Staying Overnight Again

In order to ask that question, Jerry practically gathered every bit of courage in his body.

Jerry's heart was thumping so hard and their surroundings were extremely quiet. It would not be too weird if Aiden started hearing his irregular heartbeat.

Jerry's closest friends and family members knew about his sexual tendencies. Otherwise, he rarely became close with anyone outside of his friend and family circle. Until he met Aiden.

Aiden was no different from an alien that sneaked into his world. An adorable alien, but an alien nonetheless. Having fallen for the young man on the first day he arrived at Riverdale University, Jerry was unable to figure Aiden out and it was killing him.

What if he was straight?

What if he had a boyfriend?

What if he did not have a boyfriend but Jerry was not his type?

There was nothing Jerry would love to do more than drag Aiden to a secluded place and ask him all of these penetrating questions.

But come on. Jerry was not dumb enough to do that.

He did not want to scare Aiden off for good.

Asking him about the ball was perfect to gauge his sexuality and find out about possible love interests. Unfortunately, Jerry had to bite back his disappointment when he heard Aiden's answer.

"Oh, I am a student union member. I have to serve drinks for the event so no, I am not going with anyone."

Not only was he not going to go with anyone, but he was also most likely going to be busy the entire night that a dance was off the table.

Good that Jerry was an optimistic guy who did not know what it meant to give up.

"But you will be going!" Jerry confirmed his answer.

"Yes, I will be going."

As a student union member, Aiden wanted to complete his sentence, but the broad grin on Jerry's face made him stop.

"Is there something wrong?"

"What? No!! Nothing! It's wonderful! It's Winter Wonderland! Hahahaha!!"

Aiden gave Jerry one last smile before he closed his eyes from gradual drowsiness.

"I am so tired. Sorry, but I will go to sleep now. Good night, Jerry," he murmured.

Leaning on a shelf opposite Aiden, Jerry was mesmerized when watching Aiden's sleeping face. He could do that all night.

Just watching the angelic face with his eyes shut, and the tender and long eyelashes cast barely noticeable shadows over the soft cheeks.

"Good night, Aiden," Jerry said in a low voice.

He did not know when it happened, but he eventually fell asleep as well.

The wall was not a comfortable surface to lean on, and at night the library was even chillier than during the day.

Nevertheless, the two men managed to get some well-deserved rest.

When morning came, Aiden was the first one to wake up thanks to the sound of approaching footsteps of industrious students who had come to prepare for exams.

Aiden quickly nudged Jerry, who seemed to forget that he was inside the library. He even mumbled, "Five more minutes, Mom," and rolled on the carpeted floor.

Aiden was close from laughing out loud.

"Jerry, this is Aiden. Your mom is at home."

Jerry's eyes flew open right away.

"Come, come, let's get out of here."

Aiden and Jerry successfully slept in the library without being found out. The two young men could not help but laugh over their small but glorious feat in the morning when they became the first visitors to leave the library, puzzling the librarian on duty.

"Hey, Aiden…" Jerry called once they were outside. Aiden was stretching his body left and right after a night of sleeping against a hard surface.

"Hmm?"

Jerry scratched his nose while making the one-year younger man a suggestion.

"It's like this… Your house is a little far from here, right? My house is very close. Why don't you come to my house to freshen up a little?"

It was not a bad offer. A shower would be great indeed. Coincidentally, Aiden did not bring back the suits that he was supposed to wear for the ball. It was still neatly lying in his locker.

If he could get a shower nearby, he did not even need to go back home to change his clothes for the ball.

"That sounds great. But what about your parents? Will I disturb them?"

Jerry broke into a wide smile as soon as he heard Aiden's answer. He waved his arms dramatically while quipping, "Not at all! Why would they be disturbed? It's not like you are going to live with us, uh…"

Blood crept up Jerry's face. His imagination started to get ahead of him again. Thankfully, Aiden did not notice. The young man smiled brightly at him in gratitude.

"Thanks, Jerry."