Chapter 24
The truant student.
The next morning, Alibaba woke his brother. ''Do you feel like another sick day?'' he asked, but Sharrkan wasn't sure. He hadn't even bothered to go to bed, just sleeping on the couch instead. ''I am not sure yet. I don't want to see my friends being sickeningly sweet together.'' Sharrkan said.
''If they even are together.'' Alibaba said, and Sharrkan gave him a look. ''You'd have to go to school eventually, you know?'' Alibaba told him. ''I know. Exams are coming up, and I have to study, bla, bla, bla'' Sharrkan replied. ''Oh, yeah, but you're not going to pass those anyway. Unless...'' Alibaba though it over for a second.
''I am not that dumb.'' Sharrkan said, and this time Alibaba gave him a look. ''Unless?'' Sharrkan asked. ''You ask Ja'far for a favor. Let him help you study, and you'd get to talk, and maybe he sees you are a better boyfriend than Sinbad.'' Alibaba said. ''That is not a good plan. I just helped them get together.'' Sharrkan said.
''Suit yourself. So, are you coming?'' Alibaba asked, as he got his schoolbag. Sharrkan sighed. ''Why not.'' He had to face his friends sometime, the sooner he'd get it over with, the better. When they arrived at school, Masrur and Morgianna met up with them. ''Morning.'' Masrur said, and Sharrkan nodded politely. ''See you later, nii-san.''Alibaba called as he and Morgianna went to see Aladdin.
''Soooo, where are they?'' Sharrkan asked, and Masrur raised his eyebrows. ''Sinbad and Ja'far, they had their date yesterday, surely they are together somewhere? I should congratulate them.'' Sharrkan said. ''Ja'far isn't here.'' Masrur said, stiffly. ''What? Ja'far missing school?'' Sharrkan asked in surprise, and Masrur nodded.
''Well, I suppose if I just got together with the person I love, I would skip too.'' Sharrkan said, still finding it strange. ''Sinbad is here.'' Masrur added. ''That's weird. So, Ja'far, the better student is missing school, and Sinbad, Mr. I-might-skip-more-than-Sharrkan is here.'' Sharrkan said, sarcastically. Masrur wanted to tell something, but at that moment, Yamuraiha walked up to ask Sharrkan a few questions.
Later in class, as Miss Pisti was informing them about the new teacher arriving next week, Sharrkan looked over at Ja'far's spot. Ja'far never missed a day of school. He remembered the one time they had to force him to go home, because he was sick. And the one other time, they had been late together, though that had been Sinbad's fault.
He looked over at Sinbad, who seemed really tired too. The table next to him, where Judal usually was seated, was empty too. It seemed as if Sinbad didn't even notice, and the school king looked like he hadn't slept at all. Well, understandable. If you could chat with your new boyfriend, Sharrkan knew that would be his choice too. He knew he shouldn't, but grabbed his phone, sneakily. ''Congratulations.'' he typed quickly, and his heart skipped a beat when Ja'far's status turned online.
But before Ja'far could have the possibility to type something back, Sharrkan knew he wasn't a fast typer, Pisti loooked at him, and shouted, ''Sharrkan Saluja! Hand over that phone!'' He blushed as everyone's attention turned to him, but he got up to hand over the phone anyway. ''I was just going over the rules of how to behave next week, with the new teacher. This is a perfect example of what not to do.'' she said, before adding, ''You can pick this up after school. Same for you, Sinbad!'' she shouted as Sinbad was checking his phone too.
Sharrkan slouched back, he'd miss Ja'far's reply but hoped his friend would understand he was happy for him. The day passed quite slowly, and he missed the small jokes he and Ja'far would share. The time they hung together had grown on him, and the small interactions they had were special to Sharrkan.
By the time lunch was there, he shared a table with Hinahoho and Masrur, and the former seemed awfully quiet. Even Masrur seemed to talk less, and Sharrkan was not sure how that was possible. He decided to break the silence as he said, ''I am happy for him. I mean, it will sting for a while, but he made the right decision there.''
