~ Adam ~

From the garage to Raves, it was a twenty minute bike ride.

Adam closed up shop around ten o'clock but spent another hour in the office before calling it a night. One of the guys had filed the last service report wrong and it took Adam forty-five minutes to correct the spelling mistakes alone.

His worn backpack had a change of clothes inside. Adam never brought food to work let alone a mid-evening costume change, but Piper had demanded he show up without oil beneath his fingernails. That also meant she'd turned up on his doorstep yesterday with a Hollister bag and refused to take it back after shoving it in Adam's unwilling hands.

She'd also refused to let Adam pay her back, to the disgruntled boy's dismay. No price tag in the history of his closet had ever been over two digits. Of course, Adam being Adam made Piper swear she'd let him pick up the tab tonight in compensation. The blue-haired girl had rolled her eyes and demanded he go change.

There was no mirror in Marty's wretched bathroom out back so Adam checked his reflection in the office window. He'd never give her the satisfaction of knowing but Piper had a gift when it came to fashion.

She'd dressed Adam in a long sleeve tee with black markings up the side, made to breathe easy in a packed club scene. His jeans were dark and tight, tucked into a pair of boots so shiny Adam was sure they'd be worth at least three months rent.

Adam took one moment to observe his reflection and came to one conclusion.

He looked ridiculous.

The clock on the wall read 11:15pm. Adam had promised to meet Piper at Raves by 11:30 at the latest. He had to get going.

Winter in Spring Creek meant the night air was bone chilling and the world dark. Town council paid little attention to blown streetlights so the streets were dark until Adam reached the neon-lit bar.

The night scene at Raves was only just beginning when Adam pulled his bike to a stop outside the entrance. He stowed it away behind a dumpster to the side of the building and made his way inside.

Spring Creek was a small town, which meant Raves was the biggest hotspot for young adults on a weekend.

The late hour had brought out the town's riff raff. A band was playing on stage up front and the lights had been lowered to create a darker vibe. Shot glasses left a resounding clink on the bar top as they were emptied by eager mouths.

Raves was more of a house band kind of establishment but tonight most of its patrons were stamping boots and jumping around before the stage as a makeshift dance floor.

Adam let the feeling of alternative rock and second hand smoke wash over him as he made his way to the front of the room. He'd texted Piper of his arrival but her response was impending. That could only mean one thing.

The song changed into an allegro and a flash of blue caught in Adam's peripheral vision. Piper was the first to spot him. "Adam!"

He smiled as his best friend jumped over to him from where she'd been dancing near the edge of the floor. James' friend, Cole, was there too as Piper had promised. He followed in suit of the bouncing girl, hanging back in the darkness as Piper wrapped her arms around Adam's neck.

"You came!" she gushed.

Adam wrapped his arms around her but found his gaze drifting over to where Cole stood. The other boy stood aloof, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans and dark eyebrows knitted together as he gazed into the nothing.

Adam returned his attention to Piper. "I said I would."

"But you actually came." Piper stepped back, beaming from an adrenaline high. "I'm so glad you're here. You remember Cole?"

She beckoned the raven-haired boy forward. He stepped out of the shadows and joined the pair. Adam didn't miss the way Cole's silver earring glinted in the warm glow of a passing stage light as he moved.

Adam swallowed as the other boy came to a stop before him. "Yeah. Hey."

He still found this pairing unusual but his thoughts were immediately vanquished when dark eyes met his and Cole's top lip curled upwards into a smirk. "Adam. Nice to see you again."

Adam nodded quickly. "You too."

Piper was grinning as she flicked a look between them before focusing on Adam. "How was work?"

He shrugged. "Fine."

Piper scoffed and rolled her eyes playfully, catching Adam's arm to drag him to the bar. Cole followed behind them. "You need a drink."

"You know I don-"

"Shh!" She placed a finger across his lips, cutting off Adam's sentence. "I don't want to hear that. Tonight, you're going to have some fun. I'm going to the bathroom but when I get back, we're loosening you up. You've earned this, Adam."

