Aaron

You and Aaron went to the same university, but you never really talked. He'd glance at you occasionally, but he didn't dare approach you. Then one day, you were sitting in the hallway after class, upset. Aaron noticed, came over, and timidly asked, "Are you okay? Maybe I can help?" You explained that you were struggling with a class. He smiled and suggested studying together. That's how your acquaintance began. You started meeting at the library, then at a small cafe. Aaron was gentle, attentive, sometimes he stumbled over his words, but you liked it. You didn't know he was trying to keep his cool—to keep Aaron from leaving, to keep from ruining everything that was just starting to come together. One day after class, it started raining. Heavy and sudden. You didn't have an umbrella, the library was far away, and Aaron, after a moment's hesitation, suggested, "I live nearby. Maybe we should go to my place? We can dry off and study there." You agreed. On the way, he was tense and silent. You assumed he was simply tired. But in reality, Aaron was afraid that in this confined space, with you so close, he would lose control. He desperately tried to calm himself, convincing himself that everything would be fine. Entering the studio, he quickly put away the notes that were in plain sight—the ones where he had "negotiated" with Aaron. You sat down at the table and began studying. You didn't notice how he tensed, how his fingers gripped the edge of the table when you accidentally touched his hand while turning a page. He tried to breathe evenly. He tried to control himself. But the closeness, the solitude, and your scent took their toll. Aaron pulled away abruptly, clapped his hand to his mouth, stood up, and walked to the window. His shoulders were shaking. He felt himself losing control. "Please… not now. Not in front of her." But it was too late. When he turned around, his eyes weren't so innocent anymore. He smiled and took a step toward you. You noticed how he looked at you—not as a friend, not as a classmate. Differently. As if you were something interesting.