Cafeteria

Confusion etched across Beau's forehead.

He was feeling hot and bothered. People did not kiss others and just send them out like that. Something had happened.

Not knowing what that thing was made him mad—mostly at himself.

He had foolishly lost himself in a little intimacy, fondling and almost going into penetration when all Asher wanted was probably a kiss.

That was the only explanation he could offer for being sent out of Asher's room. He would have to apologize.

Beau ran a hand over his hair. God help him, he couldn't get his mind off Asher.

Never in his life had he seen brown hair, blue eyes, and pale skin so perfectly matched, so breathtaking. He had never even seen a person with such features.

Just one look at Asher and he knew he would be unable to control himself. That alone called for surprise since he was known for his great self-control and patience.

Beau's worry turned into anger—at himself—as he thought of Asher in fear, curled on the couch or bed. Did he scare him?

The thoughts and questions flowed into Beau's mind until he got to his dorm. He wasn't surprised to see Jay's girlfriend on Jay's bed, scrolling through her phone.

"Hey, sexy." Large green eyes blinked at him. "Where's Jay?"

"He is not with me. I think he went to look for you," Beau murmured. If he was in a pleasant mood, he would have complimented her dress or eyes like he normally did. He went straight to his corner of the room.

"Beau, are you okay?"

He turned to Cara. "I am fine," he said confidently in a bid to sound convincing. "Don't I look fine?"

Cara's eyes narrowed at him. "No, you don't. And don't give me that crazy don't-worry-about-me smile. Is it something you want to talk about?"

Beau's shoulders collapsed. This wasn't the first time he was running to Cara to bear out his heart or seek advice, and he doubted if it would be the last. "Cara... I am confused."

"That is why I am here. Talk to me."

"There is this new guy who just resumed today." He paused as Asher's face swam into his memory. Remembering Asher's blue gaze fixed on him almost made him shiver. Eyes so magnetic and sexy, pulling one into their depths. "He... He is a new student."

Cara's brows quirked up. "Oh, is it the rich kid guy who they said joined today, almost the end of the semester?"

"Word travels very fast in Elite High."

"Let's say I have numerous reliable sources. What about him?"

"His name is Asher."

"Okayyyy..." Cara enunciated slowly. "What is the problem now?"

"I was called by the chancellor to show him around. He wanted to see how the place looks. I ended up following him to his room." Beau looked at his fingers. "I don't know how we ended up kissing."

"Wow." Cara's jaw dropped. "Oh my God, he must really be into you!"

"I wish he is," Beau murmured. "I don't know if I was too forward, but the next moment, he pushed me away and told me to leave."

"Did you do something?"

"To be sincere, I don't know the answer to that question. I have been thinking, asking myself questions, and checking to see what I had done wrong, but I can't find anything, and it's making me mad. I was thinking maybe he pushed me out because I was too forward, but it seems unlikely."

"Beau, relax. There are more than a million reasons why he could have done that. The best thing now would be to go to him and apologize. Your apology would help you understand his point of view."

Beau collapsed on the bed with a sigh. Even before telling Cara, he had already made up his mind to go to Asher and apologize. He would apologize for being too forward.

"Beau... Do you like him?" Cara's voice came again, low, understanding.

Beau found himself nodding in the affirmative even before his mind processed the question. "It's more like an instant attraction," he said.

"It's more like 'like'," Cara argued. "I have never seen you so worked up like this about anyone."

"I am just concerned if I have fucked-up. Nothing more."

"I think it's more than that, Beau. You don't want to give him a bad impression of you, and your heart is also concerned that he will hold grudges. You don't want him to be mad at you. Am I wrong?"

"You're not," Beau said quietly. One of the reasons he loved discussing his problems with Cara was her ability to seep into his mind and dig out even the things he couldn't say. She always understood him. "I want to know more about him."

"Yes, and you will."

"This guy excites me, Cara. It's strange."

"Trust me, it's not. Sometimes, I ask myself if Jay didn't spell me."

"One look at Asher and I got hooked."

"I can relate to that."

Beau exhaled. He really had to see Asher and apologize. He would know what to do after that.

