Flynn was busy listening to the minus-one track Jacob had given him. He ruffled his hair in frustration, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't come up with a verse to write.
No matter what he thought about, Dylan's face kept showing up in his mind. He didn't even understand why. Maybe it was because they spent so much time together,almost every day, that the moment Dylan wasn't around, it felt like something was missing... like his thoughts couldn't settle without him there.
A few moments later, Dylan arrived. His face looked tired, his expression weighed down with something heavy. The moment he stepped inside, he went straight to his bed and collapsed on it.
"Take a shower and change first before you lie down," Flynn said, glancing over at him. "We just came from practice, and you were outside all day."
Dylan sighed.
"So, how are things with Stephanie? Did you two manage to talk things out?" Flynn asked.
"We're done," Dylan replied flatly, still staring up at the ceiling.
"What do you mean, done?" Flynn frowned.
"I mean... we decided to cool off for a while. Give each other space."
"What's going on with you, anyway?" Flynn asked.
Right... what is going on with me? Dylan thought to himself. "I don't know either. It's just... I feel like I'm losing my feelings for her lately."
"Maybe it's because you two don't spend as much time together anymore," Flynn said. "I told you before, you shouldn't always bring me along when it's supposed to be your time with her. Now I even got dragged into your mess earlier."
"Don't worry," Dylan said quickly. "I already explained everything to Steph, that you had nothing to do with it. It's not you guys... it's me."
"I just hope you two can fix things soon," Flynn replied before putting his earphones back on and continuing to listen to the track, scribbling a few lines on his notebook.
Dylan noticed and sat up, moving closer to him. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously.
"Listening to the minus-one Jacob gave me. I'm trying to write the verse," Flynn said without looking up.
"Wait... you agreed to join the Battle of the Bands?" Dylan asked, surprised.
"Yeah," Flynn nodded. "I couldn't say no. And honestly, I kind of want to help him."
"What about the team?"
"I'm just a sub-player anyway. You were the one who said I didn't need to be there a hundred percent, remember?" Flynn reminded him.
Dylan recalled saying those exact words before. "So... that means you and Jacob will be spending more time together?"
"Of course," Flynn said. "We'll have to practice the song together. And stop picking on him already, will you? You were the one who defended him from those bullies, and now you're acting like you want to fight him yourself."
"I just don't like how close he's getting to you," Dylan muttered.
Flynn let out a deep sigh, choosing not to argue. The last thing he wanted was for their conversation to turn into another fight.
---
During their basketball practice, Nathan suddenly appeared. While Dylan was in the middle of a drill, he noticed Nathan approaching Flynn and whispering something to him. Flynn's expression immediately changed, though Dylan couldn't tell why.
Concerned, Dylan quickly requested a pause in the game and went over to Flynn. The moment Nathan saw Dylan approaching, he immediately walked away.
"What did Nathan tell you?" Dylan asked, his patience already thinning.
"N-nothing," Flynn stammered, avoiding eye contact.
"Nothing? Then why did your expression change? Is there a problem?" Dylan pressed, his tone sharp with growing frustration.
"I said... nothing," Flynn repeated, though the worry in his face betrayed him.
Dylan didn't press further, but the thought struck him... he needed to find Nathan and get the answers himself. Before he could leave, Flynn grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Alright, I'll tell you now. But promise me... you won't get angry or do anything rash when I tell you, okay?" Flynn said anxiously.
Dylan turned to face him, ready to listen.
"Nathan saw Stephanie at a coffee shop outside campus... with another guy. From how they were acting, he thinks... there's something going on between them," Flynn said gently.
Dylan's face went dark. Without a word, he turned and left. All Flynn could do was watch him go, feeling helpless.
As soon as Dylan left the campus, he headed straight for the coffee shop nearby. Before he could even get close, he spotted Stephanie exiting the shop with a man. They got into the car immediately.
Stephanie caught sight of Dylan for just a moment, held his gaze briefly, and then slid into the car without a word.
What game are you playing now, Steph...? Dylan muttered under his breath. He quickly hailed a taxi. "Follow that car," he instructed the driver, pointing at Stephanie's vehicle.
The taxi driver was about to complain, but when he caught a glimpse of his passenger in the rearview mirror, recognition flickered in his eyes. It was the same guy who had once taken his cab to follow a boy walking down the street. Realizing who it was, the driver said nothing more and quietly began trailing Stephanie's car.
The ride lasted nearly thirty minutes. The car finally stopped in front of a large hotel. Dylan stepped out of the taxi but didn't follow them inside immediately. Instead, he lingered outside, waiting.
Two hours passed. Ten cigarettes later, Dylan's patience was thinning. There was still no sign of Stephanie leaving the hotel. His irritation mounting, he decided he had no choice but to go in.
Inside, he approached the receptionist. "Stephanie Lim," he said, his voice calm but firm.
At the mention of her name, the receptionist immediately searched the system. When she found the reservation, she looked at Dylan. "And... how may I assist you with this guest, sir?"
"She's expecting me."
"Okay, sir... let me call the room first." The receptionist dialed Stephanie's room number, but there was no answer.
"She might be busy... or asleep. Just give me the room number, and I'll knock instead," Dylan said, his tone low, almost dangerous. The receptionist hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, sensing the intensity in his eyes.
As soon as Dylan stepped out of the elevator, he headed straight for Stephanie's hotel room. He knocked three times, but no one answered.
His patience was wearing thin. With a harder knock, the door finally opened, revealing the man who had been with Stephanie. He was only wearing boxer briefs when he open the door.
Without a second thought, Dylan punched the guy, sending him stumbling back into the room. As Dylan stepped inside, he was met with the shocking sight of Stephanie, completely naked except for a blanket draped around her, leaning against the bed.
Dylan immediately turned back to the man and hit him again, landing several punches.
"Wait! I didn't know she had a partner! She told me she was single and wanted to meet!" the man stammered.
"I don't give a damn about what you have to say," Dylan growled, grabbing the man by the collar. "Get your stuff and get out. Now!" he shouted, forcing the guy to scramble for his clothes before running out of the room.
"What the f*ck are you doing, Stephanie? Do you even see yourself? This isn't the Stephanie I know," Dylan snapped.
"Now you care about me huh?" she retorted. "I thought we weren't together anymore?"
"We're not even officially broken up!" Dylan's voice rose with frustration. "We're just taking a damn break, Stephanie, and you're already doing this?"
"Taking a break?" she scoffed, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Dylan, you've already distanced yourself from me. You've been absent for so long. Honestly, I feel like I don't even have a boyfriend anymore."
Dylan's anger flared. "Fine. You win. If this is what you want, then it's better we break up officially. Fix yourself. This isn't who you are. Don't destroy your life over me."
Realization hit Stephanie like a wave. "Wait, Dylan. None of this is true. I just set this up to make you jealous. Nothing really happened between us. I just hired that man to pretend. Dylan, please listen to me. I'm sorry."
"No, Stephanie. You've given me every reason to leave you for good. This is it. We're done. Thank you for everything," Dylan said, his voice cold, as he turned and walked out of the room.
"Dylan, wait! Dylan!" Stephanie screamed, her voice breaking, but it was too late. She was left alone in the hotel room, tears streaming down her face.