《Sugarcoated bubble》


 Prologue: The sweet lie

    "They can''t hurt you if you don''t let them." A familiar refrain, a soothing mantra whispered in hushed tones, perhaps heard countless times - a shield against the sharp edges of the world. But was it true? Or just a comforting illusion, a fragile bubble waiting to burst?


    There was no way of knowing. Maybe it was just a well-intentioned lie, a life preserver thrown to the drowning. In a world full of jagged edges and bitter truths, perhaps a sweet deception was the only way to stay afloat.


    Just like him. He, the boy who carefully curated an image of sweetness, a confection of smiles and charming words laced with a subtle, poisonous undercurrent. It was a carefully crafted facade, a shield against prying eyes and probing questions¡ªa way of keeping the world at arm''s length, avoiding the painful sting of vulnerability.


    He was a master illusionist, a puppeteer of his own emotions, skillfully manipulating the strings of his carefully constructed persona. A charming smile here, a witty remark there, all designed to distract from the darkness lurking beneath the surface.


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    But even the most elaborate disguises have their cracks, and his was no exception. Beneath the saccharine veneer was a hint of bitterness, a flicker of pain in his eyes that betrayed the carefully constructed illusion. It was a fleeting glimpse, a momentary lapse in the carefully choreographed performance. But it was enough to raise questions, to plant seeds of doubt in the minds of those who dared to look too closely.


    Was it a conscious choice, this masquerade of sweetness? A deliberate act of self-preservation? Or was it simply a coping mechanism, a way to shield himself from the harsh realities of a world that had taught him to be wary of true connection?


    He couldn''t say for sure. Perhaps it was a bit of both - a complex tapestry woven from threads of fear, pain, and a desperate longing for acceptance. Whatever the reason, the result was the same: a boy wrapped in a sweet deception, a master of disguise hiding his true self behind a mask of sugary poison.

 Chapter1: The boy who everyone loved

    To start this, he had to go back in time, to when he was a child. No, not a child - a toddler. He was a cute baby with sparkling eyes. Everyone loved him. At least, in his mind, he thought everyone loved him. He was a toddler; why would anyone hate him?


    But sometimes, being a baby is not a good enough reason to be loved. Sparkling eyes - no. A cute giggle - no. Little hands reaching out - no.


    He remembered the soft blankets in his crib, the smell of baby powder. He could almost hear the sound of his own babbling, trying out sounds that weren''t quite words yet. The world seemed big and bright, full of colours and new things to touch.


    But mixed in with these warm memories were colder ones. A door slamming shut. Angry voices from the next room. Long hours alone in his playpen, wondering why no one came when he cried.


    He thought about the photos in the family album. His chubby face grinning at the camera, unaware of the tension behind the smiles of the adults around him. Was there love in those eyes looking down at him? Or just duty, or maybe even regret?


    Being small and helpless didn''t guarantee love. Some babies are born into warmth and affection. Others arrive in homes already full of problems, where a new life is more burden than joy.


    He wondered how those early days shaped him. Did he still carry that need for approval, that fear of being left alone? Maybe understanding his start could help him make sense of where he ended up.


    He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The past was supposed to stay in the past, wasn''t it? His relatives were far away now. They couldn''t bother him anymore. At least, that''s what he kept telling himself, even as he felt that familiar knot in his stomach.


    And his high school classmate... He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the memories that threatened to surface. They shouldn''t still haunt him, not after all this time. But some ghosts are harder to exorcise than others.


    "We were good friends at first," he murmured to the empty room. "Then something... changed."


    What was it? He''d replayed those days in his mind countless times, searching for the moment it all went wrong. People might wonder about the fallout, but he was just as clueless. It was a riddle without an answer, a loose thread he couldn''t stop pulling at.


    "Why?" The question hung in the air, unanswered as always. It was just another piece of his complicated history, another reason to keep people at arm''s length.


    He sighed, pushing the thoughts away. It was easier to smile and charm his way through life than to dwell on questions he''d never resolve. But in quiet moments like this, he couldn''t help but wonder how things might have been different if he''d understood what went wrong back then.


    Now, it¡¯s no time to think about all that, He need to focus on the future that was lie ahead, the university life that he was waiting for for a very long time, new friends, new environment, new memory


    He grabbed his bag and hauled himself out of the apartment, the door creaking a farewell. The elevator was out again, a familiar inconvenience, and he started the long trek down from the 7th floor. His footsteps echoed in the dimly lit stairwell, a lonely beat punctuated by the rhythmic flicker of old lights.


    The stairs were a worn path, each chip and crack a testament to the building''s age and neglect. Paint peeled off the walls like shed skin, and the air hung heavy with the scent of dust and stale dreams. But he didn''t dwell on the apartment''s flaws. It was a roof over his head, a place to rest his weary body and escape the relentless hum of the city below.


    "Good morning," a warm voice chirped. An elderly woman stood at the bus stop, her eyes twinkling with kindness.


    "Good morning," he replied, offering a practised smile. It was a mask he wore well, a shield against the world''s harsh judgments.


    "Are you a student? You look young," she inquired, her smile widening as she held out a candy wrapped in shimmering gold foil.


    "Yes, ma''am. I study at P University," he answered, tucking the candy into his pocket.


    "What do you study? I hear they have a fine medical program," she probed, her curiosity piqued.


    "Music," he replied simply. As expected, a flicker of pity crossed her face.


    "Such a shame. Why music? You don''t need a degree for that, do you?"


    Here it was again, the familiar sting of disapproval. He forced a gentle smile. "It''s what I love."


    "A useless thing to love," she tutted. "No one will hire..."


    "I believe that''s none of your business, ma''am. Have a good day." He cut her off, stepping onto the arriving bus, leaving her sputtering in his wake.


    He made his way to an empty seat at the back of the bus, settling beside a woman with vibrant blue hair who wore a P University jacket. Plugging in his earphones, he turned to his music, a familiar refuge from the world''s prying eyes.


    A gentle poke interrupted his reverie. The woman beside him, her green eyes sparkling like moss after a rain shower, leaned closer. "Sorry to bother you, but are you a P student too?" she asked, her smile warm and inviting.


    "Yes," he replied, a guarded curiosity flickering in his own eyes.


    "Awesome! Me too! What''s your major?"


    The question hung in the air, a familiar trigger. Why did everyone ask about his major, only to shower him with pity or disdain when he answered?


    "Music," he offered, his smile a carefully constructed mask.


    "I''m a literature major," she chirped, her smile widening. "Music is so cool!"


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    He blinked, momentarily stunned. Was she sincere, or was this just another act of empty flattery? He searched her eyes for a hint of mockery, but found only genuine enthusiasm.


    "Want to go in together?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness. "I don''t really know anyone yet."


    "Sure," he replied, offering a genuine smile this time. It felt strange, unfamiliar, to let his guard down, even just a little.


    "I''m Mila," she introduced herself, extending a hand.


    "Enzo," he responded, taking her hand in a firm shake.


    As the bus rumbled through the city streets, a comfortable rhythm settled between them. They chatted about favourite books, music that moved them, and the shared nervousness of starting a new chapter in their lives at P University. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and shared glances. Enzo found himself relaxing, the mask of indifference slipping away, replaced by genuine curiosity and a flicker of excitement.


    Finally, the bus pulled up to the grand entrance of P University. The sprawling campus, with its stately buildings and lush greenery, bustled with students from all walks of life. It was a vibrant, energetic scene that filled Enzo with a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the place where he could shed the weight of his past and embrace a brighter future.


    "Let''s go!" Mila''s enthusiasm was infectious as she led him through the grand archway and onto campus.


    A sea of upperclassmen lined the main walkway, shouting out their majors and trying to recruit new members for their clubs. The cacophony of voices disoriented him. He scanned the crowd for a familiar sign, a banner for the music department, but it was lost in the chaos. The sheer number of people, the overwhelming noise, made him dizzy.


    Suddenly, a warm touch on his hand jolted him back to the present. Mila''s hand was in his, her fingers intertwined with his own. The unexpected gesture sent a jolt of warmth through him, a feeling he couldn''t quite place. It was a simple act, yet it held a power that surprised him.


    He''d experienced fleeting touches before, brushes of skin and stolen glances. But this felt different. It was a deliberate connection, a silent declaration of companionship. For the first time in a long time, he felt seen, acknowledged, not just as a charming stranger, but as a person worthy of genuine connection


    "Ah, sorry," Mila apologised with a sheepish grin. "I thought you might get lost."


    "Thank you," he replied, tightening his grip on her hand slightly. The warmth of her touch was comforting in the midst of the chaos.


    "Let''s find your major first," Mila suggested, leading him through the crowd of students.


    They circled the main square, but the music department remained hidden from view. As they rounded the corner of a stately brick building, a group of students in ripped jeans and band T-shirts caught his eye. Some were strumming guitars, others tapping out rhythms on drum pads. Some looked like they''d just stepped out of a rock band poster, while others exuded an air of effortless wealth.


    "Freshman music majors?" one of them called out, spotting Enzo and Mila.


    "Yes," Enzo replied, his smile a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.


    "Name?"


    "Enzo Everhart." He watched as they rummaged through a pile of welcome packs.


    "And the girl? What''s your name?"


    "Oh, I''m not in music," Mila explained with a wave. "Just a friend." A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she glanced at Enzo.


    "Couple?" another student chimed in, a playful grin on her face.


    "No, no," Mila quickly clarified, her blush deepening. "Just friends."


    "Here you go," a senior said, handing Enzo a box filled with a t-shirt, a notebook, and various knick-knacks.


    "Thank you," Enzo replied, a genuine smile gracing his lips. He turned to Mila. "Don''t you need to find your major too?"


    Mila''s face flushed a deep crimson. "Ah, yeah, I should probably get going." She hesitated, then blurted out, "Can I get your number?"


    Enzo recognized the look in her eyes, a mix of shyness and hopeful anticipation. He''d seen it once before, in the eyes of his high school crush. A pang of guilt mixed with intrigue surged through him. Could this be a chance to break free from his cycle of isolation and guarded emotions?


    "Of course," Enzo said, taking her phone and typing in his number.


    "Thanks! See you around," Mila waved as she hurried towards the literature department, leaving Enzo with a flutter of anticipation in his chest.


    He turned to face the music seniors, who had been observing the exchange with amusement.


    "Must be nice, huh?" the one with the green hair quipped.


    "What''s nice?" Enzo asked, feigning ignorance.


    "Getting a girl''s number on your first day of school," the senior sighed wistfully. "When I started, I didn''t even have any friends." He chuckled, shaking his head.


    "Well, welcome to the music department, Enzo," he said with a warm smile. "I''m sure you''ll have a lot of fun here."


    "Thank you," Enzo said with a smile, turning to leave. As he stepped away, he bumped into a figure rushing in the opposite direction.


    "Oh, I''m sorry, I wasn''t watching where I was going," Enzo apologised, offering his most charming smile.


    "It''s okay," the man replied, his blond hair catching the sunlight as he flashed a brief smile before hurrying towards the music department. A sheen of sweat glistened on his face, as if he''d been running.


    Enzo continued on, box in hand, searching for a place to sit. But the campus was teeming with students, and every bench was occupied. He wandered aimlessly until he stumbled upon a secluded bench near the campus pond.


    Taking a seat, he pulled out his phone and saw a message pop up on the screen:


    "It''s me, Mila. Are you done with your major stuff yet?"


    A smile tugged at the corner of Enzo''s lips. "Yes," he typed back, feeling a warmth spread through him. Perhaps this new chapter wouldn''t be so lonely after all.


    "Want to grab some food?" Mila''s message popped up on the screen.


    Enzo chuckled to himself. Why does she always seem to know what I''m thinking? he wondered, a hint of amusement in his eyes.


    "Sounds good," Enzo replied, a genuine smile warming his face. "Meet you out front?"


    He retraced his steps towards the main entrance, weaving through the throng of eager club recruiters. It took a considerable amount of polite refusals and apologetic smiles before he finally emerged onto the quad. He spotted Mila''s vibrant blue hair near the fountain and made his way towards her.


    "Sorry about that," he apologised as he reached her side. "I got a bit sidetracked."


    Mila flashed him a bright smile. "No worries. Club recruiters can be pretty intense."


    They exited the campus together, the energy and excitement of their new surroundings buzzing in the air. As they boarded the bus, they settled into a familiar rhythm, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they discussed their first impressions of P University and their hopes for the coming semester.

 Chapter2: The more you win

    Love at first sight? A fairy tale, a myth. At least, that''s what Enzo had always believed. He was a sceptic, a realist, a man who viewed the world through a lens of guarded cynicism. But then Mila happened.


    In the week following their first encounter, they found themselves drawn to each other like magnets. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, their laughter intertwined, and their shared interests seemed endless. It was as if they were two puzzle pieces, perfectly interlocking to form a complete picture.


    Enzo''s heart, usually shielded by layers of indifference, was pounding a relentless rhythm. He''d experienced attraction before, but this was different. It was swift, intense, almost overwhelming. He was falling, and falling fast.


    It was absurd, really. The man who prided himself on his emotional armour had let down his guard, allowing Mila to waltz right through his carefully constructed defences. But how could he resist? Her smile was pure sunshine, her laughter a melody that danced in his ears. Her blue hair, a vibrant splash of colour against the mundane backdrop of his life, mesmerised him. Her every glance, every touch, sent a shiver down his spine, a tingling sensation that ignited a warmth deep within his soul.


    "Want to catch a movie tomorrow?" Mila asked, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink.


    Enzo''s heart skipped a beat. "Sounds nice," he replied, his smile mirroring her own.


    This was new, exciting, and utterly terrifying. But it was also strangely exhilarating. The cynical part of him scoffed at the idea of love at first sight, but the rest of him was too caught up in the whirlwind of emotions to care. He was falling, and for the first time in a long time, he didn''t want to resist.


    As they walked side-by-side, the afternoon sun bathed Mila''s hair in a golden glow. He watched, mesmerised, as she tucked a stray strand behind her ear, the sunlight dancing across her fingertips. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still.


    Enzo''s mind raced. He yearned to move forward, to embrace this newfound connection, but the shadows of his past clung to him like shackles. It was a constant tug-of-war, a battle between hope and fear.


    Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket. An unknown number flashed on the screen. He hesitated, a wave of anxiety washing over him. Was it someone from his past, a ghost from a life he desperately wanted to forget?


    "Hello?" he answered cautiously.


    "Is this Enzo?" a smooth, deep voice inquired.


    "Who''s this?" Enzo''s brow furrowed.


    Mila gently touched his arm, her eyes urging him to remain calm. He flinched, startled by the unexpected contact. He was unaccustomed to such gentle gestures, to the warmth of human touch. It was a stark contrast to the cold, sterile existence he''d built for himself.


    "Ah, it''s your senior from the first day... the dude with green hair?" the man said, a hint of recognition in his voice.


    Enzo let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, I remember."


    "I heard you haven''t joined any clubs yet," the senior continued. "Interested in joining ours?"


    Enzo glanced at Mila, a silent question in his eyes. "Can we talk about this on Monday?" he asked the senior. "I''ll call you later."


    "Yeah, sure, bud," the senior replied before hanging up.


    "What did he say?" Mila asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "Oh, he was asking about clubs," Enzo explained, flashing a smile that masked his inner turmoil. Was it a genuine smile, or another practised facade? Even he couldn''t tell anymore.


    "Alright then, I''ll see you tomorrow," Mila said, her smile lingering in the air like a sweet perfume. "Be handsome, okay?"


    Her playful remark left a tingling warmth in Enzo''s chest. He watched her walk away, her blue hair bobbing in the sunlight, a sense of anticipation bubbling within him. Tomorrow couldn''t come soon enough


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    He threw himself onto the familiar bed, his mind swirling with unfamiliar emotions. It was good, wasn''t it? This feeling of finding someone lovable, someone who sparked something warm and genuine inside him. Unlike his experience in high school, this didn''t feel forbidden or shameful.


    Enzo stared at the ceiling, a small smile playing on his lips. With Mila, he didn''t fear becoming a laughingstock. This connection felt real, untainted by the cruel judgments of others. It was a stark contrast to the painful memories of his past, where vulnerability had led to ridicule.


    He allowed himself a moment of hope. Maybe this time would be different. Maybe with Mila, he could lower his guard without fear of getting hurt. The thought both thrilled and terrified him, but for once, the excitement outweighed the fear.


    As sleep began to claim him, Enzo''s last thoughts were of Mila''s smile and the promise of tomorrow''s movie date. For the first time in years, he looked forward to what the future might bring.


    The next day, Enzo''s heart quickened as he saw Mila''s message on his phone. Time and place confirmed. He wasn''t about to be late for this date.


    Today, his routine held a new significance. He spritzed on a touch of cologne, ran a hand through his wavy black hair, ensuring it fell just right, and slipped on his favorite jacket, the soft leather a familiar comfort. As he looked in the mirror, he saw a hint of excitement in his own eyes.


    With a deep breath, he stepped out the door. No more hiding behind his carefully constructed walls. Today, he was stepping towards something new, something hopeful.


    The city bustled around him, but his focus was solely on the meeting point. As he approached, Mila''s voice cut through the noise. "Hey!" she called, her voice brimming with joy.


    She was a vision in pigtails and a sun-yellow dress, her smile as radiant as ever. It tugged at his own lips, chasing away the lingering shadows of his past.


    "Hi," he responded, his voice a little rough around the edges. Mila''s presence had a way of both calming and electrifying him.


    He closed the distance between them, drawn in by her infectious energy. With every step, the doubts and worries that had plagued him seemed to fade. In their place bloomed a sense of anticipation, a hope that this day might mark the beginning of something truly special.


    The movie turned out to be engaging enough to draw Enzo''s attention. In the dimly lit theatre, their date unfolded like a scene from a romantic novel. Their hands brushed as they both reached for popcorn, a clich¨¦ moment that Enzo might have once scoffed at.


    But now, sitting next to Mila, he found he didn''t mind the cheesy romance. The accidental touch sent a small thrill through him, and he caught himself smiling in the darkness. It was lame, sure, but who cared? Certainly not Enzo, not anymore.


    He stole a glance at Mila, her face illuminated by the flickering light of the screen. Her expression was rapt, fully absorbed in the film. Enzo felt a warmth spreading in his chest, a contentment he hadn''t experienced in a long time.


    As the movie played on, Enzo relaxed into his seat, allowing himself to enjoy both the film and the company. The cynical voice in his head was quiet for once, drowned out by the simple pleasure of sharing this moment with Mila.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Enzo and Mila found themselves in a scene that could have been plucked from a romance movie. They walked past a garden that, in the soft evening light, looked like a painting come to life. It was just an ordinary garden, really, but something about the moment made it seem magical.


    "You know, I''ve been thinking..." Mila started, gently taking Enzo''s hand and guiding him to a nearby bench.


    "I think you''re really handsome, and you look even more attractive when you''re looking at me," Mila said with a smile.


    Enzo''s heart skipped a beat. This was the moment of confession he''d imagined, but Mila had beaten him to it. He felt a mix of surprise and delight.


    "I know it might be too soon for us, but I don''t care," she continued, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "I like everything you do for me. I''ve never met someone who smiles at me the way you do."


    "Well, I..." Enzo began, but words failed him. His face felt hot, his heart racing. This moment was special, beyond anything he could have anticipated. He was overwhelmed with happiness, rendered speechless by the intensity of his emotions.


    As he sat there, looking at Mila''s hopeful face, Enzo realised that sometimes, the most powerful responses don''t need words. His smile, genuine and warm, said everything his voice couldn''t manage at that moment.


    Mila leaned in, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. Enzo held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. It was a moment of unspoken understanding, a shared desire for something more.


    Their lips met, a spark igniting in the cool evening air. Her lips were soft as rose petals, a whisper of strawberry sweetness that sent warmth radiating through him. It was a kiss that melted away the last vestiges of his carefully constructed defences, leaving him exposed and vulnerable in the most exquisite way.


    But just as quickly as it started, it ended. Mila pulled away, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Not here," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "Let''s save that for somewhere more private."


