Not You, But Him

Chapter 1 - We're Just Friends

"Sometimes the deepest feelings hide behind the simplest words."

The university cafeteria buzzed with conversations, trays clattering against tables as students hurried through lunch before their afternoon classes.

Pik sat by the window, quietly eating his meal while scrolling through the playlist on his phone. Music had always been his little escape whenever campus became too loud.

He had barely taken one bite of his fries when a familiar voice echoed across the cafeteria.

"PIK!"

He didn't even have time to look up.

An arm landed across his shoulders.

"There you are."

Pik let out a quiet sigh before smiling.

"I've been here for ten minutes."

"I know."

"...Then why were you shouting?"

"So you'd know I found you."

"..."

"...That doesn't even make sense."

Jai only laughed.

Without asking, he reached across the table, grabbed one of Pik's fries, and tossed it into his mouth.

Pik watched him chew.

"...That's mine."

"You weren't eating it."

"I was about to."

"But you didn't."

"..."

"..."

"...You're unbelievable."

"I've been told I'm charming."

"By who?"

"Myself."

Pik couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him.

"There it is."

"What?"

"That laugh."

Jai pointed at him with another stolen fry.

"You've been too serious today."

Pik rolled his eyes.

"Maybe because someone keeps stealing my lunch."

"Oh."

Jai reached over...

...and stole another fry.

"You're impossible."

"And yet," Jai said proudly, "you still eat lunch with me every day."

Pik didn't answer.

Because Jai was right.

Every lunch.

Every break.

Every walk back to class.

It had always been the two of them.

Ever since freshman year.

"By the way..."

Jai suddenly leaned back in his chair.

"I broke up with Mark."

Pik stopped eating.

"...Already?"

"Mhm."

"You were dating three days ago."