Steven's phone buzzed, and he excused himself to take the call, leaving the table awkwardly silent. Maya, trying to distract herself from the tension, turned to Kira while waiting for their food.
"So, what was it? Who bought the share?" Maya asked, curiosity piqued.
"Steven," Kira replied, taking a long sip of her beer.
"What?! But I just saw how they were with each other. Why would Emmett sell the apartment to him?"
Kira sighed deeply, the weight of past events evident in her eyes. "It wasn't always like this. They used to be really close. We all were. They even worked at the same company, but then Steven got a better job offer and left. They lost touch after that. After you left for your master's at UCL, things went south for Emmett. He got caught up in some scandals at work and was involved in some illegal business. He lost his job and fell into debt. He tried to sell the apartment to Yuji, you remember him from the Biology department. Yuji asked me, but I already had a place. Martin and Dylan couldn't afford it that time. We didn't want to trouble your parents by letting them know. So, we told Steven. He bought it to keep it within our group. We thought it would be wise since we are your comfort zone."
Dylan paused as Steven returned from his call. "Comfort zone?" Steven asked, having caught the tail end of the conversation.
Everyone fell silent, not quite sure what he meant. Steven scoffed lightly.
"Am I your comfort zone, Maya?" he asked, a playful smirk on his face. Kira and Dylan stifled their laughter while Martin exchanged knowing glances.
Maya choked on her beer. "Here, water," Steven said, quickly handing her a bottle.
"Thanks," Maya said, her cheeks flushing.
"So, am I?" Steven pressed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Maya blushed deeper, thinking, "Why is he being like this?" Finally, she said, "Yeah. All of you."
"Okay," Steven replied, his tone softening. "But if you want, maybe someday you can have the apartment to yourself."
"Wait, so you're not living there?" Maya asked, confused.
"I do and I don't," Steven said enigmatically.
"What does that mean?" Maya pressed.
Martin chimed in, "He sometimes just vanishes for months without notice, rents an apartment somewhere else."
"That's for the betterment, okay? We all need a change of environment sometimes," Steven defended.
"Well, that's true," Maya agreed.
"The food is here. Let's dig in, guys," Martin announced.
As the waiter placed the sushi on the table, Steven noticed carrots in Maya's dish. He stopped the waiter. "I asked for no carrots."
"Sorry, sir. My apologies. I'll make another."
"No need, I'll just take them out. Be careful next time."
"Sorry, sir."
"I didn't know you couldn't eat carrots," Dylan said, assuming the dish was for Steven.
"Not for me. Maya doesn't eat carrots," Steven replied, picking them out. The others wowed while Maya tried not to look too overwhelmed. "You remember?" she asked, smiling.
"Everyone does. You used to spend ages picking them out," Steven said.
"Well, I don't remember," Martin admitted.
"Me neither," Kira added, "and I'm her bestie. Dylan certainly doesn't."
Steven blushed and quickly finished removing the carrots, embarrassed. He passed the dish to Maya.
. . .
"Maya! Stop drinking! You're totally out," Kira scolded as Maya swayed in her seat, clearly drunk.
Maya passed out, and Steven stood up. "We should leave. It's late."
"Yes, Steven, help me get her to the car," Kira said.
Steven looked at Martin and Dylan, who just grinned. "Why are you looking at us? It's your job," Martin teased.
"Fine. Move," Steven said, making his way to Maya and hoisting her onto his back.
Maya whispered, "Emmett, I miss you."
Steven stopped. He could feel his heart breaking into thousands of pieces.
This is the second time I'm piggybacking you, but you never remember. Drunk, but that shampoo smell... it's still the same. Why am I the only one remembering us closer? Why not us together?
After Kira and Maya left, the three boys lingered outside. Steven was browsing his phone, looking grumpy.
"Hey, Steven, why so down? It's your turn. Don't hold back," Dylan said, slapping his back.
"Turn? Do you know what she said?" Steven sighed.
"What?" Martin asked.
"Emmett," Steven said, defeated.
"When? Oh, during the piggyback! Come on, dude, she's drunk," Dylan reasoned, though he knew better.
