The spring air nipped at Enzo's skin, crisp but not biting. The sun played hide-and-seek behind puffy clouds, teasing with the promise of warmth. Bright green leaves and grass sparkled with morning dew, like the world had been sprinkled with tiny diamonds.

Enzo's eyes tracked a drop of water as it slid down a blade of grass. He felt a pang in his chest, a bittersweet ache that matched the in-between season. Not quite winter's chill, not yet summer's embrace.

He breathed in deep, letting the earthy scent of new growth fill his lungs. It smelled like hope, like possibility. But hope was a tricky thing, wasn't it? It could lift you up or gut you like a fish.

A gentle breeze ruffled Enzo's hair, and he closed his eyes. For a moment, he let himself feel everything - the soft grass under his palms, the whisper of wind on his face, the warmth of sun on his eyelids when the clouds parted.

It was beautiful, sure. But beauty could be a trap, couldn't it? Enzo's lips quivered in a half-smile, tinged with irony. He'd learned that lesson the hard way. Still, he couldn't help but drink in the scene, storing it away like a photo in his mind.

Maybe he was overthinking again. Typical. But hey, at least the view was nice while his brain ran laps around itself.

"What are you doing here, Enzo?"

Ah, fuck. His morning was ruined - like, really ruined. He was just trying to be aesthetic and shit at the park with a hot cocoa in his hands. But someone had to pop out of nowhere and destroy it.

"Just trying to be a guy people fall in love with at first sight," Enzo said, forcing a smile.

Ian stood there, his eyes sparkling in the sun, messy light brown hair swaying in the breeze. He was the kind of guy people instantly liked - cute, warm, and energetic. But for Enzo, it wasn't that simple. He didn't hate Ian or anything, he just wasn't keen on reconnecting with someone from high school.

"I think you can do that without trying," Ian said with a grin.

Yeah, right. Like Enzo believed that.

"Can I sit here?" Ian smiled.

"Sure, you can take this seat," Enzo answered and started to gather his stuff, but Ian stopped him before he could stand up.

"Please, let's talk for a minute," Ian said, gently pulling Enzo back down. Talk? All of a sudden? Was there anything to talk about? Enzo didn't think so.

"Do you remember the last time we met?" Ian asked. "Like a week or two weeks ago?"

Enzo remembered it really well, but why did Ian have to bring it up? Back in high school, Ian had been popular among the students. He was good-looking, sure, but that was just a small part of his appeal. Still, he'd always been the kind of kid who easily forgot important details.

Once, he'd burst into the auditorium while the teachers were having a serious meeting. His excuse was that he'd forgotten the music class was cancelled. Enzo hadn't seen it himself, but he'd heard about it from a friend and that’s friend? Well, we shouldn't poke the bubble, should we?

"Yes," Enzo replied, taking a sip from his hot cocoa to avoid Ian's gaze. He suspected Ian might be after his number again, judging by how he was leaning in a bit closer. This guy really had no concept of personal space.

"So, can I get it now?" Ian smiled, pulling out his phone and offering it to Enzo.

Why did he have to put him in this tight spot? Enzo couldn't seem to find an excuse to get himself out of this situation. Maybe he could fake a faint? Or pretend to choke on his cocoa? It was just a number, he knew, but he didn't want to give it away.

"Can I?" Ian repeated, turning on the puppy dog eyes again. This guy - why did he want it so badly?

"Why do you want my number anyway?" Enzo asked, reluctantly taking the phone from Ian's hand.

"I like you," Ian said simply.

The fuck? What did he mean by that? Was he out of his mind? Or had he gotten some crazy idea from somewhere?

"Are you nuts?" Enzo blurted out. "Oh, sorry."

Ian looked at Enzo for a second before bursting into laughter. He grabbed Enzo's arm and squeezed it tightly, leaning his head on Enzo's shoulder. Has this guy gone completely insane? Enzo knew Ian was clingy, but why all this closeness? He tried to push him away with a nudge of his shoulder, but it didn't work.

"What's so funny?" Enzo asked, bewildered and uncomfortable.

"Your face," Ian managed between chuckles. "You looked so shocked. It's cute."