    Reaching out, he gently cupped her face in his hands, his fingers tracing the delicate line of her jaw. He leaned in for another taste, another spark to ignite the fire within him

 Chapter3: The more you lose

    A wise man once said, "Penny wise, pound foolish," and yet, there he sat, bathed in the cold glow of his phone, a prisoner of his own making. He hadn''t lost money, not a single dime, but with each swipe and scroll, he felt something intangible slipping away. It wasn''t a gamble he''d taken, but a slow erosion of his spirit, a gradual fading of the vibrant colours of his life into the monochrome world of the screen. The silence of his room felt heavy, punctuated only by the hollow pings of notifications, each one a reminder of his growing isolation. He was losing himself, one pixel at a time.


    Wondering why? Well, it all started about two weeks ago, after Enzo and Mila had been together for five months. It was pure bliss, a happiness he hadn''t felt in ages. They were a perfect match, their connection effortless and joyful. But then, slowly, the spark began to fade. He couldn''t pinpoint when or why, but it became obvious after he had joined the band club led by the green-haired senior


    It was a tight-knit group of musicians, and Enzo, the youngest composer, quickly found his place. His talent was undeniable, his melodies resonating with the other members. He was good, really good, and he fit right in. But something else was brewing beneath the surface.


    "You''ve been acting weird lately," Mila said, her voice tinged with annoyance.


    "How so?" Enzo replied, kissing her cheek lightly as he placed a stack of papers on the club room''s meeting table.


    "Stop doing that! People are around" Mila shouted, her voice echoing through the room and drawing the attention of the other members.


    "Okay, okay, I won''t do it again," Enzo said with a conciliatory smile, fully aware of her displeasure.


    Mila scanned the room, her eyes searching for something unseen. The girl who was once so vibrant and full of life still shone, but a shadow had fallen over her. Lately, Enzo felt like a stranger in her world, locked out of her thoughts and feelings. She seemed closed off, distant, as if trying to avoid him altogether.


    The club room door opened, and a tall, athletic figure appeared in the doorway. Blonde hair caught the light as he stepped inside, his presence immediately drawing attention. He stood a bit taller than Enzo, who was now standing near the meeting desk. The newcomer''s most striking feature became apparent as he approached ¨C his eyes.


    The right one was a warm brown, while the left was a vibrant green. This heterochromia gave him a unique, almost mesmerising look. Mila, who had been searching around the room, suddenly stopped and stared at the new arrival. Her eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and something else Enzo couldn''t quite place flickering across her face.


    "Ah, babe, why are you so cute today?" Mila clung to him, pressing a kiss to his lips.


    Enzo was stunned. Hadn''t she just scolded him for showing affection in front of others? His confusion deepened.


    "Didn''t you just tell me that people are around?" he asked, gently pulling her back.


    "When did I say that, babe? You''re so funny," Mila replied with a smile. But it wasn''t the genuine smile Enzo knew so well. It was a forced smile, a performance for the audience.


    The other club members began to glance their way, their whispers like buzzing flies. Enzo felt increasingly disoriented, the room spinning around him. What was going on?


    "Tonight, do you want to come over?" Mila whispered, her voice carrying just loud enough for those around them, including the blonde dude, to hear. "We haven''t done that in a while."


    "What are you talking about? Keep it down," Enzo hissed, gently placing his hand over her mouth.


    "You know I can''t come tonight, I have to finish this song before the weekend," Enzo sighed. While the thought of spending the night at her place was tempting, the situation was too awkward to ignore.


    "Too bad. Guess I''ll have to sleep alone again," Mila pouted, her gaze shifting from Enzo to the man standing nearby.


    Enzo''s heart sank. Why did Mila have to make her intentions so obvious, flirting with another man right in front of him?


    "You know what, maybe this song can wait. Maybe we should get going now," Enzo said, trying to suppress his anger as he grabbed her wrist.


    As he stood up, the blonde man remained perched on the meeting table, his mismatched eyes fixed on Enzo with an infuriatingly smug expression. It was enough to make Enzo''s blood boil.


    He walked out of the room, pulling Mila along. But she dug in her heels, resisting his grip.


    "Why are you acting like this?" Mila yanked her hand free.


    "No, you''re the one acting weird!" Enzo retorted, burying his face in his hands in frustration.


    "What are you talking about? You''re the one being weird," Mila frowned.


    Enzo frowned back, utterly perplexed. What did she mean, he was acting weird? It was glaringly obvious that she was the one flirting with another man, right in front of him. What did she mean by him being strange?


    "Forget it, I''m going home," Enzo sighed, his gaze locked on Mila''s face.


    "Home?" she scoffed, a cruel laugh escaping her lips. "You call that rat hole a home?"


    Enzo''s heart sank as he looked at her, a stranger standing in the place of the woman he loved. Her words pierced him like daggers, each one twisting deeper into his soul. This was the woman who had always told him his personal life didn''t matter to her, that she didn''t care about material things. Yet, here she was, mocking his living situation with amusement dancing in her eyes.


    Enzo forced a smile, the kind he hadn''t worn in five long months. It was a grimace of pain, a mask to hide the pain in his chest. He''d never thought he''d feel this kind of heartbreak again.


    He turned and went back to his apartment, the one she had so heartlessly abandoned. The framed photograph of them on his bedside table mocked him, her smile a stark contrast to the cruel grin she''d just given him. The memory of their laughter, once a melody to his ears, now felt like a bitter taste on his tongue.


    Back in the present, Enzo sat in his small apartment, which Mila had mockingly called a "rat hole". He was working on his new song, the melody flowing from him like an emotional release. His phone buzzed with a notification appearing on the screen. For a moment he hoped it was Mila. It had been two weeks since their last conversation, when she had asked for space, saying she needed time to think. Think about what, exactly? He had no idea


    He picked up the phone, but it wasn''t Mila. It was the green-haired senior from the band club. There was no message, just a picture.


    The image was slightly blurred, the dim club lighting obscuring some details, but Enzo could still make out the essential elements. Through the haze of bodies and pulsating lights, Mila''s eyes stood out, sparkling with an intensity he hadn''t seen in weeks.


    Those eyes, once fixed on him with warmth and affection, now shone with a different kind of joy. Enzo found himself looking intently, trying to find the source of that sparkle. The more he looked, the more he wondered: Was it the excitement of a night out with friends that lit up her eyes? Or was it the taste of the man''s lip she was kissing?


    The sight hit Enzo like a punch to the gut. He stared at the screen, a mix of confusion, hurt, and anger swirling inside him. The joy he''d felt with Mila for the whole time now seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a sharp, bitter pain.


    Another buzz vibrated through the phone.


    "Sorry, man, I was just at the club with some of the guys from the band and saw her."


    "Don''t blame yourself, it''s not your fault."


    Enzo read the messages, staring at the picture. He knew the senior cared, was grateful for the heads-up, but a surge of anger bubbled up inside him. Why did he have to know this? Wouldn''t it be better to remain ignorant, to turn a blind eye and pretend everything was okay with Mila?


    "Not this again," Enzo choked out, his vision blurring with tears. The sobs ripped through him, a wave of grief crashing over him with unexpected force.


    Was it really his fault? Had he been too consumed by the band lately? Had he become boring, neglectful? Was it because his apartment wasn''t grand enough, or was there something inherently wrong with him? The questions swirled in his mind, a hurricane of self-doubt and despair.


    He sat there, lost in the torment of his thoughts, until the morning light filtered through the curtains. His face was puffy, eyes swollen, and his mouth felt as dry as the desert. He stared at his phone, hoping the senior would send another message saying he had mistaken Mila for someone else. But there was nothing.


    He opened his contacts, scrolling until he found Mila''s name. The last message he''d sent her was a simple "I love you," left unread. He stared at it for a long moment, then dialled her number. The phone rang and rang, but she didn''t pick up. With a heavy sigh, he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, towards her place.


    He knocked on the door, trying to keep his composure. After a moment, the door opened to reveal a man Enzo had never seen before. The stranger looked young and had a friendly smile. For a brief, hopeful moment, Enzo wondered if this might be Mila''s brother. But he quickly dismissed the idea - Mila was an only child and lived alone. So who was this man?


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    "Hello? Who are you?" the stranger asked, his tone curious but not unfriendly.


    Enzo felt a lump form in his throat. Despite the turmoil inside him, he managed to keep his voice steady as he replied, "I''m Enzo, Mila''s boyfriend."


    The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Enzo studied the man''s face, looking for any sign of recognition or surprise. His heart raced as he waited for an answer, fearing what it might reveal about his relationship with Mila and the true nature of the photo he''d seen.


    The silence stretched on, tense and uncomfortable, as Enzo struggled with the growing realisation that his world might be about to shatter.


    "Cool, want to come in?" the man said, stepping aside to let Enzo enter.


    The apartment was neat and tidy, but an unfamiliar chill hung in the air. Enzo''s body tensed as he followed the stranger into the living room. The photos of him and Mila, the books they had shared, the records they had danced to¡ªall gone. Replaced by pictures of Mila and this man, their smiles radiating a happiness that twisted a knife in Enzo''s gut.


    He sank onto the sofa, his eyes fixed on the floor. The silence was suffocating, his heart pounding in his ears.


    "I''m sure you have a lot of questions, Enzo," the man finally said, his voice calm and measured. "I can imagine how hard this must be for you."


    "You can?" Enzo snapped, hurt and anger lacing his words.


    "Yeah, I mean, you were dating Mila and now you find out she''s moved on." The man sat down beside him.


    "Moved on? We didn''t even break up! She told me she needed space, and I gave it to her," Enzo retorted, his eyes blazing.


    "I can tell you''re really hurting. I''m sorry, Enzo, I truly am. I know this isn''t easy, but you can''t hold it against her. You both have your own lives to live."


    "My own life? I had no idea you even existed!" Enzo exclaimed.


    "Well, now you do."


    "How long have you two been together?" Enzo asked, his voice trembling.


    "About two weeks," the man replied.


    Rage surged through Enzo, threatening to consume him. How could Mila have kept this from him? How could she have lied to him for so long?


    Enzo''s anger intensified. "And did she tell you about me?"


    "She did," the man said, his eyes filled with a complex emotion Enzo couldn''t decipher.


    "She said that you and her were already over, that you were abusive and a creep who couldn''t leave her alone," the man sighed. "You know, I could hurt you right now, but I don''t want to go that far."


    "This is ridiculous, it really is..." Enzo choked out, tears in his eyes.


    "You think Mila and I are over? You really think that?" Enzo struggled to keep his voice steady, but the tears began to fall.


    "Yes, Enzo," the man said simply.


    "Then read this for yourself," Enzo pushed his phone into the man''s hands. The screen showed a long thread of messages between Enzo and Mila, clearly showing that they hadn''t broken up.


    The man''s expression changed as he scrolled through the messages, shock and disbelief replacing his earlier confidence. He handed the phone back to Enzo, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. His eyes now held a mixture of concern and sympathy.


    "Do you believe me now?" Enzo asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "I don''t know what to believe anymore," the man replied, his gaze falling to the floor.


    Enzo could feel the man''s inner turmoil, the uncertainty and confusion that came with being caught up in a messy situation.


    "So, what are you going to do now?" Enzo pressed.


    "I''ll... I''ll talk to her," the man said, a hint of resignation in his voice.


    "Talk to her?" Enzo repeated, incredulous. "No, let me talk to her."


    "You think that''s going to work?" the man asked with a sigh.


    "You''ll see," Enzo insisted.


    The man looked at him, then stood up and gestured for Enzo to follow him to Mila''s bedroom, where she was in the bathroom washing up. They sat on the bed Enzo used to sleep on, the place where he and Mila had once cuddled and whispered about their future. Now, it belonged to someone else.


    They waited in silence until the bathroom door opened, revealing Mila in an oversized t-shirt that clearly belonged to the stranger. She walked out, oblivious to their presence, then her eyes widened in shock as she saw them.


    As expected, her face was a mask of surprise. Enzo looked at her with tear-filled eyes, his heart aching with a love that refused to die. It was absurd, how deeply and irrationally he still loved her, even after everything that had happened.


    "So it''s true," the man said, his voice filled with disbelief.


    "How could you do this?" Mila spat, her eyes blazing with anger as she glared at Enzo.


    "No, Mila, how could you do this to both of us?" Nick countered, his gaze shifting to the heartbroken Enzo.


    "No, listen to me, Nick," Mila pleaded, walking towards him with guilt-ridden eyes.


    Enzo watched, a bitter laugh bubbling up in his throat. Shouldn''t she be coming to him, not the other man? The absurdity of the situation threatened to overwhelm him.


    "You have some explaining to do, Mila," Nick said, pulling away from her touch.


    "I already told you everything, what more do you want to know?" Mila retorted, trying to cling to Nick again.


    The word "ridiculous" echoed in Enzo''s mind, growing louder with each of Mila''s desperate pleas. He wondered if he had gone too far, if coming to her place had embarrassed her in front of Nick. He shook his head, trying to clear the doubts clouding his thoughts.


    "No, Mila, talk to him. Don''t try to hide behind me," Nick insisted.


    "I don''t want to talk to him! I told you, he''s a creep! He''s nothing!" Mila screamed, her eyes burning with fury as she turned on Enzo.


    Enzo''s heart shattered into a million pieces. He had given Mila everything ¨C love, attention, even working himself to the bone to buy her gifts for every occasion. He never asked for anything in return, except her love. But now, she claimed he was nothing. The words pierced through him like shards of ice.


    "You should have told me sooner, Mila. At least broken up with me before seeing someone else," Enzo said, his voice raspy from the tears he was desperately trying to hold back.


    "If it were that easy, don''t you think I would have told you?!" Mila screamed back.


    "These past five months, you''ve meant everything to me, Mila. And now..." Enzo took a deep breath, "I find out I was nothing to you all along?"


    "So what? Did you come all the way here just to cry like a fool?" Mila retorted with a harsh laugh.


    "You know what, Mila? I don''t want to be with you anymore," Nick interjected, pulling off his ring and tossing it to the floor. "You''re pathetic."


    "What? No, please, Nick, don''t go!" Mila cried, rushing towards him as he turned to leave. But Nick shut the door in her face.


    Mila collapsed to the floor, her body wracked with sobs. Her mumbled words were barely audible between hiccups and gasps for air. She shivered, curling into herself as if trying to disappear.


    Enzo stood frozen, his heart breaking at the sight. Her tiny, broken voice pierced through him like shards of glass. Despite everything, he loved her - that was the one certainty in this chaos.


    He knew he should leave, that he was probably the last person she wanted to see right now. Yet his feet carried him forward, his own pain momentarily forgotten in the face of hers.


    Kneeling beside her, Enzo reached out a hesitant hand. He didn''t touch her, just hovered nearby, offering silent support. "Mila," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.


    "Get away from me!" Mila shrieked, swatting him away.


    "You ruined everything! EVERYTHING!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.


    "You''ve ruined the love I''ve always wanted, the love I''ve wanted for those I love!!!!," she sobbed.


    "I never loved you, not even once! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY FACE!" she yelled, striking him across the face with her ring-adorned hand.


    The physical pain was nothing compared to the agony of her words. Blood trickled from the wound, but Enzo felt numb, his body, his heart, his entire being consumed by a cold emptiness.


    The door creaked open again, revealing Nick once more. He stood there, his expression unreadable. Enzo had no idea why he had returned. Nick''s eyes, mismatched and intense, focused on Enzo with a flicker of concern.


    "Are you coming back to me, Nick?" Mila pleaded, clinging to his leg. "I love you, please don''t leave me."


    "No, I''m not coming back to you," Nick said firmly, pulling Mila away from him and grabbing Enzo''s arm. He pulled Enzo to his feet and led him out of the room, leaving Mila sprawled on the floor behind them.


    Outside, Enzo sobbed silently beside Nick, who attempted to offer comfort, but nothing could stem the flow of tears.


    "You should have left with me," Nick said, squeezing Enzo''s arm gently. "Why did you stay in there?"


    "You know, I''m really sorry," Nick confessed with a heavy sigh. "I had no idea she was cheating on you. We''d been talking for months, but she only asked me out these past two weeks."


    "It''s okay," Enzo whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "It was my fault."


    "No, it wasn''t yours. It was Mila''s," Nick countered firmly.


    He looked at Enzo with concern. "You should go rest. You''ll make yourself sick if you keep this up."


    "Where do you live? I''ll drive you home," Nick offered


    Enzo followed behind Nick, each step a hollow echo in the cave of his despair. The leather seats of the car were cold against his skin, the hum of the engine a monotonous drone that matched the emptiness in his chest. The sunlight flickered past, casting shadows that danced and twisted in the corners of his vision, mirroring the chaos in his mind.


    Every mile felt like an eternity, the silence between him and Nick a thick fog of shared unease. Enzo stared out the window, the world a blur of colour and movement that held no meaning. The car finally pulled up to his apartment, the familiar sight now a twisted mockery of the feeling it had once been. Enzo stepped out, his feet hitting the pavement with a thud. A bitter wind whipped his face, but he felt nothing. He had been hollowed out, a shell of the man who had fallen head over heels in love with Mila just a few months before.


    The laughter, the shared dreams, the whispered promises - it all felt like a cruel joke now, a distant memory from a life that no longer existed.

 Chapter4: The reason to let go

    After Nick dropped him off, Enzo shuffled through the motions like a zombie. No food or drink passed his lips, each swallow a painful reminder of the gaping hole in his chest. This wasn''t a nightmare he could wake from, but a cruel reality that clung to him like a shadow. Desperation gnawed at the edges of his mind, the thought of ending it all a tempting escape.


    He knew it sounded dramatic, even foolish, but for someone experiencing love''s depths for the first time, the pain was unbearable. High school romances had been fun, fleeting sparks of attraction. But this...this was different. This was the kind of love that consumed you, that burrowed deep into your soul. It was absurd, really,  that only five months with Mila felt like five years. The taste of her lips, the warmth of her embrace, the way she made him laugh until his sides ached - it had all been so real, so vibrant.


    And now it was gone, replaced by a bitter sting and a haunting question: Could he ever find a love like that again?


    "Hey, you good?" The voice jolted Enzo from his despair.


    "Yeah," he managed a smile, but it didn''t reach his eyes, the hollowness within too vast to mask.


    "Bro, did you get any sleep?" The green-haired senior asked, ruffling Enzo''s hair with a comforting gesture.


    "Plenty," Enzo lied, his smile a brittle facade.


    He couldn''t recall the senior''s name, though they had spent countless hours together in the band room. Perhaps he had asked once, but in his haze of grief, it had slipped his mind. Despite the awkwardness of not knowing his name, Enzo felt a deep gratitude towards him. He had been a true friend since day one.


    "Harry! Come here, you dweeb!" a woman''s voice called from across the room.


    "Okay!" Harry responded, turning towards the sound. Enzo finally remembered his name - Harry. It had been there all along, buried beneath the weight of his own misery


    "Hey, Harry," Enzo said, a small, genuine smile gracing his lips for the first time since leaving Mila''s apartment.


    "Thanks," he added softly,


    Harry returned the smile, a silent understanding passing between them, before turning and heading towards the voice that had called his name.


    The door to the club room swung open, revealing the blond man with the mismatched eyes - the one Mila had been so openly flirting with. Just the sight of him ignited a spark of anger in Enzo''s chest. He knew it wasn''t the man''s fault for being handsome and attracting Mila''s attention, but a wave of frustration washed over him nonetheless.


    Enzo couldn''t help but compare himself to Nick and this man. They both exuded a confident charm, their bodies fit and athletic. In contrast, Enzo felt average, unremarkable. The unfairness of it all stabbed him, a bitter taste on his tongue.


    Enzo turned his attention to the unfinished song on his laptop, desperately trying to ignore the burning sensation in his chest. As he rearranged the melody, a stack of papers landed beside him. It was the blonde man, The man was watching him intently, an unreadable expression on his face.


    "Lyrics for the last song, take a look," he said, his voice low and steady. Enzo nodded curtly, not bothering with a verbal response.


    Although they were both in the band club, their paths rarely crossed. The blond man wasn''t always around the club like Enzo was, so they had never really spoken to each other. and Enzo didn''t even know his name.


    "Not going to say anything?" the man asked when Enzo remained silent.


    "Thanks, I''ll take a look," Enzo replied, annoyance creeping into his voice. What did this guy want? They''d never spoken before, why start now?


    "That''s it?" He pressed, his eyebrows raised in amusement.


    "Yes, what do you want?" Enzo responded, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger.


