As the sun started to set, Theo offered to drive Zain home. The ride back was quieter, but not uncomfortable. Zain leaned his head against the window, watching as the sky turned orange and purple. Theo’s humming returned, soft and low, and Zain closed his eyes, letting it calm the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.
When they pulled up to Zain’s house, Theo lingered for a second. “Hey,” he said, just as Zain grabbed his backpack. “If you ever want to… talk about stuff. You know, for real. I’m here.”
Zain felt his throat tighten, but he nodded. “I know. Thanks.”
Theo’s smile was faint, but there. “See you tomorrow.”
Zain watched him drive away, the soft rumble of the car fading into the distance. Standing alone in the driveway, Zain let out a long breath and smiled to himself.
Maybe things wouldn’t be so complicated after all.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhlnxp5Q2S
The next morning felt different. Lighter, maybe. Zain woke up with his phone already in his hand, staring at the last night's text from Theo. It wasn’t anything dramatic, just a simple "Night, Zain," but it had stuck with him in a way he couldn’t shake. He rolled onto his back, letting the glow of the screen fade as he stared at the ceiling, the soft buzz of his thoughts drifting between nervous excitement and something else he didn’t quite have a name for.
By the time he made it to school, the halls were buzzing with the usual chatter, lockers slamming shut and footsteps echoing against tile. Zain dodged through the crowd, eyes scanning without really thinking about it. Until he spotted Theo by his locker. He was leaning casually against the metal, one foot propped up and phone in hand. Zain almost turned the other way, but Theo looked up just as he hesitated.
“Hey!” Theo’s face lit up instantly, and he tucked his phone away like it didn’t matter. “You’re early.”
Zain shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Could say the same to you.”
Theo chuckled, and just like that, they fell into step side by side, walking toward their first class. The space between them felt easy, like the kind of silence that didn’t need filling. Every now and then, Theo would bump his shoulder lightly into Zain’s, and Zain would roll his eyes, but he couldn’t stop the way his heart kept racing.
At lunch, their usual table was packed, but Theo nudged Zain’s arm. “Let’s sit outside. It’s nice out.”
They ended up on the steps leading out to the soccer field, trays balanced on their laps as they watched a few kids kick a ball around. The breeze tugged at Zain’s hair, and he kept glancing sideways at Theo, wondering if it was obvious how jittery he felt.
“So,” Theo started, after a stretch of quiet, “what do you think about going to that fair this weekend? Ryan’s been talking about it non-stop.”
Zain laughed softly. “Yeah, I heard. He’s acting like it’s the event of the year.”
“Well, it could be fun. You wanna come with me?” Theo’s voice was casual, but Zain caught the way his thumb traced circles against the edge of his tray.
“Just us?” Zain asked, his gaze flicking toward Theo, trying not to sound too hopeful.
Theo smirked. “If you want it to be.”
Zain could feel the heat rising to his face, but he nodded. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
The rest of lunch passed in a blur, and by the time the final bell rang, Zain felt like he was floating. Theo caught up to him at his locker, leaning against the one beside it like he belonged there.
“Need a ride?” Theo asked, twirling his keys around his finger.
“Sure,” Zain said, his smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
The drive felt just like the night before quiet, but not in a bad way. Zain rested his head against the window, watching the world blur by as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Theo’s humming returned, soft and steady, and Zain closed his eyes, feeling like maybe, just maybe, everything was falling into place.
When they pulled up to Zain’s house, Theo didn’t turn off the engine right away. He looked over, his eyes catching the last light of day. “Hey,” he said, a little softer than usual. “About this weekend… I’m glad you’re coming. I think it’ll be fun.”
Zain met his gaze, his heart doing that annoying fluttery thing again. “Me too.”
Theo’s smile was small but genuine, and as Zain stepped out of the car, he realized something he wasn’t scared anymore. Not really. Whatever this thing was between them, it felt right.
And maybe it was enough.
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