Casper's POV
Exams were approaching and I realized I've been choosing Rex over my studies, so I decided to do something about that today. I've been in the library for four hours now, flipping pages while hoping they're sticking to my brain. I stretch a little when I heard a notification from my phone. It was from Rex.
[REX❤️🫶]: Hey, Darla said you were in the library. Are you still there? 15:10
[ME]: Yeah, why? 15:11
Ever since we exchanged numbers, he's been texting me about random stuffs. I'm not complaining though, I can't say I don't like it.
[REX❤️🫶]: Nothing serious, I just wanted to see and talk to you. 15:13
I felt that familiar warm feeling go through me whenever he says something like this.
[REX❤️🫶]: I bought something for you cause I thought you were still in school. I guess I'll take that home. 15:15
[Me]: I'll be leaving in a bit anyway. We could meet at the apartment. I'll be there in 10 mins. 15:17
[REX❤️🫶]: Okay, that's fine. 15:17
I gently brushed my cheeks and glanced around to see if anyone was watching me. Ever since we became friends , he's been consistently texting and doing little things for me. I can't help but wonder if he treats Mick the same way since they're friends too.
I thought to myself how lucky Matt must be. After all, Rex chose to join our major because of him. I wish Rex would notice me like that; I wanted his full attention. I wanted to be special to him.
"Casper, right?" a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to my left and spotted a tall Black guy. His dreadlocks framed his face, and he was dressed in a grey hoodie and sweatpants. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.
"Yeah...?" I replied cautiously.
"I knew it was you! Don't you remember me?"
I shook my head, chuckling awkwardly. "No, sorry."
He settled down next to me and said, "Austin, Samson's cousin?"
Suddenly, it clicked. "Oh yes! You came to our freshman party!" I exclaimed, a big smile spreading across my face.
He relaxed back with a grin. "Now you remember!"
I had met Austin at our freshman party and later discovered he was related to Samson when he visited. We didn't exchange numbers or anything, but we got along well. Austin is also in his second year, and although I can't recall what he's studying, I know for sure he's not in my major.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" I inquired, noticing that this library was specifically for business administration students only.
"I'm just dropping off something for a friend. I was on my way to see Samson. Are you finished? Let's head over together."
I nodded, quickly stashing my books into my bag, and we set off for the apartment.
Upon our arrival, Samson and Mick were outside. "Still tutoring him?" I asked Samson as we approached.
"Not exactly," he replied. So, Mick was just here to visit him. Got it.
"What's up, man?" Samson greeted Austin, dapping him.
"I'm good," Austin replied, glancing at Mick. "Who's this?"
"None of your business," Samson shot back, frowning.
"Yo, chill with the attitude. I'm just curious," Austin said, smirking. Samson merely rolled his eyes.
"Oooh, is this your new boyfriend you—"
"What are you even doing here?" Samson interrupted, crossing his arms. Mick stared at the ground, his cheeks flushed.
Austin chuckled before responding, "I need your help with something. But...I see you're busy, so Casper and I will just wait in your room." Samson rolled his eyes once more and walked past us with Mick in tow.
"Let's go in, man." Austin said, draping his arm over my shoulder.
Curious, I asked, "Did Samson say anything about Mick to you?"
"Who's that?"
"Mick, you know, the guy with Samson just now?"
He paused, his eyes widening in surprise. "So I was right? Damn."
"Hold on, why did you say that if you didn't know who he was?"
"Not gonna lie, I was just messing with him. But it seems he's actually the guy Samson told me about."
So, it turns out Samson had indeed filled Austin in about Mick. A grin spread across my face—I was definitely going to have some fun teasing him later.
We arrived at Samson's place and stepped inside. For the first time in ages, his room was a chaotic mess, clothes and boxes strewn everywhere. "Looks like Samson's really getting it, huh?" Austin remarked.
"The boxes makes me doubt it. If this were your room, I'd believe it," I replied.
"I wish. Amelia and I broke up few weeks ago," he replied, a hint of sadness in his smile.
"Oh, sorry for that," I said, even though I had no clue who Amelia was.
"Nah I'm good. It's been a while now. What about you?"
"Huh?"
"Got a girlfriend? Boyfriend?"
"Oh, no." Then it hit me that I was supposed to meet Rex. "I should get going, catch you later?"
"Definitely! I'll probably be here until tomorrow morning."
I nodded and made my way to Rex's room. After knocking three times, he finally opened the door, shirtless. "Hey," I greeted him.
He nodded and stepped aside. "Were you asleep?" I asked as I walked in.
"Yeah, a bit. I was waiting for you."
"Sorry for the delay. I was catching up with a friend."
"Oh really? Who?"
"Samson's cousin. We bumped into each other at the library."
He hummed softly and settled down. "I'm so tired," he sighed, stretching out and patting the couch, inviting me to join him. The moment I took a seat, he leaned his head against my shoulder. "Did you manage to read everything well?"
"Yeah, I got through quite a bit," I replied softly.
"Isn't this your second visit to my room?" he inquired, to which I nodded in response.
He laughed lightly, "The first time was quite a mess. You left in such a rush."
"I suppose," I murmured.
"Why didn't you want to talk to me back then?"
That question made me uneasy, and I wanted to avoid it. I couldn't confess that seeing him with Jess had hurt me, and Matt mentioning Rex's feelings for him only complicated things further.
Still resting his head on my shoulder, he lifted it slightly to meet my gaze. "You're quiet. Don't want to tell me?"
I turned to face him, our faces mere inches apart, our lips very close. I shook my head gently.
He offered a small smile. "Alright, you'll tell me one day?" I nodded, and we locked eyes, neither of us willing to look away.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered.
I nodded, moistening my lips, and then he closed the distance. His hands found their way to my neck as he kissed me deeply. The only sound in the room was the soft slow sounds of our lips meeting as we lost ourselves in the moment.
He pulled away slightly and said, "That night, after our movie date, I really wanted to kiss you." His breath tickled my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Then why didn't you?" I replied softly.
"Because I wasn't sure if you would be okay with it," he confessed, burying his face into my neck and taking a deep breath. "I can't tell if you still have feelings for me."
His words caught me off guard. Does he really think I don't? I've been so painfully obvious about my feelings; how could he not notice?
"Of co—" I started to say, but was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. Rex turned his head toward the sound and let out a groan. He stood up, grumbling, "I'm going to strangle whoever's at the door."
When he opened it, there stood Matt, clearly drunk.