Chapter 4 COLLEGE GRADUATION

Now in their final year of college, Time and Kornel were officially 22 years old, and the excitement of their impending graduation was palpable. They had grown into young men, full of dreams and aspirations, but still shared the same bond that had carried them through childhood and college life. With their final exams behind them, the boys were eager to step into the next chapter of their lives.

The graduation ceremony was fast approaching, and they worked together to finalize preparations. They sent out invitations to their parents, who responded with enthusiastic promises to attend. The Andersons and the Philips were overjoyed at the thought of witnessing their sons reach such an important milestone.

On the day of the graduation ceremony, the campus was abuzz with excitement. Students were clad in their caps and gowns, eagerly taking pictures and soaking in the celebratory atmosphere. Time and Kornel were seated under the canopy designated for their class, chatting and laughing with their classmates when they noticed their parents' car pull up near the entrance.

"There they are!" Time exclaimed, pointing as Mr. Philips' car came into view. Kornel waved enthusiastically, signaling for them to come over.

The Andersons and the Philips stepped out of the car, looking proud and radiant. As they approached, Time and Kornel rushed to greet them, wrapping their parents in warm hugs. The families exchanged heartfelt congratulations and compliments before Kornel suggested they capture the moment.

"Let's get some pictures taken!" he said, waving down the campus photographer.

The photographer captured a series of beautiful shots: group photos of the Andersons and Philips together, a few of Time and Kornel with their proud parents, and some candid moments of the two boys laughing and holding their diplomas.

After the photo session, they decided to head to a nearby eatery for a quick snack. Over burgers and sodas, they shared laughter and fond memories of the boys' journey through college. It was a moment of pure joy, a celebration of not just academic achievements but the unwavering support of family and friendship.

As they wrapped up the meal, Mr. Anderson spoke up. "Alright, boys, since we're done here, let's head over to your dormitory to pick up your luggage. Then we'll all head home together."

"Yes, exactly," Mr. Philips agreed.

Time opened his mouth to respond, but Kornel quickly cut in. "Actually, sir, if it's okay with you, we were thinking of staying back tonight. We've got an after-graduation hangout with our classmates, and we'd love to attend. We promise to come home tomorrow morning."

"Please, can we?" Time added, looking hopeful.

The parents exchanged glances, weighing the request. "Will this hangout be safe?" Mrs. Anderson asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Yes, ma'am, it'll be safe," Kornel assured her.

After a moment of deliberation, Mr. Philips spoke. "Well, if it's safe and you boys feel strongly about it, I don't see why not. You're grown now, after all."

Mrs. Anderson sighed but smiled. "Alright, just be careful, okay?"

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, ma'am!" Time and Kornel chorused in unison, grinning from ear to ear.

After finishing their meal, they all drove to the dormitory. The boys quickly sorted through their belongings, setting aside the clothes they would wear the next day and packing up everything else. With the help of their parents, they loaded their luggage into the car.

"Make sure you call us if there's any problem," Mrs Anderson said, hugging Time tightly.

"Don't worry, Mom," he replied with a reassuring smile.

The parents hugged both boys before climbing into the car and driving off, leaving Time and Kornel waving goodbye from the dorm entrance.

As soon as the car disappeared from view, Kornel turned to Time. "Come on, let's get ready!"

They rushed back into their dorm room, laughing as they tossed their caps onto their beds. They quickly showered and changed into fresh clothes for the night's festivities. Kornel chose a sleek black button-down shirt with dark jeans, while Time opted for a white t-shirt under a casual blazer with slim-fit trousers.

"Looking sharp!" Kornel teased, nudging Time playfully.

"You're not too bad yourself," Time retorted, grinning.

Once they were ready, they headed to the club where their classmates had arranged the after-graduation hangout. As they arrived at the club, The place was alive with music, laughter, and celebration. Students danced under the flashing lights, toasting to their achievements and the memories they had created together.

