More Than Just Us

Shifting Orbits

Kaye balanced her tray in the cafeteria, scanning for a seat. Normally, she would’ve texted Kiko, or waited by the entrance until he arrived. That had been their silent routine for years — a habit so natural that her feet almost carried her to their usual corner without thinking.

But lately, waiting felt pointless.

So when her blockmate Mira waved her over, Kaye shifted direction.

“Kaye! Over here!” Mira scooted aside, making room. A guy sat across from her, broad-shouldered with a lazy grin that reminded Kaye of the boys in campus magazines.

“This is my cousin, Adrian. He just transferred here for the semester,” Mira introduced.

Adrian extended his hand across the table. “Nice to meet you. Mira always talks about her ‘super cool friend.’”

Kaye let out a surprised laugh as she shook his hand. “I doubt she said that.”

“She did,” Adrian replied smoothly. His eyes crinkled with humor. “Guess I’ll see if it’s true.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “Ignore him, he thinks he’s charming.”

“Correction: I know I am,” Adrian teased, making Kaye laugh again.

It felt nice — lighter than the heaviness that had been clouding her days recently.

From across the cafeteria, Kiko spotted her.

There she was, hair spilling over her shoulder, laughing at something—someone. His steps faltered, tray balanced in his hands.

Kaye tilted her head toward the guy, listening intently as he gestured animatedly. And then she laughed again, the kind of laugh that made her eyes shine.

Kiko froze. That laugh — it had always been his.

Something sharp tugged inside his chest.

“Kiks!”

Lianne’s voice snapped him back. She tugged at his sleeve with her free hand, holding her phone in the other. “Can you help me check this? I’m not sure if my slides are formatted right. The fonts keep shifting.”

Kiko nodded automatically, though his eyes lingered on Kaye. She hadn’t even noticed him.

Lianne talked, but her words blurred in his ears. All he could see was Kaye, leaning closer to Mira’s cousin, her tray untouched because she was too busy listening.

Not waiting.

Not scanning the crowd for him.

Just… fine without him.

The realization sat heavy in his stomach.

Later that afternoon, Kiko caught up with her near the lockers.

“Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual.

Kaye looked up from arranging her books. “Hey,” she echoed, polite and clipped. No warmth.

He frowned. “So… who was that guy earlier?”

Kaye blinked at him. “Adrian? Mira’s cousin. Why?”

Kiko shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “No reason. Just—didn’t know you were making new friends.”

Her brows lifted, just slightly, but her lips curved into something like amusement. “Is that not allowed?”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said quickly, defensive.

“Then what did you mean?” she asked softly, head tilted. There was no malice in her tone, but there was a challenge.

Kiko opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. What did he mean? That he didn’t like her laughing with other guys? That it felt wrong, almost unbearable, seeing her so at ease with someone who wasn’t him?

“I just thought…” His voice trailed off. He didn’t know how to finish.

“You just thought what, Kiks?” she pressed gently.

But he had nothing. No excuse that didn’t sound ridiculous.

“Forget it,” he muttered instead, shutting his locker harder than necessary.

That night, Kiko lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The room felt too quiet, too still.

He thought about the way Kaye used to wait for him at the cafeteria doors, her smile breaking the monotony of his day. How she’d roll her eyes at his dumb jokes but still laugh anyway. How she’d text him where are you? if he was even a minute late.

And now… she didn’t wait. She didn’t ask. She didn’t even look for him.

For the first time, jealousy crept sharp and undeniable into his chest.

It wasn’t just Lianne tugging at his time anymore. It wasn’t projects or favors.

It was Kaye herself — pulling away, orbiting farther, finding laughter somewhere else.

And the thought of losing her — not to Lianne, but to distance she had chosen — scared him more than he could admit.

The next morning, Kiko found himself scanning the hallways automatically, half-hoping to catch Kaye walking alone. But she wasn’t. Adrian was with her, carrying her books like it was the most natural thing in the world. Mira was there too, but Kiko barely noticed.

Kaye smiled politely when their eyes met across the hall, a small nod before she turned back to whatever Adrian was saying.

For years, she had always lit up when she saw him.

Now, he got a nod.

And that hurt more than he expected.