{Banana Smoothie} ✔️

Chapter 132

January 21st

Atlas's POV

"Name," I ask looking the two up and down. "D-Devon" the one stutters elbowing his friend to speak next. "I'm Simon, I'm nice, Devon is the f-boy" he smiles as Devon's face drops.

I glare at him and he shrinks back into his friend. "I'm going to murder you... I'll make it quick" he scowls as I laugh a little. "I swear I'm not! I've never had a partner!" Devon tried to explain and I nod.

"Yeah, but he has two crushes! Or more!" Simon sings not scared to tell me his friends private life. I look at the shocked boy's red face and smirk. "And do you know who they are?" I ask already knowing one of them was his friend.

"Uh- no" he pouts and Devon lets outs a sigh of relief. "Well anyways I hope you know I'm going to be in the room with you at all times because, to be honest, I trust nobody at this point" I was blunt. I finally trusted Thomas because I hated myself for being so controlling and that's when he needed me most.

"That's fine!" Simons smiles widely as Devon nods quickly. "Yes perfectly fine" he repeats absolutely terrified of me. I point towards the stairs letting them lead the way. "His room is up there, he'll be excited to see you" I smile and Simon bound up them like a toddler.

Devon walks timidly and I join him. "Do you like him?" I nudge and he somehow trips going up the stairs. "I- never- you, just bury me alive" he cries and I laugh pulling him up. His forehead was red from the rug-burn of the carpet.

"He said two? Polyamorous or just into two different people?" I ask and he freezes turning to rethink his life choices. "Poly... and I can't choose between the both of them" he murmurs looking to the side.

"Oh well have you asked him about it?" I asked looking towards the boy who was waiting for us down the hall a bit, bouncing like a bunny. "He's oblivious and I don't want to lose my best friend, plus the other person literally bullies us... why am I like this" he groans into his hands.

"Nothings going to work out if you don't try" I shrug and he gives me a weary smile. "Hurry uppppp" Simon whines. Devon chuckles hurrying over to him. I led them to Asher's room and raised my fist to knock for once.

"Is someone there?" his weary voice asked through the door. "Yes baby, can I come in, you've got company" I warn him just to make sure he'll be properly dressed. "Company? O-ok" he seems timid as I look to the two behind me. "Aww he called him baby" Devon gushes making me chuckle.

I opened the door and Asher stood behind his bed scared? "Are you okay?" I asked rushing over to him. He nods hugging me. "I just wanted to make sure" he murmurs. I didn't get to say anything as two other bodies joined the hug. "Best friend!" Simons cheers getting hit by Devon. "You're going to scare him beanstalk!" He grumbles.

Asher's hands claw at my shirt as he flinched closer to me. "D-Devon? Simon?" He relaxes looking at them with wide eyes. "Hi" the both of them cheer and Asher lets go of me to hug them both.

I smiled watching him so happy. I went and sat in his chair as the three chatted to themselves. I laughed at their conversations. They were definitely a funny bunch.

I felt like I was doing a checklist. I just wanted things to be normal for him. We started sleeping in the same room again, I brought his friends, I've been making his smoothies, and I was working through some stuff to get Ezra here.

"Are you going to come back to school?" I focused on their conversation again watching hands. Asher was hugging a pillow as Simon sat against the headboard. Devon leaning on him, both unbothered by this.

"I don't know... I sort of want to because it's my last year, but at the same time I'm terrified" he answers and I rest my chin in my palm giving him an apologetic look.

"We understand, we miss having you around" Simon nods. I just stare at them intently. They seemed to have good intentions but at the same time, I don't even trust my own judgment.

"Nott has been bugging us again" I once again listen to the conversation. Is the kid Devon likes? "Simon his name is Tucker" Devon pokes his ribs and Simon gives him a shocked look. "Dev he's not our friend he calls us by our last names also" he argues as Asher looks between them with a concerned look.

"Can I do anything to help?" He asks leaning forward on his wrist. "No!" Devon was quick to answer getting a side glance from his friend. "Nah it's okay we don't need you getting in trouble, you probably wouldn't be able to do much" Simon shrugs as Devon sits up.

"I-I can help! I promise I'm not useless" Asher stammers and I instantly lift my head from my hand at the words. I stood to comfort him knowing he was taking everything hard lately but don't get the time as the taller one, quiets him.

"Of course you are not! Why would I want to send my friend to get bullied!" Simon explains while I relax a little. "Well, I can have my family help, like Atlas! He could help?!" My boyfriend just kind of offers me away.

"No! We do not need Atlas's help!" Devon goes frantic and I look between the group smirking. "Dev! What is with you, why are you defending Nott" Simons cheerful self was growing agitated.

"Do you not want my help" Ash gives him a curious look trying to be kind, but you could see the bit of hurt in his eyes like he thought Devon didn't actually trust him.

"Of course I want your help, but I don't need it- that sounds rude. I'm fine I don't mind Tucker" he's panicking now. Definitely panicking. "Gosh, you sound like you're in love with the guy" Simon jokes but he goes red, looking towards the door as if he's ready to bolt.

"Anyways Atlas help me pleaseeee, it'll make up for you breaking our dorm room door down" Simon bats his eyes at me and I bite my lip. "If the kid isn't physically doing anything..." I trail off trying to help Devon in some way.

"Listen I don't want to be cliche but have you tried telling him you don't like him insulting you, what if he is flirting" I suggest standing from my spot. "Better yet next time he comes up to you and says something tell him to shut the fuck up" the three go silent and blink at me bewildered.

"Atlas!" Ash whines and Simon was next. "I can't say such things! My parents would kill me!" His friend hits him with a scoff. "Your parents wouldn't hear you anyways" Devon laughs playfully.

"They're Asian... they hear everything" Simon narrows his eyes looking around suspiciously. "Well, why don't you do it Devon" I cock my head to the side, and his face drops. "First off- I'm scared of everything, second humans are on the top of that list, third humans that are taller than me are even higher in that list... did I mention I'm scared of everything" the boy rambles nervously as I join them on the bed.

"I would like a copy of this list, sounds entertaining" I snicker, and Simon quickly grabs my arm. "I've got you, buddy!" He cheers excitedly. "Wait! why do you have a list!" Devon shouts with a concerned look, I let my gaze flicker between the three happy boys.

Asher had the brightest smile of them all, no surprise there. The exhaustion was taking over and just seeing him so happy made me want to cry. "I have to be the bestest friend, so I take notes" Devon continues to have a crisis as I watch Asher's facial expressions.

The way he laughed. He soon turned to me and became shy when he caught me staring. Holding out my hand he takes it scooting closer to me. I let go of his hand and put my arm around him bracing my hand on his shoulder.

"I like these friends" I whisper in his ear and I swear he started tearing up then and there. "Really!?!" He asks quietly not to draw attention from the hopelessly in love Devon and the oblivious Simon who was giving Devon a bloody heart attack.

"Mhmm" I hum kissing his cheek. He blushes at this and I turn back to his friends who were now silently staring at us.

"Do it again!"

"Please"