Teach Me Bad - 1. Wed, Thurs: Kayden

It was mid-October, a couple days after midterms, and Kayden Lee sat at the front of a small lecture hall in the outer quad. The back wall was lined with plate glass windows that looked out at the math corner, an open, sun speckled courtyard paved with warm red tiles and dotted with trees. It was a class of forty and the narrow room had long wooden tables against the right wall facing the teacher’s desk and the whiteboard.

Kayden’s head was down, and his dark fringe hung over his large, delicately angled eyes as he snuck peeks at Trent Hudson. The tall, devastatingly handsome boy sat in his customary seat straight across from the door. His gaze was locked on the hall.

He had the most beautiful caramel skin, the only flaw, a thin scar over his right eye. It was normally straight, but Trent’s furrowed brow pulled the line jagged. Students filtered into the room to find their seats and more than one person looked at Trent as they passed, but he didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. His shoulders were tense, and a single hand clutched the end of the table in a white-knuckled grip.

Every lecture, before class began Kayden traced Trent’s features from behind the fall of his dark hair. Trent’s straight nose, prominent cheekbones, full lips, and chiseled, stubble grazed jaw were godlike in their perfection. His glittering hazel eyes were beautiful, and Kayden had been sneaking peaks at them since the beginning of the semester. He was obsessed with the way Trent’s half-lidded eyes sparkled with determination. He was always on the edge of sleep, but he kept his head up through lecture and stared at the whiteboard.

Trent had a lean muscular build. His hair was shaved on the sides and short on top with tight curls. It was a lovely warm-brown and paired nicely with his caramel skin. He dressed simply in fitted tees, dark jeans, white chucks, and rocked a cool leather messenger bag. Everything he owned was splashed with labels and reeked of money.

Trent’s dad was a world-famous film director, and everybody wanted to know him. Everyone thought he was cool, and from the way Trent talked and the way he held himself, it was obvious he was used to being fawned over and getting his way.

Kayden had never spoken to him. He just… liked to look at him. A lot. He studied him with bated breath as Trent waited impatiently for class to begin.

Ethan strode into the room and Trent’s eyes narrowed into thin slits. He tracked the instructor as he crossed the room and rounded the table in front of the board. Ethan tossed his satchel in the chair and took out his lesson plan.

Kayden tore his curious gaze from the gorgeous specimen of male beauty at the end of the row. He turned back to his notebook and flipped to a fresh page. He took out a pencil as Ethan turned to the board to begin the day’s lecture.

Kayden liked to sit right in front of the teacher’s desk so he could see. Math wasn’t his strong subject, but his father had incredibly high expectations and Kayden was desperate to please him. When he was in class, Kayden paid special attention to Ethan’s lecture. He took careful notes. He did the readings, the homework, and if extra credit was offered, he jumped at the chance. He didn’t mess around when it came to his grades.

Midterms had been posted the night before and Kayden had gotten a 98 on his exam, two points from perfect. His father had given him a warm nod of approval at the breakfast table that morning. If he’d gotten a 100, maybe he’d have gotten a handshake instead, but he was alright with the nod. Nods were good.

Algebra for Calculus wasn’t particularly hard, but Ethan was a graduate student and he was strict with his grading. He was Korean, too, but he was much taller than Kayden and he was stylish despite his thick glasses. He liked when his students went the extra mile. He and Kayden were on very good terms and Kayden had stayed after class a time or two for additional assistance. Ethan was smart and Kayden respected that about the other boy. Education was primary in his family. His father pushed for excellence in all subjects.

When class ended, Kayden was satisfied he had a good grasp of the material. He closed his notebook with a sense of pride and began to pack his things. Math was his last class of the day and he was eager to get home so he could get a jump on his homework. There was a scary movie on Netflix he was dying to see. He wasn’t one for blood or guts, but he liked the thrill of a jump scare. They excited him.

He swept his books into his backpack and started to get up when the blonde girl beside him, Lacie, dropped her pencil case. Pens, pencils, and a colorful collection of paper clips spilled across the floor.

“Jeez, I’m such a klutz,” Lacie muttered as she pushed her long, platinum blonde hair behind her ear. She knelt and began to gather her items.

“Oh, me too.” Kayden shouldered his bag and crouched down to assist her. He shoved his long, floppy sleeves to his elbows and grabbed a pair of ballpoint pens as they rolled lazily under his chair. Then he collected some of the paperclips in his palm. “I had to make copies of my writing assignment before Chemistry today. I was rushing out of the library looking through my printouts when whoosh!” Kayden spread his arms dramatically. “I tripped and all my papers went up in the air.” He handed Lacie her supplies as she giggled. “I was ten minutes late. My papers flew all over the stairwell.”

Lacie stuffed her pens back into their case. “At least this spill was contained.”

“Yes?” Ethan said sharply from the whiteboard. “What can I do for you?”

Kayden stood up slowly as his hair fell into his eyes.

Trent gripped the edge of Ethan’s desk as he stared down the slight, bespectacled graduate teacher. He loomed over the surface and the material of his fitted tee stretched tight over his muscular shoulders. “I got a 38 on the midterm.”

Ethan pressed his lips together. “What was your name again?”

Trent slammed his fist on the table and Kayden flinched at the sound. Ethan raised an eyebrow. Lacie got up and she and Kayden watched the scene unfold in awed disbelief.

“Trent Hudson,” Trent said firmly, and his hands fell away from the table as he straightened his back. His expression smoothed. “We spoke before the test.”

Ethan frowned. “I remember.”

“What are my options?” Trent pressed. “I dropped this class last semester. I don’t want to take it a third time.”

“You might have to,” Ethan said, turning away to close his lecture book. He slid it into his satchel and pulled the strap over his shoulder. “I have a lot of students, so you’ll have to excuse me if my memory isn’t correct, but I’m certain you haven’t turned in homework since the second week of class.”

“It must have slipped my mind.” Trent crossed his arms as the rest of the class trickled out the door. People were staring at him, but his striking hazel eyes were locked on the graduate teacher. “I have a lot of classes this semester.”

Ethan shook his head. “Let’s be honest, Trent. You aren’t even trying. If you would turn the homework in, I might be able to give you a couple points, but you can’t even be bothered to do that.”

Trent’s expression darkened. “I need this class to graduate.”

“Then you need to apply yourself,” Ethan said as he checked the time over the whiteboard. “And I need to get to my next class.” He brushed past Trent as he walked around the desk. “Do the homework tonight. If you need help, there are many competent tutors at the library.”

Trent glared after him, his eyes glittering with anger.

“That didn’t go so well,” Lacie muttered under her breath.

Kayden blinked at her. “Uhhh…”

Trent snatched his bag off the end of the table and swept out of the room. Lacie pushed her chair in and she and Kayden started down the aisle.

As they exited the classroom, Trent pushed through the large glass doors further down the corridor. Kayden’s heart tugged after him.

“I’m heading in the opposite direction,” Lacie said with a sigh. She pulled her bag higher on her shoulder. “I’ve got a history class next. I’ll see you Friday.”

Kayden smiled at the girl and they parted ways there in the hall.

When he stepped outside, his heart skipped a beat as he caught sight of his troubled classmate to the right of the inner quad. Trent stood under the arcade as the red, tiled roof gleamed in the sunlight. He had his phone in his hand and a look of disgust on his face.

“Shit,” he muttered, then he slid the phone in his back pocket and started down the walkway. He strode with purpose.

Kayden yearned to be near him, and he started after Trent now, as a desire he didn’t quite understand grew inside of him. He didn’t have the confidence to speak to Trent, but he was so curious what kind of life the beautiful dark prince must lead.

A pair of older girls in tiny beach shorts approached from the opposite direction.

“Hey Trent,” said the girl on the right, a blonde with long legs and a big smile.

Trent barely even looked at her. He held up a hand in acknowledgement as he stalked past.

The girls bent together and giggled. Kayden peeked at them shyly through his hair as he shuffled along. He accidentally met the blonde’s eyes as she looked over her shoulder at Trent’s retreating back.

Kayden flushed and hurried after the older boy.

