The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the university campus. The group had gathered like usual in the courtyard after classes, sprawled out on the stone benches near the cafeteria. Win was dramatically recounting how a girl asked him for his LINE ID - and how, for once, he didn't give it.
Beam rolled his eyes. "Maybe you're evolving."
"Maybe," Win said with a wink. "Or maybe I just didn't like her earrings."
Tee was laughing, shoulder pressed against Nio's as he reached for the drink they'd been sharing. Nio smiled despite himself, cheeks pink. It had become routine now - Tee's touch, his presence, the soft way he teased Nio when no one else was paying attention. They weren't hiding anymore, not really. Not since that night in the hallway.
Then a voice cut through the casual noise.
"Is that really you, Tee?"
Tee's head snapped up. Nio turned as well - and saw her.
She was beautiful. Long brown hair tied back in a high ponytail, her uniform crisp and neat. She walked with confidence, like she belonged here - like she'd always belonged.
Tee blinked. "May?"
She grinned and ran up to him, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Tee stood awkwardly for a second, clearly shocked, before he hugged her back briefly.
"I can't believe it," she said, pulling back just enough to look at him. "I thought you graduated!"
"Transferred back last semester," Tee replied, voice light. "What are you doing here?"
"Long story," she said. "But I'm here now. I just moved into the dorms this morning."
Nio was still sitting next to Tee, but now his posture was rigid. He lowered his gaze, trying not to stare at the way she touched Tee's arm while she spoke. The way she laughed like they shared a hundred inside jokes.
"Oh - " Tee turned to the others, gesturing lazily. "This is May. Childhood friend. We grew up on the same street."
Win waved. Beam offered a smile. Wee nodded politely.
"And that's Nio," Tee added last, motioning to the boy beside him. "We're… close."
May's eyes flickered to Nio, her smile unwavering. "Hi! I've heard so much about you."
Nio blinked. "You have?"
She laughed, and it sounded too casual. "Well, no. But now I have."
Tee chuckled, clearly amused. "Come sit," he said, scooting to the side. He didn't even think before shifting closer to Nio to make room for her. But Nio felt it anyway. That tiny move. That tiny shift.
May slid in beside them, easily slipping into the conversation. She asked Win about his "famous" flirting, teased Beam about his mysterious smile, and even got Wee to crack a joke.
But the entire time, Nio felt it - the quiet ache. He stayed quiet, offering the occasional nod or polite chuckle. Tee's hand rested between them, fingers tapping the bench absently. Nio didn't reach for it.
She laughed at something Tee said and gently hit his arm. He grinned like he used to - free and easy, the way Nio had fallen for.
Something inside Nio tightened. He smiled. He laughed when appropriate. But he didn't miss the way Tee barely looked at him once while May was talking. He didn't miss the way her eyes flicked to him, assessing, just once.
Later that night, as they all walked back toward the dorms, Tee turned to Nio. "You okay?"
Nio hesitated. "Yeah," he said. "Just tired."
Tee watched him for a beat longer, but didn't push.
And Nio hated that a part of him was waiting for Tee to notice that something felt off.
Waiting for Tee to say, You're the only one I want.
But Tee didn't say it.
Not yet.