[ford]
What was I thinking agreeing to something like that I don't even think I like girls. All I knew is I liked Fiat but he was off the cards. I'll probably be alone forever at this rate. I slump back on my sofa running my hands through my hair. "Agggghh" I punch my pillow. I need to stop this. This fascination is getting the best of me. What am I going to do?
FEW WEEKS LATER...
I haven't really had time to play about. I haven't even thought about sleeping with anyone. Exams are here. For the past three weeks all I have done is study. Business class was quite difficult. I'd know I'd get a decent mark but I needed to be better than Fiat my parents wouldn't want me to be out done by him. To be honest at this point I didn't care. But I had to do better. This was the first exams that I had to do fully in Thai and I was nervous. Hopefully all the Thai lessons I took during my stay in England would be good enough.
I enter the exam room and pull out my pencil case. This was it. I had to put all my knowledge and give it my all. I look down at the paper. SHIT!! I didn't know it involved this much writing. I was screwed. After reading through and writing my long winded answers I was finally done. I sighed. It felt like 2 hours weren't enough time. I grab my things and leave the room.
"How did you find it? That was pretty hard." Bear says putting his arm round my shoulder. " I've definitely failed." "Nonsense you will do great. You're a genius. You excel in everything you do." He was not wrong but I had a bad feeling about this. " Hey Ford that girls checking you out!" Bear says with a smirk. Aghhhh!! I really couldn't be arsed. " quick she's coming." He pushes me forward. "Go on , go on." He whispers. I roll my eyes. " Excuse me Ford right? Can I get your number? Looking to study sometime." She smiles. I'm not going to lie she was pretty. " I'm sorry I'm sorta seeing someone right now." I politely declined. " silly I'm not asking you on a date. Just to study. I heard your a top student so I wanted to learn form the best." She giggles. "He's not seeing anyone. For just give her your number. She's pretty." I look at her before pulling out my phone. " here you go text me whenever." I smile at her. My be this is a good thing I need to get over Fiat anyway. "How about we go to the library later on around 4 ?" " wow! Sweet can do. My names may by the way" She beams. I wave her off as I go to the cafeteria for some food.
"Can't believe you got a girls number, why did you tell her you're seeing someone you ain't." Bear asks. "I know I know but she seemed nice it's just she wasn't my type." I sighed. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN!! NOT YOUR TYPE SHES GORGEOUS!!" He shouts. I couldn't tell him I wasn't into anyone but Fiat. Does that make me gay? I wasn't sure. "Fine I'll go, I see how things go with her." To be honest I was quite optimistic. Maybe this was good.
Few hours later ...
It took all my confidence and courage to go see her. But I was curious maybe I wasn't gay. I couldn't admit that to myself. I scanned the library to see if I could see her. "Hey Ford over here." She waved me over. " how are you ? Heard the exam was hard how did you find it." " yeah it was quite difficult. I really struggled on the essay but I managed to complete it. I just hope I've scored well." I looked at her. Her eyes were glistening. " I'm sure you've done exceptionally well. Tell you what I'll come with you to see your results as some support." She grabs my hand. " we can become good friends you know." I put my other hand on the top of hers. I smile. " yeah that would be nice! Let's go grab something to eat. I'm starving and can't be bothered with studying right now." We pick up our things and walk around for a bit, chatting and getting to know each other. "What do you fancy to eat?" I ask her. " how about there." She points. "My favourite place how did you know?" I smiled. "Hahah I just chose at random." She giggles.
We go in and find a seat. " choose what you want, my treat since I invited you out." She smiled at me and nodded. " thank you. You don't have too these prices are high." Her eyes widened as she looked at the menu. "nonsense think of it as a celebration of a new friendship." We order food and a few drinks. We chatted a while. "Are you going on the beach trip by any chance?" I ask her. "Yeah I am. Im quite excited I haven't been to the beach in ages." " Sames I'm quite excited too I haven't been to the beach with my friends before.hopefully we can hang out at the beach then." We finished eating. I pay the bill and walk out. " let me walk you home it's pretty late." We walk and talk. We got on pretty well. I feel like I could actually go on a date with her. We pull up outside her apartment. " hey when we get back from the beach. Could I take you on a date?" I smile at her. " what? I thought you wanted friendship. But okay next week? ." She questions me. I scratched the back of my head nervously. " well I thought we got on quite well. I lied that I was seeing someone.i never dated before so I got nervous. I think you're pretty awesome and would like to see you again. Anyways have good night I'm going to go now. I don't live too far away literally the next block." I waved her off and waited till she got inside. I took a slow stroll down the street. I felt pretty good that I asked her out. This was the first time I had courage like this with no alcohol involved.
