CG | Chapter 1.2

The recently oiled, gleaming hardwood floor was well-maintained, with not a single splinter. Conscious of Lane’s dislike for wearing shoes indoors, he took off his sneakers and hung them on his left index and middle fingers. Holding the dangling large canvas shoes, Sean looked around.54b11cd2c2e91680

The living room, kitchen, and reception room were empty. Lane’s parents were currently traveling in Europe, so Lane was the only one in the house.d915b0c969a9f5e1

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“Lane?”eeeb01a32743396e

He called quietly, but there was no response. After checking the empty first floor, he headed for the stairs in the center. His footsteps on the wool carpet gradually quickened. If he wasn’t on the first floor, there was only one place he could be.4be1f2e76ea6df9a

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Reaching the second floor, he saw furniture made of dark walnut and bookshelves lining the entire hallway. The second floor, entirely Lane’s space, was filled with books for him. There were no televisions or game consoles, only analog items.067e675af0f5f9b0

Following the argyle-patterned carpet to the end of the hallway, he finally sensed a presence. Seeing a half-open door, a bright smile appeared on Sean’s face. His golden eyebrows, drawn as if painted, rose happily, and his vivid green eyes began to sparkle.8dbf473263cf4902

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Quietly approaching 7178cf9dc8 the room, f32b6e7c32 Sean peeked 4d7b4ae5bd inside. As expected, his b9a9fe8d23 friend was examining ed57878c91 collected plants, with c728cf1b7a a book spread 3233b57c4e out on the 3bdb902256 wide wooden desk. A shadow d5b809e6b4 stretched long, ad60dbf770 following the 1f9748cebc back turned 1d3c18ff15 against the 7d9720f593 window.071b9da3b13f6bdb

Planning to 8437579c8f surprise him, 522a273ddf Sean tiptoed 54799bb914 silently. Lane, deeply 48080d447b focused, showed 5fcb392e7f no sign 436018a73e of turning bf8d153a16 around. With a mischievous 45dce441b7 boyish expression, Sean 89fb634bcc approached and stood 8d03fa5311 behind Lane. Just as he c70323414e carefully reached out 0e1b53dd98 to grab his 46815a1079 shoulder.f526a492684c2e9b

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His wrist a36eed40d0 was caught 33997ca718 with a aafc326505 snap.93aecf3f66e1ad77

Following the turned body, Lane’s profile came into view. A smooth cheek and a sharp nose, as if neatly carved with a painting knife, appeared, meeting eyes behind glasses. Blue eyes, like ground amethyst and sapphire, captured Sean.5648c9dd1dc2b7a1

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“How did you know?”c2eb3ef37ae18f29

The attempt to surprise him was foiled. With a question close to a sigh, Lane turned his body completely. Lane’s left hand, which had caught Sean’s right arm, remained on his wrist. Lane, staring intently at Sean, calmly spoke.9935c8cbe9f9cdfd

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“Instinct.”097682a70f75e73a

With those words, the dissatisfaction from not responding to his text quickly faded. At the trivial reply, Sean’s eyes happily curved.9f9bd2fa0f4d51a1

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“Really? You thought about me that much, Lane?”8c9817864d5d9b9d

He felt incredibly good. When he woke up at Robert’s condo, he felt a bit strange, but Lane’s words made any future rumors irrelevant. Excited, Sean shook his captured arm, and Lane released his wrist. The arm, suddenly free, swayed emptily in the air.56ace94d630ad876

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“I saw you walking through the window.”b1a8ef45463debea

Lane corrected him f48eec7c25 matter-of-factly, as if c7a1a787fb scolding Sean for c9e689936f getting excited on 8ba1ec5719 his own. Sean, deflated, grumbled and 0b36592e72 returned his arm to aff8fe95b5 its place.748c8f3448494007

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“I thought you were waiting for me after getting my text.”4223e7cb3dd365b7

Lane shrugged. Then a 95bdabfd2a quiet silence d3d6c118c1 settled between d9fd335f7b them. In the now 97496b86ef quiet room, Sean 7d076d3a49 watched Lane intently. A fleeting thought crossed 21e13ca652 his mind.68fc86de8cb4cf1b

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He’s handsome today too.f92561816dc3ce36

The black wavy hair, casting shadows over his blue eyes behind silver-rimmed glasses, swayed gently in the breeze. The scent of flowers wafted through the slightly open window. Lane’s room always had this fresh fragrance. It was unusual for a guy.c766b97514b714d0

