under the moonlight.

Ethan flipped through a history book, his fingers absentmindedly running over the yellowed, image-filled pages as he dictated important parts to his partner, Jake, to jot down in the notebook. They were in the library, finishing a school project. The afternoon sun filtered through the windows, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. "Ethan?" Jake broke the silence, his voice soft yet firm. "I think we could use this information for the presentation, you know, to focus the idea right from the start and grab everyone's attention." Ethan nodded without really looking at what Jake was pointing at. His mind was elsewhere, lost in memories and emotions he still didn't fully understand. Ever since he had been kissed, everything felt different. He clearly remembered the moment, two weeks ago, when William had kissed him passionately, mistaking him for Chloe. Later, when he went to his house to apologize—an awkward apology—William had tried to explain that before Chloe, he'd had feelings for Ethan, but his words hadn't been enough to heal the wound he had left. At that moment, a tall, slender girl with wavy blonde hair approached them. It was Karina, a mutual acquaintance he shared with his ex-best friend, William. "Hey, guys," she said with a radiant smile. "I'm throwing a party this weekend. Would you like to come?" Ethan lifted his eyes from the book, a little surprised. He hadn't expected a party invitation, much less from someone related to William. He looked at Jake, who seemed just as puzzled, but then nodded. "Sure, Rina. We'd love to go," Jake replied, trying to keep an enthusiastic tone. The rest of the week flew by, but not without incidents. Ethan noticed William's possessive gaze following him down the school hallways multiple times. On one occasion, William had tried to approach him while he was at his locker, but Jake appeared just in time, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him away to chemistry class. "Thanks, Jake," Ethan muttered, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. Jake just nodded, his face serious, clearly determined to keep Ethan safe from more confusion and heartache. The day of the party arrived. Ethan decided to go to his room after school to change. He was looking for a suitable shirt when his friend appeared at the door, arms spread wide as soon as Ethan opened it, making him laugh at the way Jake raised his eyebrows, seeking his approval—about the look. "Need some help?" Jake asked, flashing a playful smile. Ethan nodded, letting Jake rummage through his closet. Finally, the brunette pulled out a dark blue shirt with letters and a design in the middle. "This would look good on you," Jake said, handing it to him. "Thanks, my moon," Ethan said with a smile, noticing the blush on his friend's ears but deciding not to say anything. Ethan began to take off the shirt he was wearing, and when Jake saw Ethan's bare torso, he couldn't help but blush intensely. He quickly turned around, pretending to search for something else in the closet to avoid staring. "Okaaay, I like what I see," Ethan said with a grin, still noting the blush on his friend's cheeks after he turned around. Ethan put on the shirt Jake had chosen for him and checked himself in the mirror. "I think we're ready." As they left the dorms, night began to fall, covering the campus with a blanket of stars. The two walked down the path illuminated by streetlights, their shadows stretching behind them. The night breeze was cool and pleasant, and there was a sense of anticipation in the air. "I hope the party isn't too loud," Ethan commented, adjusting the strap of his bag. "At least... not loud enough for the neighbors to call the cops... again," he complained. "Knowing Karina, it'll be just like last time," Jake replied with a smile and a soft laugh. "But maybe it'll do us some good to unwind a bit." They arrived at the bus stop just in time to see their ride approaching. They boarded and sat together at the back, watching as the city's lights flashed by through the window. "Are you nervous about seeing William?" Jake asked, breaking the silence. