Just Friends

Chapter Eighteen

There are some things you should do when you have a boyfriend, for example...tell your friends. That's what Gulf was thinking about while Mild was trying to steal some of Grace's cake and Malai was slapping his arm to stop him from doing it. "Stop it, you're a bottomless pit! Just buy another slice". Mild snorted but apologized to Gulf's sister. "It's okay, really...". Malai darted her eyes over her in a scary way. "Don't tell him that or he won't stop". Gulf hid his laugh behind his cup of coffee, he had missed his chaotic friends more than he dared to admit. And at this point Grace naturally fitted in his group. "Sorry Phi, could you bring some more cake? Someone was stealing ours".

Malai gave Mild another bad look, while he smiled innocently. The waiter nodded, writing down the order but then stopped on his steps as soon as he looked up. "For you it's my treat". Mild blinked twice, a little shocked by the waiter's boldness. Malai didn't even flinch, smiling confidently as usual. "Oh really?". Until Grace took the floor: "Is hitting on girls part of today's special?". Gulf almost chocked on his coffee and then coughed awkwardly because of his sister. "Grace. Are you out of your mind, he's your Phi...you should apologize". Grace snorted, refusing to even look at him. "He's not my anything. He made me lose my appetite". 

Malai lost all interest in the waiter and messed Grace's hair. "Our little rebel". Grace sighed but relaxed a little bit. "I'm not that little". Mild watched the scene with amusement and leaned towards Gulf: "You two are really the same when it comes to love. Speaking of which...". Gulf looked up, watching closely how handsome Mew was in his cozy sweater and ever-present beanie. He joined them with his ice tea, sitting right next to Gulf. They glanced at each other, smiling. "I thought you were too busy for us this morning". Mild tried tomake him feel bad, even if it was just for fun. "I managed to get away so I thought I'd surprise you guys". 

Gulf felt a hand caressing his leg softly. He tried to contain his excitement since they weren't alone and placed his hand on top of his. Mew smirked, letting their fingers intertwine. "Well, besides Malai bullying me just because I was hungry...". Malai slapped his neck, hard. "You stole most of our cakes!". Mew laughed at Mild's expression. "You see? That's what happens when you're not here to protect me. Anyway, we were talking about winter prom". Grace rolled his eyes, grunting. "Not again". 

Mew nibbled the straw of his drink, turning to Gulf's sister. "You don't like it?". Gulf bumped his shoulder against his. "She doesn't want to go because she doesn't have a date. But it's not like I have a date either, so she can go with...". Grace interrupted him. "I don't want to be your pity date, you already have a boyfrie-". She bit her lips, the tea already spilled to take it back. Mild immediately looked at Gulf and then at Mew. "You mean...?". The older nodded, now placing his arm around him out in the open. Mild was about to scream but luckily Malai went back to the previous topic, nudging at Grace. "You should come". The younger was caught off guard. "Uhm, okay".  

Gulf frowned, shocked at how little it took Malai to convince her. "What did I just witness". Mild rolled his eyes. "So you really are clueless. Mew please, explain it to him". Mew laughed, trying not to get too much distracted by his boyfriend's adorableness. "Grace has a crush on Malai". Gulf opened his eyes wide, feeling stupid for being the last one to know. "WHAT?". Malai leaned towards them. "What are you talking about so secretly?". Gulf almost jumped off of his seat. "Nothing, we totally weren't talking about you". Malai raised her eyebrow, now even more curious, while Mild buried his head on the table. "Kana...". Mew tried to suppress his giggling but ended up throwing his head back and letting out a loud laugh. In a matter of seconds the others joined him too, Gulf's cheeks flushed red as his friends snickered in spite of him. "THIS ISN'T FUNNY". Mew hugged him, his eyes brimmed with tears of mirth. "Don't ever change, tua aeng".