In a Split Second || BOYxBOYxBOY ✔️

32

The kitchen was quiet, save for the clinking of spoons and the muffled sounds of a kettle boiling. Jake sat at the small, somewhat wobbly table in his student accommodation, lazily stirring his cereal and half-listening to Harper talk about her plans for the day.

Just as he was about to tune back into the conversation, the kitchen door creaked open and Luke stepped in, freezing when he saw Jake.

The two locked eyes, tension rippling through the air in a way that made the room feel colder. Luke's gaze was sharp, a mixture of hurt and anger simmering beneath his otherwise calm expression. Jake swallowed, gripping his spoon tighter as Luke turned his back on him, reaching into the cupboard but making no effort to grab any breakfast. He lingered for a beat, then let out a heavy sigh, slamming his cupboard shut, leaving the room without a word.

Jake stared at the doorway long after Luke had disappeared, feeling an ache of guilt settle in his chest. He'd half hoped, against reason, that maybe Luke was ready to talk, to work things out, but it was clear that that wasn't happening anytime soon.

Harper's voice broke through his thoughts. "So, you and Luke... are you guys ever going to talk this out? Because, I'm not gonna lie, it's getting kinda tense around here." She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she looked at him expectantly.

Jake gave a faint shake of his head. "I don't know, Harp. I don't think talking will fix things right now," he said quietly, not wanting to explain any further.

"Then what will? Because this isn't just about the two of you. What about everyone else that has to suffer the consequences?" she asked.

"I don't know what you want me to say," Jake muttered.

"I don't know," she shrugged, "but I think you need to figure it out. This whole thing has been completely blown out of proportion and everyone else around you guys is having to walk on eggshells around you all. Even Alex's housemates don't feel comfortable coming over here anymore because of you and Luke."

"What do you mean?" Jake asked with a genuine confused frown.

Harper hesitated. "I just meant... the girls. They don't feel like they should be coming around here anymore. Which is completely stupid because we're friends and they shouldn't feel like that."

"They said that?" Jake asked in surprise, and mild guilt.

"Jess did," Harper confirmed.

"Jess?" Jake asked. he had always been close to Sam but never to Jess, not that much anyway. "I'm sorry. I didn't really think about it like that. I'm trying my best here."

"I know," she said with a small smile as she tapped him on the shoulder. She sighed but didn't press him, sensing he was done with the topic.

Jake quickly finished his breakfast, rinsed his bowl, and ducked into his room to grab his backpack. The thought of lingering in the flat, with that cloud of tension hanging over him, made him uneasy. He needed to be somewhere else, anywhere else, and he already knew the one place where he could finally feel lighter.

The walk to the campus cafe was brisk and helped him clear his mind, the fresh air biting but invigorating. By the time he reached the cafe, he could see Sam, Alex, and Jess already sitting inside, laughing over something and looking genuinely relaxed.

Alex noticed him first, his face breaking into a small, warm smile as he caught Jake's gaze through the window.

Jake felt his own lips tug up in response, some of the weight he'd been carrying falling away as he entered and headed straight to their table. Without thinking, he slipped into the chair right next to Alex, instinctively leaning into him. He took comfort in the closeness, a soft warmth spreading through his chest.