*. *. *. *.*

Asher's mind was everywhere at the same time. It was already evening and he was getting hungry. The only person he knew could take him to the cafeteria was probably in his dorm mad at Asher for pushing him out in the afternoon.

And he didn't want to order condo service. He had had enough of all the pampering and luxurious indulgence.

Heart in his mouth and hunger gnawing at his intestines, he quietly went out of his quarters, locking the door as Beau advised.

If the school could be called beautiful in the afternoon, it was breathtaking in the evening. Asher kept looking at the clouds, awed at the beautiful hue of the setting sun. He made a mental note to observe the stars after getting to his condo.

As he turned the corner of the halls, his mother's call came in.

"Hey, Mom," he answered on the third ring.

"Hi, baby. How is it going?"

If she was talking about the place in general, Asher could give positive feedback. But if the question was centred on his well-being, he wasn't so sure of the positivity.

"I am fine," he said, deciding to escape his mother's questions. But the way he rushed the words got to Mrs Randall.

"What is wrong?" she asked softly. "You don't sound fine."

"I am fine."

"Are you sure? Don't you like the place?"

"I do. It's wonderful. You don't have to worry about anything."

"You know it's my job to worry. Just let me know if you need anything, okay."

All his life, Asher had always hung onto his mother. She protected and shielded him, made him feel less lonely, and even served as one of his means of escape. He was beginning to feel bad for all the times he had unnecessarily disturbed her with his personal problems. It wasn't like he could even tell her what was bothering him. He didn't want to think of her reaction to him kissing a stranger, especially when that stranger was a male.

"I don't want to study business administration. I don't want to take over any family business or whatever it is Dad has in stock for me. I want to take care of kids."

The other end of the line grew silent for a while. When at last Mrs. Randall spoke, her voice was so low that Asher had to pause in his steps to catch the words. "You can be a paediatrician as you have always wanted to be. I believe it's possible."

"You do?" Asher paused at the side of the hall with the phone pressed to his ear.

"Yes, I know it's possible."

"But... How?"

"Oh Ash baby, I know everything will be okay. Don't mind your dad. He loves you. I believe he doesn't know that yet."

"He doesn't love me," Asher argued. "This is not a show of love. He claims to be holy and close to the heart of God yet he is one of the greatest sinners I know."

"Sweetie, don't say that."

"Mom, I have to go now. Talk to you later."

Before she had time to say goodbye, Asher hung up.

They had had that particular discussion more than Asher cared to remember, and it was getting exhausting.

Every time, he ended up sad and dejected especially when thoughts of his parent's marriage surfaced.

The Randall family always gave their friends and loved ones what everyone wanted to see: a loving family who served God in truth and spirit, free from strife and uncleanliness. At least, that's how everyone perceived them to be.

But in their privacy, the story was entirely different. Asher's father controlled the entire household—the workers were not exempted. As a man quick to anger, everyone avoided his trouble by playing along with whatever he wanted them to do.

Asher exhaled as he got closer to the main gate. He had the intention of going to the chancellor to ask where he could find Beau, or ask for the way to the cafeteria.

He almost stumbled into a girl who was just rounding the corner.

"I'm so sorry," Asher apologized quickly before he got chastised or probably insulted. "Are you okay?"

Large green eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, are you the new boy?"

Asher looked around to be sure he was the one being addressed. "Errm... I guess I am."

"I am Cara." She extended her hand and shook him warmly. "I believe you must be Asher."

"Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you, Cara. I had no idea the entire institution knows about me."

Cara laughed warmly. "It's not every time we get new students joining us at the end of the semester, you know."

That was his father's fault. But Asher didn't say that. "Well, I am happy my popularity isn't because of something bad I did. You can't begin to imagine how relieved I am."

Cara found herself laughing again. She could point out some of Asher's traits that got Beau almost hooked. Aside from Asher's see-me-and-get-hard look, he had a warm aura around him. Cara stared into his blue eyes. They screamed of ice and warmth—a combination she'd never seen.

"Where are you going?" she asked, trying to initiate a conversation while making him feel comfortable around her. "Do you know your way around the school already?"

"Ahh, no. I was actually trying to seek help in getting to the cafeteria. I am hungry."

Cara silently thanked heaven that she stumbled into Asher.

"I was also going to the cafeteria. You should come with me."