Interrupted Dreams and Uninvited Feelings

Nate was still sleeping, curled beneath a crumpled blanket, the soft hum of morning wind sneaking in through the slightly open window. His brows were furrowed, and his lips parted ever so slightly — he was dreaming.

And in that dream, Seth was standing in front of him, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, eyes downcast like he was trying to gather courage.

"Nate," Seth said quietly, stepping closer, "lately I've been thinking about you... I think... I... I— I like you, Nate."

The air stilled. Nate felt his heart skip a beat in his dream. He stared into Seth's eyes, disbelief painting his expression, before he leaned in and tugged at the loose tie around Seth's neck.

Just as their lips were inches apart—

"OUCHHH!!"

BANG!!

A thunderous crash shook the air. Nate jolted, flailing off his bed and smacking the wooden floor with a dull thud. Confused and dazed, he sat up rubbing his head.

SWASHHH!

A pillow smacked him square in the face. "Wake up, drama king!" a voice sang out, thick with mischief.

Nate blinked rapidly. A wild creature with messy black hair and a grin too wide for her face launched at him, arms wrapping around his neck.

"Ash?! What the—?!" Nate gasped.

"Ahaha! Long time no see, asshole! I missed you!" Ash squealed, placing a cascade of exaggerated kisses all over his face like a hyper puppy.

Nate laughed, squirming. "Get off! You smell like cereal and chaos!"

"You love it!" she declared proudly.

Still tangled in blankets, Nate looked at her sideways. "Ohhh... you want to fight me, Miss Rebecca Cassandra Lian Austin?" he said dramatically, as if announcing her name to a royal court.

Ash narrowed her eyes. "Don't start what you can't finish."

Without warning, Nate leapt on the bed and struck a pose, hands chopping the air like a kid pretending to be a kung-fu master. "Hyaaah! I have been training in the Himalayas with monks—"

THUD!

A pillow slammed into his face again.

"Stop that nonsense, asshole," Ash said, shaking her head. "Get your dumbass up and make breakfast. I'm starving."

"I swear you're the devil in Converse," Nate muttered, crawling off the bed. "Alright, alright, your highness. I shall prepare thy royal feast."

As he walked toward the door, Ash suddenly jumped on his back, giggling like a child. "Carry me!"

"Of course," Nate groaned theatrically. "Because I'm not a human — I'm your damn Uber."

"Ohhhh, how gentlemanly of you... asshole," she teased, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Nate ran like a maniac toward the stairs, and Ash was laughing so hard she was nearly crying. They were a mess — limbs flailing, almost tripping twice. It felt like being kids again, like nothing in the world mattered except this small chaotic bubble.

But as they reached the bottom of the stairs, something stopped Nate cold.

Ash was still giggling, clinging to his back, when Nate's gaze locked with someone standing at the doorway.

Seth.

Standing there in a simple white hoodie, backpack slung over one shoulder, holding a plastic container of something wrapped in foil. His expression was unreadable, like he was trying not to react to what he was seeing — Nate carrying another person on his back, laughing with her like it was the best day of his life.

Seth's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but decided against it.

Nate gently lowered Ash to the floor.

"Hey," Nate said softly.

"Hey," Seth replied, forcing a little smile. "Uh… I brought those cookies my mom made. Thought your cousin might like some too."

Ash's eyes lit up. "Cookies?!" She ran over and practically yanked the container from Seth's hands. "You're my favorite already!"

Nate rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry about the… weird entrance."

"It's fine," Seth replied, eyes flicking between Nate and Ash. "You two seem close."

"She's like my annoying twin born six months late," Nate joked, elbowing Ash who was now stuffing a cookie in her mouth.

Ash waved, crumbs all over her lips. "I'm also the prettier one."

Seth chuckled, but something in his laugh sounded distant. "I should go."

"Wait, you just got here," Nate blurted out.

Seth looked at him for a long beat. "I just came to drop that off. I figured you'd be busy."

There was a pause, heavy like a silence that said too much.

Nate stepped forward. "Seth—"

"It's fine, Nate. Really." Seth's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'll see you in school."

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

---

The day moved slowly after that. Breakfast was unusually quiet for Nate. Even Ash noticed.

"You good?" she asked over toast.

"Yeah."

"You're not," she said bluntly. "You were smiling like an idiot in your sleep. Then that guy came over and you turned into a statue. Spill."

Nate sighed. "That was Seth. We're... kinda complicated."

Ash tilted her head. "You like him?"

Nate looked down at his plate. "Yeah."

Ash leaned back. "Then go get your boy, idiot."

---

After school, the air was warm and golden, and Nate walked slowly out of the building, earbuds in, trying to distract himself with music. He was halfway through a song when he felt someone poke his nose.

He flinched and turned — it was Seth.

Seth stood there, grinning. "You're so cute when you're jealous."

Nate rolled his eyes, tugging his earbud out. "I wasn't jealous."

"Oh really?" Seth leaned closer, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "So if I told you I was thinking of dating Tara, you'd be totally okay with that?"

Nate's smile dropped. He looked away. "Do whatever you want."

He walked past him, shoulders stiff.

Seth watched him go and smiled softly to himself.

"So you do like me," he murmured.

---

That evening, just past 8 PM, Seth was walking home. His hands were tucked into his hoodie pockets, headphones dangling around his neck, his thoughts full of Nate — the way he laughed, the way his eyes looked sad today.

He didn't notice the shadows until it was too late.

"Oi," a voice sneered. "You're that guy, right? Seth?"

Seth turned. Five guys stood in the alley. One of them, the tallest, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

"I've heard a lot about you," the leader said. "People say you're unbeatable. Wanna prove it?"

Seth's jaw tightened. "I don't want trouble."

The guy grabbed his shirt. "Too late for that."

He swung.

Seth ducked easily, twisting his body. The punch missed.

The next few seconds were a blur. The gang leader came at him with full force — Seth dodged, landed a sharp jab to his side, then a kick that sent him stumbling back.

Another guy lunged. Seth spun, took him down with a leg sweep. The others came in one by one. But within moments, they were all groaning on the pavement.

Seth stood still, breath steady. His hoodie was torn, knuckles bruised, but he barely looked winded.

The leader struggled to stand, blood on his lip. "You'll regret this, punk."

He turned — and saw Nate standing behind Seth, eyes wide with shock and something else. The leader smirked. "You care about him, huh?"

He gave Nate a look that sent a chill down his spine, then signaled his gang to retreat.

Nate ran to Seth. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine," Seth said, trying to brush it off.

"You're not," Nate insisted. "Come on, I'm walking you home."

Seth smiled a little. "Worried about me now?"

Nate didn't answer, just took his arm gently.

---

When they reached Seth's house, his mother came rushing out. "Seth! What happened?!"

Nate held up his hands. "It looks worse than it is, ma'am. But I think he deserves a proper punishment."

Seth raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

Nate smirked, looked at his mother. "He's been very stubborn. Might I suggest… no cookies for a week?"

His mom gasped dramatically. "That's cruel!"

Seth gaped. "You traitor!"

Nate leaned closer and poked his nose. "That's what you get for making me jealous."

Seth stared at him, heart pounding.

Neither said a word for a few seconds.

Nate turned to leave.

But Seth called out, "Hey."

Nate looked over his shoulder.

"Thanks... for caring."

Nate gave a small smile. "Always."