Zain felt a rush of warmness at Theo’s words. The promise of togetherness belted around him like a gratifying sheild. Still, the tension in his chest wouldn’t fade entirely. “But what if it all crashes down? What if someone finds out?”
Theo shrugged, his expression remaining steady. “Then we deal with it when it happens. Right now, we’re just two friends having fun, right?”
Zain couldn’t help but smile at Theo’s carefree attitude. “Yeah, friends,” he echoed, the word tasting bittersweet on his tongue. He wanted so much more than friendship, but how could he risk everything for something that might not even be real?
As they stood side by side, the night air buzzed with unspoken words. Zain glanced at Theo, noticing the way the moonlight caught in his messy hair, framing him like some kind of celestial being. “You know, I’m really glad you came tonight,” Zain said softly, his heart racing.
Theo turned to him, the playful glint in his eyes softening. “Me too. It’s nice to break the monotony of fancy dinners and small talk.”
Zain chuckled, though the sound was laced with a hint of sadness. “Yeah, I’d take late-night study sessions over that any day.”
They lingered in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation settling in. Finally, Theo broke it. “You want to get out of here? We could grab some ice cream or something.”
Zain’s heart leapt at the suggestion. “Ice cream sounds perfect.”
As they stepped off the porch and made their way to Theo’s car, Zain couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was a turning point. They weren’t just navigating the charade anymore; they were forging something real, even if he was too scared to name it.
The drive was filled with easy banter, the tension between them easing as they exchanged stories and laughter. But as they pulled into the ice cream shop’s parking lot, Zain’s nerves returned. They’d be in public, and he couldn’t help but worry about what would happen if someone recognized them.
“Hey,” Theo said, catching Zain’s eye as they parked. “Just remember, we’re just friends hanging out, right?”
Zain nodded, trying to convince himself. “Right. Just friends.”
As they stepped inside, the bright colors and chatter of customers enveloped them. Zain felt a surge of excitement mingled with anxiety. He watched as Theo ordered, his easy charm drawing smiles from the staff. Zain marveled at how effortlessly Theo navigated the world around him.
When they received their cones, they found a quiet table outside. The cool evening air contrasted with the warmth of their ice cream, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. They chatted about school and their favorite flavors, but beneath the surface, Zain felt the tension building again.
“Can I ask you something?” Zain finally said, breaking through the lightheartedness.
“Of course,” Theo replied, his eyes curious.
“Do you ever think about what happens after this?” Zain asked, his voice quieter now. “I mean, what if we actually like… break up or something?”
Theo paused, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. “I guess I’ve thought about it. But right now, I’m just enjoying being with you. We can’t predict the future.”
Zain looked down at his melting ice cream, suddenly feeling vulnerable. “But what if I like you more than just as a friend? What if this is more than just a fake relationship for me?”
Theo’s gaze chilled, and for a moment, the world around them faded. “Zain, I—”
Just then, a group of their classmates walked by, laughter ringing out as they spotted Zain and Theo. Zain’s heart dropped as he remembered the facade they were maintaining. He forced a smile, waving awkwardly as they called out greetings, desperately trying to appear nonchalant.
As the group moved on, Zain turned back to Theo, who was watching him with an intensity that made Zain’s breath catch. “We can talk about this later,” Theo said, a hint of frustration in his tone.
“Yeah, okay,” Zain replied, his stomach twisting.
They finished their ice cream in silence.
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