When Love Across the Time

"You already have an answer," said my roommate.

I was troubled by this matter and decided to avoid Kenny altogether. He came looking for me several times, but I ghosted him. Soon, the semester ended, and the holidays began.

I stayed in Emberglow with my roommate to find an internship. Since the dormitories were closed during the break, we had to rent a place together outside. It was a bit far from the city center, as we were students and didn't have much money.

The company was a startup where the staff and boss were friendly. Compared to the fast-paced big companies without any personal touch, this kind of place suited me better.

But just a few days into the internship, one evening after work, we were told by the landlord that his relatives needed to stay temporarily at our place, so we had to move out. He refunded our rent, but it was late at night, and we had nowhere to go.

My roommate contacted a relative who lived nearby, but their place was too small for both of us. She looked at me apologetically, and I comforted her. "It's okay. Kenny is interning nearby, and 'll ask him."

With that, I dialed Kenny's number.

"What's up?" His voice was a bit hoarse and low, and I realized suddenly that I hadn't heard his voice in almost a month.

"I-I've been kicked out by the landlord, and I have nowhere to go," I revealed.

"Then come to my place. I have a spare room in the apartment I'm renting alone," he said immediately, but his words made me blush.

Before, I hadn't felt uneasy about anything, but now that I had discovered my feelings, I felt shy. It would be awkward for a young man and a young woman to live together. I knew his physique well, and I was afraid of losing control.

Blushing, I managed an affirmative sound and sent him my location. My roommate went from feeling guilty to happy. When I glared at her, she chuckled and went off to buy something from the store.

She shoved it into my hand and whispered, "Take it and win his heart." Then she hurriedly grabbed her suitcase and fled.

I glanced down and blushed instantly.

This was crazy. Kenny and I hadn't even confirmed our relationship.

I quickly stuffed the item into the bottom of my backpack, took a few deep breaths, and quietly waited on the roadside for Kenny to pick me up.

I was a bit nervous. Since the last incident, I had been avoiding him, afraid that his previous action was just a joke. I was also afraid that if he knew my feelings, he would drift away from me.

If the price of bravery was losing him as a friend, then I chose cowardice.

Before long, a car pulled up in front of me, and Kenny rolled down the window. "Get in."

I found it unbelievable that he had a car. But then I remembered the successful investment made by his family a few years ago. Kenny was now financially free.

As I stood there in a daze, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.

By the time I reacted, my hand, holding the suitcase, was already covered by his. Just like that, he led me to the trunk.

My mind went blank the moment his hand covered mine, as he seamlessly transitioned from holding my hand to interlocking our fingers and leading me to the passenger seat.