Chapter Thirteen: Unseen Tears

The aftermath of Yue's cousin Ran's revelation lingered in the air as Alexander continued to follow Yue, an air of discomfort settling over their interactions. The watchful eyes of their peers intensified, and Yue couldn't escape the uneasy glances directed their way.

As they navigated the corridors, Alexander's persistent presence made Yue uneasy. The rumors and speculations of family secrets added an additional layer of scrutiny, and the enigmatic shadows that trailed them seemed to grow darker.

Feeling the weight of the stares, Yue finally turned to Alexander, his expression stoic but firm. "Why are you following me like this? People are staring."

Despite the discomfort, Alexander remained silent, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. Yue, aware of the attention they were attracting, shot a questioning glance at Alexander, but received no response.

When they finally returned to the classroom, the tension between them continued to escalate. Instead of distancing himself, Alexander chose to rest on Yue's shoulder, a gesture that pushed Yue to the brink of irritation.

Yue, ready to push Alexander away, was halted as Alexander gently stopped his hand. Instead, Alexander patted Yue on the head, a silent plea for understanding.

Frowning, Yue sighed, "What's going on, Alex? Speak up if you have something to say."

The room fell into an expectant hush as Alexander hesitated. Finally, he confessed, "I was jealous."

Yue, taken aback by the honesty, raised an eyebrow. "Jealous? Why?"

Alexander, choosing his words carefully, continued, "Your cousin, Ran, and the way you two were talking... It bothered me."

Yue, still puzzled, questioned, "Bothered you? Why would it bother you?"

Alexander, avoiding eye contact, deflected, "It's nothing. Forget it."

Yue, not one to let things slide, patted Alexander on the head again and urged, "If it bothered you, it's not 'nothing.' Talk to me. I'm listening."

As the day unfolded, the atmosphere within the classroom transformed into a breeding ground for whispers and hushed conversations. The unexpected scene between Yue and Alexander hadn't gone unnoticed, and soon enough, the gossip mill began to churn.

In their classroom, curious glances and covert discussions became the norm. The classmates, their eyes flitting between Yue and Alexander, speculated about the nature of their relationship.

Classmate 1: "Did you see them walking together? What's going on?"

Classmate 2: "I heard Yue has a cousin visiting. Maybe that's why."

Classmate 3: "But why is Alexander so possessive? It's not like them."

The speculations spread like wildfire, crossing the boundaries of their classroom and infiltrating adjacent ones. In the corridors, students from other classes exchanged their own versions of the story.

Classmate 4 from another class: "Hey, have you heard about Yue and Alexander?"

Classmate 5: "Yeah, something's definitely up. They were practically attached at the hip."

Classmate 6: "I heard Yue's cousin spilled some family secrets. Drama, right?"

The whispers of gossip echoed through the hallways, and soon, even students who had no connection to Yue or Alexander found themselves swept up in the intrigue.

Classmate 7 from a distant class: "Hey, have you seen the tall guy, Alexander, following Yue around?"

Classmate 8: "Yeah, they're the talk of the school right now. Wonder what's going on."

Classmate 9: "I overheard something about jealousy. Drama alert!"

The web of gossip expanded beyond the confines of their immediate circles, reaching teachers' ears and becoming the subject of faculty discussions.

Teacher 1: "Have you noticed the buzz about Yue and Alexander?"

Teacher 2: "Yes, it's become quite the topic among the students. I wonder if there's any truth to it."

Teacher 3: "Well, teenagers and their drama. We'll just have to wait and see."

Yue and Alexander found themselves back in the familiar classroom, yet the air had changed. Alexander, still holding onto Yue's jacket sleeve, wore a sullen expression, and his silence spoke volumes.

Yue, deep in thought, could feel the weight of the unspoken lingering in the room. The gazes of their classmates added an extra layer of complexity to the already tangled emotions. As Alexander sulked beside him, Yue's mind became a battleground of conflicting thoughts.

Yue's Mind:

Why is Alexander so bothered by Ran's visit? What did my cousin say that has him so on edge?

Is it jealousy? But why would he be jealous?

What if the gossip is true? What if everyone is thinking the same thing?

Why am I overthinking this? Should I confront Alexander?

Amidst the silent echoes of his racing thoughts, Yue decided to break the stifling quietness. Leaning in, he whispered to Alexander, "What's bothering you? You're holding onto my jacket like you're afraid I'll disappear."

Alexander, still sulking, refused to meet Yue's gaze but tightened his grip on the jacket sleeve.

Yue continued, his voice barely audible, "If there's something you want to say, say it. We can't stay silent forever."

The air in the classroom hung heavy with unsaid words as Alexander, still gripping Yue's jacket sleeve, emitted a discontented "humph." The single syllable resonated like a soft echo, breaking the prolonged silence between them.

Yue, though maintaining his customary icy demeanor, couldn't help but find Alexander's sullen expression a tad endearing. Beneath the layers of aloofness, a hint of amusement sparkled in Yue's eyes.

Yue's Mind:

Humph, huh? He's sulking like a child. It's almost... cute.

Yet, refusing to betray his inner thoughts, Yue continued to wear the mask of indifference. The room seemed to shrink, enveloping them in a bubble where only their silent exchange mattered.

Alexander, sensing Yue's hidden amusement, finally met his gaze. The unspoken tension crackled between them, forming an invisible dance of coldness.

Yue, breaking the silence, remarked with an air of nonchalance, "What's with the 'humph'? Feeling left out of the gossip mill?"

Alexander, maintaining his sulky expression, retorted, "Gossip? Please. I couldn't care less about what others think."

The exchange carried a subtle undercurrent, a dance where each step was carefully measured. Their words, like intricate choreography, swirled in the air, leaving trails of unspoken sentiments.

Yue's Mind:

So, he's bothered, but he won't admit it. What's going on in that head of him?

Yue, with a tilt of his head, teased, "You're really going to play the 'I don't care' card? It's unlike you."

Alexander, still holding onto Yue's jacket, averted his gaze and muttered, "Whatever. It's not a big deal."

As the class hummed with the cadence of the teacher's lesson, the outside world oblivious to the subtle drama unfolding within. As Alexander rested at his desk, a silent storm brewed beneath the surface. Unseen by the class, tears welled in his eyes, a vulnerability he tried desperately to conceal.

Yue, ever observant, caught a glimpse of the unshed tears. Panic flickered in Alexander's eyes as he hurriedly wiped them away, muttering a self-directed "What the hell."

Yue, not one to let emotions linger in the shadows, discreetly approached Alexander. With a gentle pat on the head, he whispered, "Stop crying. You're such a baby."

Alexander, caught off guard by Yue's acknowledgment, glanced up. The vulnerability in his eyes collided with the stoic facade he presented to the world.

Yue, maintaining a cool exterior, continued, "What's bothering you? You can't fool me with that tough act."

Alexander, still reeling from the momentary lapse, looked away. "It's nothing. Forget it."

Yue, unfazed by the deflection, persisted, "Clearly, it's not 'nothing.' If you're going to cry in the middle of class, there's something on your mind."

Alexander, his guard slowly crumbling, admitted, "It's just... everything. The gossip, those guys, and... I don't know. It's overwhelming."

Yue, leaning in with an air of nonchalance, stated, "You need to toughen up. Crying won't solve anything."

Alexander, his vulnerability exposed, countered, "You're one to talk about toughness."

Yue, offering an enigmatic smile, responded, "Appearances can be deceiving. Now, get yourself together before someone notices."