Continuing
#20 of Alternatives
"And no secrets, Jo," I say. I know something is up, I always do. That grey wolf thinks he can bluff me, but no. I've known him for so long, how can I not know when he is troubled? I know he doesn't want me to worry, so usually I play along and let it go. I don't like to pry too much anyway, but this time is different.
You know, it can be rather insulting to think that I don't notice his subtle change in behaviour. I don't like to keep asking what's wrong if that person is almost unwilling to say it. It's not that I don't care, and it's not like the person is willing to say.
There are more than enough hints to show that something is up. Jo rarely spaces out; he usually rushes to the credit counter with me rather than thinking of what to play; he orders more when he knows his food portion is too small which he didn't this time; and he actually gave a hurt look when I called him a pervert earlier?
Oh come on. Jo isn't like that.
Something must have happened with Jin. Did they quarrel? If they did, then over what? The thing is the both of them were still fine last week, what could it be that has happened overnight? Surely it has to be something serious? That's why I decide to just probe this time.
Jo's expression didn't change; he only shakes his head, looking down.
"Jo," I urge, "Don't be like that now. What's wrong? You're acting all weird."
The grey wolf looks back at me and sigh, "I... I can't tell you, it's not my secret to reveal."
"Oh come on," I groan, "Do you seriously...? So I'll have to ask Jin myself, isn't it?"
Jo simply nods, avoiding my eye contact, "I'm sorry."
"That's it? Why can't you just tell me to ask Jin instead? Why did you lie to me in the first place?" I ask, folding my arms.
Jo's ears flatten, "Sorry..." His subtle pout is back, before continuing, "I just... didn't want you to worry; I didn't want to tell you in the first place..."
I know Jo has good intentions, but this isn't the way. I sigh, "Jo... I'll rather worry than to be lied at. We were supposed to have no secrets, and we are best friends; you don't face your problems alone. The moment you lie to me, the paranoid me will think that you are capable of hiding other things, be it of good intentions or not. Jo, I'm sure you felt the same way when I came out to you."
Jo looks down, holding his paws together, "I know, I understand. I'm very sorry..."
Oh Jo, it's not like I'm blaming you or anything, why are you still so down? I guess I'll have to dig out information from Jin...
I sneak my left paw under the table and place it lightly on his muscular thigh. He jumps and looks at me almost immediately. I grin at him and pet at his thigh, "Well, finish eating now, food is gonna get cold."
Jo smiles at me and picks up his utensils. He looks at the food, the one that I pushed to him earlier. Jo still isn't touching his food, and that means something doesn't it?
"Hey now, I don't blame you for anything. Like you said, it's not your secret to tell, you don't have to feel bad being unable to tell me," I say. Jo just shrugs in response, then I add, "Don't make me feed you, I know you still want to eat."
At that, Jo ears perk up and he flashes his silly grin immediately. He opens his mouth and I cut him, "No, I'm not going to do it actually, I was just kidding."
"Naw, come on!" Jo exclaims, giving me the that's-not-fair look. I laugh at him while he scowls at me and resuming chomping on the meatball.
I smile and stretch while Jo continues to finish his meal. I turn and look out at the window, spacing out... I wonder what's wrong...
Clang.
I turn back at the sound and see that Jo has put down his utensils... a little louder than a normal person should. Ah. Perhaps he is still disturbed by whatever happened with Jin?
"You done? Well then, let's go," I say, standing up.
Jo didn't move one bit. I frown as I wonder if Jo even heard me in the first place. I seat back down and try to gain his attention, "You alright, Jo?"
Jo didn't acknowledge me; he just looks over at me and opens his lips to speak, but "Er..." is all he says.
What's this? Is Jo suffering from a stroke or something?
All of a sudden, Jo's torso surges forward over the table, grabbing me by my shoulders. I let out a startled 'Woah!' before finding Jo staring intently in my eyes.
Doesn't Jo like to do these random things at random times?!
"I... I..." Jo stutters, and then looks away, "Man... This is difficult... but..."
