For Him, I Stayed

Note:
"Once again... My story is short. I'm so sorry, my stories are beginning to be shorter and shorter in every chapter, please forgive me."

Warning:
Drama
Sadness??(Bro I don't know)
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Chapter 7: "Fault Lines"

The tension between Ray and Matthew had settled into an uncomfortable rhythm. They still spent most of their time together, but the silences were heavier, the conversations more forced. Ray could feel the fault lines spreading beneath the surface, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep walking on such fragile ground.

It didn't help that Claire had become a near-constant presence in their lives. She often finds excuses to join them at lunch or asks for Matthew's help with classwork, her smile bright and persistent. While Matthew didn't seem particularly interested, he was too polite to brush her off, and Ray couldn't help but feel like a third wheel.

It all came to a head one Friday afternoon. The school was buzzing with excitement for the upcoming basketball game, and students were already gathering in the gym to secure good seats. Ray had planned to go with Matthew, but when he arrived at their usual meeting spot, he found Claire there instead.

"Oh, hey, Ray," she said with a friendly wave. "Matthew and I are heading to the gym. You coming?"

Ray's stomach churned. "I think I'll pass."

Matthew turned to him, frowning. "You sure? It'll be fun."

"Yeah, I'm good," Ray said, forcing a smile. "You guys go ahead."

Before Matthew could protest, Ray turned and walked away, his heart pounding in his chest.

---

Instead of going home, Ray wandered around the school grounds, his thoughts a chaotic mess. He hated how much it hurt to see Matthew and Claire together, even if nothing was going on between them. It wasn't fair-to Matthew, to Claire, or even to himself.

Lost in his thoughts, Ray found himself in the old music room, a quiet corner of the school that was rarely used. He sat down at the dusty piano, running his fingers over the keys. He hadn't played in years, but the familiar weight of the keys beneath his fingers was comforting.

He played a few hesitant notes, then a simple melody. The music filled the empty room, echoing softly against the walls. For a moment, Ray allowed himself to forget everything-the tension, the jealousy, the unspoken feelings-and just lost himself in the music.

---

"Didn't know you could play."

Ray's hands froze, the melody cutting off abruptly. He turned to see Matthew standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"What are you doing here?" Ray asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Matthew stepped into the room, letting the door close behind him. "I could ask you the same thing. You disappeared, and I got worried."

Ray shrugged, turning back to the piano. "I needed some space."

Matthew leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "From me?"

Ray didn't answer, his fingers hovering over the keys.

"Ray," Matthew said, his tone softer now. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Ray took a deep breath, his hands curling into fists. "It's nothing. I just... I don't fit in with your new life, okay?"

"What new life?" Matthew asked, genuinely confused.

"Claire, your other friends, all of it," Ray said, his voice rising. "You don't need me anymore. You've got them."

Matthew frowned, stepping closer. "That's not true. You're my best friend, Ray. None of that has changed."

"Hasn't it?" Ray snapped, finally turning to face him. "Because it feels like it has. I feel like I'm always on the outside looking in, and you don't even notice."

Matthew's eyes widened, hurt flickering across his face. "Ray, I-"

"I said it's fine!" Ray shouted, his voice echoing in the small room. The force of his words startled even himself. He hadn't meant to yell, but everything was spilling out, raw and unfiltered. "It's fine. Just stop acting like you care when you clearly don't."

Matthew's expression hardened, and for the first time, Ray saw something akin to anger in his eyes. "Do you really think that's low of me? That I don't care about you?"

Ray opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. His throat felt dry, and his heart was pounding so hard he thought it might burst.

"I don't know what's been going on with you lately," Matthew continued, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "But you don't get to decide how I feel or who I care about. And for the record, I've always cared about you-more than anyone else."

Before Ray could process what Matthew had just said, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Look," he said, his voice is softer now. "You're obviously going through something, and I want to help. But you have to let me in, Ray. If you don't, I-"

He stopped himself, shaking his head. "Forget it. I'll see you tomorrow."

Matthew turned and walked out of the room, leaving Ray sitting there, stunned and breathless. His mind raced with Matthew's words, the way his voice had trembled at the end, like he had more to say but couldn't bring himself to say it.

Ray sat at the piano for a long time, staring at the keys but unable to play a single note. For the first time, he wondered if maybe he wasn't the only one hiding something.

To be continued...