Chapter 23 : A line crossed too close

Lucas waited patiently in the hallway, eyes scanning the corridor leading to Evan's class. Just a few more minutes before break. He knew Mikael would soon appear, like he did every day, right at Evan's door.

But today, Lucas would get there first.

When the bell rang and students started packing up, Evan reached for his lunchbox. That was when Lucas appeared beside him.

"Can we talk?" Lucas said, his voice low but not harsh.

Evan stiffened. "Right now?"

Lucas nodded. "Please. Just a few minutes. Outside."

There were no insults, no threats. Only a quiet intensity that made Evan hesitate. Against his better judgment, he stood up and followed.

They walked silently to the parking lot. Lucas opened the passenger side of his car. Evan hesitated again, but then stepped in.

They drove around the nearby town, neither of them speaking. The silence wasn't awkward, it was thick with tension.

Finally, Lucas broke it. "This… whole thing is messing me up."

Evan looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"You and Mikael," Lucas said bluntly. "Are you together?"

Evan blinked. "No. He's my friend. That's it."

Lucas exhaled like he'd been holding his breath. "Then why does it feel like more?"

Evan turned to the window, unsure how to answer.

Lucas pulled over beneath a large tree on the outskirts of town. Quiet. No other cars. Just wind in the leaves.

He looked straight at Evan. "Can I kiss you?"

Evan froze. "What?"

"I just… need to know something. I need to know if what I'm feeling is real or if I'm just losing my mind."

Evan's voice was calm, but firm. "Lucas, no. Please take me back."

Lucas's eyes searched his face. "Just once. Then I'll know."

But Evan shook his head. "That's not fair. You can't use me to figure yourself out like that."

Lucas didn't move for a long moment. The tension in his jaw, his fists clenched on the steering wheel, he was clearly fighting something deep.

But then… he sighed, and leaned back in his seat. "You're right."

Evan watched him, surprised.

"I'm sorry," Lucas said. "I thought if I could just… maybe if I felt nothing, this would go away."

Evan looked down at his lap. "What is this, Lucas?"

Lucas's voice dropped. "I don't know. And that's what's tearing me apart."

They sat in silence, the wind whispering through the cracked window. No kiss. No forced touch. Just two people caught in something they didn't yet understand.

After a while, Lucas started the engine again and drove Evan back to the college. He didn't speak, and Evan didn't ask him to.

But as they parked, Lucas finally said, "I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable."

Evan glanced at him. "Just… don't try to solve your confusion by pulling me in when you're not ready."

Lucas nodded.

And Evan stepped out, unsure of what had just happened, but certain of one thing:

Lucas was more lost than he was dangerous.