Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter LI - Long Overdue

The air hung warm and heavy, still carrying a hint of humidity from earlier rains. Palm fronds near the law building swayed in the breeze, their bright green leaves in soft contrast to the grey skies. A pale sunlight filtered through the expansive windows of the hallway, casting faint shadows across the polished floors.

Sean dropped on the bench by the head of the department office with a heavy sigh. He looked exhausted, but the satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable. The past few weeks had been a blur, caught between university, his internship, and a project that was finally starting to take shape. It involved two directions: one with RSAT and the other through the university.

After the meetup and the alarming number of arrests within the LGBTQ community, the organisation was highly receptive to his proposal to expand its outreach. His idea of creating a digital platform for their legal department to offer free advice aimed at family members would enable those in similar situations as he and Fort were to access the necessary help. Sean knew finding partners and launching an awareness campaign would take time, but it was a good start.

Still, the most significant part of his plan hinged on the university's cooperation and the meeting he was waiting for now. His fingers gripped the folder containing his proposal tightly. Sean believed it was solid and relied on a known concept, but he was still just a student. Would the head of the department take him seriously? A part of him wanted to discuss it with Jay, but another part wanted to handle it on his own.

Suddenly, cheerful laughter filled the hallway, and a familiar figure appeared. Seeing him, Cherry finished the call and waved, but then her eyebrow raised curiously as she glanced at the plaque on the door.

"Oh? Did you get in trouble?"

Sean rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Just a little extra thing I'm working on before graduation."

"No wonder you are number one in our major," Cherry chuckled awkwardly. "While I'm just hoping to not fail anything and miraculously graduate."

They chatted about the first week of classes when Cherry's friend finally left the tutor's office, looking a bit haggard. Still, when she saw them together, Prim looked at them suggestively.

"You two should finally make it official."

Cherry instantly shook her head. "Not a chance. Besides, Sean is in a relationship, so stop saying things that may lead to misunderstanding."

"Really? Do I know her?" Prim asked curiously, eager for a gossip.

Sean smiled faintly. "No, you don't know him."

Cherry grinned, slipping into her fangirl mode. "They look so hot together, it should be considered a crime. Not to mention a bit of devilish circumstances. Oh, I'm so rooting for them," she squealed, looking like a female version of Win.

Prim blinked, processing the correction, before waving her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. You'll come back to women anyway. All bi men do. In the end, they know what's better for them."

Sean looked at her in disbelief as if unable to comprehend what a person with an opinion like this was doing in their major. Most disappointing of all was that yet another person questioned his commitment to Jay because of his orientation. It stung, but he wouldn't let it show.

Cherry, however, wasn't as composed. She shot to her feet, glaring at her now former friend. "What the hell, Prim! I had no idea you are such a bigoted moron," she uttered, then grabbed Prim's arm and pulled her away with a sharp tug. "I'm sorry you had to hear it, but remember, it's just brainless bullshit. See you next week, okay?"