Friday afternoon at the university.
Tim was waiting for someone in front of the main building. He checked his watch several times, glancing around impatiently. Soon, Willy, Seb, and Al appeared. The schedule Logan had sent turned out to be correct.
Seb: "What are your plans today? We don't have a club meeting. Should we go somewhere?"
Al: "I've got no plans, but Willy's busy."
Willy: "Why?"
Al: "Look straight ahead. Someone's waiting for you."
Willy looked up and saw Tim standing at the bottom of the stairs. He froze for a moment, realizing Tim had spotted them too.
Tim: "Hello. How are you?"
Willy: "Seriously? Why are you here?"
Tim: "I was waiting for you. Did you forget my promise?"
Seb: "We'd better leave you two alone."
Al: "Call us if you need help."
Without hesitation, they walked off. Willy couldn't believe his friends had abandoned him so quickly.
Willy: "You don't go to university because of health problems, so what are you doing here?"
Tim: "Even if I were dying, I'd still come to see you."
Since the start of the semester, Willy hadn't had a break and now he had to go to the competition with Tim. He'd give anything to avoid that. Why him? If Seb hadn't had visa issues, they'd be going together instead.
Tim: "You must be hungry. Let's go grab something to eat and talk."
Willy: "I'm not going anywhere with you."
Tim: "Why not? Are you that afraid of me?"
Why did Tim always try to provoke him? Couldn't they meet just once without arguing?
Willy: "Let's talk here."
Tim: "Whatever you say."
Tim stepped back a little, and they ended up standing in the middle of the pathway. Willy followed reluctantly, he had no choice but to talk to him, given the upcoming competition.
Willy: "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Tim: "The rector said you'd explain everything about the competition. That's why I'm here."
Willy couldn't believe he'd come all this way just for that. A message would've been enough.
Willy: "I'll send you all the details. You didn't have to come in person."
Tim: "I missed you. That's why I came."
Willy: "Stop flirting with me. It's not going to work."
Tim laughed softly. He loved teasing Willy. Every time he flirted, Willy's ears turned red and he'd lose his composure.
Tim: "Are you sure? Because I remember how you looked at me when we first met. That's why I flirt because I know you like me. You can fool yourself, but not me."
Willy: "That's bullshit. If you've got nothing else to say, I'm leaving."
Willy turned to go, but Tim caught his hand, stopping him.
Tim: "I know you need time to figure things out. I'll wait. When you're ready, give me your answer."
He let go of his hand and walked away. Willy stood frozen for a moment, then snapped out of his thoughts and left. He needed to talk to someone. He pulled out his phone and opened the chat.
Willy: "Where are you guys? I need your help."
Seb: "We're at the bar."
Willy: "At this hour?"
Al: "If it's serious enough to drink over, then you've come to the right place."
Willy: "On my way."
His car was parked nearby. The drive took longer than expected because of traffic, but soon he reached the bar. Seb and Al were sitting in their usual corner.
Seb: "You're late."
Willy: "Traffic."
Al: "What are you drinking?"
Willy: "The usual."
Al: "Got it. Don't start without me."
Al went to order, returning a few minutes later since the bar wasn't crowded.
Seb: "Alright, tell us what happened."
Willy hesitated, unsure where to begin. His friends noticed immediately. They'd known each other forever, grew up together, went to the same school, and now studied at the same university.
Al: "Tim told you he likes you, didn't he?"
Willy looked up in surprise.
Seb: "Come on, it was obvious from the start. We know you too well, you can't hide anything from us."
Willy: "He didn't say he liked me. He said I have feelings for him."
Al: "And do you?"
Willy: "I don't know. Maybe I do. But I'm not ready for a serious relationship."
Seb: "Then this competition is your chance to find out."
Al: "Exactly. You won't know unless you try. Make the most of it."
They were right. Spending three days together at the competition would give him plenty of time to understand his feelings.
They were halfway through their drinks when they noticed two familiar faces entering the bar.
Seb: "Ethan and Logan? What are they doing here?"
Al: "Willy, are you going to tell your brother?"
Willy: "Let's see what's going on first."
Willy got up and approached their table.
Willy: "Logan, what are you doing here? Does my brother know about this?"
Logan: "Why should he? You forgot Ethan and I are in the same faculty. He didn't understand something from the finance lecture and asked for my help."
Ethan: "What's happening?"
Logan: "He thought I was cheating on his brother."
Ethan: "Wait he is your brother's boyfriend? I didn't know that."
Seb and Al watched from their seats.
Seb: "If everything's fine, tell them to join us."
Soon, Ethan and Logan joined their table.
Ethan: "So, what are you guys doing here?"
Al: "Helping out a new couple."
Logan: "New couple?"
Willy kicked Al under the table.
Al: "Ouch! What? I'm just being honest."
Seb: "He means Willy and Tim."
Ethan and Logan looked at each other in disbelief.
Ethan: "What? When did that happen?"
Willy: "There is no new couple."
Al: "Oh, come on. You both like each other, it's time to admit it."
Willy sighed, frustrated.
Willy: "I told you, I'm not sure."
Logan: "Alright, calm down."
Ethan: "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you liked Tim. He's handsome and has this cool, mysterious vibe. If he actually came to campus, he'd be more popular than all of you."
The table fell silent. Everyone remembered the rumors that Tim and Ethan were dating.
Ethan: "What? Why are you all quiet?"
Seb: "Because we thought you two were together."
Ethan: "Seriously? No way. He's not my type, and I'm sure he feels the same. He needs someone who'll love him, take care of him, and stay by his side no matter what. He's been through a lot."
Willy frowned. What had Tim gone through? Was his health condition connected to that?
Ethan: "I don't know much, but he struggles to sleep and is scared of leaving the house. When I asked, he just said it's because of something that happened in his childhood."
Logan: "That explains why he doesn't attend university."
Ethan turned to Willy.
Ethan: "I'm telling you this as his friend before you start anything with him, make sure of your feelings."
Willy nodded slowly. He knew he had to be careful. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Tim.