“I just mean… let’s not pour gas on the fire. He hasn’t messed with me. Just leave him alone.”
“You feeling sorry for him now?”
“I’m not feeling sorry for him. I just…” Ody exhaled. “We’re not the kind of people who go around hurting others, right?” He glanced between his friends, who only sighed.
They walked him to the parking lot and waited for him to get inside his car. “See you Monday, man.”
“Later.” Ody waved and pulled out. As he headed toward the exit of campus, someone stepped into the road. Ody hit the brakes hard, his heart lurching.
For a second, neither of them moved. Kash stood there, hands at his sides, looking nothing like the guy who had kissed him yesterday… and nothing like the bully he had been all year.
Ody’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. He should drive away. He should not even open the door. After everything, he shouldn’t have even stopped.
Kash walked slowly toward the driver’s window, cautious, like he was afraid Ody might actually run him over. “Ody,” he said, voice steady but soft. “Can we talk?”
Ody didn’t answer. Every instinct told him to drive off. But Kash wasn’t threatening him. Not now. Against his better judgment, he stepped out.
Kash gestured toward a low wall away from the busy path. Ody followed, a step behind, keeping a careful distance as they sat.
“I know you haven’t told anyone about yesterday,” Kash said. He hesitated, searching Ody’s face for any sign.
Ody gave a small nod.
“I’d rather it stayed that way.” His voice lowered. “Only one person knows I’m gay.”
Ody studied him closely.
“I don’t want anyone to know. So please don’t say anything. I know I treated you horribly, and you could use this against me, but…”
“I’m not that kind of person,” Ody said. Their eyes held. “I would never do that.”
Kash let out a quiet breath, a small, soft smile forming. “See? You’re a good person, Ody. How am I supposed to not like you?”
Ody blinked, caught off guard by the honesty.
“When I realized I liked you… differently, I didn’t know what to do.” He glanced off to the side before continuing. “You’re the first guy I ever felt something for.”
“I thought you always…”
“I only figured it out last year,” Kash cut in.
“Are you sure that’s what it is? Maybe you’re just confused.”
“I’m sure.” He looked down, fidgeting with his fingers. “I’ve done things since then. And if any of them knew… it would be over.”
“Why? If they’re your friends—”
“Those guys aren’t my friends. If they found out… things would get ugly. Fast.”
The way he said it made Ody’s stomach tighten.
“Can you promise me… no matter what happens… you won’t tell anyone?” he asked. For the first time, there was something close to fear in his eyes. “If this gets out, I’m done.”
Ody’s gaze dropped. “No one should have to live like that.”
Kash let out a short, tired laugh. “Yeah. Well. Some of us do.” His voice wasn’t sharp anymore. It was smaller somehow, stripped of the bravado he usually carried.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
