Break time was over and Valery and I bid goodbye to each other as we go our separate ways to attend different classes. It sucked that I’m not together with her for the whole afternoon because of the conflict of our class schedules. I’m always alone in my subjects and being treated as an outsider worsened it even more.

And to top it all up, I’m classmates with Georgy the whole afternoon. The only reason I could go to these classes was because of Clark.

But for some reason, I haven’t seen Georgy for the past week. It doesn’t bother me, in fact, I’m grateful but of course, I’m curious to why he wasn’t attending classes.

I entered the classroom and he was the first person I saw. He was sitting beside where I usually sit, holding his phone. He had a serious expression on his face and I just couldn’t get enough of it.

Ignoring everyone else, I walked towards Clark. I pulled the chair and sat before turning my head to look at him.

“Hello.” I shyly greeted.

Clark took his attention off of his phone to look at me.

“Hi,” he greeted back, smiling.

I pursed my lips. I didn’t know what to talk about so I just returned my head back to the front to stare at the board.

I wonder if I could ask him if he wanted to go to Marx’ party later.

Everyone’s invited anyway, right?

“Clark, a-are you doing anything later?” I asked, my voice trembling from nervousness.

What the hell, Drew? You’re not confessing and yet you’re shaking like crazy! Why am I so pathetic?

“Why?”

“M-Marx, the captain of the basketball team is gonna throw a party this evening. Do you wanna come?” I asked, looking straight into his eyes.

Clark thought for a moment.

“Sure,” he quickly replied.

My face brightened after hearing his answer.

“R-really?!” I uttered in disbelief.

Clark put his phone down, crossing his arms and smiling at me.

“I’m not doing anything this night so I’m free. Why not spend some time with, huh?” he said.

My heart skipped a couple of beats. Did he really say that?

He wanted to spend time with me too?

I think I’m gonna faint from happiness.

The teacher finally arrived, interrupting my conversation with Clark. But it doesn’t matter, the important thing was that Clark’s going to the party with me.

I silently thanked Valery for inviting me.

--

At long last, classes finally finished.

Valery, Clark and I decided to meet up in Nomer’s Diner. The party will start at 7 and we still have the time to dress up.

But first, I needed to tell Isaac that I have plans tonight. I got out of the school building and saw Isaac waiting in his usual spot.

Once he saw me, he straightened his back.

“Are you ready to go home?”

“Yes,” I replied.

We walked to the parking lot and the moment we got in, I faced Isaac. I was looking at him with a serious expression on my face.

“I need to tell you something.”

Isaac returned my look.

“What is it?”

“I’m going to a party tonight.”

Considering how I got myself into trouble last night, I prayed to all the gods that perhaps Isaac would easily let me go.

He smirked in amusement.

“You just got harassed last night, Drew. Do you think I’m going to allow you to go?”

I forced a grin.

“...Yes?”

“No, Drew.”

“Oh come on! I have friends there, I’m not gonna be alone!”

“I don’t think you understand the situation you are in. I already failed my job once, I won’t let it happen again,” Isaac said with a strained voice.

“Please, please, please, the person I like is going to be there so I need to be there!”

Isaac’s eyes narrowed.

“The only reason you’re going to this party is because your crush is there,” he said.

I couldn’t ignore his mocking tone.

“You know how desperate I am, right?”

“And you also know that you’re a soon-to-be mob boss, right?”

I felt my chest tightened in despair.

“I know…I know that…that’s why I want to at least have a normal life before I take the family business.”

I lowered my head and bit my lip to stop it from trembling.

I never wanted to have this life. What I wanted was to live normal.

Isaac sighed.

“Okay.”

I snapped my head back to look at him.

“What?”

“I said okay. I’m allowing you to go.”

I gasped at him.

“Are you for real?!”

Isaac smiled.

“You want me to take it back?” he sarcastically asked.

“No! No! I just can’t believe it! Thank you, Isaac! This really means a lot to me.”

“At least give me the contact of the people you’re gonna go with,” Isaac said.

I took my phone out and said, “One is Valery, my bestest friend and the other one is Clark Roman. Here’s their numbers.”

I gave my phone to Isaac but froze after seeing him smirking in delight.

“I wouldn’t be needing their numbers anymore,” he suddenly said.

Isaac turned the engine on.

“What? Why?”

“Because I know you’re in good hands.”

