Thomas’ old issues.

After finishing up with Alex and going home to take a shower, I met Thomas outside the usual burger place. I saw him standing there with his hands in his pockets and a thoughtful frown. He looked… moderately pissed, but not quite angry.

“Should we order to go and talk somewhere else?” I asked him as I approached, even before saying hello.

Thomas smiled wryly. “You know, that sounds like a good idea.”

We wordlessly shook hands, went into the restaurant to order and left with two paper bags with our food inside. We ended up going to the basketball courts, or half-courts, rather. They were nearby and we didn’t see anyone there.

We sat at a bench, opened our bags and quietly dug in. I admit, even though I wanted to go meet the girls already, I like hamburgers better than sushi.

“So? What the hell happened that has you all riled up?” I asked, eating a single fry.

Meanwhile, Thomas swallowed a handful of fries and drank his soda almost like it was strong booze. He let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Lyla asked me to prom.”

…

…

…

“What the fuck!?”

“RIGHT!?”

For those of you who don’t remember, and I don’t blame you if you don’t, Lyla is Thomas’ ex-girlfriend. The girl who broke up with him because, according to her, their sex life was bad because Thomas’ dick was too big. Ended up giving my guy here a huge complex. And now…

…

Okay, so there’s something I haven’t told you. I haven’t because it’s not exactly important, but I suppose it is now.

Lyla had been going to the same gym I went to, remember? We only saw each other on Saturdays, and even then not often because she came in about a half hour after I began my own routine. What I’m trying to say is that I talked to her every so often, or rather, she talked to me. It was never anything important. Just small talk for the sake of it. At times she asked me for advice on how to work out, but that was it. I never bring her up because, like I said, it’s not important. There were plenty of other people I talked to at the gym that were only just acquaintances, and I deliberately kept Lyla there, too. The thing is, she’s also still Thomas’ classmate, so… the changes weren’t lost on him. Or anyone, really.

Lyla had gotten fit. She used to be pretty overweight and then lost quite a bit of weight. Honestly, it was kind of shocking. Her physique was closer to… I was going to say Sarah, but no. Sarah has a body that’s the result of years of persistent and smart workout routines. Lyla was more similar now to, say, my sister. Slender and fit.

“No wonder you’re pissed,” I told Thomas.

“It’s not just that she asked me to prom. Actually, that’s the least of it. I asked her why she was doing it. I asked her why after SHE was the one who broke up with me. We finally talked like we were supposed to all those months ago.”

“And what did she say?”

Thomas clicked his tongue and snarled. “That she broke up with me because she felt inadequate with herself. That she felt she was fat and ugly going out with me, tall, muscular and handsome. Said she didn’t deserve me.”

“...” Okay, can’t say I don’t relate, because goddammit I do, HOWEVER… “And she thought breaking up with you was the best way to go about it?”

“Yep.”

“And… Now that she’s fit and all…”

Thomas nodded. “Everyone knows Isabelle and I aren’t a thing, so she’s not exactly going behind her back. What very few know, though, is that I already have a girlfriend, Maria. Of course, Lyla’s one of the many that don’t. As far as she knows, I’ve been single since we broke up. Really, I don’t blame her for shooting her shot.”

“All that isn’t important, Thomas. What matters is this: How do you feel about it? About her?”

After a deep breath, Thomas looked up and smiled. “You know what? I’m over her. I really, finally am. I’m venting with you now, but I talked to her like a reasonable person. Told her I didn’t feel that way about her anymore, that she… damaged me. Told her I’m with someone else, someone she doesn’t know. Now I really feel like I got my closure.”

I smiled with him. “Glad to hear that. I was afraid you’d start having second thoughts.”

“Hah. I thought you’d be afraid that I’d start my own harem.”

I frowned and tilted my head, confused. “Why would I be afraid of that?”

“Right, I forget how pure you are.”

I shook my head. “Pure? Far from it. Before I found my own, it wasn’t rare for me to have days cursing other people’s happiness.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

We made a toast with our plastic soda cups and finished our meals.

“By the way, are you telling Maria about this?” I asked him as we threw the bags in a trash can.

He flinched. “D-Do you think I should? I mean, I rejected Lyla. Not only did it end in nothing, but we’re even more over than before.”

“I get that, but consider that your current prom date is working for your girlfriend. Isabelle is bound to let it slip at one point or another. Is that how you want her to find out?”

“...” Thomas took out his phone and began to text. “I’m going to her place now if I have to.”

“Wise man.”

“Wait, what?”

“Hm? What is it?”

“She says she’s busy… She’s at Diana’s place… With your mom!?”

“Oh yeah, Maria’s going too.”

“You knew!?”

“That my mom and Diana were getting together today? Of course. Forgot Maria was joining them.”

“...W-What do you think they’ll talk about?”

“I never want to know.”

“And you’re wiser than I’ll ever be for it.”

Author's Note: Happy new year everybody. Hope things go well for all of you this year.

This chapter was supposed to come our yesterday as usual, but I was feeling really sick and outright forgot to publish it. Wasn't even drinking or celebrating. Just felt like I coming down with a cold. Not the nicest New Years, but I'm fine now. Hope you're all doing well.

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