At my high school reunion, Bennett Hayes, the guy I’d crushed on for three years, actually showed up. I didn't say a single word to him all night. By the time the party wound down and everyone had drifted away, I was the only one left to haul his drunken self back to his hotel. In the room, watching him sprawled on the bed, I fought a internal battle for a long time. Eventually, I managed to keep my baser instincts in check. I didn’t expect him to show up at my front door the next morning, looking hurt, asking: "How did you hold back?" I was completely lost. "Weren't you wasted?" He took a step forward. "I was drunk. "I was faking it. "You, on the other hand—you watched me for so long, and you still just left." 1 Our class president started organizing this reunion months ago. Everyone was signing up. Then, the former sports captain tagged Bennett Hayes in the group chat. 【@Bennett are you coming?】 【Whoa! If Bennett's coming, then Clara Sterling will be there too, right?】 【The dream team! My high school OTP is finally going to be in the same room again!】 Scrolling through the messages, a bitter pang hit my chest. Clara was the "It Girl"—stunning, wealthy, and effortless. Standing next to Bennett, they looked like they belonged on a movie poster. Meanwhile, back then, the most I ever got was a smirk from Bennett when the teacher announced the test results. "Our Academic Rep really is something else," he’d say. My crush was a secret I kept buried deep. I didn't even have the courage to speak to him. I was terrified a single look would give me away. Finally, Bennett replied with a simple 【1】. I immediately messaged the president to confirm my spot. On the night of the party, I sat in a corner, chatting with some girls about college. Then Bennett walked in. Clara was right behind him. The room erupted into cheers. "Bennett and Clara look so good together!" "Only Clara could actually pin down a guy like Bennett!" Clara gave a shy smile and rolled her eyes at everyone. "Alright guys, pipe down." Bennett’s face suddenly went cold. "Stop talking trash," he snapped. He pushed through the crowd and sat directly next to me. The room went dead silent. Every eye was on us. I stiffened and turned my head, meeting Bennett’s dark, unreadable eyes. "Long time no see, Academic Rep." I folded instantly. I just nodded at him, barely a greeting. He was all legs and broad shoulders. To avoid touching him, I scooted as far toward the wall as I could. Bennett glanced at me out of the corner of his eye but said nothing. My friend Jenna texted me under the table. 【Holy crap, why is Bennett sitting next to you? Since when are you guys tight?】 【I have no idea. Maybe because I’m wearing black and he didn't see there was a human being here?】 【...Nobody is that blind. Look at Clara. If looks could kill, you'd be a crime scene.】 I glanced at Clara. She looked miserable. I told Jenna I’d rather be a ghost than a target. The class president pulled Clara into a seat. People started reminiscing about high school, and the tension eased. Suddenly, Clara walked over with a glass of wine. She leaned down and smiled at me perfectly. "Suzy, mind if we swap seats?" I looked up. Finally, an exit! "Oh, sure! I’ll swap with you." I grabbed my orange juice and started to stand up. A heavy weight hit my shoulder. Bennett had pinned me down. I froze, slowly turning to look at his long, pale fingers on my shoulder. Then I looked at Clara. Her eyes were flaming. Bennett didn't even look at her. He just flicked his gaze up and said coldly: "She’s sitting right here. Find another spot." I broke into a cold sweat. I wanted to shake his hand off. But then I realized that making a scene would just make it look more intimate. I tried to play it cool. "It’s fine, I’ll swap. I don’t really want to be against the wall anyway." Bennett tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "In high school, didn't you always fight for the wall seat?" The smile on my face vanished. I had no idea what game he was playing. The room was silent. Clara, completely ignored, had tears brimming in her eyes. "Bennett, do you really have to humiliate me in front of everyone?" Bennett’s aura was heavy. "Humiliation is self-inflicted," he said flatly. "She’s sitting here comfortably. Why should she move for you?" Clara couldn't take it anymore. She set her glass down and ran out. Bennett didn't move an inch. Eventually, the class president went after her. Every eye in the room moved from Bennett to me. I felt like I was sitting on a bed of needles. Oh my god. I have nothing to do with this! 2 After Clara left, Bennett started drinking heavily. To anyone watching, it looked like a lovers' quarrel. I didn't dare speak to him for fear of making things worse. I huddled in the corner with my juice, mentally counting how many glasses he knocked back. In three years of high school, we’d never been this close. He’d taken his jacket off and draped it over the chair. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing the sharp lines of his forearms. I tried to control myself, tried not to look. But the faint scent of his rose-wood cologne kept drifting toward me. It had been a year since graduation. His features were more defined now. The boyishness had faded, replaced by something more rugged and masculine. He was even more handsome than before. I couldn't resist a peek, but I walked right into his gaze. I immediately looked down at my food. A few seconds later, he let out a low chuckle. "Hiding again." My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. Thankfully, someone else started talking to him, breaking the tension. I poked at my salad, feeling distracted. I kind of regretted coming. Knowing he wasn't mine but wanting him anyway was a special kind of torture. Suddenly, a chicken wing landed on my plate. I looked at Bennett in shock. He looked away, saying casually: "Serving tongs. They're clean." I took a deep breath and muttered a "thank you." But inside, I was screaming—This isn't about the tongs! We are not 'fixing each other's plates' close! Luckily, everyone else assumed I was just caught in the crossfire. Even Jenna messaged me: 【Looks like the ship has sunk. Suzy, you are a total casualty today. I can't save you. Just eat.】 I sent back a "face-palm" emoji. Bennett seemed determined to get trashed. He barely spoke to anyone, and he didn't look at me again. As the night ended, people started filtering out. I wanted to leave too. But Bennett was leaning back with his eyes closed, his long legs blocking my way out of the booth. "Bennett?" I whispered. "Can you move?" No response. I tugged on his sleeve. "Bennett?" Still nothing. He was out. I looked at Jenna for help. "Jenna, wait for me!" But as she started to walk over, Bennett’s eyes snapped open. A sharp, cold glare fixed on her. Jenna stopped dead and gave a weak smile. "Suzy... maybe you should be the one to get him home?" I didn't even get a chance to protest. "Mhm," Bennett grunted. He looked back at me and said politely: "I’d appreciate the help, Suzy." I: "...Fine." 3 I opened a room at the hotel next door and asked if he could walk. He braced himself against the table and stood up, stumbling slightly. I caught him instinctively. The sudden contact sent my pulse racing. I wanted to let go, but I was afraid he’d fall. "Maybe I should call a porter to help you?" Bennett straightened up immediately, frowning. "No. I don’t like being touched by strangers." He grabbed his jacket, looking back at me. "Let’s go. You said you’d get me back." He started walking out ahead of me. I watched his back, confused. Is he wasted or not? I sighed and followed. "Bennett, wait. Let me call an Uber." "Is it far?" "Not really—" "Then let’s walk. My head is spinning. I don't want to be in a car." He looked pale, his brow furrowed. He really did look unwell. Maybe the fresh air would do him some good. I followed silently behind him. The only sound was the GPS on my phone telling us when to turn. Bennett stopped abruptly. I wasn't paying attention and nearly walked into his back. My nose brushed against the wool of his coat. "What's wrong? You going to be sick? I can go to the pharmacy and get you some ginger ale or something?" My dad always drank that when he overdid it. There was a 24-hour pharmacy right on the corner. "Wait here," I told him. "Don't move. I’ll be right back—" Bennett suddenly grabbed my wrist and yanked me back, pulling me into a full-on hug. My whole body went rigid. I forgot how to breathe. The hug I’d dreamed about for three years was actually happening. But I was clear-headed. This is wrong. I tried to push him away, but he held on tighter. If anyone saw us, how would I even explain this? "Bennett—" my voice was shaking. He buried his face in my shoulder, his voice low and raspy. "Don't go. Please. "I didn't mean to make you mad. Don't hide from me anymore." 4 Bennett was definitely gone. He was clearly mistaking me for Clara, saying all these confusing things. I didn't want to wrestle with him in the middle of the street. I had to play along. "I'm not going. I'm taking you to rest. Just be a good boy and let go, okay?" He gave a soft "mhm," let go of the hug, but immediately grabbed my hand. He looked at me with those big, puppy-dog eyes. Thank god for my strong moral compass and high emotional intelligence. By the time we walked the two blocks to the hotel, my palm was sweaty from how hard he was gripping it. I stepped into his shadow and muttered, "If you're this clingy, why did you fight with her in the first place?" Once we got to the room and the door closed, he couldn't stand anymore. He pulled me down onto the bed with him. His breath was hot against my ear. If I turned my head just an inch, I could kiss him. Who could resist that? Me. Only me. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't. He was drunk, not dead. Taking advantage of him would be disgusting. I pushed my "dark thoughts" down and rolled him off me. Bennett was flat on his back. His throat moved as he swallowed, his pale neck flushed red from the alcohol. My god. If I kept looking, I was going to have a nosebleed. I fumbled with a water bottle and held it to his lips. He drank greedily, his Adam's apple bobbing. The water spilled slightly, wetting his shirt. I slapped my own cheek. "Get it together, you animal!" I whispered. I pulled the covers over him and finally calmed down. Looking at his sleeping face, I gave myself a mental high-five. Good job, Suzy. You didn't ruin the guy you’ve loved for three years while he was unconscious. He should stay a dream. Not a messy reality. The doorbell rang. The hangover patches I’d ordered had arrived. I left the medicine, some water, and some tissues on the nightstand. I gave him a little wave and whispered goodbye. "Bye, Bennett. Don't drink like that again. A guy alone in a hotel needs to be more careful."
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