Enzo felt his cheeks heat up, unsure if it was from embarrassment or annoyance. "Look, Ian, I don't know what's going on here, but—"

"Relax," Ian said, finally releasing Enzo's arm and sitting up straight. His eyes were still sparkling with amusement. "I meant I like you as a friend. I want us to reconnect, that's all."

Enzo let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding. "You could've just said that from the start," he grumbled.

Ian grinned, but for a split second, something flickered in his eyes—something Enzo couldn't quite read. "Where's the fun in that? Come on, give me your number.”

"Look, Ian," Enzo sighed, tightening his grip on Ian's phone, "I feel like I have to be honest with you here."

Ian's smile didn't waver. "Go on."

Enzo took a deep breath. "I have no plans to reconnect with anyone from high school." He looked at Ian, expecting some reaction, but the smile remained plastered on Ian's face.

"I know," Ian said simply.

Enzo frowned. "Then why...?"

"Listen, I know you've been through a lot since high school," Ian continued, his smile softening slightly. "But I haven't kept in touch with my high school friends either. I cut all ties."

"But—" He paused, then reached out and gently picked something off of Enzo's hair, making him flinch involuntarily.

"Sorry," Ian apologised, his smile returning. "You're the only one I want to reconnect with, ever since that week when I saw you again."

Enzo's heart skipped a beat. Ian had said he liked him, yes, but as a friend. Yet, this felt different. Was this some kind of confession? It sounded off, not like a friend-to-friend kind of thing. Or maybe Enzo was just being paranoid? It's not that he hated the idea of a guy liking him, but it was unexpected, to say the least.

"I—" Enzo started, caught off guard. He'd let his defences down for just a moment, and now he was stuck listening to someone he least expected to have a deep conversation with.

"Enzo?" a voice called out, snapping him out of his trance.

It was his saviour, the one and only, Ronan Sinclair – Ronny.

"Didn't know I'd meet you here," Ronny said, his eyes flicking between Enzo and Ian. Beside him stood another man, his hair neatly combed, unlike Ronny's usual loose style. His green eyes were striking, and he bore a resemblance to Ronny, but with a more serious, almost like a strict teacher

"Ye... Yeah," Enzo stammered, pulling his hand back from Ian's.

"Am I interrupting something?" Ronny muttered while flickering his hair, strange…why did he look upset?

"Not at all," Enzo assured him with a smile, glancing at Ian who, strangely, also appeared a bit flustered.

"And who's this?" Ian asked, turning his attention to Ronny with a smile.

"I'm Ronan," Ronny replied with a smile. Wasn't he usually insistent on being called Ronny instead of Ronan? But that wasn't important right now.

"I'm Ian." The two shook hands, their grip lingering a little longer than usual and it seemed to last an uncomfortably long time.

Ronny finally broke the handshake and turned to Enzo with a smile. "And Enzo, this is my brother, the one we were talking about."

"Ah, yes," Enzo responded, returning the smile. "You two really do look like twins."

"Nice to meet you, Enzo," Nolan said, reaching out to shake Enzo's hand. "Our Ronron has been talking about you a lot."

"Ronron?" Enzo repeated, glancing at Ronny, who was trying to pull his brother back, his face flushed.

"Alright, but too bad we can't talk longer, Enzo," Nolan said, checking his watch. "We're running late, Ronron." He started walking ahead. "See you around, Enzo, and Ian too."

Ronny looked at Enzo and Ian. He wasn’t someone who always showed his emotions—sure, he might grin with that goofy smile, but beyond that, he didn’t reveal much. Yet, despite his red face from his brother calling him 'Ronron,' something seemed to be really stressing him out, eh?

"Right... I'll call you later," Ronny said, flipping his hair once more before hurrying after his brother.

"So, he's your friend?" Ian asked after the blonde brothers left.

"Yes," Enzo replied, his eyes fixed on Ian's phone in his hand.