For him, college wasn’t much different from high school. Most of his classmates were strangers, but he and Audrey, his BFF since childhood and his next-door neighbor from birth to present day, had three classes together. Ethics, writing, and intro to psych. This was Kayden’s freshman year and his first semester and so far, he was confident he was going to be able to handle his classes. They were fast paced, but he was religious with his study habits.

The thing that stood out most was the sheer amount of sex everyone seemed to be having. That was different. Sure, there had been couples in high school. Girlfriends and boyfriends that held hands between classes and kissed in front of their lockers. But actual sex was happening right on campus. Penetrative sex. The dress code seemed to be lenient because the girls walked around in the skimpiest clothes possible. The boys gawked at the girls who walked around campus in groups. Their eyes bugged out of their heads when a female bared her cleavage or her legs. They popped out of their heads and rolled to the ground if she did both.

Kayden’s brow furrowed as he trailed after Trent’s looming figure. He had his phone out again and he typed madly with both hands. He bent his head over the screen, his lip curling with contempt as he sent off a message. Kayden was so curious what was on his phone.

The walkway opened into the main quad through a long row of elaborately detailed stone arches. Paved with light-red bricks, the sundrenched square was decorated with raised, planting circles with a beautiful array of tropical trees. People walked between classes and some were on bikes. Others sat under the trees to read and study. Trent strode into the quad and paused as the light slanted into his eyes. He lifted his head and coolly surveyed the courtyard.

Kayden slowed as he got closer. He didn’t want to startle Trent.

A slender, redheaded girl slithered from a shadowed alcove between Kayden and Trent, whose gaze fell back to his phone with a huff of frustration. His eyes narrowed as he waited for a reply.

Kayden froze mid step as the girl crept closer with a feverish gleam in her eye.

Long, red curls cascaded down her bare back. The girl was dressed in a white strapless top and a short jean skirt. She wore a pair of flipflops and as she stepped behind Trent and stretched up on her toes, the foam soles of her shoes stayed on the ground and her bare, dirty feet were exposed.

The redhead giggled as she slipped her arms around Trent’s neck and leaned up to cover his eyes. “Guess who?”

Trent jerked his elbow into the girl’s solar plexus.

“Oww!” the girl doubled over in pain as Trent twisted out of her grasp.

He spun around and caught sight of the redhead. His eyes narrowed. “Ivy.”

“You hit me,” Ivy gasped. She looked up at Trent with wide, despairing eyes. “I texted you. I told you I had a surprise.”

“I don't like surprises,” Trent said sourly. “I told you yesterday not to sneak up on me. Are you stalking me now?”

Ivy straightened with a groan of discomfort. “How can I stalk my boyfriend.”

“Easy. You show up when he doesn’t want you,” Trent said with a laugh. “Come on, sweetheart. We’ve had our fun. I’m through with you.”

Ivy stared at him in disbelief. She started to open her mouth.

“Hey!”

A big, blond guy in a navy sleeveless shirt stepped through the arches. Mitch. Audrey’s wrist was gripped in his massive fist and she looked almost childlike in comparison to the brute tugging her arm. The tiny Korean girl didn’t look happy.

“Let go,” she grumbled, her lips curved down at the corners. “I can walk perfectly fine on my own.” She pulled against him, but Mitch was unphased.

Audrey wore a jean pinafore dress and an old, faded band tee underneath. Her cute backpack with kitten print, candy-apple red cat-eyed glasses, and layered bob with tasteful silver highlights were fashionable and cool and that was so Audrey. She had always been the rebellious one.

Kayden, not so much. When he spotted his best friend, his heart swelled with affection, but at the sight of the new boyfriend, he leapt into action and ducked into the shadowed alcove Ivy had slithered out of.

“Great,” Ivy murmured.

“What the fuck?” Mitch barked as he and Audrey stopped beside Trent. He finally released Audrey’s wrist. She winced and rubbed the red mark he’d left behind as Mitch glanced up at Trent. Wordlessly, he raised an eyebrow and Trent rolled his eyes. Mitch’s blue ones gleamed with malice. He spun and shoved Ivy in the chest.

“Ow!” Ivy stumbled back, but Mitch advanced on her and got in her face.

“I told you to fuck off!”

Ivy rubbed her chest where Mitch had pushed her. “I just wanted to—”

“Leave!”

“No.” Ivy stood her ground and glared heatedly at the blond. “I don’t have to listen to you.” You’re not Trent’s keeper.”

Mitch grinned. “I’ve been handling Trent’s crazy exs since the ninth grade. Taking bitches to the curb is kind of my thing.”

Ivy faltered. “But—”

“Go!” Mitch hollered and Ivy crumbled.

Big, crocodile tears formed in her eyes and tracked down her freckled cheeks. She stretched up on her toes again and looked over Mitch’s massive shoulder at Trent, his arms crossed, mouth turned down in a frown.

Audrey gazed up at Trent in horror. “Are you guys serious?”

Trent spared her an irritated glance. He poked a finger at the redhead. “That bitch is stalking me.”

“That’s not how you handle stalking.” Audrey planted her hands on her hips. “You’re assaulting her!”

Ivy nodded vigorously. “You’re girlfriends right. All I have to do is go to campus police—”

Mitch lashed out with a single, lean arm and snatched Ivy by the hair.

“Aaaahhhhh!”

“Mitch!” Audrey shouted. “You’re hurting her!”

Mitch wasn’t listening. He dragged Ivy, screaming, her talons flying at his face to the end of the walkway and under the arches. He tossed her in the square and Ivy sprawled across the sun-warmed bricks like a ragdoll. “Go for it, cunt! Go tell the police how you sat outside the house for five hours straight begging Trent for a goddamn dick pic!”

A couple students approached the redhead lying prone in the courtyard, but Mitch stood over her, breathing heavily, and no one would come close enough to interfere. Others watched from a distance. Some were laughing. A pair of girls in Chi Omega shirts had their hands over their mouths.

Ivy was in tears. She rolled on her belly and slapped the bricks with her hands over and over. “I hate you, Mitch!” she wailed. She kicked her legs behind her. “Trent! Trent!” Her left flipflop slipped off her foot and sailed through the air. “Trennnnnnt! I looooove you, Trennnnt!”

Trent started to laugh.

“Pathetic,” Mitch sneered. He turned back to Trent and clasped him on the shoulder. “I told you to block that bitch.”

“That doesn’t help,” Trent said as he and Mitch turned for the west gateway and started to walk. “Then I have no warning when she’ll show up.”

Mitch looked over his shoulder. “Audrey. Come on.”

Audrey crossed her arms. “Hello! I’m waiting for Kayden!”

Kayden broke into a nervous sweat.

Mitch cursed and pulled Trent to a stop. “I told you I’d take you home.”

“You know that’s impossible, right?”

Mitch huffed. He swung his gaze to the square and glared at Ivy through the arches. She was still very much in the midst of her tantrum. The girls in the Chi Omega shirts were consoling her. The dark-haired beauty gazed at Mitch with hateful eyes. “That shit’s annoying as fuck. Let’s get out of here.”

Audrey adjusted her glasses and looked down the walkway. Kayden flattened himself against the wall, but she had spotted him. Audrey smiled. “There he is,” she said cheerfully.

Kayden grudgingly ducked out of the alcove, fidgeting restlessly with the long ends of his baggy sleeves. He kept his head down so his eyes were shielded.

Mitch stepped beside Audrey and slipped an arm around her waist. He pulled the girl firmly to his hip and narrowed his eyes. “That’s your best friend?”

Kayden shuffled his feet and made his way down the path until he was an arm’s length from the couple. He looked up timidly at the big, blond boy through his hair. Kayden and Mitch hadn’t officially met, but Kayden had seen Mitch many times from a distance, across the courtyard.

Mitch glared down at him with his dark blue eyes. His cheeks were ruddy, but he was decently attractive. His jaw was squared and his nose broad. His hair was shaved close to his head and as Kayden continued to look, his thin lips curved into a smirk.

“He’s a fucking shrimp!” Mitch cackled. “He’s even smaller than you, Audrey!”

Audrey elbowed him in the side as he continued to laugh, but it didn’t deter Mitch in the slightest. Kayden ducked his head again and let his hair fall into his face.

