Episode 8

While he was sleeping, Leyne dreamt of Tez.

*In the dream, Tez came out of the pool, water dripping down his body, from his hair to his waist. A pair of black swimming trunks was the only piece of clothing he wore. He tossed his silver hair back as he smiled and walked towards Leyne. Their lips came closer, as Leyne's mouth salivated with the yearning to touch his. *

At that moment, Leyne woke up.

Leyne: Tez?

The absolute silence in the room brought back the bitter taste of reality.

Leyne: It... Was just a dream.

In the bathroom, Leyne washed his face. Then he looked at himself.

Leyne: What is this! Am I in love with him?

...

When he entered the kitchen, Rodrigo was sitting at the table with a cup of black coffee.

Rodrigo: Good morning!

Leyne: Hi... Good morning. Did he really go on a trip?

Rodrigo: Yes, but don't worry, he'll be back tomorrow.

Leyne sat down and served himself. Facing Rodrigo, he let his uneasiness show.

Rodrigo: What's wrong?

Leyne: How much can I trust you?

Rodrigo: Well... if we consider that you broke into my uncle's house, and are being wanted... You're the one who shouldn't be trusted, right?

Leyne: Right... Do you think your uncle... Do you think he could be mad at me?

Rodrigo: Why are you saying that?

Leyne: Just tell me what makes him angry.

Rodrigo: ... Things that go unpunished.

Leyne: ... Oh, yeah. I understand.

Rodrigo: Did you do anything that pissed my uncle off?

Leyne: I kissed him.

Rodrigo spat out the coffee he was drinking.

Rodrigo: You did what?

Leyne: I kissed him. Why the surprise... Doesn't he date men?

Rodrigo: I don't know about his personal life. We've never talked about it.

Leyne: You must be younger than me, right?

Rodrigo: How old are you?

Leyne: Twenty-two.

Rodrigo: Yeah, I am. Just by a year. I always say I'm older and people believe it.

Leyne: It must be because you're as serious as your uncle... But you know... He's much more pleasant when he smiles.

Rodrigo: {Tez smiled at him? I don't believe it! This is bad, he has no idea what he's going to go through, and he's falling in love with my uncle.}

Leyne: Since we're practically the same age, why don't we do something fun?

Rodrigo: I'm not very good at having fun. I wouldn't know what to do.

Leyne: I saw a deck of cards in the living room. Why don't we play a little?

Rodrigo: I don't know.

Leyne: Ah, come on! I'll teach you.

Rodrigo gave in to Leyne's sympathy and went with him to the living room to play.

Leyne: This game is called Steal the Pile. It's a lot more fun when we play with more people, but I think it will be cool too. Pay attention.

Leyne explained how to play, and for about an hour and a half, the two played and had fun. Rodrigo managed to win, and was very happy with the result.

Rodrigo: I'm not giving you any more rematches! The one who's teaching me is losing?

Leyne: Yeah... Look, I let you win.

Rodrigo: Doesn't look like it.

Leyne: Come on! I'm talki...

Leyne put his hand on his stomach.

Rodrigo: What's wrong?

Leyne: I thought I was going to throw up... I'm feeling sick, excuse me a minute.

Hurriedly, Leyne went to the bathroom, and as soon as he entered, he started vomiting.

Rodrigo became worried about Leyne's delay, and decided to go after him. He didn't need to knock on the door, as it was ajar.

Rodrigo: Are you okay?

Leyne: I think I really overdid it with the drink... You don't need to stay there, I'll be right back… Just give me a minute.

Rodrigo: Seriously? How much did you drink?

Leyne: Two glasses.

Rodrigo: Just that? You never drank before?

Leyne: Only at parties and New Year's Eve.

Rodrigo: I'm sorry, I'm going to make some fennel tea. I know my uncle has some. Wait a minute.

Leyne managed to get out of the bathroom and went to rest on the bed. It wasn't long before Rodrigo arrived.

Rodrigo: Here it is. Try to drink it all.

Leyne: Thank you for being so kind to me. But you don't need to stay here watching me, go watch a movie or do something more fun.

Rodrigo: The only cool thing here at my uncle's house was his deck of cards, and I only found that out because of you. It's no problem for me to stay here and keep you company.

Leyne: Ha! I think I'm very good at making the best of the worst situations... I almost forgot that. I've had desperate days.

Rodrigo watched as Leyne drank the tea, then he ended up falling asleep with the glass in his hand. Rodrigo picked up the glass and went downstairs.

III

In the morning Tez entered the house and was immediately greeted by Rodrigo.

Tez: How was it? Did he give you a hard time?

...

Upstairs in the house, Leyne heard Tez's voice.

Leyne:{ I didn't think I'd be anxious to see him. I think I can face him now. Since from what Rodrigo said, he won't be upset with me because of the kiss.}

Excited, he started to get ready to go down the stairs.

...

Rodrigo: Actually, he didn't give me any trouble at all. However, he ended up getting sick in the afternoon. He said he drank, and I could tell he wasn't used to it.

Tez: It's true... I shouldn't have offered. Especially knowing that he is malnourished.

Rodrigo: Uncle... Are you sure you want to do this to him?

...

At that moment, Leyne was at the bottom of the stairs, and could hear their voices clearly.

...

Rodrigo: I was talking to him... Quite a bit actually. He seems like a nice and very innocent guy too... It's not his fault what happened... I don't think it's right, sir, to do this to him.

Tez: Right or wrong, I won't go back. I've already contacted them to make the exchange. It will be tomorrow afternoon.

...

Leyne: {Make... the exchange?}

A lump in his throat and a feeling of despair took over Leyne's body. It was impossible to hold back the tears that were streaming down his face. He went back upstairs to his room and locked himself in.

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