The evening air was cool and calm as Chris stepped out of the small corner store, a paper bag in hand. He barely noticed the world around him until—bam!—he bumped right into someone.

 “Oh! Sorry,” Chris said quickly, looking up to see Ash’s familiar face.

 Ash smirked, eyes twinkling. “Watch where you’re going, man.”

 Chris blinked, then let out a small huff of recognition, a smile tugging at his lips. “Ash".

 They both laughed softly, the tension between them easing.

 “So, what’re you doing out here this late?” Ash asked, leaning against the doorframe.

 Chris held up the bag. “My mum asked me to pick up some milk and bread. You know, essentials.”

 Ash chuckled. “Sounds like a good errand. I sent you a message earlier—no reply.”

 Chris rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit awkward. “Yeah… I didn’t really know what to say, so I just left it.”

 Ash raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Playing hard to get?”

 “Nah, just… didn’t want to make it weird.”

 There was a beat of silence before Chris asked, “Where are you headed?”

 Ash glanced at his watch. “Got a date. Thought I’d take a stroll since the place is close by.”

 Chris frowned. “Why didn’t you just drive?”

 “Eh, it’s not far, and I wanted some fresh air.” Ash grinned. “Besides, don’t keep your mom waiting, alright? See you.”

 And with that, Ash turned and walked off into the evening.

 Chris watched him go, a strange feeling settling in his chest. A date. Probably with a girl. That had to mean Ash was straight. The thought gnawed at him, souring his mood. He tugged his jacket tighter around himself and headed home, the weight of uncertainty heavy on his mind.

Chris slumped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone buzzed on the bedside table — a message from Sienna.

 “Hey, did you see Ash tonight?”

 He typed back slowly, fingers hesitating.

 “Yeah, I did. He’s… going on a date.”

 The reply came almost instantly.

 “Oh, cool. So, you’re free now?”

 Chris stared at the screen, conflicted. Free? Maybe. But his thoughts were tangled, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to talk or just figure things out alone.

 He stared at his phone for a moment. His mind kept circling back to Ash’s date. He didn’t want to admit it, but the thought stung more than he expected.

 His phone buzzed again.

 Sienna’s message:

“I guess you’re more interested in Ash than you let on.”

 Chris blinked, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Did she really know? Or was she just teasing?

 He typed back, trying to sound casual.

“What are you talking about?”

 Her reply came fast.

“Come on, Chris. You’ve been acting weird since you saw him. It’s okay to admit you like him.”

 Chris’s cheeks heated. He stared at the screen, heart pounding. Was she reading him like an open book? Or did she just want to mess with him?

 He typed, half-joking:

“So you didn’t think I liked you after Nick said I have a thing for you?”

 Sienna’s response was instant and teasing.

“Nah, I read people for a living. I saw right through you — you like my brother.”

 Chris’s heart skipped a beat. The way she said it felt different, like she wasn’t just teasing. There was something real behind her words.

 He wanted to deny it, but the truth felt heavy on his tongue. Instead, he typed:

“I don’t know what you mean.”

 Sienna didn’t back down.

“Look, I’m just saying, if you do like him, don’t bottle it up. Life’s too short for that.”

 Chris sighed, a mix of frustration and relief washing over him. Maybe talking to her wasn’t so bad. Maybe he needed someone who could understand without judging.

 He paused before typing his next message:

“Thanks, Sienna. It means a lot.”

 A few seconds later, her reply popped up:

“Anytime. And hey, if you want, I can help you figure out what to say to him.”

 Chris’s pulse quickened. Maybe this could be the start of something new — a chance to finally understand his feelings… and Ash.

 He stared at his phone a moment longer before setting it down on his bedside table. The screen went dark, but his mind stayed wide awake.

 He thought about Ash—the way he laughed, the easy way they’d bumped into each other tonight. How just seeing him had thrown his whole evening off balance.

 When had this started? Chris honestly didn’t know. He’d never thought he could be interested in a guy before. Not seriously. But now… maybe it wasn’t just a passing thing.

 The idea unsettled him, but also felt strangely right. Like a door he hadn’t even realized was there was slowly creaking open.

 He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever this was, it was new territory—and it scared him. But maybe, just maybe, it was something worth exploring.

 Chris picked up his phone again and typed back, his tone flat and casual:

“You really gonna help me with this?”

 A moment later, Sienna replied with a little smirk in her words:

“Of course. And by the way, you actually have a chance — my brother’s bi.”

 Chris blinked at the screen, heart pounding as the words sank in. Bi? Ash was bi? He couldn’t believe it. For a second, hope and disbelief tangled inside him.

 He typed quickly, almost breathless:

“Wait, seriously? I didn’t know that. So… I actually have a chance?”

 Sienna’s answer was immediate.

“Yep. But let’s keep this between us for now.”

 Chris hesitated, then typed:

“Yeah, let’s make it our secret. I don’t really know how to tell everyone yet. It’s not like my family is homophobic or anything — I even have a gay aunty who’s married — but I’m not ready to let anyone know, not even Nick or Jin.”

 He paused, fingers hovering. Then added,

“I think Tiana kinda knows, though.”

 Sienna sent back a thumbs-up emoji.

“Sounds like a plan. We’ll figure out how to handle this without making you look desperate for Ash. Trust me, I got you.”

 Chris smiled faintly, relieved to have an ally. Deep down, he knew he was desperate, but for now, that secret stayed safe between them.