If you're hurt, then be gay

Episode 3

by maeve_

The afternoon bell echoed through the hallways of St. Adriel Academy, and students flooded out of their classrooms like a wave of laughter and chatter.

Liyah gathered her things slowly. Her mind wasn’t on the math quiz they’d just finished — it was on Rinaya.

Ever since that morning ride, she couldn’t stop replaying it in her head.

The wind. The warmth. That voice.

“Hey, daydreamer.”

Rinaya’s voice pulled her back to reality. She stood by the door, leaning against the frame, looking effortlessly cool with her uniform sleeves rolled up and her bag slung over one shoulder.

“You coming or do I have to drag you out again?” Rinaya teased.

Liyah laughed softly. “You could’ve just said you wanted to hang out.”

“Maybe I did,” Rinaya said, grinning. “C’mon. I know a place that’ll make you forget your ex’s name.”

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They ended up at a small café tucked behind a row of bookstores. It was quiet, cozy — soft indie music played in the background, and the scent of espresso filled the air.

The owner smiled at them as they entered. “Same as usual, Rinaya?”

Rinaya nodded. “Yeah — and make her something sweet. She looks like she needs sugar.”

“Hey!” Liyah protested, cheeks puffing slightly.

Rinaya just chuckled, taking the seat across from her. “You do. You’ve been frowning all week.”

Their drinks came — iced caramel latte for Liyah, black coffee for Rinaya. Liyah took a sip and sighed. “Okay fine, this place is good.”

“I told you,” Rinaya said proudly.

For a while, they just sat there. No words, just comfortable silence and the soft hum of music. Liyah caught herself staring at Rinaya — the way her eyes softened when she smiled, the faint scar near her wrist, the calm confidence in her posture.

Her heart felt strange. Warm… but nervous.

“Rinaya…” she began quietly. “Why are you always doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Being here. Taking care of me. Like it’s your job.”

Rinaya leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Maybe it’s because it is my job.”

Liyah blinked, confused. “Huh?”

Rinaya smiled faintly. “I mean, someone has to make sure you don’t fall apart.”

Before Liyah could reply, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Liyah?”

Her heart froze.

That voice — she knew it too well.

She turned around slowly and saw Eron, her ex. He was standing near the counter, holding a cup of coffee, looking just as surprised to see her.

“Oh,” he said, smiling awkwardly. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Liyah forced a smile. “Yeah… me neither.”

Eron’s eyes flickered toward Rinaya, who was sitting calmly, but her expression had changed — colder, protective.

“New friend?” he asked.

Before Liyah could answer, Rinaya leaned back in her chair and replied, “Best friend.”

Then, with a sharp edge in her voice:

“And the one who picked up the pieces you left behind.”

The air tensed.

Eron looked taken aback. “Wow. You really moved on fast.”

Rinaya’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t move. Liyah could see her fists clenching under the table.

“Eron, stop,” Liyah said softly. “Just… don’t.”

Eron sighed. “Whatever. Good luck, Liyah.” And with that, he walked out.

The café felt quiet again. Too quiet.

Liyah lowered her gaze. “You didn’t have to do that, you know.”

Rinaya shrugged. “He made you cry. I wasn’t going to sit there and let him talk to you like that.”

Liyah looked up, her eyes soft. “You always protect me.”

Rinaya met her gaze — and for a moment, something in her chest ached. She wanted to say because I love you. But instead, she said:

“Because someone has to.”

Silence again. But this time, it was heavy — not awkward, just full of words neither of them were ready to say.

Liyah smiled faintly. “You really are impossible, Rinaya.”

Rinaya grinned, hiding her emotions behind her teasing tone. “Yeah. But I make good coffee company.”

Liyah laughed quietly, the tension easing a bit. “That’s true.”

When they left the café, the sun was setting, painting the sky pink and orange. Liyah walked beside Rinaya, her fingers brushing lightly against hers — a touch so small, but it made Rinaya stop breathing for a second.

Neither of them said anything about it.

But both of them felt it.

The shift.

The quiet pull.

The start of something neither could ignore anymore.

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