Highschool, even so close to classrooms all around the auditorium where Ajay was calmly writing something on a piece of paper, hidden between chairs placed for the potential audience, has been seeming awfuly quiet lately. Not because the lack of people, not because of local dramas being handled well, but because only one, such simple yet irritaiting almost feeling has been haunting him since the freshman joined their acting crew. It’s been a while, of course, and it’s not like Ajay pesonally disliked him. Well, he had his doubts about the new kid, not trusting his skills too much and being overhelmed by stress already, mostly because bad math grades didn’t want to leave his poor soul. That guy who appeared to know Rory somehow, was a little bit annoying at the beginning, but it didn’t last long until a young director realised that there was something suspiciously sweet about his bright smile, innocent smile or even how he was right there, ready to cheer up anyone who needed it. At first, Ajay told himself that it was just because he helped him a few times, was about to help out another one, that’s why Ajay was sitting in silence, looking at the door in the first place. But later, he started to really doubt and question his attitude toward the other although ignoring it most of the time. Well, when his heart has started to pund loudly whenever the latter appeared, he knew he was pretty much done.
Suddenly, he heard a subtle creak. Little hint of blonde hair appearing in the doorway, together with oversized hoodie and that damned, happy expression when Bailey finally got there assured Ajay that he wasn’t able to call him ‘just a friend’ anymore. The freshman sat right next to him, a bit shy, not surprisingly. Ajay himself knew perfectly well that he could take acting and directing too seriously sometimes, causing unintentional, death glares and screams.
“So, what do you need? I was a little taken aback when you sent me a message.”
Ajay chuckled slightly, noticing that a small blush appeared on Bailey’s soft cheeks. Or maybe he was just imagining things. “You’re afraid of me this much?”
The blonde shrugged with innocence, yet smirks in his eyes. “I mean, you are pretty intimidating to say the least.”
“Right” the director answered, finally putting his pen away he’s been torturing with his stressed grip for so long. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Normally, people would distant themselves after hearing his cold tone or sarcastic comments. Bailey wasn’t just another one of them. He laughed so delicately Ajay almost felt its breeze. His palms started to get a bit sweaty.
“So yeah, anyway, I asked you to come over to just help me with organising these files” he said, showing him a stack of papers he took out from his bag. “There’s just too many of them and it’d be amazing if you gave me a hand.”
“Okay, sure… why me though? I’m much rather the messy and unreliable type of person.”
Because you are someone that can replace everyone else to me, Ajay thought without any control.
Because you are you.
But of course he couldn’t say it.
“Others didn’t really have time, so you were the last person to text. And to be honest, you just saved me here.”
And right there, Ajay almost lost his breath for a second. Bailey said something about being friends, then hugged his body with his fragile frame. The scent of his shampoo filled Ajay’s nosetrills, the warmth of his body took absolute control.
When Bailey looked up, the brunette had his gaze focused on his eyes, shiny in the light of few lights above their heads with a feeling of sudden sort of realisation that they were completely alone in that particular room.
“Ajay… ” he gulped, not able to look away from the latter’s expression, filled with passion and something the freshman would never accuse his friend of. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
The other didn’t answer. For the first time, he was so close to him, he could feel his heartbeat. For the very first time, there were no actors mumbling their lines or technicians asking him numerous questions about special effects or sets. There was just him and that jinxed person who took his precious heart away. Without any distracting music or stress, he finally realised who really was Bailey to him. And he, after painfully long minutes, answered the other’s question with a passionate kiss, pulling the latter close to his body and hearing a sound of surprise from the blonde’s thin lips he finally tasted.
Even if it was short, for Ajay, it lasted eternity. When he moved his face away from Bailey, yet still touching his cheeks with warm fingers, this time he was perfectly sure that the other was blushing, with eyes like stars the brunette used to look for when he was a kid. A special one, bright and pretty.
And when Bailey smiled and snuggled to his chest, he was sure he found the perfect one.
