EPISODE 25
1105 Words
The days in London passed quickly, turning into weeks and then months. Drake and Jersey made the best out of their time together, catching up on everything they had missed. They roamed the city, reminisced about childhood memories, and laughed over silly things like they used to. Drake spent quality time with his sister, Jane, too—just the two of them, strengthening their sibling bond.
Finally, the school year was getting closer. His mother had already returned home after handling business, but Drake decided to stay and finish his holiday in London. A few days before school reopened, he and Jersey boarded a flight back to the U.S. together.
Once they landed, the family butler and driver were waiting at the airport to pick them up. Their luggage was loaded into the trunk, and they were on their way home. First, they dropped Jersey off at his family home before heading to Drake’s.
“See you at school buddy. Yeah see ya." Drake replied
As soon as he stepped inside, he took a deep breath. "Oh, sweet home."
His mother was already waiting. The moment she saw him, she rushed over. "My baby boy is back!" She pulled him into a tight hug. "I missed you so much! The house felt so cold without you."
Drake smiled against her shoulder. "I’m sorry for leaving you alone in this big house, Mom."
She shook her head, pulling back to cup his face. "Nonsense. You deserve to enjoy your holiday. But now that you’re back, I hope you’re ready for school."
Drake chuckled. "Not really, but I have no choice."
That night, after dinner, he went up to his room and made a call to Jersey.
"Yo, how’s America treating you so far?" Drake asked as soon as Jersey picked up.
Jersey let out a dramatic sigh. "Not bad. But your roads are so straight. Where are the roundabouts?"
Drake laughed. "Bro, that’s the least of your worries. Just wait till you get to school."
"Can’t wait. I want to see how things work around here. Hope there’s good competition."
"You’ll see soon enough," Drake replied, leaning against his headboard. "Get some sleep, man. Big day ahead."
"Yeah, yeah. Night, bro."
"Night."
Drake hung up, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, he would see Tristan again. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
---
Meanwhile, Tristan and Nathan had returned a few days ago. Throughout their whole stay at his maternal home, Tristan had been thinking of Drake. He hadn’t shown it, hadn’t said a word about it, but deep down, it was there. He had been eager to return, and now that he was back, the first thing Dylan told him was that Drake had traveled to London for his holiday.
It stung. But what did he expect? That Drake would sit around waiting for him?
He was playing a game with Nathan when his phone rang. It was Dylan. He picked up. "Yeah?"
"Drake’s back."
Tristan shot up at the news, heart pounding. "...Oh."
Dylan sighed on the other end. "That’s all you’re gonna say?"
"What else should I say?"
"Maybe something about how you plan to fix things?"
Tristan rubbed his face, exhaling. "It’s been three months, Dylan. I don’t know if there’s anything to fix."
"Well, I’m just giving you a heads-up. Figure it out."
Tristan muttered a thanks before ending the call.
Nathan, who had been watching him, frowned. "What’s wrong?"
Tristan hesitated, then sighed. "Drake’s back."
Nathan stiffened but forced a neutral tone. "So, what are you going to do?"
Tristan shook his head. "I don’t know. We haven’t spoken in three months. I don’t even know where we stand anymore."
Nathan held back a sigh. He didn’t like talking about Drake, but he had to be a good friend. "Well…you could talk to him? See where things stand?"
Tristan scoffed. "And say what? 'Hey, I disappeared for months, but now I’m back, let’s be cool again'?"
"Could be a start."
Tristan leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling. "I’ll think about it. Let’s just finish this game."
---
Monday rolled in, and school was back. Everyone was fresh and excited for the new year. Tristan, Nathan, and Carl arrived together in Tristan’s car, heading to their lockers before making their way to class.
Nathan and Carl sat together while Tristan sat behind them. Dylan, who was now in the same class, took the seat next to Tristan despite his disapproval.
"Why are you sitting here?" Tristan muttered.
Dylan smirked. "If you’re thinking Drake’s gonna sit with you, I’m sorry, but that’s not happening."
Tristan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Dylan just motioned toward the door. "You’ll see."
Just then, Drake walked in, followed by a guy Tristan had never seen before. He watched as Drake led the new guy to another seat, settling beside him.
Tristan felt his chest tighten. Drake looked comfortable—too comfortable—with this guy. Who the hell was he?
“That’s Jersey,” Dylan explained. “Drake’s best friend from London.”
Carl and Nathan exchanged looks. Tristan was not finding this funny at all.
The principal walked in and cleared his throat. "Class, we have a new student. He transferred from London this year. Everyone, meet Jersey Harts."
Jersey stood up, giving a polite nod before sitting down.
"Make sure to stop by the office later for your school equipment," the principal added before walking out.
Almost instantly, the girls in class started whispering.
"He’s hot."
"London boys are different."
Tristan wasn’t paying attention. His eyes were locked on Drake and Jersey, on how naturally they interacted. How could things change so much in just three months? He didn’t like it. Not at all.
But then again…who had moved away first? Him.
What right did he have to be mad?
---
Later, as Drake was heading to the restroom, he accidentally bumped into Tristan.
An awkward silence stretched between them before Drake cleared his throat. "Hey. Sorry about that."
Tristan stood frozen, not knowing what to say. "It’s okay."
Drake nodded. "How have you been?"
"Good," Tristan replied. "You?"
"Good."
Another silence.
Drake exhaled. "Well…great seeing you."
He walked past Tristan and into the restroom.
Tristan stood there, staring at the closed door. Was this how things were going to be from now on? Awkward. Distant. Like they barely knew each other.
If he had known this would happen, he never would have left.
But on the brighter side, the vacation had helped rebuild his friendship with Nathan.
Small victories, right?
Then why did this feel like such a loss?
- Writer
