Arthur sat in the art studio, staring at the half-finished canvas in front of him. He had begun painting Nick's face again—without even realizing it. His fingers were soiled with charcoal, the smudged corners of Nick's jawline melting into the shadows.
Three months ago, Arthur had woken up to discover his life devastated, with no explanation, no closure—just silence.
He had attempted to move on, or at least pretend to. He focused on his art, his academics, anything to replace the vacuum Nick had left behind. But nothing helped. Nick was everywhere. He was in the way. Arthur immediately reached for two cups when preparing coffee. He was lying on the second pillow on Arthur's bed, untouched and waiting. He was in the way, and Arthur found himself repeating Nick's name in his sleep, waking up to an empty bed and the phantom of warmth beside him.
Arthur had changed. He was quieter now, calmer in a way that disturbed even him. His laughter, once brilliant and unfettered, had dimmed. His friends sensed it too—Pim, even Tyler, who had attached to him like glue, always lurking nearby as if waiting for Arthur to crack.
Tyler had virtually moved in. He was constantly there, at school and home, bringing him meals and checking on him. Arthur knew Tyler had feelings for him, but he was too fatigued to care. Let Tyler hover; let him stay. It didn't matter. Nothing did. One day, Arthur was walking through the hallway and saw Nick. He rushed to him and held his hand. Nick ignored him and asked him never to speak to him again. "I have moved on," and I think you should too, Nick said. Before Arthur could say anything, Nick left Arthur and went away.
A few days later, after an encounter with Nick in the hallway, Arthur said to himself that he would not give up on Nick, not until he cleared his name. But then, the news came.
It happened in the middle of an afternoon in the studio, when Arthur was immersed in his world. The air smelled like turpentine and acrylic paint, and for once, he had managed to tune out everything else.
Until someone ran into the room
"Did you hear?" A classmate's voice cut through the air. "Nick and Mai are dating."
Arthur froze. His breath caught in his throat.
"What?
"Yes, it is all over social media. They wore a promise ring together.
His hands shook as he reached for his phone. The screen blurred in his vision as he opened Nick's profile.
And there it was.
A photo of Nick and Mai, standing together, smiling Mai had her hand on Nick's chest, and there on her finger was a ring.
She said yes!
Arthur felt like the floor had gone beneath him. His vision swam. The world around him dissolved into white noise.
Nick is dating Mia.
His Nick
No.
It didn't make sense.
His lungs contracted, and his phone slid from his fingers, clattering onto the floor. Someone yelled his name—Tyler, maybe Pim—but he didn't hear them. The walls of the studio closed in, stifling him.
He had to get out.
Arthur stumbled left the room, not registering the alarmed voices behind him. His legs took him aimlessly through the campus, past old hallways, memories he couldn't bear to face. His chest ached, his heart thumping so violently it hurt.
He didn't stop until he reached the river.
The same river where, months before, he had stood at the edge, his mind muddled with thoughts of ending it all.
And now, he was back.
The weight of it all overwhelmed him.
Nick was gone. Nick was gone. Is that the reason he told me to move on?
Arthur went to his knees, his fingers sinking into the damp dirt. His whole body trembled as sobs blasted through him.
"Why? he whispered, his voice breaking. "Why did you leave me? What did I ever do to you, Nick?
Memories flooded his thoughts.
The nights they spent speaking secrets in the dark, the way Nick would trace lazy lines on his skin. The way they had kissed under the sky, promising forever.
And now this?
Nick had moved on. As if Arthur had been nothing. As if their love had meant nothing.
Arthur squeezed his eyes tight, his body feeling hollow, like he had no blood left in his veins. A peculiar sensation gripped him, the world spinning.
Then everything went black.
A set of arms caught him before he hit the ground.
Tyler.
Arthur scarcely registered the warmth as Tyler cradled him, shaking him gently.
"Arthur? Arthur! Wake up!"
But Arthur's body was too feeble. His respiration was shallow, his skin clammy.
"Shit," Tyler murmured. Without wasting a second, he took Arthur into his arms and carried him home.
Arthur woke to the feeling of something chilly against his forehead. His eyelids flickered open, and he realized he was resting in his bed. His shirt was soaked, and a cold compress was pressed against his skin.
"Finally," a voice whispered.
Arthur turned his head to see Tyler seated next to him, his expression pinched with dread.
"What…" Arthur's throat was dry. "What happened?
"You fainted by the river," Tyler remarked, wringing out a cloth in a bowl of water. "You scared the hell out of me."
Arthur stared at the ceiling. His body felt heavy. Empty.
The recollection hit him all over again.
Nick has moved on?
His chest ached, but he had no more tears left.
Tyler sighed and ran a hand over his hair. "I know it hurts."
Arthur let out a harsh laugh, hollow and lifeless. "You don't."
Tyler paused. "Maybe not the way you do. But I know what it's like to love someone who doesn't love you back."
Arthur tilted his head slightly, eventually catching Tyler's gaze.
And for the first time, he saw it.
Tyler's eyes were filled with something profound, something raw.
Affection
or
regret.
Maybe even love.
But Arthur couldn't force himself to care. His heart was already broken beyond repair.
Tyler sighed again and reached for Arthur's hand. "Let me take care of you, okay? "
Arthur closed his eyes.
He was too tired to protest.