1. The Pain

The Pain

"Here it is for you". Noah was holding the only red rose looking at the boy going away with hands in his pocket.  He was walking like he owns the place. Clean cut white shirt, black pants, and shining black shoes. 

It was the final day for the Star Moon competition. He was competing to be the Campus Moon against the ever gorgeous and handsome Eric Roger, the nominee from Medical Campus. While Noah Gabriel , was from the Engineering campus.  

He wasn't so sure anyway to win the title and it won't bother him too. He wasn't willing to even be part of it. Only if his senior Jasper, the previous Moon of the campus, had not nominated him. He was happy to be the bad ass boy. In his black tee, black jeans, and brown boots. 

He didn't know the medical gang, they called themself. Eric Roger, the ever perfect would be doctor and the father of the two. Kane Ryker, the grumpy and feisty, and Benjamin Brian , the Casanova. Yes he was the heartless cold Casanova who had tasted more than 80% of every department of the University. 

They were not buddies to say. The Engineering gang was scary. 

Noah, Peter, Harry, Finn and Park. They were the wolves. Taking Noah as the leader. He was stubborn, a rebellion, a hot headed rebellion one should say. Even his seniors had a tough time taming him. Jasper, his senior Head Hazer was himself a rebellion but he ended up taming his head hazer Theo, proposing to him, but he failed to pull Noah down to obey the rules. 

But there was something he would never admit, even if Noah was hot headed, but he never disappointed the hazers in his activities. No matter what task they would assign, he would do it with dedication and complete it beforehand. 

During the competition practice he and Eric somehow ended up being friends, which means they share the same group now. The doctors and engineers. 

They would hang out in the bar on weekends. They would enjoy it. They would get lucky with a girl or boy and voila. 

It was again a night out in the bar. Celebrating the win of Eric Roger as the Campus Moon and most popular votes. While Noah was the runner up. 

"Tsk tsk, you lost to Eric. Even when I gave YOU a rose". Benjamin was laughing teasing him. He knew Noah didn't bother about losing the title. They were enjoying themselves. 

"Duh. You gave him 99 roses, and only 1 to me. How does it compares". Noah scoffed, twirling the bottle in his fingers. 

Benjamin shrugged clearly, enjoying the bantering. 

"Hey hottie. Want to have fun"? Just then everyone witnesses a girl approaching Benjamin. She invited herself in his lap trying to seduce him. Well who wont want him. He was flawless. He was beautifully handsome. He was pale white with raven hair complementing his equally dark eyes and dark pink glistering lips. 

He laughed off as he lightly spanked her ass to leave. 

"Bye guys". He led her to the room upstairs in the bar without touching her, while she was clinging to him. 

"I lost...". Noah murmured, taking a swig from his beer. Everyone on the table was busy with girls in their laps. Fondling and teasing their assets. But he was leaning on the headrest, eyes closed. 

Everyone could say he was exhausted or tired but not Finn. His right hand is his best friend who knows him inside out. 

"Ohh look, who do we have tonight. Alone. Noah Gabriel". He heard a girl trying to snuggle into his neck while her hand was travelling down, but was caught even before she could reach his belt.

"Not tonight". He placed his half filled bottle, pulled out cash, his share, and left the place. Leaving behind his friends and a surprised Benjamin who just came downstairs. 

"Wow Benjaminie. You are back. It was quick or was it quickie"? Kane laughed but he just smiled. His eyes were still looking at the exit door where Noah had left. 

He slightly rubbed the left of his chest before leaving the bar too. He wasn't in a mood to have fun. 

***********

The week after the moon star competition was a nightmare for all. Quizzes and tests. The students in the medical class were busy eating their books and notes to get good grades to add up in finals. While the engineers were solving equations and experimenting in their labs. 

"Damn.. Am dead guys". Kane whined. He had eye bags under his eyes and he was clearly worn out. Eric was exhausted too. He wanted to go to sleep for two straight days.

"I am going to my dorm. And will sleep. Benjamin, what about you"? Kane asked Benjamin who was sitting with his head on the table between his arms. 

