Despite their laughter and smiles, there was a vague feeling of heaviness lingering in the air as Asher and Landon sat together in the library. It was their last tutoring session before midterms. And, if Landon’s enormous progress was any indication, possibly their last ever.

It was hard for Asher to overcome the sense of loss that had been plaguing him lately. Oliver had suddenly been so busy with the play that he and Asher hadn’t hung out in weeks. He couldn’t even remember the last time they’d gone so long without getting together after school. They only saw each other at lunch and in Math class now. It was almost starting to feel like they were drifting apart or something.

And now, to be losing Landon on top of it all…

Asher tried his best not to think about it. He smiled proudly as he looked down at the paper in front of him. “You only got three wrong… That’s awesome!” He cried happily.

“Wait, seriously?” Landon seemed genuinely surprised at how well he’d done on the practice test. “That’s like… Like an A, right?”

Asher quickly did the math in his head. “B+, I think… But still!” He beamed at Landon. “You’ve got this midterm in the bag. No way is Marshall gonna have a test harder than this one. All his shit’s so dumbed-down…” He winced inwardly as he realized how that might have sounded. Up until recently, Mr. Marshall’s ‘dumbed down’ lessons were next to impossible for Landon. “Well, you know what I mean.” He continued hastily. “Like, the book stuff’s way more complicated than what we do in class.”

Calling it ‘complicated’ was totally pushing it, but Asher had been trying so hard to be more sensitive about things like that, especially given how touchy of a subject it seemed to be for Landon.

“Relax, I knew what you meant…” Landon smiled warmly at him. “So uh… does that mean we’re done for the day?” Despite his smile, his voice sounded so sad as he spoke. Defeated, almost.

Asher shrugged. “Guess so… We should probably clear out pretty soon anyway. I think the library closes early on Wednesdays, doesn’t it? For some stupid teacher meeting?” They’d gone off their usual schedule leading up to their midterm, so he wasn’t entirely sure.

“Oh shit, yeah… I think you’re right. Don’t want Mr. Strout giving us shit.” The school librarian was widely known for being a huge douchebag if you got on his bad side. So far they’d been lucky enough to avoid his wrath, but it would be best to not push their luck during their last tutoring session.

Landon hastily grabbed his backpack from the floor, stuffing his textbook and practice test inside. “I seriously don’t know how I’m gonna be able to thank you for everything.” He continued, rising to his feet. “I’d be beyond screwed tomorrow if it wasn’t for you, Asher.”

He laughed softly as he got to his feet as well. “Well, first off, you can thank me by NOT kicking my ass the next time we do a Bloodwatch raid? And secondly, like I keep saying, don’t thank me til after you pass the test, okay? But honestly, I think you’re gonna be fine.” Asher’s smile faltered for a moment. “I’ll be surprised if you still need me to tutor you after this…”

He noticed that Landon’s smile seemed to flicker as well. “Hey, you never know. I’ve got a whole second semester of this shit to go through before graduation. I might totally suck at all the new crap. Don’t forget who you’re dealing with here…”

Asher shook his head. “Nah, you’ve got all the basics now. All you’ve gotta do is figure out how to apply them to the new stuff. It’ll be easy.”

“Hope so…” Landon was silent for a moment, looking thoughtful. “So, if we’re really done with this tutoring thing now, what are you gonna do with all that extra free time?”

“SAT Prep.” Asher replied without hesitation. “I mean, I’ve already started studying, but I’m gonna have to step up my game pretty soon. I’ve got a LOT riding on that stupid test… I’m sure you can relate.” He gave the older boy a smile as he spoke.

Landon nodded. “I just wish there was some way I could pay you back or something for all your help. And I mean, I did take my SATs already… But I’m pretty sure you don’t wanna get a super shitty score like I did, so…” He let out a low chuckle. “I’m guessing it’s a ‘hell no’ to me tutoring you?”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks, but no thanks.” Asher laughed softly in reply.

They both fell silent then, still lingering at the desk by the door. Asher’s mind began to race. It was starting to hit him that this could really be his last chance. After this, it would be back to only seeing each other in class, wouldn’t it? Things would go right back to the way they always were…

But maybe they didn’t have to.

Ever since Landon’s team had won the state championships, the two of them had been growing closer and closer. They’d been playing online together several nights a week, spending more and more of their tutoring sessions talking and laughing together instead of studying… It all had to mean something, didn’t it?

Despite Ollie’s repeated warnings still echoing in his mind, Asher couldn’t shake the feeling that this was finally his moment. Maybe he wasn’t ready to completely throw caution to the wind just yet… but maybe dipping his toes in the water wouldn’t hurt?

