Chapter 20
1116 Words
Festival of Hearts Part 2
The sun rose bright over campus, spilling golden light through the dorm windows. Ethan groaned, dragging himself out of bed. He could already hear distant music, the laughter of students, and the faint smell of cooking from the festival stalls.
“Today’s the big day,” Jamie murmured from his bed, eyes glued to his phone. “You’re about to survive the Festival of Hearts… or die from too much attention.”
Ethan rolled his eyes, though his stomach fluttered nervously. “I… I think I’m ready.”
Mark snorted. “Sure, sure. Ready to be adored by three men at once, your second-year stalker-replacement, and possibly half the campus? Good luck with that.”
Ethan groaned again. “Stop saying it like that.”
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The festival grounds were already buzzing with activity when Ethan arrived. Stalls lined the central courtyard, each decorated with colorful banners, flowers, and balloons. Students in elaborate costumes waved to passersby, food scents wafted through the air, and the faint hum of live music set a festive rhythm.
Ethan barely had time to soak it in before Adrian appeared beside him, holding a clipboard with a serene, controlled expression.
“Good morning,” Adrian said softly, handing him a small cup of tea. “Drink this. You’ll need it.”
Ethan blinked, startled. “Uh… thanks.”
Before he could respond further, Leo barreled into view, waving a stack of flyers. “E! We need to put these up. Move your butt!”
Kai lounged against a nearby table, smirking as always. “Don’t forget we have costume adjustments later. You might need me to help you.”
Ethan’s heart lurched. Three sets of eyes on him, all different, all intense, all… devastatingly magnetic. He swallowed nervously.
---
The festival began with a flurry of activity. Ethan found himself pulled in three directions at once:
Adrian calmly directing volunteers, occasionally handing Ethan a roll of tape or a banner, his fingers brushing Ethan’s just long enough to make him flinch.
Leo dramatically carrying heavy boxes, insisting Ethan “cannot possibly lift that alone,” grinning whenever Ethan’s protest made him stumble.
Kai subtly guiding Ethan through intricate decorations, leaning close enough that Ethan could feel his warm breath against his ear.
Each touch, glance, or whispered comment made Ethan’s chest tighten. He tried to ignore it. Failed miserably.
At one point, a misbehaving balloon slipped from Ethan’s grasp. Leo dove to catch it, nearly colliding with Kai, who had stepped in from the opposite side. Adrian’s hand steadied Ethan’s shoulder as he laughed softly.
“I think you’re enjoying this more than you’re admitting,” Adrian murmured.
Ethan blinked. “I’m… I’m not!”
Leo smirked from the corner of his eye. “Sure you’re not, E. Your face says otherwise.”
Kai leaned in, voice low and teasing: “Admit it… you like the attention.”
Ethan groaned, hiding behind a stack of banners.
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Ethan was assigned to help with fittings, which turned out to be a chaotic combination of fabric, glitter, and stubborn students.
Leo insisted Ethan model the first costume, strutting around the hall dramatically. “Look at you! Perfect!”
Kai rolled his eyes. “Stop showing off. Let him try it properly.”
Adrian quietly adjusted the costume on Ethan, smoothing fabric over his shoulders. His hands lingered slightly longer than necessary, and Ethan’s chest fluttered uncontrollably.
“E… are you okay?” Adrian asked, reading his expression.
“I… I’m fine,” Ethan muttered, though his face betrayed him.
The three boys bickered openly, Leo trying to hold Ethan in place for photos, Kai whispering corrections, and Adrian quietly judging everyone’s chaos. It was maddening. And somehow… intoxicating.
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By afternoon, the group moved to the food stalls. Ethan’s task was to assist with a cultural cuisine booth — which meant chopping, stirring, and taste-testing.
Leo hovered like a hawk, ensuring Ethan sampled everything first. “You must taste the sauce! It’s life-threatening if you don’t.”
Kai, ever the show-off, demonstrated fancy chopping techniques. Ethan’s fingers brushed Kai’s several times. Each time, his heart jumped.
Adrian quietly prepared a tray of snacks, slipping one into Ethan’s hand with a soft, approving smile. “Eat this. You’ll need energy for the evening events.”
Ethan’s heart felt like it might burst. Three different men, three different touches, three different types of attention — and he couldn’t handle it.
Jamie and Mark appeared at the edge of the stall, whispering like commentators.
“Look at him, bro. His face is melting,” Jamie whispered.
“No kidding. Three knights-in-shining-armor, and he’s just… helpless,” Mark replied, smirking.
Ethan groaned into his hands.
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As the day wore on, the rivalry intensified:
Leo insisted Ethan sit by him at the booth, even pretending to “teach” him how to handle customers.
Kai tried to sneak Ethan to adjust decorations for maximum effect, leaning close enough to whisper teasing remarks.
Adrian, calmly controlling the chaos, occasionally stole Ethan away for a quiet chat or a hand on his shoulder — just enough to make Ethan’s stomach flutter.
At one point, Leo and Kai collided mid-argument, both reaching for Ethan’s arm. Ethan jumped back, heart racing, while Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated.
“You two are impossible,” Adrian muttered, though he didn’t stop Ethan from smiling nervously as he looked between them.
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Night fell, and the festival transformed: fairy lights twinkled, lanterns glowed, and music pulsed through the courtyard. Ethan’s cheeks burned as he watched:
Leo daring him to play a carnival game, teasing when he failed spectacularly.
Kai insisting he could “show him the right way,” standing dangerously close.
Adrian quietly handing him a warm drink, watching him with soft, steady eyes.
Ethan felt dizzy with attention. He realized something terrifying: he wasn’t just enjoying it. He wanted it. All of it.
Even Jamie and Mark noticed.
“Uh… he’s totally doomed,” Jamie whispered.
“No kidding,” Mark smirked. “Heart stolen by three men simultaneously.”
Ethan groaned, hiding behind his cup.
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As fireworks lit the night sky, Ethan stood with the three rivals by his side:
Adrian, calm and protective, always steady.
Leo, loud and teasing, making him laugh until his stomach hurt.
Kai, dangerous and intimate, sending shivers down his spine with a single glance.
Ethan’s heart raced uncontrollably. He had no idea how to navigate the feelings building inside him, but one thing was certain:
He was falling. For all three.
And he didn’t know how, or if he even wanted to stop.
- Writer
