Bubble Tea

plot twist pt. 1

Song for the chapter : Psycho by Red Velvet

Before the party

Nicoli's POV:

As the game ended and I saw Audrey and Andres walking away hand-in-hand, a wave of anger and jealousy surged through me. Andres looked so happy, surrounded by Jeremiah and Edvin, grinning like he'd won the lottery. How could he be so content? How could he be so at ease when I was a wreck? That fucking faggot. Do faggot's like him even deserve all this?

The rumors I spread about him being gay didn't seem to faze him at all. And all because of that girl, Audrey. That self-righteous, naive little bitch. She really annoys the shit out of me.Did she really think she could make Andres straight? It was laughable.

Issa and I walked to her car, and I was lost in my thoughts, fuming silently. Issa kept chattering away, oblivious to my mood.

"Wasn't today fun, Nick?" she asked, her voice grating on my nerves. "And didn't I look pretty? I loved that you kissed me in front of everyone. Made me feel so special."

"Issa, can you please shut up for a moment? I'm thinking," I snapped, barely containing my irritation.

"What? Why do you want me to shut up? You were the one kissing me back then, and now you want me to shut up?"

"So what? Are you telling me I made a mistake by kissing you? Is that what you're implying?"

"No, babe, why would I imply that? I love when you show affection."

"Then, if you want that, please shut up right now. I'm thinking."

She fell silent, clearly hurt, and the rest of the ride was tense. When we reached her place, she tried to keep things normal.

"I'm sure you must be hungry. I'll tell the chef to cook something delicious for us. Let me just quickly take a shower and change, and then we can have dinner together."

"Yeah, okay," I muttered, not really paying attention.

Issa's parents had always treated me well, and she was always so attentive, always checking if I'd eaten, always taking care of me. She often asked the head chef to make special dishes for me. But despite all her efforts, I remained distant, always playing the tough guy, keeping her at arm's length. I wanted her attention, but when she gave it to me, it felt suffocating.

I sat in her room, my mind racing. How could Andres be so happy? Why did he get to be happy when I was miserable and alone? Tomorrow was Jeremiah's party. Maybe I could make it a night to remember. Maybe I could shatter Andres's facade in front of everyone, prove that he was still the same weak, easily manipulated guy I'd known who's in love with me and would go to any lengths for me.

Issa's POV:

As I headed to the shower, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Nicoli had been so distant lately. Even now, as I tried to make things comfortable and special, he seemed lost in his own world. Did he even care about me? I brushed off the thought, as I always did.

After my shower, I changed into something comfortable and headed to the kitchen to check on the dinner preparations. Our chef was preparing a special meal, just as I had requested. I wanted tonight to be perfect, but something about Nicoli's demeanor worried me.

I returned to my room to find him still deep in thought. "Dinner will be ready soon," I said softly, hoping to break through his brooding silence.

"Yeah, whatever," he replied, not even looking up.

I sighed and sat down beside him. "Nick, what's going on? You've been so distant. Talk to me."

He finally looked at me, his eyes cold. "I'm just dealing with some stuff, Issa. It's not your concern."