The ride from the University of Alberta, Ben's university, to the University of Ottawa, Anthony's university, was a long one. Anthony and his crew were on their bus, heading back to their university, the scenery outside a blur as they chatted and laughed.
Some of the crew members were discussing the finer points of the play they'd just performed in, while others were gossiping about the drama crew from another school. But Anthony wasn't paying attention. He was lost in his thoughts, his mind wandering back to Ben.
He couldn't help but smile as he thought about the guy. Ben's smile had caught his attention, and Anthony couldn't deny the flutter in his chest whenever he thought about it. It was a great moment for him to see such a handsome guy, and he found himself wondering what Ben was like outside of the play.
As the bus rumbled on, Anthony's thoughts continued to drift, his imagination running wild with possibilities. He didn't notice the others looking at him, lost in their own conversations. For now, Ben was all that mattered.
Anthony's eyes widened in surprise as Rachel tapped him on the shoulder, breaking the spell of his daydream. He blinked a few times, looking at Rachel with a mixture of shock and embarrassment.
"What's up, Rach?" he asked, trying to play it cool, but Rachel's knowing smile told him she wasn't buying it.
She leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Who is he, Anthony? Who's the guy you're thinking about? Is he from the drama crew we met? I saw you staring at someone there, and you've been lost ever since."
Anthony's face grew hot as Rachel's words hit close to home. He tried to brush it off, but Rachel's next words made him pause.
"Don't lie to me, okay? I've known you since we were kids. I know when you're in love and thinking of someone. Now spill the beans."
Anthony's eyes darted around the bus, making sure no one else was listening. He leaned in closer to Rachel, a mixture of amusement and embarrassment on his face.
"Okay, okay," he whispered. "I'll tell you. But promise me you won't tease me too much."
Rachel's grin grew wider. "I promise nothing," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Now, tell me about this mystery guy."
Anthony took a deep breath and began to talk about Ben, a small smile playing on his lips. "Okay, so his name is Ben that was what I heard someone call him, and he's from the University of Alberta. We haven't met but just seeing him there sitting and smiling it's Just... Just, never mind, and...I don't know, there's just something about him."
Rachel's eyes lit up with interest, and she leaned in closer. "What is it about him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Anthony's face softened as he thought about Ben. "His smile, for one. It's just...wow. And his face, it's so...adorable. I mean, I've seen him smile, and it just lights up the whole room."
Rachel giggled, a knowing look on her face. "You're totally smitten," she teased. "I can see why. You were staring at him like he's the only person in the room."
Anthony's cheeks flushed, but he couldn't deny it. He was drawn to Ben, and he couldn't stop thinking about him. "I know, I know," he said, laughing. "I just can't help it. There's something about him that caught my attention, and I haven't been able to shake it off."
Rachel grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I'm happy for you, Anthony. You deserve to find someone special. And who knows, maybe Ben feels the same way about you."
Anthony's eyes locked onto Rachel's, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "You think so, that he'll fall in love with me?" he asked, his words laced with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
Rachel's expression softened, and she reached out to gently touch Anthony's arm. "Anthony, you're a great guy," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "And ever since we were kids, you've hardly ever shown interest in people. So, seeing you admiring this Ben guy is a wow for me, okay?"
She smiled, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "You're kind, funny, and talented. If Ben can't see how amazing you are, then he's missing out. But I think he might just notice you too, judging from the way you were staring at him."
Anthony's face lit up with a mix of emotions, his heart skipping a beat at Rachel's words. He felt a surge of hope, wondering if maybe, just maybe, Ben could feel the same way about him.
As the bus continued on its journey, Anthony and Rachel chatted excitedly about Ben, speculating about his interests, personality, and what he might be like outside of the play.
Anthony couldn't help but share every detail he could remember about Ben, from the way he smiled to the way he moved on stage. Rachel listened intently, asking questions and making observations that made Anthony laugh and feel more at ease.
The hours flew by as they talked, and before they knew it, the bus was pulling into the university's bus station. As they gathered their belongings and disembarked, Anthony felt a sense of excitement and anticipation.
"Thanks for listening, Rach," he said, grinning at his friend. "You've always been the best."
Rachel smiled back, winking at him. "Anytime, Anthony. Now, let's get some rest. You've got a Ben-sized hole in your heart to fill...with thoughts of him, that is."
Anthony chuckled, shaking his head good-naturedly. "You're something else, you know that?"
Back at Ben's university, Mark and Ben were hanging out in the student lounge, discussing their plans for the equation class that they will hold monday.
"Hey, we should meet up to study for our next equation class," Mark suggested, nodding in agreement with himself. "We can quiz each other and make sure we're both prepared."
Ben grinned, enthusiasm sparkling in his eyes. "Definitely. But where should we meet up? Your room or mine?"
