Chapter 8: Unexpected kiss

“Come with me.”

Andy didn’t stop walking, but he rolled his eyes anyway. “Why? Kai and I finished our set already. We did fine. Why should I follow you?”

Jaden kept moving, hands in his pockets, voice calm. Too calm. “Why did you partner with him?”

Andy frowned. “Because we’re friends. You and I. We’re supposed to be friends at school.”

Jaden nodded slowly. “Yeah. We are.”

Andy sighed. “Then let me help you properly. You said the group should help you, remember? I don’t get whatever weird thing is going on in your head—seeing someone once and wanting to hook up—but I’m trying.”

He hesitated, then added, “I want Kai to know not everyone thinks he’s a monster. If he feels safe, he’ll naturally gravitate toward you.”

Jaden stopped walking. He turned. For a second, his face was blank. Thoughtful. Like he was actually considering it. “That… makes sense,” Jaden said.

Andy relaxed a little.

They reached the stairwell. At the bottom, a vending machine hummed quietly, lights flickering.

Jaden stood right at the edge of the stairs, peering down like something had caught his interest. “Hey,” Jaden said lightly. “Come look at this.”

Andy stepped closer.

Jaden pointed at the vending machine. “Get me that snack. I’m craving it.”

Andy frowned. “What? Why would I—” He didn’t finish the sentence.

Jaden shoved him. Hard.

Andy’s body went weightless for a split second before gravity grabbed him. He tumbled down the stairs, shoulder first, then his head cracked against the side of the vending machine.

Pain exploded. The world blurred. Blood warm against his temple.

Andy tried to focus, vision swimming, chest heaving as he looked up.

Jaden was standing at the top of the stairs. Smiling. Not wide. Not manic. Just… certain. “Don’t forget your place,” Jaden said calmly. “And don’t touch what’s mine.”

Andy tried to speak. Nothing came out.

“Kai is mine,” Jaden continued. “I don’t need your help like that. Help from a distance.”

Jaden turned to leave, then paused. “Oh. Let’s go to the nurse’s office,” he added casually. “If anyone asks, it was an accident.”

Andy nodded weakly.

Jaden tilted his head. “I didn’t hear you.”

“Yes… sir,” Andy whispered, body shaking.

At the nurse’s office, Jaden softened instantly. Concerned voice. Gentle hands. Perfect performance. “My friend fell,” he said sweetly. “Can you help him?”

And just like that, Jaden Afolayan became the hero again. No blood on his hands. No witnesses. Only rules.

---

After school, Jaden was practically vibrating.

Today was the first day.

First tutoring session.

First extra hour with Kai.

First time being officially with his angel without an excuse.

He was smiling so much his cheeks hurt.

“Bro,” Casey muttered, rubbing his eyes, “you look like a kid who just got sugar and no supervision.”

Avery stopped walking.

Turned around.

Glared at him like she wanted to rearrange his bones.

“I swear,” she snapped, “I am going to kill you.”

Jaden laughed. “Relax—”

She shoved him.

Hard.

“Don’t forget,” she said coldly, “I’m the only one here who isn’t scared of you.”

That wiped the grin off his face.

Briefly.

Avery sighed.“Does this make sense to you?”

She looked at Chris.“Help me talk to him. He says he wants to get with the guy, but everything he’s doing looks like… courting.” She paused. “God. I feel ancient saying that.”

Jaden frowned.“What do you mean?”

Chris gestured wildly. “If you wanna do it, you go to a party, drink, make bad choices, and wake up done. You don’t do… this.”

Casey nodded. “Hate to say it, but I agree. Just find a moment, fuck him, and we all get peace.”

Jaden stared at them like they’d just insulted him personally.

“You guys really don’t know me,” he said quietly.

“Yes. I want his body."

He smiled.

“But more than that? I want his mind.”

Chris shook his head. “Respectfully? You’re a lost cause.”

“I agree with Chris,” Casey said again.

“Oh my God,” Avery groaned. “You need professional help.”

