The hotel breakfast hall was too bright.
Too normal.
Too loud.
Jarnell sat at the table with Jonas and Calvin, pushing food around his plate more than actually eating.
Across the hall—
Jayden sat with Alvin and Brian.
And every single time Jarnell looked up—
he found Jayden already looking back.
It was getting irritating.
Not because Jayden was looking. But because he never stopped noticing him first.
Jonas leaned in slightly.
"So…"
Jarnell didn't look up. "…don't start."
Calvin sipped his juice. "We didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
Jonas smiled.
"You and Jayden seem… close lately."
Jarnell finally looked at him.
Expression flat.
"We are in the same project group."
Calvin nodded slowly.
"Sure."
Jonas added casually— " And the same hotel room corridors… balcony… pool…"
Jarnell stopped chewing.
"Jonas."
"Yes?"
"Stop listing my life."
Jonas grinned.
"No." Across the room— Brian was whispering loudly. "So they definitely kissed in the pool."
Alvin sighed. "You didn't see it."
"I felt it."
Jayden didn't respond. He was watching Jarnell.
Again.
Brian followed his gaze. Then smirked.
"You're not even pretending anymore."
Jayden finally looked at him. "I never pretended."
After breakfast, everyone split up around the hotel.
Some went to the pool. Some to the rooftop park. Some stayed in lounges.
Jarnell ended up walking alone for a moment. Which lasted exactly twelve seconds because Jayden caught up beside him with his hands in pockets, casual and too calm.
"You're avoiding me," Jayden said.
"I'm walking."
"That's not an answer."
Jarnell sighed. "no …I'm not avoiding you."
Jayden nodded.
"hmm ...good."
Then quietly—
"So last night…"
Jarnell stopped walking. Jayden stopped too. A beat of silence.
"…Don't," Jarnell muttered.
Jayden smiled slightly_ "You're embarrassed!!?."
"I'm not."
"You're definitely embarrassed."
"I said don't."
Jayden stepped closer with his voice softer now.
"I liked it." Jarnell froze.
Completely still.
Jayden continued gently."I liked that you stopped pretending."
Silence.
Jarnell's ears turned slightly red.
"…You talk too much."
Jayden smiled.
"But you don't tell me to stop properly."
So, should we do it again? Jarnell straightly asked?
Jayden was still stunned when Jarnell moved closer to him making him bend a little because he wasn't sure of what to do next but again he feared Jarnell might be teasing him which was true. Jarnell was somehow stubborn whenever he was with Jayden. I guess he was just so comfortable with him.
He then stopped and asked him if they were still moving around. Leaving Jayden sighing in comfort of his heart because it was beating so uneven.
By afternoon, everyone regrouped near the rooftop lounge on the long table.
Food, music, city view stretching endlessly.
Brian clapped his hands.
"Game time again." Jonas groaned.
"No."
Calvin already looked tired.
"Yes."
Alvin smiled. "Absolutely."
Jayden sat down. Jarnell sat opposite him.
And somehow— that felt intentional even though it wasn't. Brian leaned forward.
"Truth or dare this time."
Jonas sighed.
"This is how people ruin friendships."
Calvin muttered.
"This is how people expose crimes."
The bottle spun. It landed on— Jarnell. A dangerous silence followed and then Brian grinned.
"Truth or dare?"
Jarnell stared at the bottle.
"…Truth."
Jonas leaned forward immediately.
"Oh this is going to be good."
Brian smiled.
"When did you start liking Jayden?" The entire table froze. Calvin slowly turned his head. Alvin almost choked.
Jayden didn't move. He just watched Jarnell. Jarnell's expression didn't change.
But his ears did. Just slightly.
"…Next question."
Brian laughed. "That is the answer."
Jonas smirked. "Confirmed."
Jayden finally spoke softly.
"You didn't answer."
Jarnell glanced at him.
"…Shut up."
Jayden smiled. "Noted."
Later, music played softly on the rooftop.
The group split into smaller conversations.
Some danced. Some ate. Some played cards. Jarnell stood near the railing alone for a moment. Watching the city. Trying to breathe normally. Until Jayden came up behind him. Not touching yet. Just close.
"You're thinking again," Jayden said.
"I always think."
"That's not what I mean."
Silence.
Wind moved softly. Jarnell finally said quietly— "…You make things loud."
Jayden smiled faintly.
"That's new."
Jarnell turned slightly.
"You are."
Jayden stepped closer.
"So am I a problem?"
Jarnell looked at him for a long moment.
Then said— "…No."
Jayden paused.
That answer hit differently. Before either could continue— Alvin shouted from the table.
"WE'RE GOING SWIMMING AGAIN!"
Brian followed immediately. "Yes we are!"
Jonas groaned. "I regret existing."
Night fell again. The pool lit up softly. Blue reflections everywhere. The group jumped in laughing. Splashing. Shouting. Chaos.
Jarnell entered slower. Jayden already in the water. Waiting. And the moment Jarnell stepped in— Jayden caught him lightly by the waist underwater.
Pulling him closer. No words this time.
Just familiarity. Jarnell leaned in first. Jayden met him halfway. A kiss under water that made everything quieter. Slower. Stronger.
Above them— Brian shouted.
"I KNEW IT."
Jonas groaned. Calvin shook his head. Alvin laughed. But neither Jarnell nor Jayden cared anymore. Because the secret wasn't a secret. Not really.
Later that night, they sat at the edge of the pool with their feet in the water. Shoulders touching. Jonas had fallen asleep nearby.
Calvin scrolling quietly. Brian and Alvin arguing over something useless.
Jayden leaned slightly toward Jarnell.
"You know they all know."
Jarnell didn't look at him.
"…I know."
Jayden smiled.
"And?"
Jarnell hesitated. Then quietly said—
"…I don't care."
That made Jayden go still. Slowly, he turned to look at him. Jarnell finally met his eyes.
"…I just don't want you to stop."
Jayden didn't speak for a moment.
Then softly— "I won't."
And for once— there was no pretending left between them. Only something real. Something already seen by everyone else. And finally accepted by them it was really a good feeling between all them