For me at least.
I kiss their forehead.Please don’t let this ruin twenty-seven years of friendship.
We say nothing as we drift to sleep.
Korie is gone when I wake the next morning, but there’s a string of texts waiting for me on my phone.
Korie:Thanks for last night. I think.
Korie:Fuck, I don’t want this to be weird. Is it weird? Shit, Holden… I don’t know what to do.
Korie:I didn’t want to leave you. That’s all I know.
Korie:Sorry, I’m … dammit. How can you do this.
That last one stings. Is Korie really comparing our morning after with all the times I’ve snuck out of someone else’s bed?
I frown at the screen. I should’ve known they’d panic. They aren’t the casual type, and we’ve barely talked about what is happening.
I text them back.
Me:It’s only weird if we make it weird, Kor, and trust me, I don’t want that either. I want to see you again. Can I bring you lunch? I’m off today.
I get out of bed and take a shower, then find my clothes from last night neatly folded on the couch. Korie must’ve done that before they left.
When I don’t hear from them, my mind spins. A ball of dread burns behind my ribcage. I keep pacing the apartment, rereading their messages, and trying not to feel like I royally fucked up. Maybe I should’ve stopped things, or at least slowed down.
Maybe we shouldn’t have gone that far at all.
When they finally text back, nearly six hours later, I slump against the wall with relief.
Korie:Yes, please! I’d love lunch. Forty minutes?
Me:I’ll be there.
It’s not exactly the assurance I need, but it’s something.
I walk into Korie’s work holding two paper bags and balancing a tray of soda. The receptionist barely acknowledges me as I ride the elevator up to the third floor, and Korie is already waiting in the hall. They perk up immediately, reaching for the food before I’m even fully off the elevator.
“Oh, thank God.” Korie yanks one of the paper bags from my hands and looks inside.
“Uh, hi to you too?”
Korie just hums distractedly as they shovel a fistful of fries into their mouth.
“Should I be concerned you’re more excited about the fries than you are about seeing me?”
Korie finally looks at me, brushing their hair across their forehead. “Sorry, I’m just starving.”
“When are you not starving?”
“No, like… I didn’t eat this morning, and today has been insane. I’ve barely sat down.”
They eat two more fistfuls of fries before we reach the cafeteria doors. I would laugh if the comment didn’t cause red flags to go up in my head. Korie didn’t eat breakfast? Any time they skip food, it’s cause for alarm.
I want to ask about it, but they’re already walking toward a table where Miles and Sophie are sitting. Both of them glance up at the same time.
“Oh, hey, Holden,” Sophie says. Her dark curls are extra curly today.