Andy started to walk away.

Jaden caught his wrist.

“Andy—”

Andy yanked his hand back, eyes red.

“I was trying to help you.”

The others kept walking, pretending not to hear.

“I was trying to help you get close to him,” Andy said, voice shaking.

“Why did you do that? You know… you know I see you as more than just my superior at work. I thought we were friends.”

Jaden swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

Andy laughed bitterly.

“Sorry doesn’t fix it. You know I have feelings for you, right? Even if you don’t feel the same.”

Jaden nodded. “I know.”

“Then imagine how it feels,” Andy continued, “helping you get another guy. And still—you hurt me.”

He wiped his face roughly.

“But hey. You’re just my superior, right?”

Jaden pulled out his handkerchief, gently dabbing Andy’s tears.

His voice softened, almost sincere.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Don’t cry.” He pulled Andy into a hug.

Andy stiffened… then melted.

And that was when a voice cleared behind them.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Kai.

Jaden lifted his head.

Their eyes met.

And for a moment, everything cracked.

The way Kai stood there—hoodie loose, mask off, eyes sharp with something unreadable—made Jaden’s chest tighten.

“Uh—sorry for interrupting.”

Kai’s voice cut through the moment like a blade wrapped in silk.

Jaden turned.

Kai stood a few steps away, hands tucked into his hoodie sleeves, eyes flicking between Jaden and Andy.

There was something awkward in his posture—hesitation, maybe. Or disappointment he didn’t know how to name yet.

“I want to talk to Jaden,” Kai said, then glanced at Andy. “If you don’t mind… I’d like to steal him for a moment.”

Andy almost laughed.

“No, it’s okay—”

“Wait for me in the library,” Jaden said calmly, eyes locked on Kai. “If you’re willing to wait an hour. I need to handle something first.”

Kai blinked.

Disappointment flickered across his face before he could hide it.

He hadn’t expected that.

He didn’t know why it bothered him—but it did.

“What?” Kai asked.

“You need tutoring,” Jaden continued, tone matter-of-fact. “Lessons. Right? Wait for me in the library.”

Kai nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Andy opened his mouth.

“Jaden, it’s fine—”

Jaden closed his eyes, took Andy’s hands, and gently pulled him past Kai. They walked out of school together. The convenience store lights buzzed overhead.

Jaden bought ice cream—Andy’s favorite without asking—and they sat outside on the low concrete ledge.

Andy stared at the melting edges.

“Are you still mad at me?” Jaden asked.

“Yes,” Andy said flatly. “Because I’m friends with a fool.”

Jaden tilted his head. “How?”

“You had every opportunity with him,” Andy snapped.

“Kai. And instead, you’re here. With me.”

He laughed bitterly. “You’re confusing me. How am I supposed to get over whatever I feel for you when you keep doing this?”

Jaden was quiet for a moment.

Then he said, “Then maybe don’t get over it.”

Andy stared. “Are you insane?”

“Yes,” Jaden said easily.

“But listen to me.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“I’m not interested in Kai’s heart. I’m interested in his mind. You know that. You know how I get when something fascinates me.”

Andy’s brows knitted together.

“Then why—why did you do that to me at the stairs?”

Jaden didn’t flinch.

“I wanted to see his reaction,” he said quietly.

“There’s something happening there. Something I need to understand.”

Andy’s hands trembled.

“You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“What am I doing?” Jaden asked.

Andy shook his head.

“You know all this… and still— I don’t understand you. I don’t understand how you can be this annoying, psychotic, seriously disturbing like an horror movie and still.....”

He kept talking.

Jaden stopped listening.

Instead, he leaned in and kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t desperate.

It was deliberate.

Andy froze—then melted, confusion tangling with want, hands clutching Jaden’s jacket like it was the only solid thing left.

Jaden pulled back first.

Andy’s breath was uneven. His eyes searched Jaden’s face for something—anything real.

And Jaden smiled. "Is this clear enough?"