The Boy I Was Supposed to Hate

Chapter 10: Mixed Signals

For the next few days, Asher avoided thinking about what Kai had said beneath the umbrella.

I don't like seeing you with him.

It shouldn't have mattered.

Kai was his rival.

His project partner.

His most annoying classmate.

That was all.

At least, that's what Asher kept telling himself.

But every time he remembered Kai's expression that night, his heart betrayed him with a strange little flutter.

And Asher hated it.

---

Monday morning, Kai was unusually quiet.

He sat beside Asher in class, staring at his notebook instead of making his usual jokes.

Asher noticed immediately.

"You've been quiet."

Kai shrugged.

"Just tired."

"You've said that before."

"It's true this time."

Asher studied him.

"You've been avoiding me."

Kai looked up.

"No, I haven't."

"You have."

Kai sighed.

"Maybe I'm trying not to annoy you."

That answer surprised Asher.

"You don't usually care if you annoy me."

Kai gave a small smile.

"Maybe things changed."

Before Asher could ask what he meant, Professor Delgado entered the room.

The conversation ended.

But the words stayed in Asher's mind.

Maybe things changed.

---

During lunch, Asher found Kai sitting alone near the gym.

He hesitated before approaching.

"Can I sit here?"

Kai looked surprised.

"You're asking?"

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No."

Asher sat beside him.

For a while, neither spoke.

Finally, Kai handed him half of his sandwich.

"Here."

"I have food."

"You always say that."

Asher accepted it anyway.

"Thanks."

Kai smiled.

"You're welcome."

Their shoulders touched.

Neither moved.

---

"Can I ask you something?" Asher said.

Kai looked at him.

"Sure."

"About the other night."

Kai's expression became serious.

"What about it?"

"You said you didn't like seeing me with Adrian."

Kai looked away.

"I shouldn't have said that."

"Why?"

"Because..."

He paused.

"I don't have the right to tell you who you can spend time with."

Asher was quiet.

"That's not what I asked."

Kai looked at him.

"What are you asking?"

Asher didn't know.

He had no idea what answer he wanted.

Maybe he wanted Kai to say he was jealous.

Maybe he wanted to know why.

Instead, he simply asked,

"Do you like me?"

The question escaped before he could stop it.

Kai froze.

For several seconds, the world seemed completely silent.

Then Kai laughed nervously.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I..."

Kai looked away.

"I don't know."

Asher's heart sank.

"Right."

He stood.

"I have class."

"Wait."

Kai reached for his wrist.

Asher stopped.

Kai immediately let go.

"Sorry."

Asher looked at him.

"It's fine."

But something had changed.

---

That evening, Kai couldn't concentrate during volleyball practice.

He missed an easy serve.

His teammates stared at him.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

"You've been distracted all day."

Kai grabbed his towel.

"I just have something on my mind."

"Is it Asher?"

Kai froze.

His teammate laughed.

"I knew it."

Kai shook his head.

"We're just partners."

"Partners don't usually look at each other the way you two do."

Kai didn't answer.

Because deep down, he knew.

Something had changed.

He just didn't know what to do about it.

---

Meanwhile, Asher sat alone in the Architecture studio.

His sketchbook was open.

But he hadn't drawn anything for twenty minutes.

He kept replaying the conversation.

Do you like me?

Why had he asked?

Why had he wanted to hear the answer?

And why did Kai's hesitation hurt?

Asher closed his sketchbook.

"This is ridiculous."

A voice came from the doorway.

"Talking to yourself now?"

Asher looked up.

Kai stood there.

"You followed me?"

"No."

Kai walked inside.

"I came to return this."

He placed Asher's ruler on the table.

"You left it in the gym."

"Thanks."

Kai nodded.

Neither moved.

Then Kai spoke.

"About earlier..."

Asher looked at him.

"You don't have to answer."

"I know."

"I shouldn't have asked."

"I know."

Kai smiled sadly.

"But I'm glad you did."

Asher's heart began beating faster.

"Why?"

Kai took a step closer.

"Because now I know I'm not the only one confused."

They stood only a few feet apart.

Asher swallowed.

"What are you confused about?"

Kai looked directly into his eyes.

"You."

The word was barely a whisper.

Before either of them could say anything else, the studio door opened.

A group of students entered, laughing loudly.

The moment disappeared.

Kai stepped back.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Asher nodded.

"Tomorrow."

Kai walked away.

Asher remained frozen in place.

For the first time, he understood something terrifying.

He didn't want Kai to stop being close to him.

He wanted him closer.

And that realization scared him more than anything.