Love me Mybe

Chapter 4: A Night Under the Stars

The metallic bonfire crackled softly, sending warmth into the cool night air. The small group was gathered in a circle, laughter and chatter mingling with the occasional pop of wood burning. Gabriel leaned back, resting on his palms, trying to absorb the moment. It felt surreal—sitting among strangers who already felt like friends.

Then Mindy tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Okay, Gabriel," she began, her voice cutting through the light banter. "Serious question: Have you ever been in love?"

The question hit Gabriel like a jolt. The laughter died down, and the circle grew quiet. All eyes turned to him, expectant but kind.

Gabriel shifted uncomfortably, suddenly hyperaware of the weight of their attention. He fiddled with the sleeve of his jacket, avoiding eye contact. "Well… I don't know if you'd call it love," he started, his voice soft.

"Go on," Riley encouraged, leaning forward.

Gabriel exhaled, deciding to just let it out. "There was someone I liked in high school. But it didn't… work out."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't work out how? Did you tell them how you felt?"

Gabriel shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "No. I couldn't. They weren't… safe to talk to. At first, I thought they were my friend, but it turned out they had... strong opinions about people like me." His voice faltered on the last few words, but he pushed through. "After that, I didn't really bother trying. It felt easier to just… stay quiet."

The group sat in stunned silence for a moment. Gabriel's heart raced. Had he said too much? Would they look at him differently now?

Nathan broke the silence, slapping Gabriel's back lightly but reassuringly. "I am so sorry, man. But hey, you're here now. College is a fresh start. And who knows? Someone might be waiting for you here."

Gabriel managed a small smile, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Eli shifting in his seat, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Gabriel thought he saw something flicker across Eli's face—was it understanding? Empathy? Or something else entirely?

The question passed to the others, lightening the mood as the spotlight shifted away from Gabriel.

Nathan grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've got a girlfriend," he said proudly. "She works at her dad's garage down by the bay. Total gearhead. I'll introduce you sometime, Gabriel. She'll probably try to recruit you to help fix up cars, though."

"That sounds… interesting," Gabriel replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Riley chimed in, popping another marshmallow into her mouth. "Single and thriving, thank you very much," she said with a mock bow. "Less drama, more snacks."

Nina, sitting cross-legged with her usual air of detachment, smirked. "I'm in love with the inevitable embrace of death."

Gabriel blinked, unsure how to respond. Riley rolled her eyes, leaning over to whisper, "She's just being dramatic. It's her thing."

The group turned to Rupert and Mindy, who exchanged a sly glance.

"We've never been in love," Rupert said, his voice deadpan.

"Not even once," Mindy added, nodding solemnly.

They managed to hold their serious expressions for about three seconds before bursting into laughter, leaning against each other as they cracked up.

Nina groaned, tossing a marshmallow at them. "You two are insufferable."

"Seriously," Eli muttered, shaking his head with a smirk.

Finally, all eyes landed on Eli. His turn.

"No," Eli admitted quietly. "I've never been in love."

The group exchanged glances, some skeptical, others sympathetic. Riley raised an eyebrow. "Really? Not even a tiny crush?"

Eli shook his head. "Nope, not even a tiny bit."

The silence that followed felt heavy. Eli could feel their curiosity, but thankfully, no one pushed further.

"Fair enough," Nathan said, breaking the tension. "Plenty of time for that here, though. Trust me, college has a way of surprising you."

Gabriel glanced at Eli, whose gaze was fixed on the fire. There it was again, that flicker of something in his expression. Gabriel wanted to ask about it, but the moment passed too quickly.

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The game continued, filled with silly dares and ridiculous truths. Riley was dared to draw a mustache on Nina with a marker, much to Nina's mock outrage. Rupert had to sing the college anthem in falsetto, leaving everyone in stitches.

As the firewood dwindled, the group's energy began to wane. Yawns replaced laughter, and the warm glow of the bonfire dimmed.

Nathan stretched, standing first. "Alright, I'm calling it a night. See you all tomorrow, maybe." He gave Gabriel a friendly pat on the shoulder before heading downstairs.

Rupert and Mindy followed, arm in arm, their laughter echoing down the hallway. Nina left next, giving a casual wave, and Riley surprised Gabriel with a quick, warm hug. "Welcome to the gang," she said with a grin.

Finally, it was just Gabriel and Eli. They stayed behind to lock up, the heavy metal door creaking shut as they left the terrace.

The walk back to their dorms was quiet, the kind of comfortable silence that didn't need to be filled. When they reached Gabriel's door, Eli leaned casually against the doorway, his soft smile illuminated by the dim hallway light.

"So," Eli said, his voice low and warm. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

Gabriel nodded, his smile growing. "Yeah. I didn't think I would, but… it was amazing. Thanks for bringing me."

Eli's smile widened, a look of quiet satisfaction on his face. "Good. That's what I was hoping for."

As he turned to leave, Gabriel acted on impulse. Before his nerves could catch up, he leaned forward and kissed Eli's cheek, his lips brushing warm skin.

Eli froze, his eyes widening slightly.

Gabriel pulled back quickly, his face flushing. "I—I just wanted to—"

Eli interrupted him by wrapping his arms around Gabriel in a gentle but firm hug. The embrace was warm, grounding, and more comforting than anything Gabriel had experienced in years.

Eli nudged the door open with his foot, pulling Gabriel inside. The room was quiet, the soft light from the desk lamp casting a cozy glow. Without a word, they made their way to the bed, lying down together.

Eli's arm remained around Gabriel, holding him close.

"Goodnight, Gabriel," Eli murmured, his voice steady and soothing.

"Goodnight," Gabriel replied, his voice muffled against Eli's chest.

And just like that, Gabriel drifted off, feeling safe, warm, and finally at peace.