So Long, Goodnight

CHAPTER FOUR

NYX'S POV

"If that pasta could talk, it already scolded you from twisting it absent-mindedly." I was brought back to reality when Marjorie spoke.

"Sorry." I said as i put down my fork. She looked at me with worry in her eyes.

"Nyx, we've been friends since college and now we're working at the same company. I already knew when there's something bothering you. Would you mind me asking what is it? You seem so pretty quiet." I took a deep breathe to gather courage to tell her everything.

"She's back."

Her brows knitted in confusion at first, not until she realized whom i referring to which made her eyes go wide.

"You mean Emery? THE girl who left without any trace and whom the f**k knows where she is?" I nodded.

"Yeah, she's an investor in Zeph's company and she also start working there." I said and took a bite of my pasta.

"Since when?"

"I don't know. Zeph just told me yesterday."

"How is he?"

"He told me he wasn't ready to talk to her about personal matters. He's just being professional towards her right now." I explained but can't help but stare at the glass window.

"So...what's bothering you?" Marjorie asked as she took a sip of her coffee.

"I don't know. I just can't shake this eerie feeling. I'm worried about Zeph, but at the same time i can't help but to worry about us." I said.

"You think Zeph might leave you and goes back to Em once she asked him to go back to her, isn't it?"

"He met her longer than i am. They knew each other since middle school. Got together before college then she left during midterm of their freshman year."

"But you were there with him since freshman year until today. You helped him to get back on his feet. He learns to love you even though he hasn't been with a guy before. And that's what made you stand out from Emery."

I remained silent. She has a point tho,but i can't help but to overthink things since we've been through a lot together, especially the day that i confess to him even knowing that i might never got a chance to be with him since we are both guys.

FLASHBACK ( 3rd year college- 2 YEARS AGO)

"Whoo! Finally last day of exam! Who's up to partying later?" Henry cheered.

"Let's go! I'm pretty sure, Zeph is also up since he's been broken for a few months now." Skylar teased as he wraps his arms around Zeph's neck.

"Shut up." Zephyr said.

"Well, you'll never reached the finals of this semester if Nyx didn't helped you. You almost got dropped out." Henry said. I turned my head and found Zephyr staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just realized you have beautiful eyes." He said. I raised my brow as i got confused. He smirked and just return his gaze to our friends.

"That's smooth. So are you guys in? Party later." Marjorie asked. Everyone agrees so i have no choice but to also attend. I'm not really the party type of person. I prefer to stay in my room, listening to music and reading. I am an introvert type of person but since i met Zephyr and our circle of friends, i learned how to blend with them and showed them my side that i never knew i have.

They are not wrong when they said that Zephyr wouldn't make it this semester if i didn't helped him. I always lend him the notes and activities everytime he skips class. He is always drunk and disheveled as if he forgot to take care of himself when Emery left.

"What the f**k?!" He shout as i took the bottle of beer in his hand as i found him in his dorm drinking. I went to his dorm to hand out his homework. I look around and it was a total mess. He already emptied five bottles already.

"You've had enough. Take a shower and rest." I said as i look at him with authority.

"You...don't...tell..me what to do." His speech is already slurry as he was too drunk.

"What? Are you planning to stay like this?" I asked.

"She left me. The f**k she left me hahaha!" Tears starts to stream down his face. This was the first time i've seen him like this. He was a total wreck.

"So what? It doesn't mean you have to stop your world just because she left. Your life isn't just revolving around her. Why, if you destroy yourself more, will she come back?! We're doing everything we can to help you—"

"I DON'T NEED YOUR f*****g HELP!" He screamed

"REALLY?! DO YOU SEE YOURSELF NOW?! JUST BECAUSE SHE f*****g LEFT, YOU'RE WILLING TO LET EVERYTHING GO? JUST FOR A GIRL WHO DOESN'T CARE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO LEAVE JUST LIKE THAT?!

"Maybe she has her reasons—"

"f**k her reasons. Whatever it is, i hope it's worth it. You not just lost her, you also lost yourself. We're helping you. I am helping you. But i don't know anymore. It's hard helping someone who doesn't even want to be helped." I frustratingly said and walked out of his room.

After that day, Zephyr began to get back on his feet. Despite our argument, he never treats me indiffirently, neither am i. Even though i knew he wasn't totally healed yet, he always chose to smile and gradually, got himself back. During those times, our closeness also gradually became closer. Until one day,i realized that the feeling i have towards him isn't just a friend.

"You seem so quiet." I was pulled back to reality when Zeph spoke as he stood beside me. Our friends are currently enjoying at the dancefloor while i just stood near our table to guard our things.

"Nothing. Loud music makes me a bit dizy." I replied.

"Do you need some air? We can just go. It's kinda too hot in here and i know this is not your vibe."

I nodded as i accepted his offer and he pulls me away. We bid our farewell to our friends before we head out of the club. We bought some foods at the nearest convenience store and decided to just rest in the park.

"You know i can't thank you enough."

I almost jumped out of surprise when Zeph talked. My heart beats faster, as i stare at him. Maybe its because of the beers i drunk or just the ambiance of the night which is too good to have a heart to heart conversation.

"You never left me when my world falls apart. There were many times you could choose to walk away, but you didn't."

"Because that's what friends are for, right?" I said. I felt a pang in my chest when i said it, because i like him, not just a friend. But i'm not also hoping for more since i know he isn't into guys. I was surprised when he took my hand and stares at me.

"I like you."

My world stopped the second he dropped those words. My heart skipped a beat as i froze in place, staring at his dark orb eyes trying to analyze if he was pranking me.

"I like you for a while now. At first i thought this is just a nice feeling towards you as we are always together. But then i realize, i started to like you more than what friends do. I was confused so i tried to shake this feeling off. Because i know i have no chance in you, we're both guys and i don't know if you were into that kind of relationship. I thought feeling this way towards you, only fills the void Em left. But a part of me knows it wasn't."

"I am confessing because you deserve to know. I know im taking the risk of losing our friendship after this, but i couldn't no longer hold this feeling. I hope nothing would change between us after this night."

I blinked, trying to absorb the confession he made. This moment feels too good so i took the risk to lift my hand to caressed his face, and smile as i lean forward to give a peck on his lips.

"I also like you, Zeph. For quite a while now." I admit. He shyly smile and cups my face.

"I will be courting you, first. Let's take things slow." He said. I nodded and he pulls me into a tight hug.

PRESENT

"Are you threatened?" Marjorie asked. I immediately shook my head as a response.

"Nope. I trust Zeph."

We were in the midst of our talking when my phone buz.

From: Darling <3

Where are you?

To:Darling <3

I'm in Marjorie's coffee shop. I'm with her.

From: Darling <3

Okay, i'll pick you there. I just got out of work and i want to go home with you. Wait for me.

To: Darling <3

Okay, take care. I love you.

From: Darling <3

I love you too. See you.

"People in love stinks." Marjorie said as she took a sip of her coffee.

"How do you know he's the one i'm talking to?"

"Honey, your smile almost reaches the back of your head. And you're blushing."

I shook my head and continues eating. But to be honest, i really couldn't quite to shake this feeling of mine.

I trust him, but why do i feel anxious about Em's return?