FYI: It's been three months since 'The Talk' and midterms was the period at that time. That means they are already on their second semester of college, preliminary period. (I don't really have any idea how the system outside Asia works and I am too lazy to research about it. Hahaha.) :))))

Although they were already on the second semester now, Newt and Thomas still had the next level lit class (the same teacher and all). They were suppose to take the next level literature next year but the curriculum was changed so that by their third year of college they would only be focusing on their major subjects.

"Is this fine?" Newt asked, showing his composed song to Thomas.

"Yeah... But, a little angsty don't you think?" Thomas read and smirked at the blonde who was lying his head on Thomas' lap. Newt smiled and playfully punched Thomas' stomach before going back at it.

Thomas loved moments like this. Him and Newt alone. He can actually be with his friend and they were happy. Laughing and teasing each other. They've gotten so comfortable with each other that Minho might walk in on them, saw this position and Newt's boyfriend would just shrug it off and label it as normal, because it is. Thomas and Newt's closeness was apparent to everyone. They even sometimes would hold hands without even thinking about it. Thomas interpreted it as something more but he knew that for Newt it was just familiarity.

"What you thinking about, Tommy?" Newt looked up to him, eyes filled with curiosity. Thomas just smiled at the blonde and tried to control himself from kissing the air out of the blonde. Thomas knew that keeping these gestures with Newt would make his feelings deepen for the blonde but he just couldn't stop himself. It felt too good and it gave him something to compensate on.

"Nothing. Just this stupid project is difficult than I thought." Thomas lied. He was getting better at it too considering he had lots of practice.

"Yeah. It's a good thing you're my partner thought." Newt beamed up at him and Thomas felt warm inside. "Now! Let's see how far you've gone." Newt sat up and scooted over to Thomas' side, resting his chin on the brunette's shoulders. This made Thomas' breathing hitch but he played it cool. "Gimme." Newt added, grabbing Thomas' work before sitting by his side so they were face to face.

Newt read with a scrunched up forehead. Thomas almost wanted to laugh if it wasn't for the fact that the song he wrote was about Newt.

"How clueless is this person?!" Newt said in an exasperated voice. Now that made Thomas smile. He can't even muster how ironic the blonde sounded. "I mean, seriously? It's all too obvious!" Newt groaned.

"Is it bad?" Thomas asked, holding out his laugh.

"Would I be this agitated if it was?" He handed the song back to Thomas, "It's good. Better than mine." Newt smiled and went back to Thomas' lap. But this time he closed his eyes and sat his notebook down. Thomas looked at Newt as he nestled more into Thomas. Before he knew it, he found himself putting his notebook away too and gently stroked Newt's hair. The blonde smiled and purred at the contact.

"Did you just purr?" Thomas asked in disbelief, pulling his hand away. Obviously, this was an unpleasant gesture because Newt pulled his hand and placed it back to his head.

"Shut up and pet me." Newt cooed. Thomas bit his lip to prevent himself from screaming. This was all too cute and adorable and Thomas knew it was bad for his heart but, he was still doing it. Captivated by the blonde's smiling face. Newt moved with Thomas' hands like an affectionate cat. "Minho pets me like this before but I hated every bit of it. With you though, I kinda like it." Newt said as he continued to move against Thomas' caressing.

He was enjoying this time with Newt when he heard a loud knock on his door.

"Newt? Thomas? You guys in there?" Minho called from outside.

Newt beamed up and ran straight to the door, escaping Thomas' hands (to his dismay). Newt opened the door and swiftly threw himself in Minho's arms, kissing the boy's cheek. Thomas' smile suddenly vanished as he stood up.

"Hey, Min." Thomas said, he meant to say it coldly but he can't.

"Hey! So Newt's been in here all day?" Minho asked, looking at Newt lovingly. It made Thomas want to puke.

"Yeah. Lit project." Thomas briefly explained.

Minho just nodded and spoke to the blonde who wrapped his arms around the boy like a chimp. Thomas wanted to pry Newt off and just kiss the living daylights out of the blonde.

"So, date night?" Thomas suddenly heard Minho say.