"Well well well mr stud. I didn't think you could actually do it." I come to a halt when I hear fiat voice. " what the hell fiat. Have you been stalking me?" I got angry. " actually for the matter of a fact I have since the restaurant. I saw you coming out with her wanted to make sure you was sticking to our deal. But then you didn't go inside what's wrong with you she's pretty. I'd do her." He got on my nerves. " remember the beach is the final day of our deal. So make sure you're ready to pay the price." He walks off. " hey get back here I'm not done with you!" He didn't listen. The beach trip was only 2 days away. Shit! Am I really going to have to beg. I could just lie to him right?
The thought of fiat was racing in my head. I needed to stop. I pull out my phone and text May. -I'm home- followed with a heart. I throw the phone on to my bed and pulled out my suitcase to pack. After an hour of packing and sorting things out, I picked up my phone. I didn't realise bear had texted to go on some game with him but I totally ignored him. I had bigger fish to fry. I didn't know what I was going to do.
I sat on the edge of my bed, suitcase half-zipped, staring at the wall like it might give me answers. My mind was still tangled up in everything—Fiat, the weight of it all, the way it kept pulling me under like some kind of tide I couldn't swim against. I scrolled through Bear's message again, but I couldn't bring myself to reply. Not now. Not when everything felt like it was hanging by a thread.
May hadn't responded yet. I told myself she was probably busy, but a tiny part of me feared she was just as lost as I was. I tossed the phone back on the bed, ran a hand through my hair, and sighed. Whatever this was turning into, it wasn't something I could run from. But I could pack for it.
I zipped up the suitcase and stared at it for a moment. It felt heavier than it should. like it carried more than just clothes and sunscreen. It held pressure, confusion, and the weight of something I never thought I'd get involved in: a stupid bet.
Who could sleep with more girls? Me or Fiat.
It started as a joke. Some ego-driven challenge after one too many drinks. I said it because I didn't want to look like a coward in front of him. Because, deep down, I wanted to win something, maybe win him. But now, with the beach trip only two days away. The final round. it all just felt wrong.I hadn't even told Bear about it. Why would I? He wouldn't understand. Hell, I didn't even understand it. What kind of person makes a bet like that when they're not even sure they like girls?
My phone buzzed. A voice message. From Fiat.I hesitated. Then hit play. "Hope you're packing something sexy, lover boy. Beach means bikinis, booze, and the final scoreboard. You're still two behind, just saying. Don't embarrass yourself. Tick tock, Ford."
His voice, taunting and casual, lit something hot in my chest. I couldn't tell if it was rage or something worse: want. I threw the phone onto the bed, hard enough to make it bounce onto the floor. I sat on the edge of my bed, head in my hands. This wasn't who I was. At least, I didn't think so. But here I was.
The door creaked open behind me. "You alive in here?" Bear's voice cut through the silence as he peeked in. "You didn't answer my text.""Yeah," I muttered. "Just packing." He came in, holding a bottle of soda in one hand and a crumpled bag of snacks in the other. "You're really taking this trip seriously." I glanced at him. "You're packed already?"
"Duh. I've been hyped for this trip for weeks. Beach, freedom, no classes, what's not to love?" Right. For him, it was just a school trip. For me, it felt like the last chapter in a story I never meant to start. "You sure you're okay?" he asked, sitting beside me. "You've been acting weird lately." "It's just... pressure, I guess." He eyed me. "From exams or from Fiat?" I looked away. "Both." "Man, I don't know what that dude has over you, but you gotta stop letting him mess with your head."
I wanted to tell him. About the bet. About May. About how messed up everything had gotten. But I couldn't.
"I'll be fine," I said, forcing a weak smile. "Good," Bear said, nudging my shoulder. "Because I'm not dealing with moody Ford on this trip. I want beers, beach games, and chaos, but the fun kind of chaos."
I laughed, but there was no weight behind it. "You always manage to keep things light." "Someone's gotta. Come on. Let's get snacks and energy drinks. You're not surviving the bus ride otherwise."He stood, grabbed my half-zipped suitcase and slung it upright. "You're lucky I'm already going on this trip. I feel like I'm gonna be saving your ass at least once." I stood too, brushing my hands down my jeans. "Thanks, Bear." "Don't thank me yet," he grinned. "Fiat's going, remember? That guarantees drama." And he was right. As I followed Bear out the door, I couldn't shake the feeling that the trip wasn't just about beaches or school credits anymore. It was about facing something I'd been avoiding since the day I made that damn bet.