Love is... 2 (Gus and Rex) - 5. Chapter 5

We were at the Woodbridge Center Mall, wandering between stores, joking around like always. Even though the place was busy—especially for a Saturday evening—it still felt like we were in our own little world.

While Marcus stopped at a food stand to grab drinks, I glanced lazily at the crowd walking past. That’s when I saw a familiar figure in a plain white tee.

“Marcus!” I nudged him, nearly spilling his soda.

“Dude, what?!”

“Is that Rex over there?” I pointed toward the guy’s back. “I swear that’s him!”

“How the hell would I know? I’ve only met the guy once.”

“But didn’t he say he had plans today—with friends?”

“Maybe those plans involved mall strolling,” Marcus replied, deadpan.

Just as he said that, the guy turned around—and yep. It was Rex. No doubt about it.

“Holy crap. It’s really him. I’m going over. Be right back!”

“Wait—Chubby!”

I weaved through the crowd toward him, heart thumping like a drum, ready to say hi.

But before I got close, I froze.

A girl approached him.

She handed him a water bottle, and he smiled, thanked her, then—just like that—she linked her arm through his.

And they walked off. Together.

I stood there like an idiot, heart sinking.

“Hey, Chubby.” Marcus showed up beside me, giving my arm a tug. “Let’s move. You’re standing in the middle of traffic.”

But I didn’t move.

He grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me away.

“You saw what I saw, right?”

“Could just be a friend, man. Don’t overthink it.”

“Do friends walk like that?”

Marcus hesitated. “I mean… maybe if they’re close?”

“I’m calling him.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket.

“Wait, what? Why the hell are you calling him?”

“I don’t know. I just… am.”

The phone rang.

And then he answered.

“Heyyy Rex! What’s up? Just—”

“Hold on a sec, Gus,” he cut me off.

I paused, biting the inside of my cheek. “Okay…”

A few seconds passed.

Then he came back on. “Alright, hey—what’s up? Something wrong?”

“Oh, nah. Nothing serious. I just… wanted to ask about tomorrow’s lesson. Where are you right now, though? Sounds kinda loud.”

“Oh, uh… out running errands with a friend.”

“Oh, right. That thing you mentioned earlier? Where’d you end up going?”

“Hmm… just around here. Not too far.”

“‘Around here’ like… the mall? Or, like, Menlo Park?”

“Uh-huh… yeah.”

My face went completely numb. It was like my heart had stopped—then dropped straight to the floor.

“Sooo… New Brunswick Mall?” I said, forcing a laugh. “Out running errands with a friend, huh? That friend wouldn’t happen to be a girl, would she?”

“No, no! It’s not like that. Don’t tease me, come on,” Rex replied quickly, his voice jittery. “Listen—can we talk more later? I’m kinda in the middle of something right now. Sorry, Gus.”

And then he hung up.

“What the hell are you so busy with, huh? Too busy holding hands to hold a damn phone and have a proper conversation?” I muttered through clenched teeth.

“So, what’s the deal, Chubby?” Marcus asked warily.

“What deal? The guy totally lied to me. Said he was out with a friend, running errands—and there he was, walking with her arm hooked around his like they’re a couple!”

“Whoa, hey. Chill out, dude. You’re kinda shouting—people are looking.”

“I don’t care! I’m pissed off, alright?!”

“I get that, I do. But breathe. Did he actually say it was a guy?”

“Well... no. But when I asked—when I specifically said, ‘Hanging out with a girl, huh?’—he denied it! You heard him! So what the hell am I supposed to think?”

“Look, you’re making assumptions right now,” Marcus said, not exactly helping. “Nothing’s been confirmed.”

“Not confirmed? Bro, we saw it with our own eyes. And he still lied to me.”

Marcus frowned. He was never great at the emotional stuff, and I could tell this was getting too intense for his usual comfort zone.

“Whatever... sorry for snapping at you,” I sighed, trying to reel it in. “But I don’t feel like walking around anymore. Let’s just head home.”

“Yeah, alright. Whatever you need.”

That night, Rex called me back. But I was in the shower, and I didn’t pick up. He called two more times after that, and I ignored both. He also messaged me, but I didn’t read them.

Honestly, who he was with wasn’t really the issue. What hurt me was the lie. The fact that someone I liked so much couldn’t even be honest with me.

The next morning, I told my mom I had arranged to meet Rex for an early study session. In truth, I never intended to see him at all. I skipped class, texted him that I wasn’t feeling well, then spent the whole day drifting around by myself—caught a movie, walked through the mall, and went home just before dinner.

Still, I couldn’t avoid him forever. On Wednesday, he came over to tutor me like always. I tried to act normal. I tried to meet his eyes, to laugh, to play along like everything was fine. But every time I remembered the girl at the mall—remembered how he smiled at her, how he lied to me—I couldn’t bring myself to care about a single word he was saying.

The next day, he came over again. I pretended to study. I nodded when I had to. But the spark was gone. The banter, the laughter, the excitement I used to feel every time he walked in—it all felt like it had been switched off. And even though Rex eventually asked me if I was okay, if something was bothering me, I couldn’t give him anything beyond the tired, “Nah. Just tired.”