Piper disappeared into the crowd, abandoning Adam and Cole at the bar. The song changed to an acoustic rendition of Coming Alive by Kodaline. The small dancefloor cleared out as people headed to the bar for a top up or back to their tables.

Silence stretched between the pair as they were left alone. An itch began to creep up Adam's skin and he shifted from one foot to the other, finding no words to begin a conversation with a person he hardly knew. He wasn't the best at socialising.

Cole didn't seem to be having the same problem. He leaned against the bar, dark eyes falling upon Adam as he struck up conversation. "So, you and Piper seem close."

Adam was startled out of his reverie. "W-we've been friends for a long time."

"I would've never picked her for the dancing type."

"Yeah, well," Adam glanced around the room. "She can surprise you sometimes, I guess."

Cole cocked his head. Adam wasn't sure whether to be thankful he knew how to fill awkward silences or detest some unfair preconception that he should've known Adam was not a conversationlist. "And what about you?"

"What about me?"

"What would surprise most people about you?"

"Oh." Adam looked down. "I'm really not that interesting, honestly."

"That's what everyone says."

"It's true."

Cole gestured behind the bar, a light smirk on his face. "Okay. How about I buy you a drink and you can tell me all the ways you're ordinary?"

Adam blushed but managed to keep his voice steady. "I don't drink."

"Soda, then."

He shook his head. "I couldn't."

"Don't worry about it." Cole flagged down the bartender. "Carlton Draught and a Sprite."

Adam frowned as the bartender moved to fix their drinks. "How'd you know?"

It only took a moment before Cole was sliding a glass across the bar to Adam, his own beer wrapped in his other hand. He winked, oblivious to Adam's discomfort at being given hand outs. "Lucky guess."

Adam accepted that without argument, unaware it was the shine of his toothy smile that was the real tip off for Cole, who'd learnt to recognise beauty free from the damage of caffeine.

Cole pulled out a stool then and sat down, elbows resting on the wooden bartop. Adam followed in suit. "So, you gonna tell me or do I have to guess?"

"Tell you what?"

"You say you're not interesting. Give me a reason to believe it."

Adam ran a finger around the rim of his glass but didn't drink it. Talking about himself was his least favourite thing to do. "What do you want to know?"

Cole seemed to sense his discomfort. "Whatever you want. I know this must seem a little weird to you."

"What?"

"Being thrown to the wolves. Your friend gets caught up with someone new and suddenly the best friends have to play nice."

Adam's eyes widened, alarmed. "I don't think you're a wolf."

"It's just an expression." Cole chuckled in reassurance. "You just seem on edge."

Adam's rigid form crumpled. "Sorry," he muttered. "I just don't do this very often."

"Piper said you work a lot. Mechanic, right?"

"Yeah." Adam looked down. "I like doing stuff with my hands."

"Explains the interest in bioengineering."

Adam snuck a glance upwards to watch as Cole tipped his head back to take a sip of beer. His face caught in the white light above them, dark lashes casting long shadows across his pale skin like the kiss of a ghost.

It was hard to believe a person could look stunning from any angle but Cole was an undeniable exception. His hair was like black ink with a jawline sharper than the broken fragments of any beer bottle. Adam would've believed it was an angelic sighting if not for the hint of tattoos across waxen skin.

"It's strange," Cole said when he put the bottle down, missing Adam's observation. "All these years and I've never seen you around campus."

Adam would have agreed, except he couldn't because the other boy wasn't the same to him.

In a town as small as Spring Creek, James Clemonte and Cole Decker were the biggest deals Holland University could showcase. Each of their wealthy, respective families were notorious in their own right.

The Clemonte's were known for their significant involvement in the community with galas and fundraisers that aimed to distribute their wealth where beneficial. Even after Richard Clemonte's, James' father, highly publicised scandal involving embezzlement, the family's recovery from one man's shame had been on the come up since his abrupt death four years ago. James, his mother and sister remained respected figures of high society and did what they could to make up for the mistakes their family name beared.