"Uh..." I reply, "But wha-"
"WILL YOU GO ON A DATE WITH ME?!" Jo shouts at me with his eyes shut tight.
My eyes widen instantly, "Are you crazy?!" I hiss at him. My entire muzzle drowns in embarrassment as his sudden outburst caused the people around to look at us. I can die of embarrassment right now... or if I can survive all the blood rushing up my head. I can faintly pick up a couple of girls giggling and pointing at us. Oh gosh...
Jo still didn't move or answer me. I quickly rub his arm to gain his attention, "Okay, okay! I'll go! Can you move back now? Everyone is looking!"
Jo turns back at me in glee when I agree to go out with him. I swear if it's not for the table between us, he would have pounced on me. Jo gives a quick peck to my cheek before sitting back down, making several girls squeal a few tables away. Why on earth are they squealing?
I can't stop the heat to make it go away. I almost wanted to bury my muzzle in my paws. I don't know what to do. I just look around, anywhere but at Jo. But it feels like everyone is looking! Embarrassing!!
Calm down, now. Breathe in and out...
I try to calm down my nerves then turn to Jo and give him the death stare; that you-will-get-it-later look. All I got in return from Jo is that happy puppy look with the tip of his tongue showing; that cute look of contentment with that madly wagging tail. I swear that look makes it difficult for me to fault him for anything right now.
I'm not sure what to do... and the only thing that comes to my mind is making my way out of here. Grabbing my belongings, I rise up and leave the table, reaching for the door. I hear Jo shouting for me, but it only spurs me on to walk faster.
Once out of the place, I only manage to walk a few steps before being yank back by my arm. Jo forces to turn me around and I see Jo's panicking expression.
"I'm sorry!!!" Jo cries out, "I'm sorry for being rash, I didn't mean to-"
"Hey hey, Jo," I say, reaching up and place my paw over his, "I'm not angry or anything..."
"Really?" Jo's expression softens.
"Yeah," I continue, "I just need a... breather. You really surprise me sometimes. Whatever made you do that all of a sudden?"
"I... uh, I just thought of it, you know?"
"It's fine," I say, "I'm alright with you asking me out... Just don't be so... loud next time?"
Jo's grin comes back to his muzzle, "Sure! Just as you know, you are cute when you're embarrassed."
I roll my eyes and push him back playfully, "You're a jerk for doing that."
With that, I turn around and run back to the direction of our home. Jo stumbles and laughs before chasing back at me.
-
Over the next day, I notice that Jo is rather sensitive when I talk about Jin. It just makes me more curious as to what happened.
Jo texted me earlier to ask about the date that I've agreed on yesterday. Boy, he sure is excited over it. I don't know what he is up to... Well, who really knows?
I bit my lip as I scribble down the next chemical equation. Exams are coming around the corner soon enough. I don't actually know if I can make the mark to go college. I know I'm not THAT bad, but still, surprises happen. Anyway, who doesn't want to do well?
That reminds me of Gerrald. I know his results are pretty bad... Chances are that he is going to repeat another year. Argh. Why are my thoughts still straying back to him? I guess old habits are hard to get rid of...
And about Jo, it was just a random remark about Jin, like you know, I just mentioned about hanging out with Jin... As in hang out outside school, you know. Then Jo just replied, "Nah, I'm sure he is busy."
I slap myself to write the last chemical equation and stop my mind from guessing what happened between them. Just wait for tomorrow, I tell myself.
-
They didn't appear on the school bus today. Weird. I wonder if I should even interfere with their affairs. Sometimes it better not to know... I mean, ignorance is bliss isn't it?
I look outside the window... only to spot a familiar brown figure that I've been looking at for months. I watch as Gerrald carry his backpack, walking across the parade square from the café. I stare at him all the way till he disappeared from my view.
Man, shouldn't I have stopped this by now?
I lean my muzzle on my right paw as I wait in home class for school to begin. I yawn and am about to rest my head on the table before the both of them enter the class.