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. Ethan shrugged, staring out the window as he thought about everything that had happened. "I don't know, Jake. Part of me wants to talk to him, but another part is afraid of what he might say." Jake patted him on the shoulder. "I'll be with you. You don't have to face him alone." The bus stopped near Karina's house, and the boys got off, grateful for the warm summer night wrapping around them. As they walked toward the house, they could hear the thumping music and laughter coming from inside. It was almost 9 p.m. when they arrived at Karina's doorstep. The party was already in full swing, with people dancing in the living room and groups gathered around the drinks table. The colored lights illuminated the living room, and the atmosphere was electric. "Ethan, Jake!" Karina greeted them enthusiastically, opening the door wide. "I'm so glad you guys could make it!" Karina's smile was contagious, and the boys immediately felt welcome. Ethan exchanged a glance with Jake, who nodded slightly, reminding him that he was there for him. As they made their way into the crowd, Ethan couldn't help but search for William, his emotions swinging between hope and fear. He knew tonight could change everything, and part of him was ready to face whatever came, while another part wanted to run away. The music pulsed around him, and Ethan tried to relax, taking a drink Jake offered and allowing himself, at least for a moment, to enjoy the company of his friends. To be honest, he moved through the party with a natural ease that even surprised himself. At first, he had felt the typical y some gossip on campus. Their laughter and light jokes eased the unease that had accompanied him since the beginning of the night. Little by little, he felt more in his element, smiling and laughing with a comfort he had forgotten he possessed. Jake, meanwhile, watched Ethan from a sofa in the middle of the living room. Part of him was happy to see his friend enjoying himself, but another part, smaller but impossible to ignore, felt a pang of jealousy at seeing how others also relished his company. He settled into the couch, pretending to be more interested in his drink than in Ethan’s figure. But his eyes betrayed him, searching for him in the crowd, always aware of where he was and who he was talking to. His feelings for Ethan were complicated; he cared for him more than as a friend, but he also feared ruining what they had by trying for something more, given the circumstances. Jake noticed a shift in the party’s atmosphere when he saw William at the edge of his vision, slowly moving toward Ethan. The crowd seemed to part for him, as if fate itself conspired to bring them together. William had that inscrutable expression Jake had come to know well, a mix of regret and determination. As William approached, Jake felt his heart race, a mix of worry and jealousy coursing through him. He wanted to protect Ethan from any further pain, but he also knew there were unresolved issues between Ethan and William that needed to be addressed. Still, part of him hoped Ethan wouldn’t fall back into the arms of someone who had already hurt him so much. Finally, William reached Ethan, gently touching his arm to get his attention. Ethan turned, and upon seeing him, his smile faded slightly, replaced by a wary expression. “Ethan, can I talk to you?” William asked, his voice barely audible over the music as he leaned close to Ethan’s ear. Ethan hesitated for a moment, his gaze briefly meeting Jake’s, who offered a barely perceptible nod, a reminder that he was there if needed. “Alright,” Ethan finally replied, his voice calm but full of unresolved emotions. He followed William to a quieter corner of the house, away from the party’s noise. Jake watched them walk away, a feeling of helplessness settling in his chest. He wanted Ethan to be happy, even if that meant letting him go with William. But for now, all he could do was wait and be ready to offer his support if things didn’t go as his best friend hoped. In the secluded corner of the house, William and Ethan faced each other, surrounded by dim light and the distant hum of the music. The tension between them was palpable, and Ethan braced himself for the conversation he knew they needed to have. “William, what do you want?” Ethan asked, crossing his arms defensively. William swallowed, his eyes searching Ethan’s with desperation. “I just want you to know how sorry I am, sweetheart. Everything that happened… it was a mistake, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it.” “It was a mistake that apparently took you a long time to understand,” Ethan replied, his voice heavy with sadness. “I don’t know if I’m ready to forgive you, or even see you.” “I understand,” William nodded, his voice breaking. “But before things got complicated, you were important to me, more than I wanted to admit. I want to try to fix things if you’ll let me.” Ethan looked at him, his emotions a whirlwind. He remembered all the moments shared with William, the good and the bad, and how he had always felt a special connection with him. But he also remembered the pain of hearing Chloe’s name leave William’s lips that night, the way he leaned into Ethan, searching for a trace of her, and the betrayal that had left a scar on his heart. “I don’t know, William,” Ethan said finally, his voice soft but firm. “I can’t promise you that I’ll