''I guess, I mean, you should follow your heart and all.'' Hinahoho said, but sounded defeated. ''Exactly. It sucks he couldn't make it today, for whatever reason. Probably something like the dentist, I assume, he'd never miss a day in school.'' Sharrkan said. ''Judal never missed a day in school? He misses it quite often, you know.'' Hinahoho said in confusion.
''What are you yapping about? I was talking about Ja'far.'' Sharrkan said. ''Oh, but he-'' ''Dentist'' Masrur breezed, and gained confused looks. ''Yeah, at the dentist.'' Hinahoho said in understanding. ''Riiiight?'' Sharrkan said, confused as the two giants didn't exactly seem to be telling the truth.
Ja'far, who was at home, cursed his luck. First of all, Sinbad rejected him, and then he got a really bad cold. He was sure the timing seemed suspicious, and hoped no one would do anything radical. Well, the only one who pulled radical stuff was Sin, and they were still working around this awkward situation.
'How could I have thought he liked me.' Ja'far thought, knowing it was his heart who wanted that all along. 'And now I even have to tell Sharrkan his hard work was for absolutely nothing.' he stared at his cellphone, confused at the congratulations. Surely Masrur would have told him by now.
Still, it had never been so difficult to send a text, especially since Sharrkan had made it clear then when he'd be dating Sin, they would lose their friendship. Ja'far wasn't even sure if he could call it a friendship. But he had never said anything about if they didn't succeed. Would they still even hang?
Ja'far was sure he wanted to. He didn't even want to lose the bond they had in the first place. Even during the disastrous trip back, Ja'far didn't want to consider it. But his mind did drift back to Sin, he had expected for the letdown to feel far worse than this.
''Oh...'' Sinbad seemed embarrassed. Ja'far was taken slightly aback, Sharrkan had been so sure Sinbad felt the same way. Maybe he was mistaken, but it was too late to backpaddle. ''I, that's not the, I mean, you're fantastic and-'' ''Sinbad, decide on a sentence first.'' Ja'far told him.
Sinbad sighed, before he said, ''Sorry, I don't feel that way. I mean, I do, but for someone else already.'' Ja'far raised his eyebrows, as Sinbad turned red. ''Oh?'' Ja'far asked, curious. ''No worries, it's not Sharrkan.'' Sinbad added. ''I never worried about that, and even if it was, he and I aren't dating.'' Ja'far reminded him.
''Sorry, it just feels that way sometimes. You two would be nice together.'' Sinbad whispered, before adding, ''You're probably not going to like this, but I have a thing for Judal, I was considering asking him for a date, and had hoped you'd have advice.''
''Like a coach?'' Ja'far asked. ''Naah, that would be dumb. But, like a friend?'' Sinbad asked. ''Oh...'' Ja'far said, dumbfounded, he could tell Sharrkan could help Sinbad, but it didn't sit right with him. ''So, uh, yeah...'' Sinbad blushed awkwardly, ''You like me?'' he asked.
''For a very long time.'' Ja'far admitted. ''I never once noticed. Are we still friends?'' Sinbad asked. ''Best of friends.'' Ja'far replied, feeling a bit awkward too. ''Even if I have to say no. I mean, I like you, just not in that way.'' Sinbad said. ''It does hurt, but yeah. I can't imagine a life without you.'' Ja'far said. ''Agreed. As friends then.'' Sinbad affirmed, and Ja'far nodded. ''Let's just enjoy the movie.'' he said, and Sinbad nodded.
It felt so natural. He'd had heard horror stories, and though it stung, it just didn't feel as bad as he anticipated. Maybe because he and Sin had always been friends, and he couldn't imagine that anything would change between them. He looked at the chat he had with Sinbad, but the school king had given no reply yet. Ja'far shrugged it of, feeling slightly proud that his friend might actually be studying, before falling asleep on the couch.