Trent sidled up beside his friend. He was smirking, too. “You’re in my algebra class,” he said smoothly, and then his face darkened. “What’d you get on that exam? I fucking bombed it.”

Kayden lifted his head and slowly raised his eyes. Trent towered over his itty-bitty figure. There was over a height in difference between the boys and as Kayden’s dark, dreamy eyes met Trent’s piercing gaze, Trent raised an eyebrow in question. Kayden’s cheeks filled with an incredible heat. Nervous, he licked his lips. “A-a-a-ni-ninety-e-eight.”

Trent snorted. “What?”

Kayden opened his mouth, but no words would come out. “Ummmm….”

Audrey huffed and pulled away from her boyfriend. She looped an arm through Kayden’s. “Look what you did. He’s traumatized.” She pulled Kayden close and kissed him on the forehead.

“From that?” Mitch looked back at Ivy. The redhead continued to sob and wail as the sorority girls escorted her away.

Audrey’s arm banded around Kayden’s chest as she glared at her boyfriend. “I don’t know what I’m doing with you sometimes,” she muttered, then in Korean, to Kayden. “C’mon, Baby-Kay. Let’s get out of here.” She took Kayden’s hand and tugged him toward the main gate. She stepped quickly and Kayden’s arm was wrenched as he stumbled to catch up.

He looked over his shoulder as he hurried after his best friend. Mitch threw his arms up and stormed under the arches. He took off across the courtyard.

Shyly, Kayden looked at Trent.

The solemn boy stood alone under the red-roofed arcade. His gorgeous hazel eyes met Kayden’s and Kayden quickly averted his gaze in embarrassment. He let himself be pulled out from under the covered walk so Audrey could drag him across the square. They took the main entrance and went down the wide, stone steps.

“When those guys get together, it’s like a testosterone overdose,” Audrey grumbled, continuing in Korean as she let go of Kayden’s arm and slowed to a walk. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Kayden shrugged. His overlarge sweatshirt slipped off his shoulder and he tugged it straight from the bottom. A small group of shirtless young men tossed a frisbee on the front lawn. Kayden drank in the sight. He studied the way the strong muscles flexed on the boys’ exposed chests and backs as they played their game. They were sweating in the sun and yelled with exuberance as they rushed through the grass.

A long concrete path bisected the lush green grass of front campus. It led to Palm Drive, where Kayden’s older brother would be waiting with the car. The lawn was neatly manicured and the plants along the path were well maintained.

They started down the walkway, passing another couple, a black girl, and a taller, light skinned guy with a goatee, holding hands. “I know you don’t believe me,” Audrey sighed as they squeezed past the couple. “But Mitch can be sweet, too. When we’re alone.”

“I can’t believe you slept with that guy,” Kayden murmured. He looked his bestie up and down, but she didn’t look any different. “Does he pull your hair, too?”

Audrey pushed her glasses up her dainty nose. “Sometimes. But I like it.”

Kayden gaped at her.

“I didn’t know you had class with Trent. Do you guys sit by each other?”

Kayden shook his head.

Audrey cut him a look. “Your face was beet red.”

Kayden covered his eyes and groaned. “Do you think anybody noticed?”

“I did,” Audrey said with a laugh. Kayden moaned with embarrassment and she put her arm around his shoulders. “You’ve got a crush on him, don’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Kayden. I’ve known you since birth. Of course it was obvious to me,” Audrey said in a soothing voice. “But I doubt he even thought twice. He’s so used to people gawking at him. Don’t worry about it.”

Kayden let his hair fall in his face. He was super worried.

“What about that cute guy that walked you to class on Monday?” Audrey asked slyly.

Kayden’s face turned a hundred different shades of red. “Jacob?”

Audrey giggled. “You don’t have to be ashamed. We’ve both known you were gay since like the sixth grade.”

“I’m not ashamed,” Kayden said, as he gazed at the athletic boys tossing frisbee in the grass. But in reality, Kayden was deep in the closet. Homosexuality was frowned upon by his father. He worked at the hospital forty minutes away in San Francisco and every year during gay pride he complained loudly about the fuss. This year had been no different.

Audrey waved him off. “What I’m trying to say is, I think Jacob’s got a crush on you.”

Kayden shook his head, so his floppy hair flew around his face. “I don’t think so.”

Audrey drew him close and kissed him on the top of his head. “You are so damned cute sometimes.”

Kayden pouted.

“When you told me this big football player sat beside you on the first day of class and asked to be your lab partner…” Audrey pressed her lips together to hide a smile. “I nearly fainted I was so excited for you.”

Kayden’s body felt hot all over. He preferred tops with long sleeves so he could hide his fidgeting hands, but he was suddenly roasting in his dad’s old Stanford sweater.

“He sits with you in lecture. He’s been hounding you for a study session. He walked you to class.” Audrey grinned at him. “Baby-Kay. Jacob likes you.”

“Stop.” Kayden put his hands over his face. “Please, Audrey.”

Audrey doubled over with laughter.

Kayden whined. He was so embarrassed!

They reached the other side of the lawn and walked down the crescent shaped drive that connected to the street beyond. Tall palm trees swayed lazily in a warm breeze and a pair of yellow birds flew by overhead.

As they got closer to the street, Audrey straightened and fixed her glasses. She held out her hand and Kayden pushed his sleeves to his elbows and took it with a sigh.

“Am I coming over tonight?” she asked as she laced their fingers. “We should jump on that peer-editing for writing class.”

Kayden pouted. “I was so hoping to watch that movie tonight.”

“We can do it at the same time,” Audrey said, swinging their arms. “That ghost flick you’ve been raving about?”

“It came out on Monday,” Kayden said excitedly. “I haven’t had the time to check it out. I’ve been studying like crazy.”

Audrey groaned. “My dad gave me an earful this morning. I got an 81 on the psych exam.”

Kayden squeezed her hand in sympathy. His lowest grade had been a 96.

They crossed the driveway and stepped down to the sidewalk. Kayden flicked his hair out of his eyes and looked down the street. Ian’s white BMW X5 was parked several meters down, next to the curb.

Kayden chewed his lip as they approached. His palm was sweaty.

Ian was a year ahead of Kayden and Audrey, but he was a strong role model for both, whether they were willing to look up to him or not. He drove them to and from school each day which explained the handholding.

Kayden let go of Audrey’s hand as they approached the car. He wiped it on his pants as he hurried forward to open the back door.

“Thank you,” Audrey said in English. She winked at Kayden as she got in and slid over to the far side. Kayden climbed in behind her.

Ian glanced over his shoulder as Kayden shrugged off his backpack. “How was class?”

“Fine.” Kayden tossed his bag into the middle, so it rested on Audrey’s.

Ian looked at Audrey next and his dark-eyed gaze lingered on her. He had short, black hair, neatly parted on the right. The tallest of the three of them at 5’8”, Ian was wiry and thin. He dressed in clothes that fit him properly, unlike Kayden. Khakis and loafers. Polos and belts. His closet was color coordinated and immaculately organized. He was respectful and polite. His grades were flawless. He was the perfect first-born.

Audrey’s jaw tightened as Ian continued to stare. “It was another excellent day,” she muttered unhappily, leaning her elbow against the tinted window. “Can we go already? We’ve got loads of homework.”

Ian frowned. “You’re not allowed to come over until mom’s home,” he said sternly. He turned back to the front of the car and twisted the ignition. “Now that your dating,” he grumbled.

“It’s too bad we were honest and didn’t sneak around behind everyone’s back.” Audrey rolled her eyes. “We could be having sex right now. How silly of us.”

Ian didn’t say anything as they pulled smoothly away from the curb.

Audrey sighed and looked out at the palm trees as they drove past. Kayden worried the edge of his sleeve as he studied his oldest friend.

Ian had loved Audrey since they were toddlers, but Audrey had never returned his feelings. A million years ago, when the three of them had been small, Ian had chased Audrey relentlessly around the neighborhood. He always wanted to play, but she never wanted anything to do with him. Audrey said he was icky because he bossed her around and corrected her Korean. She and Kayden had teamed up at once, determined to escape Icky Ian. Years had passed and they’d all grown up, but nothing much had changed. Kayden and Audrey were still a team and Ian was the odd man out.