    "Just wanted to chat. I''ve heard a lot about you lately," He said casually.


    "I''m busy and not interested in conversation," Enzo replied, forcing a polite smile. His eyes, however, were pretty up close.


    "I''m Ronan, by the way," he offered with a disarming smile. "People call me Ronny."


    "Enzo," he returned, maintaining the facade of politeness.


    "I know," Ronny chuckled, leaning against the desk with an air of easy confidence


    "You look like you haven''t slept, Enzo,"Ronny remarked with a smile that Enzo perceived as mocking.


    "I haven''t, and I''m tired, so please let me get back to work," Enzo replied, forcing another strained smile.


    "I''ll talk to you later, then," Ronny said with a final grin before turning and walking away, leaving Enzo alone with his exhaustion and confusion.


    Enzo couldn''t understand why Ronny was suddenly interested in him. After almost six months of barely acknowledging each other''s existence, why now? It had to be related to his break-up with Mila.  Maybe Ronny was trying to gloat, rub salt in the wound. Enzo''s mind raced, his emotions a chaotic mix of anger, hurt and paranoia.


    It was ridiculous, wasn''t it? His mind spiralling down a rabbit hole of doubt and despair over a few words exchanged with him. But Enzo''s mind had a mind of its own, always seeking connections, always searching for meaning.


    With a frustrated sigh, he shook his head, attempting to clear the fog and focus on his work. But the melody remained elusive, the notes stumbling and faltering as his eyelids grew heavy. with every blink, threatening to put him to sleep


    Then exhaustion finally claimed him. One last blink, and his head slumped forward, hitting the laptop with a hard thud. Darkness enveloped him.


    He awoke to an unfamiliar silence, the room shrouded in shadows. The band members were gone, his laptop lay dormant on the desk, and he was sprawled on the giant beanbag that always seemed to have someone napping on it. How long had he been out?


    "Oh, you''re up?" a voice echoed from the meeting table, cutting through the darkness.


    The laptop''s glow illuminated the face of its owner - Ronny. His mismatched eyes, one the warm brown of earth, the other the vibrant green of jade, locked onto Enzo''s.


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    "Yeah," Enzo mumbled, rubbing his eyes. The nap had been brief but refreshing, leaving him craving more sleep.


    "And why are you still here?" Enzo questioned, pulling his jacket closer around him. He hadn''t even realised he''d taken it off.  "And where are the others?"


    "They left for the second-year meeting earlier," Ronny explained, closing his laptop and heading towards the light switch. "It''s already 10 PM, so everyone else has probably gone home."


    "Harry asked me to look after you, so..." Ronny shrugged, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Nice guy, that senior of yours."


    "Well, you can go now," Enzo said, standing up and stretching. "I''m finally awake."


    "No, I''ll see you off," Ronny insisted with a warm smile, tucking his laptop into his bag. "Where do you live? Want a ride?"


    Enzo hesitated, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. He didn''t want anyone, especially someone like Ronny, to see his apartment. After Mila''s cruel words, the place felt even more like a "rat hole". He couldn''t bear the thought of anyone, especially a friend of Harry''s, The last thing he needed was someone else confirming her harsh judgement


    ¡°"No, I''m good," Enzo said, flashing a polite, customer service smile.


    "So you''re walking home or taking a bus?" Ronny asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.


    "A bus," Enzo replied, packing his laptop and the lyric sheets into his own bag.


    "I''ll walk you to the bus stop then," Ronny offered with a gentle smile, leading the way out of the club room. He switched off the lights and locked the door behind them.


    "You really don''t have to. I can go by myself," Enzo protested, his head throbbing with exhaustion.


    "No, I''ll walk you," Ronny insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument


    They walked in silence, the only sound the crunch of their footsteps on the pavement. The air crackled with awkward tension, at least for Enzo. Exhaustion gnawed at him, his body screaming for sleep while his mind raced relentlessly. Ten minutes later, they reached the university bus stop. Enzo''s heart lifted slightly as he spotted the last bus of the night pulling up.


    Enzo watched the bus pull up, a mix of relief and lingering unease washing over him. He turned to Ronny, forcing a tired smile. "Thanks for walking me here. You really didn''t have to."


    Ronny shrugged, the streetlight casting a spectral glow on his mismatched eyes. "Don''t worry about it. Get home safe, alright?"


    As the bus lurched forward, Enzo settled into a seat, the rhythmic hum of the engine a stark contrast to the turmoil raging inside him. He couldn''t shake the feeling of Ronny''s gaze, a silent question mark hanging in the air.


    The bright lights of the campus blurred into a kaleidoscope of city hues as the bus sped through the night. Enzo''s mind raced, replaying the day''s events like a broken record. The unfinished tune, his involuntary nap, Ronny''s unexpected kindness - it was all too much to process.


    Exhaustion tugged at him, promising sweet oblivion. But he fought it, knowing he had to stay awake for his stop. The thought of his apartment - that cramped, cluttered ''rat hole'', as Mila had so cruelly called it - sent a pang of shame through him.


    The familiar landmarks of his neighbourhood emerged from the darkness, each a painful reminder of the life he was struggling to rebuild. He pulled the cord that signalled the driver to stop and gathered his belongings.


    As he stepped off the bus, the night air felt both invigorating and oppressive. The short walk to his building felt like a marathon, each step a leaden weight dragging him down. He fumbled for his keys, their cold metal a harsh contrast to the warmth he craved.


    At his door he hesitated. What would Ronny think of this place? What would Harry think? The thought made him grimace. With a resigned sigh, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.


    The stale, musty smell of his studio apartment washed over him. He flicked on the light, revealing the familiar clutter - a rumpled futon, a cluttered kitchenette, stacks of books and papers threatening to topple over.


    Enzo dropped his bag and jacket, too tired to care about the mess. He collapsed on the futon, fully clothed, and stared up at the cracked ceiling. Images of Harry''s worried face, Ronny''s enigmatic eyes and Mila''s cruel laughter swirled in his mind.


    Sleep beckoned, but his mind refused to rest. A nagging thought gnawed at him: How long could he go on like this? Something had to change, but what? And how?


    With these questions hanging heavy in the air, Enzo finally succumbed to exhaustion, hoping that morning would bring some clarity to the darkness that had enveloped his life.


    The shrill ringing of his phone jolted Enzo awake. The battery was nearly drained, but it clung to life just long enough for him to answer.


    "Hello?" Enzo mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.


    "You''re still asleep?" a familiar voice questioned. Enzo squinted at the screen, the number not registered in his contacts.


    "Who is this?" he asked, his mind foggy.


    "What? Have you already forgotten my voice? We had a lovely stroll last night," the voice teased.


    "Huh?" Enzo was still disoriented.


    "It''s Ronny," the voice clarified.


    "I noticed you weren''t in class today," Ronny continued. "It''s the day of the group project for music history."


    "What about it?" Enzo asked, his confusion deepening. "And how did you get my number?"


    "I asked Harry," Ronny replied. "I figured you probably didn''t have a group, so I added your name to mine."


    "Oh," Enzo sighed, a mix of gratitude and apprehension swirling within him. "Thanks, I guess."


    "Save my number," Ronny said. "You''ll need it."


    "Ok," Enzo replied and hung up. He tossed his phone back to where it was and settled in for another round of sleep.


    He woke up when the sky had almost gone dark. Sitting on the bed, he stared out the window. The trees were dancing in the wind. He kept staring, thinking about the moments he''d enjoyed with Mila. It was pathetic of him, he knew, but he couldn''t stop. Tears started to form in his eyes.


    Enzo lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, tear tracks drying on his cheeks. He knew how pathetic he looked ¨C a grown man, crumpled by a broken heart, unable to let go. A bitter laugh escaped his lips.


    "This is ridiculous," he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair. "You''re losing it, Enzo."


    Even as he scolded himself, his hand twitched, yearning for his phone. To see her face in old messages, to relive happier times. It was a poison he couldn''t resist, even knowing it would only hurt more.


    He sat up, shaking his head like a wet dog. "Get a grip," he growled at himself. "She''s gone. You need to move on."


    The words felt empty. Moving on meant facing a world without her warmth, without the acceptance he''d craved for so long. It meant confronting the echoes of past pain, the loneliness that had haunted him before she arrived.


    Enzo paced the tiny room, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror: hair a mess, eyes bloodshot, clothes rumpled. He barely recognized the shattered man staring back.


    "Look at you," he sneered at his reflection. "Falling apart over someone who walked away. You''re pathetic."


    But even as he berated himself, the ache for her wouldn''t fade, the longing for the simple joy she''d brought into his life. He knew he was being irrational, knew he should be stronger, but he felt helpless against the tidal wave of emotion.


    With a defeated sigh, he collapsed back onto the bed. "I know this is stupid," he whispered into the silence. "But I don''t know how to make it stop."


    Inside, the battle raged: the logical side that urged him to move on, and the raw, wounded part that clung desperately to her memory. As darkness fell, Enzo remained trapped between the two, painfully aware of his absurd behaviour, yet unable to break free from its grip.

 Chapter5: The moment of truth

    Heartbreak, Enzo realised, wasn''t the unending torment he''d first feared. The initial agony had been intense, a raw wound that throbbed with every breath. But as the weeks turned into a month, the edges blurred, the pain gradually easing into a dull ache.


    Sure, there were nights he woke in a cold sweat, haunted by nightmares. There were evenings when memories ambushed him, tears tracing familiar paths as he drifted to sleep. But the all-consuming misery of those first days had subsided. He was still hurting, but the wound was slowly healing.


    Ronny and Harry played a huge part in his recovery. They dragged him into the bustling heart of the club, where there were always tasks to be done, fires to put out, and jokes to be cracked. Their company left no room for dwelling on Mila. It was a distraction, sure, but a lifeline in those dark early days. Enzo was grateful for their unwavering support, their ability to pull him back from the precipice and remind him that life went on, even when love faltered.


    He wasn''t whole yet, not by a long shot. But the heartache was no longer an impassable mountain. It was a hill he was slowly climbing, one day at a time, with his friends beside him.


    "Hey, hold up!" Ronny grabbed Enzo''s wrist, stopping him mid-pour as he attempted to unleash a volcanic eruption of chilli flakes into the food bowl.


    It was their band''s annual camping trip, and today, Enzo was the designated chef ¨C a fact that brought either smiles or worried glances to his bandmates'' faces.


    "I''ll just scoop it out," Enzo retorted, grabbing a spoon and attempting to salvage the situation. A few flakes escaped, but the fiery mountain remained mostly intact within the bowl.


    "Just rinse the chicken," Ronny suggested, snatching the bowl away from Enzo.


    "You can''t wash chicken!" Enzo protested, retrieving the bowl and frantically trying to excavate the chilli flakes.


    "Whatever, man," Ronny shrugged, turning his attention to the vegetables and washing them with a dramatic sigh.


    Enzo watched Ronny, a small smile tugging at his lips. Their friendship had blossomed since that music history group project, evolving into something he never expected. They spent countless hours in the band room, talking about everything and nothing. Ronny''s initial smirk had transformed into genuine smiles that warmed Enzo more than he cared to admit.


    Ronny''s eyes, once a source of irritation for Enzo, had become a familiar and even endearing feature. The right one was a warm brown, while the left was a vibrant green. At first, Enzo had thought they were mocking him somehow, but now he understood they were just part of who Ronny was. It was a rare condition called heterochromia, Ronny had explained one day.


    Those mismatched eyes didn''t annoy Enzo anymore - at least, not when Ronny wasn''t actively teasing him. They were just another quirk of his friend, like his terrible puns or his habit of drumming on every available surface.


    But there was something different about Ronny, a depth that Enzo sensed but couldn''t quite pinpoint. Despite their growing closeness, Ronny remained guarded about certain aspects of his life. Enzo respected his privacy, content with the friendship they shared.


    "Enzo," Harry''s voice cut through his thoughts. "You gonna finish massacring that chicken, or should we just order pizza?"


    Enzo blinked, refocusing on the task at hand. "Hey, I''m creating culinary art here. You''ll see."


    As the evening wore on, the aroma of spices filled the air. The group huddled around the campfire, plates balanced on their laps. Enzo took a tentative bite of his creation, relief washing over him as flavours exploded on his tongue.


    "Not bad, chef," Ronny admitted, bumping his shoulder against Enzo''s. "Guess we won''t starve after all."


    Under the star-studded sky, surrounded by laughter and the warmth of friendship, Enzo felt a piece of himself heal. The pain of losing Mila would always be a part of him, but here, in this moment, he found comfort in the camaraderie of his bandmates.


    As the fire crackled and stories flowed, Enzo caught Ronny''s eye across the flames. There was something in that gaze, a warmth that made Enzo grateful for such a good friend.


    The chatter around the campfire grew more animated as the night progressed. The whole band was there, sprawled on logs and camping chairs, their laughter echoing through the trees.


    "Alright, alright," Harry called out, raising his hands for attention. "Who''s up for some campfire games?"


    A chorus of groans and cheers met his suggestion. Enzo found himself grinning, caught up in the infectious energy of the group.


    "Truth or dare?" someone suggested.


    "Nah, too clich¨¦," Ronny countered. "How about Two Truths and a Lie?"


    The idea was met with approval, and soon everyone was racking their brains for interesting facts and convincing lies. Enzo watched as his bandmates took turns, revealing surprising truths and crafting elaborate falsehoods.


    When it was Ronny''s turn, he leaned back against a tree. The firelight caught his blonde hair, giving it a golden glow. His eyes held a playful glint as he spoke. "Okay, One, I once got lost in a corn maze for five hours. Two, I can recite the entire periodic table backward. And three, I''ve never been in love."


    Enzo listened intently, trying to spot the lie. He watched as Ronny''s gaze swept across the group


    "I''m going with number two," Enzo declared confidently. "No way you can recite the periodic table backward."


    "And the third one," Enzo added, the sound of other band members agreeing with him. "It sounds impossible."


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    "Why?" Ronny asked with a mischievous grin. "Maybe I was too good-looking, it might have scared people away."


    The booing erupted, and Ronny laughed along with them.


    "Bro, you''re handsome as fuck. At least someone must have confessed to you somehow," Enzo blurted out, his gaze fixed on Ronny''s face. He was right, of course. Even Enzo. he had to admit, objectively speaking, that Ronny was attractive - the kind of good looks that turned heads wherever he went. It made his third statement seem even more improbable.


    The firelight flickered across Ronny''s features, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the mischievous curve of his lips. A hint of vulnerability flickered in his eyes, a fleeting moment of unguarded emotion. Then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by a familiar smirk.


    "You think so, huh?" Ronny teased, nudging Enzo playfully with his elbow. "Maybe I should start charging for compliments."


    Ronny chuckled, shaking his head, causing a lock of blonde hair to fall across his forehead. "Nice try, but that''s actually true. Believe it or not, I''ve never been in love."


    Enzo raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Really? Never?"


    Ronny shrugged, his smile fading slightly. "Never. Never found the right person, I guess."


    The game went on, but Enzo found himself lost in thought. He felt a strange mixture of surprise and curiosity. It was hard to believe that someone like Ronny - charismatic, good-looking, and kind - had never experienced love. Yet there was something in Ronny''s tone, a hint of... something Enzo couldn''t quite place.


    "Maybe one day," Enzo said softly to Ronny, who had grown quiet beside him. He offered a small, encouraging smile. "You''ll find the one that you can love."


    Ronny turned to look at Enzo, his eyes reflecting the dancing firelight. For a moment, Enzo thought he saw a flicker of an unreadable emotion in those eyes - something deeper, more complex than the casual dismissal of his words suggested. But before Enzo could decipher it, Ronny smiled and turned back to the fire.


    "Maybe," Ronny replied, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames. "Maybe one day."


    Enzo nodded, mulling over Ronny''s response. There was a weight to those words that he couldn''t quite understand. He wondered if perhaps there was more to Ronny''s story than he let on. Had Ronny loved and lost, just like Enzo had? Or was there some other reason behind his friend''s apparent inexperience with love?


    As the night wore on and laughter returned to the group, Enzo couldn''t shake the feeling that he had glimpsed a deeper truth in that unguarded moment. But he pushed the thoughts aside, grateful for the warmth of friendship surrounding him and the bonds that had helped him heal.


    He crawled into the shared tent, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth of the campfire. Ronny was already nestled in his sleeping bag, a lump beneath the thin fabric. The only light came from Enzo''s phone screen, casting an eerie glow on his face mask and the tight ponytail that kept his hair off his forehead.


    "Oh, there you are," Ronny said, pulling off his face mask and rubbing his eyes.


    "Yeah, the line for the bathroom was crazy. I barely got three minutes in the shower," Enzo replied, slipping into his sleeping bag.


    "I''m not sure if I stink or what," he giggled nervously.


    "You''ll be fine," Ronny reassured him, taking out his tight ponytail and shaking out his hair.


    "Let''s get some sleep," Ronny said, snuggling deeper into his blanket. "Didn''t we have to wake up super early?"


    "Yeah," Enzo said softly. "Good night then."


    "Good night," Ronny replied, his voice barely a whisper.


    A comfortable silence fell over the tent, broken only by the soft rustling of their sleeping bags and the faint crackle of the campfire outside. Enzo closed his eyes, but sleep evaded him. His mind, as always, was a whirlpool of thoughts, swirling around the same inescapable subject: Mila.


    Why? He didn''t understand why he continued to torture himself. It was easy to say "move on," but the reality was far more difficult. Ronny''s words echoed in his mind, the confession that he had never been in love. For someone like Ronny, who seemed to exude confidence and charm, it was a surprising revelation. It made Enzo realise that everyone had their own complexities, their own hidden depths.


    As someone who craved love and connection, Enzo found it easy to give his heart away. But expecting the same in return had always been a painful journey. Not just in romantic relationships, but in all aspects of life. Family, friends... sometimes the love you gave wasn''t reciprocated. It was a cold, hard truth, but one that Enzo was slowly learning to accept


    The overthinking thoughts swirled in Enzo''s mind, fueling his insomnia. He turned on his side, facing the faint outline of Ronny''s sleeping form. He stared at him with a mind full of confusion.


    "Aren''t you going to sleep?" Ronny mumbled, his eyes still closed.


    "I''m going to. Just finding something to distract my mind," Enzo replied softly.


    "And staring at me helps?" Ronny opened his eyes, a playful smirk on his face.


    "Kinda," Enzo smiled sheepishly, turning back to stare at the tent''s ceiling and releasing a heavy sigh.


    "What?" Ronny asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Don''t tell me you''re thinking about her again."


    Enzo remained silent, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. He didn''t need to answer, Ronny knew him too well.


    "Quit overthinking and get some sleep," Ronny suggested, his voice softening. "You can''t control your dreams, but you can control how you react to them."


    Enzo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What if the dreams aren''t good ones? What if I see her and it all comes rushing back?"


    Ronny was quiet for a moment, When he spoke, his voice was gentle but firm. "Then you remember that you''re stronger than those memories. Someone who hurt you like that doesn''t deserve to haunt your dreams."


    Enzo''s gaze lingered on Ronny''s face, a silent question in his eyes. Ronny, unable to meet the intensity of his stare, turned away,


    "Seriously, Enzo," Ronny''s voice was firm, yet laced with a hint of concern "Get some sleep. We''ve got a long hike tomorrow, and I''m not carrying you if you pass out¡±


    Enzo, a subtle tremor in his hand, reached out and squeezed Ronny''s shoulder in a silent gesture of gratitude before. he finally settled into his sleeping bag. He closed his eyes, willing sleep to come.


    But sleep did not bring solace. It brought Mila and Nick ¨C the ghosts of his past ¨C back to haunt him in vivid, painful detail. Their laughter, their shared intimacy, felt like a cruel twist of the knife.


    This time, something was different. As he watched them in the dream, tears welled up in his eyes, yet the familiar ache in his chest was strangely muted. It was as if his heart, battered and bruised, had finally grown numb to the pain. A bitter realisation washed over him ¨C even in the depths of his own subconscious, he could no longer conjure the same level of heartache.


    It was almost laughable ¨C the absurdity of someone like him daring to discard a heart that had once felt so deeply

 Chapter 6: The friends you can count on

    The first light of dawn crept into the tent, revealing a tear-stained trail on Enzo''s cheek. The night had been long, a relentless torment of dreams and memories. But with the sunrise came a sense of relief, a subtle shift in the air. The familiar ache that had clenched his heart upon waking, day after day, had finally loosened its grip. He was numb, empty, but free.