--

I didn’t really understand what Isaac meant when he said I’m in good hands. But I was too excited to think about it.

After driving me back to the house to change my clothes, he dropped me at Nomer’s Diner to meet Valery and Clark there. Isaac went inside with me to the restaurant, making sure that I was with my friends before leaving me.

Valery and Clark were already inside, waiting for me by the table. Valery was the first one to see me as she waved her hand to get my attention.

“Drew, over here!” she hollered.

I ran to where they were.

“Hi!” I enthusiastically greeted. “Sorry I’m late!”

Isaac stood beside me and Valery gave him a confused look.

“Who’s he? Your friend?”

I laughed nervously.

“Something like that,” I said.

“I’m Isaac,” my supposed bodyguard turned friend said to introduce himself.

Clark stood up, smiling. Isaac and him stared at each other.

“Hi,” Clark said, reaching his hand to Isaac. “Nice to meet you, I’m Clark Roman.”

For some reason, I could feel tension coming from the two of them.

“Nice to meet you too, bo…Clark,” Isaac mumbled.

I furrowed my brows, confused to why they were looking at each other like they’re acquaintances or something.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your friend, Drew, will be in safe hands,” Clark said.

They pulled their hands away from each other. Isaac shook his head while smiling.

“Of course you will.”

Valery clapped her hands and the tension finally disappeared.

“Come on, come on, let’s hurry up! I wanna see Marx already!” she squealed.

--

We boarded Clark’s Lexus to go to Marx’ party. I sat beside Clark who was the driver while Valery was behind us, constantly yapping her mouth to sing praises of how much she liked Marx. I was muting her voice in my head and was just concentrating in being with Clark in a small confined space.

I could smell his scent in his car and it was bringing me an odd sensation that I haven’t felt before.

Unfortunately though, we quickly arrived at Marx’ house.

We got out of the car and went inside. I could see familiar faces but they were too busy drinking booze and having fun with their friends.

Valery and I squeezed our way inside to find Marx. We found him and he was sitting in the living room with girls surrounding him. I saw the guys from the basketball team with him and they were all holding drinks.

“I’m going in,” Valery announced.

A random person passed us by and Valery took the bottle he was holding to drink out of it. She returned it back to the guy who only gave us a weird look.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

Valery slapped her cheeks, grinning at me.

“I am.”

I watched her go to where Marx was. I only shook my head in amusement. Looked like I’m not the only one stupid enough to make a move on my crush.

I turned around to find Clark. He was by the bar, inspecting the colorful drinks in bowls. I pouted when a bunch of girls made their way to talk to him. Standing near them, I was afraid that I might get bullied if I approach them. Those girls were not exactly the nicest people in school.

“So,” the blonde girl with curly locks started, eyes blinking sensually to Clark who was looking at her, “you’re the new guy, aren’t you?”

She locked arms with Clark. I bit my hand in anger, cursing at her for casually touching the man I liked.

Clark politely smiled at her.

“Am I still new when I’ve been attending school for a week?” he asked.

The girl was obviously humiliated with Clark’s reply. Some of her friends snickered while the others glared at him.

“If I were you, I’ll watch my mouth, babe,” the girl threatened.

Clark grinned.

“I could say the same thing,” he said.

I was surprised when his eyes shifted to where I was standing. He gently unlatched himself from the girl and walked towards me, leaving them gaping at him in disbelief.

“Are you thirsty?” Clark asked.

He offered me the drink he got.

I don’t usually drink beer because I’m a light-weight drinker. Only a few sips would make me dizzy but because it’s Clark who’s offering me the drink, stupid me took it.

“Thanks,” I nervously said.

He drank his and waited for me to finish mine.

Oh to hell with it. This was a party, of course people were gonna get drunk. Nothing out of unusual there.

I shut my eyes and drank the cold beer. It tasted sour and bitter and I couldn’t help but shudder at the taste.

I finished the cup and burped out loud after.

Clark chuckled and said, “tasty, right?”

I could feel the liquid going down my system and soon, my sight turned blurred. I kept my feet on the ground but it was like the earth was shaking.

Everything seemed floating. Clark who was standing in front of me waved his hand but I couldn’t see anything still anymore.

“...re..a…re…you..uuuuu…o..kaaayyaaa?”

I struggled to focus my sight but couldn’t. Even the voices around me was turning into a slur.

I suddenly giggled though there was nothing funny happening.