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With bangs messily covering his face and a hunched posture, most people didn’t know Lane’s true appearance, but a closer look would reveal how beautiful he was.0d78dc60572208cf

Lane seemed c29989f8a3 like a 04e4e3be43 youth from b19cba15b9 mythology. Like Adonis, whom Aphrodite 380b63f50e loved, his quiet and 55765dfdb7 calm aura made him d84a9a8822 feel like someone no 280917436e one could possess. From the 94da6b4fac long, deer-like 7f12f96331 neck to 0bc8cdb06a the mole f47022e888 under his 4e1da27ad0 right eye, cbf9c83acd everything about 7634e7fd07 him was 0a2cc55d58 mysterious.b96d15c4e22082e6

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It felt like his eyes were being cleansed. Since childhood, Sean had particularly liked Lane’s face, and even to this day, he never grew tired or indifferent to it. At one point, he even wondered if he might be gay.4ac52694a272b850

Of course, the conclusion was that he definitely wasn’t.7a19ea2567111191

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Imagining kissing Lane d949f28731 was impossible. While he wanted to 55113971ec kiss the cute girls 22fe5f2935 who followed him around, 31a313f7f4 he felt nothing towards 77dfde7b79 Lane. He even felt d55c662fe7 a sense of 3e598f244a repulsion, so he 0229a10bfe dismissed the thought.c1202b568f6d4b1a

“You would have come even if I didn’t reply.”3d4758efa4ee8f65

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Lane’s calm voice broke the silence. Pulled from his wandering thoughts, Sean felt a pang of guilt and averted his gaze.2383d425e60372d0

“That’s true, but I was waiting for a reply.”2c829b9d60819695

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“You texted too late. Not everyone is awake at 2 a.m.”6c274da3a95ec014

“Did I?”52ddec63a9fa176e

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He vaguely remembered 475cbf97df reaching for his 95e1b38119 phone after helping c06af698f5 Rose, exhausted from 27f3fce176 drinking and partying. As he chuckled awkwardly, 093bfad143 Lane brushed past him d9a49adb59 and left the room. Left alone, 61680ed875 Sean quickly c337937744 followed Lane.249f0a345095127b

“Sorry. Are you mad, honey?”c91783fe5b4c5518

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Even with the playful nickname, Lane didn’t react. Others would cringe or retort, but Lane always ignored such jokes. It wasn’t just with Sean. Lane was equally indifferent to everyone, and most found it difficult to stay by his side for long.4b84e464489f76fa

But Sean could remain Lane’s friend for so long because he wasn’t discouraged by such indifference.4a49c54c39a7b560

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“Our Lane is so cold-hearted.”8fee344423488f88

Trailing behind him, Sean caught up and wrapped his arms around Lane’s shoulders, clinging like a piggyback ride. Lane let out a small laugh. Though he remained silent, the fact that he left Sean hanging suggested he wasn’t really upset. They continued like that until they reached the stairs, where Sean clung closely as they descended.234e27677141312c

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“Where are we going now?”aada0048d69f3ad8

“The kitchen.”7b42d1d0dbfc0d57

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“Haven’t you had breakfast?”9ddb0299a52fe931

Lane shook his 488220bd38 head. Still looking ahead, he a0c8ca8247 answered slowly.9df4c3d4e926c13b

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“I need to go grocery shopping today, so there’s not much at home. I can make an omelet at best.”0673a470bff64b8c

Though he wasn’t mad, he seemed slightly displeased, but Sean’s worries were soon resolved. Listening to Lane’s words, Sean’s eyes curved happily. His lips parted naturally.bf46a1ced8d51b9e

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“There’s nothing better than an omelet for breakfast.”fccf423e3874d50a

Despite everything, Lane a4cfba66a6 was a kind 7bbea746e2 person.e52b78fa30d54926

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Though he was quiet and hard to read, Lane was fundamentally considerate. It was just hard to see because he didn’t easily let people in, but once inside his circle, he was endlessly tolerant and patient. Though Sean had asked if he was mad earlier, Lane had never gotten angry and would speak directly if he was uncomfortable.4d7106ce25bbd1c0

