Chapter 26 FALLING
Elias
“You need to meet his friends,” Elias’s sister said over the phone.
“Why?”
“Because you’re dating him. That’s what people do. They meet each other’s friends.”
Elias was lying on his bed staring at his ceiling. Two weeks since their first kiss and he still couldn’t stop thinking about it. “What if they hate me?”
“Why would they hate you?”
“I’m older. I’m graduating. I’m the TA everyone’s talking about.”
“So? You’re also the guy who wrote Alex six letters and waited at that rose arch. They’ll love you.”
Elias wasn’t convinced. But when Alex texted an hour later asking if he wanted to meet Des and Sana, he said yes anyway.
They met at the café on Saturday afternoon. Alex was already there with two other people. One guy in a bright yellow jacket. One girl in a hijab with sharp eyes.
“This is Des,” Alex said, gesturing to the guy. “And Sana.”
Des stood up immediately. Shook Elias’s hand with a grip that was slightly too firm. “So you’re the one who made Alex cry for two months.”
“Des,” Alex hissed.
“What? It’s true. You cried a lot.”
Elias’s stomach dropped. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to him,” Sana said, still sitting. “He’s being dramatic. Alex cried twice. Maybe three times.”
“Four,” Alex muttered.
Des grinned. “See? Four times. You’re very important.”
They sat down. Ordered coffee. The silence was awkward and heavy.
Des broke it first. “So. TA, huh? That’s a whole thing.”
“I’m not his TA,” Elias said. “Alex isn’t in any of my sections.”
“But you are a TA. And he is an undergrad. People are talking.”
“Des,” Alex said again. Sharper this time.
“What? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking.” Des leaned forward. “Look. Alex is my best friend. Has been since freshman year. And I’ve watched him pine over you for months. So I need to know you’re serious about this.”
“I am.”
“How serious? Because in four months you’re graduating and leaving and Alex is going to be here alone.”
“I don’t know what’s happening in four months.”
“So you’re just winging it?”
“We’re figuring it out together.”
Des studied him for a long moment. Then sat back. “Okay. Good enough.”
“That’s it?” Elias asked.
“That’s it. I just needed to know you weren’t playing with him.”
Sana finally spoke. “My turn. Are you over your ex?”
Elias blinked. “What?”
“Your ex. Carter, right? Are you over him? Because if you’re using Alex to get over someone else, that’s not okay.”
“I’m not using Alex for anything.”
“Good. Because he’s already convinced he’s not good enough for you. If you confirm that, I’ll make your life very difficult.”
Alex’s face was bright red. “Can we please stop interrogating him?”
“We’re not interrogating,” Des said. “We’re getting to know him. Right, Elias?”
Elias looked at Alex. At his mortified expression. The way his hands were gripping his coffee cup so hard his knuckles were white.
“It’s okay,” Elias said. “I get it. You’re protecting him.”
“Exactly,” Sana said. “So to be clear. Are you serious about him?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to hurt him?”
“Not intentionally.”
“What about unintentionally?”
“I hope not. But I can’t promise I won’t mess up sometimes.”
Sana nodded. “Fair. One more question. Do you love him?”
The café went silent. Alex’s eyes went wide. Elias’s heart stopped.
“It’s been two weeks,” Elias said.
“That’s not an answer.”
Elias looked at Alex. At his brown eyes and nervous hands and the way he was trying to disappear into his chair.
“I’m falling,” Elias said. “Does that count?”
“For now,” Sana said. “But if you hurt him, I know where you live.”
“You don’t actually.”
“I’ll find out.”
Des laughed. “Okay, interrogation over. Let’s talk about something normal. Like how Alex can’t shut up about you.”
“I can too,” Alex protested.
“You literally texted me at 2 AM last night to tell me about how Elias recommended a book.”
“It was a good book.”
“It was Terry Pratchett. Everyone knows Terry Pratchett.”
“I didn’t,” Alex said quietly.
Elias reached under the table. Found Alex’s hand. Squeezed gently. Alex squeezed back.
They talked for another hour. About classes and graduation and plans. Des was doing fashion design. Sana was pre-med. They were both stressed and tired and somehow still functional.
“What about you?” Sana asked Elias. “What are you doing after graduation?”
“Still figuring that out.”
“The grad program across the country?” she pressed.
“Maybe. Or maybe something here.”
“Because of Alex?”
“Partly. But also because I’m not sure leaving is what I actually want.”
Des and Sana exchanged a look. Some silent communication Elias couldn’t read.
“Okay,” Des said finally. “You pass.”
“Pass what?”
“The friend test. You’re not perfect but you’re trying. That’s good enough.”
After they left, Elias walked Alex back to his dorm.
“I’m sorry about that,” Alex said. “They’re protective.”
“It’s fine. It’s good that you have people who care.”
“Were they too harsh?”
“No. They asked fair questions.” Elias pulled Alex into the shadow between buildings. Away from the main path. “Can I kiss you?”
“You don’t have to ask every time.”
“I want to. Want to make sure you want it too.”
“I always want it.”
Elias kissed him slowly and deeply. Alex’s hands fisted in his jacket. Pulled him closer.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard, Alex rested his forehead against Elias’s chest.
“What Sana asked,” Alex said. “About loving me. You don’t have to answer. It’s too soon.”
“What if it’s not too soon?”
Alex looked up. “What?”
“What if I’m already there? What if I’ve been falling since the first letter and kissing you just made it worse?”
“Elias.”
“I’m not saying I love you. Not yet. But I’m close. Really close.” Elias tucked Alex’s hair behind his ear. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah. It’s okay.” Alex’s voice was barely a whisper. “Because I’m close too.”
They stood there in the dark. Holding each other. Not saying the words but feeling them anyway.
“I should go,” Alex finally said. “Des is probably waiting to debrief.”
“Okay. Text me later?”
“Always.”
One more kiss. Quick and sweet.
Then Alex was gone and Elias was walking back to his car alone.
His phone buzzed. His sister.
Sister: How did it go?
Elias: Good. They threatened me.
Sister: Good. That means they care.
Elias: One of them asked if I loved him
Sister: What did you say?
Elias: That I’m falling
Sister: And?
Elias: And I meant it
Sister: Good. Now don’t screw it up.
Elias got in his car. Sat there for a moment.
He was falling for Alex. Maybe already fallen. And in four months he’d have to decide what that meant.
Stay or go. Safe or brave. Future or love.
He pulled out his phone. Opened his calendar. Counted the days until graduation.
One hundred and seven days.
That’s all they had to figure it out.