The afternoon sun filtered through the lab's windows, casting soft shadows across the tables where Oliver and Julian sat. The two of them had been quietly working on a physics project, Julian occasionally commenting on Oliver's work with his usual dry humor, but Oliver's mind wasn't fully in it. He kept glancing at the door, half-expecting Liam to walk in at any moment. Since Liam's cold behavior started, Oliver felt a little lost, but he didn't want to admit how badly it was affecting him.
The quiet of the lab was suddenly broken by the familiar voices of George and Alejandro, who had entered the room, their presence loud and unmistakable.
"Well, well, if it isn't the pig brain himself, the one who had been abandoned by his knight in shining armour. Let's see who would come to your rescue this time around." George sneered, his eyes scanning Oliver with a mocking expression.
"Oh the physics genius is scared, the one who's good for nothing but memorizing formulas," Alejandro added, his tone dripping with disdain.
Oliver tried to ignore them, focusing on his notebook, but it was difficult. Their words hit hard, just like they always did. He had learned over the years to keep his head down and avoid confrontation, but it never got easier.
Julian, who had been sitting beside him, clenched his fists. He couldn't stand seeing Oliver treated like this. "Knock it off, George," he said, his voice low but firm. "Leave him alone."
George let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, look, the little hero's here to save his poor friend. What are you gonna do, Julian? Cry for him?" He turned to Alejandro, chuckling at his own words.
Oliver could feel the heat rising in his cheeks.Julian, for all his good intentions, was no match for George and Alejandro.
"Give us some cash and we might let you off" George sneered, staring at Oliver with a mocking smirk.
"I've got nothing with me" Oliver said with a rare confidence.
"Do you really think we care?" Alejandro sneered. "You should know better, Montero. What are you doing working as a waiter if you don't even have any money to spare?"
The words stung. Oliver's throat tightened, but he said nothing. He couldn't afford to fight back, not with these two. They were too powerful, too mean-spirited.
"I told you already, I don't have any money," Oliver muttered, trying to stand his ground, but his voice faltered.
George and Alejandro exchanged a look, smirking. "Poor boy," George said. "His boss had refused to pay him" They both laughed, but the sound felt heavy in the air, like a weight Oliver couldn't shake.
Then, just as Oliver's shoulders slumped, the door to the lab swung open, and two familiar figures entered. Tommy and Liam. They had just finished the basketball training and were walking through the hallway when they spotted the scene.
Tommy immediately stood next to Julian, his eyes narrowed in a protective stance. He didn't say anything, but his presence alone made George and Alejandro stop in their tracks. Liam, however, walked straight up to the bullies, his gaze cold and steady.
"I warned you two," Liam said, his voice calm but sharp, like a warning that was about to be carried out. "Stay away from Oliver. I don't care what you think you're doing, but it ends now."
For a moment, the air was thick with tension. George, who was usually quick with a retort, just smiled, but this time it wasn't the same mocking grin. It was a bit strained. "We were just having some fun with Oliver, asking him to put us through some formulas," he said, feigning innocence. "No harm done. Oliver right?"
Liam didn't blink. "I don't care what you call it. Just leave him alone."
The bullies exchanged a glance, and then, almost reluctantly, turned and walked out of the lab without another word. Oliver stood there, dumbfounded, his heart pounding in his chest. Liam had stood up for him. This is an opportunity to talk things through with him.
For a moment, his gaze drifted to Liam. Liam was standing there, still cold, his eyes distant as if he hadn't done anything special.
Oliver's voice betrayed him for he opened his mouth but nothing came out.
Liam glanced at him once, but then, just as quickly, his expression turned back to stone. He turned to leave without saying a word.
Oliver's smile faded. The warmth he had felt just moments ago seemed to vanish into thin air. He wanted to thank Liam, to say something—anything—but he couldn't. He felt something twist in his chest as Liam's coldness washed over him again. It was as if that brief moment of connection had never happened.
Julian, who had been standing beside Oliver, didn't seem to notice the shift. He turned to Tommy, his brow furrowing with frustration. "What's wrong with you, Tommy?" he asked. "Why do you always have to act like my personal bodyguard? I'm not some fragile thing you need to protect."
Tommy didn't respond right away. He looked at Julian with an expression that seemed a mix of worry and anger.
"Julian, you must take consideration of your health every time you got yourself in trouble. You need to take care of yourself," he said softly. "You're not some superhero. You have to rest. You can't keep pushing yourself."
Julian just rolled his eyes, his face turning slightly red with irritation. "I'm fine. I can take care of myself, Tommy. I don't need you to baby me."
Oliver watched them for a while, still processing what had just happened with Liam. How could he treat him this way after all that had happened between them.
As Tommy and Julian continued to argue in the background, Oliver couldn't shake the thought that had been lingering in his mind since the restroom incident . He stared at Tommy and Julian. Could Tommy also have that kind of feeling for Julian too.
The way Tommy always protected Julian, always tried to shield him from any harm—Oliver couldn't help but wonder if it was more than just friendship.
The questions swirled around his head.
But the one thing he did know for certain was that ,he was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, and he didn't know how to make sense of any of it. He had to talk with Liam.
He can't allow this to continue.
Not anymore.
Since graduation was only around the corner.
Finally, Tommy and Julian walked off, and Oliver was left alone in the lab, his mind racing.