Hey guys! Thanks for all the responses to the first chapter- really glad you guys enjoyed it. Keep letting me know what you guys think. I love reading your feedback. Here's chapter 2. I already have the first couple chapters written and waiting to be released.
Ch. 02: What even is Levi Truong?
Ryan placed his bag on one of the empty tables at the far edge of the library. He was on the third floor, overlooking the quad as he pulled out a piece of paper that the snarky librarian had so graciously written down for him. It was the fourth week of school and some of his textbooks still hadn't come in yet. So, he searched through the stacks, trying to navigate the dewey decimal system in order to find the books he needed.
He got back to the table and laid the books down beside him. Ryan opened his laptop and pulled out the e-mail from his Professor with the readings he was supposed to do.
:"You've been avoiding me." He heard someone say as he looked up at the stranger.
It was Levi, dressed in a tank top, shorts and sneakers. It was a bit casual for the library, but then again, it was Saturday morning and most people were still asleep. He looked as if he'd been soaking in the sun all morning, with the slightest scent of sweat pouring off his golden skin.
"Normal people start with introductions before they accuse others." Ryan said, remembering his wit.
Levi turned his mouth into a smile. He pulled off his shades and placed them on the table like another set of eyes casting judgement on the boy,
"Normal people also don't walk the other way when they see people they know in the hall."
Ryan gulped. He knew exactly what the boy was talking about. On Tuesday, he'd seen Levi just as he left one of his morning classes. The older boy was talking with a bunch of other fit and intimidating guys just by the main entrance. The letters on some of their hoodies and baseball caps told him they were Pi Kappas too. He decided to save himself the awkward encounter and simply walked the long way around the building to the other exit. He thought that would be the last of it, that was, until Thursday when the exact same thing happened. Levi was there, with another, yet still intimidating, group of guys standing just by the doors. He cursed himself again, letting out a grunt as he walked all the way around to the back door for a second time.
"I- I didn't wanna make it weird in front of your friends." He said, looking up at him, "You know the group of frat boys that look like they snort protein powder."
Levi chuckled as he sat down. "They're not as intimidating as you think," the older boy said as he leaned across the table.
"But I get your point." The older boy said diplomatically. "Running into a hook-up is always awkward."
"Yeah exactly." Ryan replied, relieved.
"Then tell me this." Levi said, changing his tone,
"Why is it that I got an Instagram notification at 1 o'clock this morning that a ryan_john liked one of my posts from four months ago?" He leaned into the shocked boy, bathing him in the scent of sun and musk that he oozed.
"You should be more careful with your fingers, Ryan, wouldn't want them to slip."
"I- uh-" The younger boy stammered.
In a bout of curiosity, he searched up Levi on the app in hopes of satiating his need to see more. It wasn't hard, considering how uncommon the name "Levi Truong" was. He found him instantly, and being the kind of guy he was, Levi left his page public. Ryan scrolled through, getting past the Pi Kappa posts and semi-frequent birthday shout outs to friends and family. Fittingly, Levi wasn't shy about posting the occasional thirst trap, leaving Ryan in the role of "stupid fish who took the bait." The picture in question was of the older boy emerging from a pool, with the sun shining so brightly on his golden skin that you could practically make out the droplets of water that clung to his body. The freshman got a bit flustered, remembering his night with the boy a week ago when his finger slipped. He thought he unliked it fast enough, but yet here he was.
The frat boy retrieved his phone and quickly scrolled through his feed to the post. He held it up for the other boy to see, not knowing that Ryan had looked at it, and every one of his posts a dozen times over since he'd found his profile.
"It is a good picture, isn't it?" He zoomed in, "The sun really gave my abs some good definition here. We were vacationing in Hawaii and I had to have my sister retake it three times cause the angles weren't right." He winked, "I say she did a good job, wouldn't you agree?"
Ryan growled and loudly closed the book he was reading. "Fine!" he said, irritated. "I was stalking your profile because I think you're hot." He pointed a finger at the boy, "And you're so fucking cocky because you know you are and you're here making me admit it!"
He peered his eyes at the smug boy across from him, "Now can you leave me alone or did you plan on tormenting me all morning?"
Levi watched the boy settle down. He waited for a few seconds, noticing that Ryan was only pretending to get back to work.
"I didn't mean to embarrass you that much." He said. "It's just fun seeing you get so riled up."
Ryan glared back at him, forcing himself into a scowl. "It's only fun for you." He muttered, under his breath.
"Ease up, man. If we're gonna be friends, you have to get used to my sense of humor." He flashed a killer smile, complete with two air guns that he popped off at the boy. "It's part of my charm."
"Who said I wanted to be friends with you?" The younger boy deadpanned.
"Ouch." Levi replied as he bundled up his shirt. "That one actually hurt, Ryan." He faked a sad look which the boy thought only made him more adorable.
"That was the reason you came to the Pi Kapp party, wasn't it?" He asked, "To make friends."
Ryan crossed his arms, hating how Levi was right. "So that's what we are? Friends who sleep together?"
The older boy shook his head, "Us being friends isn't dependent on hooking up, if that's what you're concerned about."
He leaned back into the chair, "I'll ruffle your feathers and tease you to death to get a reaction, but I'm not a bad guy."
Ryan softened his face. He knew deep down that Levi wasn't- based on how he'd acted alone. But still, he didn't think he could keep his feelings in check- being so attracted to a guy who genuinely wanted to be his friend. Still too, getting mixed up in a straight boy wasn't a safe game to play.
Levi got on his phone and started typing away. He did a few clicks, causing Ryan's phone to light up.