Lunch break came like a breath of fresh air… until it didn't.
Brandston had barely stepped out of the class before he heard it—
"Brandy~!"
He froze. Joel, walking beside him, immediately backed away like he wanted no part of what was coming.
"Bro, I'm gonna pretend I don't know you for the next five minutes," Joel whispered, slipping into the crowd with the grace of a ninja.
Brandston sighed and turned to find Vanessa already closing the distance, her tray of food in one hand and that same dazzling smile plastered on her face like she was doing him a favor by breathing in his direction.
"There you are!" she said, linking her arm with his like they were high school sweethearts in a drama series. "I got us a seat at the courtyard. Nice sun, good view, fewer people."
"I was actually gonna—"
"Nope," she cut him off, gently tugging him forward. "No excuses. You looked tired in class. You need a break. And I brought juice. That imported kind you like."
He didn't remember telling her that. Ever.
"Vanessa…" he started, trying to slow his pace.
But she wasn't having it.
"Relax, Brandy," she cooed. "It's just lunch. You need to stop acting like I'm dragging you into a wedding."
He didn't answer. He just walked, quietly, awkwardly. People stared. Some whispered. A few girls from his class even looked at Vanessa with that oh wow, she really thinks they're a couple glare.
They reached the courtyard, and sure enough, she had a table set. A clean cloth. A neatly packed lunch for two. And yes—orange juice in a glass bottle, probably overpriced and unnecessary.
"This is... a lot," he muttered, sitting stiffly.
"I'm just showing I care," she said, handing him a sandwich. "It's exhausting watching you act all tough and distant. You need someone to... soften you."
He stared at the sandwich like it might explode.
Before he could even come up with a reply, he heard a voice from behind—
"Yo! This is where you've been hiding, lover boy?"
Joel plopped into the seat beside him, holding a plastic tray piled with whatever he could grab last-minute. "Sorry, am I interrupting your little private wedding reception?"
Vanessa's smile tightened. "You weren't invited."
Joel grinned. "I go where the food is."
Brandston looked between the two of them, his eyes silently screaming help me at Joel, who just bit into a burger and said, "So... what's on the menu? Manipulation and orange juice?"
"Joel," Brandston said under his breath.
Vanessa stood up, picking up her half-eaten lunch.
"Well, if you're not going to take me seriously, then enjoy your lunch with the jester."
She walked off, and Joel raised a brow. "So... you gonna go after her?"
Brandston shook his head. "No."
Joel smirked. "Good. Now pass me that juice."