Lunch Break.

Another sunny day graces the students of the university. I walk through the campus towards one of the small restaurants/cafés. Vi is sitting in a small booth typing away at her laptop, a slightly steaming bowl of spaghetti next to her, and another bowl of rice and Japanese curry on the other side of the table. I sit down, and she looks up with shock at first, before her face softens and she smiles sweetly.

"Took your time. I nearly started eating without you."

I look down at the rice bowl, and I hear her voice,

"That's the one you like, right?"

I nod, and she smiles.

We eat in comfortable silence for a bit, both of us spending time scrolling through our phones as we hungrily eat our food. Vi finishes before I do—no doubt she started eating before I arrived. I was a few minutes late, after all. She leans back on her side of the booth and grins cheekily.

"I approve of Heidi, by the way."

"I didn't realize I needed approval," I tease.

"How rude! But seriously, I met her the other day in the library." She brushes some hair out of her face.

"I asked her if she was library staff just so I could get her vibe."

"And? How did your conversation go?"

"She's so sweet, it’s hard to believe that she’s fooling around with a taken man."

She winks.

"Well, we got to talking and we actually get along really well." She smiles sheepishly before continuing.

"We're going to hang out soon, and she recommended this gym to me—Spades Side. You heard of it?"

I shake my head.

"I knew she was a gym rat. I used to see her in the dorm gym all the time, though it has been a while. I guess she switched?"

She shrugs.

"Probs. She had a glowing review and asked if I wanted her to hook me up with her new trainer, Brandon. If I want to pursue modelling soon, I need to work out a bit more."

"Fair enough. May as well give it a go."

A part of me is concerned about Vi and Heidi hanging out. I wonder if it will make Heidi feel a bit more frigid and guilty. But another part of me is glad, because it would be good for Vi to have a friend that isn’t as... insane as someone like Ari.

As if reading my mind, her brow furrows as she watches me.

"Sorry if that makes it... harder for you." Her voice drops.

"But I love making things hard for my man."

I roll my eyes and laugh at her innuendo.

"When are you doing the first session? I might come check it out with you."

She takes a sip of water and places the cup back down.

"Tomorrow night. Are you trying to perv on me or Heidi?"

"Stupid." I laugh.

Out of the corner of our eyes, we see Matt and Ellie walking into the café. Both of them carrying thick backpacks and a laptop in hand. Their hands are clasped together. They order their food and then find their own booth; neither of them seem to notice Vi.

"What are you thinking?"

I look over at Vi, who is studying me with a pair of squinting eyes.