17. SCOTT & MIKE

Terah had never been one to overthink things. It wasn't in her nature. People came and went, friendships formed and faded, and somehow, she always found herself stuck in the middle. It wasn't a bad place to be, just… a place. Like now, sitting with Mike in class, helping him go through a lecture note while the rest of the students chatted away, waiting for a professor who might not even show up.

But Mike wasn't listening.

His eyes flickered between his phone and the door, his fingers tapping restlessly on the desk. Terah raised an eyebrow, tilting her head as she followed his gaze. "You good?" she asked, nudging his arm.

Mike startled, then laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Huh? Yeah. Just…" His voice trailed off, and a small, almost giddy smile formed on his lips.

Terah narrowed her eyes before playfully smacking him on the head with her notebook. "Spit it out."

He leaned back, exhaling dramatically. "It's Scott. He's picking me up today."

"Picking you up? Where are we going?" She smirked, already predicting the answer.

Mike's grin widened as he leaned in a little. "Dinner. Outside campus."

She let the words sink in, watching his face. The excitement was so obvious she almost laughed. But instead, she raised a brow and gave a slow, exaggerated nod. "Ah, I see. And… should I be congratulating you two or something?"

At that, Mike tensed up, just a little; but quickly masked it with a chuckle. "We're just friends."

Terah stared at him, unimpressed. "Uh-huh. And I'm a unicorn."

"Seriously," he insisted, shaking his head, though the faint pink on his ears said otherwise.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway," she waved a hand, turning back to the notes, "enough of the love talk. Focus. If you fail, Scott's not gonna want you anymore."

Mike gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. "Rude."

Before she could retort, Mia appeared, walking towards them in a hurry, not running, but moving fast enough to make it obvious something was up.

"Are you two done?" she asked, barely sparing them a glance as she scanned the classroom.

"Done with what?" Terah and Mike asked at the same time.

Mia sighed. "Scott's outside."

That got Mike's attention. "And?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "And it's so obvious he's waiting for you."

Mike was out of his seat before she even finished the sentence. "Later!" he called over his shoulder, already halfway to the door.

Terah and Mia exchanged looks, both glancing at Mike's empty seat, then at the doorway.

Terah sighed, shaking her head. Then, after a beat, she frowned.

Mia smirked. "Should we leave too?"

Terah huffed. "Yeah. Before I get diabetes from all this sweetness."

Mia chuckled, looping her arm through Terah's as they made their way out.

Mike hurried outside, his heart pounding slightly faster than he'd expected. He wasn't sure why, maybe it was the excitement, maybe the anticipation. But as soon as he stepped out of the building and spotted Scott leaning casually against a sleek black car, his breath hitched.

Scott had a car? Mike hadn't expected that. He figured they'd walk, maybe take a bus, but this? This was new.

Scott smirked as he saw Mike's reaction. "What? You thought we were hitchhiking?"

Mike scoffed, crossing his arms. "You never said you'd be pulling up like a damn celebrity."

Scott chuckled, pushing off the car. "Figured I'd surprise you. Get in."

Mike hesitated for a second before slipping into the passenger seat. The leather interior smelled expensive, confirming what Mike had started to suspect, Scott wasn't just any student. He had money. Probably a lot of it.

As they drove off, the city lights flickered outside, casting a soft glow over Scott's face. He drove smoothly, one hand on the wheel, the other casually resting by the gearshift. Mike found himself sneaking glances at him, trying to read him, but Scott was hard to pin down.

"So," Mike started, "where exactly are we going?"

Scott grinned, eyes still on the road. "First stop, shopping."

Mike blinked. "Shopping? Dude, I have clothes."

Scott shot him a quick glance, amused. "Yeah, but do you have 'we're-going-to-have-the-best-damn-night' clothes?"

Mike rolled his eyes. "That's not a thing."

"It is now."

They pulled up in front of a high-end boutique. Even though Mike was well off himself, he's pulled up with a car in front of an expensive boutique, his parents might kill him. Scott dragged Mike into the building, the kind of place where the mannequins looked judgmental, and the price tags could probably feed a small town. Mike stood awkwardly as Scott sifted through racks of shirts and jackets like he knew exactly what he was looking for.

"Try this," Scott said, tossing a navy blue button-up at Mike.

Mike caught it. "I don't wear fancy stuff."

"Relax, it's just dinner."

"Dinner with a prince, apparently."

Scott snorted. "Just humor me."

