Once Upon A Memory (Boy's Love)

CHAPTER FIVE

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The memory replayed in my mind, vivid and stubborn, refusing to let go. That moment at the pool was clear as day—the look on his face, the sudden lunge forward, the way we both toppled over the edge. And just before we hit the water, I heard it.

My name, shouted loud and clear. It wasn’t some accidental murmur or passing call. He’d yelled it, his voice ringing out, echoing through the gym.

"Austin!"

I was convinced that he actually called me by my name. I heard it clearly. He shouted my name so loudly that it echoed throughout the entire gym.

But why is he insisting that he didn't call me by my name?

I kept thinking about it.

I don't know if I should believe him when he said he didn't.

But if he really called me by my name at that time, how did he know me?

Perhaps he knows me because I'm quite well-known on campus?

That could be one of the reasons. However, he denied that he knows me — that he has never met me.

Wait. Why am I even thinking about that?

I closed my eyes again trying to sleep, when I heard the door opened. I guess Doctor Travis has come back.

"You came back early." I spoke. I was waiting for his response but I received nothing. Then, I heard someone just lie down on another bed.

It was a student, so I guess Doctor Travis hasn't come back yet.

Ignoring it, I try to go back to sleep by closing my eyes when the student in the other bed speaks.

"So, why are you here? Are you not feeling well?"

I immediately open my eyes when I recognize that voice.

That voice... What on earth is he doing here? Is he tailing me?

I got up from lying on the bed. From here, I pull back the curtain to reach the curtain of the other bed and open it.

I wasn't mistaken. There I saw him, lying comfortably.

Why the hell is he here?

"Hi," he looked at me and greeted me with a smile, and his smile is so incredibly annoying!

"What are you doing here!? Are you following me!?"

"Nope. Why should I follow you? I need to see Doctor Travis, that's why I'm here." He replied.

"Doctor Travis is not here!"

"Yeah. I know. I actually met him in the hallway."

"Then how do you know that I was the one in here?"

"Maybe Doctor Travis mentioned it to me."

"Whatever! Just don't talk to me." Rolling my eyes, I was about to close the curtain when he spoke.

"So, how did your eyes get swollen?" He asked.

I forgot, I'm not wearing my glasses. Whatever. He found out regardless.

"It's not your concern. I repeat. Don't talk to me." I said, emphasizing each word, then I closed the curtain.

What the hell. He is so annoying!

I lay down on the bed again and closed my eyes.

I sensed whether he would talk to me or not, but he didn't. It's good that he is a great listener. Then, I found myself drifting off to sleep.

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CHASE's POV

After a minute of silence, I decided to get up from lying on the bed. I quietly got out of bed to ensure I didn't make any noise. I slowly pushed aside the curtain and approached his bed.

Then, I slowly pushed aside the curtain that was blocking his bed.

There, on the bed, I saw him sleeping soundly. His face was softened, relaxed in sleep, far from the usual guarded expression he wore when he was awake. The way his hair fell over his forehead, the rise and fall of his breathing—it all struck me in a way I hadn’t expected. For a moment, I felt like I was seeing a different side of him, one he never shared willingly. My chest tightened, and I couldn’t help but smile, just a little.

I stepped closer, just enough to catch every detail. The soft rise and fall of his breathing, the gentle curve of his lips, and those ridiculously long lashes that brushed his cheeks—they all made him seem even more beautiful up close.

I wanted to reach out and trace the line of his jaw, just to feel if it was as warm as it looked. But I stopped myself. One wrong move, and I’d wake him, ruining this moment.

I couldn’t resist the urge to capture this—how peaceful he looked, how perfect. With a small smile, I slipped my phone out quietly, barely breathing as I snapped a quick photo. It was risky, I knew that, but I couldn’t help it. This was a side of him I didn’t want to forget.

"What are you doing?"

I was taken aback when someone spoke as the curtain rose. Looking at the person, it was Doctor Travis. I didn't notice his entry into the clinic.

He is looking at me with confusion etched on his face.

"Shh." I signaled Doctor Travis to be quiet before he could speak again. Then, I moved away from Austin and softly close the curtain. Doctor Travis also close the curtain on the other side.

"Since when you get back?" I asked Doctor Travis as I settled myself into the chair in front of his desk.

"Not long ago." He sat down on his swivel chair. "What were you doing to Austin, huh? You're not making fun of him, are you?" He asked while he was pulling something out of the drawer.

I chuckled. "No, I'm not. I wasn't doing anything to him. Just staring."

"Really?"

He seems to not believe me.

"Yeah. Of course. Where is the painkiller?" I asked, shifting the subject. He might have asked why I was staring at Austin. I shouldn't have said that I was looking at Austin.

"Here." He gave me the patch for a painkiller.

"Thank you."

"Stop being so stubborn, kid. Don't overexert yourself swimming if your shoulder hurts. It could potentially worsen. I don't think your shoulder has fully healed."

"Thank you, Doctor. Don't worry. I'm completely fine. I know." I smiled.

"You're so stubborn, Chase." He shook his head and I just chuckled a bit.

To be honest, my shoulder doesn't really hurt that much right now. Just a reason.

"By the way, how is he feeling? Is he alright?" I asked, referring to Austin, and I think he knows who I was talking about.

"He'll be fine. He just needs some rest." He replied.

"Did he take his medicine?"

"I actually give him medicine, but he doesn't want it. Why are you asking, huh?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Nothing." Thanks for the painkiller, by the way. I have to go." I said as I stood up from the chair and left the clinic.

When I got out of the clinic, I took my phone and called Matt.

"Hey, where are you?" I asked Matt as soon as he picked up my call.

"I'm the one who should be asking that. Where on earth are you? We have a class!"

"So, you're in the classroom. Do me a favor. Buy me a drink. A vitamin C drink. And one piece of sandwich as well. Right now. Thanks, man!"

"What? Why do you need those? For whom?"

"Just... Of course for me. I'm in the clinic right now and I'm uh, kinda not feeling well. Bring me those. Right now. Ok? I'll be waiting. Thanks!" Then I ended the call before he could react because I know he would asked me a lot of questions.

After ten minutes of waiting, I saw him from a distance, walking towards me.

"Here." He handed me the paper bag he was holding that has the foods I asked him to buy.

"Thanks, man. I'll pay you later."

"What happened? Are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Hold on. I'll be back." I said and I went back inside the clinic.

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