Totally out of the blue, Ian had proposed to Audrey, two months ago, after she and Kayden’s combined graduation party.

The family had been shocked when Audrey had refused, and Ian had locked himself in his room for the summer. They didn’t understand. But Kayden did. They’d spent their entire lives in a bubble. Private schools, tutors, years of dedicated study. They had acquaintances. Never friends. Romance was out of the question. Being young and free was frowned upon.

Kayden’s heart broke for Audrey. She wanted romance and adventure. She wanted to leave her parents and the house on Elmdale Plaza behind, but she was trapped, just like Kayden was, with responsibility, with obligation, with family.

So, when Audrey had hooked up with Mitch during freshman orientation, she’d come up with a wild idea. She wanted to pursue the blond, non-Korean, the delinquent of Stanford, and she was convinced the only way she’d get away with it was a courtship. A total farce. Kayden had grudgingly done his duty as Audrey’s BFF and together, they’d announced to the family they were in love.

The fake relationship had been in place since fall semester began and so far, it had worked. The parents were happy again. Ian was furious, but Audrey was able to sneak through her window in the middle of the night to meet Mitch for sex…and other things… and for the most part she was content.

Kayden’s face warmed up as the BMW drove into Palo Alto. Audrey told him stories about Mitch sometimes. The things they did together were scandalous. And he was insanely jealous. Kayden had never even been kissed.

Their parents lived in a cul-de-sac minutes from campus and Ian steered the BMW through a small shopping district with a Trader Joe’s and multiple shops on either side to get to their neighborhood. Audrey was thinking. Her brow furrowed as she gazed out the window at the passing cars. They stopped at a red light and Audrey sighed heavily. Kayden looked away out of respect.

They were home three minutes later. There were four houses at the end of the road and Kayden’s and Audrey’s were in the middle. Ian pulled into the drive on the left.

They lived in a white house with arched windows and a red-tiled roof. Ivy grew along the masonry on the front of the house and a neatly maintained flowerbed was beneath. Cho, Kayden’s, and Ian’s mother, had a passion for gardening. The backyard was a tropical paradise.

Ian parked a car’s length from the garage so both parents would be able to get past him and park inside. He turned the engine off and sat as the car cooled down.

Audrey hopped out. “See you tonight.” She slammed the door and swept behind the car. She disappeared inside the one-story, Craftsman-style house next door.

Ian stretched his shoulders and rolled his neck.

Kayden grabbed his bag and started to get out. He wrapped his hand around the door handle.

“Are you guys having sex?” Ian asked with a sigh.

Kayden blinked. “Ummm no.”

Ian twisted in his seat and leveled Kayden with a serious look. “You’ll shame the family if you get her pregnant.”

“I said we’re not!” Kayden pushed the door open. “Oh my god!” His face burning with embarrassment, Kayden leapt out of the BMW and dropped his bag. “Shoot!” He snatched it up and ran to the house. He fumbled with the latch on the side gate and tripped into the backyard.

The back patio was paved with large, red bricks. There was a pool, comfortable lounge chairs, and a glass patio set with an umbrella. The garden began where the patio ended. Palms, hibiscus, pineapple lilies, bamboo. There was a thick boarder of foliage along the back fence accented with smooth black stones.

Kayden punched the code into the back door and let himself in.

Inside was a large kitchen with marble countertops and stainless-steel appliances. The tiled floors were deep red, vibrant blue, and continued up the wall as a backsplash. The dining and living area were combined to the right of the kitchen and the intricate tile work transitioned into warm wood floorboards and cream-colored walls. Cho brought the outside indoors with large, potted plants in the corners and on the arched windowsills. The flowers and the leaves added splashes of color to the white, stiff furniture in the living area.

Kayden passed through the kitchen down the front hall. The stairs were to the right as was the entrance to the sitting room. His little sister, Emma, had her room to the left, in their dad’s old office space.

Kayden took the stairs. At the top, the last bathroom was directly across, Ian’s room was to the left, and Kayden had the one on the right. He pushed through his door and nudged it shut behind him.

He breathed a sigh of relief as he shrugged off his backpack by the closet. He walked to the end of his bed and fell face first on the mattress.

Kayden’s room was plain. The walls were navy blue and the wood floors continued upstairs in the bedrooms. There was a large off-white area rug in the middle of the room. A desk with textbooks, his laptop, and a chair was in the corner. The bed he was on now was in the opposite. A large arched window was between the bed and the desk. A low bookcase underneath crammed with Kayden’s old schoolbooks and the closet door across from it were the last items. There was nothing else.

Kayden’s embarrassment faded as the silence of the house settled into his body. He liked coming home from school. This was the only time he ever had to himself. Except for bedtime.

Kayden rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. As his eyes drifted shut, Trent’s face floated to the forefront of his thoughts. He skimmed a hand up his belly and touched his soft, heart-shaped lips.

“Trent,” he whispered, pressing his fingers against his mouth. He imagined the older boy was gazing at him with his shimmering hazel eyes. Trent lifted Kayden’s chin and cradled his jaw in his big hand. His beautiful eyes fell closed as he leaned in for a kiss.

“Kayden…” Trent whispered, and his sweet breath ghosted across Kayden’s lips.

Kayden gasped as his penis twitched with arousal. He mashed his fingers into his lips as he imagined his first ever kiss—

“Kayden?”

Kayden bolted upright, his face filling with heat as he met Ian’s eyes. The older boy leaned against the doorjamb. He raised an eyebrow.

“Wh-what do y-you want?” Kayden’s face was beat red. Again. He pulled his knees to his chest and gazed helplessly at his older brother.

Ian smirked. “Mom texted me. She’s making kimchi for dinner, but she has to run to the store.”

Kayden chewed his bottom lip.

“Emma has piano and then tutoring until five, so dinner’s going to be late.”

“Okay.”

“I’m making pizza rolls. Do you want some?”

“Uhhh…”

Ian straightened. “I’ll make extra, just in case.”

Kayden nodded eagerly. Please leave!

“Get on your homework, Baby-Kay,” Ian said as he left the room. “You’ve got more important things to do. Playing with yourself? Really?”

Kayden listened to him descend the stairs. When he was sure he was alone, he fell face first on the bed and groaned with embarrassment.

***

“Hey,” Audrey said as Kayden opened the front door. She squeezed past him and stepped into the hall. She had her kitty backpack on her right shoulder, and she shrugged it off by the door as she held out her hand. “What’s for dinner?”

“Kimchi,” Kayden said as he took Audrey’s hand. He led her down the hall.

A glass table was in the dining area. It had six white chairs and a large, silver chandelier hung from the ceiling. Kayden used to think they looked like ice crystals. The places were set, and the food was ready to be served.

The half bath was to the left of the dining nook and the master suite was to the right. The TV was playing in the lounge area. The news was on and the rest of Kayden’s family was gathered around. It was a weather broadcast and it was going to be another beautiful day tomorrow.

Mark, Kayden’s father, and Ian sat on the loveseat across from the big, arched window. Cho and Emma sat on the big sofa, directly across from the TV. Emma swung her legs with boredom as she watched the program. Cho grabbed her knee and the kicking stopped.

Mark stood. His voice was deep, and he spoke in Korean as he greeted Audrey. “Good evening, Audrey. How’s the family?”

“Good, sir. Mother’s doing better. Her doctor is confident the new medication will stop the pain.”

Mark nodded somberly. “And your father?”

“He’s doing well. He got a promotion,” Audrey said pleasantly. “He’s the director of Pharmacology.”

Mark nodded. He was a surgeon and his face was worn from years of stress working in the ER. The lines around his heavy-lidded eyes gave him an air of wisdom. His thinning black hair was brushed back from his forehead and his mouth was thin and sharp. He gestured for Ian to stand and the older boy got to his feet.

Ian was a couple inches taller than Mark. He looked over his father’s head and his dark eyes narrowed in on Kayden’s and Audrey’s hands.

Kayden dropped his gaze, his cheeks pinkening. He let go of Audrey’s hand.

