We, From The First
#35. Jealous

"The most painful distance, not when two bodies are far apart from each other. But when two bodies can still look at each other, still in the same space and time, but one of them refuses to feel the presence of the other."

...****...

Aira was walking in the corridor while reading a biology book when Rakha suddenly came from behind her and took over the bag on her back. The surprised Aira immediately turned her face left and right. He then sighed when he saw Rakha walking not far in front of him while carrying his bag casually. Aira ran over to Rakha.

"Kha, what the hell?" Aira asked as soon as her steps were aligned with Rakha.

"To do good." Rakha replied briefly. He now draped Aira's bag on one of his shoulders.

"Here I bring it myself! My bag is heavy."

Rakha clucked, then held Aira's forehead with both fingers.

"Ck, don't touch me, Aira!"

Aira hissed with a small smile on her pretty face. Now he just resigned and accepted the 'good deeds' that Rakha meant with pleasure. The burden can be a little reduced, right?

And that pretty sweet sight, was accidentally caught by Nico's eyes while he was standing on the second floor. For the umpteenth time, Nico felt like something was burning deep inside him. Not to mention when he recalled the chat that happened between Aira and Nana the other day. It made his heart feel more painful.

As Aira and Rakha had already climbed the second floor laughing together, they automatically stopped their steps as soon as they saw the figure of Nico standing right before them. Aira's laughter suddenly froze on her face. And Rakha too. While Nico, he just showed his cold face and passed from before the two people without a word.

During these few days, Aira again stretched the line between herself and Nico. They no longer do the activities they used to do both. If Nico tried to get close again to Aira, this time it was different. Naturally, Nico also stayed away. At the beginning, Nico stayed away and followed Aira's way of playing because he was trying to understand Aira and give it time to himself. But as soon as he hears Aira's confession to Nana, Nico suddenly decides to completely keep his distance.

Nico is really broken.

And all the effort he made to stay away from Aira, was just an attempt to hurt himself.

...****...

After school, Rakha comes to see Nico who asks him to go to the basketball court. At that time, in the middle of the court, Rakha could see Nico who was playing basketball alone. He's even been wearing a basketball costume that he hasn't worn since Last Game.

Aware of Rakha's arrival, Nico immediately stopped his game and threw the ball that was swiftly captured by Rakha. Rakha then looked at Nico with a questioning look.

"One on one!" Challenge Nico then quite fiery.

His breath was heard up and down, and sweat soaked all over his body.

Rakha also meets Nico's challenge. He took off his bag on one of the benches on the sidelines, then started his game.

ten minutes passed, for a while Rakha's points were superior to Nico's.

And Nico, who knows that his points are quite behind Rakha, immediately adds to the intensity of his game even though he is already very tired.

Realizing that Nico was exhausted, Rakha suddenly stopped and let Nico insert the ball continuously until their points were drawn.

"Nico, stop!" Tell Rakha with a loud breath.

Hearing that, Nico immediately stopped his game and stood face to face with Rakha.

"Gue's not done yet." Answer Nico coldly.

"Lo know, this isn't elo Nico! The Nico I know has never lost control like this."

Nico speechless.

"Are you aware that you like Aira?"

"Whatever my feelings are to Aira, it's none of your business."

"What's the problem?" Grunt Rakha quite hard. He puts emphasis on his tone of speech.

Nico again chose not to answer.

"If it's about Aira, don't think I'll give up. And whatever you do now will be in vain." Rakha continued, which made Nico's emotions even more ignited.

Feeling that this conversation need not continue anymore, Rakha decided to leave Nico. However, just as he grabbed his bag on the bench, Rakha immediately turned around upon hearing Nico's voice screaming in pain. That's when Rakha knew that Nico was already lying in the middle of the field while holding his left arm.

Rakha took off her bag, then immediately ran over to Nico who had just fallen down causing her arm injury.

Rakha looked very panicked and worried.

"NICO!!"

^^^To be Continued...^^^