“...I…I’m fine…of course hic finneeee…Claaaaark…you’re…you’re so fine…”

I tried to walk towards Clark but stopped when my sight turned black.

--

I slowly opened my eyes and yawned soon after. I rubbed my head, groaning when I felt it throb. I stretched my limbs only to realize that I wasn’t alone on the bed.

I got up all of a sudden and saw that I wasn’t in my room. I turned to the left and life almost drained out of body when I saw Clark sleeping beside me.

Oh my…oh my freaking god!

Don’t tell me…

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!

I fell down on the floor from backing away from the sleeping Clark. I screamed from the pain of hitting the ground which instantly woke Clark.

His eyes fluttered open but unlike me who was panicking, he just looked at me with an unfocused stare.

“Hey,” he said, his voice deep and husky (which brought back that weird sensation I was feeling back when we were in the car). “Good morning.”

Sweat was rolling down my face as I stared back at him with a gaping mouth.

“W-w-w-w-w-what…what happened?!”

Clark got up and I screamed again when I saw his naked chest. My face was searing hot and I couldn’t look at him out of embarrassment.

“You got drunk from the party last night,” he answered in nonchalant. “I couldn’t find Valery so I brought you back at my place.”

“My god…I’m so sorry I caused you trouble!”

The throbbing of my head wasn’t helping me. I ignored the pain, stood up and quickly looked for the exit.

“Where are you going?” Clark asked.

“Home!” I barked.

I groped for my phone in my pocket but it wasn’t there.

“W-where’s my phone?” I frantically asked.

Clark watched me panic with an amused smile on his face.

“On the table.”

I was looking at everywhere except him since he was naked. If it wasn’t for the situation happening now, I would have ogled at his chest and abs but the fear of letting him know that I’m attracted to him scared me.

Although he’s accepting to gay people, I’m sure it would disgust him if he were to find out that I’m attracted to him.

And I didn’t want that to happen.

As much as possible, I wanted to stay friends with him.

Even if I have to conceal these feelings.

I stumbled to get my phone on the table.

“Sorry for everything! I have to go.”

Clark raised a brow.

“You’re acting like we had sex last night, Drew.”

What he said threw me on the edge. My whole face turned red.

“Sex?! S-s-s-sex?!”

Did we have sex last night?

No, that’s not possible! He’s not that kind of person, right?!

“Don’t worry, we didn’t have sex,” Clark said, chuckling at me.

“Oh…okay.”

Clark stood up, putting his shirt on. He looked at me and that ever-lasting kind smile on his face blinded me.

“Let’s not go to school today,” he suggested.

“Huh? Why?”

“Because it’s already 10 in the morning, we’re awfully late, don’t you think so?”

I checked the time in my phone and indeed, it was already past 10.

“Yeah, you’re right,” I muttered.

Isaac’s so gonna kill me.

“And besides, I want to go somewhere with you.”

“...huh?”

--

I was busy looking around Clark’s apartment that I didn’t even noticed him disappearing. I’m sure Isaac’s pissed off of me because I didn’t go home last night but it’s not like my fault, right?

Okay, fine, maybe half of it was my fault. I should have known better how easy it was for me to get drunk. One sip of beer was enough to make me drunk and as embarrassing as it sounds, it’s the truth I should accept.

His room was neat and I couldn’t see any trace of mess or anything, unlike mine. It was like any other kind of bedrooms, simple and organized. There was also a sweet aroma coming from somewhere but I didn’t know what it was.

I lingered in his bedroom for a while, walking around to check anything out of the ordinary. This was the first time I got to see my crush’s bedroom and I’m loving every second of it. It felt like I became even closer to Clark just by being in his room.

I stood in front of the tall bookshelf and browsed the thick books in it.

It all looked deep and hard to read.

I was about to pull one book that caught my interest but Clark entering the room stopped me. I turned around and saw that he was dressed casually, with a striped shirt and black pants.

Clark walked to his bed to arrange the blanket. I instantly felt ashamed for not fixing it myself since I’m not used to, thanks to my upbringing.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” I mumbled.

He chuckled and said, “it’s fine.”

Smelling myself, I grimaced. I reeked of alcohol and it was disgusting.

“Do you mind if take a quick shower?” I asked.

Clark shook his head and smiled.

“Sure. You can borrow my clothes.”

I tried not to look excited but I couldn’t stop myself from blushing.

I’m gonna wear Clark’s clothes?!