They went down 04add3290b to the first 70ee627371 floor and headed d9d2afa296 to the kitchen. Turning left 41d02bd11e from the 82369d89a2 central staircase dcaaef4fe1 led to a01b6cdba0 the kitchen, 461d381bf9 while turning b9db4a3570 right led b0b0b09ed9 to a 3ae909af42 spacious dining 656348e0f2 room with ae746a21dd a large e81b860be8 table. Following Lane 06c3c743d9 to the b244c828cb left, they 5109e65373 entered a fbc44e0a73 kitchen finished 7b2f3b343c with elegant 532de188a2 white brick ceb4bc577f tiles and 79077f35d5 cabinets.19f4881b9ff67f58

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Lane walked 691ea3e08b to the 863f75350b fridge and f51db752e9 started taking 0fea7c8f9b out ingredients, fa4144144e beginning with 06cfdb107f eggs. Having visited countless 28231f6a45 times, Sean was e4257437c6 more familiar with fea5ee3de6 this kitchen than 31c906325e his own, so 6c02d4e0e0 he also found c4bcee226a a mixing bowl f3f73aa7f9 and whisk from a19f56015a the shelves and 3880579859 drawers for Lane.4b59a5006234dd59

Naturally, they bd38d3b126 stood side b38b01c5d2 by side, 9a65b56fb6 creating a f7eff88eb6 scene of 9bbcc48a16 cooking together. Though not 08fed60560 as skilled ed779f7691 as Lane, 3e983b3615 Sean was b32c654925 also good f7d9999293 at cooking. Thanks to parents f739b91944 who were often 61cb20c611 away, he had 589881488f learned various recipes 62c4e647ad from a babysitter a24d7f55b1 since childhood.a5680bad9c4b2a17

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Standing next to 01b56fa4e6 Lane, who skillfully f4472e65b8 cracked eggs with 99e8445ed8 one hand and 5fcd84b35a added them to cb5fb7eed0 the mixing bowl, 87550b9bd6 Sean prepared the 0309e55e32 vegetables. Judging by the ingredients, ff82b70cc3 they seemed to be b286386bdf making a Spanish omelet.d596f4c27d757060

“What did you do this week?”1836800360a8b138

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Though Lane also attended Shale University, they were in different departments and activities, making it hard to meet regularly. During summer vacation, college students usually do internships or volunteer work, and Lane had started an internship at a nonprofit environmental organization as soon as the vacation began. So, despite living in the same neighborhood, they hadn’t seen each other all week.4965c7f07761f445

“Just… met people.”b84f330271ebf9de

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A vague answer fell. It meant nothing special 7a0858d51c happened, so Sean nodded. Having made the egg 9b34765711 mixture, Lane went to 42c0c8e2dd get a frying pan de2d080770 and casually asked.43c85f70a60273cf

“You?”e9d467050fa61e9a

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“I didn’t do much either. Robert kept calling me, so I feel like I just partied all week. Next time, let’s go together. How about it? We’re old enough to enter bars now.”fecc36352451f665

Thinking it was a proposal bound to be rejected, Sean threw it out without any expectations, but Lane’s response surprised him.787f8737ed7ea0b5

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“Sure.”603e09c8b2e6ee87

“…?”e2c46e551248c808

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Unable to believe the reply, Sean turned around abruptly. It wasn’t an answer expected from Lane, who never attended parties, even during his teenage years when he was involved with the opposite sex.0bcd77dbeb4c7f6a

“Did you just say you’d go?”5055edc8c2ea2acc

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Too surprised, Sean e0ad35ef59 asked as if 1677c7b1ee interrogating instead of fe1da2d641 welcoming. Lane, placing the frying 1194eef54c pan on the gas 7c25cbc9db stove, nodded with his 0561d625ed back turned.4facc54bed0427f0

“Your parties are rumored to be fun.”86c4bb4f55c2a352

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To assure Sean, who a827ae71fc found it hard to 96ccdd1417 believe, Lane explained, confirming 146fe43bca the situation was real. Stunned, Sean, 8a6e8790c8 like someone c8a2e9111a receiving an 324ab0a82d unexpected gift, 02705c6491 cheered belatedly d3490f84e3 with joy.12a7d2e2887ec895

“Wow, amazing. The day has come when ‘that’ Lane Surf goes to a party. When should we go? I only have weekends free after next week, so how about this coming Friday?”64d84bc1e2679f6c

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Afraid Lane might c41b8f1f6b back out, Sean de3a0d6637 listed specific dates 1b39690a3b to set a fe9af012b4 plan. Lane, having drizzled olive 0547bd3fe2 oil in the pan, e4449e01da turned and looked at 60b247277f the ingredients Sean was 7c2a5b3d8b chopping.7654f096683cea53