    "Rise and shine, sleepyhead," Ronny''s voice broke through the morning quiet, his hiking gear already strapped on as he perched beside Enzo. "Or feel free to catch a few more sleeps if you need them."


    Enzo, still groggy from the restless night, blinked against the sunlight filtering through the tent. His mind, ever analytical, began to dissect the night''s dreams. "No," he murmured, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "I''ll go. Don''t want to be left alone with my thoughts."


    Ronny smiled warmly, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Okay then, go clean yourself up. I''ll wait for you."


    Enzo nodded, holding Ronny''s gaze for a moment, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken comfort between them. As he slipped out of the tent, he was greeted by the rich, earthy aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of warm pastries. The sensory symphony awakened his senses and soothed his weary soul.


    The morning sunlight painted the campsite in hues of gold and emerald, casting long shadows that danced with the gentle breeze. Enzo''s observant eyes took in the scene, his introspective nature cataloguing every detail. The rest of the band, a vibrant tapestry of personalities, were scattered around like pieces of a puzzle. Some huddled over steaming mugs, sharing stories and laughter, while others sprawled on blankets, stealing a few more precious moments of sleep before the day''s adventure.


    Enzo made his way to the bathroom area, the cool morning air nipping at his skin. He caught a glimpse of his tired reflection in the small mirror propped against a tree. Dark circles underscored his eyes, testament to the night''s restless sleep. The minty sting of toothpaste and the shock of cold water on his face gradually washed away the remnants of his troubled night. As he patted his face dry, Enzo took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of pine and morning dew. He felt a glimmer of something he hadn''t experienced in a while: possibility.


    A sense of camaraderie, warm and inviting, filled the crisp air, wrapping around Enzo like a comforting embrace. He hadn''t realised how much he craved this connection, this shared experience with others. Yet, a part of him remained guarded, wary of letting anyone too close. Perhaps this hike, this escape from the confines of his own swirling thoughts, was exactly the balm his weary heart needed. With characteristic resilience, Enzo took a deep breath and stepped forward to join his friends, ready to face whatever the day might bring


    "Oh hey,  aren''t you gonna change first?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow as Enzo walked towards him.


    "Just a quick bite," Enzo replied, snatching a plain pastry and devouring it in a few bites. He quickly grabbed a paper plate, piling it high with more pastries.


    "Someone''s hungry this morning, huh?" Harry chuckled, eyeing Enzo''s overflowing plate.


    "These are for Ronny," Enzo explained, swiping Harry''s coffee with a wink. "Bet he hasn''t eaten yet."


    "Hmm, maybe, maybe not," Harry mused, watching Enzo down the entire cup in a few gulps. "Looks like I''ll need another one of those."


    "I¡¯ll get going," Enzo called over his shoulder, already making his way back to the tent. He fumbled with the zipper, juggling the plate and a bottle of juice in his hands.


    "What are you doing?" Ronny asked, emerging from the tent with a raised eyebrow.


    "Hands full," Enzo grunted, thrusting the plate towards Ronny. "Here."


    Ronny, a bemused expression on his face  but accepted the plate and juice with a smile. "Thanks, I guess?"


    "Getting dressed," Enzo announced, nonchalantly shedding his shirt and pants in one fluid motion. He sat there, unashamed in his nakedness, seemingly oblivious to Ronny''s startled gaze. "Zip it up, will ya?"


    "O...okay," Ronny stammered, his face flushing a deep crimson as he hastily zipped up the tent. Enzo watched him, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Why are your ears so red?" he asked, tilting his head in playful curiosity.


    Ronny mumbled something unintelligible, avoiding Enzo''s gaze.


    A slow grin spread across Enzo''s face. "What, never seen a naked dude before?" He chuckled, reaching for his fresh clothes. "Relax, it''s not like we''re strangers."


    In this moment, bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the tent''s fabric, Ronny looked almost vulnerable. The usual playful confidence that radiated from him seemed muted, replaced by a quiet introspection that Enzo found intriguing. A thoughtful expression crossed Ronny''s face, revealing a depth that Enzo hadn''t fully appreciated before. It was a side of Ronny that Enzo hadn''t seen often, and he couldn''t help but feel a surge of warmth for his friend. This glimpse into Ronny''s more contemplative nature made Enzo appreciate the layers of their friendship, grateful for the trust that allowed them to share these unguarded moments


    "Stop staring and check your backpack again," Ronny said, finishing his food and drink with a contented sigh.


    "I''m already checking," Enzo replied, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Aren''t you checking yours?"


    "Already done," Ronny replied, running a hand through his hair. He paused, his eyes meeting Enzo''s with a flicker of concern. "You really okay today?"


    A genuine smile spread across Enzo''s face. "One hundred percent," he affirmed. "I''ve made up my mind."


    "Good," Ronny said simply, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and heading out of the tent. He paused, turning back to Enzo with a playful grin. "What are you waiting for? Come on!"


    Enzo watched as Ronny stood silhouetted against the morning sky, a silent invitation beckoning him forward. He crawled out of the tent, tossing his backpack out first before rising to his full height.


    Ronny''s eyes widened slightly as he took in Enzo''s stance. "Are you... did you grow a little taller?" he asked, raising a hand to measure the space between them "You''re almost as tall as me now."


    Enzo rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. "We''re like five centimetres apart, dude. Chill." He shouldered his pack


    "Maybe it''s the boots," Ronny mused, falling into step beside Enzo as they made their way towards Harry, who was guzzling water by the campfire.


    "Yeah, could be," Enzo agreed,


    "Oh hey, you two lovebirds," Harry quipped, wiping his mouth with a mischievous grin.


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    "The fuck you mean, lovebirds?" Enzo frowned, playfully shoving Harry in the shoulder.


    A cool voice cut through the banter. "He calls anyone who shares a tent that," the woman said, her tone laced with a sardonic amusement. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek bun, accentuating her sharp features and piercing gaze.


    "What a weirdo," she added, a smirk playing on her lips as she met Enzo''s eyes.


    Enzo, caught off guard, blinked in surprise. Despite the band''s small size, this woman was a stranger to him. He vaguely recalled seeing her at the campfire gathering the night before, but the details were hazy.


    "Look at you," she said, her voice laced with playful amusement. "You don''t know me, do you?"


    Enzo offered an apologetic smile, a sheepish nod confirming her suspicion.


    "Name''s Alexis," she announced, her smile widening. "Not a regular presence in the band room these days, since there is no practice. Life gets in the way, you know?" She gave Enzo a light tap on the shoulder, a gesture that somehow conveyed both warmth and authority. "I play bass."


    Ah, right. Alexis, the elusive bassist Harry had spoken so highly of. A talented musician and songwriter, known for her occasional disappearances due to her engineering studies and other commitments. Of course. This band, though formed within the music department, welcomed members from all walks of life. Alexis, an engineering student with a passion for music, was a testament to that diversity.


    "What do you mean there''s no practice?" Harry scoffed. "We have it every day, but you always show up late once our newbie is gone."


    "Oh, for God''s sake," she retorted, a spark of defiance flashing in her eyes. "I simply don''t want to play in front of them."


    A weary sigh escaped Harry''s lips. "You know, you come across as pretty harsh sometimes." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But don''t get me wrong, she''s just shy about practising. Always mumbling how she ''sucks''."


    "Well, of course I suck!" she protested, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.


    "Best bassist I''ve ever jammed with," Harry declared, giving her a gentle shove. "Now shut up and get ready to hike."


    "She''s... interesting," Enzo offered hesitantly, unsure of what else to say. "I guess."


    A playful smirk spread across Harry''s face. "Oh, you can dream all you want, but she¡¯s a lesbian¡±


    Enzo''s eyes widened in surprise, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "What?! I didn''t mean it that way!" he sputtered, punching Harry''s arm playfully.


    Harry rubbed his arm with a chuckle. "I know, just messing with you." He clapped Enzo on the back. "Now come on, let''s not keep the fourth and third years waiting."


    "Come on, Ronny," Enzo urged, tugging his friend forward to walk beside him.


    Speaking of which, the third and fourth years were like phantoms in the band club. Not in a bad way, mind you. They were always helpful, responding to requests for assistance in the group chat, but they never showed their faces in the band room. Even at the campfire the previous night, they kept to themselves, enjoying their own company in a nearby pavilion. Enzo had absolutely no idea what they looked like.


    This mysterious nature of the upperclassmen only added to Enzo''s surprise as they walked past the sizzling grills and towards the parking lot. A growing crowd of band members gathered there, and Enzo was struck by the sheer number of people. The band seemed so much larger when everyone was together. There were easily fifteen or twenty people milling about, a vibrant mix of personalities and musical styles. Among them, Enzo spotted unfamiliar faces that he guessed must belong to the elusive third and fourth years, finally emerging from their phantom-like existence to join the group outing.


    "Hey," a deep voice said behind them. "Watch it."


    "My bad," Ronny replied, shifting closer to Enzo.


    "What happened?" Enzo asked, glancing at Ronny.


    "Ah, I stepped on his foot," Ronny chuckled, running a hand through his blonde hair.


    They waited with the group for the hike squad to give the signal to move forward. When they finally set out on the trail, Enzo was grateful for the weather. A gentle breeze blew, carrying away the sweat that had begun to form on his brow. The trail, much to his relief, wasn''t rocky or steep. Instead, it felt more like a morning stroll through a park, the soft earth cushioning their steps.


    "Ah!" Enzo yelped, grabbing Ronny''s arm in a moment of panic.


    "What?" Ronny asked, pulling Enzo upright with a gentle tug.


    Enzo looked down at his feet and a wave of embarrassment washed over him. His damned shoelace had come undone and was now tangled under his foot, threatening to make him kiss the ground.


    "Wait," Enzo muttered, stepping aside and plopping onto a nearby log. Ronny followed suit, a concerned expression on his face.


    Enzo sighed, attempting to retie the stubborn shoelace. But every time he thought he had it, it would come loose again. It wasn''t like he was a child who couldn''t tie his own shoes, but the damn backpack kept bumping against him, thwarting his efforts. He knew he could use the straps on the backpack to secure it, but they were uncomfortable and always dug into his shoulders


    Ronny fidgeted in front of him, his eyes darting back and forth as if he was on the verge of a brilliant idea. Suddenly, he knelt down and took the shoelace from Enzo''s hands.


    "You might fall off a cliff with a knot that loose," Ronny said with a hint of amusement as he expertly retied Enzo''s shoelace.


    "Are you a five-year-old?" Ronny teased, a playful grin spreading across his face as he helped Enzo to his feet.


    Enzo couldn''t help but chuckle, a warmth spreading through him. "Thanks," he said, a genuine smile gracing his lips.


    As they resumed their hike, Enzo felt a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. Ronny''s simple act of kindness had caught him off guard, yet warmed him in a way he hadn''t anticipated. He wanted to say something, but the words seemed to stick in his throat.


    "Hey," Harry''s voice cut through Enzo''s thoughts. The green-haired senior had fallen back to walk alongside them. "You guys okay? Saw you stop back there."


    "Yeah, just a shoelace malfunction," Ronny replied, grinning. "Crisis averted."


    Harry nodded, then pointed ahead. "We''re coming up on a great viewpoint. Race you there?"


    Without waiting for a response, Harry took off, leaving Enzo and Ronny laughing in his wake.


    "Shall we?" Ronny asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.


    Enzo hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Let''s go!"


    They broke into a run, careful not to bump into the other hikers. As they raced along the trail, Enzo felt a lightness he hadn''t experienced in months. The wind in his hair, the sound of their laughter, the simple joy of friendly competition ¨C it all combined to push his worries to the background.


    When they reached the viewpoint, slightly out of breath, they found Harry already there, arms raised in victory. The three of them collapsed onto a nearby bench, chuckling and gasping for air.


    As they caught their breath, Enzo looked out at the view. The landscape stretched out before them, a tapestry of green and gold bathed in morning light. In that moment, surrounded by friends and nature''s beauty, Enzo felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he was finally finding his way back to wholeness.


    "Thanks, guys," Enzo said softly, his eyes still on the horizon.


    Harry and Ronny exchanged a glance, then Harry threw an arm around Enzo''s shoulders. "That''s what we''re here for,"


    Ronny nodded in agreement, bumping his shoulder against Enzo''s. "Now, who''s ready for the next leg of the trail?"


    As they stood to continue their hike, Enzo felt a renewed sense of energy. Whatever challenges lay ahead ¨C on the trail or in life ¨C he knew he had friends by his side to help him through

 Chapter 7: The Haunted Friends

    The echoes of band camp drums still pounded in his ears, but a new rhythm pulsed through him now, one he hadn''t signed up for. Fever. It wasn''t the gentle warmth of sunlight on skin; this was a wildfire blazing through his veins, turning his blood to molten lava. Every thought, every carefully constructed defence, melted away in the face of this relentless inferno. All that remained was raw, unfiltered feeling, a primal surge that thrummed beneath his skin and clawed its way to the surface.


    "Ah..." Enzo groaned, the sound scraping raw against his parched throat. He drained the last drops from the glass on his nightstand, wincing at the metallic tang of stale water. Even this was a mercy to his desert-dry mouth.


    He pushed himself off the bed, limbs leaden and uncooperative. A clumsy stumble sent papers and empty food cartons cascading from his desk to the floor. The sigh that escaped him wasn''t one of relief, but of bitter irony. He''d survived a harrowing accident without a scratch, yet here he was, felled by a simple fever. It felt like a cruel joke at the expense of his hard-won resilience.


    But why such drama over a mere fever, you might wonder? Haven''t we all experienced this before? Even the strongest among us are humbled by even a mild temperature. A fever doesn''t just heat the body; it sets the entire system ablaze, reducing even the most capable person to a shadow of themselves. In these moments, we''re reminded of our fundamental vulnerability - not just a mind piloting a body, but a unified being susceptible to the whims of biology.


    "Meds..." Enzo muttered, rummaging through the bathroom cabinet with a sense of rising desperation. He found the bottle of fever medicine he usually relied on, only to discover it was empty. Of course. He''d used the last of it during his previous bout with illness, a testament to his stubborn refusal to rest. Now he''d have to venture out into the windy weather to get more.


    "For fuck''s sake," Enzo growled, grabbing the thickest jacket he owned. He stormed out the door, grimacing at the irony. Wasn''t there some old saying about fighting fire with fire? Maybe braving the cold to treat his fever was the same principle. Set a thief to catch a thief, as they say - or in this case, set a chill to catch a fever.


    The moment he stepped out of the building, the wind slapped him across the face, a biting rebuke for his foolishness. It wasn''t the bone-chilling cold that made him shiver, but the arid air that sucked the moisture from his skin and turned his nose into a congested mess.


    He trudged to the nearest pharmacy, the wind whipping at his jacket and stinging his cheeks. Inside, he grabbed his usual fever medicine without a second glance, eager to escape the artificial warmth and fluorescent lights. As he stepped back onto the sidewalk, his eyes fell on a familiar sight, a splash of vibrant blue hair that jolted him back to a time he had desperately tried to forget.


    It was a colour that haunted his dreams, a shade of blue so deep and intense it felt like falling into the icy depths of the ocean. It was the colour of her hair, the woman who had turned his world upside down and left him shattered in the aftermath.


    Mila''s name slipped from Enzo''s lips before he could stop it. A stupid reflex, a desperate hope. But seeing her standing there, in the flesh... It was a gut punch he wasn''t prepared for. Her face, a mask of emotions he couldn''t read, sent a shiver down his spine.


    "Babe, I''m done," a male voice called from the store behind Mila. Relief washed over Enzo briefly - it wasn''t Nick. But the man''s eyes landed on him, a silent question in their gaze.


    "You know him?" he asked Mila, suspicion lacing his voice.


    Mila''s lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Oh, I know him well. Remember that ex? The creep? Abusive?"


    Enzo''s heart pounded in his chest. What was she saying? A cold dread settled over him, and he could feel the blood drain from his face.


    ¡°Oh, so this is the guy we¡¯re talking about?¡± He turned to Enzo with an angry look on his face and walked towards Enzo with a furious step. What are they talking about, Enzo? Creep? Abusive?


    "What?" Enzo stammered, his voice barely a whisper as he instinctively backed away.


    "I''ll give you back your own medicine," the man snarled, grabbing Enzo''s collar. The first punch landed with a sickening thud, followed by another.


    Enzo''s mind went blank. The pain was a distant echo, overshadowed by the numbness that seeped into his bones. What had he done? What wrong turn had led him to this moment? What had he done to deserve this?


    A cry of pain brought him back to reality. The blows had stopped, but the victim was no longer him. A guy in a black cap and jacket was giving the man who''d attacked him a real beating, driven by rage and a desire for vengeance.


    "Stop!" Mila''s voice pierced the air, a desperate plea. She tried to pry the man in the cap away, but his rage was an unyielding force. He rained blow after blow until the other man finally crumpled to the ground.


    "Are you insane?! What do you think you''re doing?" Mila shrieked, rushing to the fallen man''s side. Blood oozed from a gash on his forehead, painting half his face crimson.


    The stranger in the cap simply crossed his arms, his voice devoid of remorse. "Why do you want me to stop?"


    "Don''t you see? He can''t fight back!" Mila cried, her voice thick with anger and despair.


    "Then why didn''t you stop him when he was punching Enzo?" the man in the cap retorted, his voice a chilling echo of Mila''s earlier words. "Didn''t you see he couldn''t fight back?"


    Enzo watched the exchange, feeling a bit confused but also grateful. How did this stranger know his name? It didn''t matter either way. He was just grateful he hadn''t had to deal with another blow.


    "When he dumped you, you tried to get me instead," the man sneered, ripping off his cap. "And now that you can''t have either, you''re just talking nonsense and blaming others for your own pathetic life. That''s why my brother and I hate you to the core."


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    Enzo''s heart was hammered in his chest. Ronan. Of all people, what are you doing here Ronny?


    Ronny stepped to Enzo''s side, laying a hand on his shoulder. The touch was like a lifeline, pulling Enzo from the icy depths of his thoughts. It felt as if Ronny had wrapped him in a warm, cosy blanket, shielding him from the chill of the moment.


    "Let''s get out of here," Ronny said, his voice low and urgent. "I think I''m gonna be sick."


    He kept his hand on Enzo''s shoulder, guiding him away from the scene. Enzo let himself be led, grateful for the escape and the solid presence at his side.


    As they sought refuge in a nearby park, the night air heavy with the residue of the confrontation, Ronny sat beside Enzo on a weathered bench, a comforting hand patting his back. A sigh, heavy with weariness and frustration, escaped his lips.


    "Of all the damn people..." Ronny ''s voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging in the air like smoke.


    Enzo managed a weak smile. "That''s my line." But the facade couldn''t quite mask the hurt simmering beneath the surface.


    Ronn''s eyes, sharp and perceptive, saw through the pretence. "Don''t give me that smile," he said gently. "I know you''re hurting."


    "I''m fine," Enzo insisted, his smile unwavering as he gazed at Ronny. Those eyes made him feel at ease, like calm waters on a sunny day. But Enzo had learned his lesson. Never again would he allow someone to plumb the depths of his soul. For Ronny, he''d permit a shallow dive - snorkelling through the surface of his emotions. But scuba diving into the darkest recesses of his heart? That was off-limits now. The pressure down there had nearly crushed him once before; he wouldn''t risk it again


    "Why are you even out this early, especially in this part of town?" Enzo asked, curiosity peeking through the haze of his pain. "And your timing was impeccable."


    "I was just dropping off my brother''s wallet," Ronny sighed, reaching out to touch Enzo''s face. But Enzo flinched away, the instinctive recoil of a wounded animal.


    "Sorry, I should have asked," Ronny apologised, his eyes clouding with concern.


    "No, it''s okay," Enzo mumbled. "It was just... unexpected."


    Ronny''s hand hovered in the air for a moment, then slowly lowered. "Can I see your face now?" he asked, his voice soft with worry.


    Enzo paused, weighing his options. Ronny''s concern was evident, but allowing even this small vulnerability felt like a risk.


    After a moment, he gave a slight nod. "Alright," he said, his voice quiet but steady.


