Mid Level: Third World, River’s Friends and Thier Relationships

River and Zaiden were walking around the mall. Going from one cafe to another cafe. River was eating his slice of strawberry cake. The two of them were chatting, and then Darien entered the cafe and saw them.

"River and Zaiden? When did you two get so close?"

"Brother! You didn't know? Zaiden and I are dating!"

"Oh?"

"Yep!"

" When did you two start dating?"

"A while after that day you introduced us."

" And I only found out now? Where is the brotherly love?"

"Heehee. You were always away, constantly working."

"I see. Well congrats! Don't you dare hurt my little brother Zaiden."

" I know."

" I guess this mall is popular. I have met almost everyone from the dorm. You know. Our old dorm mates."

Lucca also came into the cafe and saw them.

"Seriously?"

" Yeah, I saw Jayden and Mason. Reese is here on a date with his girl. Rylan and Darien are here. Just Logan is missing. Oh and Elliot group."

Darien and Ryan left together. River and Zaiden decided to hang out together. Lucca led them to the makeup store and River spoke out his idea that suddenly came to him.

"Ooo, let's dress up as girls. It'll be fun."

"Hmm… I don't know. I probably won't look good in girls' clothes."

"Oh come on! Look at this figure!"

River pulled Lucca to the female section of the store. He picked out an outfit and shoved it into Lucca's arms. Pushing him into the changing room.

"This skirt feels kind of short."

"It's not. Plus you're wearing boxer shorts underneath."

River drags Lucca around and then they suddenly meet Logan.

"Hey, you aren't on a date? We heard about it from Lucca."

" It was a first date. Both of us thought we weren't a match. Who is this? Maybe Lucca's sister? Is he nearby?"

Reese pops up behind Lucca and asks.

"Huh? Lucca has a sister?"

"No...it's me."

Lucca corrected, blushing as he gave glances at Reese. 

'He's cute.'

Thought Reese. Reese invites them to go eat. River and Zaiden said no. Before they left, River wiggled his eyebrows at Lucca. Lucca responded with an eye roll. Logan also rejected his offer and decided to go to the bar with a group of friends. Mason was part of the group and they had fun together. Mason gets up to grab more drinks for the group.

"Huh? Jayden? You work here?"

"Yeah. Oh, got to go. See you later!"

Mason waves in response and returns to his group of friends. Playing and hanging a few hours for a while, Mason needs to use the restroom. After going, he just left the restroom when he saw Jayden being harassed by this obnoxious guy. 

"Hey man. He's with me. My boyfriend."

Mason has slung his arm around Jayden and the drunk guy rushes off in shame.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

"Does this happen a lot?"

"..."

Mason saw the answer on his face. 

"I don't think you should work here anymore."

"No where else has better pay. I'm not quitting."

Mason frowns and pulls Jayden with him. Jayden struggles and asks where they were going. Mason pushes Jayden in the passenger seat of his car. 

"Why do you even care? It's none of your business what I decide to do. Or where I work."

"Are you serious? Do you really mean that? We have known each other for years. Since we were 10! Plus, I'm worried about you!"

"I don't need your pity! Go away!"

In frustration, Mason pulls Jaydon from behind the neck and gives him a smothering kiss. Jayden pushes away.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'm going to fuck you and make you mine!"

"W-why??"

"Cause I have been in love with you since we were kids! I don't want you being touched or looked at in that way. I'm fucking jealous."

"...calm down."

"I can't calm down Jayden."

"I'm...I'll quit. I will quit this job so don't be mad."

"What made you change your mind?"

"I also have feelings for you. And since it makes you jealous of all the guys trying to force themselves on me, I'll quit. It's more safe anyways. I'll try and find another job. A better one."

"You love me too?"

Jayden blushes and nods in agreement.

"Since we were kids like you."

Mason hugs Jayden in excitement. He was glad that Jayden wouldn't be harassed and that they are in love with each other. Sharing the same feelings.

Meanwhile, Logan had been feeling down lately. He has had it since a child. But it's been worse. He drank to oblivion and his friend had to call the first number on his phone. Dean came to pick him up and take him home. Logan woke up the next morning with a severe headache. Groaning as he turned over. He noticed that he was being held from behind with a big and strong arm. He looked at that person and was surprised.

'Did we do it yesterday?'

Logan tried to recall but his heavy headache and dizziness was making it hard to remember. Dean woke up and looked at Logan.

"Good morning Logan."

"Morning..."

"You must be hungover. I'll get you some soup."

Dean left the bedroom and Logan laid in bed in confusion.

'I probably did sleep with him. He's not normally so active in talking with me. It's always been a give and take relationship. He gives me an allowance and I say thanks.'

Logan decides to ignore him. A week later, on a weekend, Dean confronted Logan.

