LOGINEthan pov"Shit, shit," Ryan whispered, more to himself than to me.I watched through the screen as he scrambled upright, blinking against the morning light. He had fallen asleep last night without even realizing his camera was still on, his face half buried in his pillow while I finished the last chapter of my textbook."Morning, baby," I cooed, leaning my chin on my hand.He startled, nearly knocking his phone off the nightstand. He stared at the screen, looking unbelievably confused. "Did I fall asleep leaving you on the phone?""Obviously.""And you didn’t put the call off?""Why would I do that?" I teased, a smirk pulling at my lips. "I enjoy seeing your pretty face. It’s satisfying. And honestly? Your little snores are funny and cute. I had a soundtrack for my studying."Ryan groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "Isn't it too early to be teasing me? I probably look like a wreck.""You look perfect," I countered, watching him roll out of bed.He didn't hang up. He propped the
Ryan povI glanced at the time on my phone and nearly choked on my drink. It was already twenty-five minutes past the time Fatima had given me for the lunch break."I have to go to work! I’ll call you back by evening," I said hurriedly into the camera.Ethan didn't even get a chance to say goodbye before I cut the call and sprinted back toward the store. My heart was thumping against my ribs. Great, first day and I’m already the guy who can’t keep track of time.When I slid back behind the counter, out of breath, Fatima just looked at her watch and then at me. She didn't scold me, though. She just gave me a knowing smirk that said I told you so without her having to utter a word.The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Customers came and went, some were nice while some were grumpy, it was a different kind of experience but I kept my head down and kept scanning. The beep and the swipe of the cards started to feel natural.As the sun began to set through, Fatima came closer and leaned aga
Ryan pov The sudden knock on my door woke me from my slumber. Who was that knocking on my door so early? “Mom?” I called out but got no reply. “Buddy.” The door flew opened and champ walked in jumping on me. “Why are you still asleep dude? It’s basically 9am.” “And…?” I asked trying to get him off me. “And remember you called me last night to take you to the mall.” “What mall?” I rubbed at my eyes looking at him weirdly…. “Shit!” I threw my blanket off me and jumped down the bed heading to the bathroom. Mum told me she was going to be busy today, she asked if I could go to the mall myself but my prideful ass said yes. Turns out i’m a chicken who is shy. “Give me some minutes dude.” Champ paid me no attention. He just nodded at me still on his phone. I brushed my teeth as fast as I could, It took me six minutes to scrub down my whole body and bolt out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist. It wasn't my fault I was still in bed. I had slept late last night just by
Ryan POV“Ohh, no one told me I have this good looking boyfriend.”“Bullshit.” Ethan said. I shifted the phone, propping it against a stack of books so I could see him better. Ethan’s face filled the screen, and even though the lightening looked dim, he looked incredible.“Ohh, no one told me I have this good looking boyfriend,” I said, leaning my chin on my palm.Ethan rolled his eyes, but a smirk tugged at his lips. “Bullshit, Ryan. You say that every time I call.”“Because it’s true every time,” I countered. “How’s life as a future doctor? Still drowning in classes?”“Beyond drowning,” he sighed, leaning back. I could see the thick medical textbooks piled behind him. “I spent six hours today labeling parts of the brain I didn't even know existed. My head feels like it’s going to explode, and I still have a quiz at 8:00 AM. But enough about my misery. Tell me about your day. Did you actually go outside?”I laughed softly. “I did. I took a walk, helped Mom with the garden, and spent
Champ POVWe were in Kyle’s room, surrounded by open suitcases and half packed boxes. His clothes were littered everywhere. I was folding his shirts the way he liked while he zipped up his toiletries bag and tossed it in.He’d been quiet for a minute, then just stared up like me like he just remembered something, “Kayla’s picking me up in like thirty minutes, She’s driving me herself to the district.”I stopped mid fold, his shirt dangling from my hand. “Today? I thought we said tomorrow, You were gonna wait so I could drive you.”He didn’t look up right away. “Noooo, I told you Kayla’s coming with me. She offered. Her car’s bigger than mine anyway, i need more space for the bags.”I raised an eyebrow, setting the shirt down slow. “Bigger car? I’ve got bigger cars, Kyle.”He finally looked at me, lips twitching like he was fighting a smile. “Is my boyfriend showing off right now?”“Maybe.” I stepped closer, crowding him against the dresser. “Just saying. If it’s about space, I’ve got
Ryan POV“How was therapy today?” Ethan asked, placing his phone on the desk so the camera caught more of his face. He was in his dorm room, lazily throwing his coat on the chair.“Face-timing you made it way better,” I said, smiling even though my chest still felt a little tight from the session. “You didn’t call me earlier, though. I thought you didn’t love me anymore.”He rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth lifted. “Drama queen. I was stuck in a three hour lecture, I couldn’t exactly sneak out to call my needy boyfriend.”I propped my phone against the pillow and flopped back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling for a second before looking back at him. “Needy? I’m wounded.”“You’re fine.” His voice softened. “Tell me for real. How’d it go?”I shrugged one shoulder. “It’s the same boo, as last week. The therapist said I’m making progress, whatever that means. I just want to feel normal again.”Ethan nodded slowly, like he was filing every word away. “You will, you’re alread
Ethan POVI didn’t plan on showing up at Ryan’s garage that early, but after last night’s little text exchange, sleep came and went like a broken gear. I told myself it was just curiosity — I wanted to see his reaction after that last message. But the truth? I wanted to see him.The place was alrea
Champ POVMy phone vibrated on the table, I picked it up hurriedly because I was expecting someone's text, and the person really surprised me.~ Kyle: Can we see?A small grin found its way to my lips as I typed back.~ Me: Sure. Where do we meet?~ Kyle: At the karaoke club.Perfect.I pushed myse
Ryan POVSomething was feeling too warm around my skin.The kind of heat that wasn’t from a blanket, it felt… alive like one was breathing.I groaned, half asleep, rolling over only to hit something solid. It groaned back.My eyes snapped open.Ethan.He was right there. In my bed. His arm slung ar
Ryan POV“Let’s go home, Ry.”Marco’s voice slurred as he leaned too close, reeking of alcohol.I shoved his shoulder lightly, standing up. “Don’t call me that.”He only laughed harder, nearly toppling over before Champ caught him. Kyle was already sprawled across the other couch, staring at the ce







