If there was one thing Wade hated, it was parties.

He always felt uncomfortable in a crowd. He just got a big headache from the music and he was bored to death without ever being able to have a decent conversation.

Gavin had jumped into the fray and was letting loose, while Wade decided to do what he did best, on occasions like this: get as far away from the noise as possible. He just had to find an isolated place to sit and mind his business. Which is a bit complicated, given that at parties every secluded corner is occupied by a couple looking for privacy.

So, Wade decided to leave the villa and explore the surrounding garden. The annoying music became a muffled background and Wade could clearly hear the strumming of a guitar.

He followed those notes without realizing it.

He stopped when he saw Kyle. He was sitting by the pool, with his legs crossed. His face was illuminated by the light of the spotlights, coming from the bottom of the water, combined with the moonlight.

Deep down Wade was hoping to find him there. When he heard the sound of the guitar, something told him it had to be him.

Kyle noticed his presence and stopped playing.

«Sorry, it wasn't my intention to disturb you.», Wade started to leave. «Carry on.»

«You can stay.»

Wade remained with his back turned for a few moments, hesitating to come near. He had never been completely alone with him, except for the morning of their first meeting. Just thinking about it made him feel nervous and agitated. But when Kyle started playing again, delicately arpeggiating the strings, Wade suddenly relaxed. He reached Kyle. He sat next to him, cross-legged, and remained absorbed in listening to that background music - far superior to the one playing inside the house behind them.

«I didn't think you were the party type.» Kyle said without stopping the arpeggio.

«You all think I'm boring, but I know how to have fun too.»

«So why aren't you in there dancing?», Kyle stopped playing and turned to look at Wade.

«Okay, maybe I'm a little boring.» Wade admitted. «But so are you. You're out here too.»

Kyle smiled. « True. That's not my kind of music.» he said, pointing towards the house.

«What music do you prefer?»

«Well to start with one that has lyrics.» he replied and Wade nodded in agreement. «I don't listen to a particular genre, any song or music that makes me emotional is fine. This is the kind of music I want to make one day.»

Wade smiled at him and, for a few moments, neither of them could look away or speak.

Kyle cleared his throat before returning to his guitar.

«Do you want something to drink?» Wade asked him.

Kyle grabbed the glass – which he had placed on the edge of the pool – to show it to him. «If you want, I'll come with you.»

«It's not necessary. It's best if you don't leave your guitar unattended.»

Kyle laughed. «Do you think I would show up to a party with my guitar? I found it here, completely unattended, and I took advantage of it. Parties bore me too.», he placed the guitar on the chair where he had taken it from. «Here, no one will notice.» he said, then went back to Wade and held out his hand, to help him up. «We can go.»

Wade grabbed it and lifted himself off the ground.

They headed inside the house. They didn't even try to have a conversation, the music was too loud and it would have been useless anyway.

Reached the table with the drinks, Wade took a glass and filled it with plain orange soda. He took a sip before turning to Kyle, ready to escape the noise again. He smiled and nodded, before walking through the crowd.

It seemed like there were even more people. They struggled to continue. Kyle turned to check he hadn't lost Wade. Someone pushed him, who found himself practically stuck to Wade. They could feel each other's breathing, given how close their faces were.

Wade had seen scenes like this hundreds of times in movies. It happened, punctually, every time the leads found themselves in a crowded elevator. He had always found them extremely banal and unreal. Yet now it was happening to him. The crowd forced them to get closer and closer, until Kyle finally managed to take a step back and walk away. He was visibly embarrassed, just like Wade.

«I have to go. See you.» Kyle said hastily, before disappearing into the sea of people.

Wade stood still as the dancing crowd jostled him from every direction.

He was disappointed and saddened, almost as if, for a moment, he had hoped something would happen.

When did he start having those expectations?