We fell in love in math class

Chapter 13 "Closer than Ever"

Ethan’s POV:

The weekend finally rolled around, and I found myself standing outside Xyleme’s place, wondering why I was nervous. It wasn’t like we hadn’t hung out a hundred times before, but lately, things had felt different. More charged, like every touch or glance lingered just a bit too long. Today was supposed to be a “no studying, just fun” kind of day, but I wasn’t sure if I could keep my cool.

The door swung open, and Xyleme was there, grinning like he had a secret.

X: “Well, well, look who actually showed up. I was starting to think you were gonna ditch me.”

E: “And miss out on whatever trouble you’ve got planned? Not a chance.”

Xyleme laughed, and it was like he had the world’s most contagious smile. He stepped aside, letting me in, and I couldn’t help but notice how close he was standing.

Xyleme’s POV:

I had to admit, it was getting harder to play it cool around Ethan. He had this way of making me feel all... jittery, like I was about to explode with all these feelings I didn’t quite know how to handle. But I was also stubborn, and there was no way I was going to be the first one to crack.

We had planned to watch some movies, but as soon as he sat down on my couch, I got this urge to mess with him.

X: “So, what do you wanna watch? Something boring so I can fall asleep on your shoulder, or should we pick something romantic so we can get all cuddly?”

Ethan didn’t miss a beat, though. He just smirked and raised an eyebrow.

E: “I’m game for whatever, but if you fall asleep, I’m drawing on your face.”

I plopped down next to him, maybe a little closer than necessary.

X: “Fine, but if I catch you staring at me, you owe me dinner.”

Ethan’s POV:

The movie started, but I couldn’t concentrate. Xyleme was right there, practically leaning against me, and I could smell his cologne, which was distracting in all the best ways. A couple of times, our hands brushed, and I’d catch him looking at me from the corner of his eye.

E: “You’re fidgeting a lot. You okay?”

He gave me this sly grin and shrugged.

X: “Just getting comfortable. What, you don’t like it?”

E: “I didn’t say that.”

Xyleme didn’t reply, but I saw the way his lips twitched, like he was trying not to smile. The room felt warm, and when he shifted to lie down, resting his head on my lap, my breath hitched. He looked up at me, his eyes almost daring me to make a move.

X: “What, too much? I can move if you’re—”

E: “No. Stay.”

Xyleme’s POV:

I hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward, and it made my heart race a little. Being this close to him, feeling his hand absentmindedly run through my hair, it was like something clicked. I didn’t want to keep playing games.

X: “Hey, Ethan… do you ever think about us?”

Ethan’s hand froze, and I could see the gears turning in his head.

E: “What do you mean?”

I rolled my eyes, but there was no joke in my voice when I answered.

X: “I mean, this. Us. Why does it feel so different?”

Ethan’s POV:

He caught me off guard, and for once, I didn’t have an answer ready. But I knew what he was asking, because I’d been thinking about it too. I leaned down, so close that I could feel his breath on my lips.

E: “Maybe because it is different.”

I was half-expecting him to crack a joke or push me away, but instead, he just looked up at me, eyes wide, and nodded.

X: “Yeah… I think I’m okay with that.”

And before I could second-guess myself, I kissed him. It wasn’t some grand, dramatic moment—just a soft, hesitant press of lips—but it felt like the most real thing I’d done in a long time.

When I pulled back, Xyleme was smiling, that same contagious grin, but this time it felt like he was letting me in on the joke.

X: “Took you long enough.”

I laughed, relieved, and kissed him again, deeper this time, feeling him relax into it. For once, neither of us felt the need to fill the silence with jokes or banter. There was just... us. And for now, that was enough.