Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 102: Sick

Chapter 102: Sick

Chris had been so immersed in his plan to outsmart Ashley that he hadn’t fully considered the consequences this action would have on Sky. His anger began to ebb, giving way to a mixture of weariness and resignation.

"I’m sorry," Chris’s apology emerged softly, even catching him off guard. If there was one lesson he’d learned from his time here, especially from his feelings for someone, it was humility. When had he last apologized for something that hadn’t directly hurt another person?

But Sky was not another person.

"I didn’t think about how this would affect you." His voice conveyed genuine remorse.

Sky remained silent for a moment, his voice eventually coming through with a hint of frustration. "Shit! I’m an idiot. I... I shouldn’t have let my anger get the best of me. I’m sorry."

Chris was surprised by the wave of emotion that swept over him at Sky’s heartfelt apology.

He guessed this was one of the reasons he had a soft spot for Sky. It was because of how quick he was to admit his faults, unlike many guys he grew up around.

"I’m just... I was concerned about my parents finding out and people making things difficult for you, and there are so many questions... People have been asking me and..." Sky’s voice trailed off.

Chris sighed, a pang of empathy settling in as he grasped the turmoil Sky was facing. "It’s alright," he reassured, taken aback by how rapidly Sky’s mood had shifted.

"No. You didn’t deserve that outburst. It was my pent-up frustration, and I should have been more composed before calling you," Sky’s tone reflected both annoyance and regret. "I was just... well, you know. People will gossip if they see me at the dorm now, and I just..."

"Sky?" Chris interjected gently, hoping to halt Sky’s spiralling thoughts. "Trust me, it’s okay. I’m okay."

Was he, though? Not entirely. But expressing those feelings was a challenge.

"Later," Chris whispered.

That served as a cue for Sky to recognize Chris’s desire to end the call.

Chris hesitated before responding, "Take care, Chris," his voice now infused with a touch of vulnerability.

Ending the call, Chris was left with a jumble of emotions he struggled to put into words. He was frustrated with Sky, certainly, but he recognized that he had willingly entangled himself in this mess. The blame wasn’t Sky’s to bear.

Standing alone in his dorm room, Chris felt the weight of his decisions press down on him. While his attempt to safeguard Sky’s reputation had been a bold move, the resulting repercussions were proving more complex than he’d anticipated. An emotional whirlwind raged within him—guilt for not considering Sky’s feelings, frustration with himself for being ensnared, and a renewed determination to navigate the hazardous path Ash was laying before him.

With a distant gaze fixed outside his window, Chris’s thoughts churned.

Just as he began to contemplate the intricacies of the situation, his phone rang once more. This time, it was a call from Rain. Initially, he was inclined to ignore it, but after a brief hesitation, he answered. He couldn’t leave her hanging, not after their interaction last night.

Rain’s voice, laced with both concern and exasperation, echoed through the phone. "Chris, what the hell just happened? Did he force you to do it? Are you alright?"

Chris’s frustration shifted inward, directed at himself. "Not... exactly. He was being a jerk, and I thought that would throw him off." He spoke quietly.

A moment of silence passed before Rain let out a heavy sigh. "You have no idea, Chris. I despise that guy intensely, and now I’m furious that he’s causing problems for you."

Chris’s curiosity was piqued by the depth of Rain’s feelings as well as her cautious approach to seeking information while still showing concern.

"Why do you have such a strong hatred for Ash?" Chris inquired, probing into the dynamics among the three of them.

There was a bitterness in Rain’s voice as she spoke. "He is manipulative. We... You know, Ash and I used to be friends when we were younger. With Sky too. But that changed when he started being an asshole, especially to Sky." She sighed, stopping herself from going deeply into it.

Chris pondered her words. So if the three of them were friends when they were younger, it meant their families were probably friends, and if Sky was engaged with his sister, which no one was willing to mention, then it meant their families had a hand in it, and from what he had witnessed, he could safely conclude that Sky did not want that.

He contemplated asking Rain about their relationship, but he decided it was best to continue feigning ignorance. Instead, he questioned why they still maintained contact with Ash, hoping to get something out of it.

