Not his boyfriend

Chapter 1

Kit watched the scene in front of him, unable to wipe the smile from his lips. Shane was just a few meters away, having lunch with his classmates and laughing out loud at some joke one of them had told. It had been Kit's idea that they didn't had lunch together. Shane found it hard to make friends and Kit wanted him to enjoy his time at university. Their eyes met, and Kit winked at him, to which Shane responded by waving one of his hands.

-Do you know him?-Arm asked.

Arm had sat next to him at the faculty's introductory meeting and, now, along with Flower and Gun, they had lunch together and had formed a study group. They had the clothes and style someone would expect from a member of the Faculty of Art and Design; Kit, not so much.

-Why do you want to know if I know him?-Kit asked.

-I heard the girls talking about him, that's all.

-What were they saying?

-That he's attractive, mysterious. I guess he is, if you like rich kids. No offense, bro.

Kit smiled. Shane had no idea about the worth of the clothes he wore. The first time his mother bought him clothes, he had refused to wear them after recognizing the brands. The second time, she bought him really expensive clothes and told him she'd bought them on sale at some outlet. Only someone born with money or a fashion enthusiast would recognize the quality of the tailoring, the fabric... Shane wasn't any of them.

-We're together. -Kit confessed.

-Hahaha. Stop joking.

-I swear, I'm being serious.

He looked back at Shane. Now a tall guy with black hair was talking to him, with a smile on his lips and a hand on one of his shoulders. Shane suddenly turned serious and shook his head. They exchanged a few words and Kit's eyes met those of the stranger, who raised his hands in apology before leaving.

-Told you.-he said to Arm, who was looking at him, totally speechless.

______________A few hours later_____________________

-What did he tell you?- he asked Shane, as he drove them to his parent's house.

-His name is Joe, we share some classes. He... he wanted to ask me out on a date.

-Does he know we're together?

-Mhm.

-Please, remind me again why we have to listen to Mom.

-Because we promised. Because it's only one year, Kit, it's the only thing she's asking from us.

-The only thing? -he asked, furious.

Shane opened his mouth to speak, but understood that it was best to say nothing. Kit was right: it was unfair. He took his hand and smiled; as always, that was enough to bring the light back to Kit's eyes.

When they arrived the house, Kit didn't bother knocking. He entered with his own key; Shane also had one but he was still shy about using it. His mother was sitting on the sofa, but she stood up when she saw them, smiling.

-How are you, son?-she asked, hugging Shane-I'm happy you came home, I missed you.

-Does anyone see me?- Kit asked, secretly happy that his mom and Shane were inseparable.

-Please don't be dramatic. Son, Shane, I have a favor to ask you.-she said, taking Shane hands.

-Yes, of course.

-A friend's son is studying at your same faculty. He's having trouble with calculus, could you tutor him. I know you don't need the money, but...

-I'll do it, mom. What's his name?

-Joe.

-No- Kit said, without missing a beat.

-It's not your decision.

-Ha!-he laugh, but he couldn't think anything less funny.

-Shane, I promised.-she begged him, seeing she wouldn't get anything from Kit-Two or three classes would be enough. Please.

Kit watched her, totally livid. Of all the low blows...

-Okay.-Shane agreed.-Just two classes.

-I knew you wouldn't let me down!

She walked enthusiastically to the second floor, dialing a number on her phone.

-Two classes.- he warned Shane. He could have argued, made a whole issue about it, but he already knew it was a losing battle. Shane would never deny anything to his mother.

-Mhm.

-If he tries anything...

-Kit! I can take care of myself.

Two days passed and it was time for the first class. They met at a student cafeteria, with tables spacious enough for laptops and notebooks. When he arrived, Joe was sitting there, reading something from one of his notebooks. He was handsome, but in Shane's eyes, there was something about him that made him seem ugly. It was the fakeness, the whole 'I'm better than you because I have my parent's money.

-Hi, Shane.- he said, with a smile.

-Hi-he replied, as he sat down.

Shane took his time to neatly arrange each item on the table. He looked up and found Joe watching him.

-What?

-Nothing, I just find you cute.

-We'll only discuss lesson-related things.

-Is that what your boyfriend asked you to do?

-My... boyfriend doesn't have to ask me anything. Next time you make an inappropriate comment, I'm leaving.

-I'll tell mom how rude you're being. I can imagine what Kit's mom will say, after recommending you so much.

-Do you really need to study? Or is this something you made up to annoy me?

-I want to spend time with you. Look, we already agreed on two classes. We'll meet for a few hours, chat...

-You're totally crazy.

-A little bird told me that Kit got into a fight at his previous school and was almost expelled, all to defend you. Can you imagine if you tell him about this and it happens again? In those situations, they always look for precedents.

Shane smiled. Was it the fact that he didn't talk a lot? Well, and he supposed he wasn't a very expressive person. Was that why people who didn't know him well thought he was a pushover? He put his things back in his backpack and left without saying a word. Joe watched him, a smile lingering on his lips. The funniest way to get something was by snatching it.