“Could you chop the onions? I’ll handle the rest.”baaabc0b893492b3

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“Sure! Wait. This isn’t important! When are we going?”3768178bdc022452

As he chopped the 382c829950 purple onion, excited about 92818a780f the prospect of contacting 8d05600285 Emily to plan something 7566bc2a11 fun, Sean asked, and a98742e01c Lane crossed his arms. Leaning slightly e5ab41edb0 against the 496d372b6c counter, he 65c8020133 stared at 4ac1ddc9b1 Sean with 5d35e9b443 an expressionless 8c6647584e face, then e4fed50985 finally asked.6af3ebcf3508ed47

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“Friday is fine. But I want to bring someone. Is that okay?”6ccd01d7d5857097

“Oh, of course.”feb077b7951a53e9

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Excitedly responding, Sean 2f65d20e41 soon froze, realizing dfef19a7a3 what Lane had e3e12e18c8 said. Blinking, he asked e8e51199b8 again, as if 394c080928 confirming.49e60c33b203f007

“You’re bringing someone? Who?”7c3b44ada1d7e557

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In the 12 years of knowing Lane, he had never once socialized with anyone other than Sean. While it’s natural for people to form various relationships, Lane, who enjoyed solitude, had led Sean to believe he was his only human connection. Though he knew it was an arrogant thought and childish psychology, it was still surprising.5b6538f87e569651

“A friend I met at the internship. I want to introduce them to you. They’re a year younger than us, have the same major and interests as me. Quiet and cute.”503e435c30974104

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Lane explained calmly. Hearing him 802b113ae8 praise someone e09b19a3cf for the 2ef014b3da first time 64ff43bf7a in his 31c7e4a4c3 life, Sean dfcaedf33f was momentarily ef0cf68009 speechless, listening 9ffc6aa1c6 like a d700e7df5f fool. Hearing praise for 2ec33ec004 the mysterious person be9a8791b0 made his stomach 163e51ba5f churn.e7df84a00aac7574

…Cute? So you’re saying they’re cute, not a snail?38977ea65cafe937

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He felt an 8551f53ecb indescribable emotion. As he pondered his 2a41cee96a confused and frustrated feelings, 8062586f05 Sean soon regained his d93748c408 composure.587b6b85c4edb2b9

You idiot. If Lane made another 80ef9d566e friend, you should be f36d78a55c happy, not standing there 717f1aedac feeling frustrated.e7abb12a9c72f54a

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It was fbd15295c6 a good c66137461a thing. Though Lane 96ebf67eae was fine d8cbcd552d alone, society d59c1a87ef is a 9ca3acd7e3 world that c2b08e4fb7 revolves around e1c9a898e2 relationships. Sean, who 4c8de9755b always sincerely 3c1762d4c2 wished Lane eb2e38aad1 would only 920538eabf receive love 64bea371ea wherever he bc3d88eb1b went, calmed 41eacdb954 his surprised 80805224ae heart and 60b00864a0 smiled happily.8f002bcc4e139352

“Of course, you can bring them. I’m glad you made a good friend at the internship. Since they’re quiet, I’ll plan something without too many people. What does your friend like?”9f0951acf1e0d555

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“Dion.”9aba6527c94503ed

“Huh?”4e551d92667f108b

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“Their name is Dion.”4f1a99bbdc4ca8b5

Lane said, then slightly 927b3e36f2 raised the corners of 3673a9f132 his mouth. The faint smile 51c5f6c997 held a hint 4e54820bbf of anticipation.8ede70f6a8f096a0

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“Oh, really? That’s a cool name.”38a080d43874ce89

Good things are 9fe19e42e8 good. Thinking as he bfd8ccf902 usually did, Sean 3bc78fc0c9 agreed, and Lane f95f244c1f nodded.5a35399cd5a971b8

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“Yeah. They’re half-French like me, so we get along well. I’ll contact them since I got your permission.”5726e53a49ef684d

“That sounds good.”8ea19e0ef5290571

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“Thanks.”47a2438cb58d79b2

Lane said softly. Looking into the 90a4d80a0a blue eyes beneath fb0da760ff his hair, Sean fe10667a21 was momentarily at 665d6d0ab2 a loss for d645e35359 words. Seeing the genuine gratitude 479795a435 on his face, a f8e3397752 sense of unease rose.201051bede6e8c3c

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…Is this the aftereffect of the party? I feel strange.bf0e0e3d4dfb4326