Kornel and Time held hands briefly as they entered, both feeling a mix of excitement and Time slightly nervous. Spotting their classmates gathered around a large table in the corner, they made their way over, smiles on their faces.

As they approached, one of their classmates-a lively girl known for shipping them as a BL couple-stood up and shouted, "Here come our college's popular ghost BL couple!"

The group burst into laughter.

"Lol, shut up, girl. Why would you even say that?" Shun retorted playfully, shaking his head.

Another boy chimed in, grinning, "But they do seem like a sweet match, don't they?"

The teasing caused a ripple of laughter across the table. Kornel smirked and seemed unfazed, but Time was visibly shy. He gripped Kornel's arm tightly, his cheeks flushing red as they sat down beside each other.

"Hope we're not late," Kornel said as he signaled a waiter to bring more drinks to their table.

From the opposite side of the table, Mara-one of Kornel's most persistent admirers-stood up and declared, "He's my King, remember? So, y'all should stop with that trash talk."

She strutted confidently to where Kornel and Time were seated. Time, noticing her approach, immediately released his grip on Kornel's arm and shifted in his seat, making room for her before Kornel could say anything. Mara sat down beside Kornel, much to his displeasure.

Kornel's expression darkened slightly, but he tried to mask his frustration. He had wanted to sit next to Time throughout the party, and Mara's interruption annoyed him more than he wanted to admit. Time, sensing Kornel's mood, chose to ignore it, feeling it was better for them to sit apart to avoid more teasing from their friends.

The group ordered more drinks and shared plates of meatballs, laughing and chatting loudly. The atmosphere was lively as the group toasted to their shared memories and bright futures.

After a while, one of the boys stood up and suggested, "Hey, let's play a game!"

"What game?" someone asked.

"Truth or dare!" a girl shouted enthusiastically.

Everyone agreed, and they arranged themselves into a circle, spinning an empty bottle in the center to determine who would answer. The game started with light-hearted dares and humorous truths, keeping everyone entertained.

Then, during one spin, the bottle landed squarely on Time. The room erupted in cheers and whistles, and the girl who had spun the bottle grinned mischievously.

"Truth or dare?" she asked.

Time hesitated for a moment. "Uh... truth," he answered nervously.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Alright then. Do you have a crush on anyone? Or is there someone you secretly like? If yes, who's the person?"

The question sent a wave of murmurs and giggles through the group. Time's face turned crimson as he tried to compose himself. He hadn't expected such a direct question and felt the weight of everyone's eyes on him.

He stuttered, "Uh... ehmm... yes, I do. Although I only realized it recently, while in college." He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. "But I'd prefer to leave the person's identity anonymous because... well, I don't see the possibility of us being together. And I don't want to ruin what we already have."

The room erupted in applause, laughter, and a few whistles. "Wow!" someone shouted.

Kornel, however, sat silently, his jaw tightening slightly. His childhood best friend-his closest confidant-had a crush, and he hadn't told him. He felt a pang of disappointment and confusion. Why hadn't Time confided in him? Weren't they supposed to share everything? Kornel's mood soured, and he decided to pay no attention to Time for the rest of the party, directing his focus entirely on Mara instead.

The game continued, and more secrets and confessions spilled out. During one spin, Mara ended up in the spotlight. She was dared to reveal her biggest college crush.

She hesitated for a moment before confessing, "It's Kornel."

The group let out a collective gasp, followed by teasing laughter.

"But everyone already knows that, don't they?" Mara added, trying to sound nonchalant, though her voice trembled slightly. "What hurts the most is that... he doesn't feel the same way. And every time I see him with Time, it just... it stings."

Her words cast a slight hush over the group, the laughter fading into awkward silence. Kornel looked uncomfortable, and Time shifted uneasily in his seat, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"Well, it's just a game," someone said, breaking the tension. "Let's move on!"

The party had taken a turn, and the atmosphere grew more chaotic as the night wore on. After the last spin of the bottle landed on Kornel, the group erupted into loud cheers, and the guy who had spun the bottle grinned mischievously.

