Crumble

Lunch

Alarm rings.

Blindly, I reach for my phone, silencing the alarm with the promise to myself: Just five more minutes, and then I'll wake up. I settle back into the warm comfort of my bed.

15 minutes later

Phone notification chimes.

My hand instinctively searches for the phone, my eyes still closed. After fumbling around, I finally grab it and squint at the screen. A single text lights it up.

- KAI -

"Good Morning."

I smile unconsciously and reply:

"Morning."

Realizing the time, I sit up abruptly. If I don't get moving, I'll be late for class. Groaning, I shuffle to the shower and get ready for the day.

As I'm about to leave, another text from him pops up.

"Why only 'Morning'? Why not 'Good'?"

Smirking, I type back:

"Because I had to wake up, so it's not good."

Grabbing my bag, I head to breakfast, where Ava is already waiting. After a quick chat over breakfast, we walk toward the academic block, discussing our separate classes for the day.

When we part ways, I head to my usual seat in the classroom, setting up my laptop. Before class starts, my phone buzzes again.

KAI: "Lol, you have class today?"

ME: "Yes, but it's only one. Don't you have class?"

KAI: "Yeah, but I didn't feel like attending today."

ME: "Why so?"

KAI: "I just didn't want to attend."

ME: "Oh."

The professor enters, calling out roll numbers. Soon, the class begins—Analytics using Python. Coding takes up most of the lecture, but my focus alternates between the screen in front of me and texting Kai.

Once class ends, I find Ava waiting outside.

"Excited?" I ask with a grin.

"Super excited!" she replies, her face lighting up.

"Let's go then."

We make our way to the university gate, where her boyfriend, Sean, is waiting. As we approach, Ava types a quick message on her phone and looks up.

"He's waiting at the gate," she says.

When we reach Sean, he greets us warmly.

"Hey, bro," I say with a smile.

"Hi, baby sis," he says before turning to Ava. "Hey, baby."

Ava blushes. "Hi," she replies softly.

I can't help teasing. "You better take care of her, understood?"

Sean laughs. "Don't worry, wouldn't want you to kill me. Also, here, take this." He hands me a chocolate.

"Damn, thanks," I say, pocketing it.

Before leaving, Ava turns to me. "Listen, Pen, go for lunch with Kai, okay? If possible, all your meals—don't go alone."

"Yes, boss," I reply, pushing her toward Sean. "Now go."

"Bye," I wave as they leave, and they wave back.

Turning, I pull out my phone and text Kai.

ME: "Where are you?"

KAI: "Room."

ME: "Come toward the academic block."

KAI: "On my way, start walking. Let's meet halfway near the library."

ME: "Okay."

Five minutes later, I spot him near the library, walking toward me.

"Hi," I greet him with a smile I can't suppress.

"Hello," he replies with a small smile of his own.

"Go for lunch with me? I don't wanna go alone." I try to sound casual, but my voice betrays a hint of hopefulness.

He pauses for a moment, typing on his phone. "No problem. You don't mind if my friend comes along, right?"

A flicker of disappointment washes over me, but I quickly mask it. "Nope, not at all." In my mind, though, I think: As long as I get to be with you, I don't care.

He glances at me, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Smiling nervously, I wave my hand. "Yeah, of course. He's your friend, so..."

He smirks slightly. "Alright. You'll like him. He's cool."

Tilting my head, I pretend to be interested, but inside, I'm screaming. Sure, cool friends are always welcome. But why do I feel like I'm going to be the third wheel?

He looks at me curiously for a moment. "Your friend left? You were going to drop her off, right?"

"Yeah, she just left. Oh, her boyfriend gave me chocolate!" I say, emphasizing boyfriend.

Kai makes a face. "He's interested in you."

Laughing, I shake my head. "Nah, he's my cousin."

"So? — Oh wait, cousin?" His expression changes, and I burst into laughter.

We reach the cafeteria, and as soon as his friend sees me, he reacts. "Damn!"

I know his friend—it's Henry, Kai's best friend. We all find an empty table and set our things down before heading to the food counter.

There are no tissues near the counter, so I turn to Kai. "Can you get tissues, please?"

"No problem. Anything else?" he asks.

"No," I reply, smiling.

While Kai goes to fetch tissues, Henry gives me a knowing look.

"What?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing," he says, still smirking.

Before I can respond, Kai returns with the tissues.

"Thanks," I say, taking them and smiling.

We all settle at the table. I check my phone and see a text from Ava, so I excuse myself and step outside to call her.

"Hey!" I say.

"Hi!" she replies, her happiness evident in her voice.

"Bro, I came for lunch with him, and his friend also joined us. I'm nervous!"

"It's okay. Don't worry," she reassures me.

A light tap on my shoulder interrupts me. Turning around, I see Kai. "Come on, lunch is ready," he says softly.

My heart skips a beat. He could've waited at the table or started eating, but he came to call me. I'm floating on cloud nine.

Ending the call, I follow him back to the table.

As we start eating, my wrist injury makes it difficult to maneuver my fork properly. Kai notices and leans toward me.

"If you want, I can feed you," he offers casually.

I flush with embarrassment and happiness, waving him off. "No thanks, I can manage on my own."

Henry watches the whole exchange with an amused grin, clearly enjoying the show.