Can We Be More

COL

. Anderson's car horn as he drove into

elp carry the items he had bought on his way back, while

zed with a notification. It was an email. Curious, he went insi

and was elated to find out that both boys had been offered admission to study there. This news brought him immense joy

tting room now!" Then he turned toward the kitchen and called,

ed the house as everyone quickly g

om, their faces lit with excitement. There was a brief moment of silence filled with smil

erson clapped her hands together, exclaiming, "Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord!" She hugged the boys tightl

rnel dashed back to Time's room to do the same. They couldn't stop grinning, the

ying the meal that Mrs. Anderson had lovingly prepared. The atmosphere was warm and filled with happiness,

the Philips, ensuring they could share in the joy of the boys' achievement. Meanwhile, Time and Kornel went to bed, feel

he Andersons in celebrating the boys' good news. They entered with warm smiles and joined everyone at the dining table, wher

up discussed the email from Owen College. Mr. Anderson spoke up, saying

ve decided to rent a large room for both of you in the same dormitory. You'

in unison, "Yes, yes, yes!" Their excitement was c

t get too carried away with excitement. There's still a lot of preparation to do before

ly right," Mrs.

lly. "We won't! You can trust

you both have a few weeks to get yoursel

eir hospitality. "Thank you so much for breakfast, and for

family to their car. After bidding them goodbye and watching them drive off, Mr. Anders

nel were already assisting with the dishes. Once the chores were don

ade sure to keep Mr. Anderson updated on what they needed, while Kornel also communicated with his parents about any a

eir luggage in tow. They joined Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, along with Mr. and Mrs. Philips, in the dining room for one last meal toge

offered to drop the boys off at college. However, both Mr. and Mrs. Philips, as well as Mrs. Anderson, insisted on c

r. Philips' car since his seven-seater Sienna

coming with us?" Ti

se," Mrs. And

us to come along?"

. This has never happened b

" Kornel adde

ensuring everything they needed for college was packed securely. Kornel opened the back door for Time to get in first before sliding in after

ey were off, the Sienna p

In the middle, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Philips discussed various topics, mostly revolving around family and home. Up f

ld handle payments for both boys simultaneously. As for their pocket money, it would be transferred t

embarked on this milestone trip together. It was a bittersweet moment, marking the beginning

d straight to the dormitory that had been arranged for the boys. Once there, everyone stepped out of the car. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Philips went to

erson and Mrs. Philips carried the remaining luggage and followed them inside. Mr. Anderson handed over the forms for th

them heartfelt goodbyes before turning to leave. Time, unable to hold back his emotions, felt a tear slip down his cheek as he watched his parents walk away

ey were led to their designated room. The dorm keeper pointed to the door and said, "Chec

they saw. The room was enormous! It featured two separate bedrooms, each with its o

!" they exclai

it here!" Time said, b

e students?" Kornel replied, grinning as he watched T

m on the left. "I'm takin

," Kornel said. He smirked and added, "But let's be re

m grown now!" Time

time they were done, night had fallen, and they were both too exhausted to cook. They decided

e climbed into Kornel's bed, lifting the duvet carefully. Kornel opened his eyes and smirked. "Lol, I knew you

l Performance and Kornel in the Business Department, their official classes woul

he team after meeting the captain and filling out a form. He learned the practice schedule and, since no one el

room, freshened up, had dinner, and went

their schedules would be packed, and their time together would be limited to evenings or short breaks between classes. The we

ense of nostalgia lingered in the air. Though they were excited about their first day of college, the thought of being ap

lightly shaky voice. "We should learn t

you. Like we could even mana

ch other's side all the time-just like back in high school." He paused before adding, "

ut his hand to Kornel. Kornel smiled and took his hand, h

ng until evening, Monday through Friday. The only reprieve was a shared free period in the afternoons from 12 to 2 PM, or occasionally until 3 PM. As

rs from the crowd. Kornel was on the court, his movements sharp and confident, weaving through opponents with

all smile playing on his lips. His sketchpad rested on his lap, and hi

back in celebration. Time stood up, his sketchpad tucked under his arm, holding a bottle of water and a towel he had brought along

ls crowded Kornel, chattering and giggling, each trying to catch his attention. Kornel smiled politely at

heard Kornel's voice. "Aren't you going to give

e spread across his face as he handed the towel and bo

cascading down his toned, muscular body. Time couldn't help but stare, his eyes tracing the droplets as they glided over Kornel's broad chest and defined abs. Kornel had been

el looking at him until he snapped his finger

that Kornel hadn't accepted any of their towels or water. Frustrated, they s

y every boy at school. But Mara had eyes only for Kornel. She had been pursuing him relentlessly, t

d why Kornel seemed to favor Time, even claiming they were just friends or like

hed Kornel and Time walk off together, talking and laughing as if the res

of the storm brewing in the background. They were too wrapped up in their own world, cheri

ke. No matter how talented his teammates were, Kornel's excellence shone brighter, drawing the crowd's admiration with every game. His moves were precise, his shots flawless, and his leadership unden

ls. Some were bold, some were shy, but all were turned down with polite indifference. No one

Time couldn't resist teasing him. "Celebrity boyfriend!" Time quip

. "Celebrity? Stop it. I'm not anyone's boyfriend

is voice wavering slightly as he tried to mask his sudden nervousness. "You're

o something unreadable. He gently placed his hand under Time's chin, lifting his head so their e

nse. "Uh... uh... I didn't say that, okay?" he stammered, breaking away from Kornel's grasp. "Besides, we don't have those kinds o

him. Kornel, left standing in the living room, chuckled to himself and smirked

heart was still hammering. "What's wrong with me?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper

ns. "He's almost like a brother to me," Time reasoned, trying to calm the storm of emotion

is chin and the intensity of his gaze refused to leave his mind. Time groaned in frustration,

ingered on his lips as he replayed Time's flustered reaction. He wasn't entirely sure why he had teased him

his dreams filled with fragments of moments shared with Kornel. Acros

nt of their college life together. Whether it was during class breaks, in the evenings, or on weekends, they always found ways to be with one another.

t as simple admiration for his best friend. But the more they laughed, the more they shared, and the more time they spent together, the

him breathless and overwhelmed. Kornel was everything to him-his best friend, his confidant, his safe p

feelings, but it was impossible to stay away from Kornel. Every moment they spent together only made Time fall deeper. He became possessive in his own quiet way, hating how g

always quick to shrug off romantic advances. Girls admired him for his looks, charisma, and incredible basketball skills, but Kornel

l-a confident, beautiful girl who was used to getting what she wanted. As the years went by, the students began shippin

attending events and fulfilling his duties alongside Mara. Though it was clear Mara had strong feelings for him, Kornel remain

ese students, particularly the BL fans on campus, noticed the way Kornel always prioritized Time, how he seemed to light up i

y Kornel's eyes softened when he talked to Time, how he always seemed to seek him out in a crowded room. They ignored the

to his heart, a constant reminder of what could never be. Though he saw the small gestures that others missed-the way Kornel a

er. He kept his emotions bottled up, wearing a mask of happiness to hide the sadness that ate away at him. Every time Kornel smile

e. To the world, they were the epitome of a perfect friendship. But beneath the surface, Ti

l self-protective, caring, and fiercely loyal. He didn't know the impact

ft and a curse, a bittersweet reminder of a love he couldn't speak aloud. And so, he continued to live