“Well, what is everyone waiting for?” Mark murmured to the girls on the couch. “Let’s eat.”

As everyone took their seats, Cho took the bowl of kimchi from the center of the table and began to dish out portions onto each plate. Cho was a thin, willowy woman, with long, black hair down to her back. She never let it down, however. It was always in a tight bun at the base of her neck. She had no makeup but was elegantly dressed in a mint green shift dress, low pumps, and wore a delicate gold necklace around her slender neck.

Mark was at the head of the table and Cho’s empty chair was at the opposite end. Emma and Ian sat with their backs to the kitchen and Kayden and Audrey sat on the other side.

Emma was directly across from Kayden and she beamed at him as he got settled. “I tried out for the talent show today,” she said as she reached for her glass of ice water.

Emma was ten and in the fourth grade. She was spunky and energetic, and she stuck out like a sore thumb at the table. Her hair was cut in a spiky pixie cut she’d done herself in the mirror over the bathroom sink. She loved pink. And glitter. And she was wearing a sparkly pink t-shirt now. Mark hated her fashion choices, but no matter how many times he’d banned the glitter from her closet, she always had a spare. Kayden suspected she borrowed them from friends. She had big, playful eyes and was trying desperately to hide a smile.

Kayden smirked at his little sister as Cho set the kimchi back in the center of the table and switched to rice. She served him and Audrey a healthy portion beside their kimchi. “Well?” Kayden chuckled. “I’m dying here. What happened?”

Emma took a long drink from her glass, but she couldn’t bear it anymore. She set it down with a clink and a bit of water sprayed over her kimchi as she cried: “I’m in!”

Kayden laughed and gave her a high-five over the plates as Emma wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Mark watched with disgust. “Which song are you singing?”

“The Katy Perry one.”

Audrey was beaming as well. “When is it? I’m making you a costume!”

Emma bounced in her seat. “Right before Thanksgiving! I want something pink.” She gestured to her chest as Cho added rice to her plate and Ian’s. “And something with glitter down the front—”

“Who gave you permission to try out?” Mark snapped, switching back to Korean. Cho stood over him with the bowl of rice. Her arm trembled as she served a helping onto his plate.

“Mom did,” Emma sneered. “And I’m doing it. You can’t stop me. My name’s already on the list.”

Mark’s face darkened. He leaned back in his seat as Cho moved on to her own plate. With her head lowered, she served herself half the helping everyone else had gotten. “You gave her permission?” he barked, and Cho curled into the bowl.

“She wanted to participate—”

“Out of the question.” Mark grabbed his fork and dug into the kimchi first. “If her grades were up to par, it wouldn’t be an issue.”

Emma gaped at him in horror. “That’s not fair!”

“It’s perfectly fair,” Mark continued in Korean. “I’d do the same to your brothers if they’re grades were as poor as yours.”

Emma laughed. “None of us go anywhere, dad. We don’t do anything but school.”

Cho spoke up. Her voice was barely over a whisper. “It’s a school event. She won’t miss any classes.”

Mark stuffed a bite of food into his mouth. “Out of the question,” he repeated.

Ian ate with a neutral expression on his face. He shoveled food into his mouth like a robot. Audrey stared at Mark, her bottom lip trembling with some repressed emotion. Kayden looked sadly at his little sister. There were angry tears in her eyes.

“I’m doing it,” Emma said fiercely, as one of the tears rolled down her cheek. “I’m singing Roar and it’s going to be amazing.”

Mark scooped a bite of rice into his mouth. “I’ll call the school tomorrow and make sure they revoke your permission.”

Emma hissed like a cat.

“Maybe this will motivate you to concentrate on your assignments,” Mark said, proudly lifting his head. “Nothing else we’ve done has worked. Your mother told me you failed your Korean test.”

Emma jumped up from the table. Her chair screeched across the wooden floorboards. “I hate you!” she screamed in Korean.

“You can try out next year if you improve.”

Emma stormed out of the room in tears. Down the hall, her door slammed and there was a bloodcurdling scream.

Cho started to get up.

“Sit!”

Cho slumped back in her chair.

Mark ate in silence for several moments. Ian followed his example. The rest of the table had yet to touch their food.

“How are your classes this year, Audrey,” Mark asked suddenly. His plate was nearly empty. “Your mother said you’re majoring in fashion.” He didn’t even try to hide his smirk. “What an interesting choice.”

Spots of color appeared high on Audrey’s cheeks. “I’m studying fashion and art history. I’m following my passion.”

Mark snorted with amusement. “Kayden’s premed. Just like Ian.” He stuffed the last bite of rice into his mouth. “Like father, like son.”

“Good for you.” Audrey hissed in Korean. Then in English, to Cho. “Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Lee, but I don’t think I can eat anymore.”

Cho nodded and got up to collect Audrey’s plate. Mark snatched his up with a clatter and yanked Ian’s right out from under him. Ian watched with his fork hanging from his mouth.

“Here,” Mark grumbled, holding out the plates. Cho stepped up to receive the dishes and Mark thrust them into her arms with a scowl. She bowed her head and swept into the kitchen to clean up. Kayden heard the water turn on.

“Come on, Kayden,” Audrey said as she stood. Her eyes narrowed to slits as she gazed across the table at Mark, sitting with his fingers steepled, glaring right back at her. “We’ve got a lot of homework to do.”

Kayden left his plate and followed Audrey back to the front hall.

“I hate your dad,” Audrey muttered as she glanced at Emma’s door. Her brow furrowed with concern, but she ducked into the sitting room and Kayden stumbled after her.

It was a small, sunny room with a large arched window looking out at the flowers planted along the front of the house. A velvet couch was across from the door. It was a soft blue. There was a small table beside it with a lamp. A leather armchair faced the window, and a tall bookcase with Mark’s medical books was against the wall behind it. Mark’s desk, computer, and his filing cabinet were by the door. Everything was organized and spotless.

Audrey walked into the middle of the room and stood in front of the couch. She crossed her arms and sighed.

“Audrey, I know your frustrated, but please don’t antagonize my dad,” Kayden whispered. “It doesn’t help. He’s never going to change.”

“Have you ever tried,” Audrey hissed, whirling on him. Kayden backed up until he hit the edge of the desk.

“Aya!”

Audrey loomed over him and Kayden cowered from her. The desk pressed sharply into his back. Audrey was only three inches taller, but it seemed like a lot more all of a sudden. “You’re too soft,” she hissed, and her dainty nostrils flared. “You’re never going to get anywhere in life if you keep rolling over all the time.”

“That’s not true.” Kayden chewed his lip. “I’ll be a doctor soon enough.”

Audrey laughed at him. “You hate the hospital.”

Kayden glared at her because it was true. He’d been in the hospital for two weeks when he was eight with appendicitis. He hated the white, boring walls and the incessant beeping. It put him on edge.

“You don’t want to be a doctor,” Audrey pressed as she forced Kayden into the desk. “Admit it.

Kayden covered his face. “I don’t want to disappoint my dad!”

“Who cares about disappointing your dad!” Audrey huffed. “What about you?!”

“Please…keep it down,” Kayden groaned. “He’s going to hear you.”

Audrey sighed and turned away. Kayden gasped as he was freed from the desk. He straightened cautiously and gazed across the room at his friend.

Audrey threw herself on the couch and crossed her slender leg over her knee. She pushed her glasses up her nose and looked sadly out the window as she spoke. “One of these day’s I’m going to leave, Kayden. I’m sick of this life.”

Kayden’s heart skipped a beat. “You’re going to leave me?”

Audrey shook her head. “You can get out of this, too.” She looked at him and her eyes were huge and teary. “I don’t want to marry you, Kayden. That’s what everyone’s expecting now.”

Kayden sighed and moved across the room. He sat on the edge of the couch and took Audrey’s hand. “I don’t want to get married either, but maybe, we could keep up the game,” he said slowly. “We could get fake married and see other people on the side.”

Audrey wrenched her hand away. She jumped up and jabbed a finger in Kayden’s face. “I’m not going to waste my entire life playing games!”

Kayden held a finger to his lips. “Shhh! Audrey, please.”

Audrey looked out the window again as her jaw worked.

