Break time had finally arrived.
Katie was still in line, grabbing her food, while Sydney sat at a table with Kyrie and his best friend, Dan. The cafeteria buzzed with noise, but somehow, it faded into the background as Sydney and Kyrie stared at each other a little longer than normal.
Neither of them spoke.
"Your food's getting cold," Dan said at last, his voice awkward as he glanced between them.
Kyrie let out a small laugh. "Oh—yeah…"
"Yeah…" Sydney added quietly, snapping out of it.
That was when Katie arrived, holding her tray.
"Hi, Katie," Dan greeted her with a friendly smile.
"Hiii… excuse me, please," Katie said, her tone light as she stepped closer.
Dan shifted slightly to make space—only for Katie to slip neatly into the gap beside Kyrie.
Sydney's expression darkened.
Kyrie didn't budge. His head was down as he took another bite of his food. He felt it was a normal thing, nothing more.
The atmosphere changed instantly, thick and uncomfortable.
Dan cleared his throat, then subtly tilted his head toward Sydney—twice—trying to signal Kyrie to move closer to his girlfriend.
Kyrie blinked, confused at first… then his eyes widened slightly as he understood.
But before he could stand up, Sydney pushed her chair back.
She stood, walked around the table, grabbed Katie by the arm, and pulled her away.
"Come with me."
They walked side by side, Sydney's steps sharp and fast, her anger obvious. Katie followed with a pout, looking like someone had just had their phone taken away.
They reached the bathroom, and the door shut behind them.
"What the actual hell do you think you're doing?" Sydney snapped.
"Uh… I was sitting down to eat my lunch," Katie replied, her voice calm—too calm.
"I know what you're trying to do with Kai, so don't act innocent."
"What am I—ugh…" Katie scoffed, turning away.
Neither of them said anything else as they walked back.
The tension followed them to the table.
This time, Kyrie stood up and moved to sit beside Sydney.
Sydney's eyes widened slightly.
Did he notice I was jealous?
Oh my God… I'm such an idiot.
"Hi…" Kyrie said softly, a faint blush on his face.
"Hi…" Sydney replied, her own face obviously heating up as she stared down at her tray.
Dan shook his head, confused. Didn't they just see each other? Why are they acting like this is their first time meeting today?
Katie sat silently, her eyes shifting between them, irritation clear on her face.
A few minutes passed.
"I'm so stuffed," Kyrie said, leaning back and closing his eyes.
Sydney giggled, and Kyrie laughed along with her.
Then Katie's eyes lit up slightly.
"Kyrie," she said, pretending to struggle with her food, "you're done eating, right? Sooo like… I only have a spoon, and you know fries are really hard to eat with one… like REALLY REALLY hard."
"You can use mine," Sydney offered quickly, with a friendly smile.
"Oh, don't worry," Katie replied sweetly. "You're still eating. I don't want to be mean."
Kyrie glanced at Dan in panic.
Dan deliberately looked away. Don't drag me into this.
Kyrie sighed and slowly looked at Sydney, checking her expression.
She didn't say anything.
She looks okay with it… right? he stupidly thought.
He handed the fork to Katie.
The moment his hand moved, Sydney's face showed it all.
Her eyes locked onto the fork as it passed from Kyrie's hand into Katie's—slow, deliberate, unbearable. She looked frozen in terror. Like a grenade was about to blow up right in front of her.
Katie smiled. "Thank you."
Sydney still locked into the fork as she stabbed a fry.
Lifted it.
And brought it closer to her lips…