Something, Nothing

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7 — LUNCH TOGETHER

It's official. I hate my roommate. I absolutely detest him.

If he wants to go on a romantic getaway with his girlfriend, then just go; no one is stopping him, definitely not me. But why does he have to step in on my life and muck it all up; what the heck have I ever done to him?

We went to breakfast together (me, Jomar, Sun Ling and Ken) before they left (Jomar and Sun Ling). So that obviously leaves only me and Ken. With each other. By ourselves.

I cannot even look at him straight in the face nor talk to him in a proper sentence; what the fuck am I supposed to do him alone? Contrary to my panic-stricken state, Ken actually remains reassured at the fact that he wouldn't be alone for the next week.

I want to knock my head against the wall repeatedly. Why did I tell him that I would leave a week later? Why is he leaving a week later? Would it be suspicious if I were to suddenly change my plans and leave now as well?

Jomar waves a hand in front my face, bringing my attention to the present, "Hey. You gonna be okay?"

"What?" I blink, shaking my head a little, "Sure, yeah," I glance over his shoulder to find Sun Ling occupied with Ken, and drop my voice to a whisper, "You okay?"

He takes in a deep breath and gives me an affirmative nod, "I'll be fine. Honestly, I can't wait,"

A smile breaks out on my face — sure, I am freaking at my impending week and I am shamelessly blaming it on Jomar leaving with his girlfriend but I'm also genuinely happy for my friend.

I hug him again, "Have a good time," and then when we break apart, I catch Sun Ling eyeing us suspiciously?

"I thought you don't like physical affection?" she questions me, narrowing her eyes.

I force out a small chuckle, and throw an arm around Jomar's shoulders, "I don't. But... I'm going to miss him?" I finish on a very dubious note, hoping that she'll buy it.

And fortunately, she does. She clasps her hands together and holds it close to her chest, pouting her lips, "Aw, you big softie,"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I roll my eyes, pulling my arm away from Jomar and nudging him forward a little, "Shouldn't you guys be leaving like now?"

"Right, yes," Jomar exclaims, picking his bag, along with Sun Ling's trolley bag, "You packed everything," he asks her.

She nods, and then turns to me and Ken once again, "Okay, bye guys. See you soon,"

And after we bid our goodbyes and after Jomar and Sun Ling actually leave, as I expected, it's only me and Ken.

Wonderful.

I can't bring myself to look at him. There's a whole energy shift in the air between us after our friends left; it's palpable, he has to feel it.

Ken clears his throat, and I don't if I should be grateful or anxious about it, "Hey. Can I get your number?"

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I awake to the buzzing of my phone. I glare at the device as if that's going to stop it from my buzzing. I was just starting to fall into a deep sleep too.

Groaning to myself, I unlock the phone and see a couple of texts from an unknown number.

Unknown:–

Heyyy

I was thinking off heading to lunch

I squint my eyes at the screen trying to place a face to the number when another text comes in and quite frankly stopped my world from spinning for a few good seconds.

Unknown:–

It's ken btw

Right, I gave him my number, after he asked for my number. So, he has my number now. And he's texting me now.

I shake my head, needing my brain to stop thinking in circles for a minute and focus. It's not a big deal. We're friends now (ref: that little handshake after the party yesterday) and he's just texting me.

I don't get why he's informing me that he's going to lunch though. Without thinking much, I type in my reply: Okay.

His response is almost instantaneous.

Ken FRIEND:–

Do you have any place in mind you want to go to?

Or should i just come to your room and we could go together?

My eyes almost pop out of my eye sockets reading his text messages — together?

Is he actually expecting us to go to lunch together? Rereading his messages from the start, I facepalm myself — of course, he wants to go to lunch together. That's why he texted me. He's not informing me — why the heck would I think he's informing me — I'm not his mother.

I sit up, holding my phone in my hand, staring at the screen intently. I don't think I have many options here. I either say yes or no. Although I'm more inclined to say no, I just convinced Ken that I do no in fact hate him (if only he knew the truth) and declining his invitation would only further prove his point. And so with much reluctance, I go with the only other option I have.

Me:–

I will meet you at the cafeteria.

Ken FRIEND:–

Okayy. see you there !!

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