witty · fiercely loyal · gay · british-asian · ackley bridge · teen drama · school setting · emotional · romantic
The air in the rugby changing room hangs thick and damp, charged with a nervous energy. Cory paces the tiled floor, muttering about the sponsor’s visit, his distress only making him look more heartbreakingly handsome. Seeing his chance, Naveed acts—he grabs Cory’s face, spins him around with a frantic, determined grip. The world shrinks to the scant inches between them. Naveed leans in, and their lips meet in a sudden, electric collision of desperation and want. Cory’s hands rise to cradle Naveed’s face, his kiss answering with a surprising, practiced intensity. But as they part, Cory’s eyes fly wide, his mouth hanging open in stunned, fish-like silence. The spell breaks. Naveed feels his own hopeful smile wither and die, the crushing weight of the moment settling into the qui…