SOTUS S: Prem and Wad

Chapter Six

Prem eventually learned her name was Tob and decided to only post the pictures of her onto his online portfolio. He exchanged numbers with her and that's why he was only comfortable showing off the photos he took of her at the motor show. The rest of the pictures he took for the management, but it sort of made him uneasy to post for himself.

Tob: You should really look into more than just engineering then, sugar. Open up to a bit more!

She had texted him. They'd been discussing jobs. Prem pursed his lips, thinking of a response, but there was a sharp knock on his door. He cocked his head in confusion but got up to look through the peephole.

"Knot?" He asked, opening the door.

"Hey," he smiled warmly, "I brought dinner." Prem felt some of the tightness that had found a home in his chest dissipate when Knot held up the bags of food.

"You're a godsend," Prem teased, moving to the side to let him in. Knot went straight to the kitchenette and set out everything in the table. They made lazy, comfortable conversation as they started eating. He shot a quick text to Tob saying his friend brought food and he'd text her later.

"Who are you texting?" Knot asked, covering his mouth with his hand as it was full of food.

"I made a friend at the motor show. Her name is Tob. I've been talking to her about all the things I know you're going to grill me about tonight," Prem said casually, trying not to let the anxiety reach his voice. He tried to play it off.

Knot sighed. "Listen, I'm not going to force you to talk, Prem, I just want to make sure you're okay." Prem felt the guilt bubble up in him as Knot finished speaking. Knot was his friend. All of his friends would care if he just talked to them, right?

"I'm... I'm not okay," Prem replied, looking down to his plate. "It's been so... frustrating, Knot. It just feels like so much, all at once. College is over and I'm the only one that can't find a job. I'm trying so hard but I just can't catch a break." He felt his eyes well and his face flush. He started and now he wasn't going to be able to stop. "And one of my main support systems is just part of the problem now! He just left, Knot! How could he just leave?" He was crying. Then Knot was standing; he could see through blurry eyes he was coming over to him. "We were together for a year. I love him and he left and I know his dad is sick but—" his voice broke with a sob. He felt Knot's arms wrap around him and he slumped against him. "Wad left."

"Sometimes people leave, Prem, and we can't stop it. I know it must hurt to not know why and it's killing me to see you like this," Knot said softly, his breath ghosting over the crown of Prem's head. "Couples break up. Tew and I broke up, albeit, more amicably than this," Knot attempted a joke, making Prem let out a choked laugh. "There's not a perfect way to deal with this, but your friends are here, Prem and we can help." Prem nodded against his chest.

(A/N: WHY AM I HURTING MY ONLY SON LIKE THIS)