Chapter 1.5

The rain showed no sign of stopping. If anything, it had only grown heavier, the steady downpour creating a rhythmic sound against the windows. Joey stretched his arms above his head and sighed. "Well, looks like you're stuck with me for the night."

Rael frowned, glancing at his phone. "I should head back—"

"Through that?" Joey pointed at the torrential rain outside. "I doubt even an umbrella would help. Unless you're planning to swim home?"

Rael exhaled sharply. He wasn't fond of the idea of staying, but Joey had a point. With no other choice, he relented. "Fine. Just for tonight."

Joey beamed. "Great! But, uh, there's one tiny problem. The guest rooms haven't been cleaned."

Rael shot him a look. "Then where am I sleeping?"

Joey grinned, tapping his bed. "Right here."

Rael's frown deepened. "I'll sleep on the floor."

"Don't be ridiculous! My bed is huge, and I don't bite. Well, not unless I'm hungry," Joey teased while tugging at Rael's loose sleev "and it's already time for dinner, let's go down"

Rael sighed, resigning himself to his fate.Being led by Joey ,he appeared at the dinner table.

Joey set the dining table with ease, placing down steaming dishes prepared by the house aunt.

Rael hesitated, feeling out of place in such a luxurious setting, but Joey tugged him down to sit. "Eat up, Rael. You worked hard today," Joey said with a grin, piling food onto Rael's plate. Rael mumbled a quiet thanks, his ears tinged red as Joey watched him expectantly. The warmth of the meal, the quiet clinking of utensils, and Joey's casual chatter made the atmosphere oddly comfortable—almost domestic.

As Rael picked at his food, he glanced around the spacious dining room, noticing the eerie quiet that didn't match the size of the house. He hesitated before asking, "Your parents… they're not home?"

Joey chuckled, resting his chin on one hand. "They're always busy. Running a business means traveling all the time. I think they're in Europe right now."

Rael frowned slightly. "So you live here alone?"

Joey shrugged. "Pretty much. There's the staff, but it's not the same, you know?" His voice was light, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. Then, flashing a grin, he added, "That's why I need guests like you to keep me company."

Rael huffed, shaking his head, but he didn't miss the way Joey quickly steered the conversation away.

After dinner, they went back to Joey's room. Rael sat at the edge of Joey's bed, his back straight, hands resting stiffly on his lap. Despite Joey's insistence that he should make himself comfortable, Rael remained tense, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Joey, on the other hand, stretched out lazily on the bed, propping himself up on one elbow as he observed Rael. "You know, if you sit like that all night, your back's going to ache by morning," he teased, voice lighthearted.

Rael shot him a glare but said nothing.

Joey chuckled. "Come on, the bed's big enough for both of us. I promise I don't bite."

Rael exhaled sharply but finally relented, shifting slightly so he wasn't on the very edge. Joey grinned in satisfaction.

The two sat in silence for a moment, listening to the rhythmic sound of raindrops against the window. Then, Rael took out his phone and sent a quick message to his mother, informing her that he would be staying the night due to the heavy rain. He didn't expect an immediate response—she was most likely busy since it's 8 o'clock she must be cooking.After a while ,a 'Okay ,take care' message come.

Satisfied that he had done his part, Rael put his phone away and turned back toward Joey. But the other boy was already sprawled across the bed, eyes fluttering shut. Joey was someone who dozed off easily, and it didn't take long for his breathing to even out.

Rael sighed and lay down on his side, facing away from Joey. He tried to will himself to sleep, but it was difficult. He wasn't used to sharing a bed with someone, especially not someone as unpredictable as Joey.

Just as he was starting to drift off, an unexpected weight pressed against his back.

Rael stiffened immediately.

Joey had, in his sleep, turned toward him and draped an arm over his waist. His breathing was steady and warm against the nape of Rael's neck, completely oblivious to the turmoil he had just caused.

Rael's body locked up, heat crawling up his ears. He wasn't sure whether to push Joey off or stay still. He opted for the latter, rationalizing that Joey was just a restless sleeper. This meant nothing.

...Then why was his heart pounding so fast?

Minutes passed, and Rael did everything in his power to stay awake, but sleep had a way of sneaking up on even the most resistant. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavier, and his body finally gave in.

By the time morning arrived, Joey was the first to wake up. He groggily rubbed his eyes, blinking away the sleep, before his gaze landed on Rael. He looked peaceful—well, almost. The dark circles beneath his eyes betrayed his lack of proper rest.

Joey smirked, stretching out. "Rough night?"

Rael tensed and quickly sat up. "It was fine."

Joey, still half-drowsy, sat up as well and tilted his head. "Really? Then why do you have eye bags the size of my future?"

Rael scowled, but his slightly pink-tinted cheeks didn't go unnoticed. He quickly looked away and stood up, running a hand through his hair. "I need to get ready. We should leave soon."

Joey chuckled, deciding to let it go for now. But he made a mental note—Rael was flustered. And that was amusing.

"Go fresh up ,I will use another room.Let's get ready for school "Joey said before stopping on his track "there should a extra toothbrush beside the blue one ,use that for today".

After a while Rael walked out of the bathroom, his gaze lifted up just in time to see Joey, who was now fully dressed and lazily leaning against the doorframe. "Ready to go?" Joey asked.

Rael nodded. Together, they stepped outside into the fresh morning air, making their way to school. The moment they arrived at the gates, they saw Rishi however, Rishi's expression darkened.

His gaze flickered between Joey and Rael, clearly displeased.

Joey smirked, sensing the shift in atmosphere. "Good morning to you too, Rishi."

Rishi ignored him, his attention fixed on Rael. "You came with him?"

Rael simply nodded. "It was more convenient."

Rishi's lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing more. Instead, he turned sharply on his heel and walked ahead, leaving the two behind.

Joey let out a low whistle. "Wow. Someone's grumpy today."

Rael didn't respond, but Joey caught the small flicker of something in his expression.