The Space Between Us

Chapter 8: The Aftermath

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Ethan didn’t go back to the dorm that afternoon. He couldn’t. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and all he could think about was that kiss—the way Mark had kissed him, the way it felt so wrong and yet, somehow, so confusingly… intense. He hated himself for not pulling away sooner, for letting it happen at all. But what bothered him more was the fact that it happened at all. Why had Mark kissed him? And what did that mean for his and Aaron’s relationship, if anything?

He had walked aimlessly around campus for hours, until his feet had brought him to a quiet corner of the library. He found an empty table in the back, far away from anyone who might see him, and sat there, trying to make sense of everything.

He felt like he was on the edge of something—something big—and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for it. Was he even ready to confront Aaron? To tell him what had happened? To admit that everything was starting to feel way more complicated than it had been before?

"Hey."

Ethan’s heart jumped at the familiar voice. He looked up, and there stood Aaron, his face soft with concern, eyes scanning Ethan’s face as if trying to decipher what was going on inside his head. Ethan opened his mouth to say something, but the words caught in his throat.

Aaron took a seat across from him without waiting for an invitation. "I’ve been looking for you," he said, his voice gentle, but there was an edge of worry in it. "What happened earlier? I saw you leave the café, but when I went after you, you were gone. You didn’t respond to my texts. What’s going on, Ethan?"

Ethan’s stomach twisted. He hadn’t wanted Aaron to find him like this—not with everything that had happened. He didn’t want Aaron to see him like this, so confused, so hurt. He opened his mouth, but the words still wouldn’t come.

"Did… did something happen?" Aaron pressed, his voice quieter now, but the concern in his eyes deepened. "You can tell me, you know."

Ethan looked at him, and for a long moment, he just stared. He wanted to tell Aaron everything—the kiss, the feelings he was struggling with, the mess inside his chest. But he didn’t know how to put it into words. Instead, he just looked at Aaron, seeing the way the light caught in his eyes, the way his brow furrowed with worry. Ethan felt a pang of guilt. He didn’t want to hurt Aaron, didn’t want to cause any more tension between them than there already was.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ethan spoke. "Mark kissed me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, the words tasting bitter as they left his lips.

Aaron froze. His eyes widened for a split second, and Ethan could see the shock register on his face. But then, just as quickly, his expression softened, and he let out a breath, as if the weight of those words had finally sunk in.

"I didn’t… I didn’t mean for that to happen," Ethan continued, his voice trembling. "I don’t know why he did it. It just… it just happened."

Aaron was quiet for a moment, his gaze steady on Ethan. "Did you kiss him back?"

Ethan shook his head quickly, his heart pounding in his chest. "No. I didn’t. I swear."

There was a long pause before Aaron spoke again. "I trust you," he said quietly, his eyes still locked onto Ethan’s. "I just don’t trust him."

Ethan blinked, surprised by the certainty in Aaron’s voice. "But you’re still friends with him, aren’t you? You still talk to him."

Aaron sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It’s complicated. I thought I had moved on from him, but I guess I didn’t. And I guess I’ve been avoiding facing it. But it’s not about him anymore, Ethan." He paused, his gaze softening. "It’s about us."

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat at the words. "Us?" he echoed, a feeling of warmth spreading in his chest despite everything.

Aaron reached across the table, placing his hand gently over Ethan’s. "I care about you, Ethan," he said, his voice steady, sincere. "And I know I’ve been distant. I’ve been holding back. But I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t want to hide from what I feel for you. I don’t want to pretend this—" He gestured between them, his fingers brushing Ethan’s hand. "—isn’t something real."

Ethan felt his throat tighten, his heart hammering. For a moment, all the confusion, the jealousy, the pain of the last few days seemed to fade away. It was just Aaron, sitting there across from him, his gaze full of something Ethan didn’t quite have a name for yet. But it was there. It was real.

"I’m scared," Ethan admitted quietly, his voice barely audible. "Scared of… losing you. Scared that maybe you don’t feel the same way. Scared that maybe I’m just holding on to something that’s not real."

Aaron squeezed his hand, leaning in closer, his face just inches from Ethan’s. "You’re not holding on to something that’s not real," he said softly. "This is real, Ethan. And I don’t want you to be scared. Not with me. Not ever."

Ethan’s breath caught in his throat as Aaron closed the gap between them. Without thinking, he leaned forward, his lips meeting Aaron’s in a kiss that was gentle at first, tentative. But it quickly deepened as they both gave in to the need that had been growing between them. It was a kiss full of everything—confusion, relief, longing, and hope.

When they finally pulled away, their foreheads pressed together, both of them breathing a little faster, Ethan felt like the weight he’d been carrying for so long had finally lifted.

"I don’t want to lose you either," Ethan whispered, his fingers brushing Aaron’s cheek. "I’m still figuring things out, but I want this. I want us."

Aaron smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made Ethan’s heart flutter. "Then we’ll figure it out together," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to Ethan’s lips once more. "No more running away. Not from me. Not from this."

Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of peace settle over him for the first time in what felt like forever. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, he wasn’t afraid to walk it. Not with Aaron by his side.

To be continued

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