Sharrkan was focusing rather well on his studies. Apparently, having no phone, and no crush present, did wonders for school, Sharrkan briefly wondered if someone had studied this. He might even ace the exams. But then Alibaba's suggestion popped up. 'Getting Ja'far to tutor me. I mean, some really good grades would be soo nice.' he thought.
But then he looked over at Sinbad. 'That would also imply I would be flirting with his best, and from now on, boyfriend. Where is your sense of honor.' he scolded himself. 'But it'd be just a favor, and I did him a big one, getting him together with Sinbad.' He felt conflicted.
He then looked over at Masrur, and wondered why he had lied to him. If Ja'far was even at the dentist, he would have told him. And probably would have tried to make it back to school. And he never mentioned having any trouble with his teeth, so anything longer than a regular check-up was strange. So, if not at the dentist, where was he? And did Masrur know? He looked over at Sinbad, who still seemed pretty tired too. He wondered what happened exactly yesterday, before focusing on the classwork again.
Sinbad wasn't focused at all today. He stared at Ja'far's desk, which was abandoned. 'I didn't think he would take it this bad, he seemed fine yesterday. I mean, of course, being rejected isn't easy, but he's never missed school. We had to force him home, that one time he was too sick.' Then he looked at Judal's desk.
He knew Judal was skipping today. It was a pity, but not uncommon. For Ja'far however, it was. Maybe he should visit today after school. Or ask Sharrkan to do it? The whole situation was still a bit weird, and if Ja'far didn't even go to school to avoid seeing him, going to his place was not the best thing to do.
But, maybe he could ask Sharrkan? He looked at the other boy who was working on his textbook. Sharrkan had gotten pretty close to Ja'far, and even though his suspicions had been wrong about the two of them dating, they still were good friends. Sharrkan would be able to get him through this rough period, surely. He really wished he could have his phone back, to be able to text his friend, if only to be sure he was alright, and wasn't doing anything drastic.
Ja'far, after a wonderful nap, felt slightly better, though his nose was still a bit stuffy, and considered heading back to school, maybe be there the last few hours. Sitting at home when sick was awfully boring. All of his homework was finished already, and he hoped he didn't miss anything important at school.
He wanted to ask Sharrkan to perhaps drop by any school work, or anything, but when he opened the phone, he still saw the text, 'Congratulations'. He had been working on a reply when he fell asleep, but was still unsure how to reply to that. Maybe he should head to school, and tell Sharrkan himself they had not succeeded?
He shook his head. He couldn't risk getting his friends a cold too. Instead, he decided to text Masrur, knowing he'd be sensible enough to only give a reply after school. 'Do you know what Sharrkan congratulated me about?' he asked. Then he decided to text Sharrkan, asking, ''Can you drop by after school? I am sick, and would like to know what we did at school today.'
After school was over, and practice was about to start, Sinbad and Sharrkan met up at Miss Pisti's office, as she looked at them sternly. At least, she attempted to. ''I hope there will be no need to confiscate them later on. Really, I need you all to make a good impression on the new teacher. He hasn't been one for a long time, and I want him to have a good impression of the job.'' she told them.
''New teacher?'' Sinbad asked, and Miss Pisti shook her head exasperated. ''Here you go, oh Sharrkan, yours buzzed quite a few times.'' she said, as she handed them over, and went back to her lesson plan for the upcoming weeks. ''Soooo, Casanova, messages?'' Sinbad asked teasingly as they exited the office, and headed for practice.
Sharrkan gave him a weird look, before checking. ''Yeah, your boyfriend even. He's sick, and asking me to bring his homework? Why not ask you?'' Sharrkan said bewildered, and Sinbad seemed surprised. ''Ja'far?'' he asked, and Sharrkan nodded. ''I am not dating him.'' Sinbad said, confused.
