CHAPTER 39: I NEVER THREW IT AWAY,

Scene: Safehouse — After a calm morning

Pete yawned, shirt half-on, messy hair.

Mek sat at the table, sipping tea, staring at something in his hand.

Pete plopped beside him.

> "Morning, my dramatic poet."

Mek didn't look up. Just slowly held out the object.

Pete's eyes widened.

It was crumpled. Folded.

Edges yellowed with time.

But the words were still visible.

"Happy Birthday, Dirt Boy.

From the Snob on the Balcony."

Pete blinked.

> "W-Where did you get that—?"

Mek smirked.

> "You thought I threw it away?"

Pete: "You ripped it in half!"

Mek: "And taped it back together five minutes later."

Pete just stared, mouth open.

> "You… kept this?"

Mek nodded.

> "I was ten. You were annoying.

But that was the first time someone remembered my birthday. Even if it was with an insult."

Pete's throat tightened.

He slowly reached out and touched the paper.

> "I wrote that with a marker I stole from my dad's study. I practiced it ten times. My hands were shaking."

Mek chuckled. "You were nervous?"

Pete leaned in.

> "I had a crush on my rival. Obviously I was nervous."

---

FLASHBACK — Age 16 – Rainy Night, Same Fence

Mek had just come back from a fight at school.

Pete had overheard his parents yelling about it.

He stood by the fence, umbrella in one hand.

Mek was soaking, breathing heavy, leaning against the tree near the wall.

Pete said nothing.

He just held the umbrella over the fence.

Mek didn't move.

Then, after a moment…

He stepped closer. Until the umbrella covered both of them.

They were inches apart.

Mek whispered, eyes locked:

> "Why do you always show up when I'm about to fall apart?"

Pete's voice was low.

> "Because I see you when no one else does."

And there —

So close.

Breaths tangling.

Hearts stuttering.

Their lips almost met—

But thunder cracked.

Mek pulled away. His voice shook.

> "This is stupid."

And he ran.

Pete never told him how long he stood in the rain after that.

---

Present Day — Safehouse

Pete traced the edge of the note again.

> "I should've kissed you that night."

Mek smiled, soft and warm.

> "You didn't have to.

That night told me everything."

Pete stood up, walked around the table, and knelt in front of him.

> "I'm gonna make up for every almost. Every 'not yet.' Every time I was a coward."

He kissed Mek's hand.

Mek bent down and kissed Pete's forehead.

> "I'm not your rival anymore, Pete."

> "No," Pete smiled.

> "You're the boy I've always wanted to be close enough to touch."