"Ian, I'll give you my number," Enzo started, his finger hovering over the phone's screen, "but promise me one thing." Enzo said, hovering his finger over Ian’s phone. He had never been like this before…right? Or maybe he had acted differently at times, but that wasn’t the point. He wanted out of this situation, but it was too late to back out while Ronny was still here. To escape this awkward moment, he knew he had to act differently and just get the hell out of there.

"Sure, anything you want," Ian agreed with a smile.

"Don't give away my phone number to anyone else, especially..." Enzo trailed off, deliberately leaving a hint.

"Andrew?" Ian blurted out, though it wasn't entirely his fault. Enzo had practically handed him the answer on a silver platter.

Enzo frowned. "Yeah. Never. Ever. Or else."

"I won't, I swear. I can give you a pinky promise," Ian said, holding out his pinky finger.

Enzo hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly linked his pinky with Ian's. Yes, Enzo was an open book to everyone except himself, and Ian had just exploited that vulnerability. He quickly typed his number into Ian's phone, hoping this would be the end of it.

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“Wow, I really thought you were going to take longer” Ian chuckled, taking his phone back from Enzo.

"Yeah, I did consider it, but I'm tired," Enzo smiled, taking the last sip from his cocoa.

They fell into a silent game, Ian seemed content to simply observe the world around them, a smile gracing his lips every time Enzo glanced his way. This man was so weird. Did he really not know how to take a hint?

"When we were back in high school..." Ian began, turning to look at Enzo.

"You really stood out from everyone else, you know," he continued, rubbing his hands together.

"I really don't think so," Enzo mumbled, looking away.

"You really did," Ian insisted. "I always wanted to get to know you better, but they told me not to." He smiled. "You know I was friends with that person, right?"

"Yes," Enzo nodded

"Well, I tried to talk to you privately. I don't know how many times, but he always interrupted," Ian chuckled.

Enzo reflected on this. It was true - back in high school, he and Ian never really exchanged words without interruption from that lunatic. They just exchanged hellos in the morning, that's all. They weren't close and didn't even count as friends. Even Enzo's knowledge of Ian's personality came from observation, not closeness.

"But here we are, having a conversation," Ian smiled.

"That's right," Enzo said.

"Well, I better get going," Ian said, flashing another smile. "Actually, I'm really late for a blind date."

"It's pretty late now, but getting to talk to you was worth getting scolded," Ian said, standing up. Enzo felt oddly bad for Ian's date.

"I think I better call her and head home," Ian said, wiggling his phone in his hand. "Can I call you tonight?"

"Why?" Enzo asked. Yeah, why did he want to call tonight anyway? It's not like there was much to talk about.

"I don't know, I just want to," Ian replied with a smile, patting Enzo's head lightly. Enzo flinched again at the unexpected touch.

"Then, see you around," Ian said, waving goodbye as he walked away.

As Ian's figure disappeared into the distance, Enzo slumped back onto the bench, exhaling deeply.

It was a weird morning to start with. All the people he'd met today made him feel like he was living in a novel or something. It wasn't like this town was small or anything, but he always seemed to run into someone he knew. Meeting Ronny and Nolan was understandable since there was a science lab near where he lived, but what about Ian?

Enzo rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of it all. The peaceful morning he'd planned had turned into a parade of familiar faces, each bringing their own complications. Ronny with his intense gaze, and now Ian with his... whatever that was.

He glanced at his phone, wondering if Ian would really call tonight. Part of him hoped he wouldn't, while another part – a part he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge – felt a twinge of curiosity.

Shaking his head, Enzo stood up. He'd come here for some quiet reflection, but instead got a morning full of unexpected encounters. As he walked away from the bench, he couldn't help but wonder what other surprises the day or maybe night? might bring.

Enzo went back to his apartment, finding it warmer inside than expected. The aesthetic jacket he'd worn for his morning outing now felt stifling. He tossed it aside, his attempts at looking cool thoroughly ruined.

He jumped back on his mattress and buried his face in the pillow. The soft fabric muffled his groan of frustration. Rolling onto his back, he stared at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind.

His phone buzzed, making him jump. For a split second, he thought it might be Ian, calling way earlier than promised. But no, it was just a notification from some app. Enzo let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding.