"Why are you trying to avoid me?"

"I-I'm not?"

"Yes you are."

Dean comes closer to Logan and lifts his chin.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"I have a question. Did we have a one night stand?"

"No. We just slept in the same bed together. You asked me to."

"Can you tell me how that happened?"

"I came to pick you up that night."

Returning to that night. After the call that the friend did. Dean quickly arrived and saw Logan being supported by the shoulder.

"I'll take him home."

"You are?"

"His step father."

"Really? Wow! You're so young!"

"Yeah. Thank you for taking care of him."

"No problem. Bye."

Dean picked Logan up in a princess carry. He gently set him down in the passenger seat and drove them home. He continued to carry Logan to his bedroom. Logan was mumbling and groaning the whole time.

"I'm so dizzy."

"We're almost to your room. I'll help you change and you can go to sleep after drinking some water."

"Okay."

After putting the glass of water on the side table. Dean was going to go but was stopped by a pull on his pants. He turns to look at Logan.

"Will you stay with me?"

"..."

"You're going to leave me like mom? I'm lonely. It's cold and dark here."

"...I'm not going to leave. I'm staying right here beside you."

"Can you hold me until I sleep?"

"Yes, sweetheart."

"Goodnight, I love you Dean."

"...goodnight."

Back to the present, Logan covers his face and Dean chuckles in amusement.

"I'm such a spoiled brat."

"No you're not. You were just lonely. I promised to stay so I had decided to spend more time with you. Making space on my schedule everyday. Only for you to ignore me."

"I'm sorry. I won't ignore you anymore. I promise."

"Alright, sweetheart. Now it's my turn to ask you, did you mean love as in romantic feelings or as friends? Or something else?"

"I-I…I love you more than friends. I realized when I assumed that we had a one night stand and I was too embarrassed to confront you about it."

"Good. I also have some romantic feelings with you."

"But you're my step dad?"

"Your mom made me promise to take care of you before we married. She gave me the family business in return to marry her. Why would a 26yr old marry a 50yr old woman?"

"Oh."

"You weren't a troublemaker like other misbehaving 19yr olds and when I got to watch over you. I liked you more."

Dean and Logan settled their conflict and started dating. Now back to when Lucca left with Reese to eat that day. 

"So what do you want to eat? Order anything you want."

"I'm not picky, you can just order whatever and we can share."

"Alright."

Lucca has had a crush on Reese since the beginning of university. That day, Lucca was applying makeup and Reese entered the dorm room and saw. He didn't tease or look down at him to like doing makeup. Reese was a chill and carefree guy. As well as being gentle and very nice to others. Other than River, who also likes to do makeup and dress up, Reese was the only other very close friend of his.

They chatted and waited for the food to come out. Then Reese's phone rang. He casually pulled it out and answered. 

"Hello? I'm with a friend rn. I'll help you when I get home."

"Your girlfriend?"

"No, my sisters. I have 3 younger sisters."

"So you're used to seeing makeup. It's nice that you don't make fun of me like everyone else."

"Why put a title to a hobby? A hobby is for everyone to enjoy."

Lucca and Reese enjoyed their time. They had gotten closer by that conversation and Lucca invited Reese to places with him. They hung out more frequently. 

Today, Lucca was forced by River to dress up in girl's clothes again. River knew that Lucca had a crush on Reese and decided to do this plan of his. 

"Do this, he'll be very jealous. I know it."

"You don't know if he feels the same as me."

"You'll find out. I'll be watching you. Fighting!"

Lucca went over to sit at the bar. He ordered a drink and minded his own business. Staring at the drink as he took a sip every once in awhile. Then a guy approached and asked him for a night. He shook his head and the guy left him alone. This continues for a while. Reese had seen Lucca the moment he entered the bar. Even in a full face of makeup and female clothes, Lucca was dazzling as always. He watched for awhile before he couldn't take it anymore and approached Lucca.

"You into guys as well? I noticed a lot of men here have tried asking you out."

"Yeah. I'm bisexual. But I'm in a low mood so I'm just drinking today."

"Are you willing to go out with me? Can I be your choice in a man?"

"You like me?"

"Yeah. The more I spent time with you. The more I felt. I don't know when it became romantic feelings but I know I love you. So give me a try. Date me."

Lucca was shocked. He had always thought Reese was heterosexual. But like River had said. He didn't know if Reese was into him or not and to try to find out. Make an effort to chase his crush. Lucca blushed and nods.

"Yeah? Great, let's go hang out somewhere else. I don't want more men chasing what's mine."

Lucca agreed and followed Reese out of the bar. They went to play games, after they danced in the rain, and now they're running to Lucca's apartment. Lucca laughed so much that night. Both of them enjoyed it.