"I don't know. Maybe sleep". He said not sure. 

"How about we all take a rest and then go to the bar". Eric  suggested. They thought for a while before nodding a yes. They surely needed booze to refresh. 

"Okay. I will pick you both at 6. Get ready". Eric stood up to go to the parking lot. Followed by Benjamin dragging Kane. They were dorm roommates and floor mates. 

After making sure Kane had successfully entered his room and closed it, Benjamin opened his room. Without switching on the lights he went to his bedroom. Taking his fresh clothes he entered the washroom. He wanted to relax. He soaked himself in the tub, closing his eyes. He was in no mood to have lunch; rather, he decided to have a snack in the bar. 

Bar!!!!. His eyes opened as soon as the word clicked into his mind. "Noah". He whispered. 

"Benjamin". There was someone else too. Sitting in the engineering dungeon with closed eyes. He was successful in avoiding Benjamin for a whole week due to busy schedule. Studies and Sotus had drained him. 

Even today, he had just got free from a group activity after a stressful surprise lab test. He wanted to rest his body. But it seems like his heart had his own mind. 

Just when he thought he would relax for a while before heading to his dorm to freshen up, a certain pale skin person invaded his thoughts. It was like a call of hearts. 

It was exactly the moment when Benjamin had whispered his name with trembling lips. 

"Noah. Noah. Noahhhh". 

"The fuck Finn". Noah spat in anger when Finn shouted in his ear. 

"Fuck you. I have been calling you for a hundred times. Get up. We got to go. Boys are waiting at the bar. And you are sleeping here". He said walking out of the door. 

Noah huffed. He had planned to go to his dorm to change but now he had no time. He roughly racked his hair and went outside the dungeon with his leather jacket on his arms. 

He would go to the bar and see Benjamin. Surrounded by girls. Then one or two would be lucky and  leave with Benjamin to the rooms above. And that's it..

Noah felt a pang in his heart driving his bike. He had just reached the door of the bar when he saw Benjamin stepping out of Eric's car. As usual so charming. He was a magnet. The chic magnet. He was wearing khaki pants with an off white tee and open button brown shirt. 

"Hey Noah". Eric bro fisted him. Kane nodded while Benjamin was just looking at him with hands in his pocket. 

"Hi Benjamin". Noah greeted with a smile, replied with a smile too. 

They walked inside together, by chance Noah and Benjamin were walking side by side. Occasionally brushing the back of their hands. Their friends were already waiting at their leather U shaped couch at the corner of the bar. Their favorite spot. 

"Am gonna get the beer". Instead of sitting he moved to the counter to place his order. 

"Hey handsome. Want to enjoy it? Booze and sex"? A boy in leather clothes with a leash around his neck approached him. 

Noah just stared at him without saying a word. He turned his face to the counter when he felt his arm being caught. 

"Why so lonely tonight? You can vent out your frustrations, honey". Noah pulled out his arms.

"Not interested". He said with a cold gaze but it seemed like the boy toy was so persistent. 

"Arrogant eh? What? I know you are bi. Am I not good for you? Or you just want to show off"? The boy toy was getting irritated. Noah knew he was the butterfly of this bar. 

If it was anyother moment, he would have hauled him on the counter and would have fucked the living daylight out of him. But not now. And he was too lazy to even punch him to go away. 

Ignoring him once again he grabbed the beers and was about to turn, to be pulled again. He almost fell down due to the impact of pulling the collar of his shirt but he felt himself free at once when someone punched him square on the eye. 

"Didnt you listen, he reject you. Now fuck off. Here, let me hold some". Noah looked at the owner of the voice. None other than Benjamin. The cold in his eyes as he punched the boy toy was replaced by a smile on his lips. He held half of the beer from Noah and went to the table. 

Noah didn't know what the feeling was. His life was tossing and turning in a matter of seconds. One moment he would feel Benjamin close to him, that he could hold him. And another second he would be so out of league.

Just like now. He saw girls swarming around him and he was the Prince. Taking gulps, sitting casually with open arms and open legs, wearing his signature smile and smirking thick eyebrows. 