"Truth or dare?" He asked

Kornel hesitated for a moment. "Uh... Dare," he answered. His eyes sparkled with mischief, I dare you to have a five-minute kiss with Mara , he said .

On any other day, Kornel would have laughed it off or outright refused, but tonight was different.

He was still fuming about Time's earlier confession about having a secret crush. Kornel couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal. He didn't understand why it bothered him so much, but his emotions clouded his judgment. So, when Mara eagerly stood up and grabbed his hand, Kornel followed her lead.

As they stood in the center of the circle, the crowd roared with anticipation. Kornel pulled Mara closer by the waist, his grip firm but mechanical. He leaned in, their lips meeting in a deep kiss. Though he kissed her back, his mind wasn't in the moment. It felt hollow, but he allowed it to continue out of sheer frustration.

Mara, however, was fully engaged, savoring every second. She ran her fingers through Kornel's hair, and the crowd erupted in cheers and chants of "Kornel-Mara! Kornel-Mara!" Time, sitting on the sidelines, felt his chest tighten. Each cheer was like a dagger, cutting deeper into his heart.

He grabbed another drink and downed it quickly, ignoring the burn in his throat. His hands trembled as he poured another. The sound of clapping and laughter echoed around him, but all he could hear was his own internal voice repeating, He kissed her... he kissed her...

When the five minutes ended, Kornel gently pushed Mara away, forcing a polite smile. She beamed, clearly overjoyed, while he felt nothing but regret. As the group continued to cheer, Kornel excused himself, muttering something about needing the restroom.

Once inside the bathroom, he leaned over the sink, turned on the faucet, and splashed cold water on his face. He rubbed his lips roughly with his hand, then spat into the sink, trying to rid himself of the lingering taste of the kiss. "What the hell am I doing?" he muttered to his reflection.

When Kornel returned to the group, he immediately noticed Time. His best friend was slouched over, his face flushed, and a half-empty bottle of vodka sat in front of him. Time poured another glass with shaky hands, his movements unsteady.

One of the boys nudged Kornel. "Hey, man, your friend's been drinking non-stop. Is he okay? Can he even hold that much alcohol?"

Kornel frowned. "No, he can't," he said, his voice edged with concern. Without waiting for a response, Kornel marched over to Time.

"Time, stop. You've had enough," Kornel said, reaching for the glass Time was about to lift to his lips.

Time ignored him, muttering under his breath, "Leave me alone, Kornel."

"No, I won't. Give me that." Kornel grabbed the glass from Time's hand, set it back on the table, and took the bottle away.

Time tried to protest, his words slurred. "Why do you care? You're too busy kissing your queen to notice anything else, right?"

Kornel froze, his jaw tightening at the words. Despite his anger, he crouched down to Time's level, speaking softly. "Time, come on. Let's go home. This isn't you."

Before Time could respond, his head slumped onto Kornel's shoulder. He was too drunk to argue any further. Kornel sighed heavily and stood, sliding Time's arm over his shoulder and lifting him to his feet.

From across the room, Mara watched the scene unfold, her expression darkening. She had waited all night for Kornel's attention, only to see him leave with Time. Frustrated and humiliated, she grabbed her purse and stormed out of the club without saying goodbye.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group began to wind down. Some called cabs to get home, while others helped their drunk friends find safe rides. Kornel called a cab for himself and Time, who was now fully passed out.

As they waited outside, Kornel adjusted Time on his back, carrying him carefully. "You're heavier than you look, you know that?" he muttered, trying to mask the worry in his voice.

When the cab arrived, Kornel gently lowered Time from his back and helped him into the car. Time's head lolled onto Kornel's shoulder as he settled into the seat.

The driver glanced in the rearview mirror. "Rough night?"

Kornel nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yeah, something like that. Just take us home, please." Despite his earlier anger, all Kornel could feel now was concern.