    Ronny''s touch was careful as he examined the bruise on Enzo''s cheekbone. His fingers were cool against Enzo''s skin, which felt warm from the lingering fever.


    "That looks like it hurts," Ronny observed, his brow furrowing slightly. "We should probably get some ice on it."


    Enzo felt an unexpected twinge at Ronny''s gentle concern. He took a small step back, breaking the contact.


    "It''s not so bad," he said, offering a half-smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "I''ve dealt with worse."


    Ronny lowered his hand, his expression neutral save for a flicker of something Enzo couldn''t quite name.


    "If you''re sure," Ronny said. He hesitated, then added, "At least let me walk you home, hm?"


    Enzo considered refusing, the urge to retreat to solitude strong. But something in Ronny''s steadfast presence made him reconsider.


    "Okay," he found himself saying. "But at the bus stop"


    As they walked, Enzo couldn''t help but steal glances at Ronny. His eyes caught the morning light, making them dance with an otherworldly glow. The right eye, blown and dark, contrasted sharply with the vibrant green of the left. He knew Ronny was a good man, a loyal friend. But if it were Enzo in that position, would he sacrifice himself for a friend? No, he didn''t think so. He knew himself too well. He was damaged goods, a walking contradiction. Why would anyone go to such lengths for him?


    A thousand questions bubbled up inside Enzo''s mind, each one threatening to burst forth. Was he being overly sensitive? Overthinking, as usual? A flicker of insecurity threatened to extinguish the warmth of Ronny''s presence. One wrong word, one misstep, could shatter this fragile connection.


    Ronny had always been there for him. Of course, Enzo was thankful. Ronny''s steady presence in his life was something he''d come to rely on, a constant in the chaos of his world. Enzo was genuinely glad to have Ronny as his friend, appreciating the easy companionship and unspoken understanding between them.


    But even as he walked alongside Ronny, a nagging thought lingered in the back of Enzo''s mind. It was a name from his past that still had the power to make him uneasy: Andrew Ember. His high school best friend¡ªno, ex-best friend. The memory of Andrew was like an old wound, mostly healed but still tender to the touch.


    Andrew had been more than just a friend back then. They had shared everything¡ªsecrets, dreams, fears. They were inseparable, finishing each other''s sentences and knowing each other''s thoughts without a word. But time and circumstances had changed all that, turning their once unbreakable bond into a painful reminder of what Enzo had lost.


    Enzo tried to push these thoughts aside. Ronny wasn''t Andrew, he reminded himself. This friendship was different, built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. Yet a small part of him remained wary, hesitant to fully embrace the connection. The ghost of his past friendship with Andrew served as a constant reminder of how quickly things could change, how easily trust could be broken.


    "You know, sometimes you don''t have to say anything," Ronny said as they approached the bus stop, his voice a quiet rumble in the morning air. "I might not be able to solve all your problems, but I can try." He handed Enzo the medicine bottle, which Enzo hadn''t even realised he''d dropped.


    "Call me anytime you need someone to talk to," Ronny offered, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "I''ll listen to whatever you want to say, even if you won''t say a word. I''ll listen to your breath if I have to."


    "Thanks," Enzo offered a genuine smile this time. "You can drop me off here. I''ll head home on my own."


    Ronny''s gaze lingered on Enzo''s bruised cheek, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Are you sure?"


    "Yes," Enzo affirmed, a quiet strength in his voice.


    "Alright then," Ronny''s smile returned, warm and reassuring. "See you around. And don''t forget to take your meds."


    "I won''t," Enzo replied. "Thank you... for everything."


    "My pleasure," Ronny said, stepping back with a final nod before turning to walk away.

 Chapter 8: The warm day in the cold wind

    The warmth of the room hit Enzo like an unexpected punch. It was supposed to comfort him, but instead, it felt like a betrayal. He had thought he was over her, and had convinced himself that the wound had healed. But seeing her face had melted his carefully constructed world into molten lava.


    She looked the same - pretty and majestic as ever. The sight of her stirred up emotions he thought he''d buried deep. Why did he have to suffer this much? It was just a breakup, wasn''t it? But the pain that surged through him suggested otherwise.


    Enzo''s mind raced, a thousand thoughts competing for attention. Had he been fooling himself all this time? The progress he thought he''d made seemed to crumble in her presence. It wasn''t fair. He''d worked so hard to move on, to rebuild himself. Yet here he was, feeling as raw and vulnerable as the day she''d left.


    He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The room suddenly felt too small, too warm, too full of memories he''d rather forget. But he couldn''t leave, couldn''t run away. He had to face this, face her, even if every instinct screamed at him to flee.


    "I want to rest," Enzo mumbled, swallowing his meds and collapsing onto his bed.


    His face throbbed. It would heal, he knew. No need for bandages or ointments. He reached for his phone, scrolling aimlessly for a few minutes before the screen blurred. He tossed it aside, forcing himself to close his eyes and sink into the oblivion of sleep.


    Thanks to the fever, Enzo had slept deeply, mercifully free of dreams. His body temperature had dropped slightly, but in its place, a vicious headache had taken root, pounding relentlessly with each passing minute.


    "I hate myself," Enzo muttered, fumbling for the medicine bottle. He swallowed the pills as quickly as he could, knowing full well they wouldn''t provide instant relief. The bitter taste lingered on his tongue, a reminder of his current misery.


    "Fuck it." Enzo pushed himself off the bed, his movements sluggish but determined. He wasn''t going to let a fever dictate his life. The more he succumbed to its grip, the stronger it became. He shuffled to his desk, the ancient laptop a familiar sight. Opening it, he dove into his latest song, rearranging chords and filling in the gaps where the melody felt incomplete.


    But the musical muse wasn''t playing nice. Enzo needed a fresh perspective, someone with a sharper ear than his own. Harry, his musical guru and a senior at the university, was always a fountain of creative solutions Enzo would never have thought of himself.


    With a raspy voice that sounded like a week-old cookie left out in the sun, Enzo called Harry. "What''s up?" Harry''s voice crackled through the speaker, barely a second after the dial tone.


    "I need some help with this song," Enzo rasped.


    "Why''s that? You sound like you haven''t drank water for a week."


    Enzo coughed, the sound dry and hollow. "Whatever, just help me with this song."


    "Then come out to the club room. I''m already here."


    "What are you doing there?" Enzo coughed again.


    "If you can''t come, we''ll come to your place instead."


    "No way in hell," Enzo sighed. "Give me half an hour."


    "Sure."


    Enzo dragged himself out of bed, throwing on whatever clothes he could find in his closet. He tucked himself into his jacket and trudged out to the bus stop, acutely aware of the stares his bruised face was attracting. It was almost 3 PM, and suddenly the sidewalks were teeming with people. Enzo couldn''t shake the feeling he''d run into someone he knew. As if on cue, a familiar voice called out.


    "Enzo?"


    Great. Now he''d have to plaster on a friendly facade.


    "Hi," Enzo said, forcing a smile that didn''t reach his eyes.


    "Long time no see," the man said, beaming.


    "Yeah, right," Enzo muttered, struggling to suppress a cough.


    "How are you?" the man asked, his enthusiasm grating on Enzo''s nerves. Of course, today of all days, he''d run into a high school acquaintance.


    "I''m good, Ian," Enzo lied, the name coming back to him easily. How could he forget? Ian was the human equivalent of a golden retriever - all smiles and boundless energy.


    "Oh, so you remember me!" Ian''s grin widened, if that was even possible. Who could forget, Enzo thought. This guy''s smile was brighter than his future.


    "Yes, I do," Enzo said, then added out of obligation, "How about you?"


    "You know, I''m good, but lately I''ve been working my ass off to pay the bills," Ian said, inching closer to Enzo. Some things never changed. Even in high school, Ian had no concept of personal space. Now, his hand found its way to Enzo''s arm, as if they were old friends.


    Enzo fought the urge to pull away, his patience wearing thin. He was too tired, too sore, and too irritated for this impromptu reunion. But he maintained his facade, all the while wondering how quick he could extricate himself from this unwanted interaction.


    Ah yes, It was pretty quick


    "It was nice talking to you, Ian," Enzo said, pulling his arm away as the bus approached. "But I really need to go."


    "Oh yeah?" Ian''s eyes flickered between Enzo and the bus, his face a mix of confusion and hope.


    "Can I get your number?" The question hit Enzo like a sucker punch. Hell no, his mind screamed. Why would he hand over his personal details to someone he barely knew?


    "Sorry, I''m in a rush," Enzo muttered, his feet already carrying him towards the growing line of passengers.


    "Next time we meet, then?" Ian suggested, a pout forming on his face.


    "Sure," Enzo lied, flashing a quick smile before boarding the bus.


    As the doors hissed shut, Enzo caught a glimpse of Ian''s crestfallen face. Ha, no shit, brother, he thought, a wry smirk tugging at his lips. The odds of them meeting again were slimmer than a snowball''s chance in hell.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The bus ride was mercifully short, and soon Enzo found himself standing at the university entrance. The walk to the club room felt like a marathon, each step a battle against his protesting body. By the time he arrived, he was panting, his fever momentarily forgotten in the exertion.


    "Oh, you''re here," Harry greeted him, wrapping an arm around Enzo''s neck before quickly pulling back. "Your body''s hot like a bun. You good?"


    Enzo looked down, avoiding Harry''s gaze. "Yeah, a lot better than ever," he lied.


    Harry frowned, tilting his head to examine Enzo''s bruised face. "Who did this?"


    "Some asshole," Enzo muttered.


    "Yeah, I have to break that asshole''s bones so he''ll stop," Ronny''s voice interjected from behind.


    "R...right," Enzo stammered, turning to see Ronny standing behind him.


    "You should be resting, honestly. Why are you out here?" Ronny''s hand hovered near Enzo''s forehead. "Can I?" he asked softly.


    "Yeah," Enzo mumbled, closing his eyes as Ronny''s cool hand made contact with his burning skin.


    Enzo nodded, feeling like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He wasn''t usually this compliant, but Ronny''s unwavering care and concern after the morning''s incident had softened something inside him. He couldn''t bring himself to lie about something as important as his health, Ronny cared, and that mattered.


    "Did you put any ointment on it?" Ronny asked, his fingers brushing lightly against Enzo''s bruised cheek.


    "Right," Ronny said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Now let''s do what you came here for." He turned and walked towards the meeting table, leaving Enzo to follow in his wake.


    Enzo pulled out his laptop and started playing the song he was trying to finish. He found it lacked some spice and felt bland. The three of them put their heads together to rearrange it. Hours flew by, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the melody finally took shape, a tapestry of sound woven with their combined creativity.


    "I think we can call it a day," Enzo said, stretching his back with a groan.


    "Yeah," Harry yawned. "It''s almost spring break."


    "Indeed," Enzo replied. "I might just sleep through it."


    "Aren''t you going back home?" Harry asked.


    Enzo''s heart dropped, but his expression remained nonchalant. "Nah, too far," he said with a casual smile, shifting his gaze to Ronny. Their eyes locked. Ronny''s gaze was intense, almost as if he could see through Enzo''s facade.


    "So I might just practise all day," Ronny said, a playful smile on his face. "My brother''s always nagging me about being lazy."


    "Your brother?" Enzo asked.


    "Didn''t I mention him this morning?" Ronny chuckled.


    "Right, I forgot."


    "He''s four years older than me," Ronny explained, leaning back in his chair. "But when I want to work, he''s always nagging me to take a break."


    Harry tilted his head, deep in thought. "What''s your last name again?"


    "Sinclair," Ronny replied.


    "Is your brother''s name Nolan?" Harry asked.


    "Yes," Ronny answered,


    "Ah, that''s why you looked familiar," Harry said. "I always see a dude who looks like you on the hall of fame in the library."


    "Whoa, is your brother a celebrity?" Enzo asked.


    "No, I think he''s something like a scientist," Harry said, looking at Ronny for confirmation.


    "Yeah, he is," Ronny sighed. "He''s a good man, but he acts like an old man sometimes."


    "At least he still doesn''t want you to work," Harry sighed. "I have four older sisters... what do you think?"


    "Dang!" Enzo blurted out before catching himself. "Sorry."


    Harry giggled. "I know, it''s a lot, but they are nice except when they fight each other. Do you have any siblings, Enzo?"


    Siblings. Enzo had longed for one as a child when he saw other kids with someone who looked just like them by their side. But looking back now, he was almost relieved to be an only child, especially since his parents weren''t exactly contenders for Parents of the Year.


    "I''m an only child," Enzo said, "But I do have a cousin, though we''re not close..."


    Harry smiled. "Well, you can count me as your brother if you want, right, Ronan?"


    Ronny''s eyes met Enzo''s, a flicker of something unreadable passing between them. "I don''t want to be his brother, though," Ronny said, then quickly clarified, "I mean, I really don''t know what having a little brother is like."


    "Understandable," Harry nodded, standing up. "Should we go home?"


    "Sounds good, since this person needs to rest," Ronny said as he gathered his things. He turned to Enzo, "I''ll walk you home."


    Enzo instinctively avoided his gaze, shaking his head. "I''m good."


    "Then, how about I walk you to the bus stop?" Ronny suggested with a gentle smile.


    Enzo sighed, realising there was no point in arguing. "Alright," he conceded.


    As they walked out of the building, they made small talk about the weather and other trivial things. Just as they were about to part ways, Harry playfully nudged them both.


    Harry gave them both a warm smile. "Great! I''ll see you guys later then. Take care, Enzo, you too Ronan." He waved goodbye and headed off in the opposite direction, leaving Enzo and Ronny to walk towards the bus stop together.


    "So it''s really healed in no time, huh? Your face?" Ronny said as soon as Harry was out of earshot.


    "Yeah, it''s not hurting anymore," Enzo lied, forcing a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    Ronny watched Enzo''s forced smile, his own lips twitching slightly. This guy was good at reading people, wasn''t he?


    "Fine," Enzo sighed, finally admitting defeat. "It still hurts, but it''s not that bad anymore."


    Ronny didn''t say anything, just offered a gentle smile before turning his gaze forward. The more Enzo talked to him, the more distant Ronny seemed. It was like he was someone who preferred not to complicate things, yet he wasn''t quite what he seemed on the surface. Maybe he was as skilled as Enzo at hiding his true feelings? But then again, that wasn''t Enzo''s concern. Everyone had their own reasons for putting on a facade.


    "Anyway," Enzo began, as they approached the bus stop at the university''s entrance, "Why are you really being so nice to me?"


    Ronny stopped and smiled at Enzo. The way the light danced on his face made Enzo wonder if the smile was genuine or just another facade like the one he himself often wore.


    "Enzo," Ronny said in his warm voice, "I think the bus has already arrived."


    "Oh, right," Enzo replied with a forced smile. "I guess I should get going then."


    As Enzo stepped onto the bus, Ronny called out, "Let me know when you get home safe, okay?"


    "And please take care of your health," Ronny added, waving goodbye.


    "I will," Enzo promised. He waved him goodbye.


    Yeah, people always have a reason for everything, but did everything really need a reason? Well, It was a question without a definitive answer. It''s not like we can see through their minds or anything. Damn, humans are really complex creatures, and Enzo was no exception. He''d always believed he was good at hiding himself, but today he learned that someone like him was as easy to read as an open book.


    If he was so transparent, what other truths about himself had he been blind to all along?

 Chapter 9: The mint scent

    The spring air nipped at Enzo''s skin, crisp but not biting. The sun played hide-and-seek behind puffy clouds, teasing with the promise of warmth. Bright green leaves and grass sparkled with morning dew, like the world had been sprinkled with tiny diamonds.


    Enzo''s eyes tracked a drop of water as it slid down a blade of grass. He felt a pang in his chest, a bittersweet ache that matched the in-between season. Not quite winter''s chill, not yet summer''s embrace.


    He breathed in deep, letting the earthy scent of new growth fill his lungs. It smelled like hope, like possibility. But hope was a tricky thing, wasn''t it? It could lift you up or gut you like a fish.


    A gentle breeze ruffled Enzo''s hair, and he closed his eyes. For a moment, he let himself feel everything - the soft grass under his palms, the whisper of wind on his face, the warmth of sun on his eyelids when the clouds parted.


    It was beautiful, sure. But beauty could be a trap, couldn''t it? Enzo''s lips quivered in a half-smile, tinged with irony. He''d learned that lesson the hard way. Still, he couldn''t help but drink in the scene, storing it away like a photo in his mind.


    Maybe he was overthinking again. Typical. But hey, at least the view was nice while his brain ran laps around itself.


    "What are you doing here, Enzo?"


    Ah, fuck. His morning was ruined - like, really ruined. He was just trying to be aesthetic and shit at the park with a hot cocoa in his hands. But someone had to pop out of nowhere and destroy it.


    "Just trying to be a guy people fall in love with at first sight," Enzo said, forcing a smile.


    Ian stood there, his eyes sparkling in the sun, messy light brown hair swaying in the breeze. He was the kind of guy people instantly liked - cute, warm, and energetic. But for Enzo, it wasn''t that simple. He didn''t hate Ian or anything, he just wasn''t keen on reconnecting with someone from high school.


    "I think you can do that without trying," Ian said with a grin.


    Yeah, right. Like Enzo believed that.


    "Can I sit here?" Ian smiled.


    "Sure, you can take this seat," Enzo answered and started to gather his stuff, but Ian stopped him before he could stand up.


    "Please, let''s talk for a minute," Ian said, gently pulling Enzo back down. Talk? All of a sudden? Was there anything to talk about? Enzo didn''t think so.


    "Do you remember the last time we met?" Ian asked. "Like a week or two weeks ago?"


    Enzo remembered it really well, but why did Ian have to bring it up? Back in high school, Ian had been popular among the students. He was good-looking, sure, but that was just a small part of his appeal. Still, he''d always been the kind of kid who easily forgot important details.


    Once, he''d burst into the auditorium while the teachers were having a serious meeting. His excuse was that he''d forgotten the music class was cancelled. Enzo hadn''t seen it himself, but he''d heard about it from a friend and that¡¯s friend? Well, we shouldn''t poke the bubble, should we?


    "Yes," Enzo replied, taking a sip from his hot cocoa to avoid Ian''s gaze. He suspected Ian might be after his number again, judging by how he was leaning in a bit closer. This guy really had no concept of personal space.


    "So, can I get it now?" Ian smiled, pulling out his phone and offering it to Enzo.


    Why did he have to put him in this tight spot? Enzo couldn''t seem to find an excuse to get himself out of this situation. Maybe he could fake a faint? Or pretend to choke on his cocoa? It was just a number, he knew, but he didn''t want to give it away.


    "Can I?" Ian repeated, turning on the puppy dog eyes again. This guy - why did he want it so badly?


    "Why do you want my number anyway?" Enzo asked, reluctantly taking the phone from Ian''s hand.


    "I like you," Ian said simply.


    The fuck? What did he mean by that? Was he out of his mind? Or had he gotten some crazy idea from somewhere?


    "Are you nuts?" Enzo blurted out. "Oh, sorry."


    Ian looked at Enzo for a second before bursting into laughter. He grabbed Enzo''s arm and squeezed it tightly, leaning his head on Enzo''s shoulder. Has this guy gone completely insane? Enzo knew Ian was clingy, but why all this closeness? He tried to push him away with a nudge of his shoulder, but it didn''t work.


    "What''s so funny?" Enzo asked, bewildered and uncomfortable.


    "Your face," Ian managed between chuckles. "You looked so shocked. It''s cute."


    Enzo felt his cheeks heat up, unsure if it was from embarrassment or annoyance. "Look, Ian, I don''t know what''s going on here, but¡ª"


    "Relax," Ian said, finally releasing Enzo''s arm and sitting up straight. His eyes were still sparkling with amusement. "I meant I like you as a friend. I want us to reconnect, that''s all."


    Enzo let out a breath he didn''t realise he''d been holding. "You could''ve just said that from the start," he grumbled.


    Ian grinned, but for a split second, something flickered in his eyes¡ªsomething Enzo couldn''t quite read. "Where''s the fun in that? Come on, give me your number.¡±


    "Look, Ian," Enzo sighed, tightening his grip on Ian''s phone, "I feel like I have to be honest with you here."


    Ian''s smile didn''t waver. "Go on."


