Maybe I imagined it.
That thought played in Niki's head like a broken record as she sat in the cafeteria, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her tray.
She told herself it was nothing.
Just a weird look. Just a tired mind. Just lack of sleep and too much K-drama poisoning her brain.
James wasn't looking at Luke like that. Right?
"Niki?" Sammy's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "You okay? You've been zoning out for five minutes straight."
Niki nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Just... thinking about the project."
Sammy gave her a knowing look but didn't push.
Across the cafeteria, James was sitting alone at a corner table, typing something on his phone, brows slightly furrowed.
Niki bit her lip.
I'll just talk to him. Prove myself wrong. He's my friend. I'll be normal. He'll be normal. We'll be fine.
She walked toward him with two cold cans of coke in hand—one for her, one for him.
"Hey, James." She smiled, trying to sound casual. "Want a coke?"
He looked up at her, slightly surprised. His expression unreadable.
"I'm good," he said softly, then went back to his phone.
Niki stood there for a second, smile frozen.
"Oh. Okay." She nodded, trying not to let the sting show. "Just thought... never mind."
She turned to leave, clutching both cans in her hands like shields against her own disappointment.
Just then—
Luke walked in.
His hair slightly messy, cheeks flushed from P.E., and three cold drinks in his hands.
"Here," he said, plopping down beside James. "One for me, one for Niki, and one for you."
He handed James the juice box without even looking.
And James… took it.
No hesitation. No second thoughts.
Their fingers brushed for a moment.
And then James looked at him.
That same calm, lingering gaze.
The one Niki had tried to believe she imagined.
Luke didn't notice.
He was already unwrapping his straw and sipping like it was just another Tuesday.
But James?
James watched him like he was the only person in the room.
> Niki looked down at the coke still sweating in her palm. The one he didn't want.
> And for the first time... she stopped pretending.
[Chapter 5 ENDS]