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Hearts Collide (part three)

Three Weeks Later

"Can you believe it?" Montri whispered excitedly, the whole group was buzzing, but Yo wasn't really listening.

"I'm so excited!" Chang gripped Montri's arm on one side and Red's on the other, making them both whine in protest.

"We have an expert right here, let's ask him," Jay said and Zee nodded quickly, nudging Yo out of his thoughts. "Well?"

"Well, what? Are you girls still gossiping?" Yo asked, wondering what could possibly be so exciting.

"We're Science students," Montri denied. "It's called observation and theorizing."

"Well, whatever you want to call it, can I please take a pass? I have homework I need to get done," Yo stuck his nose back in his books, eating absentmindedly.

"Oh, no you don't," Chang said, his large hand covering Yo's page. "You are the resident expert this time, so we want full details."

"Come on Yo," Jay grabbed one arm and Zee grabbed the other, "Please."

"Okay, okay," Yo said, attempting to pull free. "Which human activity are we dissecting today and why am I the expert?"

"We're talking about Ming and Doctor Pha!" Montri nearly shouted. "Everyone is saying they're dating."

"Yo?" A deep voice spoke from behind him. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

It was Park, a friend from the Physics department. He'd helped Yo several times when he was trying to get caught up after starting classes late. Everything had been going well until Park asked Yo to go on a date. Yo had just returned from his weekend in Phuket with Ming and Pha, so he'd said no and told Park that he was taken. Park had been disappointed, but he'd taken it well and they were still friends.

Yo excused himself from the table and followed Park to an empty bench around the side of the building where they could have a little privacy.

"When you said you were taken, I kind of assumed it was Phana," Park said, looking down as he spoke. "But I heard he's dating your best friend, Ming. Did you two break up? Do I have a chance now?"

"I'm sorry, Park," Yo answered. "I really do want to be your friend, but I'm still taken so it can't be more."

"So you're not dating Phana then? Would you mind telling me who it is?"

"Well ... ," Yo was nervous about telling the truth. What they were trying wasn't a common relationship and he was afraid of how his friends might react.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Park said quietly. "It's just that we're friends, so I thought you might be able to tell me. You can trust me, you know. After all, I'm a guy too, and I'm interested in you. If you're gay or bisexual, I'm not going to judge you."

Yo looked up at his friend, feeling a little better, but still nervous. The truth was, he wanted to tell someone, to be able to trust someone. So far, they hadn't told anyone, and it still felt unreal, like the whole thing had just been a dream.

"I'm dating Pha and Ming," Yo said, barely loud enough to be heard. "We're all boyfriends. The three of us."

Park's eyes widened, but he stayed still and spoke quietly, "You're in love with both of them and they're in love with you and each other?"

"Yeah," Yo smiled. He took a deep breath, feeling a strange relief at being able to tell the truth.

"Oh, wow, that's ... great," Park said nervously. "I guess you aren't telling many people."

"You're the first," Yo said, a blush rising on his cheeks. "Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Sure. Your secret is safe with me. I'm glad you trusted me," Park said, then patted Yo's hand gently. "You can tell me anything, okay? I'm always gonna be here for you."