Between Two Hearts

Ch 3 The Party

That night, I met up with Kenned outside of the dorms. He was wearing a casual t-shirt and jeans, and he had a six-pack of beer tucked under his arm.

"Ready to party?" he asked, grinning.

I nodded, feeling a little nervous but also excited. We walked down the street to a house that was packed with people. Music was blasting from the speakers, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat.

As we made our way through the crowd, I felt a little overwhelmed. There were so many people, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I wasn't sure where to start.

Kenned must have sensed my hesitation, because he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a group of people. "Hey guys, this is my friend," he said, introducing me to a group of people who were sitting on the couch.

I smiled nervously, feeling a little out of place. But as the night wore on, I found myself relaxing and having fun. I danced with Kenned and his friends, drank a few beers, and even tried some shots.

At one point, Kenned pulled me aside. "Hey, do you want to go upstairs and check out the view?" he asked, nodding towards a staircase that led to the second floor.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling a little nervous. But then I reminded myself that this was college, and that I was here to have fun. "Sure," I said, following him up the stairs.

We emerged onto a balcony that overlooked the street. The music was still blasting, but it was a little quieter up here. Kenned leaned against the railing, looking out at the crowd.

"You know," he said, turning to me. "I'm really glad we met. I feel like we have a lot in common."

I smiled, feeling a little warm inside. "Me too," I said.

Kenned leaned in, and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me. But then he pulled back, looking a little embarrassed. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to make things awkward."

"It's okay," I said, feeling a little relieved. I liked Kenned as a friend, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for something more.

Kenned looked at me intently, and I could see the hope in his eyes. "Jamie, I have to be honest with you. I have feelings for you"

"Kenned, I appreciate you being honest with me," I said, taking a step back. "But I need some time to think about my own feelings. I don't want to rush into anything."

Kenned looked a little disappointed, but he nodded. "I understand," he said. "Take all the time you need. I just wanted you to know how I feel."

I smiled, feeling a little relieved. "Thank you," I said. "I'm glad we can be honest with each other."

We stood there in silence for a moment, watching the partygoers below. I could feel Kenned's eyes on me, and I knew that he was still hoping for something more. But for now, I was content to just enjoy the moment and let things unfold naturally.