“Landon, listen… I’ve been thinking. And um, I… I really just… I, um…” He paused, taking a breath. He hadn’t felt this nervous talking to Landon in a very long time. “The past couple months have been pretty awesome. I mean, I know the tutoring itself kinda sucked… But I’ve really liked getting to know you.”

Landon smiled, despite the sadness in his eyes. “Me too.”

“And I’ve actually always kinda wished we were closer. Like… Like friends, maybe, or… Or… something?”

His heart leapt with excitement as he watched Landon’s eyes light up at his words. “You have?“

Asher nodded, feeling his heart racing in his chest. “Yeah. I… I really like hanging out with you… you’re really cool. And… and…” He felt like he was going to be sick. “I guess what I’m trying to say is… I really like you, Landon.”

“You do?” Landon asked softly.

He nodded once more, still feeling on the verge of puking everywhere. “Yeah… A-A lot…”

His breath caught in his throat as the older boy took a step closer, closing the distance between them. “I really like you too…” Landon whispered as his green eyes pierced right into Asher’s soul.

“Gentlemen! The library closed nearly fifteen minutes ago!” A harsh voice snapped, causing both of them to jump.

It was like a switch had been flipped. In an instant, the spell was broken.

They muttered hasty apologies and practically ran from the library, fearing further wrath from the grumpy librarian. They could hear his loud grumbling and complaining echoing all the way down the hallway until they finally made their way around the corner and vanished from sight.

As soon as they were in the clear, Landon turned to him, a smile on his lips that quickly grew into full-on laughter. Asher wasn’t entirely sure what was so funny, but it was impossible not to join in. Landon’s laughter was infectious.

“Jesus, that was a close one.” The older boy said as his laughter finally faded. “Too bad though… We could’ve gone from tutoring together to being trapped in detention together instead. Wouldn’t have been so bad, right?”

Asher smiled. “Minus my parents grounding me for the rest of my life, sure.” He teased. “Pretty sure the last thing I need is another detention on my record though.” He’d been working hard on watching his mouth with his teachers this year, and didn’t want this simple faux pas to mess him up. “But you’re right… Probably wouldn’t be so bad with you.” He felt his cheeks grow warm as he spoke.

Landon said nothing. As Asher looked up at his handsome face, he couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if Mr. Strout hadn’t interrupted them. Goddamn it. Now I’ll probably never know.

“Anyway… I, um… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Asher continued lamely, his earlier courage now completely erased. He was back to feeling just as terrified and uncertain as ever. “Good luck on the test.” He forced what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

Landon’s smiled quickly faded at his words. “Yeah, you too… Not that you’ll need it.”

“Thanks…” He knew he didn’t have it in him to force a laugh, so he didn’t even try. “Later, Landon.”

Asher turned and walked away then, both his mind and stomach still swirling and bubbling uncomfortably with adrenaline, anxiety, and now anger at himself for losing his nerve so easily. I’m hopeless.

“Asher, wait.”

He turned around to see Landon striding toward him. “Yeah?”

Landon took a deep breath, as though steeling himself for something. “There’s a party this weekend I was thinking of going to… I think it’s supposed to be celebrating the end of midterms or something? Or the start of Christmas break? I dunno. Whatever.” He shrugged. “But anyway, if you aren’t busy, I thought maybe it would be kinda cool if… We went together, or something? If you wanted to?”

Asher could have literally died. Was this like… a date? Was Landon asking him out?

Don’t read too much into it, he reminded himself, thinking of what Ollie would probably say if he were there. Date or not, this is fucking awesome!

“Yeah!” His voice came out about two octaves higher than normal. Asher paused to clear his throat before continuing. “I mean, that’d be cool. Sure.”

Landon beamed at him, sending a flurry of butterflies through Asher’s stomach. “Awesome. I’ll text you later with the details and stuff, okay?”

Asher’s head nodded while his heart soared. “Sounds great… I’ll see you tomorrow, Landon.” This time, the words brought him joy and anticipation rather than sorrow.

“See you tomorrow.” Landon seemed to hesitate. It almost looked like he wanted to say something else, but seemed to think better of it as he flashed Asher another smile and strode past him down the hallway.

Asher was giddy with excitement as he turned and watched Landon’s glorious ass disappear through the door at the end of the hall. He still didn’t know for sure what this whole thing meant, and part of him still wondered what would have happened if Mr. Strout hadn’t interrupted them.

But maybe it’s not too late to find out…