Boy Trouble GT

Chapter 26

[KYE]

The dorm had been cold all day. The kind of cold that seeped into everything—through the walls, under the door, into his bones. The heating system was worthless, chugging out lukewarm air like it had given up on even trying.

Kye hated the cold.

It made his already thin body feel even more frail, his fingers stiff, his shoulders locked up from how tense he had been all morning. He had bundled himself up as best as he could—his oversized hoodie, thick woolen socks that bunched at his ankles, sweatpants that felt just a little too loose but trapped enough heat to be bearable.

Still, it wasn't enough.

Curled up on the couch, he tugged his hoodie's drawstrings tighter, the fabric bunching around his face as he sunk deeper into himself. He pulled his knees up, resting his chin against them, his long legs barely fitting in the space he had created. His laptop was open on the coffee table, a half-hearted attempt at pretending he was doing something productive. The blue glow of the screen flickered against the dim lighting of the dorm, casting strange shadows against the walls.

He hadn't been able to focus. His mind was somewhere else. Kyes gray eyes flickered toward the front door.

It was a stupid habit, looking up every time he thought he heard something. He knew Mason wasn't home yet—he had practice, or maybe he was hanging out with friends, doing literally anything else—but still, Kye found himself waiting.

For what?

For Mason to come back?

For the dorm to feel less empty?

The couch felt too big without him.

Kye scowled at himself, shaking his head. What the hell is wrong with me?
He shifted, burying his hands inside the oversized sleeves of his hoodie, willing himself to stop thinking so much.

The door slammed open.

Kye flinched, looking up just as Mason stomped into the dorm, like a man offended by the weather, his sneakers scuffing loudly against the floor.

"It's freezing," Mason announced, throwing his arms up in exaggerated frustration. His breath was still visible from outside, little puffs of white escaping as he shivered violently, rubbing his arms with his palms. "Why the hell is it colder inside than it is outside?"

Kye blinked, unimpressed. "Because it's winter?"

Mason shot him a look. "Oh wow, thanks. I never would've figured that out." He hated winter. Mason lived for warm weather, would lounge under the sun for hours, soaking in its heat like a damn lizard until his tanned skin turned even darker. But now, in the middle of this cold snap, Mason looked absolutely miserable.

Kye rolled his eyes. "Maybe if you dressed properly, you wouldn't be suffering so much" Kye looked at Mason with a raised brow "Look at those tiny ass shorts"

"I dress properly!," Mason argued, glaring and still shivering.

Kye glanced down at him once more. Mason was wearing his usual—thin gym shorts and a tank top, like he hadn't accepted that the seasons had changed. His dark skin was covered in goosebumps, his muscles visibly tense from the cold.

Kye gave him a slow, judgmental once-over. "You do not."

Mason groaned dramatically, dragging his hands down his face. "I hate layering. I hate wearing sweaters. They're itchy, and just ugly! I hate feeling all bunched up." He shivered again, shifting from foot to foot. "I need sun. I need warmth. This? This is suffering."