They finally had a plan to meet up.
The week after the events behind the tennis courts had been difficult for all of them. They had each other's numbers from their group project, but each was shy about messaging the group chat. They tried to return to the stump, but the smokers had moved from their usual spot and relocated to the tennis courts, so that area was no longer private.
Finally, his frustration and yearning to know what was going to happen got the better of him and Ash messaged Luke and Nina, sending an address and a time.
"Come over. We can talk. It's my uncle's house and he's away at the moment, so we won't be disturbed."
Luke immediately replied in the affirmative, also wanting desperately to see the other two and find out what was going to happen.
Nina didn't respond immediately; she was so nervous about the whole idea. But she kept remembering that kiss, what it felt like to sit between them at the table in the library, and the trust and delight of them each taking her hand and looking up at her, saying that they both liked her. Book-ended by two beautiful, kind boys... who both liked her back.
"I'll be there."
Ash snuck out of school half an hour early, something he'd never done before. But he was feeling reckless, defiant. He entered his uncle's house and went straight to the kitchen to prepare them some food. He couldn't remember having a friend over since primary school and he had no idea how these things went, so he prepared for it the best way he knew how: by cooking. He also neatened up his room. It wasn't big, but there was enough space for three people to sit comfortably.
He paced nervously throughout the house, looking at every piece of furniture and decoration, impulsively checking the food he'd made, worrying that it was all wrong. Then someone rang the doorbell and he opened it and there was Nina and everything was alright.
'I'm so glad you came,' he said softly. She smiled shyly, stepping over the threshold. He took her bag and raincoat and hung them in the hallway.
'Such a gentleman,' she said teasingly. He smiled quickly, worried that he was being too formal.
'It's nice to be treated like a lady,' she playfully held out her hand as though he would kiss it. 'Enchantée.'
He took her hand, kissed it softly, and she moved closer, her playfulness gone. They looked at each other, he still holding her hand, and her breath caught. 'I can see why Luke likes you.'
Ash blushed and looked away, then forced himself to look back at her. 'Same.'
The doorbell rang again and Ash let go of her hand to open it. She instantly missed his touch.
Luke came in, his hair damp from the rain, and Ash took his jacket and bag as well. Luke looked at Nina, who was quite flushed.
'It's so good to see you,' he said softly.
She nodded. 'You too.'
Ash turned back to them both and paused. 'I, uh, made food. It's through here.'
He led the way to the kitchen, where delicious smells greeted them.
After they'd eaten a bit, chatting nervously, Ash said, 'We can talk more in my room if you like. My uncle's travelling this week so we won't be disturbed here, but my room is more comfortable.'
Nina nodded, getting up from the table and taking Luke's hand. The delicious food and their unexpected shyness made her feel bold. She had worried that this, whatever it was, was too strange, too different, too much. But being with them both away from school, away from outside pressures and expectations and rules, she felt utterly safe and absolutely besotted with both of them. The kiss she had witnessed between them was clear in her mind and an idea started to form.
Ash led them to his room, where he sat at the desk chair, Luke on his bed, and Nina in a small armchair in the corner. The conversation faltered and awkwardness loomed, but Nina spoke, angling towards her idea.
'Have you two... kissed again? Since the other day?'
Luke and Ash looked at each, then quickly away.
'No. There hasn't really been a chance,' said Luke in a small voice.
'Have either of you... kissed before? Other people I mean?'
'Shouldn't we have alcohol if we're gonna play never-have-I-ever?'
Nina sat up straighter. That could work.
'Ash, do you have any alcohol?'
Ash shook his head. 'My uncle doesn't drink. We have orange juice though?'
Nina laughed, easing the overall awkwardness, and told him to go get it and three cups. By the time he returned she'd changed her mind; she wanted to play truth-or-dare. Ash nervously said he would and Luke nodded seriously. He'd been to parties where they played this game and he knew where this went. But this time he was actually looking forward to it.
'Ok, Luke: truth or dare?'
'Truth.'
'Have you ever kissed a boy before?'
'No.'
'Have you ever kissed a girl before?'
'Hey, you only get one question, then it's the next person's turn.'
'Who's next?'
'You can go Ash.'
'Ok...' Ash thought. He liked this structure for getting to know each other; it made daring questions seem exciting rather than nosy. 'Luke: truth or dare?'
Luke groaned. 'Truth.'
'Did you like it when I kissed you?'
