Diff'rent Strokes (revisited, edited and updated)

Under Pressure

"Nah, we're going out to eat. I was worried as hell about you. Hurry up and get here, I'll buy breakfast," Luke replied, his tone still laced with concern.

"Alright, we're on our way," I said, ending the call with a sigh.

I slid out of bed, adjusting my clothes. "Get your sexy ass up and wash. You can't be smelling like that in class."

He laughed, pushing me playfully. "You a funny nigga. You trying to shower with me too, father?"

I grinned, as Kayden's his eyes were lighting up. "I would love to, but you know after what happen last night it might forever to get ready. I'll catch a quick one when we get to Luke's."

Luke Moore

It was almost an hour before Eli and Kayden finally showed up. James and I were already sitting around, pissed off that they were taking so damn long.

"What took y'all so long?" I asked, my voice irritated. The vibe in the apartment was off—nobody was talking, just waiting.

"I had to shower," Eli mumbled.

"And I had to wait on this nigga to finish. Damn near took 45 minutes just for him to shower and get dressed," Kayden said, walking straight to the bathroom.

I watched Eli closely as they walked in. He had this look—like he was holding something back. Something wasn't right, but I didn't press it. Not yet.

"So, we eating or what?" I asked, the irritation not fully gone from my voice.

James groaned. "I got class in 20, I can't go."

Eli apologized, offering to buy dinner tonight.

I shot him a look. "I don't know how much I trust your word, man. You said you'd be here over an hour ago."

Eli sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I get it. I'll make it up to you. Tell Kayden I'll talk to him later. Seems like there's always something with you."

"What?" I laughed, rolling my eyes.

"Bye," Eli said, storming out the door.

I stood there, shaking my head. I could already hear our parents calling me, saying I was wrong. They always sided with Eli. Whatever.

Kayden Oh

I stepped out of the shower, the steam still hanging in the air as I heard footsteps moving down the hallway. Luke. He looked tense, like he'd been stewing over something. The apartment was too quiet, and that strange vibe was back.

"Where's everybody at?" I asked, trying to mask the unease in my voice.

"James had class. Eli's got class soon too. You want his number?" Luke said, his tone sharp, like he was on edge.

I could feel the tension between us, thick as hell, but I wasn't about to dive into it. Instead, I shrugged it off and moved toward my room, trying to get some distance. But then, his voice cut through the silence again.

"No funny shit, did something happen between you two?"

I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. I turned, eyes narrowing. 

"Ight look I'm bisexual, never acted on it and sure as fuck never told no one that" 

Luke paused for a moment, looking at me studying my face.

"What is that a problem? You think I'm some kind of... faggot?" The words came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn't help it his silence and lack of reaction was low key killing me.

Luke didn't flinch, though. "You should've just called, man. Eli's my twin. I was worried as hell about him. I didn't know what happened."

My pulse quickened. Shit. This was getting too deep, too fast. I had to be careful. "Look, Luke... relax with that. You're not his father and definitely not mine. This tone you got is crazy, we boys." I forced a half-smile, even though I felt the sweat prickling under my skin.

He didn't back down. The suspicion in his eyes was too sharp. I could see he wasn't buying it. I tried to move past him, but then he dropped a bomb that sent my mind into overdrive.

"I need to know the truth. What happened between you and Eli?"

My stomach churned, and I could feel my throat tighten. I didn't hesitate long enough for him to push further. "Nigga I can promise you, nothing happened. We got back to his dorm to get his clothes and planned on coming back here but we ended up just falling out last night. That's it. We live together, you know how it is when you drink too much. When ya body tired it's a wrap any comfortable space gonna do it. I ain't touch your brother he ain't touch me. Nothing to freak out about."

Luke's gaze held me for a beat, like he was trying to read every lie in my face. I didn't blink. I couldn't. If I did, I'd crack.

But he didn't buy it. "Yeah? Aight," he muttered, grabbing his books with a quick, sharp movement. He didn't say another word before he turned and left, the door slamming behind him like it was some kind of warning.

The silence that followed was different. He didn't push. He didn't have to. But it felt heavy. Like he knew something. Like this was just the beginning.