Kayden heard the dishes clinking in the kitchen. The TV came on in the family room. The news again.

Audrey turned back to Kayden. Her expression had changed and there was a faint smile on her lips. “What if that guy asks you out?”

Kayden’s eyes widened. “Trent?!”

Audrey giggled. She covered her mouth and shook her head. “No, no, the football player. Jason.”

“Jacob,” Kayden muttered unhappily.

“What if he asks you out?” Audrey’s smile became sly. “I know your jealous about all the sex I’m having. You should try it.”

Kayden’s face grew hotter than the sun. “I-I could n-never do that!”

“Have sex?” Audrey laughed. “Oh, come on. I know it’s scary at first, but once you’ve done it a few times—”

“Audrey!”

“You’re such a baby.”

“No, I’m not,” Kayden grumbled.

“You are.”

Kayden scowled, but his cheeks were still bright red. He could feel them burning. He glared down at his hands in his lap as he fidgeted with the ends of his sleeves.

“You need to experience life,” Audrey said in a soft voice and Kayden glanced up at her. Her smile had gentled. “Falling in love is the best feeling in the world.”

Kayden’s eyes got moony. “It does sound nice.”

Audrey smirked. “When Jacob asks you out—”

“Audrey! He won’t.”

Audrey held up a hand for silence and Kayden zipped his lips out of habit. He glared at his friend. “When he does, you have to accept.”

“Audrey…”

“You’re 18. It’s time to get you laid,” Audrey said with a nod. “You have to lose your v-card.”

A tiny, pitiful noise of distress escaped from Kayden’s mouth. He pressed his lips together.

Audrey peered at him. “What?”

“I…I don’t know if I’m ready for something like that!”

Audrey waved him off. “You’re ready. It’s time.”

Kayden groaned.

“Say it with me, Baby-Kay. Boyfriend.”

Kayden grumbled under his breath.

“Boyfriend,” Audrey repeated. “It’s really easy. Start with ‘boy’.”

“Boy,” Kayden said with a sigh. His face was on fire. He wanted to watch ghost movies on Netflix!

“Boyfriend. Put it together now.”

“Boyfriend,” Kayden hissed. “There. Happy.”

“What are you idiots talking about?” Ian stood silently in the hall. His eyes shifted between the two friends with suspicion.

Kayden straightened as his body flushed all over. Ian’s eyes narrowed on him and Kayden whined with embarrassment.

“Dad says if you two aren’t doing homework then Audrey has to leave,” Ian said, his sharp eyes locked on Kayden’s. “I’ll be back to check you’re studying in five minutes.”

Audrey sat beside Kayden. “Sounds good.” She gestured through the hall to her kitty backpack. “Toss me my bag? We’re going to start on peer-editing.”

Ian stepped backwards until he reached the door. He kept his eyes on Kayden as he stopped next to the bag. He snagged it up and tossed it underhand through the door. It fell with a muffled thump in the middle of the room.

Audrey gave him a look. She spoke in Korean. “Thank you.”

Ian’s gaze turned to Audrey. “Anything for you,” he said, and his dark eyes burned with an intensity Kayden had never seen before. “Five minutes,” he said quietly, then he vanished down the hall.

Audrey sighed and leaned off the couch to snatch her bag. “He’s a dick.”

Kayden blinked at her in surprise. “Audrey…”

Audrey laughed as she unzipped her bag. “Mitch’s rubbing off on me. That’s one of his favorite words.”

Kayden flushed again. He got up, pulling desperately on the neck of his sweater. “I have to put something cooler on,” he murmured.

“Can we watch that movie on your dad’s computer?” Audrey asked as she rifled through her binder.

Kayden nodded.

“Go on. Get changed,” Audrey said, and she was smiling. “We have a reading for ethics, too.” She took out her textbook and set it on the floor.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Kayden said. He’d finished chemistry and algebra before dinner. He and Audrey would discuss their classmate’s writing essays, then speed through the reading for ethics, taking detailed notes along the way.

Kayden went up to his room for a t-shirt with a smile. He liked when he got everything done. The rush of accomplishment was addictive.

***

It was 9:00 am the next day.

It was Thursday and Kayden started his morning with a two-hour lab. He walked into the classroom and went to his table against the far-left wall. There was a window that looked out on the west side of campus and Kayden sat so he could look outside. A wide path led back to the main quad and a trio of students rode past on bikes as he watched.

He worried his bottom lip as the bikes disappeared behind the electronics building next door. Audrey had bugged him for hours last night about Jacob. She was convinced the football player was going to ask Kayden out.

Kayden didn’t really believe her, but even if it was true, he wasn’t sure how he felt about the idea.

Jacob was a sweet guy. And he was good-looking and kind, but there was just something…missing about him.

Lab was a quarter the size of the complimentary chemistry lecture that met Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The class only consisted of twenty-four students and the chance that Kayden and Jacob would share both classes had been low, but much to Kayden’s dismay, Jacob had spotted him in the lecture hall on the third day of class. They’d been sitting together ever since.

Jacob had a habit of initiating small talk before class. Kayden had been nervous around the big jock to begin with and now, with his head full of boy advice from his BFF, he wasn’t looking forward to today’s lesson.

“Hey.”

Kayden jerked around. “H-hi.”

Jacob stood next to the table with a satchel over his right shoulder. He wore low-slung jeans and a jersey. He was beaming and his green eyes were cheerful and bright. He was tall, though everyone was tall to Kayden, and broad in the shoulders. He had a slim, athletic frame and a head of jet-black hair, short on the sides and a touch longer on the top. He styled it to the left of his handsome face and a lock of it fell over his eye.

“We’re making a rubber ball today,” he said, setting his bag next to the table and pulling out the chair next to Kayden. “But first, Thiokol.”

Kayden ducked his head, so his face was hidden. “T-that’ll be fun.”

Jacob chuckled as he took his seat. “If we get to keep the ball. It’s yours.”

“Oh…great.”

Jacob bent to take out his notes and his textbook. Kayden pulled his own book closer and flipped to the back. “I-I’m going to look over the steps,” he muttered as he ran his finger down the index page.

“Page 435,” Jacob said, sweeping his hair out of his eye. “I read it after practice last night.”

Kayden opened the book to the indicated page and scanned the section without seeing a single word. He’d reviewed the lab Tuesday night, when it had been assigned, but he couldn’t recall what he’d read.

“You live off campus, don’t you?”

Kayden wished he’d worn long sleeves today. He was in a baggy t-shirt, one of Ian’s hand-me downs. He pushed his hands under the table and fidgeted nervously with the hem of his shirt. “Uhhh…”

“That’s what I thought,” Jacob said, and when Kayden glanced at him shyly, Jacob was staring at him. His bright green eyes were intent, and Kayden quickly looked away. “How do you get to and from campus?”

“M-my brother.”

“Oh,” Jacob nodded. “Does he like football?”

“Football?” Kayden blinked. “We don’t play sports.”

“Have you ever watched it on TV?”

Kayden thought for a moment. “No?”

“Hmm.”

Dr. Tierney, a beautiful woman with sleek, ebony skin swept into the room. She was young and liked to make lab a fun, stress-free environment that was still oriented around safety and learning. She went to her desk and opened her lesson plan.

Kayden kept his head down as Dr. Tierney gave the class a basic rundown of the procedure. She reminded everyone to wear their safety gear, then passed around a two-page worksheet they were expected to complete alongside the lab. She pointed out the supplies on the back wall and set them loose.

“I’ll grab the supplies. Sit tight,” Jacob said with a smile. He got up and followed the stream of students into the back.

Kayden sighed. He rested his elbows on the table and dropped his head into his hands. He sat that way until Jacob came back.

“Everything alright?”

Kayden jolted upright. “Yes.”

Jacob set a hot plate on the table. A vial and beaker were in his other hand between his large fingers. He gazed at Kayden with a furrowed brow. His hair fell into his eye again. “You don’t look alright.”

Kayden started to blush as Jacob set the last of the supplies on the table and sat. He looked at Kayden with concern. “I-I’m fine.”

Jacob shook his hair out of his face. He pursed his lips. “I’m making you uncomfortable.”