"People are awfully honest when they're drunk," Steven said, his friends falling silent.
"Alright then. I have work to finish by tomorrow. See you," Steven said, turning to leave.
Martin called out, "Hey, Steven!"
"Hm?" Steven looked back.
"You have us!"
"Good night," Steven replied quietly. "...Stupid," he muttered under his breath. Comfort zone? You haven't contacted me in two years. Why am I still holding onto you? [Hitorijanai (Not Alone) by Seventeen playing on radio station.]
. . . .
"Is she sleeping?" Mason asked Shonn as he found Sara resting her head on Shonn's right arm, with Shonn holding a book in his left hand.
"Shush!" Shonn replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mason quietly pulled out the chair beside Shonn and sat down, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. He couldn't help but tease his friend. "What's this? The tough guy I know is playing pillow to a sleeping beauty?"
"What?" Shonn furrowed his eyebrows at him, trying to keep his voice low.
"Are you the Shonn I know?" Mason whispered, leaning closer with a smirk.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're seriously letting a girl sleep on your arm! It's just... I don't know..." Mason chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief.
"She worked hard earlier and got tired, so she dozed off. I just placed my arm under her head. It's that simple. Don't get any wrong ideas," Shonn said, averting his eyes back to the book, though his cheeks tinged pink.
"I'm not judging. Anyway, you should leave soon. It's already 10:34, and my shift will end soon. It's getting late."
"Oh shoot! I didn't realize. Thanks."
"No problem. By the way, dude, she's cute though." Mason smiled and walked away, leaving Shonn with his thoughts.
Shonn stayed there for a minute, thinking about how to wake Sara up. She was in a deep sleep, and he didn't want to disturb her. He bit his lower lip and called her softly, "Sara. I think we should leave now. It's late."
Sara groaned a little in her sleep, then placed her hand on Shonn's. He instantly blushed, his heart pounding. He waited a few more seconds and called her again. He unconsciously held her hand, gently squeezing it while calling once more, "Sara. Wake up."
She woke up slowly, rubbing her eyes, then snapped back into reality. "Sorry, I fell asleep."
"It's okay," Shonn stuttered, feeling his heart race as he noticed her hand still holding his. The warmth of her touch sent shivers down his spine.
"Let's go then," Sara said, trying to shake off the sleepiness.
"Umm, yes," Shonn replied, his voice barely steady.
"Uh, sorry," Sara said, letting go of his hand, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"It's okay," Shonn smiled, trying to hide his disappointment.
They walked to the bus stop together, the silence between them growing awkward. Sara tried breaking it. "Which stop are you going to?" she asked, her voice soft.
"Stop 5. You?"
"Really? Me too. We live in the same area then. I didn't know."
"I see."
"Shonn?" Sara said softly.
"What?" he asked, glancing at her.
"You're awfully awkward, you know that, right?" She looked at him and saw his confused expression. "But today, it somehow felt different. You might be awkward, but you can be social too." A wide grin appeared on her face, trying to lighten the mood.
"Thanks, I guess," Shonn snorted, blushing from her comment.
"And try to talk more. There's no harm in talking more with your close people, but if you don't talk you might lose the opportunities to be loved." She added, Shonn just looked at her.
"Oh, here comes the bus. Let's get in," he added, seeing the bus approach.
They reached their stop in 10 minutes. Their paths diverged. "I'm going this way. So yeah... thanks for today. I guess we'll finish the work tomorrow at college," Sara said.
"Yes, sure. Thanks for coming today." Shonn gave her a genuine smile, his eyes lingering on her a bit longer.
"Alright, see you tomorrow then." Sara spoke.
"Sara, I can walk you home. It's already late," Shonn offered as she was about to leave.
"It's okay, Shonn. It'll only take four minutes from here. I can go alone."
"Mine isn't far either. It takes five minutes from here. So if you want, I mean, it's already late," Shonn said, scratching his head and looking away, feeling nervous.
"It's really okay. I can go alone." Sara left his sight, her strong presence always evident. She never really cared about what people said; she did things on her own, completely opposite of Maya.