The Grapevine

Chapter Three

The weeks after the "rumored boyfriend" incident, Sean couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. It wasn't just the whispers behind his back or the subtle glances that followed him every time he walked down the hall. No, it was something deeper—an odd tension that had found its way into his usual routine.

It wasn't that Sean cared about the rumors. In fact, they didn't bother him at all. But it was the fact that it involved Eric Young—Eric, who was a complete mystery to him. The same Eric who, for all intents and purposes, was just a figure in the background of his life. The guy with the perfect smile, the cool demeanor, the soft eyes that were always watching from a distance. Sean had noticed him in passing—he'd heard stories about Eric from others. But that was it.

It wasn't until the class started that day, when Eric's name was mentioned by the professor, that Sean's thoughts fully returned to him.

The classroom was a large, spacious lecture hall—one of those grand old buildings that seemed to echo every sound, every whispered word. The students sat in neat rows, murmuring amongst themselves, while Sean found his usual seat near the front. His desk was covered in neatly organized notes and a laptop, his textbook propped open with the faintest crease at the edge, the evidence of a recent study session.

Daniel slid into the seat beside him with a grin, immediately nudging Sean with his elbow.

"What's up, man? You look a little off today. Are you stressed about something?" Daniel asked, his voice low enough so the professor wouldn't hear.

Sean glanced at him and gave a short shrug. "Nah, just thinking about the whole rumored boyfriend thing," he muttered, his fingers tapping the edge of his desk. "It's weird, Dan. I don't know how to feel about it."

Daniel chuckled. "Weird? Sean, it's funny. Everyone's talking about you and Eric, like you're some celebrity couple. I mean, how do you not see the humor in that?"

Sean rolled his eyes. "It's not funny when it's based on complete nonsense. We barely know each other."

"I don't know," Daniel grinned mischievously. "You two look good together. There's some serious tension when you're around him."

Sean shot Daniel a skeptical look. "You're just messing with me."

"Maybe," Daniel's grin widened, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes—something teasing but thoughtful, like he wasn't entirely joking. "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if there was something there, though. You guys have this whole... vibe, you know?"

Before Sean could respond, the door at the front of the room opened, and in walked Eric, sliding into his seat a few rows over. The instant he entered, the atmosphere shifted—like the air held its breath for a brief second. Sean noticed how the students seemed to quiet down just a little more, the scattered whispers turning into hushed conversations as Eric strode down the aisle.

"Wait," Daniel leaned in, his voice low but teasing. "You have the same class as him?"

Sean shot him a quick glance, feigning nonchalance. "It's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" Daniel smirked, nudging Sean's arm. "I'm just saying, people are definitely connecting dots right now. You, him, same room, the rumor—it's practically a drama plot."

"Can you not?" Sean muttered, his tone clipped, though his cheeks felt warmer than he liked.

"Relax," Daniel said, still grinning. "I'm just messing with you. But honestly, it's kind of funny, isn't it? The universe throwing you two together like this."

Sean gave him a flat look. "You're reading way too much into this."

"Am I?" Daniel said, arching a brow. "Because if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were sneaking glances at him just now."