Kayden’s face grew even hotter. He pulled his lips into his mouth and chewed them nervously. His fingers were twisted in the bottom of his t-shirt.

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, Kayden,” Jacob said as his insistent green eyes bore into Kayden’s.

“You’re not,” Kayden squeaked.

Dr. Tierney stopped in front of the table with small flasks of sulfur and sodium hydroxide. “Make sure you boys grab your safety goggles.”

“Oh, right.” Jacob gave the professor a sheepish look. “I forgot to fill the beaker with the deionized water, too.”

“Friday’s tomorrow, Jake,” Dr Tierney said with a laugh. “Stay safe, you two. We’re working with heat today.”

Jacob glanced at Kayden. He smiled. “Could you get us a set of goggles and a pair of gloves? I’ll measure out the water.”

“O-okay.” Kayden knew he was beet red. It was so obvious he was embarrassed and uncomfortable. He so desperately wanted to disappear! He got up and slipped past Jacob’s chair. As he stepped into the aisle, something grabbed his foot. “Ooof!” He belly-flopped on the floor.

“Kayden!” Jacob leapt up.

Kayden groaned as a round of giggles erupted from their on-looking classmates.

“Shut up!” Jacob snapped, whirling on the rest of the room. He glared at the two frat guys directly across the aisle. The asshole in the backwards cap shut his trap.

Kayden’s face burned with heat.

“Are you alright,” Jacob asked. He held out a hand.

Kayden took it shyly and Jacob helped him up.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, his gaze heavy with remorse. “My bag tripped you.”

Kayden looked down. The satchel was in the aisle now. The long strap was hooked around his tennis shoe. He shook it off.

“I’m sorry, Kayden.”

“It’s not your fault,” Kayden muttered, dropping his head to hide from Jacob, to hide from the whole world! “I-I’ll get the goggles.”

The safety supplies were in the back corner of the room in a tall cabinet. The other students already had their gear and the corner was vacant. Kayden opened the cabinet and stepped half-way inside so no one could see him.

He stood there for a long moment, breathing slowly with his eyes shut. Jacob said he didn’t want to make Kayden uncomfortable. Maybe he’d gotten the point. Maybe he’d be silent for the rest of the lab. Maybe he’d let Kayden concentrate on their work and stop—

“Kayden?”

Kayden gasped and pushed the cabinet door shut.

Jacob was on the other side. He looked deeply concerned. “You didn’t get the safety supplies.”

“Oh!” Kayden opened the door again and gazed at the shelves loaded with colorful plastic crates. Different sized goggles and gloves filled the containers. He grabbed a long, black, rubber glove.

“Kayden. It’s pretty obvious you’re embarrassed.”

Kayden’s eyes widened in horror. He snatched the mate to the first glove and dumped both into Jacob’s empty arms. “I don’t know w-what you mean. I-I’d just like to get started.”

Jacob quirked an eyebrow as Kayden went back for the goggles. “Alright then. I’m just going to be straight with you.”

Kayden licked his lips. “S-straight?”

“I like you, Kayden.” Jacob smirked. “Would you come to my game Saturday?”

Kayden plucked a pair of goggles from the crate on the lowest shelf. He pushed the door closed and turned back for their table. “I can’t.”

Jacob’s smile fell away. “You can’t?”

Kayden walked down the aisle and back to their table. The frat boy across the way sneered at him and Kayden dropped his head and carefully stepped over Jacob’s satchel.

The hot plate heated a beaker of water. It was starting to bubble. Kayden watched tiny pockets of air fight their way to the surface as Jacob stopped beside the table, the gloves in his arms. He watched Kayden the same way Kayden watched the bubbles. Intent. Determined. Interested.

“Why can’t you?”

Kayden didn’t look away from the beaker. “Because my dad would never let me go.”

“Oh.” Jacob sat down heavily and set the gloves next to the hot plate. “Then it’s not because you don’t like me?”

“Uhhh…”

Jacob smiled. “I’ve had this insane crush on you. Since the first day of class.”

Kayden turned back to his book as his belly did somersaults. His hair fell into his face. Oh god… Audrey had been right!

“There’s just something about you,” Jacob continued as he brushed his hair out of his face and put the goggles on. Then he donned a single glove. He opened the sulfur and added some to the empty vial. “You’re so innocent and sweet. You’re fragile, Kayden. I want to take care of you. I want to treat you gently.”

Kayden kept his head down as his eyes widened dramatically.

Jacob laughed nervously. “Please tell me I’m not wrong here. You are gay. Aren’t you?”

Kayden had never admitted that to anyone. He and Audrey had just known. She’d brought it up one day when they were studying. They’d had a crush on the same boy and Audrey was dying to talk about him.

“Yes,” he whispered. “Please, Jacob. I-I-I don’t want to talk about this!”

With an eyedropper, Jacob added the appropriate amount of sodium hydroxide to the vial of sulfur, then he capped it and shook it rapidly with his left hand. “I’m sorry.”

Kayden sighed. “It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry I’m embarrassing you, but I’m not giving up that easily,” Jacob said with a laugh.

Kayden groaned.

“Your cheeks are so adorably red right now.”

Kayden scowled at him.

“Even cuter when you’re mad,” Jacob chuckled as he took a long string of copper wire from the table next to the hot plate. He wrapped it around the top of the vial, leaving a portion exposed as a handle.

Kayden turned back to his book and grumbled unhappily as he checked the next step. They had to heat the vial in the water for three minutes.

“I want you to come to my game,” Jacob said again as he checked the water. It was boiling. “I want to take you to dinner after we win.”

Kayden watched him lower the vial into the water. “I already told you,” he hissed. “I can’t.”

Jacob used the wire to secure the vial to the rim of the beaker. He took his phone out of his back pocket. “I know you did, but I want your number anyway.”

Kayden gaped at him. “W-what good would that do!”

“Because you’re a genius.” Jacob smirked at him. “You’ll figure it out. The game starts at six.”

Kayden opened his mouth, but nothing would come out.

Jacob tapped his chin as he thought. “Or… I could ask that nice friend of yours in psych. What’s her name again?”

“Audrey…” Kayden groaned. “Okay. F-fine. I’ll give it to you. Don’t talk to her.”

“Why not? She’s a sweet girl. How long have you known each other?”

“Too long,” Kayden muttered.

Jacob snorted with amusement.

Kayden, beet-red, blurted out his number.

“I’m walking you to class after this, too,” Jacob said. “Just so you know.”

Kayden huffed with frustration. “Jacob—”

“Call me Jake. All my friends do.”

Kayden licked his dry lips. “Jake, I can’t go on a date with you!”

“Yes you can,” Jacob said. “Maybe I should invite Audrey, as well. Does she have a boyfriend? It could be a double date.”

“Oooooh,” Kayden moaned. “Please, noooo.”

Jacob chuckled. He checked his phone. “One-minute left.”

Kayden slumped down in his seat. He wished he could slip into the floor.

***

They left the chemistry lab and started down the hall. Kayden had an off-white ball of rubber in his right hand. He squeezed it nervously as they passed a cluster of students on their way out of the building.

As they stepped outside, Jacob took his hand.

Kayden gasped as Jacob plucked the rubber ball from his fingers. He slid it into Kayden’s side pocket. Kayden blushed horribly, but it only got worse when Jacob enclosed his hand with his own much larger one. He squeaked. “W-what are you doing?”

Jacob stroked his thumb along the back of his hand. “You’ve got the softest skin.”

Kayden flexed his fingers uncomfortably, but Jacob squeezed them with confidence.

“If your hand’s this soft, I wonder what it feels like in other places,” he mused.

Kayden bit his lip. “W-what?”

Jacob slowed to a stop and pulled Kayden to the side of the path. He raised their hands and Jacob stroked their fingers along Kayden’s downy cheek.

“I-I’ve got to get to class,” Kayden said in confusion.

“Mmm.” Jacob’s green eyes sparkled with mirth. “We’d better hurry.”

Kayden whined as they started to walk again. The frat boys from class were in front of them. The guy with the backwards hat leered over his shoulder and Kayden ducked his head. He pulled on Jacob’s hand. “Jacob! People are looking at us.”

