Serendipity

I don't see why not

True to his word as ever, Tim follows me over to where Tai somehow already sits, munching on some yellow rice.

When Tai looks up from his food and sees my company, he chokes on his mouthful.

"Are you okay?" Tim asks, frowning.

Tai doesn't respond, instead hitting his chest several times so he can look up at me with his dark brown eyes and say "You...little...shit."

"Come on, now," I tisk, sitting beside him and gesturing for Tim to occupy my other side. "That's not very polite."

"You said—" He coughs again, and I hand him his water bottle. He takes it gratefully and gulps down about half. "That you didn't—"

"I just don't want to sit with the jock jerks anymore," Tim says, shrugging.

I'm glad I decided to brief him on the situation on our way: how Tai feels about Tim, and how I've told him about exactly zero of our recent 'developments', so he's oblivious to all the advancements in our confusing relationship.

"Too bad," Tai looks beyond both of us. "Cuz one of your buddies is coming our way."

Both Tim and I whip around to look at who Tai means, and I feel Tim relax slightly when Ream steps into the shade.

"Hey, uh," Ream massages the base of his neck nervously. "I know I'm probably not welcome here—"

"So you do have a couple working braincells!" Tai interrupts him, pointing the apple he apparently summoned from whatever alternate dimension he came from at the redhead. "Congrats!"

"Hush," I whisper, nudging him in his ribs. Tai rolls his eyes, but pauses to listen. "He's one of the better ones."

A spark of hope flashes across Ream's features, but he doesn't move any closer. He shifts his gaze to Tim.

"Cam sent me to make you come back," Ream says. Tim bites his lip and nods for him to continue. "But I don't really wanna go back, either."

Surprise renders our little group silent. Even Tai doesn't make some kind of comment.

"I know it sounds like a lie," He winces. "But I was looking for an excuse to leave a while before Ta— Tim came and left."

"Well," Tim breaks the silence between the three of us sitting. Ream still stands, looking uncomfortable. "I don't have any say, since I literally just sat down. So that's up to them." He gestures at me and Tai.

Worried Tai will scare Ream off somehow, I speak before he can. "As long as you remember who you're with, I don't see why not."

Tim glances at me at the same time Ream's eyes widen.

Obviously neither of them expected me to vouch for the redhead, but I felt a little better towards him after he sided with me and quieted William. The least I can do, I think, is give him a chance.

"So go ahead," I wave towards the ground. "Sit."

Cautiously, Ream slips onto the ground beside Tim. I get the sense that he's using Tim as a shield, since at least he has a pretty good idea of how he might act.

There's an awkward silence for a moment, which is suddenly broken again when Heather appears from around Tai's side of the fence.

"Excuse me," She says. Tai and I exchange a glance. Seems like our little group is getting pretty popular. Though if anyone else comes there's no way I'm going to be okay with that. "Mind if I sit?"

"Not at all!" Tai's face turns pink and he hides his apple in his hands. "Make yourself at home!"

As she sits down, her confidence earning her an easy spot on the grass beside Tai, I swallow. A spark of anxiety makes my mouth feel suddenly dry. Why am I nervous?

Tim nudges me with his shoulder.

"You okay?" He whispers, leaning close so only I can hear his words. I shiver at the feeling of his breath on my ear. "You look kinda pale."

I manage to shoot him a smile, even if it doesn't really reach my eyes. He seems to understand the words I can't get out and leans back with a nod, but stays close. For support, maybe?

The silence that weighs over our group is lifted when Ream speaks.

"So, Heather," He leans forward so he can see her. She does the same, though not as much. "What were you and Tim talking about yesterday?"

She lifts a hand and tugs out a few loose strands of hair, her brows furrowing. "I didn't know you saw."

"You guys were literally in the middle of the walkway," He shrugs. "Kinda hard to not see. And you didn't answer the question."

Tai glances from Heather, to Tim, to Ream, then to me. He cocks an eyebrow at me, as if to say, 'did you know about this?', and I nod.

He frowns, but doesn't say anything as Ream continues.

"Just saying, if you have a crush on Ta—" He winces and corrects himself. "Tim, he definitely likes someone else."

"How would you know?" She tilts her head, though her face is slightly pink. "It's not like you guys are close or anything."

"Yeah," Ream nods, not fazed. "But Tim's like an open book. Liam and Cam and I figured that out pretty much the first day."

"Oh, yeah, and those are great examples," She shakes her head, leaning back. "And anyways, that wasn't what we were talking about."

"Oh, yeah?" Ream leans back as well.

"Yeah," Then, as if to prove it, she slings her arm over Tai and looks at Ream over Tim and I's heads. "I like someone else."

Tai turns bright red and sends me a look— half 'help me' and half 'what do I do she's right there where do I look help'— but I just smile and give him a subtle thumbs up.

"Hey, guys," Tim says, waving his hands in the air to break the light tension. "Wanna play a game?"

"Sounds like a great idea!" I agree, and Tai nods enthusiastically, looking everywhere but at Heather.

"What game?" Ream asks.

"Uhh," Tim glances at me, then blurts. "Truth or Dare!"

"Oooo," Heather nods and rubs her hands together, pulling away from Tai, who relaxes and turns away to hide his burning face. "That's a good idea."

"That's a kids game, though," Tai objects, regaining his ability to speak after being freed from Heather. Not that he minded. I can tell he definitely didn't mind.

"So?" Ream shrugs. "It's popular for a reason. I vote yes."

"Same," Heather quickly adds.

"I don't see why not," I glance at Tim, then at Tai.

"I guess I'm outnumbered," he sighs. "Fine."