TER

ly ended when the

d into. His eyes brushed over us close, perhaps too close but he didn't linger. We'd always bee

offering a small smile. "

ned sharp. "Why

him. "Can't I come chill with my friends?" he

. I followed, feeling my chest squeeze as I moved. Every

ade me melt. That just the sound of his v

The entire place was glass and open a forgotten piece of luxury that felt m

ny floor with plates in our laps and sun in our eyes. I glanced down. Ruben was still in the

me. But I was floating somewhere between the boy who

ftly beside me. She looked at me kno

ayson grinned, already

it slightly, and said, "Never have I ever f

leaned in, brushing my cheek with his fingertips and kissed me. It wasn't a

ph's voice rang out with her us

d until

be

hone, no longer oblivious. Just watching. Silent. An

ht, the ride h

. Ken made me feel seen. Safe. Wanted. But my

ame th

g under the pale porch light like a shadow from my

eathed, my vo

?" he asked,

ody screamed yes.

eas

ded s

id things. The drive felt long, yet not a single moment was wasted. We pu

ffered water. I

fter your birthday. I thought we were.

. "You di

ooked. "I'm bad with feel

as nothing. That night...

ce broke, and I l

attered most. I thought... if I kept my distance, you'd stop looking at me like I w

le

loser. "I lo

g in me s

d, to keep things casual. But I can't. I love you.

peak. I ju

... he wasn't running. He

pped into

ifted. The pain didn't vanish, but it paused just long enough

s tracing, not as toned as kens, no

very touch was slow. Every breath intentional. He undressed me like he was redisco

hen i got up, pls no ruben i said instantly, he was calm didn't complain, didn'

rectly in my eyes, not ton

we'll head home tomorrow, I agreed, he gave me a glass of juice, I wore

into my head, i nudged it and held

ing he's skin so close to mine. But when I woke up I was already dressed, don't know though, I didn't ask