    Enzo took a deep breath. "I have no plans to reconnect with anyone from high school." He looked at Ian, expecting some reaction, but the smile remained plastered on Ian''s face.


    "I know," Ian said simply.


    Enzo frowned. "Then why...?"


    "Listen, I know you''ve been through a lot since high school," Ian continued, his smile softening slightly. "But I haven''t kept in touch with my high school friends either. I cut all ties."


    "But¡ª" He paused, then reached out and gently picked something off of Enzo''s hair, making him flinch involuntarily.


    "Sorry," Ian apologised, his smile returning. "You''re the only one I want to reconnect with, ever since that week when I saw you again."


    Enzo''s heart skipped a beat. Ian had said he liked him, yes, but as a friend. Yet, this felt different. Was this some kind of confession? It sounded off, not like a friend-to-friend kind of thing. Or maybe Enzo was just being paranoid? It''s not that he hated the idea of a guy liking him, but it was unexpected, to say the least.


    "I¡ª" Enzo started, caught off guard. He''d let his defences down for just a moment, and now he was stuck listening to someone he least expected to have a deep conversation with.


    "Enzo?" a voice called out, snapping him out of his trance.


    It was his saviour, the one and only, Ronan Sinclair ¨C Ronny.


    "Didn''t know I''d meet you here," Ronny said, his eyes flicking between Enzo and Ian. Beside him stood another man, his hair neatly combed, unlike Ronny''s usual loose style. His green eyes were striking, and he bore a resemblance to Ronny, but with a more serious, almost like a strict teacher


    "Ye... Yeah," Enzo stammered, pulling his hand back from Ian''s.


    "Am I interrupting something?" Ronny muttered while flickering his hair, strange¡­why did he look upset?


    "Not at all," Enzo assured him with a smile, glancing at Ian who, strangely, also appeared a bit flustered.


    "And who''s this?" Ian asked, turning his attention to Ronny with a smile.


    "I''m Ronan," Ronny replied with a smile. Wasn''t he usually insistent on being called Ronny instead of Ronan? But that wasn''t important right now.


    "I''m Ian." The two shook hands, their grip lingering a little longer than usual and it seemed to last an uncomfortably long time.


    Ronny finally broke the handshake and turned to Enzo with a smile. "And Enzo, this is my brother, the one we were talking about."


    "Ah, yes," Enzo responded, returning the smile. "You two really do look like twins."


    "Nice to meet you, Enzo," Nolan said, reaching out to shake Enzo''s hand. "Our Ronron has been talking about you a lot."


    "Ronron?" Enzo repeated, glancing at Ronny, who was trying to pull his brother back, his face flushed.


    "Alright, but too bad we can''t talk longer, Enzo," Nolan said, checking his watch. "We''re running late, Ronron." He started walking ahead. "See you around, Enzo, and Ian too."


    Ronny looked at Enzo and Ian. He wasn¡¯t someone who always showed his emotions¡ªsure, he might grin with that goofy smile, but beyond that, he didn¡¯t reveal much. Yet, despite his red face from his brother calling him ''Ronron,'' something seemed to be really stressing him out, eh?


    "Right... I''ll call you later," Ronny said, flipping his hair once more before hurrying after his brother.


    "So, he''s your friend?" Ian asked after the blonde brothers left.


    "Yes," Enzo replied, his eyes fixed on Ian''s phone in his hand.


    "Ian, I''ll give you my number," Enzo started, his finger hovering over the phone''s screen, "but promise me one thing." Enzo said, hovering his finger over Ian¡¯s phone. He had never been like this before¡­right? Or maybe he had acted differently at times, but that wasn¡¯t the point. He wanted out of this situation, but it was too late to back out while Ronny was still here. To escape this awkward moment, he knew he had to act differently and just get the hell out of there.


    "Sure, anything you want," Ian agreed with a smile.


    "Don''t give away my phone number to anyone else, especially..." Enzo trailed off, deliberately leaving a hint.


    "Andrew?" Ian blurted out, though it wasn''t entirely his fault. Enzo had practically handed him the answer on a silver platter.


    Enzo frowned. "Yeah. Never. Ever. Or else."


    "I won''t, I swear. I can give you a pinky promise," Ian said, holding out his pinky finger.


    Enzo hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly linked his pinky with Ian''s. Yes, Enzo was an open book to everyone except himself, and Ian had just exploited that vulnerability. He quickly typed his number into Ian''s phone, hoping this would be the end of it.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°Wow, I really thought you were going to take longer¡± Ian chuckled, taking his phone back from Enzo.


    "Yeah, I did consider it, but I''m tired," Enzo smiled, taking the last sip from his cocoa.


    They fell into a silent game, Ian seemed content to simply observe the world around them, a smile gracing his lips every time Enzo glanced his way. This man was so weird. Did he really not know how to take a hint?


    "When we were back in high school..." Ian began, turning to look at Enzo.


    "You really stood out from everyone else, you know," he continued, rubbing his hands together.


    "I really don''t think so," Enzo mumbled, looking away.


    "You really did," Ian insisted. "I always wanted to get to know you better, but they told me not to." He smiled. "You know I was friends with that person, right?"


    "Yes," Enzo nodded


    "Well, I tried to talk to you privately. I don''t know how many times, but he always interrupted," Ian chuckled.


    Enzo reflected on this. It was true - back in high school, he and Ian never really exchanged words without interruption from that lunatic. They just exchanged hellos in the morning, that''s all. They weren''t close and didn''t even count as friends. Even Enzo''s knowledge of Ian''s personality came from observation, not closeness.


    "But here we are, having a conversation," Ian smiled.


    "That''s right," Enzo said.


    "Well, I better get going," Ian said, flashing another smile. "Actually, I''m really late for a blind date."


    "It''s pretty late now, but getting to talk to you was worth getting scolded," Ian said, standing up. Enzo felt oddly bad for Ian''s date.


    "I think I better call her and head home," Ian said, wiggling his phone in his hand. "Can I call you tonight?"


    "Why?" Enzo asked. Yeah, why did he want to call tonight anyway? It''s not like there was much to talk about.


    "I don''t know, I just want to," Ian replied with a smile, patting Enzo''s head lightly. Enzo flinched again at the unexpected touch.


    "Then, see you around," Ian said, waving goodbye as he walked away.


    As Ian''s figure disappeared into the distance, Enzo slumped back onto the bench, exhaling deeply.


    It was a weird morning to start with. All the people he''d met today made him feel like he was living in a novel or something. It wasn''t like this town was small or anything, but he always seemed to run into someone he knew. Meeting Ronny and Nolan was understandable since there was a science lab near where he lived, but what about Ian?


    Enzo rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of it all. The peaceful morning he''d planned had turned into a parade of familiar faces, each bringing their own complications. Ronny with his intense gaze, and now Ian with his... whatever that was.


    He glanced at his phone, wondering if Ian would really call tonight. Part of him hoped he wouldn''t, while another part ¨C a part he wasn''t quite ready to acknowledge ¨C felt a twinge of curiosity.


    Shaking his head, Enzo stood up. He''d come here for some quiet reflection, but instead got a morning full of unexpected encounters. As he walked away from the bench, he couldn''t help but wonder what other surprises the day or maybe night? might bring.


    Enzo went back to his apartment, finding it warmer inside than expected. The aesthetic jacket he''d worn for his morning outing now felt stifling. He tossed it aside, his attempts at looking cool thoroughly ruined.


    He jumped back on his mattress and buried his face in the pillow. The soft fabric muffled his groan of frustration. Rolling onto his back, he stared at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind.


    His phone buzzed, making him jump. For a split second, he thought it might be Ian, calling way earlier than promised. But no, it was just a notification from some app. Enzo let out a breath he didn''t realise he''d been holding.


    "Get a grip," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. It was just a weird morning, that''s all. Nothing to get worked up about. Yet he couldn''t shake the feeling that something had shifted, that the comfortable routine of his life had been nudged off-kilter.


    Enzo closed his eyes, hoping for a moment of peace.


    Maybe getting a part-time job? The thought floated in, a potential solution to kill some time before the break ends and perhaps earn some extra cash. But as quickly as the idea came, exhaustion washed over him. To think about getting up every morning to work... he felt drained just imagining it.


    He hugged a pillow to his chest. The responsible part of him knew a job might be a good idea - structure, income, something to focus on. But another part rebelled against adding any more complications to his life.


    "One thing at a time," Enzo murmured to himself. He''d deal with job hunting later. For now, he just wanted to lie here, in the safety of his apartment, and try to relax.


    His phone buzzed. Enzo eyed it warily, wondering if he should even bother checking. With a sigh, he reached for the device. A strange number flashed on the screen. He could bet who it was.


    ''Enzo it''s me Ian''


    Yeah, as expected. Ian was really that eager to talk to him.


    ''Save this number ok?''


    Another message came in before Enzo could type back.


    ''Ok''


    Enzo answered and tossed the phone back to where it was. No further messages came from Ian. He closed his eyes again, deciding to take a nap to kill some time. He didn''t know what else to do at this moment.


    As he drifted off, Enzo wondered vaguely why Ian was so insistent on keeping in touch. It was a puzzle for another time, though. Right now, sleep seems like the best thing to do.


    Enzo jolted awake around evening but didn''t know what time, his phone ringing incessantly. Ronny''s name flashed on the screen. Right, he had mentioned calling later.


    "Took you long enough," Ronny''s low voice greeted him when he answered.


    "I was taking a nap, what do you want?" Enzo mumbled, still half asleep.


    "Are you free right now?" Ronny inquired.


    "Yeah, always free," Enzo replied with a yawn.


    "Want to do something fun today?" The unexpected question caught Enzo off guard. This guy always seemed to come up with something out of the blue.


    "What is it?" Enzo asked, curiosity piqued.


    "Come to my house today," Ronny said simply.


    Enzo''s eyes widened. This was the first time Ronny had invited him over. He didn''t know why, but he was definitely going.


    "Sure, send me the address then," Enzo couldn''t help but smile. He was excited at the prospect of making a new friend, maybe even a best friend.


    "No, I''ll pick you up," Ronny insisted.


    "No need, I¡ª" Enzo started, but Ronny cut him off.


    "I''ll pick you up," he repeated firmly. Enzo knew better than to argue. Ronny could be surprisingly stubborn, and if Enzo didn''t let him, he''d probably sulk.


    "Yeah, yeah, okay. Just pick me up at the park where we met this morning, ''kay?" Enzo said. "What time will you be there?"


    "How about in an hour?" Ronny suggested.


    "What? Ah... okay," Enzo replied, sitting up straighter. "Just call me when you leave your house."


    "Okay, see you later," Ronny said before hanging up.


    Today was turning out to be quite a day. Enzo could tell. He got up and headed to the bathroom to wash up and change into sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. Judging by Ronny''s personality, he probably wouldn''t be taking him to a club or anything fancy. Maybe the gym?


    An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Enzo walked to the park when Ronny called, noticing how different it looked at evening compared to the morning. It was quieter, calmer, and warmer, but that was fine. Just as he was about to sit on a bench, the honk of a vehicle caught his attention.


    It wasn''t a car, but a motorcycle. Ronny sat astride it, lifting his helmet visor and frowning at Enzo. Why was he frowning? Enzo had no idea. Ronny gestured for him to come closer and handed him a helmet. It was simple, nothing like the one Ronny was wearing. Yeah, it was not cool at all.


    Ronny helped Enzo onto the motorcycle, his hands steady as he guided Enzo''s legs into place. It wasn''t that Enzo was short, okay? He was tall compared to most people, and Ronny was only a couple of inches taller. But Ronny was clearly a gym rat, all muscle and lean physique, and this damn motorcycle seemed taller than Enzo had anticipated.


    "You can hold onto my waist, like this," Ronny instructed once Enzo was settled. He took Enzo''s hands and wrapped them around his own torso. Damn, this guy had a ridiculously good body, even through his shirt.


    "Yeah, you can rub it all you want," Ronny chuckled, catching Enzo off guard and making him blush furiously.


    "Sorry, please go now," Enzo stammered, trying to loosen his grip, but Ronny held firm, ensuring Enzo was securely holding on before taking off.


    The ride was surprisingly enjoyable. Enzo saw the town from a new perspective, the wind whipping past him as they sped through the streets. After about ten minutes, they arrived at Ronny''s house. It was large, but not manor-sized. A modern Tudor-style house with a spacious yard that looked perfect for a dog to run around in, and a patio that seemed ideal for a barbecue night.


    "Can you get down on your own?" Ronny asked, removing his helmet. Damn, he was a good-looking guy. If Enzo were a woman, he''d probably be trying to flirt with him right now.


    "Yeah, no problem," Enzo said, dismounting from the motorcycle. He stumbled a bit but managed to get off without help. He handed Ronny back the helmet and straightened his shirt.


    "Is your brother home?" Enzo asked, trying to peek through the front door.


    "Why? Do you like him?" Ronny''s question caught Enzo off guard. Why did he have to assume Enzo liked his brother just because he asked if he was home? Wasn''t that a normal question?


    "No, I was just asking," Enzo sighed, playfully hitting Ronny''s arm.


    "Yeah, that''s good," Ronny replied. Why did everyone seem so strange today?


    "Come on in," Ronny said, holding the door open for Enzo.


    The interior of the house was warm and inviting. It wasn''t the temperature that made it feel that way, but rather the cosy cottage-style decor. It wasn''t exactly Enzo''s style, but who was he to judge someone''s taste based on their appearance?


    "No one''s home today," Ronny said, taking off his gloves.


    "Oh?" Enzo replied, a bit surprised.


    "So even if we do something bad today, no one will know," Ronny winked playfully.


    Enzo couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. What did he mean by "something bad"? And with that goofy grin on his face, Enzo had the sudden urge to punch him.


    "Come to my room, I need your help with something," Ronny said, leading the way upstairs.


    Right, of course, he needed Enzo for something.


    "I really can''t figure out these lyrics," Ronny explained as he climbed the stairs.


    He opened the door to his room, revealing a stark contrast to the cosy living room. It was dark and red, exuding a rock-and-roll vibe. If this room were a person, it would be a man in a leather jacket, a red t-shirt peeking out, playing a guitar with a cigarette dangling from his lips.


    "Here..." Ronny said, handing Enzo the paper. It was covered in scribbles and cross-outs.


    Enzo read through it while Ronny sat on the bed, fidgeting nervously. The lyrics were indeed bland, and Enzo couldn''t help but think that Ronny was a bit crazy.


    "I know why these lyrics don''t make sense," Enzo said, joining Ronny on the bed.


    "Why?" Ronny asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.


    "You''re trying to write a love song," Enzo paused, looking at Ronny with a raised eyebrow, "but you''ve never been in love? Are you dumb?"


    Ronny just grinned at him.


    "Stop with that smile," Enzo said, handing the paper back. "Lips that are soft like a marshmallow? You serious?"


    "It''s a metaphor," Ronny retorted, but he took the paper back nonetheless. "But whatever, how should it be then?"


    "You gotta try that for yourself... the feeling when people kiss. It''s good, it can make people melt away," Enzo said, closing his eyes, trying to recall the sensation of his last kiss.


    "Kissing is good, but some kisses can be bitter and cruel," Enzo added, nodding.


    "I don''t know about that because I''ve never experienced it before," Ronny said, his voice closer than before.


    "As I said, you gotta learn it for yourself," Enzo replied, keeping his eyes closed. He was right. Something like this, they had to learn for themselves since it was so emotional, and kisses held different meanings for different people.


    "Well, I don''t know how to learn about it. I need a teacher," Ronny said, and Enzo could hear the paper rustling beside him.


    "Uh-huh," Enzo mumbled, opening his eyes and blinking to adjust to the light as he turned to look at Ronny.


    As his vision cleared, Ronny¡¯s face came into sharp focus¡ªnot because his eyes had adjusted, but because Ronny was so close. His handsome features were even more striking up close, his green and brown eyes sparkling as they locked onto him. Warm breath, tinged with the scent of mint, brushed his skin.


    Ronny opened his mouth to speak, his voice a low whisper,


    "Can you teach me then?"

 Chapter 10: The back way

    Damn, this felt all too familiar. High school memories came flooding back¡ªhis former best friend pulling stunts like this. That guy had kissed him once, maybe even more, but it had all been a cruel joke. Enzo couldn¡¯t let himself get sucked into another situation like that. Not again


    "Ha..." Enzo managed, backing away from Ronny. "Very funny"


    Ronny just smiled at Enzo, not saying a word. The silence between them was heavy, filled with things left unsaid. If it had been someone else, someone who wasn''t his friend, Enzo might have taken a chance. But this was Ronan Sinclair - that outstanding Ronan. There¡¯s no way that he will do it.


    "Yeah, but I wasn''t joking, though," Ronny said, as he leaned closer. The warmth of his breath brushed against Enzo''s skin.


    "Cut the crap, you really don''t know how crazy I am," Enzo muttered, pushing Ronny''s face away with a light touch of his fingertips against his cheek. Even though it was fleeting, the touch sent a jolt through him. Enzo knew he was talking nonsense; he wasn''t that crazy, and there was nothing he could do about this situation anyway


    "Alright," Ronny chuckled, backing away.


    As Ronny retreated, Enzo was left with a flustered feeling pounding in his chest.


    "But seriously, how can I finish this stuff?" Ronny asked, flicking the paper and sighing. "I thought people could just write a song without experiencing it," he said, looking at Enzo.


    "But it''s really not working," he added, resting his chin on his palms and smiling at Enzo.


    "Well, I hope you experience it one day then," Enzo mumbled, avoiding Ronny''s gaze. If he stared any longer, he felt like he might actually fall for him this time.


    The room fell into an awkward silence, broken only by the sound of Ronny''s pen scratching against the paper. Never in Enzo''s life had he felt this awkward before. He fidgeted with his hands, unlocked his phone, scrolled through some websites, then turned it off, repeating the cycle over and over.


    Suddenly, Enzo''s phone rang, breaking the silence. Someone was calling him, and Enzo wasn''t sure if he should feel relieved to have an excuse to escape the awkwardness or worried that it was Ian. He glanced at Ronny, who was frowning for no apparent reason.


    "I need to take this call," Enzo announced, standing up.


    "Do you really need to?" Ronny asked, his tone hinting at annoyance. Enzo couldn''t understand why he was acting this way.


    "Y...yeah, my friend is calling. It might be something important," Enzo replied with a nervous smile, quickly leaving the room and Ronny''s angry expression behind.


    Enzo didn''t feel physically threatened by Ronny. However, he was suddenly experiencing a new kind of discomfort. While Ronny had made similar jokes before, this time felt different. For the first time, Enzo sensed that Ronny might be serious.


    This realisation is what made the situation risky¡ªnot for Enzo''s safety, but for his emotions. He felt that something had changed in their relationship. It wasn''t Ronny that made him nervous, but rather his own developing feelings. Enzo found himself wondering: Was this a genuine advance or just another joke? Either way, he realised he was in a delicate situation. His heart was at stake, and he wasn''t sure if he was prepared to take that emotional risk


    "Hello," Enzo answered the phone, his heart pounding.


    "I was just thinking you might not pick up," Ian''s voice said on the other end.


    "I was considering it," Enzo admitted with a sigh.


    "Why did you call anyway?"


    "No idea, I just wanted to hear your voice," Ian replied.


    What on earth was going on with all these men today? Why were they all suddenly so interested in him?


    "Don''t get me wrong, I was just..." Ian trailed off. "Nothing."


    Another awkward silence descended, mirroring the one Enzo had just experienced in Ronny''s room.


    "I think I should hang up," Ian finally said. "I''ll call you later."


    And just like that, he hung up. Enzo stared at his phone, the silence suddenly deafening. Maybe staying in his apartment all day from now on was a good idea. Why had he even bothered going out this morning, only to end up in these awkward situations? He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Regretting it now wouldn''t change anything, but the thought of hiding away from the world was tempting.


    Enzo returned to Ronny''s room, where Ronny was still sitting on the bed, papers in hand. The man looked at him, annoyance clear on his face, yet still so pretty it hurt.


    "Are you done?" Ronny asked.


    "Yeah," Enzo said, walking around the room. He tried to distract himself by examining a photo frame on the desk. Damn, he''d really messed up big time, hadn''t he?