Mark thought for a moment before responding, "Actually, let's go to your room. I love the decor you've got going on there."
Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "No way, I want to go to your room. Your collection of sci-fi novels is always a great distraction, you too are a distraction."
Mark laughed. "Distraction? You call that a distraction and me a distraction, how?"
Ben nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Yeah, I call it a great way to procrastinate and yeah you are definitely a distraction to me at times."
The two friends continued to banter back and forth, each trying to convince the other to meet up at their respective rooms.
After some good-natured negotiation, Mark finally agreed to let Ben come to his room, largely due to Ben's persistent pressure.
"Alright, alright, you win," Mark said, laughing. "We can meet up at my room. But don't expect me to get too distracted by my book collection."
Ben grinned triumphantly. "I wouldn't dream of it. I'll bring my notes and we can get started right away."
Mark smiled, shaking his head in amusement. "I'm looking forward to it. Just don't forget to bring your textbook."
Ben nodded, already making a mental note to pack everything he needed. "Got it. I'll see you at your room 2:30pm, then?"
Mark nodded in agreement, and the two friends made plans to meet up at his place at 2:30pm.
As Ben stood up to leave, Mark reached out and gently grasped his arm, a playful smile on his face. "Hey, won't you kiss me goodbye? Is this how you treat your boyfriend?"
Ben's eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked at Mark. "OK, here it comes," he said, leaning in to give Mark a quick peck on the lips. The kiss was brief, but it still sent a flutter through Ben's chest.
As they broke apart, Ben smiled and whispered, "There, there. OK, I've got to go and prepare for our meet-up, OK?" He gave Mark a sly grin before turning to head out, leaving Mark looking adorably smitten.
As Mark watched Ben leave, his friend Alex appeared behind him, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That's wicked, my goodness," Alex said, clearly entertained by the display he'd just witnessed.
Mark turned to look at Alex, his expression sheepish but defensive. "Mind your business," he said, trying to sound stern but failing to hide the amusement in his voice.
As Mark stood up to leave, he turned to Alex and said, "Let's go, I've got a room to clean up, OK? Don't waste my time." Alex chuckled and followed Mark, likely still teasing him about his affectionate goodbye with Ben.
As Anthony stood under the warm water of the shower, his mind began to wander, and Ben's face appeared in his thoughts once again. He couldn't shake off the image of Ben's bright smile and captivating eyes.
Anthony's hands paused mid-way through washing his hair as he asked himself, "Is this love at first sight?" He felt a flutter in his chest as he thought about the way Ben's presence had affected him.
The water continued to cascade down his body, but Anthony's focus was on the emotions swirling inside him. He couldn't deny the connection he felt with Ben, and he wondered if it was possible to fall for someone so quickly.
As he rinsed off the soap, Anthony's thoughts lingered on Ben, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation about the possibility of getting to know him better through the rehearsal that both crew will have.
As Ben sat at his desk, gathering his notes and textbooks for the meet-up with Mark, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He was looking forward to studying together and catching up with his boyfriend.
Meanwhile, Mark was busy tidying up his room in the hostel, making sure everything was in order before Ben arrived. He put away his sci-fi novels and cleared off any clutter, wanting to make a good impression.
On the other side of town, Anthony was lost in thought, his mind preoccupied with Ben. He wondered what Ben was doing at that moment and if he would ever get the chance to talk to him again. Anthony's thoughts were filled with possibilities, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that his life was about to change in some way.
As Ben and Mark prepared for their meet-up, they were both unaware of the thoughts of a certain someone else who was quietly admiring Ben from afar.
Ben stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt and pants, feeling satisfied with his outfit. He had decided to dress casually but stylishly for the study session with Mark.
With everything ready, Ben packed the snacks and light drinks into one bag and his books and laptop into another. He double-checked to make sure he had everything he needed before locking his door and heading out.
As he walked to Mark's hostel, Ben felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. He was looking forward to spending time with Mark and studying together. The bags swung comfortably over his shoulders as he made his way to Mark's room, ready to dive into their study session.
Mark had also been busy preparing for the study session with Ben. He had stocked up on snacks, foods, and drinks, knowing that they would likely be studying for a long time.
The room was tidy, and Mark had set up a small table with his notes and textbooks spread out. He had also brought out a few of his favorite snacks, including chips, cookies, and energy bars.
In the mini-fridge, Mark had chilled some drinks, including juice and soda, to keep them refreshed while they studied. He had even baked some cookies earlier that morning, hoping to share them with Ben as a sweet treat.
With everything ready, Mark sat down at his desk, waiting for Ben to arrive. He felt a sense of excitement and anticipation, looking forward to spending time with his boyfriend and tackling their studies together.