"Um..." Newt took his hold off of Minho and looked at the boy. Minho just flashed him a confused look. "Tommy and I aren't done. We still have a long way to go. Is it okay? You can stay if you want." Newt offered. Thomas eyes widened. No, just no. He can handle the two being together only when they are with their friends but not alone. He always declined that offer. No way in hell is he gonna be a third wheel and no way in hell is he gonna be able to control himself if ever that happened. And they were almost finished, why did Newt lie?

"Oh. Can't, Newt." Minho declined and stroked Newt's face. "I have an errand to run today and since you're busy and I don't really want to intrude maybe I'll do the errands for tomorrow too since we don't have to go out." Minho smiled and pulled the blonde in for a kiss. Thomas slowly turned his back on them and pretended to fix his bed. He tried his very best to avoid looking whenever the two was about to kiss. The mere thought of it already hurts him, wonder what would he feel if he actually saw it.

"Okay. Stay safe, yeah?" Thomas heard Newt say.

"Thomas!" Thomas turned around as he heard Minho call him, "take care of Newt?"

"Of course, Min." Thomas smiled and took Newt by the wrist and pulled the blonde towards him like a overprotective father. Or boyfriend.

Minho chuckled and said his goodbye to Newt. Thomas suddenly realized his actions and immediately lets go of Newt's wrist.

"So..." Thomas awkwardly said, scratching the back of his head. Newt spun around and looked at the brunette, cheeks slightly red. Was Newt embarrassed? Newt had this piercing look towards Thomas and inched closer. Newt breathed deeply and when he got close enough, the blonde looked down to Thomas' lips.

"You..." Newt started but shook his head, and sat at the bed. "Nevermind."

Thomas wanted to know what the blonde was about to say. He had this look on his face that said 'I want this' but maybe that was just Thomas' imagination. Like always.

"You lied to him." Thomas suddenly blurted out. "I mean with the project. We're almost done, you know."

"Oh. Um..." Newt scratched his head and looked at his feet. Thomas sat next to him and as he did, Newt laid his head on his lap and dragged Thomas' hand back to his head. "I kinda want to do this a bit more. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Let's just say that Thomas was slightly taken by surprise but he would be a big idiot if he declined that kind of offer. He nodded, smiled at the blonde and slid his fingers to the smooth locks on Newt's head. It was a very intimate moment, no talking, pure comfortable silence. Thomas almost chuckled when Newt mewled again. The blonde smiled sleepily with his eyes closed and Thomas swore he was one step closer to actually kissing Newt. This was all too much and the beating of his heart was insanely fast. This feels right. This feels so right but at the same time, the logical part of his brain says that it's wrong. Newt was his friend and this friend is in a relationship. Minho and Newt shared a history together and it was difficult to compete with that. Thomas chuckled because it was so funny with him calling this a competition when he was the only one pining for the blonde.

"Tommy?" Newt whispered which startled the brunette from his daydreaming.

"Yeah?" Thomas answered, still petting the devilishly adorable blonde.

"We should stop this.." Newt said, opening his eyes and looking straight at Thomas. Thomas felt that Newt said the other but his eyes seemed distant to that request. His eyes screamed 'no' but as always, being Thomas, he just nodded. Newt stood up and sat right beside Thomas and breathed deeply before turning to the brunette and smiling, "besides we still have to work on that horrible song I made."

Thomas just chuckled and grabbed his and Newt's notebook and giving it to the blonde. Newt took it and laid on the bed. Here they go again, from hopeful gestures back to platonic friends. It was confusing but if confused and frustrated is what it takes to be with the blonde, he is willing to go through it.

"Where do you want to got to lunch?" Alby said as he met Thomas on the hallways.

"I don't know but cafeteria food right now seems disgusting." Thomas said as he hugged Gally and walked forward.

"Where are you going?"

"Newt's classroom. His class is ending. Maybe he'll go to lunch with us." Thomas went on and dragged Alby with him.

"Okay. Gally and Teresa?" Alby agreed.

"Gally will meet us there and Teresa can't. She still have something to do." Thomas said.

He was thankful for Alby, really. He was a senior, 2 years older than all of them but thanks to that, he does not know anything about his stupid infatuation for the blonde that they're going after. Alby just gave him snarky smirks and knowing looks whenever Thomas talked about Newt or when they get all handsy with each other.

They arrived at the classroom and waited for the class to be over. Then, a flood of students were coming out of the classroom and the familiar mop of blonde hair finally came out. Thomas beamed and approached the busy blonde.

