In a Split Second || BOYxBOYxBOY ✔️

5

Alex dragged himself through the front door of his student apartment, feeling the weight of the week settling deep into his bones. It was Friday evening, but instead of the relief he wanted to feel, he only felt exhaustion. University had been relentless, from early lectures to late study sessions, and he hadn't slept well in days. All he wanted to do was collapse onto his bed and shut the world out for a few hours.

As he kicked off his shoes, he heard voices from the kitchen, Sam and Jess, his housemates. He groaned inwardly, hoping they wouldn't drag him into whatever plans they had for the night. He wasn't in the mood for company. He just wanted to be alone. But unfortunately, to get to his bedroom, he had to pass the kitchen.

"Hey, Alex!" Sam called out as soon as she spotted him. She had that excited, mischievous look on her face that usually meant she was plotting something. "You alright?"

"Mhm," he nodded, trudging inside and dropping his backpack onto the floor near the barstool. "Starving."

"Here," Jess said happily, sliding a pack of cookies across the counter.

He raised an eyebrow, but picked one out of the packet nevertheless. "Don't think this classes as a dinner... but sure, why not?"

"You're an adult, Alex," Sam chimed in, "live a little. You are your own boss."

"I hate being an adult," he grumbled.

"Rough day?" she asked.

"Rough week," he muttered back.

"Well, maybe we can help with that."

He raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Well, Jess and I were thinking... we should have another little get-together tonight," she said with a glint in her eye.

Jess nodded eagerly. "Just a small one. Nothing like last time. Just a few close friends. It'll be fun, promise. Sam's friends seem pretty cool, and everyone got along quite nicely so..."

Alex sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. The thought of another party, even a small one, made his head throb. But he didn't want to be a killjoy. He already felt like the odd one out, the quiet guy who never quite fit in with the more outgoing crowd.

"I don't know, guys. I'm really tired," he started, though the words felt weak even as he said them.

"Oh, come on," Sam pressed, stepping closer with a playful nudge to his arm. "It won't be a huge thing. Just a few of us hanging out, having some drinks. You won't even have to do anything if you don't want to."

Alex hesitated. His immediate instinct was to say no. He could already picture himself hiding out in his room, listening to the sounds of laughter and music seeping through the walls. That was where he was most comfortable, away from the crowd, away from attention.

But then a thought crossed his mind.

If Sam and Jess were inviting their close friends, maybe, just maybe, Luke would be there. Alex's chest tightened at the idea, the thought of seeing Luke again sparking something he wasn't sure how to handle. He had been thinking about him more than he cared to admit lately, and the idea of possibly spending some time together, even in a group, was tempting.

"Okay, fine," Alex relented, offering a small, reluctant smile. "Just... as long as it's small."

Sam's face lit up. "Yes! You won't regret it, I promise. Maybe you should invite your friends this time too."

"I don't have any," he laughed awkwardly, even though he was telling the truth. He really didn't have any. Not proper ones anyway.

"I'm sure you have one," Jess said.