Crossing States

Chapter 13

The storm rolled in suddenly, dark clouds swirling overhead and casting a shadow over the campus. The first drops of rain began to patter against the windows of their dorm room, creating a soothing rhythm that contrasted sharply with the heavy tension hanging in the air. Ethan and Luca had spent the day in silence, the remnants of their earlier argument still lingering like an uninvited guest.

As the rain poured outside, it felt as if the world was washing away, yet inside their room, everything felt stagnant. Luca sat on his bed, staring at the floor, unable to shake the weight of his thoughts. Every time he looked at Ethan, his heart raced, a mixture of confusion and frustration swirling within him. He replayed the argument over and over, his mind caught in a loop of what-ifs and regrets.

Ethan paced the small space, anxiety creeping in with every passing second. He had tried to act normal, to put on a brave face, but the truth was he felt like he was about to burst. The rain seemed to amplify his emotions, drowning out the logical part of his mind that told him to keep quiet. Instead, it was as if the storm had awakened something deep inside him—something that demanded to be expressed.

"Luca," he said suddenly, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. Luca looked up, startled. "We need to talk."

Luca felt a flutter of anxiety in his chest but nodded, his throat suddenly dry. "Okay..."

Ethan took a deep breath, his heart racing. The sound of rain pounding against the window echoed in his ears, and he knew there was no backing down now. "I can't keep this to myself anymore." He took a step closer, his gaze steady on Luca's face. "I have feelings for you, okay? More than just friends."

The words hung in the air like a lightning strike, illuminating the room with shock and uncertainty. Luca's heart dropped, caught in a whirlwind of emotions. He blinked, his mind racing as he tried to process Ethan's confession. "Ethan... I..."

"I didn't want to say anything before, but it's been eating at me for weeks," Ethan continued, his voice rising above the sound of the rain. "I thought maybe it was just a phase, or something that would fade away, but it hasn't. I really like you, Luca. I want to be more than just friends."

Silence enveloped them, the tension crackling in the air as Luca struggled to find his voice. His heart raced, torn between shock and a flicker of something more profound. Ethan's confession had turned everything upside down, and for a moment, all he could hear was the pounding of the rain.

"I... I don't know what to say," Luca finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. The weight of Ethan's words felt like a tidal wave, crashing over him and leaving him gasping for breath. "I need time to think."

With that, Luca stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor, and moved toward the door. He couldn't stay in the room with the overwhelming weight of what Ethan had just said. The rain pelted against the window, a perfect mirror to the chaos swirling inside him.

"Luca, wait!" Ethan called out, panic rising in his chest. He felt a rush of fear that he had ruined everything—that their friendship was slipping through his fingers like sand. "Please don't go!"

But Luca didn't stop. He pushed the door open, the cold air from the hallway hitting him like a slap. He stepped into the chaos of the storm, needing to escape, to breathe. The rain poured down around him, soaking him to the skin, but he didn't care. It felt like a welcome distraction from the turmoil raging inside his heart.

He walked outside, the rain blurring the world around him. Each drop felt like a release, washing away the confusion that had taken root in his mind. He couldn't believe Ethan had confessed his feelings, and yet the reality of it left him breathless. Part of him was thrilled—there was a longing in his heart that matched Ethan's feelings. But the other part of him was terrified of the implications, of the possibility that their friendship could change forever.

Ethan remained inside the dorm, his heart pounding as he listened to the rain pelting against the window. He felt like he had just exposed his soul, and now Luca was gone, leaving him alone in the storm of his own making. What if Luca never came back? What if he had pushed him away for good?

He sank onto his bed, his thoughts racing, each one a painful reminder of the risk he had taken. "What have I done?" he whispered to himself, the fear coiling tightly in his chest. He could only hope that Luca would return, that this wasn't the end of their friendship, but the uncertainty gnawed at him, leaving him feeling hollow.

Outside, Luca stood in the rain, letting the cold water wash over him. He could feel the weight of his confusion pressing down on him, and for a moment, he allowed himself to feel everything—fear, longing, uncertainty. The rain mixed with the tears he refused to let fall, creating a bittersweet blend of emotion. He knew he needed to figure this out, but for now, all he could do was stand there, lost in the storm, unsure of what came next.

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