"Get a grip," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. It was just a weird morning, that's all. Nothing to get worked up about. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted, that the comfortable routine of his life had been nudged off-kilter.

Enzo closed his eyes, hoping for a moment of peace.

Maybe getting a part-time job? The thought floated in, a potential solution to kill some time before the break ends and perhaps earn some extra cash. But as quickly as the idea came, exhaustion washed over him. To think about getting up every morning to work... he felt drained just imagining it.

He hugged a pillow to his chest. The responsible part of him knew a job might be a good idea - structure, income, something to focus on. But another part rebelled against adding any more complications to his life.

"One thing at a time," Enzo murmured to himself. He'd deal with job hunting later. For now, he just wanted to lie here, in the safety of his apartment, and try to relax.

His phone buzzed. Enzo eyed it warily, wondering if he should even bother checking. With a sigh, he reached for the device. A strange number flashed on the screen. He could bet who it was.

'Enzo it's me Ian'

Yeah, as expected. Ian was really that eager to talk to him.

'Save this number ok?'

Another message came in before Enzo could type back.

'Ok'

Enzo answered and tossed the phone back to where it was. No further messages came from Ian. He closed his eyes again, deciding to take a nap to kill some time. He didn't know what else to do at this moment.

As he drifted off, Enzo wondered vaguely why Ian was so insistent on keeping in touch. It was a puzzle for another time, though. Right now, sleep seems like the best thing to do.

Enzo jolted awake around evening but didn't know what time, his phone ringing incessantly. Ronny's name flashed on the screen. Right, he had mentioned calling later.

"Took you long enough," Ronny's low voice greeted him when he answered.

"I was taking a nap, what do you want?" Enzo mumbled, still half asleep.

"Are you free right now?" Ronny inquired.

"Yeah, always free," Enzo replied with a yawn.

"Want to do something fun today?" The unexpected question caught Enzo off guard. This guy always seemed to come up with something out of the blue.

"What is it?" Enzo asked, curiosity piqued.

"Come to my house today," Ronny said simply.

Enzo's eyes widened. This was the first time Ronny had invited him over. He didn't know why, but he was definitely going.

"Sure, send me the address then," Enzo couldn't help but smile. He was excited at the prospect of making a new friend, maybe even a best friend.

"No, I'll pick you up," Ronny insisted.

"No need, I—" Enzo started, but Ronny cut him off.

"I'll pick you up," he repeated firmly. Enzo knew better than to argue. Ronny could be surprisingly stubborn, and if Enzo didn't let him, he'd probably sulk.

"Yeah, yeah, okay. Just pick me up at the park where we met this morning, 'kay?" Enzo said. "What time will you be there?"

"How about in an hour?" Ronny suggested.

"What? Ah... okay," Enzo replied, sitting up straighter. "Just call me when you leave your house."

"Okay, see you later," Ronny said before hanging up.

Today was turning out to be quite a day. Enzo could tell. He got up and headed to the bathroom to wash up and change into sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. Judging by Ronny's personality, he probably wouldn't be taking him to a club or anything fancy. Maybe the gym?

An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Enzo walked to the park when Ronny called, noticing how different it looked at evening compared to the morning. It was quieter, calmer, and warmer, but that was fine. Just as he was about to sit on a bench, the honk of a vehicle caught his attention.

It wasn't a car, but a motorcycle. Ronny sat astride it, lifting his helmet visor and frowning at Enzo. Why was he frowning? Enzo had no idea. Ronny gestured for him to come closer and handed him a helmet. It was simple, nothing like the one Ronny was wearing. Yeah, it was not cool at all.

Ronny helped Enzo onto the motorcycle, his hands steady as he guided Enzo's legs into place. It wasn't that Enzo was short, okay? He was tall compared to most people, and Ronny was only a couple of inches taller. But Ronny was clearly a gym rat, all muscle and lean physique, and this damn motorcycle seemed taller than Enzo had anticipated.

"You can hold onto my waist, like this," Ronny instructed once Enzo was settled. He took Enzo's hands and wrapped them around his own torso. Damn, this guy had a ridiculously good body, even through his shirt.