Cole's family was different but part of the same circle.

Decker Petroleum was one of the most successful oil companies in the country. Its founder and head of the Decker family, Owen, had passed away not long before Cole started college. Not a lot of information was released to the public but what remained of the Decker family, a wife and three sons, were assumed to function mostly in private.

Where both families differed in their narratives, they had one thing in common. The sons they'd left behind, who'd become best friends.

James was the social butterfly with a charming smile and heart of gold. He excelled in school, was the perfect son and friend to all.

Cole was the opposite. He'd likely be a complete recluse if it weren't for James keeping him in the outside world. He defied the dark academia aesthetic his friend embodied in favour of leather jackets and combat boots.

Plenty of rumours circled the campus but the loudest spoke of Cole. His don't-care attitude and pessimistic approach to life made him appealing to those who didn't understand the intricacies of wearing a mask that heavy. He was cool, sarcastic and looked as if he'd stick his hand in fire and laugh.

Cole had never seen Adam around campus but Adam had seen him. Between the twenty-one year old's permanent scowl and stunning looks, Adam couldn't help but feel intimidated in his presence.

Which is why Adam fidgeted with his straw when he said, "I blend into the shadows, I guess."

Cole studied him. He hummed and said, "Can't imagine why."

There was a pause. Then, "You don't."

"What?"

"Blend into the shadows. Everyone knows who you are."

The bottle paused just shy of Cole's smirk. "So, you know me then?"

Adam blushed. "I-I don't watch you or anything. You're just kind of hard to miss."

"Is that so?"

The younger boy said nothing, opting to drop his gaze to the bartop and wish he were anywhere else. He didn't seem to notice the way Cole was watching him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Well," The resounding thud of a bottle being placed down on the bar sounded and Cole turned to face Adam directly. "I suppose that means you've heard some things about me."

Adam shrugged. "Not really. I don't pay attention to gossip."

"But you have heard some?"

"A little, I guess."

"Like what?"

Adam impaled a piece of ice with his straw. "It's nothing, really. Just that your family runs an oil company but you chose to study Political Science instead."

"Ah, yes," Cole swivelled slightly on his stool and grinned. "My dear, old big brother likes to remind me everyday how my path of resistance makes his life a living hell."

"Big brother?"

Cole nodded. "Brendon. The kiss ass of the family." He groaned and took a sip of beer. "God, if I ever start spending my weekends shopping for antique sofas and vintage Merlots just kill me."

"You don't want to be part of the company?"

"Fuck no." Cole shook his near-empty bottle in dissatisfaction. "Brendon can have that all to himself. Pretty sure that's what the fucker wants anyway."

"Sounds like you guys don't get on very well."

"An ass kisser and butt fucker under one roof fighting over the importance of money? Oh yeah, we're one happy family."

Adam wasn't deterred by his cold tone. "How do you deal with it?"

Cole smirked. "Trust me, I have my ways."

Without thinking, Adam took a sip of his bought drink and turned to Cole. "Why do you guys hate each other so much?"

Cole shrugged. "I hate that he's a stuck up ass. He hates that I'm gay." He made a face. "Thinks I'm somehow going to convert our little brother to do the dark side or some shit. Fucking moron."

Adam sat back, eyebrows raised. "You're gay?"

The older boy looked amused. "You didn't know?"

"N-no, um-I'd heard people say it but I d-didn't wanna assume."

"That'd make you the first." Cole replied, somewhat boredly.

"So, it's true?" Adam asked. "You're gay?"

"Well, I'm not painting-my-asscheeks-rainbow-and-drenching-myself-in-glitter-gay but I sure as hell like dick."

Adam's cheeks flushed red at the crudeness of such a statement but he wasn't revolted. It'd be hypocritical if he were, anyway.

Cole hummed and studied Adam, who was looking down. "You're bi, right? Piper mentioned it earlier. Hope that's okay."

Adam nodded at the floor. "Y-yeah, that's fine. I don't really go around telling people but it's not a secret or anything."

"You got a girlfriend?"

