The school event was quickly approaching, and the tension in the air could be felt by everyone. Joey had always been a master of blending into any situation, using his gentle yet mischievous nature to navigate through the complexities of school life. But this time, his involvement in Rael's life felt deeper, more meaningful. He could sense the emotional weight Rael was carrying, and he knew this event could be a turning point in his relationship with his parents.
Rael's parents had started to reach out to him again, but their efforts were met with resistance. Rael's past pain was still raw, and every attempt they made to bridge the gap between them only seemed to drive him further away. Joey watched with quiet understanding, his heart aching for Rael. He wasn't just a bystander in this moment—he was playing an active role in helping Rael reconcile with them. Yet, something inside him had shifted. What had once been a simple mission was now becoming something more personal.
"Hey," Joey said one afternoon, sitting beside Rael on a bench in the school courtyard. "You know, I think your parents are trying."
Rael glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Trying to make up for everything they've done?"
Joey chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear. "Maybe not everything, but they're trying. And that's a step, right?"
Rael's gaze lingered on Joey, as though weighing his words. The walls Rael had carefully built around himself were slowly crumbling, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to let anyone in. Especially not after everything he'd been through with them.
"I don't know," Rael muttered, looking away. "I don't think they get it."
Joey smiled, his voice warm yet playful. "You don't have to forgive them all at once. But... you can try, right? A little at a time."
Rael hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. Joey's words had a way of cutting through his defenses, making the world feel a little less heavy. He wanted to believe Joey, wanted to trust that things could change. But the scars from his past weren't so easily healed.
"I guess," Rael finally said, his voice softer. "Maybe I could try."
The words didn't mean everything was fixed, but they were a start. Joey's heart swelled with something he couldn't quite place—pride, maybe, or something deeper. He wasn't sure, but the feeling lingered. He had made a difference in Rael's life, even if it was only a small one. And for the first time since he'd arrived in this world, Joey wondered if it was possible to be more than just a guide, more than just a part of Rael's mission.
At the same time, Rishi couldn't help but notice the growing closeness between Rael and Joey. He had always been observant, but lately, something felt different. Rael, who had once kept everyone at arm's length, now turned to Joey for everything. Emotional support, advice, even just a quiet moment of companionship. Rishi had always been there for Rael, but now it seemed like Joey had taken that place.
Rishi stood across the courtyard, watching them interact. He saw the way Rael looked at Joey, the way his posture softened whenever he spoke to him. It was subtle, but it was there. Something was changing, and Rishi didn't know how to feel about it. He had always known that Rael had feelings for others—there had been the tension with his parents, the lingering sorrow of abandonment—but this was different. This was... new.
Rael had always kept a distance from others. He'd never needed anyone, never allowed anyone to get too close. But Joey had somehow slipped past all of Rael's defenses, making Rael open up in ways he hadn't for years. Rishi couldn't deny it: Rael was falling for Joey. And that knowledge left him feeling confused, jealous, and more than a little unsettled.
It wasn't that Rishi wanted Rael for himself—at least, he didn't think so. He cared for Rael, deeply, and had always been his closest friend. But watching him change, watching him rely on Joey in ways he never had before, was difficult. Rishi didn't know how to process these feelings, didn't know what to make of them.
"Hey," a voice called out, snapping Rishi from his thoughts. He turned to see Maya, the female protagonist, walking up to him, her expression filled with concern. "You okay?"
Rishi forced a smile, trying to shake off the lingering tension. "Yeah, just... thinking."
Maya raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "About what?"
Rishi glanced back toward Rael and Joey. "About Rael and Joey."
Maya followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You think something's going on between them?"
Rishi didn't respond immediately, his thoughts swirling. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I can tell that Rael has changed. And it's Joey. He's the one making the difference. I just... I don't know how to feel about it."
Maya studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "It's not always easy, you know. Seeing someone change in front of you. But maybe it's for the best. Rael's been hurting for so long. Maybe Joey's the one who can help him heal."
Rishi nodded, though the words didn't fully comfort him. He wasn't sure what he wanted anymore. Rael was moving on, becoming someone new, and he was happy for him. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel left behind.
Joey had done something Rishi couldn't—he had gotten through to Rael. And now, Rishi wasn't sure if he had a place in Rael's life anymore.