ROUGE

UNCHARTED EMOTIONS 🌷

Here is the 8th chapter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Babe paced back and forth in front of Charlie's apartment, his nerves jangling like a cat on a hot tin roof. He mustered all the courage he could find and gave the doorbell a poke, hoping it wouldn't electrocute him or anything.

If anyone caught sight of him, they'd probably think he was gearing up to spill his guts to Charlie, confessing his undying love or some other melodramatic nonsense.

When Charlie swung open the door, Babe stood there like a deer caught in headlights, his palms sweaty and his heart doing a drum solo in his chest. It was one of those moments that made him wonder if he'd accidentally wandered onto the set of a cheesy romance movie.

Charlie: "Phi Babe, what's the occasion for this surprise visit?"

Babe: "Oh, you know, just felt like popping by, no biggie."

Charlie (grinning): "Well, come on in then. Do you want to have our heart-to-heart right here on the doorstep?"

Babe: "Oh, come off it, Charlie."

Charlie: "Seriously though, what's up? You never show up unannounced unless there's some ulterior motive."

Babe: "I promise, no ulterior motives this time. Phi Alan mentioned you've been buried in internships and exams, so I figured I'd rescue you for dinner tonight."

Charlie: "Ah, so the tough guy has a soft spot after all!"

Babe: "Hey now, don't go spreading rumors about me being all mushy. So, dinner or no dinner?"

Charlie: "Fine, fine, no need to sulk. Give me a half-hour to freshen up, and we'll go."

Babe: "Deal. But don't keep me waiting!"

Charlie disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up, leaving Babe to explore his apartment. Surprisingly, it was cleaner and tidier than Babe had expected for a student's place. But soon, boredom settled in, and Babe found himself plopping down on the sofa, waiting for Charlie to return.

After what felt like ages, the bathroom door creaked open, and there stood Charlie, only in a towel wrapped snugly around his waist. Babe couldn't help but notice the way droplets of water glistened on Charlie's skin, or the way his wet hair framed his face just so. It was a sight that stirred something in Babe, something he definitely wasn't supposed to feel about Charlie.

Feeling a flush creep up his neck, Babe quickly averted his gaze, trying to shake off the unwelcome thoughts swirling in his mind. But even as he tried to distract himself, Charlie's voice cut through the haze, yanking him back to reality.

Charlie: "Phi Babe, you alright?"

Babe: "Huh?"

Charlie: "I mean, you look like a tomato. Everything okay?"

Babe: "Yeah, I'm fine... Just feeling a bit warm in here, that's all."

Charlie (chuckling): "Sure, sure. Well, I'll go change then."

Babe: "You better hurry up then!"

Babe (Thinking to himself): "Shia, what was that... Why's he making me feel like this when I shouldn't? I need to stop thinking about his wet body... Shia, stop it! Think about something else."

Babe cursed himself silently, feeling conflicted about the unexpected feelings stirred up by Charlie's appearance. As much as he tried to push those thoughts away, a part of him couldn't deny the attraction he felt.