Crossing States

Chapter 17

As autumn settled over the campus, the leaves began to turn brilliant shades of red and gold, mirroring the intensity of emotions swirling within Luca and Ethan's new relationship. With their budding romance still cloaked in secrecy, every stolen moment felt both exhilarating and heavy with unspoken implications. The weight of their hidden love began to press on them, creating a fragile tension that was hard to ignore.

The first few weeks of their relationship had been a whirlwind of discovery, but the novelty of sneaking around was starting to wear thin. During the day, they exchanged glances and shared subtle touches, but when friends were around, they retreated into the safety of platonic interactions. It felt increasingly disingenuous to pretend, especially as their feelings deepened.

One crisp afternoon, as they sat on a bench outside the student union, Luca watched as Ethan chatted animatedly with a group of friends. The sunlight illuminated Ethan's features, making him look almost ethereal, and Luca felt a wave of affection wash over him. But as he glanced around, he was struck by the thought of keeping their relationship hidden. It felt like they were living in two different worlds—one vibrant and full of love, the other stifling and full of secrecy.

"Hey, you okay?" Ethan asked, noticing Luca's distracted expression as he took a seat beside him, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Yeah, just... thinking," Luca replied, forcing a smile. "About everything."

Ethan tilted his head, his eyes searching Luca's face. "You've been quiet lately. Is it about us?"

Luca hesitated, his heart pounding at the thought of voicing his concerns. "I guess I'm just worried about keeping this a secret," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I love what we have, but it feels like we're hiding it."

Ethan sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know what you mean. It's hard pretending we're just friends when I feel so much more for you."

The honesty in Ethan's voice resonated deeply with Luca, but it also sparked a familiar fear. "What if our friends don't understand? What if it ruins everything?"

Ethan reached for Luca's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "We can't control how others react, but we have to be true to ourselves. I want to share this with the world, but I also want to make sure we're ready."

Luca nodded, torn between the thrill of their romance and the anxiety of revealing it to others. "I just... I don't want to lose our friendship if things go south."

Ethan looked at him, his expression earnest. "I promise you, our friendship is the foundation of this. No matter what happens, I won't let it ruin what we have."

Luca felt a flicker of hope at Ethan's words, but the worry lingered like a shadow, threatening to overshadow their happiness. They spent the rest of the afternoon navigating casual conversation, but Luca's mind kept returning to the issue of secrecy. As their relationship grew more complex, so did his fear of vulnerability.

That evening, after returning to their dorm, Luca found himself pacing the room, unable to shake off the weight of his thoughts. The familiar comfort of their space felt different now, infused with an undercurrent of tension. Ethan was seated at his desk, focused on his homework, but Luca knew he had to bring it up.