Campus Crush novel Chapter 10

"I'm fine," I reassured, earning a smile from him.

"Good. The performance is next!" He squealed.

::

It was almost midnight by the time Lucas and I got back home. It wasn't that Evans Building was far from our dorms, but we'd stayed at the event playing games, meeting people, and doing so much fun things.

"That. Was. Awesome!" He exclaimed in the silent hall.

"Shh!" I quietly hushed him. "People are sleeping," I whispered.

"Pfft, I bet half of them are drunk," he rationalized.

I smiled as we walked to our doors. "Goodnight, Lucas."

"Wait!" He rushed over to me in three single steps. Peering up at me, he blushed. "I had fun. Lots of fun!" He gave me an innocent hug then let go before I could return it.

I could see him squealing on the inside, wanting it to burst through but holding it in for the sake of the silent floor and sleeping residents.

"'Night, Casper." He tiptoed back to his door and entered his room.

"'Night," I breathed out. I felt a serene sensation come over me before I walked into the darkness of my room.

But it wasn't silent in here.

When the door closed, I could fully make out the sound of my roommate crying as quietly as he could.

I didn't even know how to feel at that moment. I just really wanted to be there for him, but did that mean giving him space or getting him to let it all out?

I kicked off my shoes and, with the sketch of our room etched in my mind, I found his bed.

"... Nash?" I called. Before he could say something that might hurt my feelings, I continued to speak. "I-I know you don't like me that much or... um, it's not my business, I just... Please don't cry..."

He didn't respond or move a muscle. So I dared myself to make the boldest move I'd ever make in my entire life.

I slipped onto his bed and placed a warm hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry for what's hurting you," I soothed. "But please don't hurt alone."

He shifted so that his back was toward me. I started to think that meant he didn't want my help, until he said something.

"All those nights I came back at four in the morning... It wasn't me going to some dumb party or getting ridiculously drunk, if that's what you thought."

I didn't know where he was getting at, but he was right. I did think he was out partying and getting wasted almost every day during preview week. Had I been wrong? Had I placed stereotypes onto him too?

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