Silas slumped onto his couch, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He felt more tired than usual, the encounter with Sarah lingering in his mind like a half-remembered dream. "See you at school, huh?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Two scenarios played out in his head, each one a tangled knot of possibilities. Sarah visiting Kai at school, a casual acquaintance, or, more likely, a fellow student. The latter scenario felt like a punch to the gut. He touched his face in exasperation, wishing he could rewind the day and erase the whole charade.
Beep beep beep
His train of thought was interrupted by the familiar sound of his apartment door unlocking. Kai. Silas groaned. He should have known better than to share his passcode. Kai had been treating his apartment like a revolving door, waltzing in and out whenever he pleased, whether Silas was home or not.
The door swung open, revealing Kai holding a plastic bag to his face, the aroma of greasy takeout wafting out. "Looks like you're bribing me with food again," Silas grumbled, already resigned to his fate.
"Don't be so dramatic, dude. I brought you your favorite," Kai said, his voice muffled by the bag. Before Silas could respond, Kai continued, "Well, I didn't know Sarah is going to the same university. Mom didn't tell me anything." He explained, as if knowing what Silas was thinking. 'So, I was right,' Silas thought.
"What do you think of her? I mean, you already met, she seems nice. Try to know her more, maybe you'll like her," Silas suggested, trying to sound casual.
Kai snorted. "You know I hate being tied up in a relationship. You know me. She's beautiful, but I feel no attraction at all." He replied annoyingly. "Besides, you know the real reason why we got matched by our families, right? It's not about something trivial as 'love', it's all business."
'Trivial,' Silas thought. He couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Then tell them you're not attracted to Sarah, they'll match you with another," Silas suggested.
"Then it'll just be a cycle. We've talked about this," Kai retorted, his voice laced with exasperation.
Silas replied, "Same with this plan, Sarah backs out, you'll get matched, then ask me to pretend again."
"Just tell them you're gay. If you're going to lie, then no need for an elaborate charade," Silas suggested, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"I can't do that," Kai said, slumping his shoulders. "You already backing out on me?"
"I'm not going back on my word, but ask someone else if this happens again, because I'm not doing it," Silas said in surrender, his voice laced with a hint of resignation.
"Relax, it's just a little harmless fun, ok?" Kai said, pulling out a container of steaming noodles and grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know, you're a bit too uptight."
Silas sighed, knowing he was right. He was in this up to his neck, and there was no escaping it. He glanced at the takeout container, the aroma of the noodles suddenly enticing. Maybe a little bribery wasn't so bad after all. He picked up the container, a wry smile playing on his lips. "You know, you're right. A little bribery never hurt anyone."
"See? I told you," Kai said, his grin widening.
"Let's practice." Kai said, leaning back on the couch with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Silas almost choked on his saliva. "Practice what?"
"You know, us dating, duh," Kai replied, a smug grin spreading across his face.
Silas stared at him, dumbfounded. "You're serious?"
"Totally," Kai said, nodding enthusiastically. "She goes to the same university as us, so the chances of us bumping into her at the cafeteria or library are high. We need to be seen by her, to build suspicion."
"Yeah, by her and the whole school," Silas thought with a grimace.
Silas's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Kai pushing back his bangs, a lock of hair falling over his eyes. "The fuck?" Silas jolted back, startled.
"Your bangs are in your eyes," Kai said, a playful smile on his lips.
"Yeah, and?" Silas was caught by surprise. He liked to keep his personal space, not a fan of skinship, even with friends. Kai was the only one who sometimes crossed that boundary, but it still caught him off guard.
"That's practice," Kai replied. "Well, I was just thinking about ways of showing subtle skinship and sweetness. You're a man, so..." Kai said thoughtfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Ah, there goes my dignity," Silas thought, his face turning a shade of red. He shoved a forkful of noodles into his mouth, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Should I just cut my hair?" Silas pondered, running a hand through his man bun. It had been two years since his last haircut. He was either too busy or just plain forgot.
"Agh," he groaned.
The next few days were surprisingly quiet. Nothing really changed. No Kai wasn't pestering him with whatever ridiculous plan he had cooked up. Maybe he was swamped with assignments too. Silas yawned, his elective class was a snoozefest. Good thing it ended early. Should he ask Marcus to hang out? He thought.
He pulled out his phone, about to call Marcus when he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey," Kai greeted, a smug smile on his face.
Silas just stared at him with an eyebrow raised. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Hmm, taking you out for lunch? Come on, I got hungry, waiting for you," Kai urged, his voice laced with a hint of playful desperation.
"Alright," Silas sighed, knowing he was outnumbered.
The school cafeteria was a cacophony of noise. Loud, boisterous students, some just trying to survive the day with a quick bite, others deep in gossipy conversations.
"She's here, isn't she?" Silas interrogated, his voice laced with suspicion.
"How did you know?" Kai responded, trying to sound innocent, but a mischievous glint danced in his eyes.
"Why else would you ask me out for lunch?" Silas said knowingly, a smirk playing on his lips. They both hated the school cafeteria.
"Well, she's a junior in my department. I just heard it by accident during the department meeting. They'll come here," Kai explained, a wide grin spreading across his face. "So, what should I get you?"
"Anything but salad, pasta, and chicken fingers will do," Silas replied, his voice dripping with mock-seriousness.
"Chop, chop, your boyfriend is hungry," Silas said with a big smile. "Get me a soda while you're at it." he demanded.
"Not bad. I should just take advantage too, and make him my errand boy to get back at him," Silas smiled mischievously. "Silas, you smart boy," he whispered to himself, a smug grin spreading across his face.
Kai returned with his tray, piled high with what looked like a surprisingly appetizing lunch menu for the cafeteria. They settled into a casual conversation, nothing out of the ordinary, but Silas noticed a subtle shift in Kai's demeanor. He was more attentive, his eyes lingering on Silas a little longer than usual.
Then came the inevitable. Kai, in a move that was both familiar and unsettling, pushed back his bangs, a lock of hair falling over his eyes. Silas choked on his food, a little surprised by the sudden intimacy.
"Sorry," Kai said, a playful smirk on his lips. "Just trying to practice."
Silas, caught off guard, just managed to sputter out a "Yeah, right." But surprisingly, he found himself going along with it. He even found himself feeding Kai a chicken finger, over the course of the conversation, like it was a natural thing for them to do.
"You know, you're a pretty good boyfriend," Kai said, a twinkle in his eye, as he accepted the chicken finger.
Silas scoffed, but a blush crept up his neck. "Don't get any ideas," he muttered, but a small smile played on his lips.
"Hi."
Suddenly, a soft female voice cut through the cafeteria chatter. They both looked up. It was Sarah Beckette, standing in front of their table.
"Ahm, I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt," she said sheepishly. "We met a few days ago," Sarah said, looking directly at Silas.
Silas swallowed, "Of course, I remember. Come take a sit," he offered, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.
"Well, ahm, I was just wondering if you're available this weekend, Kai? Maybe we can eat out?" Sarah said.
"Ahm, Silas can definitely come too," Sarah interrupted, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink, her eyes darting between them.
"Really? Then sure. Why not? It's good for us to know each other better," Kai said, smiling and winking at Silas.
Silas kicked Kai's foot under the table, a silent "Are you kidding me?" He was not ready for this.
"Is it okay with you?" Sarah asked, looking at Silas with hopeful eyes.
"Yeah, I'm free this weekend," Silas replied, trying to sound nonchalant. He shot Kai a look that could curdle milk. "This scheming son of a b**ch" he thought, his mind racing.