believe you. That day you made it clear you’re very good at lying.” William looked at Ethan with a mix of nervousness, fear, and determination. “We can go to a quieter room to talk better. The music’s too loud,” he suggested, his voice barely audible over the noise of the party. Ethan nodded, though something inside him hesitated. However, his curiosity and the need to close that chapter pushed him to follow William up the stairs to the second floor of the house. They walked down a narrow hallway before stopping in front of a slightly open door. William gently pushed it open, revealing a small but cozy room. Inside, the party’s music was just a distant murmur, providing a much more intimate atmosphere for the conversation they were about to have. William closed the door behind them and turned to Ethan, his expression a reflection of the internal struggle he felt. “Will, why are we really here?” Ethan asked, crossing his arms defensively. “Why did you want to talk now?” William took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Ethan’s with an intensity that made him shiver. “I needed to explain to you, Ethan. I needed to tell you why I kissed you that time, and why it meant so much to me... even if it sounds like a lie.” Ethan kept his gaze fixed on William, his heart pounding. “Then talk,” he said, his voice trembling but steady. William took a step forward, the proximity between them increasing the tension in the air. “The first time I kissed you, yes, I did it thinking of Chloe. But the moment our lips touched, I knew there was something more. The way you kissed me, Ethan, was different from anything I’d ever felt before. More real, more authentic.” Ethan looked at him, his expression cautious as he processed every word. “And Chloe?” he asked, recalling the pain of hearing his ex-girlfriend’s name. “Chloe was important to me, but I realized I was holding on to an idealized image of what we had, of something that will never happen again,” William confessed. “When I kissed you, I realized that what I really wanted was to be with you, Ethan. It took me time to admit it, but in the end, it was you I wanted all along.” As William spoke, he slowly moved closer to Ethan, his hands rising to gently rest on Ethan’s waist. Ethan’s eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and contained emotion, but also with a lingering fear of being hurt again. In the hallway, just outside the room, Jake stood listening to the conversation, his heart heavy with the mix of emotions overwhelming him. He had followed Ethan and William on an impulse he couldn’t ignore, and now, the words he overheard left him on the verge of despair. Seeing William getting closer to Ethan, touching him with a familiarity Jake wished for himself, felt like a stab to the heart. Jealousy burned inside him, mixed with a deep sadness. He knew his love for Ethan was stronger than he had admitted, and seeing William about to kiss Ethan again was a painful reminder of his own position, of his cowardice for waiting for the “right” moment to confess his feelings. Jake couldn’t take it anymore. When he saw William lean in to kiss Ethan, he stepped back, feeling like the world around him was crumbling. He couldn’t stay there, watching a moment unfold that he desired more than anything. As he descended the stairs, the music and laughter from the party seemed muted compared to the turmoil in his chest. Before leaving the house, Karina stopped him, grabbing his wrist, noticing his disturbed expression. “Jake, are you leaving already? You and Ethan haven’t been here long,” Karina said, her tone worried. Jake forced a smile, trying to hide his true feelings. “Yeah... I think it’s better if I leave. I think the punch didn’t sit well, and I feel like I’m going to vomit.” Karina looked at him with understanding, though she didn’t know the real reason behind his departure. Jake wasn’t the best at lying. “Well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, okay? I’m glad you came.” “Thanks, Rina,” Jake replied before quickly exiting through the front door. The walk back to Ethan’s dorm was a blur for Jake. Every step felt heavier than the last, and his mind was a whirlwind of emotions. When he reached the dorm, he unconsciously collapsed onto Ethan’s bed, the place that offered him a small comfort amidst his anguish. Tears began to fall as he buried his face in Ethan’s pillow, allowing the sadness and frustration to flow freely. It was a bitter comfort, knowing that his feelings for Ethan were real but not reciprocated in the way he wished. Despite everything, Jake hoped Ethan would return, that he would see what he truly meant to him. With that thought, he fell asleep between tears, longing for a future where his love wouldn’t be a secret, but a shared reality.