BETWEEN HEARTS

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Kaner Kandemir could feel the storm in his heart growing stronger with every moment he spent with Alparslan Eymenoğlu. He laughed, joked, and even made fun of his own clumsiness, but deep down, the feelings he harbored for Alparslan constantly troubled him. On one hand, being close to him made him happy, but on the other, the burden of hiding his secret was becoming unbearable.

One day, after school, Alparslan unexpectedly invited him to a party.

"There's a small party this weekend. Do you want to come?"

Kaner's mind flashed back to their previous meetups. He felt excited, but parties, especially crowded ones, had always been hard for him. He never quite knew how to feel comfortable or how to be himself around so many people. But Alparslan had invited him, and this might be a chance to grow even closer.

Hesitantly, Kaner replied, "I'm not sure. I don't do well in big crowds."

Alparslan gave him a look of understanding, his smile reassuring.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you," he promised, giving him a playful wink. He bounced on the spot, his eyes turning into happy crescents. "We'll have a blast." He chuckled warmly. "And if you're worried about being clumsy, I'll be there to catch you."

That comment brought a slight smile to Kaner's face. As long as Alparslan was with him, everything would be fine.

The night of the party arrived, and Kaner waited nervously by the school's back gate to meet Alparslan. It had taken him hours to decide what to wear, but he had finally settled on a simple yet stylish pair of trousers and a button-down shirt. He made sure his wavy hair was tamed as much as possible with hairspray. His heart raced as he saw Alparslan approaching.

With a soft smile, Alparslan said, "Wow, you look really sharp. Ready?"

Kaner wanted to say, "You always look amazing," but instead, he smiled and said, "I'm ready... or at least I hope so."

The party was much more crowded than he had expected. People were laughing and dancing all around. At first, Kaner felt a bit tense, but having Alparslan by his side gave him some comfort.

After greeting a few friends, Alparslan turned to him and asked, "Do you want to dance? Only if you're feeling up to it, of course."

Kaner froze. His lips tightened into a thin line, and his eyes filled with anxiety. "Wouldn't that be a bit... weird?"

Alparslan knew exactly what he meant. His smile widened, and he grabbed Kaner's arm gently. "Who cares?" he laughed.

Kaner didn't know how to dance. He had no idea how to move in front of Alparslan, of all people. But Alparslan's smile made it all seem worth trying.

Taking a deep breath, Kaner said, "I'm not really good at dancing, but I guess it can't hurt to try, right?"

Alparslan took his hand lightly and led him toward the crowd. Kaner's heart had never beaten this fast before. As the music surrounded them, everything seemed to flow naturally with Alparslan by his side. Though known for his clumsiness, Kaner found his steps strangely in sync this time. Alparslan was paying attention to every move, helping him keep pace. Kaner tried not to think about the eyes on them.

"You're doing great," Alparslan said, locking eyes with him. "You're a lot better than you think."

Kaner smiled shyly at the compliment. "Really?" he thought. The sincerity in Alparslan's eyes both embarrassed and excited him. As they danced, Kaner felt like the world belonged only to the two of them. The music swelled, the people moved around them, and Kaner found himself in one of the happiest moments of his life.

As the dance came to an end, Kaner paused. When their eyes met, it became even harder for him to hide his feelings.

In a trembling voice, he said, "Alparslan... I need to tell you something."

Alparslan raised his eyebrows slightly and stepped closer. Despite the loud music, it was as if he already knew what Kaner wanted to say, his smile still lingering.

"Tell me, Kaner. Whatever it is, I'm listening."

Kaner's heart was pounding in his ears. He had always wondered if this moment would ever come, but now, with Alparslan standing in front of him, the words were caught in his throat. What if everything went wrong? What if Alparslan only saw him as a friend?

But then, Alparslan's warm gaze gave him courage. Maybe there was no point in hiding anymore. He took a deep breath and slowly let the words spill out.

Avoiding Alparslan's gaze, Kaner said, "Alparslan, I don't want to just see you as a friend." Alparslan's eyes widened in surprise. "I mean, no, wait!" Kaner stammered, trying to correct himself. "I think... I think I have feelings for you," he finally admitted.

Alparslan paused for a moment, but there was no shock or rejection in his eyes. As Kaner's heart raced, a soft smile spread across Alparslan's face. He stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Kaner's shoulder.

In a tender voice, he said, "If you mean you see me as someone special, then I feel the same about you, Kaner. I've actually felt this way for a long time, but I didn't want to rush things." His smile widened, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. "But right now, I'm having a hard time not kissing you."

Kaner's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected to hear those words. The thought that Alparslan had feelings for him... Could it be real? He felt both relieved and shocked. For a moment, he was frozen, unsure of what to say. Shaking his head slightly, he muttered, "Kiss me? Oh no... if you don't want me to pass out... not now."

Alparslan laughed. "Don't look so shocked or scared. I'm not going to kiss you right now and put you on the spot. But you felt it, didn't you? You must have known I had feelings for you, right?"

Kaner took a deep breath, smiling as his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He leaned his head against Alparslan's chest. All his worries seemed to melt away in an instant. Hearing Alparslan's feelings had washed away all his fears. There was nothing more to say. In that moment, it was just the two of them, and the beginning of a new journey they would walk together.