They didn't talk much on the way.
But the silence—
was no longer distant.
It was… understood.
Jarnell walked slightly ahead at first.
Then slowly—
without noticing—
his pace matched Jayden's.
Neither of them pointed it out.
But both of them felt it.
"You walk slower when you're thinking," Jayden said quietly.
Jarnell didn't respond.
Because he knew—
Jayden was right.
The gate opened.
This time—
Jarnell didn't hesitate.
He walked in.
And didn't turn to check if Jayden would follow.
Because now—
he expected him to.
Jayden stepped in behind him.
Closed the gate.
And for some reason—
that small action felt… significant.
Like stepping into something that wasn't just a place anymore.
Imagine this was his second time coming to this place but it felt like it was the first time
Jarnell dropped his bag on the corner of the sofa.
"You said you had things to do," Jayden said.
Jarnell paused.
Then replied—
"I do."
But he didn't move toward any work.
Instead—
he stood there.
Quiet.
Thinking.
Jayden watched him.
Then—
"You're still thinking about earlier," he said.
Jarnell exhaled slowly.
"I said forget it."
"I don't want to."
Silence.
Jarnell turned slightly.
"Why?"
Jayden met his eyes.
"Because you meant it."
That honesty again.
Uncomfortable.
Accurate.
Jarnell looked away.
"I don't like repeating myself."
"Then don't," Jayden said.
"Just don't hide it."
Silence.
Jarnell's fingers curled slightly.
"I'm not hiding anything."
Jayden stepped closer.
"You are."
That—
that was too direct.
Jarnell turned fully now.
"And what exactly do you think I'm hiding?" he asked.
Jayden didn't hesitate.
"That you didn't like seeing me with her."
Silence.
Jarnell didn't answer.
Because answering would mean admitting it.
And admitting it—
would mean losing control.
Jayden didn't push further.
Instead—
he said quietly—
"I didn't like it either."
That made Jarnell look up.
"What?"
Jayden held his gaze.
"I didn't like that you saw it."
A pause.
"Or that it looked like something it wasn't."
Jarnell's chest tightened slightly.
"Then why didn't you move away from her?" he asked.
Jayden stepped closer.
"I wasn't thinking about her."
Closer.
"I was thinking about you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Too heavy.
They were even more closer now.
Too close.
Not touching—
but close enough that the space between them felt… fragile because Jayden had even seemed have started making a move on him
Jarnell didn't step back though.
That was the first change.
Jayden noticed.
Of course he did.
"You asked me to come," Jayden said softly.
Jarnell swallowed slightly.
Trying to bring himself back together.
"I needed help."
A lie.
A weak one.
Jayden's lips curved faintly.
"No, you didn't."
Another pause.
"You just didn't want me to leave."
Jarnell's breath caught—
just slightly.
Enough for Jayden to notice.
"Why does that matter?" Jarnell asked quietly.
Jayden didn't answer immediately.
Because this time—
he wasn't just speaking casually.
He was choosing his words.
Then—
"It matters because I wouldn't have left anyway."
Silence.
Jarnell looked at him.
"Why?"
Jayden stepped even closer.
Now—
only inches apart.
"Because you asked and whatever you ask for i have to make sure that i fulfill it for you."
That answer—
simple—
soft—
felt heavier than anything else.
Jarnell didn't move.
Didn't look away.
For the first time—
he held Jayden's gaze fully.
And something shifted.
Not fast.
Not overwhelming.
But enough.
Jayden's eyes dropped briefly—
to Jarnell's lips—
then back up.
A small movement.
But Jarnell noticed.
And his heartbeat—
betrayed him immediately.
Faster.
Louder.
The air felt warmer.
Closer.
Like something was about to happen—
if neither of them moved.
Jarnell's fingers tightened slightly at his sides.
Jayden didn't step back.
Didn't rush forward either.
Just stayed.
Waiting.
Like he was testing for something.
Jarnell broke it.
He stepped back suddenly.
"…Don't," he said quietly.
Jayden paused.
"Don't what?"
Jarnell looked away.
"…Complicate things."
Silence.
Jayden studied him.
Then nodded slowly.
"Too late."
Elsewhere on campus—
Brian leaned against a wall, scrolling through his phone.
Calvin stood beside him.
"You're staring again," Calvin said.
Brian smirked.
"Maybe."
Calvin didn't reply.
But he didn't walk away either.
Something small—
quiet—
had already started there too.
Back at the house—
the distance between Jarnell and Jayden had returned.
But it wasn't the same distance as before.
It felt… fragile.
Unstable.
Like it could disappear again at any moment.
Jarnell spoke first.
"…You can stay."
The word came out softer this time.
Not defensive.
Not forced.
Just real.
Jayden didn't smile.
Didn't tease.
He just nodded.
"Okay."
And stayed.
And this time—
Jarnell didn't pretend it was for any reason other than one:
He didn't want Jayden to leave.
He wanted him to be closer to him and feared that he could meet other girls on his way home.
He is such a jealous person.