12: HOT MESS

Dave wasn't expecting to see Scott that evening, much less to end up in his company for longer than a few passing seconds. But life had a funny way of twisting the ordinary into something else entirely.

It started when Scott bumped into him; literally. Dave had been walking back to his dorm, distracted and lost in his own thoughts, when a sudden force knocked him off balance. He barely had time to register what was happening before he stumbled and landed on one knee against the hard dormitory floor. A sharp sting shot up his leg.

"Oh, shit, I'm so sorry," Scott said, reaching down immediately. "Are you okay?"

Dave winced, shifting his weight. "Yeah, yeah. It's nothing."

But Scott wasn't buying it. "You bruised your knee." He crouched down, his eyes scanning Dave's leg. "Come on, let me help you up."

Dave hesitated for a moment before accepting Scott's hand. The guy had a firm grip but helped him up gently. Scott frowned as he glanced at the slight redness forming on Dave's knee. "You should clean that up."

"It's fine," Dave muttered.

Scott didn't look convinced. "At least let me walk you back to your room."

Dave wanted to argue, but honestly, he wasn't in the mood. So he let Scott guide him back. Once inside, Scott looked around briefly before turning back to him. "Do you have a first aid kit?"

Dave shook his head. "I said it's not a big deal."

Scott crossed his arms, clearly not budging. "You sure? I don't mind..."

"I said I'm fine."

Silence. For a moment, Dave thought Scott would drop it. But then, with a sigh, Dave found himself walking toward his wardrobe. He paused, staring at the small white box inside. His fingers hovered over it for a moment before he grabbed it and turned back.

Scott's lips twitched into a half-smile as he took the box from him. "Took you long enough."

Dave sat on the edge of his bed while Scott knelt in front of him, gently dabbing disinfectant on the bruise. Dave flinched slightly.

"Sorry," Scott murmured, his tone softer than usual.

Dave didn't say anything, just watched as Scott worked. There was a strange stillness between them; one that neither of them tried to break. Then, Scott looked up, their eyes meeting for a second too long. Dave felt something shift in the air, something heavy yet fleeting.

But he looked away first.

Once Scott was done, he packed up the kit and stood. "You should be more careful."

Dave let out a small chuckle. "Noted."

Scott lingered, then cleared his throat. "Do you want some coffee?"

Dave blinked. "Aren't you the guest here?"

Scott shrugged. "Yeah, but you look like you need it."

A small smirk tugged at Dave's lips. "Fine. Coffee it is."

They sat across from each other, sipping from mismatched mugs. The room was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Just… tense. Like there were words lingering between them that neither of them could figure out how to say. Eventually, Scott checked the time and stood up.

"I should go," he said. "Oh, sure", Dave answered.

Dave walked him to the door, leaning against the frame as Scott turned back to face him.

"Thanks for, uh, the help," Dave said.

Scott smiled, holding his gaze. "Anytime."

Dave raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing." Scott shook his head, still smiling.

Dave let out a short laugh. "You're weird."

Scott only chuckled before stepping out into the hall. That's when Alex saw them. His eyes flickered between the two of them as they walked side by side, still talking.

Scott glanced at Dave as they went downstairs. "You can ask me anything, you know. School stuff, personal stuff… doesn't matter. Anytime."

Dave nodded. "Okay."

Scott gave him a small nod before heading toward his dorm.

Days passed. Alex didn't show up to class. Not even once. No one came to check on him, and he didn't reach out either. He just let the days bleed into one another until, on the fourth day, a knock sounded at his door.

He groaned, rolling over in bed. "Go away."

The door opened anyway.

Terah stood there, arms crossed, scanning the disaster that was his room. Clothes strewn everywhere. Half-eaten food on his desk.

She sighed. "What the hell, Alex?"

He didn't respond, just rubbed his face with his hands.

Wordlessly, Terah started cleaning up, and after a moment, Alex sat up and joined her. Once the room was at least somewhat presentable, she pointed toward the bathroom. "Shower. Now."

Alex didn't argue. When he came back, she had already prepared food for him. They sat in silence while he ate, Terah waiting patiently. When he was done, she leaned forward.

"Why are you acting like a child?" she asked.

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know."

"Yes, you do."

He hesitated before finally speaking.

"I saw Dave with someone, a guy...", he said, with a mouthful

"what guy?" Terah blinked.

"A guy from our department. What's his name again?"

"What's his name?"

"Ahh..It's Scott, yes, Scott"

"You mean Scott? Like the popular Scott?"

"Yes, popular my ass", he said. Taking a spoonful of pasta.

"Did you at least talk to him?" Terah asked, looking him straight in the eye.

He looked back at her, blankly.

"No, you didn't". She answered herself. "Great", she added and made to leave.

"Are you leaving already?", Alex said, looking up with creamy and bubbled cheeks full of pasta.

"You should...clean that", she said, before leaving. 

The next day, while students were busy trying to leave the hall, Dave spots Scott leaning by a pillar in front of the hall, obviously waiting for him.

He hesitated for a minute, 'what's he doing here?' he asked himself. 

As he came out of the hall, Scott turned, looked at him and smiled. "You're alive."

Dave gave a small laugh. "Barely."

Scott tilted his head. "You free?"

Dave nodded. "Yeah."

"Let's grab some coffee"

"Hmm. okay".

They ended up at the usual cozy campus cafe, making casual conversation. But there was something different this time; Scott was more intentional, leaning in just slightly more, eyes lingering just a little longer. Dave noticed, but he wasn't sure what to do with it.

When they stepped out of the café, they ran into Alex and Terah.

Dave froze for a second. Alex was mid-laugh about something Terah said, and for a moment, Dave thought he might look at him, say something. But Alex barely acknowledged him.

Dave swallowed, glancing at Scott. "Let's go."

Scott gave Alex a brief glance. "Isn't that Alex?"

Dave nodded. "Yeah."

Scott didn't say anything else. Just walked beside him as they left.

Terah watched Dave go, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. She seemed to be annoyed at Alex for not trying to talk. But she said nothing as she followed Alex inside the café.