"You didn't always. Only when you're stressed."
Richard's fingers paused for half a second. "I'm not stressed."
"Sure."
The room fell into tense silence.
Finally, Richard closed his book with a soft thud. "Maya messaged. She's coming to class early."
Leon's eyes sharpened. "You're going with her?"
Richard stood. "No. She asked if both of us could walk with her."
Leon froze at that—because that meant Maya felt the tension, and she didn't want to choose between them.
Richard grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "You coming, or not?"
Leon stared at him. "Fine. But don't try anything weird."
Richard smirked faintly. "Funny. I was going to say the same to you."
Maya stood waiting, her backpack slung over one shoulder, her hair neatly tied into a high ponytail. She looked fresh, bright, and completely unaware that both boys had slept like zombies.
When she saw them approach—together—her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"You two came at the same time?"
"We live together," Richard said dryly.
Leon shot back, "Unfortunately."
Maya sighed. "Please. Don't start. It's too early."
They walked side by side down the street, the morning sun turning the puddles into tiny golden mirrors. The fresh breeze carried hints of rain-soaked earth.
Leon kicked a pebble. "Your mom okay after last night?"
"She was just worried," Maya said. Then she bit her lip, slowing her steps. "Look… about what happened yesterday, I didn't mean to worry you both."
Leon shrugged. "You didn't worry me. I was just—"
"Panicking," Richard finished.
"I WAS NOT PANICKING!"
Maya giggled. Leon reddened.
Richard smirked but said nothing.
For a moment, the three walked in a tense but almost comfortable silence. Almost.
Then a cheerful voice called from across the road:
"Maya! Good morning!"
They turned to see Tunde, a second-year architecture student, waving at her enthusiastically. He jogged across the street and stopped a little too close to her.
Leon stiffened.
Richard's jaw tightened.
Tunde grinned. "I didn't see you online last night. You okay?"
Maya smiled politely. "Yeah, just got caught in the rain."
"You should've messaged me. I would've come to pick you up."
Leon's eyebrow twitched.
Richard's eye did too.
Tunde continued, oblivious, "Hey, Maya, are you free later? I was thinking we could—"
"No," Leon said immediately.
Richard added, flatly, "She has plans."
Tunde blinked. "She does?"
Leon folded his arms. "With us."
Richard nodded. "Group assignment."
"There is no group assignment," Maya whispered under her breath.
"Shh," Leon murmured back.
Richard cleared his throat. "We're starting one."
Tunde looked between them and finally laughed awkwardly. "Ah—okay, no problem. See you in class, Maya."
He walked off.
Maya turned slowly to both boys, expression caught between disbelief and irritation.
"What," she asked, "was THAT?"
Leon pointed at Richard. "Ask him."
Richard glared. "He was flirting with you."
"So?" Maya asked. "He's just a friend."
"No," Leon said firmly.
"No," Richard echoed.
Maya threw her hands up. "You two are impossible!"
She stomped ahead, leaving them standing on the pathway.
Leon exhaled. "Great. Now she's angry."
Richard crossed his arms. "You started it."
"Did not."
"Did too."
Leon groaned into his palms. "We need to stop fighting."
Richard paused… then muttered, "Maybe."
Leon woke up earlier than usual, his mind buzzing with leftover irritation from the night before. Richard had walked into their shared room drenched in sweat after basketball practice, tossed his towel carelessly on Leon's desk, and then had the nerve to grin at him like nothing was wrong. As if their entire lives hadn't been one long competition of who could annoy the other first.
Leon pushed the memory aside and stretched. Today was supposed to be normal. Attend classes. Avoid Richard. Attempt to talk to Maya without turning into an awkward mess. Easy.
He showered, dressed simply—white shirt, black jeans—and stepped out of the dorm into the morning sun. His spirits were light until he reached the campus gate… and saw Richard leaning there.
Waiting.
For him.
Richard straightened when he noticed Leon, pushing off the wall. His hair was still damp from a morning shower, falling messily over his forehead. He wore that lazy half-smile that always made Leon want to throw something.
Leon frowned. "Why are you here?"
Richard shrugged. "Walking to class."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "You don't take morning classes on Tuesdays."
"Maybe I felt like taking a walk."
"Coincidentally in the direction of my department?"
Richard smirked. "Coincidentally."
Leon groaned internally. Why must the universe do this to him? "Fine. Walk wherever you want. Just don't talk to me."
Richard started walking beside him anyway. "That's going to be difficult. You're very talk-to-able."
Leon rolled his eyes so hard he felt dizzy. "Please disappear."
"No can do."