Mike sighed but took the shirt and went to try it on. When he stepped out, Scott gave him a once-over, then nodded in approval. "Yeah, that works."

Mike tugged at the fabric. "Feels weird."

"You'll live."

After some more banter, a few more outfit changes, and Mike dramatically pretending to be surprised at the sight of a $200 price tag, Scott paid for their clothes, and they left, laughing about how Mike now 'owed him his soul.'

Their next stop was an arcade. The place was buzzing with neon lights and the sound of coins clinking, kids shouting, and the occasional explosion from a game screen. Scott's eyes lit up as he scanned the room.

"Pick your poison," Scott said.

Mike smirked. "Oh, it's on."

They went through a series of games, racing, where Scott won by a fraction of a second; basketball shots, where Mike destroyed him; and finally, a classic claw machine where Scott, despite his 'confidence,' failed miserably.

"You suck at this," Mike teased, watching Scott drop yet another plush toy.

Scott huffed. "I let you win."

Mike smirked. "Uh-huh. Sure."

On his turn, Mike somehow managed to grab a small stuffed bear. He turned to Scott with a smug look. "See? That's skill."

Scott rolled his eyes but grinned. "Fine. You win."

After the arcade, they ended up at a steakhouse. The place was warm, lively, and smelled like grilled perfection. They found a booth near the window, menus already in their hands.

Scott glanced up. "How do you like your steak?"

Mike shrugged. "Medium."

Scott grinned. "Good choice. If you had said well-done, I would've walked out."

Mike laughed. "Wow, steak snob much?"

They placed their orders, and as they waited, their conversation flowed effortlessly, from favorite movies to embarrassing childhood stories. At some point, Scott mentioned his dad's strict nature, and Mike caught the slight tension in his voice. He didn't press, but he stored that information away.

When their food arrived, Mike took one bite and practically melted into his seat. "Holy crap, this is amazing."

Scott chuckled. "Told you."

By the time they finished, Mike felt full but satisfied. He stretched, groaning. "Alright, what's next?"

Scott smirked. "My place."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "Your dorm?"

Scott shook his head. "Nope. My house."

'His house?', Mike questioned silently.

Mike had expected an apartment, maybe something cozy. What he hadn't expected was an actual house. It was modern, sleek, and way too nice for a college student.

"Dude, are you secretly royalty?" Mike asked as they walked in.

Scott laughed. "Just lucky."

The inside was just as impressive, minimalist, yet homey. Scott led him to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves. "Alright, time for dinner part two."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "You cook?"

Scott shot him a look. "What, rich kids can't cook?"

"I mean…"

Scott shook his head, smirking. "Sit and watch, rookie."

Mike did, and to his surprise, Scott was actually good. The smell of seasoned meat and vegetables filled the air, and when they finally ate, Mike stared at his plate in shock.

"Okay," he admitted, "this is unfair."

Scott grinned. "What is?"

"You look like that, you're rich, you're smart, and you cook? Leave some talents for the rest of us."

"It's not like you're not rich too? besides, you look better than me"

"Urgh. Could one call me rich after seeing this?", Mike murmured

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. I mean...the food. I like it"

Scott chuckled, shaking his head. "Glad you like it."

After dinner, they settled in Scott's room. The bed was big, soft-looking, and Mike already felt the tension rising when Scott casually mentioned, "We're sharing."

Mike froze. "Uh, no we're not."

Scott leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "Yes, we are."

"Nope."

"Yep."

"Scott."

"Mike."

Mike groaned. "Fine. But stay on your side."

Scott smirked but said nothing.

They both got in, backs turned to each other. The silence was loud, their breathing the only sound. Then, after a moment, Scott shifted slightly.

"Can I hold you?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant.

Mike's breath caught. He stayed quiet for a moment, feeling his heart hammer against his ribs. Then, slowly, he nodded.

Scott moved closer, wrapping an arm around him, firm yet gentle. It felt strange at first, unfamiliar. But then, warmth. Comfort. Security.

Mike turned. Their eyes met. No words were needed.

Then, he kissed him, not hesitant about it at all, he felt like it was a 'must' to.

Scott froze for a second before pulling him in, deepening it. They stayed like that, wrapped in each other, lost in something neither of them fully understood, yet neither wanted to stop.

And for the first time in a long time, neither of them wanted to be anywhere else. They kissed, softly, with the light from the moon, shining gracefully on them.