Crossing States

Chapter 15

The days had passed in a blur of anticipation and anxiety, but now, as Luca stood outside their dorm room, he felt a surge of courage. He had spent so much time reflecting on his feelings for Ethan, and he was finally ready to share his truth. The rain had cleared, leaving behind a fresh, cool breeze that filled the air with the scent of wet earth and new beginnings.

Taking a deep breath, Luca knocked softly on the door. Almost instantly, it swung open to reveal Ethan, who wore an expression of hopeful expectancy that made Luca's heart race.

"Hey," Ethan said, a smile breaking across his face. "I was just thinking about you."

"Yeah? I've been doing a lot of that," Luca admitted, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. The familiar surroundings felt different, charged with a new energy that crackled in the air between them.

They settled on their respective beds, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the atmosphere. Luca's heart pounded in his chest as he searched for the right words. "So... I've had some time to think about everything," he began, his voice steady but slightly shaky.

Ethan nodded, his expression encouraging. "Me too. I just want you to know that I'm here, no matter what."

Luca took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Ethan's gaze on him. "I've come to realize that I have feelings for you, too. I've liked you for a long time, and I didn't want to admit it because I was scared." The words tumbled out in a rush, as if they had been waiting for the right moment to escape.

Ethan's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and joy dancing across his face. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yeah," Luca said, his cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "I've been trying to rationalize it, but there's just something about you that I can't ignore. I didn't want to ruin our friendship, but I can't pretend anymore."

Ethan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I feel the same way, Luca. You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that." His smile widened, and for a moment, the awkwardness melted away, replaced by the warmth of their connection.

"Really? You're not just saying that?" Luca asked, his heart racing at the thought.

"I promise. I've been waiting for you to say something," Ethan replied, his sincerity evident. "I was scared I'd messed everything up when I confessed."

Luca chuckled nervously, the weight of his fears starting to lift. "Well, I guess we both had our fears, huh?"

"Yeah," Ethan said, his voice softening. "So, where do we go from here?"

Luca felt a surge of determination. "How about we take this to the next level? I want to ask you on a date."

Ethan's eyes lit up, and a grin broke across his face. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely," Luca replied, his pulse quickening. "I think we should go out—just the two of us. No more hiding."

"I'd love that," Ethan said, the joy evident in his voice. "When?"

Luca considered it for a moment. "How about this Saturday? We could grab dinner and maybe go for a walk. I know a nice spot near campus."

"It's a date," Ethan said, his excitement palpable. "I can't wait."

The air between them felt lighter now, filled with promise and the thrill of what was to come. Luca couldn't help but smile, the nervousness that had clung to him dissipating. The thought of going on a date with Ethan, of exploring this new territory together, filled him with hope and anticipation.

As they talked and planned the details, laughter began to bubble up between them, the awkwardness of their earlier conversations melting away. They fell back into their familiar rhythm, and for the first time in days, Luca felt truly at ease.

The conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by laughter and teasing, but beneath it all, there was an undeniable excitement brewing—a sense that something beautiful was beginning to blossom between them.

As they finally settled down for the night, Luca felt a warmth spread through him, a feeling of belonging that he hadn't realized he'd missed. There was still a long way to go, but for the first time, he could see a future filled with possibility.

"Hey, Luca?" Ethan said, glancing over as they prepared to turn in for the night."Yeah?" Luca replied, turning to meet his gaze.

"Thanks for being honest with me. It means a lot," Ethan said, his tone serious yet soft.

"Thank you for being so patient with me," Luca replied, feeling the weight of his words. "I'm really excited about this."

"Me too," Ethan said, a smile lighting up his face. "This is going to be great."

As they both settled into their beds, a sense of anticipation filled the room, mingling with the cool evening air. The promise of their first date lingered like a sweet secret, and Luca couldn't help but feel that they were standing on the brink of something wonderful.

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