"Hey," the both of them chorus at the same time. Jo had a surprise look on his muzzle when it happened. Jin doesn't seem to notice though. They take their usual spot and sits down. Neither of them says anything until the start of lesson.
I raise my eyebrow at that. For the two guys to not talk much is a little... suspicious.
-
The first break of the day finally comes. My brains are already saturated. More studying and I swear words are going to precipitate.
...
No. I didn't just crack that joke to myself.
I sigh and slurp on my vermicelli. The two big guys in front me are concentrating on eating... This is the first time my lunch is so peaceful. It's so peaceful it's almost awkward.
"Are you two alright?" I ask.
Both of them look up at me at the same time, then at each other. I don't know if they are communicating via telepathy or something, but Jin turns back moments later, "Yeah... Why?"
I roll my eyes at them. Come on, it's not like this is the first day I've known them. I know something is wrong. It's so obvious.
"Don't lie to me... It's obvious," I say, "Just because I didn't say anything until now doesn't mean I don't notice. Give me some credit, will ya?"
"It's... nothing much," Jin reply. I glare at him a while more before, "O...Okay, okay. Don't look at me like that..."
Jin looks at Jo like he's looking for help. Jo opens his muzzle. I bet Jo is going to say nothing's wrong.
"There isn't anyth-" Jo starts.
"Oh come on," I groan. Jo looks back at Jin and shrugs.
"Oh alright," Jin says. I swivel my ears in his direction as he continues, "There's seriously nothing wrong between us. It's just that I'm having some... relationship problems."
"Relationship problems?" I raise my eyebrow. Didn't he say he isn't much interested in a relationship last week?
"Yeah, it was a recent thing... you know. Just some problems here and there..." Jin mutters, curling his tail.
Okay. But what does Jin's relationship problems got to do with Jo? Affect the grey wolf up to the point of distraction? Is Jo that concerned for Jin?? I didn't know Jo was that... brotherly with Jin.
"Who's the girl?" I ask, just out of curiosity.
"She doesn't study here. But her name is Kayla, Kayla Illuva," the tiger says.
"Oh, okay. How is she like? Are you two together now?" I ask.
"What? No..! We're not together. But she's a very nice person. She's beautiful, stylish, has a character and she's smart," Jin replies.
"So now the problem is that you like her but she doesn't like you?" I say casually, just guessing.
"Not really... More like the other way round since I'm... confused with myself," Jin mutters the last few words softly.
"Sorry? Didn't catch that last bit," I frown, shifting my head a little closer to Jin.
"Stop asking already..." Jin groans and gives a sigh.
I grin to myself as I egg Jin on. I know Jin's personality pretty well over the days where he hangs out with Jo. That white tiger doesn't like to be irritated, he dislike pesky things. Just a little more, now.
"Come on, just say it already. Stop being so swishy," I urge him.
"I just don't know if I really like her, okay?" Jin says, irritated and annoyed.
"Is that really all?" I insist.
"ARGH. IT'S JUST THAT I-" Jin growls, regretting it almost immediately, because Jo stands up as though to warn him.
"Okay, okay," I say as I put both my paws up, "I won't ask any more. Chill man."
Seems that I've touched a nerve... Still, none of this explains Jo behaving like that. Whatever... I'm not going to ask if none of them are willing to say.
Jin sighs, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just..."
"It's okay, I understand."
With that, I didn't mention anything more about Jin and his... relationship problems. Sure, things are more quiet for the day, but I guess I'll let it pass. I mean, this is Jin's problems. It's not up to me to interfere.
When school ended, Jin apologised to me again for his outburst before saying goodbye. I turn to Jo to ask him about Jin while we are walking home.
"Jin didn't say everything, did he?" I question Jo.
Jo shifts uncomfortably, "No, he didn't... Sorry, Typh. I'm sure he has to settle it on his own. Don't worry, I promise I'll try not to be affected by it."
I shrug my shoulders, "Okay..."
Jo laughs and hugs me, "Besides, we still have a date to look forward to!"