Saturday came and went the same way. I sat through another tutoring session with him, completely zoned out. When it ended, I left without a word. I knew he felt it too. He could tell I wasn’t myself. But I was too hurt to care what he thought. Too angry. Too disappointed.

Sunday rolled around. I went to Justus’s place and hung out with Marcus there most of the day. I didn’t tell Rex I wasn’t coming for our usual session. And he didn’t call. Didn’t text. Not even a single message to check in.

And as much as a part of me felt relieved—that I didn’t have to lie or pretend—I also hated how easy it seemed for him to just... let me go.

“How was tutoring?” Mom asked when I got home.

“Huh?” I blinked, caught off guard. “Oh. It was alright. Just a little tired.”

“Hang in there, kiddo,” Dad added. “Exams are just around the corner. You’re almost there.”

They didn’t seem suspicious. I’d spent the whole day worried my mom might’ve called Rex and found out I hadn’t shown up—but clearly, she hadn’t.

“Yeah,” I mumbled, then trudged upstairs and dropped my backpack onto the bed.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.

For a second, my heart jumped. I thought—maybe it’s Rex.

And I wasn’t even sure if that hope made me feel better… or worse.

“Hellooo, Art! What’s up?”

“Yo, Chubby. Where you at now?”

“Already home. Just got back a minute ago.”

“Where’d you go? …Ohhh, study session with Rex, right?”

“Uhh… yeah.” I had no choice but to lie.

“How was it then? All good? Feeling happy?”

“It was good. Fun. Same as usual.”

“Liar.”

I frowned. “What?”

“Chubby, come on. You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Don’t act like just because I’m friends with Rex, you have to hide stuff from me. That’s not you. You’re not the kind of person who lies—except maybe to your parents sometimes. But even then, you’ve never lied to me, have you? So just tell me already. What’s going on? Why didn’t you show up to class again today?”

I stayed quiet for a second. “It’s not like that. I just… didn’t feel up to it.”

“Rex is worried, you know,” Art said, his voice softening. “He called me today. He knows I’m close with you, and he wanted to talk. Said you’ve been skipping class again and seem totally checked out when you do show up. He thought maybe I’d know what’s going on.”

“Oh please. I’m not going through anything. I’m just… a little sick of some things. Some people.”

“Who? Someone at school?”

“Uh… yeah. Something like that.”

“Alright, if you say so. But just so you know—Rex is worried. He’s afraid he did something to upset you.”

“He said that?”

“Yeah. Of course he did. That guy worries more than he lets on. He might not be super expressive, but when he thinks he’s hurt someone, it really eats at him. He genuinely cares about people.”

“Heh… but I’m just some kid to him. Not even a real friend. Just someone he tutors. Why would he care that much?”

“Don’t say that, Chubby. Rex likes you. A lot. He’s told me before—said you’re funny, talkative, easy to be around. All that stuff.”

“Oh pleaseeee, I’ve heard that kind of compliment a million times. I’m immune now.”

“Damn, my little bro really is…”

“Too cute for his own good?” I offered with a grin.

“Nope. I was gonna say way too full of himself,” Art laughed. “Anyway,” he continued, “I just wanted to check in. You should go back to class like usual, alright? If something’s bugging you, talk to Rex directly. It’s better than leaving him hanging and worried.”

I let out a quiet sigh. “Alright. I’ll try.”

“Good. That’s all I wanted.”

“Okay… Hey, wait! Art!”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Uh… nothing really. Just wondering… does Rex have a girlfriend or what?”

“Nope. Why?”

“Like… is there anyone he’s seeing or talking to now?”

“Oh please. If we’re counting people into him, that list’s a mile long. But as for someone he’s actually seeing? Nah, I don’t think so.”

“Hmm… I see.”

“What’s with the tone?”

“Nothing. Just had a weird feeling. Thought maybe he did.”

“Wait—why? Did something happen again?”

“No, not really. Just a gut thing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Hmmm…”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just… don’t forget, you can talk to me, alright? Don’t bottle it up. I really do care about you, like a real little brother.”

“Got it. Thanks, Art.”

“Oh, and be careful, okay? If this gets back to Max, things could blow up. And if your mom finds out you’re ditching class, you’re toast. Honestly, if Rex hadn’t covered for you today and said you showed up, your mom probably would’ve torn you a new one.”

“Wait—Rex told her I went to class?”

“Well yeah. She called him, didn’t she? Said you left earlier than usual and wanted to know what time your tutoring would end, how the session went—stuff like that. Since you weren’t answering her calls, she freaked a little.”

I stayed quiet. I didn’t know how to respond.

“Alright, alright,” Art said after a beat. “That’s all I wanted to say. But if anything’s bothering you about Rex, or you just wanna talk, say the word, okay? I know I’m repeating myself here, but don’t bottle it up. I don’t wanna see you stressed out. And hey—I haven’t seen your cringe status updates in a while either. What’s up with that?”

His last comment made my cheeks flush a little. “Okay, okay! Got it. If anything’s up, I’ll tell you right away. Thanks a ton, Art.”