''What do you mean, you're not dating? Oh, you're not ready to tell! No worries, I know everything already, you can thank me later.'' Sharrkan replied. ''Thank you later?'' Sinbad asked, and again, seemed thoroughly confused. ''Yes! I helped him get ready to ask you out. It took some time, honestly, and was a difficult process, but-'' ''So thát is why you two had gotten closer.'' Sinbad said, finally understanding.
''Yes.'' Sharrkan admitted, suddenly wondering if Ja'far had told Sinbad about this, at all. Had he even confessed his feelings, or had he chickened out? He didn't even consider that, and prayed he didn't mess it up too badly. ''He hadn't told me that. You two should tell that entire story some time.'' Sinbad said. ''It's a long story, don't even know how many chapters of a novel that would cover.'' Sharrkan said, adding, ''But it worked out rather nicely. I mean, you two are good together.''
''Aside from the fact, we are not together.'' Sinbad said, and somehow, Sharrkan knew he was being serious this time. ''What do you mean, not together? He asked you out, you said yes, and-'' ''I didn't say yes.'' Sinbad said, feeling embarrased. Sharrkan fell silent for a moment, and stopped walking. ''Come again?'' he asked.
Sinbad, who now stopped walking too, hesitated for a moment but managed to repeat himself. ''I didn't say yes.'' ''You rejected him?'' Sharrkan asked. ''Well, harsh way of putting it, but, essentially, yes.'' Sinbad said, and he had never seen Sharrkan this upset. ''I realise you put a lot of hard work in, but-'' ''Ja'far did all of the work. We spend all of our time, to get you two together. He's wonderful, amazing, smart, talented, cute and yet you-''
''You like him?'' Sinbad asked, stopping Sharrkan from ranting. Sharrkan turned red for a moment. ''I do. I love him, but he wanted you. I was helping him to get you, and I want to see him happy.'' Sharrkan admitted. Sinbad was quiet for a moment. ''I really was convinced you two were going to end up together. How did he take it?'' Sharrkan asked.
''Rather well. I was surprised he didn't make it today. I didn't know you felt so strongly towards him.'' Sinbad said. ''He doesn't know either. I wanted to keep it that way. Why say no to him? He could really make you happy.'' Sharrkan said, hoarsely. ''I know. And he's still my best friend. But I already have feelings for someone else. He understood, you can't turn off feelings for anyone you care for deeply.'' Sinbad said.
''...I know that.'' Sharrkan told him. ''So... I think you should be excused from today's training. You should check, on him.'' Sinbad told him. ''Yeah.'' Sharrkan said, still processing everything he'd just heard. ''And, I think you should tell him. Not today, and I am not going to coach you, like you did him. But, I think you two have a good chance of making each other happy.'' Sinbad said, but Sharrkan was already walking away.
Sinbad smiled to himself as he walked to training. He was really happy for his friends, and of course would ensure that Sharrkan would ask him out someday. For now, he needed to focus on how to ask Judal out, so the four of them could double date. The others would surely appreciate that.
''Nii-san, hey, can I hang with Mo-'' Alibaba's sentence was stopped as his brother rushed past him. ''What's gotten into him?'' Alibaba wondered out loud, and Morgianna shrugged. ''Ja'far's sick.'' Masrur said, behind them. ''Ooooh.'' Alibaba said, before saying, ''Sooo.., shouldn't his boyfriend take care of him then? Well, maybe it is better this way. Nii-san is still hung up over him. Ready to go, Mor?'' he asked, before they headed on their date.
Sharrkan ran for Ja'far's home. Ja'far was never sick, well, once before, but he had never called in sick. And had gotten rejected! He had a chance, a significant better chance than before. No more Sinbad in the picture. When he reached his friends house, he knocked on the door. It took a while, but eventually Ja'far opened the door, covered in a blanket, and looking even paler then usually. ''Hey, come on i-'' before Ja'far finished his sentence, Sharrkan shot forward and embraced him, before landing a kiss on his lips.