"It’s complicated," Rain replied in a hushed tone. "But please, just... stay away from him. Ash is devious, and he’ll exploit any advantage he finds."

"Does he have a problem with Sky? He seemed particularly fixated on him." Chris asked, trying to egg her on to say something.

"Is that connected to what happened today?" Rain asked, alarmed.

"Yes," Chris confessed. "Ash wanted to spread rumours about Sky and me having an... inappropriate relationship. He was still angry about me hitting him and getting away with it."

That wasn’t entirely a lie.

"That scoundrel!"

"Yeah. I thought using that would divert his focus and redirect people’s attention to that instead of whatever he was planning."

"Oh dear. I can’t believe you had to resort to that." Rain sighed. "I understand if it seems unprincipled, and honestly, I appreciate your support. But please, in whatever way you can, as Sky’s friend, protect him from Ash."

"Sky is fragile, Chris. He hides his pain, even from me. But I can see it in his eyes, in his restless nights, in his silence. I vowed to shield him from people like Ash, but recently, he’s been so distant and... lost."

Chris wasn’t fully aware of what Ash had done to Sky, but his loathing for Ash intensified. A newfound determination surged within Chris. "I won’t let Ash hurt him."

Rain’s tone softened, gratitude colouring her words. "Thank you, Chris. But be cautious."

Gazing out of the window, Chris’s thoughts grappled with the complexities of the situation. "Rain, I won’t allow Ash to win. I’ll do whatever it takes." ’To protect Sky,’ he silently added.

"I believe you," Rain affirmed with genuine sincerity. "Remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re in it together." She lightened the mood with a jest: "And maybe don’t kiss him again. He’s not exactly appealing." Her laughter followed.

Chris chuckled in response, and they exchanged goodbyes before ending the call.

That night had been anything but good for Chris.

The next morning, Chris woke up feeling worse than he had in a while. A heavy weight settled in his chest, and a wave of nausea washed over him. He groaned, rolling over and burying his face in his pillow. It was unexpected, but in a way, he had been feeling the signs for a while now, chalking it up to the stress of adjusting to the new environment.

He pulled the covers over himself, struggling to find a comfortable position, when his phone buzzed, signalling an incoming call. He frowned at the screen when he saw the caller.

Not now.

Reluctantly, he answered, his voice husky. "Hello?"

"Why do you sound like that?" his mother’s voice queried from the other end. "Are you feeling alright? You sound like you’re still in bed."

His suspicion surged, yet he maintained a neutral tone. "I think I caught a bug or something."

A brief silence hung in the air before his mother spoke again, her tone laced with concern. "You’re certain it’s just a bug? Do you need to see a doctor?"

Chris’s mind raced, wondering if his mother had somehow learned about the events of the previous day. "No, Mom, I’m pretty sure it’s just a minor thing. I should be back on my feet in a day or two."

He sensed her relief mingling with a touch of hesitation. "Alright, take care of yourself, Chris. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know."

He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. "Thanks, Mom."

Her tone turned sombre. "I know you’ve been dealing with a lot recently, Chris. If you ever need to talk, I’m here."

Despite his skepticism, Chris felt a warmth in his heart. "I appreciate that, Mom. But honestly, I’m holding up okay. I can handle things."

She sighed softly, her concern evident. "I just worry about you, that’s all. You’re my son."

"I know, Mom," he replied softly, touched by her sincerity. "But seriously, I’ll be alright. I promise."

Her voice brightened again, though he sensed a trace of underlying emotion. "Okay, just remember I’m here whenever you need me. I may always be too busy to give you a call, but I am never too busy to take your calls when I see them."

He managed a small smile. "I know. And I won’t forget that."

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call. Chris settled back against his pillow, a maelstrom of emotions swirling within him. The suspicion lingered, and the question of whether his mother truly knew nothing about the Ashley incident or was merely pretending was gnawing at him. He wondered if she had someone keeping tabs on him and feeding her information.

A flood of uncertainties and queries washed over him, but he chose not to dwell on them at that moment. Instead, he focused on the immediate steps he needed to take.

The first step was to sleep some more.

He was skipping school today.