"Come with me this weekend," Kai said during lunch on Wednesday, his voice low and intimate as they sat in their usual corner of the school cafeteria. Three months had passed since that first conversation at Adrian's locker, and they'd fallen into an easy rhythm. Every day brought them closer together, and Adrian had started to believe that maybe, just maybe, this was real.
Adrian's fork paused halfway to his mouth. "What?"
"My parents have a house by the lake. We'd have it completely to ourselves." Kai reached across the table and took Adrian's hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles on Adrian's palm. "I just want time with you. Away from school, away from everyone else. Just us."
Adrian's breath caught. He knew what Kai was really asking. They'd been dating for months now, and things had gotten increasingly physical—heated kisses in Kai's car, wandering hands in empty hallways, moments that left them both breathless and wanting more. But they hadn't gone all the way yet. Adrian had never been with anyone, and Kai had been patient, never pushing, always stopping when Adrian asked.
"I've never..." Adrian started, his cheeks flushing red.
"I know." Kai's expression was tender as he squeezed Adrian's hand. "And we don't have to do anything you're not ready for. I promise. I just want to spend real time with you, without worrying about curfews or homework or people interrupting us. We can talk, watch movies, just be together. That's all."
Adrian looked into Kai's eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. Over the past three months, Kai had been everything Adrian had ever dreamed of. Attentive and sweet, bringing him coffee in the mornings, walking him to every class, introducing him to his parents who'd been surprisingly welcoming. Kai made Adrian feel seen in a way no one ever had before.
"Okay," Adrian whispered, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Kai's entire face lit up. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. I want to go."
Friday afternoon, Kai picked Adrian up in his car—a sleek black sedan that probably cost more than Adrian's house. Adrian had told his parents he was staying at a friend's place for the weekend, hating the lie but unable to explain the truth. They would worry, ask too many questions, maybe even forbid him from going.
The drive to the lake house took two hours, winding through increasingly rural roads until they reached a private drive lined with tall trees. When the house came into view, Adrian's jaw dropped. This wasn't a house—it was practically a mansion. All glass and modern architecture, sitting right on the waterfront with a private dock and boathouse.
"This is incredible," Adrian breathed as Kai helped him out of the car.
"Wait until you see the sunset from the deck." Kai grabbed their bags from the trunk, looking pleased by Adrian's reaction. "Come on, I'll give you the tour."
Inside was even more impressive. Vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake, furniture that looked like it belonged in a design magazine. The kitchen was all granite and stainless steel, the living room had a fireplace and the largest television Adrian had ever seen.
"There are four bedrooms upstairs," Kai said, leading the way. "This one's mine when we visit." He opened a door to reveal a spacious room with a king-sized bed and its own balcony overlooking the water. "But there are other rooms if you'd prefer—"
"This is fine," Adrian said quickly. Being close to Kai felt right.
They spent the afternoon exploring the property. Kai showed him the dock where they kept a small boat, the fire pit down by the water, the hiking trails through the surrounding woods. Then Kai insisted on cooking dinner, despite Adrian's protests that he didn't need to go to so much trouble.
"I want to," Kai said firmly. "I want to take care of you."
They ate on the deck as the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink. Adrian had never felt so peaceful, so content. Kai kept the conversation light and easy, making Adrian laugh with stories from his childhood summers at this house.
As darkness fell and stars began appearing overhead, Kai reached across the table and took Adrian's hand. "Thank you for coming here with me."
"Thank you for inviting me."
"I need to tell you something." Kai's voice was serious now, his eyes intense in the candlelight. "These past three months with you have been the best of my life. You're not like anyone I've ever known, Adrian. You're real. You see past all the money and the name and the expectations, and you just see me."
Adrian's heart was pounding so hard he thought it might burst from his chest.
"I love you," Kai said softly. "I'm in love with you, Adrian Wells."
Tears pricked at Adrian's eyes. He'd been so afraid to hope, so certain this would all disappear like a dream. "I love you too," he whispered. "So much."
Kai stood and came around the table, pulling Adrian to his feet. He cupped Adrian's face in his hands and kissed him deeply, pouring everything into it. When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Kai rested his forehead against Adrian's.
"Come inside," Kai murmured.
Adrian nodded, his whole body trembling with anticipation and nervousness. They walked upstairs hand in hand, and Kai led him to the bedroom. The lights of the lake reflected on the ceiling through the glass doors, creating dancing patterns of light.
Adrian woke slowly to sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. For a moment, he was disoriented, unsure where he was. Then the events of the previous night came flooding back, and his cheeks flushed hot. He turned his head to find Kai still asleep beside him, his dark hair messy against the white pillows, his face peaceful in sleep.
Last night had been intense. Kai had started gentle, patient, making sure Adrian was comfortable. But as things progressed, something had shifted. Kai had become rougher, more demanding, driven by a passion that had left Adrian overwhelmed and confused. There had been moments of pleasure, yes, but also moments of discomfort that Adrian had been too caught up to voice. He'd told himself it was normal, that everyone's first time was awkward and strange.
Now, in the morning light, Adrian's body ached in ways he hadn't expected. His hips were sore, his wrists bore faint marks where Kai had gripped them, and he felt raw in places that made him wince. He moved carefully, trying not to wake Kai, and slipped out of bed.
In the bathroom, Adrian stared at his reflection. His neck was covered in marks, dark bruises that would be impossible to hide. His lips were swollen from harsh kisses. He looked like someone who'd been thoroughly claimed, and the thought made something uncomfortable twist in his stomach.
"You're overthinking it," he whispered to his reflection. "Kai loves you. He said so. This is what love looks like."
When he returned to the bedroom, Kai was sitting up, checking his phone. He glanced up and smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Morning. Sleep well?"
"Yeah," Adrian lied, wrapping his arms around himself.
"Good." Kai stood and stretched, seemingly unconcerned about his nakedness. "I'm going to shower. Help yourself to breakfast—there's stuff in the kitchen."
He disappeared into the bathroom without kissing Adrian, without asking if he was okay, without any of the tenderness from the night before. Adrian stood there for a moment, feeling strangely hollow.
The rest of the morning was awkward. Kai was distracted, constantly on his phone, responding to messages with increasing irritation. When Adrian tried to start conversations, Kai's answers were short and dismissive. The warmth and attention that had defined their relationship seemed to have evaporated overnight.
"Is everything okay?" Adrian finally asked as they sat on the deck with coffee neither of them was drinking.
"Fine. Just family stuff." Kai didn't look up from his phone.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
The words stung. Adrian tried not to let it show. Maybe Kai was just stressed. Maybe Adrian was being too needy. He should give Kai space.
They drove back to the city in near silence, the car filled with tension that Adrian didn't understand. When Kai dropped him off at his house, Adrian leaned in for a kiss, but Kai turned his head so it landed on his cheek.
"I'll see you Monday," Kai said, his tone casual, as if Adrian was just a classmate he'd given a ride to.
"Okay," Adrian whispered, his chest tight. "I love you."
Kai didn't respond. He just waited until Adrian got out of the car, then drove away without looking back.
Adrian stood on his doorstep, watching the taillights disappear, and felt the first crack in his heart.