"Hey!" Thomas called. Newt looked up and smiled at the brunette and waved at them.

"Hey, handsome." Newt said to Thomas, which made the brunette blush, and then patted Alby's arm. Thomas turned and just saw Alby shaking his head and chuckling.

"What?" Newt asked as he stepped back.

"Nothing. Just... there was this funny thing I remembered out professor just said." Alby said, smiling at the both of them.

"Oh." Newt said and started to walk towards his locker, "and you guys are here because?"

"Oh! Um... We were wondering if you want to come with us to lunch! We're going out." Thomas said, leaning at the next locker to Newt, facing the blonde.

"Um... Minho already asked me to lunch. But you can come! He said it would be nice to meet the other guys again but I insisted for us to be alone. Guess that plan is over." Newt smiled at the two waiting boys an dragged books in and out of his locker.

Thomas smile suddenly vanished at the mention of Minho's name. Don't get him wrong, Minho is a good guy just a bit sarcastic sometimes but seeing Newt and Minho together does something to his heart that's unbearable.

"Yeah, that's great!" Thomas beamed.

'I'll die because of this.' Thomas though.

"Great! Minho's waiting at the mall." Newt said and as Thomas was about to wrap his arms around Newt, the blonde grabbed Thomas' arm, wrapping his around them and started to walk. Thomas was taken back by the gesture but he happily leaned on the gesture. Hey, he was going to see the couple cuddle later so let him have this, yeah? He then heard Alby snicker at the back and it made Thomas look back.

"What's gotten into you?" Thomas asked and turned around, dragging Newt with him.

"Nothing. It's just... you two look cute." Alby said with a knowing smile. Thomas eyes widened and blushed. He wanted to punch Alby for saying that now that Newt was basically hanging on his arms but the bloke had no idea about his feelings for the blonde.

"At least someone ships us." Newt beamed to Alby, then looked at Thomas and it startled the brunette. Thomas just looked at the laughing blonde and flushed. Why does Newt keep saying these things? Was it to tease him? Was he too obvious?

"It's a joke, Thomas. Relax." Alby chuckled and punched Thomas playfully on his arms. He did not even notice himself staring at Newt for a prolonged time but the blonde was just smiling at him.

"Am I that pretty to render you speechless, Tommy?" Newt chuckled and went on with walking. Thomas would have stopped and just ran far away from embarrassment.

"Shut it, shank." Thomas responded and it made both Alby and Newt laugh, with the blonde still stuck on his left arm.

Thomas sighed and just kept walking. They drove to the mall in Thomas car. The drive was uneventful with Newt at the passenger seat and Alby at the back. Newt fell asleep on the way and Thomas can't help himself but glance at the sleeping blonde and maybe he was doing it very often when he felt a shove from the back.

"Eyes on the road, loverboy." Alby scolded Thomas and Thomas grew red. He needs to work on his skills on pretending to not like Newt romantically cause he was losing fast.

After 20 mins of driving, they finally got there and went straight to some restaurant that Minho picked.

"Hey guys!" Minho waved at them when they arrived. Newt ran to Minho and pecked him on the lips which made Thomas wince. "Mmmm, nice to see you too." The boy said to the blonde as he pulled out.

"Hey, Min!" Alby greeted and hugged the boy. Minho laughed and greeted Thomas with a hug too which Thomas gladly reciprocated. They sat and Minho already said he ordered something and that it was his treat.

"So, how's it going?" Minho asked. Thomas should be looking at the boy who asked the question but his gaze was fixed on Minho and Newt's intertwined fingers. Gladly, Alby responded and Minho conversed with him.

Thomas wished it was him. He wanted to hold Newt's hand like that. They hold hands sometimes but it was a friendly kind of gesture and Thomas wanted more. He wants to have something with Newt but he was not willing to break him up with Minho. Minho was a good egg and he made Newt happy. It just breaks his heart that he can't provide that for the blonde.

Then Newt's fingers twitched and it made Thomas break his concentration. Thomas looked up and noticed the blonde was staring at him. It was a serious stare, like a burning stare. Thomas blushed and turned away immediately.

'Yup, good job, you idiot!' Thomas scolded himself.

"How's the song going?" Minho asked.

