CHAPTER 15 (SAFE SPACE)
498 Words
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The library meeting shifted something in both of them. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t dramatic. But it mattered.
That night, Asher lay in bed, staring at his screen, Rhett’s contact now saved with just one emoji: 🥀. No name. Just the feeling he stirred.
He typed:
> *“Thanks for earlier. I know you're not the library type, but… I liked sitting with you.”*
A minute passed.
Rhett replied:
> *“Didn’t hate it. You talk too much though.”*
> *“You listened though.”*
> *“You’re hard to ignore.”*
Asher’s lips curled at that.
He didn’t know what they were, but it was more than nothing.
---
The next day brought more chaos. The campus was prepping for Open Day. Clubs, faculty stands, noisy rehearsals, fliers thrown like confetti.
Zayn was buzzing. “We should join something. Film club? Debate? l***q+ Society?”
“You want to join the debate club?” Asher asked.
“No. I just want a reason to wear a blazer and be dramatic.”
Asher laughed, nudging him. “You don’t need a club for that.”
Asher glanced up just in time to see Rhett walk across the courtyard. He was with Jude, both holding iced coffee. A group of girls near the fountain whispered, one of them holding a box with snacks.
The girl approached Rhett and handed it to him with shaking hands.
He took it.
Nodded.
Didn’t smile.
Didn’t eat it.
Jude said something sarcastic, and Rhett chuckled low, shaking his head.
Zayn followed Asher’s gaze. “That’s what I meant, Ash. This is what people *warn* about. He collects admirers like postcards.”
Asher looked away. “Yeah… I know.”
But he still couldn’t stop watching him.
---
Later that day, Asher found himself in the student café, grabbing a bottle of mango juice. His third this week.
The cashier teased, “You’re obsessed with this stuff, huh?”
He smiled. “It’s kind of nostalgic.”
As he stepped outside, he saw Rhett again—alone this time, sitting on the low steps of the science building. He looked lost in thought.
Asher hesitated.
Walked over.
Held out the mango juice.
Rhett looked up, surprised, then let out a breathy laugh.
“You serious?”
“Return gift,” Asher said.
Rhett took it.
“I didn’t bring your hoodie back.”
“I’m still wearing it at night,” Asher admitted. “Don’t be mad.”
Rhett shook his head. “I’m not.”
There was a pause.
Then, Rhett asked, “You doing anything Friday night?”
Asher blinked. “Why?”
“I want to take you somewhere.”
“…Like a date?”
Rhett smirked. “If I say yes?”
Asher felt his heartbeat skip. “Then I’ll say okay.”
They smiled.
And for the first time, neither of them looked away.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]
- Writer
