if you're hurt, then be gay

Episode 2: The Morning After

by maeve_

The sun peeked lazily through the thin curtains of Liyah’s room, painting the walls with gold. The faint sound of birds outside didn’t match how heavy her chest still felt.

Liyah blinked awake, her head pounding lightly. She realized she had fallen asleep sitting up — still in her hoodie, still smelling faintly of rain.

And then it hit her.

The hug.

Rinaya’s arms.

That warmth.

Her heart started racing again.

She sat up quickly, cheeks flushing. “Oh my God…” she whispered, pressing her hands to her face.

Rinaya had hugged her.

Not just a normal hug — it was… something else.

It felt like comfort. But also like a confession.

Before she could think more, her phone buzzed.

> Rinaya: “Wake up, sleepyhead. I’m outside. You’ll be late again 😒.”

Liyah almost dropped her phone.

“Outside?!” she yelled to no one, jumping out of bed. She hadn’t even brushed her hair yet.

Five minutes later, she stumbled out the front door, bag half-zipped, hair a messy wave. And there Rinaya was — leaning casually against her motorcycle, uniform untucked, earphones in, looking effortlessly handsome.

“Morning, Montefalco,” Rinaya smirked, pulling out an earbud.

Liyah glared at her playfully. “You could’ve at least texted earlier!”

“I did. You just sleep like a corpse.”

“Excuse me?!”

Rinaya laughed, the sound so natural that it made Liyah’s chest flutter again.

She climbed onto the motorcycle behind her. As soon as she did, Rinaya reached back and handed her a spare helmet. Their fingers brushed — just a second — but Liyah’s heart skipped so hard she almost forgot how to breathe.

“Hold on tight,” Rinaya said, glancing over her shoulder with a grin.

Liyah blinked. “I—uh—I can just—”

Rinaya revved the engine. “You’ll fall if you don’t.”

Liyah hesitated, then slowly wrapped her arms around Rinaya’s waist.

Her heartbeat synced with the soft hum of the engine.

She could smell the faint scent of Rinaya’s cologne — subtle, warm, like coffee and rain.

And just like that, the world blurred. The wind brushed against her face as they sped down the street. She felt free… and safe.

---

At school, whispers followed them.

“Are they dating?”

“They’re always together.”

“Rinaya’s so cool, I swear…”

Liyah tried to ignore it, but the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her. Rinaya didn’t seem to care — she just walked beside her confidently, one hand in her pocket, the other holding her books.

During lunch, they sat under their favorite tree near the field. Rinaya opened her bento box and glanced at Liyah’s untouched food.

“Still thinking about last night?” she asked casually.

Liyah almost choked on air. “W-What do you mean?!”

Rinaya tilted her head, smirking. “You were crying, remember? I just… didn’t want you to feel alone.”

Liyah’s voice softened. “Thank you, Rinaya. I… I really needed that.”

Something about the way she said Rinaya’s name — soft, sincere — made Rinaya’s chest tighten.

But instead of replying, she just smiled and looked away.

For a moment, silence.

Then a breeze passed — light, sweet, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms.

Rinaya broke it with a small laugh. “You know, Liyah… you look better when you’re smiling. Don’t waste that face crying over someone who didn’t deserve it.”

Liyah blinked, feeling warmth rise in her cheeks again.

Her heart whispered something she wasn’t ready to hear.

---

After class, they walked home together as usual. But this time, everything felt different. Every brush of Rinaya’s hand, every glance, every shared laugh — it all meant something new.

When they reached Liyah’s gate, Rinaya handed her bag back and said softly, “Hey… if you ever cry again…”

Liyah looked up. “Yeah?”

Rinaya gave her that same teasing grin — but her eyes softened.

“…call me. I’ll be there. Always.”

And before Liyah could respond, Rinaya patted her head, turned around, and walked away with her hands in her pockets — leaving Liyah standing there, heart racing, smile trembling.

As the sky faded to orange, Liyah whispered to herself,

“Rinaya… why do you make everything hurt and heal at the same time?”

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