Chapter 22
It was lunch, and Carl waited for Theo at the roof.
He had even brought a fruit tart, pretzels and a canned soda, thinking maybe Theo would actually take them this time.
But the minutes ticked by, the sky slowly shifting, and the door to the roof never opened.
By the time the bell rang, the snacks were still untouched.
After lunch, Carl headed back to class, his steps slow. As he walked through the hallway, he spotted Theo down the corridor — laughing with a couple of guys from the basketball team.
Their eyes met for just a second.
Carl's chest tightened. He waited for even the smallest smile or nod.
But Theo just looked away, his laughter not breaking.
Carl swallowed the lump in his throat and walked to his desk. Dropping his bag, he sank into his chair and turned toward the window. Outside, the wind rippled through the trees, students scattered across the field like little bursts of color.
He tried to focus on anything else, but his mind kept circling back to that split second — Theo's eyes, and how easy it seemed for him to turn away.
---
School ended. It was a Friday, the weekend just around the corner, and next week was the week every student looked forward to.
Carl waited outside the classroom until Theo stepped out with a couple of friends. He intercepted him.
"Theo," Carl called. "Can we talk?"
Theo glanced at his friends, told them to go ahead, then turned to him.
"I'm sorry about last night," Carl said quickly. "I was stupid and foolish. Please forgive me."
Theo's eyes softened just slightly. "It's fine. I was a little harsh too. Sorry."
Carl smiled in relief. "If that's all…" Theo started to walk away, but Carl caught his wrist.
Theo looked down at the hand on him, surprised. Carl let go immediately, flustered. "Sorry, but… I need your help. I want you to tutor me. My math is really bad—you probably noticed." He gave a nervous chuckle.
"I'm too busy for that," Theo said flatly.
"I'll pay you," Carl offered quickly.
Theo's expression didn't change. He was already shaking his head when Carl blurted, "Or… we can use it for the money I lent you. You can tutor me until it's paid off."
Theo paused.
"Fine," he said after a beat. "After class."
Carl's face lit up. "Thank you!" he called after him.
Theo walked away, lips twitching despite himself.
---
Saturday Night
Carl pulled up in front of Pulse, the neon lights casting a glow over the street. Gina was already halfway out of the car before it stopped.
"Finally," she said. "I've been ready for this all week."
Valerie was scrolling on her phone. "Rodney's already inside. Let's go."
They slipped through the entrance into a blur of music and flashing lights. The air was thick with the beat of the bass and the scent of something sugary from the bar.
Near one of the high tables, Valerie spotted him. "Rodney!"
Rodney turned, tall and brown-skinned, his black button-up catching the light as he smiled. Carl immediately recognized him—he was in Carl's class, usually sitting up front while Carl preferred the back.
Valerie hugged him and then introduced them. "Rodney, this is Carl. Carl, Rodney."
They shook hands. Rodney grinned. "I never knew Carl Hale goes to place like this. You're always at the back of the class, away from everyone."
Carl smirked. "Guess I like my peace."
Gina chimed in with a teasing look toward Valerie. "Well, he's not that quiet once you get to know him."
Rodney chuckled, slinging an arm around Valerie. "I'll keep that in mind."
The four of them moved toward the bar, ordered drinks, and then Valerie pulled Rodney toward the dance floor. Gina followed with a wink over her shoulder.
Carl leaned against the bar, swirling the ice in his glass. Out on the dance floor, Valerie was laughing at something Rodney whispered, the two of them moving in sync with the bass.
Gina reappeared beside him, flushed from the heat and with a drink in hand. "They're disgustingly cute already," she said, nodding toward the pair.
Carl smiled faintly. "Guess she's happy."
"She is. But you—" Gina tilted her head at him, "—look like you're not even here. What's up?"
Carl shrugged, trying to play it off. "Nothing."
"Liar." She leaned against the bar beside him. "This about Theo?"
His grip tightened on the glass before he set it down. "…Maybe."
"I knew it. You've got that same 'I'm thinking about him but pretending I'm not' face you had when we saw him at the bakery."
Carl chuckled weakly. "It's not that obvious."
"Oh, it is. To me, anyway." She took a sip of her drink and lowered her voice. "So? Are you guys okay now? You seemed… better yesterday."
Carl's eyes drifted to the crowd, unfocused. "We talked. Kind of. He agreed to tutor me for math."
Gina's brows shot up. "Wow. That's… progress, right?"
"I guess," Carl said, though his voice lacked certainty.
"Then stop moping here and make it work," Gina said, giving his arm a light slap. "Opportunities like that don't just fall into your lap—unless you're you, apparently."
Carl smirked, shaking his head. "You make it sound so easy."
Gina grinned. "That's because I'm not the one falling for him."
Before Carl could reply, Valerie and Rodney returned, laughing breathlessly. "Your turn," Valerie announced, grabbing Gina's hand. "Come dance with us."
Gina shot Carl a pointed look before letting Valerie drag her away.
Carl stayed put, staring down into his half-empty glass, the music thumping in his chest. He told himself he'd relax, enjoy the night—but his mind kept circling back to the quiet rooftop, a math notebook, and the way Theo's lips moved when he spoke.
---
The music pulsed like a heartbeat through the club, lights flashing over the writhing crowd. Gina and Valerie were laughing with Rodney near the bar, but Carl had drifted toward the edge of the dance floor, letting the bass drown out his thoughts.
A warm hand brushed his shoulder. He turned to see a tall guy — sharp jawline, eyes glinting under the neon lights. The stranger's smile was slow and deliberate. Without a word, he tilted his head toward a quieter corner, and Carl followed.
They talked — or rather, exchanged fragments of sentences that didn't matter. The stranger stepped closer, the music now just a muffled thump behind them. He kissed Carl, lips firm, his hand slipping to Carl's waist.
Then the stranger's mouth moved to Carl's neck, breath hot against his skin. His other hand trailed down, fingertips brushing Carl's belt, tugging lightly like he was inviting the night to go further.
Carl froze for a second. His body reacted to the closeness, but his mind… his mind was somewhere else entirely.
He reached down, gently catching the stranger's hand before it could go any further.
"I should get back to my friends," Carl said, forcing a half-smile.
The stranger just smirked and let go, already scanning the crowd for someone else.
Carl stepped back onto the dance floor, the noise swallowing him again. But the heat lingering on his neck didn't feel like a thrill — it felt empty.