    "Is this you and your brother?" Enzo asked, pointing at the photo. Of course it was. Two blonde kids ¨C one bigger, one smaller. The little one with brown and green eyes was probably Ronny, crying and sitting on the ground with a messy face. The other, likely Nolan, stood beside him, holding a fistful of grass.


    "That''s when I was 3," Ronny said, standing up and moving closer. His hand touched Enzo''s wrist, then slowly slid higher.


    Fuck! This was dangerous. Ronny needed to stay at least six feet away, or Enzo was going to lose his mind for real this time


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    "H-hey," Enzo stammered as Ronny got too close, resting his head on Enzo''s shoulder and lightly squeezing his upper arm. Was he... sniffing him? Fuck fuck fuck FUCK!


    "That call... was it him?" Ronny asked softly, his warm breath touching Enzo''s skin.


    Why did you ask that, you moron? Did he think that question would help him calm down? His face was red as a fool''s. Hadn''t he just decided not to do anything he couldn''t take back?


    Outwardly, Enzo kept his composure. "Was it who?" he asked.


    Ronny''s answer was soft but clear. "That man, Ian."


    What the hell? In his whole life, Enzo had never felt this way toward a friend. Well, technically he had, but that was with his best friend, and that didn''t count... did it? It was true, he was easily swayed by simple touches and kind words. But was it really worth the risk? Would he lose another friend? The wall he''d built so carefully since his last breakup ¨C was it really okay to break it down again?


    "You think too much," Ronny whispered, peeking up to meet Enzo''s eyes.


    "Me?" Enzo questioned, his gaze locking with Ronny''s. Then, without warning, Ronny leaned in and kissed his shoulder lightly. Yes, you read that right, KISSED.


    "Hey!" Enzo exclaimed, his face flushing a deep red. It wasn''t the first time someone had done something like this to him, but as he''d thought earlier, if he didn''t stop this now, it could lead to something he couldn''t undo.


    "You still haven''t answered my question," Ronny said, nibbling on Enzo''s ear.


    Where was that shy guy from the band''s outing? The one who saw Enzo naked and got all flustered and red? Where was he now? Why was he acting like this? Oh, seriously!


    ¡°Yeah, it was him, happy?¡± Enzo said, fully aware that he¡¯d just stirred something up that he shouldn¡¯t have, but what was done was done.


    "Not really, if you ask me," Ronny replied, tightening his hug around Enzo.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Enzo asked, confused.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know,¡± Ronny admitted, tightening his hold.


    "Come on, aren''t we friends?" Enzo asked, nudging Ronny''s head playfully with his own.


    ¡°Friends¡­ yeah, that¡¯s right,¡± Ronny mumbled, his lips brushing the back of Enzo¡¯s neck.


    "If you keep doing this, you''ll regret it later," Enzo warned, his body burning with a mix of pleasure and anxiety. His heart pounded in his chest. Why was Ronny acting like this? It felt strange, yet ?e liked the way Ronny touched him, and that feeling was unsettling.


    "I won''t," Ronny assured him, pressing his head against Enzo''s neck and kissing it softly. His mouth was warm, softer than Enzo had expected but not like the marshmallows he¡¯d once written about in his lyrics.


    So, the wall he''s been building alone for the past few months? It was a piece of cake for someone like Ronny to climb. No need to break anything, just climb right over. And that''s okay for the time being.


    "Don''t leave a mark," Enzo said, noticing Ronny''s kisses were getting a bit more intense. Ronny''s hands were under his shirt now, his touch sending the warm touch all over his body


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯ve never been in love before?¡± Enzo asked, his voice shaky.


    "Yes, but that doesn''t mean I''ve never been fucked," Ronny replied, flipping Enzo around to face him. He leaned in closer, his minty breath fanning Enzo''s face as he spoke.


    "Can I kiss you now?" Ronny asked, their foreheads bumping gently.


    Enzo remained silent, his heart thrumming in his chest. His brain screamed at him to stop this, but his heart yearned for Ronny''s kiss. What should he do? It had only been half a year since they''d met, and Enzo had no idea how they''d ended up in this situation. It wasn''t that he was against physical intimacy with another guy, but he was terrified of getting hurt again, like he had in high school. Was this really worth the risk?


    Ah, fuck it, just do it already, Enzo screamed in his mind.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask,¡± Enzo said, looking up at Ronny, barely able to believe the words forming on his lips. ¡°Just kiss me already.¡±


    Ronny smiled as he leaned in, delivering a soft, slow, and intense kiss. The way Ronny kissed him made Enzo realise how sly this man was¡ªhis claim of never having kissed before was complete bullshit. Enzo knew he was falling for one of Ronny¡¯s tricks again, but it didn¡¯t matter.


    Enzo closed his eyes as Ronny''s hand gently cupped his chin, tilting it down to open his mouth. Ronny¡¯s tongue slipped inside, the sweet taste and refreshing scent igniting something deep within Enzo. Before he knew it, his hands were already wrapped around Ronny¡¯s neck, pulling him closer. Enzo bit Ronny¡¯s lip, tension crackling between them. It was so intense, so hot, that Enzo could hardly breathe, but that was fine¡ªdying from a kiss this good would be worth it.


    Ronny pulled away slowly, gasping for breath, his face flushed. Ronny was panting heavily, his hands shaking slightly, and his lips were parted, a single trail of drool rolling down the side of his mouth.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Enzo muttered under his breath.


    He was still staring at Ronny''s lips when he was suddenly pulled closer, feeling Ronny''s breath on his cheek.


    ¡°You look like you want more, Enzo,¡± Ronny whispered, his voice low and teasing.


    Enzo smiled, his eyes half-closed. " Am I?"


    ¡°Then give it to me,¡± Enzo said, grinning as Ronny pulled him close and led him to the bed.


    Enzo sat down, watching as Ronny straddled his hips and leaned in. Their kissing grew more intense, tongues exploring, hands tangled in each other''s hair. When Ronny bit Enzo''s lip, a low moan escaped him, and he couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. He grabbed Ronny''s waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were pressed tight against each other.


    Their lips parted, and Enzo¡¯s eyes locked on Ronny''s exposed neck, anticipation licking at him. Ronny¡¯s eyes widened, cheeks flushing deep red. He looked away, biting his lower lip, heart pounding in his chest.


    ¡°You can¡¯t back away now,¡± Enzo said, his voice almost daring.


    Enzo kissed along Ronny''s jawline, his breath hot against Ronny''s skin. He licked his way down Ronny''s neck, stopping at the base, sucking and biting gently. Ronny let out a soft whimper, his body trembling under Enzo''s touch.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but... I don''t think I can hold back anymore,¡± Ronny admitted, voice low and desperate.


    ¡°And who says you have to?¡± Enzo whispered as his hands slipped inside Ronny''s shirt, feeling the firm body beneath.


    That was it. Enzo was losing it, his brain spinning as he glanced at Ronny. Whatever happened after this¡ªif they weren¡¯t friends anymore¡ªso be it.


    Enzo made Ronny squirm by kissing his way back up, biting his earlobe, and lightly brushing his nipples. He bit Ronny¡¯s shoulder, planting kisses down his neck, one hand stroking Ronny¡¯s back, the other massaging his thigh.


    Ronny let out a low moan that drove Enzo wild. He grinned as Ronny pushed him down onto the bed, lifting Enzo''s shirt and licking every inch of his skin like a man possessed. Enzo shivered under the attention, his thoughts a blur. Before he could react, Ronny¡¯s hand slipped down Enzo''s pants, brushing softly against him, fingers sliding lower until they found his entrance. That¡¯s when Enzo realised something.


    ¡°Hey, Ronny,¡± Enzo said, voice shaky.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Ronny replied, not pausing as he licked Enzo¡¯s nipple.


    ¡°ummm am I the bottom?¡±

 Chapter 11 The friend that he t[h]rust

    Enzo hadn¡¯t had many relationships in his life¡ªonly three, and none of them had lasted long or turned serious. Still, one thing had been consistent: he¡¯d never been the bottom before.


    ¡°Does it matter?¡± Ronny asked, his hand sliding down to Enzo¡¯s waist, rubbing it lightly.


    ¡°It does, between two men, of course,¡± Enzo replied, even as he kissed Ronny back.


    ¡°Your call then. I can be either; it really doesn¡¯t matter to me,¡± Ronny said, his voice casual yet enticing.


    Enzo glanced at Ronny, who was kissing and licking him all over. Damn, he looked so hot doing all that, his hands moving lower, grabbing him lightly. Enzo tried to weigh his options, but his mind was a blur. Well, does it really matter, as long as we¡¯re both enjoying it? Maybe being the bottom wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all.


    ¡°Alright... just this once, okay?¡± Enzo muttered, his eyes locking with Ronny¡¯s.


    ¡°This once? So, are we doing it again next time?¡± Ronny teased, biting Enzo¡¯s shoulder lightly before kissing him again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Enzo admitted, his breath hitching as Ronny¡¯s finger slipped inside him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go slow,¡± Ronny promised, unzipping Enzo¡¯s pants with a smile. He tugged them off, gently tapping Enzo¡¯s arousal.


    Ronny¡¯s finger was warm, sending a strange mix of sensations through Enzo. It hurt¡ªof course it did, especially since he was new to this¡ªbut at the same time, it felt... good. He¡¯d always been the one doing the prepping, but having someone else prepare him was an entirely different experience.


    ¡°I should use some lube,¡± Ronny whispered, kissing Enzo¡¯s ear. ¡°It¡¯ll hurt less.¡±


    He walked over to the same desk they¡¯d been getting freaky on earlier, grabbing a bottle of lube and a box of condoms.


    ¡°Man, we¡¯re almost out of condoms,¡± Ronny remarked casually.


    Almost out? What the hell did he mean by that? So this sly fox had been playing innocent all this time, only to reveal his true self in bed. But who was Enzo to complain? He had his own share of secrets that he hadn¡¯t shared with Ronny either. That was fine, though¡ªas long as they both stayed away from diving into those hidden depths.


    ¡°I¡¯ll loosen you up a bit more so it won¡¯t hurt,¡± Ronny said, peeling off his shirt. This guy really had a great body. Enzo had sensed it earlier, feeling Ronny¡¯s muscles through his clothes, but seeing it now with his own eyes was something else entirely. As for Enzo, well, he wasn¡¯t built like Ronny at all. He didn¡¯t work out, but at least he managed to keep his body lean and firm.


    ¡°Are you just going to keep staring?¡± Ronny asked with a sly grin.


    Damn, Enzo thought, heart pounding. He¡¯s really something else.


    ¡°If you want me to, I can keep staring,¡± Enzo said as Ronny leaned in for a kiss. The lingering scent of mint filled the air as Ronny pressed his lips against Enzo¡¯s.


    Ronny pushed Enzo fully onto the bed, trailing kisses from his neck to his collarbone, chest, stomach, waist, thighs, and finally down to his cock. Yes, you read that right. His warm lips moved all over Enzo''s body, sending shivers through him. It was such a strange feeling¡ªnone of Enzo¡¯s past partners, not even Mila, had ever offered to give him a blowjob. They always said they weren¡¯t into it. But here Ronny was, doing it all on his own, and they weren¡¯t even in a relationship.


    It was quite the sight: Ronny glancing up at Enzo every time their eyes met, his mouth still working, saliva dripping from the corners of his lips as he gave Enzo a sly smile. Then, with one hand, Ronny flicked open the lube bottle and poured it exactly where you¡¯d expect.


    Ronny slid a finger inside Enzo, moving slowly, spreading the lube. It felt so good that Enzo almost couldn¡¯t handle it.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Enzo gasped, struggling to breathe as he neared his climax. Who would¡¯ve thought getting your cock sucked and a finger up your ass would feel this incredible?


    ¡°Ronny, stop. I¡¯m gonna¡ª¡± Enzo¡¯s voice was cut off by a wave of pleasure as Ronny didn¡¯t stop. His eyes glinted with that sly look, sucking and fingering Enzo harder, pushing him right to the edge.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Enzo groaned, grabbing the back of Ronny¡¯s head, pulling him closer as he came, his cum filling Ronny¡¯s mouth and leaking from the corners. Without hesitation, Ronny licked it up and swallowed.


    ¡°What the fuck, man! You swallowed it?¡± Enzo exclaimed, grabbing Ronny¡¯s cheek in an attempt to make him spit it out. But Ronny just smirked, his eyes still holding that teasing gaze as he reached for the box of condoms he¡¯d brought earlier.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re down to the last one,¡± Ronny said, grinning as he kissed Enzo¡¯s neck, brushing his thumb lightly over his nipple. Enzo bit his lip, trying to stifle a moan, but it was too late for that. He was embarrassed, but damn, this felt good.


    ¡°So¡­ are you really gonna put that in me?¡± Enzo asked, eyeing Ronny¡¯s cock. It wasn¡¯t outrageously big, but it was definitely bigger than his own, and the thought of what was coming next made him nervous.


    ¡°I won¡¯t if you don¡¯t want me to,¡± Ronny smiled. ¡°But you gotta help me out here.¡± He stroked his cock, tapping it teasingly against Enzo¡¯s stomach.


    Enzo sighed. Screw it, he¡¯d come this far. No turning back now. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be so bad if he focused on the good part.


    ¡°Just get on with it,¡± Enzo muttered.


    Ronny kissed his neck again, then rolled the condom on, positioning Enzo''s hips at the right angle, his cock lined up with the entrance. He paused, waiting for Enzo¡¯s nod before starting to push in. The moment the head breached, Enzo screamed. The pain was sharp, tearing through his muscles. It was too big, and he could feel it stretching him in ways he hadn¡¯t anticipated.


    The more he screamed, the more Ronny slowed down. He leaned in, kissing Enzo deeply, muffling his cries. The pain was still there, but it wasn¡¯t unbearable anymore, more of a dull ache.


    The room fell into a steady rhythm, filled with the sounds of skin slapping, heavy breathing, and the bed creaking beneath them. Enzo fought to keep his moans under control, but it was impossible. He never imagined being the bottom could feel this incredible. It hurt, sure, but the pleasure made it worth it.


    He glanced at Ronny¡ªhis face was flushed, sweaty, and red, his muscles taut as he lifted Enzo effortlessly, thrusting into him with a force that sent shockwaves through his body. Ronny bent down, licking Enzo¡¯s nipple, kissing him passionately. Their tongues intertwined, wet sounds echoing in the room as Ronny thrust harder and faster, each stroke driving deeper.


    ¡°Ronny, slower¡­ slower¡­¡± Enzo gasped, clinging tighter, his nails digging into Ronny¡¯s back.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Ronny replied, slowing his pace but maintaining the power behind each thrust. Every time he hit that spot deep inside, the squelching sound of lube and skin filled the air, making Enzo''s cheeks burn with embarrassment. Yet, the sensation was so intense, so overwhelming, he could barely hold back his tears.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Ronny groaned when he heard Enzo moan. His thrusts became erratic as he reached his limit, and Enzo was right there with him. He wanted to hold out longer, but his body had other plans. As the pleasure mounted, Enzo came first, his body tightening around Ronny¡¯s cock, drawing a deep growl from him. In the next moment, Ronny followed, emptying himself into the condom. Even through the condom, Enzo could feel the warmth of it filling him up.


    Ronny collapsed on top of Enzo, both of them panting heavily. After a few moments, Ronny pulled out, carefully removing the condom, tying it off, and tossing it in the nearby trash bin.


    ¡°You¡¯re still hard after all that?¡± Enzo asked, noticing the bulge between Ronny¡¯s legs.


    ¡°It happens sometimes,¡± Ronny replied, leaning down to kiss him again.


    ¡°I can give you a blowjob if you want¡­ you know, in return,¡± Enzo mumbled, still catching his breath.


    Ronny raised an eyebrow, surprised. ¡°You really keep surprising me today,¡± he said, straddling Enzo and positioning his cock near Enzo¡¯s mouth. ¡°But if you¡¯re offering, I¡¯m definitely not saying no.¡±


    Enzo eyed Ronny¡¯s cock¡ªthick and not too long¡ªand took the head into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. He bobbed his head, stroking the shaft while sucking on the tip, the wet sounds of drool adding to the intensity. He even licked Ronny¡¯s balls, taking them into his mouth briefly before focusing back on the shaft.


    Ronny groaned deeply, grabbing Enzo¡¯s head and guiding him, pushing deeper until tears pricked the corners of Enzo¡¯s eyes. It didn¡¯t hurt, not really, but the intensity was overwhelming. After a few moments, Ronny pulled out and came, shooting all over Enzo¡¯s face.


    ¡°Man,¡± Enzo muttered, wiping some of it off as he looked up at Ronny, who was red from head to toe, his brown and green eyes still smouldering with satisfaction.


    "I''m sorry," Ronny said, grabbing the nearest item to clean Enzo off. After wiping him down, he smiled and kissed Enzo again.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll help you clean up,¡± Ronny added with a smile, helping Enzo sit up from the bed. He rummaged through his closet, pulling out a towel and wrapping it around Enzo.


    Ronny washed his face, shampooed his hair, wiped off the remaining lube, and even blow-dried his hair before finding clothes for him to wear. Enzo wasn¡¯t complaining, but he hadn¡¯t expected this level of care. He knew Ronny''s love language was an act of service, but he didn¡¯t think it would go so far that he didn¡¯t have to lift a finger. Ronny handled everything for him.


    "Do you want to sleep over tonight?" Ronny asked after changing the bedsheets.


    Enzo hesitated by the door. "It''s dark already," Ronny added, gently guiding him to the bed.


    "Won''t I be intruding on your space?" Enzo asked.


    "No, I want you to sleep over," Ronny said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Enzo''s ear.


    "Then ok," Enzo finally agreed, settling onto the bed. Friends, he reminded himself. Just friends. But a part of him couldn''t help but wonder if it was really that simple. Ronny didn''t seem bothered by their... activities. The term "friends with benefits" wasn''t new, but it left a bitter taste in Enzo''s mouth.


    Then Enzo¡¯s phone buzzed with a flurry of notifications. The phone, which he had left on the desk, was vibrating non-stop like someone was spamming him. Without asking, Ronny grabbed it and tossed it over to him, lying beside Enzo with one arm draped over his stomach, resting his head on his hand.


    It was Ian. Well, maybe not spamming like Enzo had joked earlier, but definitely persistent.


    ¡®Enzo, are you free tomorrow?¡¯


    ¡®I meant to ask earlier but forgot.¡¯


    ¡®I want to ask you out on a date.¡¯


    ¡®As a friend.¡¯


    ¡®If that makes you more comfortable, of course


    Of course he''s going to say no, a mix of confusion and amusement swirling within him. But damn, Ian doesn''t waste any time. It had barely been a day since they met, and Ian was already making a move. Such an eager beaver.


    ¡°Dude, I can¡¯t breathe,¡± Enzo muttered, feeling the tight pressure of Ronny¡¯s arms squeezing him. Ronny had buried his face in Enzo¡¯s neck, It was clear something was off ¨C the sulking all day, the unusual clinginess.


    "I was going to say no," Enzo managed, trying to pry Ronny''s arms loose. "Stop squeezing me."


    ¡°Why?¡± Ronny whispered


    "What do you mean why? You''ve been acting all sulky all day," Enzo retorted. "I''m not a kid, I know what''s going on."


    Ronny''s eyes searched Enzo''s face. "You really know?"


    "Yeah, you idiot," Enzo sighed. "I know you''re scared to lose a friend." He paused, his voice softening. "Like a kid."


    Ronny''s frown deepened. He bit Enzo''s shoulder playfully, then sat up, leaning in to give him a quick kiss. It was a gesture both unexpected and strangely comforting. Ronny was clearly sulking, but Enzo couldn''t help but find his childish behaviour endearing.


    "Let''s go to sleep, I''m tired," Ronny mumbled, turning his back and pulling the blanket over himself.


    He¡¯s acting like a kid now. Despite all his behaviour today, this sulking attitude might be the only thing he wasn¡¯t hiding. And when he was like this, there was only one solution.


    "Hey," Enzo said, poking Ronny''s shoulder playfully, "do you want to go to Alice''s tomorrow?"


    The mere mention of Alice''s, Ronny''s favourite ice cream shop, was like a magic spell. Ronny''s shoulders visibly relaxed beneath the blanket. Enzo couldn''t help but smile. When Ronny was in one of his moods, the promise of Alice''s was the only solution. He could devour ten cones without a hint of stomach ache, a feat that had amazed Enzo the first time he witnessed it.


