PLAN B
1268 Words
Chapter 4. PLAN B
The whole walk back was wrapped in silence. The road itself seemed to understand, empty and cold, as if the world had decided to hold its breath with them. Neither of them spoke.
Kaal was lost in thought, still trying to process the strange rush in his chest. He could lie to everyone — but not to himself. When Arka had touched him earlier, his heart had pounded like it was about to burst.
Meanwhile, Arka kept staring at their joined hands. His hand was still tingling where Kaal’s warmth lingered. It felt like a dream — Kaal holding his hand, even for a little while.
When they finally stopped, Kaal turned around.
“We’ve arrived,” he said, releasing Arka’s hand.
Arka blinked, glancing down at their now-separated fingers. The warmth was gone, and somehow, that felt wrong.
He frowned as Kaal folded his arms and jerked his chin toward a familiar direction.
“Go inside. It’s late. Have a good rest.”
Arka followed his gaze—then nearly jumped out of his skin.
“Whoa, wait! How did you even know where I live!?”
Kaal calmly fixed his glasses. “Go on, go inside.”
He turned to leave, but Arka held his arm.
“Hey—wait! You can’t just take me home and walk off like that!”
Kaal paused, then reached out and gently patted Arka’s head.
“Go back to your room. Be a good boy and listen to me.”
Arka froze. His face went red from ear to ear. “Um… what was that supposed to be?”
Kaal arched a brow at his expression. Was he really that easy to tame?
Clearing his throat, Kaal added, “We’ll see each other tomorrow, okay?”
He turned and walked away, leaving Arka rooted in place, looking utterly dazed.
“What the hell just happened?” Arka muttered to himself.
Kaal smirked faintly as he walked. Truth was, ever since Arka started pestering him every day, Kaal had begun to feel… itchy.
That boy’s stubborn energy clung to him like a rash he couldn’t shake. And yes, he’d followed Arka home once or twice before. Just a little.
Yeah, maybe I am the pervert here.
⸻
The next morning, Arka arrived at school to find Kaal already sitting at his desk, perfectly composed as always.
Arka hovered by the door, torn.
Should I talk to him? What if he’s still mad? What if he hates me now?
He took a deep breath and walked up to Kaal’s desk, trying to look casual.
“Kaal, we need to talk—”
Before he could finish, a teacher’s voice cut through the air.
“Kaal, come to the teacher’s office, please.”
“Yes, sir,” Kaal replied and stood, briefly glancing at Arka before walking past him.
Arka sighed, dragging a hand down his face. Great. Perfect timing as always.
⸻
At lunch, Arka spotted Kaal sitting alone in the canteen. Gathering what little courage he had left, he approached.
“Hey…” he started awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Um, can we talk?”
Kaal’s hand froze mid-stir above his noodles. His pulse skipped. He looked up calmly.
“Talk about what?” His tone was cold, measured.
Arka winced. His usual smirk faltered. He slid into the seat across from Kaal.
“Listen, about yesterday… I wanted to apologize.”
He scratched at his sleeve, not daring to meet Kaal’s eyes.
“I didn’t mean to force you or anything. I just— I lost control, okay?”
Kaal’s expression didn’t change, but his heart fluttered faintly. Still, he kept his tone sharp.
“After you apologize… so what? Will that erase what happened yesterday?”
Arka frowned, confused.
“What do you mean? I said I was sorry—what else do you want me to do?”
Kaal tilted his head, eyes narrowing.
“Then, have you thought it through?”
“Yes! I mean—no! I mean, I have, but—ugh.” Arka groaned, ruffling his hair. “I’m not good with words, alright? I just… wanted to make it right.”
“Hmm,” Kaal hummed, setting his chopsticks down. “Good.”
That one word made Arka tense up.
“I knew it. You’re enjoying this, huh? Watching me squirm like this?”
Kaal ignored him, continuing to eat with irritating calm. Despite himself, he found Arka’s flustered face amusing.
⸻
After lunch, they walked back to class together. Students watched them with wary glances — the school bully and the top student walking side by side? Unthinkable.
It must be the school bully, bullying the top student again.
When the final bell rang, Arka caught up with Kaal in the hallway.
“Hey, wait a sec.”
Kaal turned, adjusting his glasses. “What?”
Arka scratched the back of his neck, lowering his voice.
“I was thinking… maybe we could hang out after school today?”
“Sure,” Kaal said simply.
“Wait—really?” Arka blinked. “You’re agreeing that easily? What’s the catch?”
“Your place or mine?” Kaal asked casually.
Arka’s throat went dry. “Uh—well, I wouldn’t mind your place, but maybe somewhere else?”
Kaal sighed. He could practically see the dirty thought flashing in Arka’s head.
“Fine. You decide.”
Arka perked up. “Alright! I know the perfect spot. Meet me behind the gym in five minutes.”
He turned and grinned over his shoulder. “Don’t keep me waiting, okay?”
Kaal exhaled slowly. This demon only ever thinks about that stuff…
He hadn’t planned to show up. But fifteen minutes later, guilt (and curiosity) made him change his mind. When Arka saw him approaching, his entire face lit up.
“There you are! I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”
“Follow me,” Kaal said curtly.
Arka blinked but obeyed, trailing after him until they stopped at the greenhouse.
“Ugh, why are we here? It smells weird,” Arka complained, covering his nose.
“Listen up.” Kaal lifted one finger. “First, I’m never meeting you in a dark place again.”
He raised another finger. “Second, get those dirty thoughts out of your head.”
Arka froze, eyes darting guiltily. Then he puffed up defensively.
“What dirty thoughts? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Kaal sighed. “Tsk. Fine, then. Let’s just not have anything to do with each other. Next time, don’t wag your tail in front of me.”
Panic flashed across Arka’s face. He grabbed Kaal’s wrist, voice trembling slightly.
“Wait, don’t say that. I—I wasn’t planning anything bad.”
Kaal gave him a skeptical look. “Really? Then, why were you standing there all that time, waiting for me? What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up?”
Arka’s cheeks went pink. He dropped his gaze and muttered,
“Well… I did have a Plan B.”
Kaal folded his arms. “Plan B?”
Arka scratched his cheek, defeated.
“Fine, fine. I was gonna…” He took a deep breath and blurted,
“…download one of those gay dating apps or whatever!”
Kaal blinked, his jaw tightening slowly.
Arka gave him a weak grin.
“See? I told you it’s not important anymore, since you’re here.”
Kaal’s eyes narrowed dangerously behind his glasses.
Arka gulped.
“…You’re mad, aren’t you?”
⸻
- Writer