Adam's head snapped up. "What? No."

"Boyfriend?"

Adam looked away.

Cole raised a brow in disbelief. "Wait, have you dated anyone before?"

Adam sighed and looked back at him. "It's complicated, okay? I have bigger priorities to worry about."

"Have you ever kissed a dude?"

"Couple times."

"Gone on a date?"

"What about you?" Adam suddenly spoke up. "Have you dated anyone?"

Cole smirked. "Nothing worth digging up. Couple hookups here and there. Guess I was waiting for someone to catch my eye."

"Was?"

He shrugged. "Maybe I'm done waiting."

Adam's gaze fell back to his glass where he tinkered with the remaining pieces of ice. The band's set ended and they herded offstage to flock toward the bar. A bartender came and replaced Cole's empty beer bottle.

"So," Cole spoke again a moment later. "Bioengineering, huh? Think I'm supposed to be doing an elective in Foundation Mathematics. Feel like giving me some pointers?"

"Oh, uh," Adam sat up straight, eyes wide. "S-sure. I'm not really a tutor though."

"Can't be worse than any teacher I've ever had." Cole held out his phone to the other boy. "Put your number in."

Adam shyly took the phone - the latest model, of course - and typed in his number. He quickly saved the contact under Adam - bioengineering major and handed the device back.

Cole flashed a smile. "I'll text you."

Adam offered a timid smile back. "Whatever you need."

Piper returned then. Inserting herself in the space between them, she glanced at Adam and Cole. "Sorry, I ran into a friend from last semester outside the bathroom and we started talking. Everything good?"

"Good." Adam said.

"Great." Cole smirked.

And it was great, though if asked, Adam wasn't sure he could explain why.

***

It was nearly one in the morning when the trio left the bar. They stood under the sheltered entryway as rain drizzled down on the sidewalk.

Piper stood next to Cole, facing Adam. "Are you sure you don't need a lift? Cole would be happy to drive you home."

Adam shook his head and gestured over his shoulder. "My bike's around the back."

"Pick it up tomorrow."

"I can't. Gotta study before work."

"Adam." Piper sighed.

"Pipe, it's fine. It's not that far, anyway."

She sighed again. Digging through her purse, she held up her phone. "Call me the second you get home, okay?"

"Okay."

"Swear it."

"Seriously?"

She levelled a serious look at him.

He laughed once. "Okay, I swear. Happy?"

"I'll be happy when you're calling me from behind a locked door."

"You're acting like I don't do this everynight."

"No, but most nights you haven't been drinking at a bar for three hours."

"I only drank soda."

"Do you swea-"

"I'm not swearing that!"

Piper laughed then and stepped forward. She pulled Adam into a hug and whispered in his ear, "I'm really glad you came out tonight. You deserve to have fun too."

Adam squeezed her back but said nothing.

Piper pulled away and went to stand next to Cole again, who was swinging a black keyring around his middle finger. She nodded at him and they began to back away toward the parking lot.

Piper sent Adam one last look. "Call me. Don't forget."

Adam rolled his eyes but smiled. "I won't. I promise."

He watched them go. Piper blew him a kiss before the pair turned the corner and disappeared around one side of the building.

Adam stood for a moment, letting the cool night air wash over him. It was refreshing. He didn't get to do this often.

The moment was cut short when another leaving group stepped out of the bar, igniting a scene of wild laughter. Adam turned and headed around the back of the building to retrieve his bike.

A number of cars were peeling out of the carpark when he clipped his helmet on so Adam retired his thoughts to the journey home.

He was swinging one leg over the bar and getting situated in the seat when Adam realised one thing.

He'd spent nearly an entire hour alone meeting someone new - Cole Decker of all people - and it didn't feel as scary as he'd originally thought.

In fact, he thought maybe he liked something new.

***

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[Wow okay this chapter turned out far longer than I originally planned but I'm still happy with the end result. So exciting that we finally get our boys to speak to each other properly for the first time. I hope you're all looking forward to the next chapter. Things are starting to pick up now!]