16.

“Uhh, hello?” he said less surprised, but rather confused. I acted without thinking again. I cursed myself.

“Ahh... I- I'm sorry! I mean, not for now, but for – uh, of course also for now – but sorry for, uhm, you know, getting you in trouble before, and... stuff,” I stuttered, mumbling the last words.

Wow, that was very convincing and not embarrassing at all!

I looked away awkwardly.

What surprised me was Jack's chuckle, which became a wholehearted laugh. I met his eyes with mine, blushing instantly. He was beautiful, a towel being the only thing that covered him, from his frame to his face, now graced with a soft smile, everything was pure perfection. I blamed the heat I was feeling on the steam from the showers.

“I'm sorry,” he began, still snickering a bit, “every time I'm just to stunned how embarrassed and cute you look when you apologize to me for no reason!” he finished, practically turning me into a pile of goo with his words, seemingly seeing right through me.

He faced me with such a warm and gentle expression, I could have died happily a that exact moment. “You'll make me blush too,” he then added, evaporating what was left of the puddle that was me at some point. I looked down, my head a hot mess.

I still kept my gaze glued to the bathroom tiles, trying to think of something to say. “Oh sorry, did I say something wrong?” Jack asked. I could her he was frowning. “W-what? No no, don't worry, I'm just- I just don't know what to, uhm, say, so...” I trailed off. Another chuckle filled the room, catching my attention once again.

“Wow, you really are cute when you're embarrassed!” he said with a slight smirk. I could feel my face heating up and my eyes widen in shock. “W-well, I think I should be g- going now, s-see you later Jack,” I quickly muttered and stormed out of the shower room, cheeks still flushed.

All I could hear was his 'later' with a cheerful tone before the door slammed shut behind me.

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.

He said I'm CUTE?????!!

I held onto my towel as I ran down the hallway to our room. Just as I was standing before it, I realized I didn't have my card – or anything else for that matter. I had the towel on me but nothing more. I rushed out of the showers in such a hurry that I forgot to get my stuff too. I sighed in frustration as I knocked on the door.

When Quinton opened it, he looked at me with a mixture of confusion and disappointment.

“...Why are you only in a towel?” he simply asked. “Don't ask.” I barged into the room and went straight to my bed, covering myself with a blanket. I could her Quinton sigh as he sat on his bed as well. “You're acting very strange these past days, you know that?” he stated.

I scoffed in response, “no I don't?” I really didn't want to talk about it now. I imagined it would be weird talking to your straight male friends about your gay crush. Talking about them being uncomfortable...

“Do you maybe wanna talk about it?” Quinton pressed on, as I stayed under the covers.

“...”

“I guess not,” he said with a sigh. “Just let him be, you know how weird he can be sometimes,” Peter shot in, clearly not wanting to talk about feelings right now.

You know what? Fuck it, we're gonna talk about feelings now!

“Argh, fine!” I groaned under my sheets. I appeared from my soft fortress with a angry expression. “But let me warn you: you wanted this, so there's no turning back now, got it?”

Quinton nodded in surprise, “yeah, I know.” Julian just laughed at my sudden outburst and Peter sighed, sounding a bit annoyed. Well, I don't care what you want, it's time to pour my heart out in front of you, so you better listen up closely!

“Ok, so the thing is...”