Chapter 17 : I dont care about the noise

The sun was already low in the sky, casting golden light across the college gates when Evan hurried past them, his bag bouncing against his side, his breath uneven.

He just needed to get away.

Far enough that no one could ask questions.

Far enough that he wouldn't have to explain.

But footsteps followed him.

Fast. Determined.

"Evan!"

He didn't stop.

"Evan, wait!"

Mikael's voice, firm but not angry, cut through the air again.

A few seconds later, Mikael jogged up ahead and stopped right in front of him, forcing Evan to halt just outside the college gate. Students passed in the distance, but here it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them.

Mikael's brows were furrowed, his expression confused, concerned. "What's going on with you?"

Evan dropped his gaze. "Nothing. Please let me go."

Mikael shook his head. "No. Not until you tell me why you're suddenly shutting me out."

Evan's grip on his backpack tightened.

"I thought we were okay," Mikael continued. "I thought we were building something good, friendship. Comfort. And now you're running away from me like I've done something wrong."

"You haven't," Evan muttered.

"Then what is it?" Mikael stepped closer. "Did I cross a line? Did I make you uncomfortable? Just tell me, Evan. Don't walk away and pretend it doesn't matter."

Evan's throat tightened. "You should go."

"I'm not going anywhere until you talk to me."

There was a long silence. Evan's heart pounded in his ears.

Then, in a soft, broken voice, he finally said:

"Someone doesn't like that we're friends."

Mikael blinked. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter," Evan said quickly, trying to walk past him.

Mikael blocked him again. "It does matter."

Evan's eyes finally met his, and they were full of pain.

"You're the captain of the soccer team, Mikael. You're one of the most respected students here. And me… I'm just the weird new guy who eats alone in the library and gets whispered about. Everyone thinks I'm..." he hesitated, voice faltering, "..gay. And maybe they're right. But that's not the point."

He looked away, ashamed.

"They think I'm chasing you. That I'm trying to make you like me. And people like you… don't want to be associated with people like me. I'm just going to ruin your name. Your reputation."

Mikael was quiet for a long moment.

Then he stepped forward again, gentler now.

"Evan," he said, voice steady, "listen to me."

Evan didn't move.

"I don't care about gossip," Mikael said. "I don't care about people whispering or joking or twisting stories. I don't care if people think you're gay, or think I am, or whatever garbage they make up to entertain themselves."

He placed a hand over his chest. "What I care about is how I feel. And I feel better when I'm around you. I like talking to you. I like eating lunch with you. I like seeing you smile, even if it only happens once in a while."

Evan's lips parted slightly, stunned.

"I want you to stay my friend, Evan," Mikael said. "I'm not giving up on that. Not because of rumors. Not because of scared little voices behind our backs."

He smiled softly now. "So you can run away if you want to, but I'm still going to find you every lunch break."

Evan couldn't speak.

He tried, but the words caught in his throat. All he could do was look at Mikael, eyes wide, uncertain, overwhelmed.

No one had ever said something like that to him.

No one had ever chosen to stay.