“So?” Jacob said, leisurely swinging their arms. He pointed at the asshole in the hat. “That guy? He tried to get me and a buddy to rush his house when we came for freshman orientation. He’s salty I turned him down.”

Kayden licked his lips. His mouth was so dry!

They walked along the path, passing beautiful arrangements of tropical plants and trees. Students sat on benches, walked with friends, and coasted by on bikes. Kayden glanced at the bronze statue, a casting from a famous French sculptor next to the path. They weren’t far from his next class. He tugged on Jacob’s hand again.

“Please! Do we have to hold hands?”

Jacob laced their fingers. “Absolutely.”

Kayden pouted.

The path split in two directions ahead. The frat boys turned for front campus. The asshole threw them one last disgusted look over his shoulder.

“Fuck you, too,” Jacob said pleasantly. He flicked his hair out of his eye and then flew the frat boy the middle finger. “You can’t let people push you around and make you feel small, Kayden. You have to stand up for yourself.”

Kayden moaned with embarrassment as they turned for Hoover tower.

“Or you can let me handle it,” Jacob chuckled as he squeezed Kayden’s hand. “I’ll take care of you.”

“I don’t need to be taken care of!”

Jacob looked at him side-ways. “You’re kidding, right?”

Kayden’s face burned. “What do you mean?”

Jacob looked away. “I’ve never met anyone so utterly helpless.”

Kayden yanked his hand out of Jacob’s grasp. “I’m not helpless!”

Jacob held out and arm and Kayden bumped into it with his chest. Kayden gasped and pushed him away, but Jacob grasped his bicep. His big hand wrapped all the way around Kayden’s slender arm.

Kayden whined in distress.

“I didn’t mean to insult you, Kayden,” Jacob pressed as his hair fell over his eye. His hand around Kayden’s arm was firm, but very gentle.

Kayden pulled and tugged against Jacob’s hold, but it did no good. Jacob was very strong. Kayden glared up at him. “Let. Go.”

Jacob sighed. He loosened his hold but didn’t release Kayden’s arm. Determination shone in his eyes. “I like taking care of people, Kayden. I like it more than football even.”

Kayden blinked.

“It’s why I’m playing ball actually.” Jacob grinned. “Stanford gave me a full-ride scholarship. All I have to do is toss the ball around and I’ll get my medical degree.”

“Y-you’re pre-med, too?”

Jacob quirked an eyebrow. “I’m sure I already mentioned that.”

Kayden gazed longingly over Jacob’s shoulder at the tower. “I’m going to be late.”

“You’ve got a couple minutes yet,” Jacob said, but he slid his hand down Kayden’s arm and grasped his hand again. “Come on.” He tugged Kayden’s arm. “We’re almost there.”

Kayden groaned and let himself be dragged to psych.

They went inside and Jacob walked Kayden to the small study nook outside the lecture hall. Wide windows with sprawling views of front campus were along the back wall and Audrey waited on the bench below the last pane. She was gazing out at the lawn when they stepped in front of the doors, but when she turned and caught sight of Kayden and Jacob holding hands, her eyes widened, and she leapt to her feet as a smile stretched across her face. She dashed across the room.

“Oh my god!” she squealed. “Are you guys dating?!”

Kayden whined and tugged frantically on Jacob’s hand, but he held fast.

“I asked him to come to my football game on Saturday,” Jacob said cheerfully.

“Oooh!” Audrey hopped up in down in her excitement and her kitty backpack bounced like crazy.

Jacob beamed at her. “I was wondering if you’d like to come, too. Are you seeing anyone?”

“A double date?” Audrey’s eyes glazed over. “That’s the perfect idea!”

Jacob chuckled as he wrapped his strong arms around Kayden’s shoulders. He pulled him into his side and held him close. “Kayden was convinced he wouldn’t be able to go,”

“Pfft.” Audrey waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll be there.”

Kayden pressed his face into Jacob’s side as a couple girls slipped past them to get to the lecture hall. They were smiling. Kayden sobbed miserably as Jacob’s laughter rumbled in his chest.

“Excellent,” Jacob said. He let go of Kayden and reached up to stroke his soft cheek.

Kayden’s face got hot. He chewed his bottom lip nervously.

Jacob’s green eyes darkened. “I’ll see you in lecture tomorrow.”

“O-o-okay!”

A dark lock of hair fell over Jacob’s eye. “Bye, Kayden,” he said in a husky voice. Then he turned and headed down the hall.

Audrey pulled Kayden around. She spoke in frantic Korean. “What happened? Tell me everything!”

Kayden covered his face and cried into his hands. “I’m not ready for a boyfriend!”

Audrey shook him frantically. “Stop being a baby! What happened?!”

“Waaaah! I can’t do this! I’m not going!” Kayden bolted through the doors.

The lecture hall was a huge open room that reminded Kayden of the movie theater downtown. It sat 300 people in comfortable red seats with desks that folded away when not in use. There was a raised pavilion in the front of the room and a projection screen with a smaller whiteboard behind it. A set of stairs against the left side of the room led to a dark balcony upstairs that served as additional seating.

Kayden darted down the main aisle as people looked up in surprise. He ducked into the second row when a hand snagged the back of his t-shirt. “Nooo!”

“Oh no you don’t!” Audrey yanked him into the aisle. She had a firm hold on his shirt and she dragged him to the front of the room with it. “We’re sitting up in the balcony,” she hissed in his ear. “I want a play-by-play of your chem lab.”

Kayden groaned as he was towed away. A couple students looked up from their laptops, but no one was interested in the arguing Koreans.

Audrey pulled Kayden upstairs and pushed him into the first aisle. “Sit.”

Kayden slumped into a seat in the middle. The view up here was terrible. He wouldn’t be able to see the professor from here. He pouted down at the empty pavilion.

“Explain,” Audrey said, taking the seat to Kayden’s left. “Start from the beginning.”

Kayden huffed. He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers into them. “He said ‘hey’.”

Audrey gave him a look.

Kayden growled with frustration. He dropped his hands and rounded on his friend. “He cornered me! Literally! He said he liked me and that he wanted me to come to the football game.”

“See! What did I tell you?” Audrey clapped her hands in delight. “And who started the handholding?”

“Him!” Kayden cried and then quickly lowered his voice. When he spoke again, it was in a whisper. “I’m serious. I don’t want to go. I’m not ready for this!”

“Why do you keep saying that?” Audrey’s smile was fading, but she didn’t sound discouraged. “Are you really that afraid to go against your father?”

“Well, yes,” Kayden said slowly, considering. “But to be honest, I don’t like Jacob like that. He’s kind and he’s decent looking—"

“Decent?” Audrey giggled. “He’s super gorgeous.”

Kayden shrugged and looked away. He could think of someone ten times more attractive. Someone that made his penis stiff every time he thought about them in bed at night… His fingers twisted nervously in the hem of his shirt.

“Give him a chance,” Audrey said and when Kayden looked at her again, her eyes were pleading. “And I’ll be there, too. So it won’t be half as scary.”

Kayden sighed. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

“Nope,” Audrey laughed. “I think your trying to talk yourself out of it. I think he’s the perfect guy for you.”

Kayden scoffed. “Someone who wants to take care of me?”

Audrey blinked at him in surprise. “Did he actually say that?”

“He’s not the guy I want, Audrey.”

“You don’t know what you want.” Audrey yanked her laptop out of her bag. “Give him three dates. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Kayden got his laptop out, as well. He wasn’t in the mood to take notes, but it wasn’t in him to laze around. Plus, he was pretty sure his dad wouldn’t let him go to a football game, anyway.

“I’ll see if I can get Mitch to meet us at the game,” Audrey said as she booted up her computer. “I’ll ask him tonight. He’s picking me up at midnight so if I’m coming to your place tonight, I can’t stay past eleven.”

“Okay.” Kayden ignored his laptop as Audrey continued to chat in Korean. He took Jacob’s rubber ball out of his pocket and squeezed it decisively in his palm.

Audrey and Jacob were in for a huge disappointment this weekend.

He dropped the ball behind his seat, and it rolled into the next aisle, and disappeared into the shadows.