𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧' 𝐆𝐮𝐲 ➺ 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝑀𝒶𝓎 & 𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃

19. Juvenile Satisfaction

"But the cafeteria ketchup is rank," I whined, watching Emma rise from her seat.

"It's not, it's good! You don't have to eat it."

"Yeah, but it'll be near the chips, and that's not democratically friendly," I pouted.

"There's a reason you failed in politics, Maria," she shook her head, heading to get her ketchup.

This was the downside of being broke—we had to share chips for lunch. I'd pay one day, she would pay the next.

The chips that day were exceptionally crispy, and I remember because everything seemed to be going my way. The lecture was decent, meaning Professor Ross didn't drone on about his favourite thinkers for an entire hour and a half. We also got the full scoop from Cameron about how things were going with Marcy. Apparently, they were going more than fine, which brought immense joy to Emma. She was quite the little matchmaker when she wasn't desperate for a shag.

I had managed to push aside most of the Roger and Patty drama and gradually came to the realisation that Brian and Freddie were absolutely right about his inclinations. He just couldn't help it. Besides, I saw how happy he made Emma, and that was all that mattered to me. If she didn't know, she couldn't get hurt.

As if on cue, guess who plonked down across the table from me? Yes, you guessed correctly. Roger, the blonde drummer, flashed me a grin before shifting his gaze to eye Emma from across the cafeteria.

"For someone who's just dropped out of uni, you sure do spend a lot of time here," I remarked, popping a chip into my mouth and feigning interest in my notebook.

"Well, when you have a bird, you have to be there with her when you can. It's called loyalty, Maria," Roger replied, his eyes still fixated on Emma. I couldn't help but scoff under my breath—it wasn't intentional, I swear. Roger looked slightly confused and mildly offended at my reaction. But before he could question me, Emma sat down between us, holding a small pot of ketchup in her hand.

"Hiya!" Emma squealed, falling into Roger's arms. He responded by wrapping his arm around her, and before we knew it, they were caught up in a passionate kiss—way to intimate for the middle of the cafeteria. Feeling slightly awkward, I focused my attention on the notes in front of me.

"Honestly, darlings, get a room. The whole world doesn't need to be subjected to... this," Freddie remarked, gesturing to the scene ahead before joining the table across from me. He flashed me a knowing smile, clearly understanding my discomfort. "Hello, darling, how's your day going?"

With a stifled giggle, I glanced at Emma and Roger. "Yeah, I'm great." I emphasised the word 'great' and then turned my attention back to Freddie. "How about you, Fred?"

"I've spent the morning designing and coming up with ideas that nobody else has even been able to muster up. How do you think I am?" he replied with a playful tone.

"Oh!" I squealed in slight excitement, sliding over to sit right next to me. "Let me see!"

"Calm down, darling, I'm not the next Givenchy... yet." Freddie chuckled, sliding his folder over in front of me.

Grinning, I eagerly flipped open the folder, allowing my eyes to soak up the masterpieces that were fragments of Freddie Mercury's mind. My gaze stopped on an outfit he had sketched up, but Freddie swiftly tried to turn the page over. I caught his wrist, preventing him from hiding it.

"Why don't you want me to look at that?" I asked, both of us trying to stop each other from doing what the other wanted. I held onto his wrist, attempting to keep it away from the folder as I leaned closer to get a better view.