The school day was normal.
If you counted Mek getting cornered by a group of guys from the football team as "normal."
---
"Yo, Hartley," one of them sneered, shoving Mek's shoulder as he walked by the lockers.
"You drawing your boyfriend again? Or are you just into stalking now?"
Mek didn't answer. Just turned, cold eyes sharp.
> "Back off," he said quietly.
They didn't.
Of course they didn't.
---
Pete had just turned the hallway corner when he saw it.
And something inside him snapped.
He shoved between them, hand on Mek's arm.
> "Touch him again," Pete said, voice low and deadly, "and I swear I'll break your teeth."
Everyone went quiet.
Pete never got mad.
That was the thing about sunshine. You didn't expect it to burn.
---
Later, Mek stood by Pete's locker, arms crossed.
> "You didn't have to do that."
Pete slammed his locker shut. "Yeah, I did."
> "You looked ready to throw hands."
> "I was."
Mek hesitated, then…
> "Thanks."
Pete blinked. Mek never said thank you.
> "You're welcome," Pete said softly. "You okay?"
Mek nodded.
But he didn't move when Pete reached out and gently fixed his collar.
And Pete didn't move either.
Not even when their faces were this close.
---
🖤 That Night: Mek's Room Again (Oops)
"Are you sure your parents won't freak?" Pete asked, flopping onto Mek's bed.
> "They're out of town," Mek muttered. "I didn't exactly invite you, though."
> "You left your window open."
Mek sighed. "That wasn't an invitation."
> "You know me. I take emotional damage as encouragement."
Mek tried not to laugh. Tried real hard. Failed.
Pete stared at him.
It was so rare. That smile. The real one.
> "There. You smiled," Pete whispered.
Mek looked away. "Shut up."
> "Make me."
Mek turned back sharply—
Too close.
Too much eye contact.
Too much heat.
Their faces hovered. Breath shared.
Time… slowed.
Pete leaned in.
Mek didn't move.
Didn't stop him.
Didn't blink.
But just before their lips touched—Mek turned his head away.
> "I can't," he whispered.
Pete froze. "Why?"
> "Because… I want to."
And it broke Pete's heart.
---
They fell asleep side by side that night. Not touching.
But their hands lay just inches apart.
And Mek dreamed of what it would feel like to finally close that space.