Note: I finished babysitting. I wrote in-between, on my phone, so if there are mistakes or confusing sentences, I apologize. I wanted to get this out before 12 am, my time.
And when I’m with you
I can’t help myself but only think about him
And when I’m with you
I’m just thinking ’bout how much I wish it was him
- Better Version By Sabrina Claudio
When the afternoon hit, Quin made his way to lunch while calling Theo. It took a few rings before Theo answered the phone.
“What is it now?” Theo greeted him.
“If you caught your boyfriend cheating, what would you do? Quin offhandedly asked.
“Oh, did Nine finally catch that he is my rebound?”
“He is the one cheating. He had another man’s smell and love bites on him.”
Theo was silent for a second before he burst out laughing like Quin said the funniest thing ever. “You deserve it. I am surprised he hasn’t left you with all the shit you put him through.”
Quin clicked his tongue, growing annoyed, “Theo!”
“Am I wrong?” Theo saw no flaws in what he stated.
Quin hasn’t been the best boyfriend to Nine since they started dating. How can someone be the best when they still have another in their heart and mind?
He should have never gotten together with Nine after losing Theo when his heart wasn’t ready. And he shouldn’t have stayed if he knew it was hard to forget another.
“It is still wrong for him to cheat!” Quin argued.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Ccv ktja atf tfii tjnf sbe yffc vblcu? Jjerf sbe tjnfc’a yffc j rjlca ja jii. Tbe tjnf yffc mtfjalcu sbegrfio. Pa wjs cba yf qtsrlmji ilxf tlw, yea la lr fwbalbcji; atja lr kbgrf. Tbe wjs rjs sbe ibnf tlw, yea vb sbe gfjiis? Tbeg jmalbcr bnfg atf sfjgr vbc’a rtbk la. Ccv tf qgbyjyis vbfrc’a cbalmf atja yfmjerf tf tjr yffc klat sbe rlcmf tf kjr oloaffc.”
Quin sighed, “Why did I call you if you were going to be like this?”
“Like what,” Theo laughed, “truth talking? Am I being unhelpful to you? Did you want me on your side? Guess what: I am not. You and Nine need to talk and break up, empathize on the break-up.”
Quin hung up on Theo, not saying anything more. He stared at his phone for a while before sighing and clicking on Nine’s name. He sent him a text message.
Quin: Nevermind, I am coming home tonight. We need to talk; don’t be late.
Nine stayed behind in Literature class, causing him to walk alone to the cafeteria without his friends. He felt his phone vibrate, and before he could check, someone grabbed his arm, pulling him into a narrow hallway.
He pushed the person off, only to hear Vee laugh, “Good thing you know to fight when someone randomly pulls you to a dark area.”
Nine hit Vee, “You are asking for a punch. Who told you to pull someone toward a dull hallway?”
“I wanted to get your adrenaline pumping before getting something else filled with blood.” Vee winked.
“Are you horny 24/7?”
“No, but I could be if you want to start a challenge.”
Nine laughed, leaning against the wall with crossed arms. “Well, why did you pull me here?”
Vee leaned forward, caging Nine in as their nose almost touched. “What if I said I wanted your attention?”
“I thought I gave you enough last night?” Nine instantly responded, his eyes dropping to Vee’s lips before glancing back up.
Vee hummed, his eyes only staring at Nine’s lips. He licked his own before answering, “Maybe it wasn’t enough, or maybe I am addicted.”
Nine grabbed Vee’s collar, rubbing it between his fingers, “You know what they say about addictions.”
“What?” Vee could barely focus with Nine’s hand moving along his collar.
“You shouldn’t indulge in them.” Nine moved his hand away, trying to put space between them.
Vee didn’t allow it as he grabbed Nine’s hand, pulling him closer until their lips rubbed against each other. They were breathing hard while their eyes took in each other’s lips. No one said anything as time passed by while tension filled the air.
Nine was close to begging Vee to close his lips against his, wanting them to kiss already. But instead, Vee paused at kissing him. “I want to take you somewhere this weekend.”
“Where?” Nine asked. He didn’t know if he should go somewhere with Vee. Wouldn’t it be wrong to take this affair out of the school? But, the uncertainty seemed exciting. And Quin hasn’t taken him somewhere in a long time.
“It’s a surprise. Do you want to go?” Vee asked.
Nine touched Vee’s chest, tapping it while acting like he was thinking. He already had an answer in his mind. “If I say yes, will you make coming to this hallway worthwhile?”
“I could,” Vee smirked, “all you have to do is say yes.”
“Then, yes.”
Once he spoke those words, Vee finally captured his lips. Nine wrapped his arms around Vee as they kissed, opening his mouth for Vee to deepen the kiss.
It always felt good having Vee’s lips on him. He was starting to become addicted to the feel. Maybe he should be telling himself not to indulge too much.
Nine finally entered the cafeteria, sitting at his usual table. His friends looked up at him, getting ready to ask where he had been when they noticed his swollen lips.
“What happened to your lips?” Jon asked.
Nine touched his lips, forgetting that he had spent the last few minutes kissing Vee without a break. “Uh, I ran into a wall. I didn’t want to come because I knew you guys would laugh, but I decided to brave it. So, let’s hear the laughter.”
Lee patted Nine’s shoulder, reaching across the table, “It is okay; you have done more embarrassing things. This is barely top 100.” He smiled, showing that he was teasing Nine.
Cassy and Jon laughed, nodding their heads in agreement.
“Haha,” Nine dryly laughed, “you are so funny, Lee; you should sign up for a comedy show.”
“I know, I know. Anyway, we got you some food, so whenever you are ready to eat, go for it.” Lee pointed out.
Nine looked at the untouched food in the center, bringing it towards him, “Thanks, you are amazing.”
“Keep the compliments coming. I want an ego like Jon.”
“Hey! Why am I getting teased?” Jon instantly complained.
“Oh, oh, me next!” Cassy shouted. She wanted to tease Jon next.
Nine grabbed Jon’s arm, stopping him from fighting his sister and Lee. “Jon, eat your food.”
Jon pouted but listened to Nine while muttering that no one was on his side. Nine shook his head, smiling at him. He was getting ready to eat when he remembered that he had gotten a message earlier before Vee distracted him.
He pulled out his phone, seeing a message from Quin. When he read the content of it, he gave a questioning look. I wonder what Quin wants to talk about. He thought.
Well, at least he is coming home tonight.
Note: Before Quin’s and Nine’s big talk, the next chapter will be Vee’s point of view.
Theo is super right
Tbh, I’m afraid of reading Vee’s pov because I know that at the beginning of the novel, he’s just playing with Nine…
Less playing with nine and more giving ppl what they want from him and its pretty clear nine wants him. He merely feels like since all ppl want is to use him, why not let them and enjoy the process. I’m curious how he’s felt with all this teasing hes done to nine.
I actually respect Theo. He’s right and has tried to keep boundaries between him and Quin, while also always telling the truth. I like Vee and I feel bad for our baby Nine. Quin – I hate.
Quin is the one who is really cheating… if Nine
continuation…If Nine had not acted, they would have been at the same point forever….and Vee and Nine are playing but maybe they can find in each other what they really need.
I tbi k its worse. Of nine couldnt free himself from dating quin or feeling to blame for his the failing relationship, he could very well have become the victim of an emotionally abusive relationship while remaining theo’s rebound.
That’s true
I say, based on what Theo said about them being in a relationship when Nine was 15, I wanna say he’s being “groomed” ….maybe not exactly like that but same feeling…. Especially the first chapters– but again, why would people start relationship when they’re not over their exes yet!!!