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The problem with finally becoming a couple— was that everyone suddenly became interested in your business. Especially when your friends were Alvin, Brian, Jonas, and Calvin.
Jarnell discovered this on Monday morning.
Exactly seven minutes after arriving on campus. He had barely reached the music building when Brian appeared from nowhere.
"Good morning." Jarnell narrowed his eyes.
"No."
"I haven't said anything yet."
Brian looked delighted.
"That means you know what you did!!."
Unfortunately, he did.
A second later Alvin appeared.
With coffee in one hand and his phone in the other hand.
"Morning." Jarnell immediately knew trouble was coming.
Why are both of you here?
"To observe."
"Observe what?"
Brian smiled. "You."
But that sounds illegal. "It probably is."
Then Jayden arrived. And suddenly everything made sense. Brian pointed dramatically.
"There he is." Mmm..... Alvin nodded.
"The missing piece." Jayden glanced between them. Then at Jarnell. Then immediately understood.
"You're bothering him again."
Correct.
"Leave him alone." That is impossible
Jayden sighed. Jarnell almost smiled.
Almost. The moment wasn't missed. Brian gasped dramatically.
"He smiled."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
Alvin looked horrified.
"Write this down."
Jarnell considered transferring universities.
Later that afternoon, Jarnell escaped to the music department. Or at least— he attempted to.
The practice room was quiet and peaceful.
Exactly what he needed. He sat at the piano.
Placed his fingers on the keys. And started playing. Music had always been the easiest thing in his life. People were complicated.
Music wasn't. For a while he forgot everything. The classes, friends, relationships, stress and every other things on his mind.
Then the door opened. Without looking up, Jarnell already knew.
"You always find me."
Jayden closed the door behind him. You always say that.
"Because it's true."
Jayden walked over slowly. Maybe I just like being where you are.
Jarnell missed a note. Jayden noticed immediately. Which made everything worse.
Jayden sat beside the piano quietly.
Listening quietly with out any teasing.
Just listening. And somehow— that felt more intimate than any conversation.
Because most people heard Jarnell play.
Very few actually listened. When he finished, the room fell silent. Jayden smiled softly.
"That was beautiful." Jarnell looked away.
"You don't have to compliment everything."
"I know."
A pause.
"I wanted to."
That answer settled somewhere deep inside Jarnell. Dangerously deep.
The six of them met later for lunch. A terrible decision.
Mostly because Brian immediately stood up when Jarnell arrived.
Attention everyone. He said this while clapping the table to make them listen to him
"No."
Today marks three weeks since—
"Sit down."
Since these two stopped fooling everyone. The entire table laughed. Even Calvin.
Which felt like betrayal. Jarnell looked at Jonas.
"You too?" Jonas shrugged.
I suffered through months of denial.
Months?
You were jealous before you even admitted liking him. Jayden looked interested.
"Really?"
"Don't."
Jonas ignored him completely.You should've seen him.
"Jonas."
He looked like he wanted to fight people.
"Jonas."
For standing too close to Jayden.
"JONAS."
The table exploded with laughter. Jayden looked far too pleased.
That evening classes ended a bit late than usual with the sun already setting. Students had already started heading home. Jayden held up his car keys.
"I will give you a ride home?"
Jarnell normally preferred walking. Everyone knew that. Including Jayden.
Which was why he was smiling.
"You're assuming I'll say yes."
"Well just like always."
Silence.
The worst part? Jayden was right.
Jayden's condo was warm, comfortable and live in it. Very different from Jarnell's quiet house. The moment they walked inside—
a familiar voice shouted.
"YOU'RE BACK!"
A small figure appeared from the hallway.
Jayden's younger sister. She launched herself at her brother immediately. Then noticed Jarnell. And froze. A slow smile appeared.
"Oh."
Jayden immediately looked nervous. Which made Jarnell nervous.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jayden asked. His sister pointed dramatically.
"Him."
Silence.
Then she looked at Jarnell. Then at Jayden.
Then back at Jarnell. And grinned.
"So you're the famous one." Jayden covered his face. Jarnell wanted the floor to open.
Much later, after dinner and endless teasing from Jayden's sister, the two finally found a quiet moment on the balcony. City lights stretched across the night. Comfortable silence settled between them. Jayden leaned lightly against the railing.
You know something?
"What." Jayden looked at him.
A soft smile appearing.
"The best part of my day is usually you."
For a second— Jarnell forgot how to respond, forgot every clever reply he'd ever learned, he even forgot how to breathe...
Because Jayden wasn't joking or teasing he just just being honest.
And somehow— that always hit hardest.
Jarnell looked away toward the city. Then quietly said—
"…You're becoming very cheesy." Jayden laughed. But he also noticed the tiny smile Jarnell couldn't quite hide. And that was answer enough.