The Moon Shines when the Sun Isn't Around

Part 22

2v2 in 1 on 1s

Oreo leaned against her locker, scrolling through her phone, waiting for King. The hallway buzzed with the usual after-class chaos—people laughing, talking, slamming lockers—but she was focused on one thing: grabbing snacks with King, like they always did. But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something unusual.

There was Livy, standing a little too close to King, talking animatedly. Oreo's stomach twisted, but she shook it off. She's just a friend, Oreo thought, though a part of her was skeptical. Livy had always been friendly, but this seemed... different.

King looked a bit uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot, but he was polite, nodding along as Livy talked. Oreo's phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her attention back.

"Hey, Oreo!" Jonah's voice interrupted her thoughts. She glanced up, offering a quick smile.

"Hey, Jonah."

Jonah leaned against the locker beside hers, flashing that cocky grin he was known for. "You heading to class, or... can I walk you?"

Oreo raised an eyebrow. Jonah wasn't usually this friendly—at least not with her. "Uh, sure, I guess."

As they started walking, Jonah kept pace with her. "So, what are you up to after school?"

"Same as usual, hanging out with King," Oreo replied casually, watching for his reaction.

Jonah laughed, but it was a bit too forced. "You and King, huh? You two are pretty close."

Oreo nodded, eyeing him. "Yeah, we are."

"Cool, cool," Jonah said, but there was something in his tone she didn't quite trust. He glanced over his shoulder toward where Livy and King were talking. "Looks like he's making new friends too."

Oreo followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing. Livy was laughing, playfully touching King's arm. King, oblivious, smiled back. He doesn't even see it, Oreo thought, suppressing a groan.

"Yeah... seems like it," Oreo replied, a slight edge to her voice.

Jonah shrugged, leaning a bit closer. "I mean, he's a popular guy. You can't expect him to be around you all the time, right?"

Oreo's eyes flicked back to Jonah. There was something off about his comment. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jonah held up his hands defensively, the grin still plastered on his face. "Nothing, nothing. Just saying, he's a busy guy, that's all."

She didn't respond, her mind whirling. Why is he even bringing that up? She glanced back at King, who was now walking toward her, Livy trailing behind him.

"Oreo, ready to go?" King called out, oblivious to the tension in the air.

"Yeah," Oreo said, forcing a smile. She shot a look at Jonah, who was still lingering. "See you around."

Jonah winked. "Definitely."

Later that day, Oreo and King were sitting outside, their usual hangout spot after school. But Oreo couldn't shake the weird feeling from earlier.

"King, what's up with Livy?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"Huh? What do you mean?" King replied, taking a bite of his snack.

Oreo frowned. "She's been hanging around you a lot lately."

King shrugged. "I don't know, she's just being friendly. Why, is it bothering you?"

Oreo hesitated. "Not bothering me, just... weird, I guess. I mean, you don't notice how she's always trying to talk to you?"

King raised an eyebrow. "She's nice, Oreo. I don't think there's anything weird about it."