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Vol.1 - Story 5: The gap (3)
Chapter 42
Nathan remained silent throughout the entire journey home, and since he was usually a quiet person by nature, Alex didn’t try to force a conversation, choosing instead to focus on the scenery passing by the window. Besides, having just exchanged confessions, he had no idea what he was supposed to say; this was entirely uncharted territory for him.
Rather than dwell on the silence, Alex chose to memorize every detail of the town where they had taken their first trip together, wanting to remember it so vividly that he wouldn’t forget even if he died. He soaked in the landscape as the crisp, refreshing night air washed over them both.
The shock from the kiss slowly began to subside, his body gradually returning to its normal state, and as it did, his mood climbed higher and higher. He couldn’t wait for Saturday, when he would officially ask Nathan to date him, and he looked forward to many more trips like today, more moments on the beach like…
The memory alone made his body go rigid all over again, his head feeling like it might explode just from thinking about it. How had Nathan managed to do something that made his heart ache that intensely? Alex didn’t think he was capable of producing such an effect himself, not when his heart had nearly stopped from the simple press of their lips alone.
I guess we’ll be doing that a lot once we’re dating? Will I feel that weird sensation every time…?
Lost in his own giddy excitement, Alex didn’t realize they had already reached the station, and it was only when he reached into his pocket for his return ticket that he noticed Nathan being even quieter than usual. Sensing something was wrong, he turned his head to look for him, and their eyes met instantly. Nathan was already staring at him.
“Alex,” Nathan said softly.
“Yeah.”
Nathan’s lashes lowered slowly. He looked away for a moment, then turned his gaze back to Alex and asked a single question.
“Do you really like me?”
Nathan was staring at him with such intensity, his face so clearly visible under the bright station lights, that Alex froze. Hearing the word like in the harsh indoor lighting made the reality of it hit home even harder than it had beneath the dark sky on the beach, and Alex stammered for a few seconds before finally giving his answer, that single word requiring an immense amount of courage.
“I do.”
A foolish grin spread across his face as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide his bashfulness. Nathan stared at Alex for a long time, as if searching for something buried deep beneath the surface, before finally turning away. Beneath the white fluorescent lights, his face looked exceptionally pale, and Alex watched his profile with a nagging sense of unease settling in his chest.
But Nathan didn’t say another word. His stoic expression remained unchanged, every bit as unreadable as his voice had sounded back on the beach.
So Alex decided that everything was going to be okay.
[END of VOLUME 1]