The Rumors Begin
The morning after still felt like a blur. Fah woke up late, lips tingling with the memory of Tawan's kisses, his chest full and heavy with the weight of something he couldn't name.
When he arrived on campus, he instantly noticed the shift. People glanced at him, then looked away too quickly. A pair of girls from his class whispered as he passed. At first, Fah brushed it off—he was used to being stared at for his grades or his aloof personality. But this… this felt different.
It became clear when his friend, Keng, leaned over in the lecture hall and said under his breath, "So… you and Tawan, huh?"
Fah froze, pen slipping from his fingers. "What?"
Keng grinned, not unkindly. "Don't look so guilty. I just meant—you two are always together lately. People notice, you know."
Fah forced out a laugh. "We're just friends."
"Mm-hm," Keng said, unconvinced. "Friends don't usually look at each other like that."
Fah wanted to deny it, to shut down the conversation, but the flush on his face betrayed him. He didn't dare look toward Tawan, who was sitting two rows back, casually leaning in his chair as if nothing in the world could touch him.
After class, Fah tried to escape quickly, but Tawan caught up with him in the corridor. "Why are you walking like you've committed a crime?" he teased, slinging an arm over Fah's shoulders.
"Because people are watching," Fah hissed, shrugging him off. "You're too careless."
Tawan tilted his head, unbothered. "So what if they watch? Let them talk."
"Easy for you to say," Fah snapped, the weight of gossip pressing down on him. "You don't care about reputation. I—" He stopped himself before the words I'm not ready could slip out.
Tawan's smile softened, his hand brushing Fah's wrist instead of his shoulder this time, the gesture subtle but grounding. "You're scared. I get it. But don't push me away, okay? I don't care about them. I only care about you."
Fah's chest tightened. He hated how easily Tawan's words undid him. "You make it sound simple."
"It is simple." Tawan leaned closer, whispering so only Fah could hear. "Tonight. My place. No interruptions this time."
Fah's pulse jumped. He should say no—he knew he should. But all he could manage was a shaky nod.
As they walked out of the building, Fah caught sight of the same pair of girls whispering again, eyes darting between him and Tawan. The whispers weren't subtle anymore.
The secret was slipping.