Noah placed the drinks on the table and turned around. Without even saying a word he exited the bar. Once again. Another weekend. Alone. In his condo. 

Benjamin followed him with his eyes. His forehead creased. 

"Hey Finn what's with him"? He pushed the girls away not minding their shocked faces and turned to Finn who was also in deep thoughts. 

"I don't know either.". He shrugged his shoulders but he knew it had something to do with the person asking this question. But why and how?

*************

"Why"? Noah was sitting on the floor of his bedroom. He slid open the door to the balcony. He was gulping beer while smoking. His eyes were replaying the flashes of Benjamin surrounded by girls ready to strip for him even if he raised a finger. 

And then.  .....

"Fuckkkk". He screamed as he threw another bottle in the balcony that shattered into pieces. He didn't know when someone entered his room with the spare key, but he didn't need to turn to look. He knew who it would be. Someone who knew him and would be there for him even in the weakest hours. 

"How"? The only world was enough for him to crumble down. All walls broke down, when a pair of strong yet warm arms enveloped around him. And he wasn't the hotheaded, the angry, the stubborn Noah anymore. 

But the little Noah to his brother. 

"It hurts Con. It hurts a lot. Why can't it be me, Con? Why can’t he see me"? He was crying in the broad chest of his brother. He felt the warm hands rubbing his back, kissing his forehead, his head again and again to soothe him. His brother knew no words could calm him down. He was so shattered, so he let him cry. Leaning his back with the bed, taking his beloved baby brother in his arms, he was waiting for him to pour his heart out. 

He was just sitting when he received a call. He looked down and smiled, Noah was asleep. With tear strained cheeks and lips still murmuring something. He kissed the tip of his nose before fishing out his phone.

"Yes Mom. No mom, I am at Noah. Will come back on Sunday. Yes he is fine. I just want to spend time with him. Don't worry. Everything is fine. Will call you later. Bye mom". He ended the call before lifting him up and put on the bed. 

Wiping him off with a wet towel he made sure to clean him off the tobacco and alcohol, he changed into a comfortable nightwear and went to the couch holding a glass of whiskey. 

He was looking at the figure, sleeping soundly like a kid. Well for him he was the kid. He was five years younger than him. Pampered by him. And he made sure never to shed even a single tear. 

He would defend him, he would be his shield if Dad or Mom was angry with him. He was the one who let him enjoy his life. To always see him smiling and laughing. He was only used to watching his gummy smile. His mischievous antics. But tonight.. His heart was crying for him because someone hurt him and broke his heart. 

And he had to do something. 

"Let's meet up". He fished for his phone and just one text .

"Okay". The word was enough for him to empty his glass and move out of his condo. He had to come back soon. 

*******

"Hi, Conrad. How are you doing"? Finn asked him as soon as he reached back to the bar they all left a couple of hours ago. 

He was just nursing a glass of Rum. Signalling the waiter to bring something for Finn but he settled on juice. 

"I have had my share for tonight. Where is Noah"?  He said and this time Conrad Gabriel sat up straight. His sharp eyes were fixed on Finn as if asking the same question. 

"What's with Noah"? He asked in his deep voice. Not that Finn was scared of him, but he had this intimidating aura that made him careful enough to choose the right words. 

"Honestly, Conrad. I don't know. We had a busy week. But I have been noticing his weird behaviour since last weekend". He said recalling everything he could. 

"Hmmmm. something happened? Or someone happened to say"? He leaned forward massaging his temples. 

"Someone? Who"? Finn was surprised. 

"Thats exactly I want to know Finn. Who? Who broke him to pieces that he cried. He cried himself to sleep. I have never let him shed even a single tear and tonight he cried. For who"? Conrad Gabriel was stressed. Finn could see the veins popped out on his temples. 

"I will inform you Con as soon as I get any grip". There was something stirring in Finn's mind but he couldn't blunt it out like this. He wasn't a hasty person. 

"Hmmmm". Conrad Gabriel stood up gulping the drink in one go before placing the bills on the table. He patted Finn’s shoulder before exiting the bar. 

---

Tabby

He had to fix it soon.