"Are you mad at me?"

Asher gasped and shot out of the grip on his waist. He palmed his racing heart and turned around, heart in his mouth.

"Cara?!"

"Hey Ash."

"Jesus christ, you almost scared me to death!"

Cara frowned. "I have been calling you for the past two minutes and you didn't respond. Figured i needed to give you a scare."

"Well, it worked," Asher grumbled, his hands still clutching his chest. "Off to class?"

"Yes, sir."

"Where is that nerdy boyfriend of yours?"

"Somewhere with his friend." Cara started a slow walk towards the classes. "Did Beau spend the night with you?"

Asher nodded. "Yeah."

"I noticed he didn't go back to the dorm last night."

Asher rolled his eyes. "Can't you and Jay stop gossiping about his roommate?"

"It's a cordial part of our relationship. And we care a lot about Beau. We don't want him getting hurt."

Asher was beginning to ask himself just how much he cared for Beau, and if the amount of care he had could cover for all Asher's negative thoughts.

"I care about him too."

"I know. That part is clear. Beau has changed a lot since he met you. And no, it's not a negative change."

"I... I did not notice anything."

"Yeah, that's because you met him less than a month ago. We have been together for a year plus now. I'm glad he finally found peace and happiness." Cara turned to Asher with a stern look. "And don't you try to break that dude's heart. I won't allow it. Not at all."

Asher was never planning on doing that. "I won't break his heart. I promise." Even as the words rolled off his lips, he thought how foolish a promise it was. They were momentarily caught in the web of exploration and discovery, and Asher didn't want to spoil that. He didn't want to think of what the future held for them, or what they could turn out to be.

Living in the moment seemed like the best option possible.

Like she always did, Cara linked her arm with Asher's and pulled him towards class.

*. *. *. *.*

Asher did not see Beau after class or at the condo. For the first time since he came to Elite high, he went in the direction of the dorms.

As usual, eyes followed him. He could feel piercing gazes on his back, chest, and sides as he slowly went in the direction of one of the doors he saw. Confusion kicked in.

There were so many rooms. Where would he even start from? Turning back wasn't an option now. The boys behind could corner him and ask what he wanted. Since he could not go back, he started a forward march in the direction his heart went.

He should have asked Beau if he stayed upstairs, or even try finding out the number of his room.

Asher kept his face straight, eyes looking ahead. At one corner, he sighted some boys blowing large fumes through their noses and mouths. Everything screamed of aggression and pure masculinity. It was an entirely different place from the other parts of the institution.

A shirtless male approached Asher.

Asher stood still. His breath did the same.

"Are you lost?" The male approached Asher with questioning brows.

"Y—Yes... I... I am looking for someone."

The male moved closer some more. Asher was aware of the numerous eyes narrowed on them.

"By the way, I'm Sean."

Asher forced his gaze back to the male before him. A fast assessment of Sean displayed his slender figure and white brief, partly concealed by his trouser. A part of his eyes was covered with neatly twisted braids, hair dark and luscious falling from the middle of his head to rest around his face.

"Nice to meet you, Sean. I'm Asher."

"Nice to meet you too." Sean extended his arm and shook Asher. "You look like one of the kids from the condos. I think I may even know you."

Asher silently wondered if staying in the condo had magically appeared on his forehead.

"Yes, i stay in the condo." Asher pulled his hand back when it seemed the handshake was getting really uncomfortable. "Do you know where I can find B—" The words died on his lips. A very familiar scent hit him, a scent that had almost become part of him. He saw Sean's eyes go behind.

Asher slowly turned around. Some of the students around started to quietly disperse. Beau stood some steps behind Asher, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

His fists involuntarily balled.

Asher traced the dangerous look to Sean. At once, he went over to Beau.

"Beau. I was looking for you."

"Sorry, I was mandated to attend a meeting with Mr Ford to represent the students from this university." The anger in Beau's eyes melted like butter on asphalt under the rays of a scorching sun. Beau looked past Asher. "What are you all staring at?! Don't you have classes to attend?! Move!"

The rapid movement of footsteps brought Asher another realization.

To the University, Beau was an ambassador. To the students, he was a king. A king that was feared. Even Sean, at some point, scurried off.

The dorm was so quiet that Asher had to rotate his head to see if a disease outbreak had not killed the entire students.

Beau latched onto his palm, gently tugging him towards a staircase. "Next time you come here, just go straight to room 75."

Asher nodded as the number stuck in his brain, though he doubted he would have the courage to visit the dorm again. Beau's sour mood had him wondering if he made a mistake coming to the dorm in the first place.

When they got to the room with the number Beau had mentioned, he knocked.

Asher saw Jay's head pop out from the other side of the door before he remembered that Beau had a roommate.

"Hey Ash." Jay ushered him in. Beau walked past both of them, heading straight for the bathroom. Jay's eyes followed Beau into the bathroom until the door closed behind him. The fact that Asher said nothing or made a move to sit told Jay that something was wrong. "Are you guys having issues?"

Asher shrugged. "As far as I can remember, no. He was himself when he left my condo this morning."

"Where did he tell you he went to?" Jay led Asher to sit on Beau's bed. "Ooh, he told me he was going to some crazy meeting with the chancellor."

"I don't think that's why he's this cross." Asher spared a glance at the closed bathroom door. The sound of rushing water pushed him to picture Beau's naked body, probably under the spray, Beau's hands gently rubbing soap on his skin, going down to wash his stomach, abdomen, and cock, reaching underneath to... Asher shook off the thoughts. "I think he may be angry because of me."

Jay relaxed on the bed. "What do you think you must have done to offend him?"

"I came here to look for him."

Jay's brow quirked once, twice, then he burst out laughing. "God, Asher, you are one of the most funny human I've ever stumbled on. Why do you think that dude will be mad because you came here to look for him?" Jay leaned forward to whisper. "Okay, let me tell you a secret. The other day, Beau and I were discussing about you and he said he was scared to invite you here because he didn't think you'd be comfortable with such a shabby dorm."

Asher scoffed. "Wow, he must really think of me as a spoilt princess." He narrowed his eyes. "Is that what Beau thinks of me?"

"Asher stop." Jay raised both palms in surrender. "I didn't tell you that so you could be mad. I just want you to know that Beau thinks highly of you and wants you to be comfortable—even in his room. He is angry for something else, not you coming over here."

At that moment, the bathroom door creaked. Jay was on his feet in an instant.

"I need to go see Cara. That witch will skin me alive if I don't see her before evening."

"Yeah, lovebirds." Asher smiled as the door closed behind Jay who seemed to be in a hurry. Since there wasn't anything to do, he busied himself with staring at Beau, watching as he walked to the wardrobe with only a towel tied around his waist. Asher couldn't take the silence anymore. He ran forward before Beau could open the wardrobe and held his hand. "Beau?"

"Hmm?" The displeasure was still evident on Beau's face. His anger did not stop the feeling of concern that flooded his eyes. "Are you okay? Do you want to take something?"

"No. I am fine. Are you?"

Beau shrugged. "I am fine. Why do you ask?"

Asher reached out an arm and cupped Beau's face. "Then why this silent treatment? Are you mad at me?"

"Mad at you? No, no!" Beau shook his head vigorously. "I'm not mad at you."

Asher's voice dropped. He moved some steps close to Beau. "So what is wrong?" His palm did not leave Beau's face. "Don't you want to tell me?"

"It's just so complicated!" Beau exhaled sharply. "I... I..."

Asher did the next thing that crossed his mind. He pulled Beau closer for a kiss...