WANTED A FLING BUT IT'S A NIGHT

CHAPTER 18 (WHEN TOUCHES LINGERS)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Title: "When Touches Linger"

It had rained the night before, and the air still carried the smell of wet pavement and jasmine. The campus seemed slower that morning, as if the sky was dragging its own feet, mirroring Asher’s mood.

He hadn't seen Rhett since the moment they brushed hands in the hallway, and that moment had left a spark on his skin that refused to fade. It wasn't just attraction anymore—it was ache, confusion, and something much deeper.

Zayn walked beside him, chattering about Jude again. "He invited me to the photography studio today. You think I should go? I mean, he always talks like he sees straight through me. It's annoying, but kind of hot."

Asher gave a faint smile. "Go. I think you'll regret it if you don't."

Zayn turned, studying Asher's face. "And you? What’s with the glum morning glow?"

"Just... everything."

Before Zayn could prod further, they reached the cafeteria. Students buzzed around like bees, but Asher kept his head low. All the noise in his mind was louder.

That was until Rhett walked in. Not alone. With someone.

A girl.

Tall, confident, stylish. Her laughter danced through the cafeteria. She touched Rhett's arm. Too familiar.

Asher’s chest tightened.

Zayn caught the shift in his posture. "Don’t look too long, or you’ll start seeing things that’ll make you bleed."

"Who is she?"

"No idea. Probably one of his types."

Asher turned away, but the image had already branded itself into his mind. All of Rhett’s flings suddenly had a face, a voice, and a laugh that wasn't his.

Back in their department hallway, Asher leaned on the wall beside the noticeboard. He needed air. He needed stillness. But instead, he got a text.

**RHETT:** *You free to talk today?*

He stared at it. Then, without replying, he walked toward his next lecture.

---

Elsewhere, Rhett sat across from the girl in the media room. The lights above flickered slightly, and he wasn’t really listening to her anymore.

She tilted her head. "You’re not even here, are you?"

Rhett blinked. "I’m sorry. Got a lot going on."

"Let me guess. That freshman? The one with the eyes that look like they dream too much?"

He didn’t answer. She smiled knowingly. "You’re falling, aren’t you?"

Rhett leaned back in the chair, rubbing his temples. "I don’t fall."

"Then why does it feel like you’re trying not to drown?"

She stood and left him with the silence.

And for the first time in weeks, Rhett wished someone would stay and hold him there, in the silence—so it wouldn’t feel so loud.