should've been me | original story (1)

002 - a heart for a heart

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12:04 PM:

🐙: Hope you enjoy the gift 😉

You: it's so pretty and i'm so mad at you for spending money on me 😒

🐙: It wasn't even that expensive, octo swear

You: alr.. i'll let it slide..

🐙: Why do we do cringy stuff like octo swearing instead of pinky promises?

You: bc.

🐙: That's not a reason, Kwan.
🐙: See you at lunch!

Valentina slammed her lunch tray against the table, scaring Kwan half to death, but successfully pulling his attention away from his phone, "I forgot to add revolting food to the list of reasons why school sucks."

Kwan looked at her tray in disgust, "You should just ask Parker to bring enough food to share with you like I do."

Val shook her head, "Never will I ever admit his cooking is good." She scooped up what looked to be mashed potatoes before making a face and setting the spoon down, "Where is Parker, anyways?"

"Probably arguing with his Humanities teacher." Val sent him a confused look and he continued, "He got into a huge argument with him over something stupid."

"How'd you have time to find that out? Did you meet with Parker in between classes?"

"No, Paige is in his first class and told me." Kwan explained, frowning when Val smirked at him.

"So." She started, "You and Paige, what's up with tha—"

"I hate him!" Parker yelled, cutting Val off, "I'm dropping out of Humanities."

"Told you." Kwan muttered to Val as Parker sat down next to him.

"How'd you manage to make enemies with your first period teacher on the first day of school?" Val asked.

"Hi, Kwan." Paige said, stopping at their table. He saw Parker and Valentina quickly look at each other out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey, Paige." Kwan replied, mentally monitoring how much he smiled. He didn't want to act like he wasn't interested in the conversation, but also didn't want to appear too interested in the conversation to others.

In conclusion, he was the king of overthinking.

"Nice necklace." Paige smirked as she pointed to the silver moon charm.

"Woah!" Val yelled, causing people at other tables to look over at theirs, "Where'd you get that from, it looks expensive!"

"It was a gift." Kwan replied, dodging Val as she tried to grab it, "No touching!"

Val sat back down, pouting, "Fine."

Paige laughed, "I'll see you later, Kwan."

The second Paige was far enough away Parker groaned, "Why does she keep coming up to you?"

"We're friends." Kwan replied tersely, shrugging.

"So what, you spent one summer together, what does that mean; you're dating now?" Parker asked, glaring over at Paige's lunch table.

"Okay, guys stop arguing." Val said, "It's the first day of school, do this tomorrow."

"Whatever, here." Parker said, sliding a container with a slice of pizza over to Kwan.