The next morning, Ethan got ready early and headed to college.
The campus was already busy
when he arrived.
Ryan waved when he saw him.
"You came early today."
Ethan shrugged. "Just didn't want
to be late."
They attended classes throughout the day, joking occasionally and sharing notes.
By the time the last lecture ended, both of them were exhausted.
"Cafeteria?" Ryan suggested.
"Obviously," Ethan replied.
Around 4:30 PM, the cafeteria was crowded with students.
Ethan and Ryan found a table
near the window.
Ethan ordered juice while Ryan grabbed some snacks.
They had just started talking when Ryan suddenly looked toward the entrance.
"Hey!"
Victor and Adrian had just walked in.
Ryan waved at them.
Victor smiled and walked over first.
"Looks like you two survived the lectures."
Ryan laughed.
"Barely."
Victor sat down next to Ryan, while Adrian quietly took the seat
beside Ethan.
Ethan suddenly felt nervous.
He tried to focus on drinking his juice.
Adrian looked at him calmly.
"You're coming to my house
today, right?"
Ethan almost choked.
Adrian continued casually, "Or should I come to your condo instead?"
Ethan panicked and accidentally spilled his juice on his shirt.
Ryan stared.
"You're so clumsy," Adrian said.
He took a handkerchief from his pocket and leaned closer.
Before Ethan could react, Adrian started wiping the juice from his shirt.
Then he wiped lightly near
Ethan's neck.
Even near the corner of his lips.
Ethan froze.
His heartbeat began racing uncontrollably.
Ryan blinked.
"Wait… why are you going to our house?"
Adrian answered calmly, "Tutoring."
Ryan turned to Victor suspiciously.
"Why didn't you say anything about tutoring?"
Victor paused for a second.
Then he smiled casually.
"I forgot."
Ryan narrowed his eyes.
"You forget everything."
Victor laughed.
"Apparently."
Ethan kept staring at the table, too embarrassed to speak.
After finishing their drinks,
they left the cafeteria.
Victor stretched his arms.
"Ryan, let's go."
Ryan followed him.
"See you guys later."
Meanwhile Adrian looked at Ethan.
"Come."
They walked to Adrian's car.
During the drive, Ethan stayed quiet.
He looked outside the window the whole time.
Clouds were gathering in the sky.
Adrian noticed but didn't say anything.
Soon they reached his house.
It was already 6:00 PM.
Ethan stepped out slowly.
He still felt a little nervous.
Adrian unlocked the door.
"Go to my room and wait," he said.
"I'll bring some books."
Ethan nodded and walked inside.
Adrian's room was neat but simple.
A large desk with books stacked neatly.
A laptop near the window.
And a bed against the wall.
Ethan sat quietly on the
chair and waited.
Outside, the sky slowly turned darker.
Thunder rumbled faintly.
Soon the rain began falling.
Adrian returned with several books.
"Let's start."
The tutoring session
lasted almost two hours.
Adrian explained patiently while
Ethan took notes.
Sometimes Adrian leaned over slightly to point at something in the book.
Each time he did,
Ethan's heart skipped.
Before they realized it, the clock showed 9:00 PM.
Rain was still falling heavily outside.
Adrian stood up.
"You must be hungry."
A few minutes later he returned with a bowl of noodles.
Ethan looked surprised.
"You cooked?"
Adrian shrugged.
"It's simple."
Ethan started eating while Adrian sat across from him.
After a few bites, Adrian suddenly leaned forward.
Ethan blinked.
"What?"
Adrian smiled slightly and wiped something from Ethan's
lips with his finger.
"A bit of soup."
He shook his head lightly.
"Clumsy."
Ethan's face turned red immediately.
"Thanks…"
Adrian looked amused.
Around 10:00 PM, Adrian's phone rang.
It was Ryan.
Adrian answered.
Ryan's voice sounded cheerful.
"I'm staying at Victor's condo tonight."
Adrian raised an eyebrow."
"Why?"
Ryan laughed.
"We were watching a movie
and it got late."
Adrian sighed.
"You went there for tutouring remember???."
"We studied for some time then....."
"Stop dragging fine stay there"
After hanging up, Ethan stood up.
"I should go home."
Adrian looked toward the window.
The rain was still pouring heavily.
"You can't go out in this weather."
"I'll take a cab," Ethan suggested.
Adrian shook his head.
"Just stay here tonight."
Ethan hesitated.
But the sound of thunder outside made the decision obvious.
"…Okay."
Adrian nodded calmly.
"Then you're staying."
For some reason, Ethan's heart started beating faster again.
And he had a strange feeling that tonight…
something unexpected might happen again.