When they reached the cafeteria, Maya pulled them toward an empty table near the window. It was sunny there, warm, and conveniently far from their friends who might notice the tension radiating from the trio.
"So," Maya said brightly, sitting down and taking off her backpack, "I didn't expect you two to come together again."
Leon cleared his throat. "I—uh—we just happened to walk here at the same time."
Richard raised a brow, ignoring Leon's weak excuse. "Coincidence," he said lightly, eyes on Maya, "or fate?"
Leon's brain short-circuited. Fate? Did he just say fate? He glanced at Richard, mouth open, but Richard's expression was so calm it made Leon want to throw his own lunch tray.
Maya tilted her head, amused. "You both are acting weird."
Leon coughed. "We're… fine."
Richard nodded. "Fine."
Maya's eyes flickered between them. Something told her they weren't fine at all, and it made her smile softly. She had grown up seeing them compete, argue, tease, and sometimes protect each other in small ways. But today… today felt different. Tension crackled in the air, and she didn't know if it was dangerous or exciting. Maybe a little of both.
Leon tried to focus on his lunch—sandwich, fruit, and water—but he couldn't. His head kept turning toward Richard, watching him pick up his tray with perfect posture, the way he casually scanned the room without looking at anyone else. Leon clenched his fists under the table. How does he do that without even trying?
Richard, of course, noticed. He glanced at Leon, smirked faintly, then looked away. Leon's face turned red. Why is he smiling at me? Leon thought bitterly. I don't like him smiling at me.
Before Leon could get more worked up, a familiar voice called from across the cafeteria.
"Tunde!" Maya groaned under her breath. "Why does he always appear at the worst time?"
Leon groaned. He had been hoping Tunde wouldn't show up. His stomach tightened as the boy approached their table with that annoyingly confident grin. "Hey, Maya! I didn't expect to see you here." He glanced at the two boys beside her. "And wow, you brought backup?"
Leon clenched his teeth. Richard's calm expression didn't help. Why does he look so… unbothered?
Maya forced a polite smile. "Hi, Tunde. I'm just having lunch."
Tunde leaned casually on the back of Leon's chair. "Well, lucky me. Can I join?"
Leon felt something inside him snap. "No. She's eating with us."
Richard's eyebrow rose ever so slightly. "She said nothing about you joining."
Tunde laughed lightly, ignoring both of them. "Relax. I just wanted to talk for a minute."
Maya's eyes darted between them. "I… I don't think that's necessary."
Leon wanted to say something else but couldn't. His anger and frustration tangled in a messy knot inside his chest. Richard, however, leaned back slightly, crossing his arms, calm and perfectly composed. But Leon knew that smirk—he was sizing Tunde up, watching his every move. That annoyed Leon even more. Why does he have to make it look so easy?
Tunde noticed the tension. "Wow… you two are close. Always together, huh?" His grin widened. "Rivals? Friends? Or something more?"
Leon's head snapped up. "What do you mean 'something more'?"
Richard finally spoke, voice low but precise. "Stay out of things that don't concern you."
Tunde raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I'm just observing."
Maya sighed, exasperated. "Both of you—stop."
The moment was silent. Tunde's expression softened slightly, sensing he wasn't welcome, and he backed away. Leon felt a little relief—but it didn't last. The truth was, Richard's calm, composed presence had not only protected Maya but also highlighted Leon's own helplessness in ways he didn't like to admit.
Maya finally turned to him. "Leon… you okay? You look… stressed."
Leon swallowed, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Just… thinking about classes."
Richard's gaze softened, just a fraction, as he watched Leon struggle with his emotions. For once, he didn't tease. He simply let Leon have the spotlight—though he remained close enough to remind him that he was still there.
Maya, oblivious to the subtle war happening between the two, smiled gently. "Well… thanks for walking me here, both of you."
Leon's stomach twisted in ways he refused to analyze. Richard's presence made him want to argue, to compete, to fight—but also… to stay close. And that, he realized with sudden clarity, was more dangerous than anything Tunde could do.