Dolion picked his fifth flower and began to pluck it. "Do it. Don't. Do it. Don't." His cheeks darkened when nearing the end of petals. "Don't. Do it..." He grumbled and threw the stem back into the grass. Frustrated he stared up at the blue sky. The shade of the willow tree allowed him to cool his head from the heat of the sun... and his racing thoughts of a certain individual.

He knew this was a simple crush. What didn't help was a simple fact that the boy's homophobic father, was the dean. Nor the insecurities his own father had planted into his head. After the long talks, they had during lunch break about their messed up daddy issues or the pressure they felt at home, there was something that drew him in. Something that just makes Dolion's blood pump a little harder than before. He hugged his knees and closed his eyes. He thought of those mesmerizing brown eyes that held a dash of mystery in them. Framed by long black eyelashes that would flutter in wonder. He sighed. Dolion was familiar with the feeling of love but this time...

Stupid father figures. He looked at the ivy-covered stone walls, tracing with his eyes a path to the boy's window. He stood up dusting his pants. Determined he began to search for the boy in his thoughts.

He chewed on his lip and began to mumble what he would say. No. First, he would take him to his dorm room. After all, they weren't allowed near each other. Which was something he blamed himself for. Since he was the one worried about appearances. He smacked his arm. I'm a fool.

Novah seemed bothered by the idea but regardless agreed since it was something he, Dolion, was worried about. Novah Jackson, he let out another sigh. He crossed paths with several of his friends and his rival. Eligio Croix, the pretty boy who was usually existing. Making his own insecurities rise and Novah's eyes go all ga-ga. Or at least that was what it looked like to Dolion.

He walked away with a sinister glare and his head held high.

"Dolion," a raspy voice called out. He glanced at the girl who called his name. Keket Dumont, childhood best friend. One of the many girls Dolion would never understand. He braced himself for her judgment. She stared at him for a minute and smiled "I see you made up your mind," he blushed "Congrats."

He crossed his arms stubbornly "I don't know what you are referring to." The red in his pointed brown ears deceived him. She nodded and patted his shoulder. Keket sashayed away in her all goth glory and left Dolion confused. Was that necessary for her to do?

The seed of doubt began to bother Dolion after she left. He almost wanted to call her back to make it go away. The feeling crept up his back but Dolion shook his head and began to search once again. The only difference was the pace of his beating heart.

Novah was usually in the library. Dolion searched row after row but no sign of the boy in his head. Until he reached the last row... the romance section. "I knew I would find you here lover boy," Dolion smirked but internally melted. The chubby boy looked up from the book he was reading.

Novah wasn't your stereotypical beauty. Dolion knew that, but regardless he found him so endearing. Smooth skin, round hips, made Dolion feel dizzy when looking at the boy. Novah's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Dolly," the brunette closed the book "I see you've found me."

Dolion's throat tightened. All reason and previous thoughts vanished from his head. He scratched his neck as he looked for the right words to say, maybe that's what he should have thought about as he walked around looking for the boy. "Did you need something?" the boy tilted his head slightly, making Dolion swoon.

He stepped up to the boy. Dolion inhaled and said, "Kiss me." His face couldn't get any redder. Novah blinked with wide eyes. Before he could say anything Dolion jumped in "I think you've grown on me." He looked into his brown eyes and stated passionately "I just wish to confirm if what I feel for you is deep friendship or" Novah turned red "something else..."

They both remained flushed in silence. Novah bit back a smirk "By something else you mean..."

"Love you doofus." Dolion looked away feeling the heat run down his back.

Novah chuckled. "Sure then," he caught Dolion's attention "I've been feeling some type of way when I'm with you lately." He winked at Dolion "Shall we confirm this feeling then?"

Dolion softly gasped. He mumbled and stuttered "So um how are we um, I've never you know-"

"Wait you've never kissed before?"

Defeated Dolion nodded. "Keket and Elizabeth have lied for me," he shifted his feet awkwardly "I've never kissed a girl nor a guy." They both remained silent.

"That's ok," Novah brushed back his curls "Are you sure you're comfortable with giving me your first kiss though?" Dolion scoffed nodding. "If you say so, had to double-check cuz ya know the first kiss is important for-"

"You're running your mouth, now get on with it" Dolion pouted.

Novah chuckled and nodded. "Ok ok, I apologize, Dolly." Dolion rolled his eyes at the nickname. Novah wrapped his arm around Dolion's waist. His head cranked up to look at Dolion's face.

"Ready?" He whispered.

Dolion leaned down and cupped Novah's plump cheeks. "Yes," he stuttered.

They both closed their eyes leaning in. Soft lips connecting with one another. A spark shot down Dolion's spine. He... liked it. The feel of his lips, the flutter of his eyes, the slight taste of his chapstick. It was perfect. Novah's lips parted a bit as he leaned back. Dolion wished for the kiss to last longer or for Novah to kiss back again. And the universe granted him so. Novah leaned in pressing just enough for Dolion to sigh in pleasure.

Dazed Dolion leaned back. Opening his eyes he caught Novah's gaze. "Screw my father," he whispered "I love you"

Novah smiled at him. "Dolion-" he surprised Dolion when he wiped a tear from Dolion's face. "It's okay"

Dolion sniffed and let out a sob. "I bet I look like a wimp," he joked as he wiped his tears.

"Never that," Novah handed him tissues. "I'm proud of you Dolion" Dolion sobbed harder, leaning into Novah's touch.

After a while, Dolion clutched his shirt and asked "Could you kiss me again?" Novah tilted his head in what looked like a confused expression. "You made me feel like I had nothing to worry about," Dolion chewed his lip "like hell suddenly stopped being hell." He looked into Novah's eyes "And heaven was brought down upon me."

Novah laughed embarrassed. "You got all cheesy on me," he lightly bumped Dolion's hip "I kind of like it though." He looked at Dolion's eyes and brushed back a dreadlock, "I love kissing you too."

They both smiled and leaned in for a second time...