    "Ok," Ronny finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned to face Enzo, the sheets rustling with his movement. "Are you paying?"


    "Sure," Enzo chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement. "You know I always do when you''re in one of your moods."


    Ronny''s frown softened slightly, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I''m not in a mood," he mumbled unconvincingly.


    "Right," Enzo drawled, raising an eyebrow. "And I suppose you just bit my shoulder and sulked for fun?"


    Ronny had the grace to look slightly sheepish. He shifted closer to Enzo, their faces just inches apart. "Maybe I like biting you," he whispered, his tone caught between playful and vulnerable.


    Enzo''s breath caught in his throat. Even in his sulky state, Ronny had a way of catching him off guard. He reached out, gently poking Ronny''s cheek. "You''re such a big baby sometimes, you know that?"


    For a long moment, Ronny just stared at him, his eyes narrowed in mock offense. Then, without warning, he leaned in and kissed Enzo deeply. It wasn''t like the playful bite or the quick kiss from earlier. This one seemed designed to prove a point, though Enzo wasn''t quite sure what that point was.


    When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Ronny flopped back onto his pillow, the sulk returning. "Ten cones," he murmured.


    Enzo blinked, momentarily confused. "What?"


    "At Alice''s tomorrow," Ronny clarified, a hint of his usual mischief peeking through. "I''m going to eat ten cones, and you''re paying for all of them."


    Enzo couldn''t help but laugh, the ridiculousness of the situation finally hitting him. "You''re impossible, you know that?" he said fondly.


    "Yeah," Ronny agreed, a playful smirk finally replacing his frown. "But you do as I say anyway."


    A chuckle escaped Enzo''s lips. "Then let''s go to sleep," he said, reaching out to switch off the bedside lamp. "You used a lot of energy today."


    "Ah, don''t start what you can''t stop," Ronny warned with a teasing smile. He closed his eyes, his arm tightening around Enzo beneath the blanket, pulling him closer.


    "Now sleep," Ronny whispered softly, his voice a soothing balm against Enzo''s ear.


    "Ok," Enzo replied, a sense of contentment settling over him. "Sleep tight."


    Ronny''s response was a soft groan, a contented sigh that vibrated through Enzo''s chest.


    As the room fell into silence, Enzo found himself pondering their relationship. He really didn''t know what to call it, but for now, the term "friends with benefits" seemed to fit what they were the most. With that thought, he let himself drift off to sleep, comforted by Ronny''s warm presence beside him.

 Chapter 12: The footsteps

    Five days after the ice cream hangout at Alice¡¯s, Enzo''s world tilted sideways. On the surface, everything looked normal - same old apartment, same old routine. But something was off, like a picture hanging slightly crooked.


    It wasn''t about Ronny. Their relationship was still hard to talk about. No, this was new - a constant prickle on the back of his neck, as if invisible eyes were watching his every move.


    Then weird things started happening. One morning, after a quick trip downtown with Harry, Enzo trudged back to his apartment, bleary-eyed and yawning. He fumbled with his keys, pushed open the door, and froze. His bed, tucked in the corner of the room and usually a tangle of sheets, was now made with military precision¡ªcrisp corners and smooth fabric pulled taut. The trash bin, which should have been overflowing with crumpled papers and empty takeout containers, gaped empty. And his desk, right, his desk. The usual chaos of scattered notes and half-finished lyrics had vanished, replaced by neat stacks and organized binders.


    The feeling got even worse last night. As he was falling asleep, the old, unused light on his wall started flickering, making weird shadows dance around the room. A low buzzing sound came from it, freaking him out even more. He grabbed an old shirt and wrapped it around the light, trying to block out the sound and the creepy light. He finally managed to fall asleep, but the whole thing left him feeling really unsettled.


    Now, Enzo sat on his bed, staring at his phone with a mix of annoyance and frustration. Someone had been spamming him with random texts every five minutes, driving him nuts. He''d finally blocked the number, but the whole thing left a bad taste in his mouth.


    "Ugh, seriously?" he muttered, tossing his phone onto the bed. Anyone in his shoes would be pissed, maybe even freaked out.


    Why don''t you just move? people might ask.


    But well, damn, life wasn''t that simple. He didn''t have the money for a new place. This apartment and everything in it, were paid for by his songwriting royalties. It wasn''t much, but it was enough. Also, cheap apartments were hard to find in this part of town.


    But whatever, he can protect himself. If someone really broke in, he''d kick them in the balls. Enzo chuckled, knowing full well he wouldn''t be able to do that. He stared at the ceiling, letting out a long sigh.


    This was his life, wasn''t it? Always dealing with crap. He''d get used to it, he told himself, even though people kept saying ¡®asking for help wasn''t that hard¡¯. But it never felt like an option. He''d handle this, like he always did.


    Just as Enzo was drifting off to sleep, a sharp knock on the door jolted him awake. He hadn''t had a visitor in ages. Peeking through the peephole, he saw an angry-looking woman standing there, arms crossed. He opened the door cautiously.


    "Yes?" Enzo asked.


    "Do you think you live in this building alone or what?!" She snapped, arms crossed tightly across her chest.


    "What?" Enzo was utterly confused. He''d been in bed all day, doing absolutely nothing. Why was she targeting him?


    "You''ve been dragging your stuff around since this morning! What do you think you are, some kind of mannerless prick!?" she accused


    "I think you''ve got the wrong door," Enzo retorted, flipping his hair back in annoyance. The whole ''being watched'' situation had already put him on edge, and now this?


    "I live below you! If it wasn''t you, then who?" she demanded.


    "Maybe the next door, but it has nothing to do with me," Enzo replied, his patience wearing thin.


    "You''re incredibly rude, you know that?!" she spat.


    Enzo''s frown deepened. "Oh yeah? And you think you''re so polite for calling someone a mannerless prick?¡±


    "Ugh, whatever! Just don''t make any noise again, or I''ll call the landlord," she threatened.


    "Like the landlord will give a shit," Enzo scoffed. "Just go bother the next door." He was ready to slam the door in her face.


    "And don''t knock on my door again!" he added before shutting the door with a decisive click. He could hear her grumbling outside, followed by a knock on the neighboring door.


    Will his day get any better? Enzo thought, burying his face in his pillow. Probably not. He just hoped there wouldn''t be any more encounters with the angry neighbor. He could only handle so much before completely losing it. He could hear the muffled sounds of another argument next door, followed by a door slamming shut. Great, she pissed off someone else.


    Just as he thought that, another knock sounded on his door. Bracing himself, Enzo opened it. This time, the woman looked different¡ªnot angry, but¡­


    "Have you ever met your next-door neighbor?" she whispered, her eyes darting towards the now-silent door next to his.


    "No," Enzo replied, a frown creasing his brow. What was going on with her?


    "You better stay on guard, I mean..." she trailed off, glancing nervously at the neighboring door and flinching slightly. "Yeah, just be careful. And I''m sorry for earlier." With that, she hurried down the stairs.


    Enzo stood there, dumbfounded. "What the fuck?" he muttered, closing the door.


    Enzo sat on his bed, replayed the neighbor''s warning in his mind. It was too weird to ignore. When he''d moved in, the next apartment was empty. Then, last month, someone new moved in. He''d never seen them, never had any problems... well, except for the three knocks on the wall every day. That was odd, but nothing to worry about, right?


    "Seems my life''s turned into a mystery novel." Enzo sighed, He scrolled through his phone, looking for a distraction. He sent Harry a few funny videos, chuckling at his friend''s quick replies. Then he dove into a webtoon Harry had recommended, losing himself in the colorful panels.


    As the light outside faded, signaling the approach of dusk, Enzo decided he deserved a reward for keeping his cool amidst the chaos. He grabbed his jacket and headed out,  taking the stairs.


    Midway down, his phone buzzed. It was Ian.


    ''Hey, are you free this evening?''


    Well fuck


    ¡°Even if I was free, which I technically am,¡± he said, ¡°the answer is still no.¡±


    ¡®No,''


    ''Alright,'' came the instant response.


    He pocketed his phone and walked out into the street, taking a shortcut through a narrow alley toward his favorite taco place.


    To be fair, he didn''t hate Ian. He just needed some alone time, away from any human interaction ¨C except for the friendly taco shop staff, of course.


    Enzo entered the shop, placed his usual order, and waited, tapping his foot impatiently as he watched people come and go. Then that unsettling feeling crept up on him again, the sensation of unseen eyes on his back. He glanced around, but it was just the usual crowd¡ªpeople going about their business. He turned back to the menu, hoping the feeling would pass, but it only intensified when he looked away. He pulled out his phone, trying to distract himself, but it was no use.


    "Order number 53!" the staff called out. Enzo grabbed his food and hurried back towards his apartment.


    He hurried down the same alley he''d taken earlier, but this time, he wasn''t alone. Footsteps echoed his own, keeping pace with his every move. He stopped, and they stopped. He quickened his pace, and they did too.


    He began to panic, Enzo changed direction, hoping to lead whoever was following him away from his apartment. Even on the crowded street, the feeling of being followed persisted.


    He fumbled for his phone, trying to call someone, but his sweaty hands made the screen unresponsive. In his panic, Enzo wasn''t watching where he was going. He rounded a corner and slammed into someone, nearly losing his balance.


    "Whoa, easy there," a familiar voice said. Enzo looked up to see a man with neat blonde hair and a stern expression. It was Nolan.


    "Enzo?"  he asked, steadying him with a firm grip.


    "Thank God, Nolan," Enzo breathed, glancing back to see if he was still being followed.


    "Are you okay?" Nolan asked, looking in the same direction


    "Yeah, I''m fine," Enzo said, trying to sound convincing.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "You sure?" Nolan didn''t seem to buy it. "Do you need a ride home or something?"


    Enzo was grateful for the offer, but his apartment was close. If he accepted the ride, whoever was following him might discover where he lived.


    "Can you take me somewhere else?" he asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.


    "Where?" Nolan glanced at his watch.


    "Your house?" Enzo hesitated.


    "Sure," Nolan agreed without hesitation, leading him towards his car. No further questions, just a silent understanding. Enzo was relieved. Nolan seemed to sense something was wrong, and that was enough for now.


    The ride to Nolan''s place was short but fuck, Ronny was clearly displeased to see Enzo arrive with his brother and a quick conversation with his brother seemed to shift his anger elsewhere. He returned looking less annoyed, though still a bit sullen. He silently took the taco bag, arranged the food on a plate for Enzo, and sat down to watch him eat.


    The three of them settled on the couch, the TV on, but no one spoke.


    Suddenly, a woman''s voice broke the quiet from the front door. "Oh, we have a guest today?" Enzo hadn''t even heard her come in.


    She had sleek black hair and kind brown eyes, just like Ronny''s. Her smile was warm and welcoming, softening the sharp lines of her glasses and scrubs. She tossed her keys aside, grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen.


    "Long story short, he''s Ronron''s friend," Nolan explained.


    "Nolan, I told you not to call me that in front of my friends," Ronny grumbled.


    "Aww, so my little brother doesn''t want to be cute in front of his friend, huh?" Nolan teased, pinching Ronny''s cheek in a surprisingly playful gesture. The normally stern looking Nolan was a complete softie around his brother.


    "I bet your friend thinks otherwise," Nolan said, turning to Enzo with a smirk.


    "Yeah, I think it''s cute too," Enzo admitted, glancing at Ronny, who pouted and looked away.


    "Fine, if you say it''s cute," Ronny mumbled.


    "Well, what''s your name, sweetie?" The woman asked, sitting beside Ronny and patting his head.


    "I''m Enzo," he replied with a smile, which she returned warmly.


    "I''m Lily, the mother of these two boys," she introduced herself. "I''m sorry if they bother you in any way."


    "No, not at all. They''re really good friends," Enzo assured her.


    "That''s a relief. Well, I''ll let you boys be. I need some sleep badly," Lily said, standing up and heading towards the stairs.


    "She''s just like that," Nolan explained. "Being in the medical field, sleep is a luxury."


    Enzo watched her go, a thought nagging at him. Was this family a house full of geniuses? The mom¡¯s a doctor, the oldest son¡¯s a scientist, and the youngest¡¯s a talented composer? And they were all so attractive. Must run in the bloodline.


    "So, are you going to tell us what''s going on?" Ronny''s question hung in the air, heavy with expectation.


    Enzo fidgeted, his usual smile faltering. Sharing his fears wasn''t on his bingo list, and he certainly didn''t want to burden them with his worries, not now."I just got chased by a dog." he lied, forcing a smile he hoped was convincing.


    Ronny exchanged a knowing look with Nolan, who sighed and stood up. "I''ll go take a bath," Nolan said, glancing at Ronny. "Tell me if you need anything." He walked past the kitchen, leaving Enzo alone with Ronny. The silence was thick, and Enzo could feel Ronny''s intense gaze on him.


    "Want to take a bath?" Ronny asked, breaking the silence. "You''re planning to spend the night, right?"


    "Ah... yeah, I guess so," Enzo replied, grateful for the offer. He pulled out his phone to set an alarm for the morning, but froze. The screen was flooded with texts from that strange number again.


    Ronny remained silent, but his stare intensified. It seemed he''d already made up his mind about Enzo staying the night. "You remember where the bathroom is, don''t you?"


    "Yeah," Enzo answered quietly.


    "Just go in there, I''ll bring you some clothes to change into," Ronny said, heading upstairs.


    Alone again, Enzo let out a heavy sigh. Today''s events had drained him. He just wanted to sleep and forget about everything. He had never experienced anything like this before. His life had always been challenging, but this was a whole new level of challenge. He had no idea what he''d done to trigger this chain of events, but he desperately wished it would all just stop.


    The bathroom was immaculate, larger than Enzo''s entire apartment. The luxurious shower and bathtub screamed wealth. He shed his clothes and stepped under the warm spray, the water soothing his tense muscles and calming his frazzled nerves. Just as he began to relax, a knock sounded on the door.


    "Can I come in?" Ronny''s voice filtered through the frosted glass.


    "Yeah," Enzo replied, and the door creaked open. Ronny stood there, holding a neatly folded set of clothes. He placed them on the counter and then just... stared?


    "What?" Enzo asked.


    "Nothing, just wanted to admire the view," Ronny said with a chuckle.


    Enzo smirked, raising a soapy arm. "Pervert."


    Ronny''s eyes lingered on Enzo for a moment, a hint of mischief in his expression. "Need any help in there?" he asked, his tone playful but with an undercurrent of something more.


    Enzo blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in mood. This guy was unpredictable, he thought. You could never tell what he''d say next.


    Ronny just smiled. "Heh, don''t mind me. I''ll leave you to it." He turned and left, closing the door behind him.


    Enzo shook his head, a confused smile tugging at his lips as he finished his shower, threw on some clothes, and headed to Ronny¡¯s room. He figured he¡¯d be sleeping there, but he was confident nothing would happen tonight.


    Ronny was sprawled out on the bed, scrolling through his phone. When Enzo walked in, Ronny glanced up, eyeing him in a way that made Enzo feel oddly awkward. He smiled and set his phone aside.


    ¡°I thought you wearing my shirt would look a little... different,¡± Ronny said.


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Enzo asked, dropping his stuff.


    ¡°You¡¯re smaller than me.¡± Ronny paused, eyeing him again. ¡°I thought my shirt would make you look all tiny and cute, but... not really.¡±


    Enzo looked down at himself. It was just a bit loose¡ªnothing major. Whatever Ronny had imagined, it was probably something ridiculous.


    ¡°You perv,¡± Enzo chuckled, sitting on the bed.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna take a shower too. Don¡¯t pass out before I¡¯m back, okay?¡± Ronny said, heading to the bathroom.


    Enzo lay back, mindlessly watching videos on his phone when a weird number started calling him over and over. Every two minutes, his phone buzzed until his patience finally snapped.


    "What the fuck..." Enzo muttered, flipping on airplane mode. He tossed the phone aside, trying to shake off the unease that had settled over him. The door creaked open, and Enzo looked up to see Ronny coming back in, shirtless and carrying a couple of water bottles.


    "Hey, you okay?" Ronny asked, noticing Enzo''s troubled expression. "You looked stressed when I left."


    ¡°yeah,¡± Enzo replied. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to dive into any details or explain.


    ¡°You know you can talk to me about anything, right?¡± Ronny said.


    ¡°I know,¡± Enzo muttered. Yeah, he knew, but this wasn¡¯t worth dragging Ronny into right now.


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t push. Just tell me when you¡¯re ready,¡± Ronny said, pulling Enzo into a hug. He always knew how to shift Enzo¡¯s mood with the smallest gestures. His heart started pounding, and it felt like his anxiety was slipping away, replaced with something else.


    It hadn¡¯t been that long since they slept together, and the memory of that night still lingered, but nothing like that was going to happen tonight. Enzo was too tired for that whole process.


    ¡°Mind if I turn off the light?¡± Ronny asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s your room,¡± Enzo replied, putting his phone aside.


    ¡°I know, but I thought I¡¯d ask,¡± Ronny said, turning off the light and slipping back into bed. He snuggled close, pressing his nose to Enzo¡¯s neck. It sent a strange sensation through him¡ªuncomfortable but not in a bad way.


    "You smell like me," Ronny commented, his voice a low rumble.


    Enzo chuckled. "Well, yeah, I just showered at your place with your stuff."


    ¡°But you smell sweeter,¡± Ronny continued, pulling him closer. The warmth of his skin against Enzo¡¯s made everything feel... more intense. Enzo¡¯s face heated up, grateful for the darkness that hid his reaction


    Ronny didn¡¯t say anything, but Enzo could tell he was up to something. His warm breath on Enzo¡¯s neck was followed by the soft, unexpected stroke of his tongue along his neck to his ear. Okay... that was definitely freaky.


    ¡°Do you know what you¡¯re doing right now?¡± Enzo asked, feeling a little conflicted, though it wasn¡¯t exactly bad.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ronny replied, his hands slipping under Enzo¡¯s shirt. This was bad. Really bad.


    ¡°Can I kiss you?¡± Ronny asked, so bluntly it nearly made Enzo¡¯s heart explode. He was just too good at this.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Enzo said, his face burning. Ronny had this way of being both casual and way too much at the same time.


    Ronny¡¯s hand cupped Enzo¡¯s face gently, and despite the darkness, Enzo could sense Ronny¡¯s smile. Slowly, Ronny leaned in and kissed him, the warmth of his lips sending a shiver through Enzo. The kiss deepened, and when Ronny tugged at his lower lip before slipping his tongue in, it felt like Enzo¡¯s mind went blank. The kiss was slow and hot¡ªreally hot. Enzo¡¯s toes curled each time Ronny moved his tongue, and when Ronny¡¯s hands started drifting lower, Enzo quickly pulled back.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± he said, breathless. If he didn¡¯t stop now, Ronny would probably take things all the way.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Ronny agreed, rubbing Enzo¡¯s lips gently before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. He lay back down and wrapped his arms around Enzo, holding him close without saying a word.


    The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Enzo could hear his own heart pounding, and he felt his face grow hot with embarrassment. In his mind, he''d already labeled what they had as a relationship, but the reality was that he and Ronny had never actually discussed it. Moments like this made Enzo second-guess every assumption he''d made. He took a steady breath. At least they were still friends, he reminded himself, clinging to that certainty amidst all the confusion.


    ¡°You know,¡± Ronny finally spoke, his voice soft, ¡°you¡¯re like an open book, but sometimes... you¡¯re really hard to read.¡±


    Enzo rolled his eyes, ¡°Yeah, well, everybody has secrets, Sherlock. Not everything needs to be shared.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Ronny chuckled.


    ¡°Shut up. Let¡¯s just sleep,¡± Enzo said, turning to hug Ronny, who hugged him back tightly.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Ronny whispered, his voice more relaxed now. ¡°Let¡¯s just sleep and forget about today.¡±


    Enzo snuggled in, glad for Ronny''s warmth but still feeling kinda off. He really hoped all the weird crap from today wouldn''t happen again - those creepy footsteps following him around, and all the bizarre stuff going on in his place. As he started to doze off, Enzo just wanted things to chill out. No more freaky shit, please. Just a normal, boring life would be nice for once.