"Yeah, you can rub it all you want," Ronny chuckled, catching Enzo off guard and making him blush furiously.

"Sorry, please go now," Enzo stammered, trying to loosen his grip, but Ronny held firm, ensuring Enzo was securely holding on before taking off.

The ride was surprisingly enjoyable. Enzo saw the town from a new perspective, the wind whipping past him as they sped through the streets. After about ten minutes, they arrived at Ronny's house. It was large, but not manor-sized. A modern Tudor-style house with a spacious yard that looked perfect for a dog to run around in, and a patio that seemed ideal for a barbecue night.

"Can you get down on your own?" Ronny asked, removing his helmet. Damn, he was a good-looking guy. If Enzo were a woman, he'd probably be trying to flirt with him right now.

"Yeah, no problem," Enzo said, dismounting from the motorcycle. He stumbled a bit but managed to get off without help. He handed Ronny back the helmet and straightened his shirt.

"Is your brother home?" Enzo asked, trying to peek through the front door.

"Why? Do you like him?" Ronny's question caught Enzo off guard. Why did he have to assume Enzo liked his brother just because he asked if he was home? Wasn't that a normal question?

"No, I was just asking," Enzo sighed, playfully hitting Ronny's arm.

"Yeah, that's good," Ronny replied. Why did everyone seem so strange today?

"Come on in," Ronny said, holding the door open for Enzo.

The interior of the house was warm and inviting. It wasn't the temperature that made it feel that way, but rather the cosy cottage-style decor. It wasn't exactly Enzo's style, but who was he to judge someone's taste based on their appearance?

"No one's home today," Ronny said, taking off his gloves.

"Oh?" Enzo replied, a bit surprised.

"So even if we do something bad today, no one will know," Ronny winked playfully.

Enzo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. What did he mean by "something bad"? And with that goofy grin on his face, Enzo had the sudden urge to punch him.

"Come to my room, I need your help with something," Ronny said, leading the way upstairs.

Right, of course, he needed Enzo for something.

"I really can't figure out these lyrics," Ronny explained as he climbed the stairs.

He opened the door to his room, revealing a stark contrast to the cosy living room. It was dark and red, exuding a rock-and-roll vibe. If this room were a person, it would be a man in a leather jacket, a red t-shirt peeking out, playing a guitar with a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"Here..." Ronny said, handing Enzo the paper. It was covered in scribbles and cross-outs.

Enzo read through it while Ronny sat on the bed, fidgeting nervously. The lyrics were indeed bland, and Enzo couldn't help but think that Ronny was a bit crazy.

"I know why these lyrics don't make sense," Enzo said, joining Ronny on the bed.

"Why?" Ronny asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"You're trying to write a love song," Enzo paused, looking at Ronny with a raised eyebrow, "but you've never been in love? Are you dumb?"

Ronny just grinned at him.

"Stop with that smile," Enzo said, handing the paper back. "Lips that are soft like a marshmallow? You serious?"

"It's a metaphor," Ronny retorted, but he took the paper back nonetheless. "But whatever, how should it be then?"

"You gotta try that for yourself... the feeling when people kiss. It's good, it can make people melt away," Enzo said, closing his eyes, trying to recall the sensation of his last kiss.

"Kissing is good, but some kisses can be bitter and cruel," Enzo added, nodding.

"I don't know about that because I've never experienced it before," Ronny said, his voice closer than before.

"As I said, you gotta learn it for yourself," Enzo replied, keeping his eyes closed. He was right. Something like this, they had to learn for themselves since it was so emotional, and kisses held different meanings for different people.

"Well, I don't know how to learn about it. I need a teacher," Ronny said, and Enzo could hear the paper rustling beside him.

"Uh-huh," Enzo mumbled, opening his eyes and blinking to adjust to the light as he turned to look at Ronny.

As his vision cleared, Ronny’s face came into sharp focus—not because his eyes had adjusted, but because Ronny was so close. His handsome features were even more striking up close, his green and brown eyes sparkling as they locked onto him. Warm breath, tinged with the scent of mint, brushed his skin.

Ronny opened his mouth to speak, his voice a low whisper,

"Can you teach me then?"