Diff'rent Strokes (revisited, edited and updated)

A Revelation!!

James crossed his arms. "And you're not fucking your brother's roommate under his nose? Yeah, okay."

James Ardent

"So y'all just started hooking up, just like that?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.

"Yeah," Kayden admitted, shrugging. "We got drunk one night, and it just... happened."

Eli glanced at me. "Did something happen between you and my brother?"

I shot him a sharp "No," because hell no. Luke had too much baggage for me to even think about pulling a Kayden.

"What about you?" I asked, turning to Kayden. "What made you go for Eli and not Luke?"

Kayden smirked. "Eli's got that clean-cut, pretty-boy vibe. It's my type."

I shook my head, laughing. "Y'all are wild. So... food?"

"I want Thai," Eli said out of nowhere.

Kayden chuckled. "If my dude wants Thai, I'm down. Never had it, though."

"You should've. Your parents being military and all, I figured you'd be more adventurous," Eli teased.

Kayden shrugged. "Nah, mostly stayed stateside. Besides, I'm half Korean, not Thai."

We talked and laughed, swapping stories, when Eli's phone rang. He answered, and as he listened, his face went pale.

"Yo, what's wrong?" I asked.

Eli hung up and stared at the wall. "Some girl called. She says I have a son. Says he looks just like me and that if I deny it, she'll take me for a DNA test."

Kayden didn't even hesitate. He grabbed Eli's hand and said, "I got you. No matter what."

The moment felt heavy, but it was clear: Kayden was in this for the long haul. And me? I couldn't help but wonder how long all these secrets were gonna stay buried.

Kayden Oh

Luke was still staring at the door like Eli might come back and explain himself. When he didn't, he turned that same energy on me.

"You knew he was still here?" His voice was tight, controlled, but I could hear the accusation underneath.

I shrugged, keeping it casual. "I thought he dipped. Clearly, I was wrong."

Luke narrowed his eyes. "And you don't think it's weird? Just laid out like that? Naked?"

I huffed. "Man, I don't know what you want me to say. Your brother's always been on some reckless shit. You the one making it a big deal."

"Oh, I'm making it a big deal?" He let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. "Nah, see, what's weird is how you ain't surprised. Like maybe you did know."

I forced a smirk. "You trying to say something, Luke?"

"I'm saying... I know when niggas are lying to me."

The room went quiet. The air between us was heavy, charged.

I could've kept arguing. Could've played it off better. But I didn't like the way he was looking at me—like he was figuring something out. So instead, I grabbed my bag, shook my head, and walked out.

I needed to see Eli.

Elijah Moore

I barely made it back to my dorm before my phone buzzed. Kayden.

I hesitated. After that whole mess with Luke, I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk. But I picked up anyway. "Yo."

"You good?" Kayden's voice was lower than usual, like he was talking while moving.