Chapter 4: Emotional fluctuation
804 Words
The cafeteria was louder than usual, filled with students talking over one another, trays clattering, chairs scraping against the floor.
But for James, everything felt strangely muted.
He sat across from Max, trying very hard to focus on his food instead of the person in front of him.
It wasn’t working.
Max rested his chin lightly on his hand, watching him.
“You’re staring at your food like it offended you,” he said.
James didn’t look up. “I’m just eating.”
“No,” Max replied calmly. “You’re avoiding me.”
James finally looked up. “I’m not avoiding you.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
Max smirked. “You just did it again.”
James frowned. “Did what?”
“Looked at me for two seconds and looked away.”
James immediately looked down again.
“…okay, maybe I am.”
Max chuckled softly.
“Relax,” he said. “I’m not going to bite.”
“That’s not reassuring,” James muttered.
For a moment, they ate in silence.
But it wasn’t awkward.
It was… tense.
Like something unspoken was sitting between them.
“So,” Max said, breaking the silence, “you’re the Carlton heir.”
James stiffened slightly. “And?”
“And nothing,” Max replied. “Just didn’t expect someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” James asked.
Max shrugged. “Art student. Quiet. Easily flustered.”
“I am not easily flustered,” James said quickly.
Max raised an eyebrow.
James sighed. “…okay, maybe a little.”
Max smiled faintly, then leaned back in his chair.
“Why art?” he asked.
James paused.
“Because it’s the only thing that ever felt like mine,” he said honestly. “The company… that’s my sister’s world. Not mine.”
Max’s expression softened slightly.
“…I get that.”
James looked at him, surprised. “You do?”
Max nodded. “Not everyone wants the life chosen for them.”
There was something in his voice—something real.
For a second, James felt like there was more Max wasn’t saying.
“Wait,” James said suddenly, narrowing his eyes. “You asked me about being an heir… but you’re acting like you understand too well.”
Max smirked. “Maybe I’m just empathetic.”
“Or hiding something,” James shot back.
Max didn’t answer.
And that silence said enough.
James leaned back slightly, studying him.
“You’re suspicious.”
“And you’re curious,” Max replied.
“I’m not curious.”
“You are.”
James hesitated.
“…a little.”
Max leaned forward slightly this time.
“Good,” he said quietly.
James’s heart skipped again.
“Can I ask you something?” Max continued.
James nodded cautiously. “Depends.”
“Why didn’t you react badly yesterday?”
“To what?”
“When I said I’d pursue you.”
James froze.
He looked down at his hands.
“…I don’t know,” he admitted.
Max waited.
James exhaled slowly.
“I thought I’d be disgusted,” he said honestly. “Or uncomfortable.”
“And?”
“I wasn’t.”
James looked up again.
“I was just… confused,” he continued. “And my face got hot for no reason, which made it worse.”
Max smiled slightly. “There was a reason.”
James swallowed. “Don’t say it.”
“You know what it is.”
“I said don’t say it.”
“You felt something,” he said softly.
James’s breath caught.
“I don’t even know if am into guys,” James said quietly.
Max didn’t hesitate.
“Then figure it out,” he replied. “With me.”
James looked at him, really looked this time.
At his eyes.
At the calm confidence.
At the way he spoke like he already knew the answer.
“You’re very sure of yourself,” James said.
“I am.”
“That’s annoying.”
“I’ve been told.”
James let out a small laugh despite himself.
And just like that, the tension eased—
but not completely.
Across the cafeteria, a few students whispered while watching them.
“The Carlton heir… and who’s that guy?”
“They look close…”
“Wait—doesn’t he hang out with Aston and Camilla”
Their voices faded into the background.
“Next time,” Max said, standing up, “we won’t eat here.”
James blinked. “Next time?”
Max smirked. “You agreed once. That’s enough.”
“I did not agree to a second time.”
“You will.”
James rolled his eyes.
But he didn’t say no.
As they walked out together, James felt it again—
That warmth.
That pull.
That quiet excitement.
- Writer
