The College Experience (TDP AU)

4: Keeping Secrets Is Hard

    About a month had passed since the start of college, so a month or more since Runaan and Ethari's little secret relationship, and the friends becoming friends all happened. Ethari and Tiadrin were sitting in the lounge next to the cafeteria, eating cereal for breakfast. Because it was nearing the middle of October already, that only meant one thing...everyone's favorite, and the scariest holiday of them all was coming up—

    "Literally how could you forget? The BLOOD MOON. Or Harvest Moon if you suck," Tiadrin scoffed. Ethari had asked what holiday was coming up when she had asked if he was excited for the end of the month. "It's not like it's Christmas or something," she muttered under her breath. "Anyway, I know you know the holiday of course, but here there's a big dance, and it's apparently a really fun event. But there's one thing I should mention. People usually admit their love to each other then sneak off to go hookup, so unless you're getting laid, DON'T go near the bleachers on the field, the original gym, or the bathroom closest to where the party is."

    Ethari nodded slowly and uncomfortably. "Alright...how do you know all this though?" Tiadrin turned to him. "Oh, you know I like to get around. Both ways." She smiled. "But mainly from my sophomore friend Miyao in Art. We have quite a lot in common."

    "So, anyway, speaking of the dance, how uh—how are things with you and Lain? I thought you guys were going out for breakfast and stuff a lot," Ethari asked. Tiadrin raised an eyebrow. "Uh-uh, I'm not saying anything unless you tell me first." He opened his mouth to say something but closed it, not knowing what to tell her. "Runaan's been really nice, which is surprising. We've hugged before—just a couple times—because I was sad," he half lied. The truth is, it was a little awkward after they kissed for like a day or two, but then they started to get together again. They weren't doing it because truth be told Ethari never had, but he wanted to.

    Tiadrin gave him the "I know you're lying" look and said, "I don't believe you, but it's not like he's even gay, anyway, even though I know he's probably lying too. Most YOU'D probably be lying about is how much you've hugged, you innocent piece of crap. Ok, well, you wanted to know how we're doing. We've gotten really close, mentally and physically. I've hugged him a lot and yes, we go out for breakfast almost every other day, but that's just mainly because he's my roommate and we're good friends. Also, he hasn't caught on because I'm WAY better at playing things off than you are." She paused. "I think I'm gonna tell him I like him at the dance."

    Ethari shrugged and smiled. "You do you. And good luck. I think I'm gonna go back to my dorm now, I have a video game competition to win." Tiadrin smirked. "More like a make out session to win." Ethari blushed and got up while smiling. "Oh, and tell Runaan I said hi!" Tiadrin called. He then waved bye to her and walked to the dorm building.

    As soon as he arrived, he shut the door and saw Runaan waiting on the couch with Mario Kart already set up. "Hey Ru, Tia says hi by the way." Ethari sat down on the couch next to him, and Runaan wrapped his arm around his shoulder. Based on their conversation, Ethari and Tiadrin were both kind of right with what was about to happen. They started to play a couple rounds, Ethari winning mostly the entire time, but he obviously wanted to do something else. After the last round, he went close to Runaan and said, "Haha, I won that game. Maybe you can win one," and kissed him.

    Runaan knew exactly what Ethari wanted, so he grabbed his wrists, pinned him down onto the couch, and whispered, "You know I love to win," and started kissing him passionately. They started to get slowly undressed, Ethari still not believing he was doing this, but just as they were about to go on to the bed, there was a knock at the door. Both of them gasped in shock and hastily ran to go put their shirts back on.

    Ethari checked the peephole to see who was there, only to find Tiadrin standing there with her stuff together. "Shi- I mean uh—I forgot Tiadrin wanted to maybe go shopping...uh oh. Quick, get in the closet! Like actually not metaphorically!" Ethari whisper yelled. Still a little out of breath, he opened the door just a tiny bit, and Tiadrin shoved it fully open and came waltzing right in. "Hey Ethari! You still up to go shopping? Wait—dude, are you good? Like, you look like you either just got railed or ran a triathlon," she remarked. "One shut up, and two yeah I'm fine, just was running around a bit for something," he lied. Tiadrin was getting more and more skeptical by the second.

    "Hey, where's Runaan?" she asked, knowing he'd be lying if he panicked, and she was right. "He uh—he went out for a bit after we played online, and he'll be back—" at that moment Tiadrin noticed the closet door was slightly open. She speed-walked over to it before Ethari could do anything, so before he could even grab her she had already flung the door open to find Runaan standing, looking surprised.

    Staring at Runaan, she let all of the information sink in. "WHAT the..." Her jaw slowly dropped at the realization that she was right—and they had in fact been together. She did a half turn around to Ethari, looking like one of those wind up dolls in a jewelry box. Tiadrin stared at Ethari, who had a look of horror and nervousness.

    "Oh. My. God." She paused and let out a little laugh. "What the actual F*CK. Did I. Just walk in on?" she asked, eyes wide open with a gritted teeth smile, looking slightly amused, mostly traumatized. "Wait—oh, no, you've never done it before, have you," she said, clapping her hands over her mouth. "I just ruined everything...well, every first time is special in its own way, isn't it," Tiadrin mumbled, walking out the door, looking stiff and uncomfortable.

    As soon as she shut it they stared at each other. Runaan spoke up. "Uhmm...well that was a little unexpected...do you still wanna—" Ethari turned to him quickly with lust shining in his eyes. "Yes. Please," and he ripped off his shirt and lunged at Runaan, slamming the closet door behind him.

Note: But why go back in the closet...if you already got outed? Haha I'm so hilarious.