CHAPTER 16 (NOT JUST A NIGHT)
389 Words
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Friday came like a breath Asher had been holding all week. The campus buzzed with life—posters still fluttered from the Open Day frenzy, students laughed in hallways, and Asher... he was dressing for something that felt like possibility.
Zayn watched from his bed, arms behind his head. "Are you nervous or just stupidly in love?"
Asher adjusted the collar of his cream shirt. "It's not love. It’s... anticipation."
"You ironed your jeans. It’s love."
Asher threw a pillow at him.
---
Rhett was already waiting near the school gate, leaning on his bike, helmet tucked under one arm. The evening sun dipped low, casting gold over his sharp features.
"You look nice," he said as Asher approached.
"I showered. Twice. Might’ve overdone it."
Rhett chuckled. "Hop on."
Asher climbed on, wrapping his arms around Rhett’s waist—carefully, like the moment might break if he gripped too tight.
---
They didn’t go far. Just beyond the campus gates, where the town grew quieter, Rhett pulled into a small food truck park surrounded by fairy lights and mismatched benches. Jazz music played faintly from a speaker tied to a lamp post.
Asher blinked. “This is... unexpected.”
Rhett shrugged. “You said you liked simple.”
They sat on a bench painted sky-blue, Rhett ordering two mango juices and chicken wraps.
Asher smiled. “Mango again?”
“You started it.”
Their hands brushed when passing the cups. Neither pulled away.
---
They talked. Not about anything deep. Movies. Childhood snacks. Favorite cartoons. Asher laughed so hard once, his juice spilled on his shirt.
Rhett leaned over and wiped it with his napkin, fingers lingering a second too long.
Asher’s laughter faded into a quiet smile.
"Why me?" he asked.
Rhett looked at him. "You were drunk. Soft. Real. And you didn’t ask for anything. You just... needed someone."
"I still do," Asher whispered.
A pause.
Rhett leaned in slowly. "I can be someone. But I don’t want to hurt you."
Asher’s voice trembled. "Then don’t."
Rhett’s forehead pressed against Asher’s. For a moment, they just breathed.
No kiss.
Just closeness.
Just trust.
---
Later, as Rhett dropped Asher at his hostel, the night wind brushing their cheeks, neither said goodbye. Just a glance. A look that said:
*We’re not done.*
[TO BE CONTINUED...]
- Writer