"Wh-what?" Thomas asked, still so disoriented.

"The song. You know, the assignment you and Newt were doing. How's it going?" Minho asked again, draping his arms around Newt. It made the blonde smile at Minho but hesitantly and half-heartedly before he stared at Thomas again.

"Um... It's done. H-Hopefully it's g-good." Thomas wanted to slap himself! He was never this rigid when they were hanging out but somehow today was different. Newt was looking at him funny and it stressed him out.

"That's good then!" Minho beamed and looked at the blonde, "Date night tonight?" Minho offered. Newt beamed and kissed the boy. Thomas turned away and stared at Alby, who was already staring at him suspiciously.

"I'll take it as a yes!" Minho said when he pulled out from Newt's kiss.

The lunch was pretty great after that awkward scene. Thomas and Newt talked normally during the lunch and all of them was having a great time. Sadly, Gally never showed up because of a test they had to do. Nevertheless, it was a great lunch.

They came back to school and said their goodbyes to Alby before he separated. Newt had a class so Thomas accompanied him. Newt was standing too close to Thomas and he can feel the back of his hand grazing the blonde's. Thomas sighed when Newt suddenly grabbed Thomas' hands. He looked at the blonde and noticed that Newt looked like he was struggling with something. Internally? What? Thomas' heart was beating out if his chest. It was not this type of feeling when they held hands before. This one was more of wanting, need and longing. Was it coming from Newt? Or was it just him and Newt only treated this platonically?

"Um..." Thomas said as he stared at their intertwined fingers.

"Just... Shut up." Newt said and continued walking, holding hands.

When they got to the classroom, Newt stopped and turned to Thomas, staring at their hands. Newt was biting his lip and Thomas would kill someone just to know what the blonde was thinking.

"Um... I have a class." Newt whispered, slowly breaking their contact. Thomas sighed silently when his hands was alone again.

"Yeah. Have fun?" Thomas said, and inched closer to Newt to hug the blonde but Newt stepped back.

"Y-Yeah. You go. I'll see y-you later." Newt said and quickly entered his classroom without even looking at the confused brunette.

What the hell just happened?!

"Hey!" Teresa smiled when Thomas approached her in the halls. "Fancy seeing you here! That's a long walk." Teresa hugged him and continued fishing in her locker.

"Yeah, just dropped Newt off to his next class. I, on the other hand, have 4 hours off till my next class." Thomas smiled and leaned on the locker next to Teresa. His smile suddenly vanished when Teresa looked at him with exasperation. "What?"

"Why are you doing this, Tom?" Teresa asked. Thomas wanted to play dumb but who was he kidding? This was Teresa. Teresa who knew him inside and out.

"He's my friend, T. I want to hang out with him." Thomas answered, swaying his arms absentmindedly.

"And how's that going?" Teresa suddenly closed her locker and it made Thomas jump. He knew she was serious if she gets like this.

"Great?" Thomas was suddenly scared.

"How about your heart?" Teresa asked, walking away from Thomas. Thomas sighed and ran after the girl.

"Teresa!" Thomas caught up with her and spun her around by the arm, "What's so wrong about hanging out with Newt?"

"What's wrong is that you keep torturing yourself!" Teresa raised her voice and it made Thomas step back.

"T.."

"Don't deny it, Thomas! I can see you giving him those heart eyes whenever you guys are together and what baffles me is he's touchy feely with you too! It's like a riddle, Thomas! I can see how hurt you are when Minho and Newt are together but you just keep on doing it no matter what cause!" Teresa explained, running her hands through her hair and breathed.

"I... I just want to be with him, T." Thomas whispered, staring at his feet. Thomas was suddenly pulled into a hug and he reciprocated it.

"Sorry, Tom. It's just... I don't want to see you get hurt like this. Over and over again." Teresa said, holding back the crack on her voice.

"I know, T." Thomas rubbed her back, "but if I stop, it would hurt more."

"I get it." Teresa pulled out and rested her hands on Thomas' shoulders. "Just be careful, yeah? Feelings are tricky." Teresa smiled and wrapped her arm around Thomas' shoulders chuckling. "How about you help me with something? I have no class till 3 and it's still 1."

"Yeah. I need a change of companion." Thomas smiled and led themselves to the exit.