CHAPTER 10 (WHISPERS)
492 Words
CHAPTER TEN
Tuesday came with cloudy skies and a restless wind that blew through the open windows of the lecture hall. Asher sat beside Zayn near the middle row, taking quiet sips of his now favorite mango juice.
Zayn nudged him. “You’ve been humming that same tune for five minutes. You good?”
Asher blinked. “Sorry. I didn’t even realize.”
“You're humming and zoning out a lot these days.”
Asher smiled faintly. “I think I’m just… figuring things out.”
Zayn leaned back, stretched. “You and mystery-boy had another talk?”
Asher hesitated. “He came over last night.”
Zayn’s brows lifted. “Oh?”
“Yeah. He said he didn’t know what he was feeling. But he wants to try figuring it out—with me.”
“Wow,” Zayn said genuinely. “That’s… progress. Maybe he’s not just another flame.”
“He's not,” Asher said without thinking.
Zayn grinned. “Look at you. Falling hard already.”
Asher looked away, pretending to focus on the lecturer walking in.
---
Rhett, on the other side of campus, leaned against a wall outside his department building, a cigarette between his fingers. He didn’t smoke often. Only when his thoughts started screaming too loudly.
“Didn’t think I’d see that again,” a voice said beside him.
Rhett glanced sideways. It was Jude, his closest friend.
“Just one,” Rhett muttered.
Jude took the cigarette from his hand, tossed it to the ground, and stomped on it. “You already have enough mess inside. No need to add more to your lungs.”
Rhett scoffed. “Always dramatic.”
“And you’re always hiding,” Jude said casually. “So… what’s her name this time?”
Rhett didn’t answer.
Jude paused. “Wait. Not her. Him?”
Rhett stayed silent.
Jude raised an eyebrow. “You like this one?”
“It’s not about liking. It’s about not running,” Rhett said.
Jude clapped him on the back. “Well, damn. That’s growth.”
---
Later that day, while walking toward the cafeteria, Asher heard whispers.
"That’s him, right? The new guy Rhett was seen with?"
"I heard they left the party together."
"Poor boy doesn’t know what he’s in for."
Asher slowed down.
He wasn’t sure if it was paranoia, but it felt like eyes followed him wherever he went. He sat at an empty table, opened his sandwich, and barely took a bite before pushing it aside.
Rhett had flings.
He had rumors.
He had shadows.
And Asher had no armor.
He didn’t even know if Rhett truly liked him—or if he was just another moment.
But last night had felt real.
Asher gripped the bottle of mango juice tighter. Maybe it was time to stop listening to voices that weren’t his.
And maybe it was time to start asking Rhett questions that mattered.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]
- Writer
