toyed with. The room goes silent for over an hour, until my door is pushed open. Mila, with her striking blonde hair, and green eyes, walks in with a broad smile on her face. “Will there ever be a day I return from class and not meet you love birds here?” She teases, dropping her bag on the floor. I gently roll my eyes in a circle, while Dian lets out a chuckle. “Dian and I could never date, your joke is getting boring.” I slightly suck in my teeth. “Why can't we date?” Dian’s question catches me off guard. I look to Mila for support but her hands are wrapped over her chest, and she's equally waiting for a response from me. “We’ve been best friends for years.” “And?” Mila pushes forward, I don't spare her a death glare. “And best friends don't date. It's the cardinal rule.” Dian’s attention has now diverted from the conversation, and towards his phone. “Moreover, he has a girlfriend.” I grit my teeth, facing Mila. She shrugs, then walks off. “Who are you texting?” I ask, leaning in. He immediately presses the phone on his chest. I gently take a step back. “Why are you hiding your phone from me? You've never done that before.” “A man is allowed to have secrets.” I lift my hands up, moving to the farthest end of the couch. “I don't know what you'd do that would be worse than taking that girl back, but sure, go ahead and hide your secrets” “Are you mad?” He asks, “No.” I shake my head. His perfect dentition comes into sight as he lets out a light chuckle. “Baby Yas is mad at me,” “f**k off,” I gently shove him off. “Go with your secrets. Chew them until you're happy.” I try to make a joke, even though I'm offended we've started keeping secrets from each other. He lets out an even louder joke. “I didn't want to tell you, but I guess I have to say it now.” My ears and eyes immediately perk up. “What's the secret?” “I love you.”