CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: WHAT WE MEAN TO EACH OTHER

When I pushed the door open, I didn’t even have the chance to breathe. Evric was standing right behind it. The moment I stepped inside, he shoved me back hard, my spine pressing against the wood as the door clicked shut and locked behind us. His eyes burned with something raw, anger, hurt, and longing all tangled together.

"Easy," I whispered quickly, my palms pressed against his chest. "We’re not in your house, Evric. My mom is just down the hall."

But he wasn’t listening. His voice was low, but sharp, trembling with the kind of hurt I had been avoiding.

"Zayn’s friends don’t fuck," he said, his jaw tight. "I never saw you as a friend. And don’t you dare think that’s all I’ll ever be to you. Because I will never sleep with someone who only calls me a friend."

His words cut deeper than I expected. I tried to calm him, lowering my voice so my mother wouldn’t hear. "Evric, please... this is just the first day. I know why you’re upset, but you can’t expect me to just tell her everything at once. I will tell her, I promise. Just give me time."

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head as if my words were smoke slipping through his fingers. "Stop playing with my feelings, Zayn."

Then he turned and stormed back out into the dim living room, where the only light came from the small lamp by the couch. The house had gone quiet, Liana and my mom had already gone to bed. It was just the two of us, and the silence felt heavy, pressing against my chest.

I followed and sat beside him, close enough to feel the tension radiating off his body. "Evric," I whispered. "I know how it must have felt when I called you my friend. I know it hurt. But you have to understand, I didn’t mean it like that. I only need a little time to gather my courage, and then I’ll tell her the truth. Please, believe me."

He turned his head slowly, his eyes full of something more painful than anger. "You don’t get it, Zayn. I’ve given you everything I could. My love, my patience, my heart. And every time, you hold back. You hide me. You hide us. Do you know how much that hurts?"

When I leaned in, desperate to close the space between us, he pulled away. I tried again, and again, soft, pleading kisses, but each time he turned his face, rejecting me. Finally, he stood up, his voice cracking.

"You never see me as important," he said. "And maybe you never will."

Before I could say another word, he walked away, back into my room, leaving me sitting in the dark, the echo of his pain hanging in the air.

I dragged my hands through my hair, raking it back in frustration, guilt gnawing at me. My chest felt hollow, as if something was slipping away from me.

Not long after, I heard a soft voice behind me.

"Zayn."

I flinched slightly and turned. My mom stood there in the doorway, her robe drawn around her. Her face was calm, but her eyes carried the weight of someone who had seen more than I thought.

I quickly straightened up. "Mom."

She looked at me. "Why are you still out here?"

I lied. "I just came out to drink water."

She moved closer and looked at me, and then said gently, "Son."

"Yes, Mom?"

She didn’t scold me, didn’t question me, she simply crossed the room and wrapped her arms around me. I froze for a moment, then sank into her embrace, burying my face against her shoulder. Her voice was quiet, but steady.

"Tomorrow," she whispered, "bring him to me properly. Introduce him to me the way you should have tonight."

My throat tightened. "Mom... who are you talking about?"

She pulled back, just enough to meet my eyes. "You know who I’m talking about. You don’t have to be hard on yourself, or on him. Zayn, the way that boy looks at you, the way he cares for you, it’s written all over him. That’s not friendship. That’s love. And you don’t need to be ashamed of it."

Tears stung at the corners of my eyes, and I shook my head. "I’m sorry, Mom..."

She cupped my cheek gently, her touch warm and steady. "It’s okay... son."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Are you... disappointed in me?"

She smiled softly, brushing her hand through my hair. I’m not disappointed in you, son. Not at all. Just... be honest with yourself. And be honest with him. He deserves that much."

I nodded, my voice breaking. "Thank you, Mom."

"Go to him," she said gently. "Apologize. Tomorrow, we’ll talk. Tonight... just go and let him know he matters to you."

I hugged her tightly, clinging to the warmth of her words, the relief of her acceptance.

When I finally pulled away, I stood and walked to my room. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Evric lying flat on the bed. The moment his eyes met mine, he immediately turned his back.

I changed quietly into my nightwear, my heart heavy, and then slipped under the covers. I shifted closer to the small space where he had curled up, wanting to feel him near.

The moment I settled beside him, he shifted, clearly about to turn his back on me again.

"Babe..." The word escaped me before I could stop it. He froze mid-movement, stiffening at the sound of it.

My chest tightened. I whispered, "I’m sorry... I mean it, I’m really sorry."

He didn’t say anything at first, just stared at me with an indistinct expression that made me nervous.

I swallowed and tried again. "I promise... tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to her properly. Please... don’t be angry with me. Don’t turn your back on me, please."

Finally, his voice broke the silence. "Zayn, I’m not angry with you. But the main reason we came here was for her to know about us."

His words pierced me. He continued, softer this time, "I really looked forward to this day. I don’t mind if she rejects me, but at least... You should say it, say who I am to you. Don’t just call me a friend. I don’t like that."

My chest ached with guilt. "I’m sorry," I whispered.

Stared for a minute then he pulled me into his arms, holding me firmly. "Tomorrow," he said against my ear, "regard me as anything, but a friend. I would never fuck a friend, Zayn. I wouldn’t leave my work just to be with a friend. Okay?"