"One for each of my star volunteers!" Chloe chirped, materializing with two bottles of water. She thrust them into their hands, her cheerful obliviousness cutting through the tension. "Okay, five minutes are up. Let's get this show on the road!"

Nico took the bottle, his fingers numb. He managed a weak nod. Ben didn't say anything, simply unscrewed the cap of his water and took a long drink, his eyes fixed somewhere far in the distance.

The rest of the fundraiser was a blur of noise and forced smiles. They worked the same booth but might as well have been on different continents. Nico busied himself with the merchandise, folding t-shirts into obsessive, perfect squares. Ben focused on the visitors, his usual charm present but a touch dimmer.

Every time they accidentally brushed arms, Nico flinched. Ben would pull back slightly, his brow furrowing, but he didn't say anything. The silence grew heavier with every passing hour.

What did I do? Nico thought, It was good. I'm an idiot.

Across the table, Ben was explaining the adoption process to a family, but his eyes kept darting back to Nico. He looked hurt, and worse, he looked unsure. He left unceremoniously, claiming he had an afternoon shift at the garden center.

***

By the time Nico got home, he was mentally drained. He collapsed onto the sofa, staring blankly at the TV without turning it on. He had replayed the kiss a million times in his head during the walk home, rewinding to the moment before he pulled away, editing the script, shouting lines he should have said. But no matter how many times he recut the scene, the ending was always the same: him panicking and ruining the best thing that had happened to him all year.

The front door opened, and Jamie breezed in, carrying a takeout container. He took one look at Nico and stopped mid-step.

"You seem off," Jamie said, flopping down next to him and kicking his shoes off.

Nico pulled a pillow into his lap, hugging it like a life raft. "We kissed. And then I... pulled away."

Jamie looked confused, a noodle hanging precariously from his fork. "Oh. Why? I thought you wanted that big dude. You get that dopey little look when he texts."

"I do," Nico said, his voice muffled by the cushion. "It just... it felt like a lot. Like it was heading somewhere real, and I panicked. It's easier when it's only physical. Less to lose."

"You are exhausting," Jamie said, but he bumped his shoulder against Nico’s gently. He pulled out his phone. "Look, Yani's found a new roommate and he's throwing a little party tonight. It's the perfect cover. Invite him. Act normal. It's way less weird than letting this awkwardness fester until you both die alone."

"Invite him? Now?"

"Yes, now. Rip the band-aid off."

Nico stared at his phone. His thumbs hovered over the screen.

Hey. I know it's short notice, but Yani is having a small get-together tonight at his place for his new roommate, if you're free and wanted to come.

He hit send before he could talk himself out of it. The three dots of a reply appeared almost instantly, bubbled for an agonizing eternity, and then disappeared. Nico held his breath.

***

At the garden center, the heat of that day was made worse by the humidity. Ben was arranging a display of succulents, his movements mechanical. He picked up a peace lily that was drooping dramatically over the side of its pot.

"Hey, plant whisperer!"

Ben looked up. His sister, Sarah, was weaving through the aisles, wearing a scarf bright enough to signal aircraft. She sported a bright pink buzz cut and walked toward him with a distinctive assurance. "Got anything that can survive my history of negligent plant killing?"

Ben wiped his hands on his apron, happiness finally breaking through the fog. "Sarah! I thought you were busy lawyering."

"I am," she winked, picking up a cactus and eyeing it suspiciously. "But I got your message. Thought I’d check in." She set the plant down and looked at him. "So you kissed the guy? How was it?"

Ben sighed, picking at a loose thread on his apron. "It was amazing. Until he stopped. I thought we wanted the same thing, but now I’m not so sure. You know I really like him, Sarah."

Sarah reached out, squeezing his shoulder. "Ben, you’re a catch. But you're not a mind reader. Talk to him. You both deserve to know where you stand. And if he doesn't want to kiss you again, he's dumb!"

Ben’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out.

"It's him," Ben said, surprised. He read the text aloud. "He's inviting me to a party. Tonight."

"See?" Sarah grinned. "He’s reaching out. Go. Have fun. Keep it simple."

Ben looked at the screen, then at his sister. "Yeah... I think I will. I hope it's not awkward."

***

Yani’s apartment was a curated shrine to things he loved. Shelves overflowed with retro game consoles and carefully painted miniatures. The NJRY crew was scattered around the living room, drinks in hand. Some lo-fi beat thumped in the background.

Nico stood in the corner with Ben. They were holding plastic cups like shields.

"I'm... glad you came," Nico said, focusing on a spot on the wall just past Ben’s ear.

"Yeah," Ben said. "Me too."

It was stiff, but it was a start. It wasn't the crackling heat from before, but the ice was finally thinning.

"Oh good, he's finally emerged from his room," Yani’s voice cut through the low hum of conversation. "Everyone, this is my new roommate, Luke!"

Footsteps echoed from the hallway, heavy and confident. A figure walked into the living room. He was wearing a tight tank top that revealed a strong build. It was a confident swagger that Nico recognized instantly.

His electric blue hair was unmistakable.

"Hi all," Luke said, his voice smooth. "What'd I miss?"

The room seemed to tilt on its axis. The music, the chatter, the clinking of glasses—it all dropped away, replaced by a high-pitched ringing in Nico's ears.

Of course, Nico thought. It was the curse of the local scene: you couldn't just hook up with someone and hope they'd vanish into the ether. They always circled back. And of course, it had to happen while he was standing next to the one guy he was actually trying to impress.

Blood drained from Nico's face. His eyes went wide. He wanted to run, to hide, but he was frozen.

Luke scanned the room until his gaze landed on Nico. A slow, knowing smirk spread across his face. It was the smirk from the gym. The smirk from the shower.

Beside Nico, Ben frowned. He looked from Nico’s terrified expression to Luke’s amused one, and the confusion on his face deepened into concern. He didn't know what was happening, but his jaw clenched.