The cafeteria was louder than before.
But this time—
I didn't mind.
Because—
Food.
Actual good food.
My eyes moved across the counter slowly, carefully, like this was the most important decision of my life.
Rice meals. Pasta. Fried chicken—
Then. Desserts.I stopped walking.
"…Yeah," I muttered. "I like this place."
"OH MY GOD."
I didn't turn.
"That's it. I've been replaced."
I sighed.
"Go away."
"I refuse," Liam said, suddenly appearing beside me like a lost puppy. "You looked at that cake with more love than you've ever shown me."
"I met you an hour ago."
"And yet… it still hurts."
I picked up a slice of chocolate cake.
"This one understands me."
He clutched his chest.
"BETRAYAL."
I walked forward with my tray.
He followed immediately.
"Wait! Don't leave me alone in this cruel world!"
"You're not alone."
"I feel alone."
"Eat your food."
We sat down.
Well...I sat down. Liam dropped into the chair like gravity personally attacked him. I placed my tray neatly.
Calm. Focused. First bite....Cake Always. Liam froze.
"…You started with dessert."
"Yes."
"That's illegal."
"Report me."
He leaned closer, whispering loudly—
"You're dangerous."
"I've been told."
He shook his head dramatically.
"I chose the wrong friend."
"You chose nothing."
"I chose everything."
I took another bite—
Peaceful.
Finally.
Then—
"Hoy, adopted."
My fork paused mid-air.
Just for a second.
Liam blinked.
"…Okay, who says that out loud?"
I slowly looked up.
Adrian.
Standing there like he had no shame.
Like he didn't just break his own rule.
We don't know each other in school.
I looked back at my cake.
And took another bite.
Ignoring him.
Completely.
Liam leaned closer.
"…Do you know him?"
"No."
"Yes," Adrian said at the same time.
Liam's head snapped between us.
"…I'm already confused."
Adrian pulled a chair and sat down.
Uninvited. Unbothered. He leaned back like he belonged there.
"You're ignoring me?" he said casually.
"Yes."
"Rude."
"Leave."
"No."
I kept eating. Calm. Like he wasn't there.
He tapped the table lightly. No reaction.
"Wow," he muttered. "You've improved."
Still nothing.
Liam whispered—
"…Should I leave or stay?"
"Stay quiet," I said.
"I can't promise that."
Adrian leaned forward slightly.
Lower voice.
Just enough for me to hear.
"Miss me?"
I finally looked at him.
Flat.
"No."
He smirked.
"Liar."
I kicked his leg under the table.
Hard.
"AaaaWwww"
Liam jumped.
"VIOLENCE"
"Stay out of it."
"I'm emotionally involved now!"
Adrian rubbed his leg, glaring at me.
"You've gotten aggressive."
"You started it."
"I always start it."
"Exactly."
Liam whispered—
"…Is this flirting or fighting?"
"Both," I said.
"I KNEW IT—"
Before he could continue, A shadow fell over the table. "…You again."
Rifat.
I glanced up. His eyes were on me.
Then—
On Adrian. Something unreadable passing between them.
"You know her?" Rifat asked.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"No."
I didn't react.
Liam looked like his brain just broke.
"…You just said yes earlier—"
"Stay quiet," I said.
"I'm suffering."
Rifat frowned slightly.
"But you're sitting together."
Adrian shrugged.
"Free country."
I added calmly—
"He talks too much."
Liam gasped.
"WOW."
Rifat looked at me again.
"You're not careful."
"I don't need to be."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
A pause.
Tension.
Then—
Adrian leaned back, watching us now.
Interested.
"…What happened?"he asked casually.
Rifat didn't look away from me.
"She embarrassed me."
I nodded.
"He fell."
"I slipped."
"You fell."
Liam buried his face in his hands.
"NOT AGAIN"
Adrian blinked once.
Then.Slowly a grin spread across his face. "…You lost, to her?"
Rifat's jaw tightened.
"Watch it."
Adrian leaned forward, enjoying this way too much.
"Twice?"
I added, calm as ever—
"Balance issue."
"STOP" Liam whispered. "I CAN'T BREATHE"
Rifat exhaled sharply.
Then looked at me.
"You talk too much."
"You fall too much."
"DAMN—"
Liam hit the table softly.
"She did it again"
Adrian laughed.
Actually laughed.
Then looked at me.
"…You're getting bold."
I tilted my head.
"I learned from the best."
That hit.
Liam went "OOHHHH "
Rifat narrowed his eyes slightly. Adrian paused, just for a second.
Then smirked again.
"Careful," he said. "You're getting embarrassing."
I stood up.
"Me?"
Then, Before he could react, I grabbed his drink. And placed it right in front of him. Too fast.Too sudden.A little spill Right on his shirt.
Silence. Complete silence.
Liam's jaw dropped.
"…NO WAY"
Rifat blinked. Adrian looked down at his shirt.Wet.Ruined.Then slowly looked up at me.I met his gaze.Calm.Cold.
"…Opps."
A beat.
Then Liam "SHE ENDED HIM"
Adrian stared at me.
Then. A slow smile appeared. Dangerous.
"…You're dead later."
"Get in line."
I picked up my bag.
Finished.
"Let's go," I said to Liam.
He stood up instantly.
"YES,escaping is good"
We started walking.
Behind us. Liam's voice whispered loudly.
"I think I just witnessed a murder."
"Eat your food next time," I said.
"I couldn't! There was drama!"
At the table,Rifat was still watching.
Not laughing.Not talking. Just… observing. His eyes moved between Adrian And me walking away.
Something didn't add up. He noticed it.
"…You don't know her?" he asked quietly.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
Wiped his shirt like nothing happened.
"…No."
But this time.There was a small smile on his lips.Rifat didn't believe it.Not even a little.