Jake couldn’t help the overjoyed grin on his face when he saw an unexpected face walking toward him outside one of the campus eateries. He stepped away from the wall he had been leaning on and waved. His chest flipped at the shy wave Ryan gave in return.

“Lunch time!” Luna rubbed her hands together eagerly. Like every time they met up for lunch, she didn’t even greet him before stepping inside the eatery.

Jake followed, falling into step beside Ryan. “I thought you always brought your own lunch.” It felt like forever ago when he had asked Luna why her then mystery of a brother never joined them.

Ryan shook his head, but he seemed too occupied with looking around the crowded space to give more of an answer. That was explanation enough. Jake wished there was more he could do to help with Ryan’s fear of other people.

“Yes!” Luna triumphantly held a salmon salad sandwich in Jake’s face. “I got the last one.” She sang, dancing around happily.

Jake smiled and shook his had. The sandwich was Luna’s favourite, but sold out quickly. He was glad they didn’t share that taste, or else they would probably end up fighting over who got the last one.

Thinking about Luna’s favourite menu item made Jake curious, and he turned to watch Ryan. The boy had also gone to the refrigerated sandwich shelves. He picked up one of the hummus and roasted veggie sandwiches before standing on his toes to reach the line of cakes on the top shelf.

“Huh.” He hadn’t really noticed it before, but Ryan was rather short. He glanced at Luna, but she was nearly the same height he was. Had she just gotten lucky with the genes? Regardless, it made him smile. He had always thought small things were cute.

“Here.” He picked up the container of cake Ryan had been reaching for and handed it to him. Then he grabbed one for himself.

For a drink, Jake chose a carton of chocolate milk, while Ryan got orange juice and Luna picked a cola. Then, just before they reached the cash, Luna snagged two disposable coffee cups.

“What are those for?” Jake asked as they looked for a place to sit.

“You’ll see.” Luna winked at him.

All the tables were occupied. It was starting to look like they would have to either sit on the grass or eat while walking. Then, just as Jake was about to give up, Luna started waving wildly. She led the way to a table that was only occupied by one girl.

Amy hurried to clear away her books to make room for them. She greeted Jake and Luna, and give a friendly smile to Ryan. Luna rushed an introduction while tearing open her sandwich.

“Oh, and he and Jake are dating.” She added with her mouth full.

“Oh?” Amy looked between them with a raised eyebrow.

Ryan blushed and hunched his shoulders. Jake edged closer to him for support while glaring at Luna.

“What?” Luna swallowed her food and turned her attention to the two coffee cups. “Ry, pass the orange juice.” She held out a hand for the bottle.

Ryan didn’t complain, passing it over without any hesitation. Jake watched as Luna poured juice into both cups, filling them half way. Then she opened her cola and topped them up. Grinning at Jake’s warry expression, she passed one of the cups to Ryan.

Ryan gulped the drink, then offered it to Jake. Not being the type to declare something disgusting without trying it first, Jake accepted. He took a small sip and, deciding the drink was too sweet for him, passed it back with a shake of his head.

“That looks like swamp water.” Amy was shaking her head at Luna. “You’re so weird.”

“Thank you.” Luna grinned. She nodded at the notebook in Amy’s lap. “What’re you working on?”

“New songs.” She laid the notebook flat and Jake saw that it was full of music measures. Instrument names were scrawled in the margins and, by the looks of them, she was working with a string quartet.

“Requests to hear my stuff have skyrocketed.” She flipped the pages, showing them other, more experimental works. “I think it’s all thanks to your short. You never did tell me who you got to sing ‘Identity’.”

The table grew quiet. All eyes were on Luna, and she in turn was glancing between them.

Jake was surprised that even Amy didn’t know who had sung the song. He would have assumed she had a say in it. In fact, he had thought it was her before determining that her voice was too deep.

“I never told anyone.” Luna finally responded, smiling brightly. “The mystery is part of the appeal, wouldn’t you say?” She waved a hand at Jake. “I mean, Jake’s already fallen in love with the artist.”

“I have not!” Jake quickly looked at Ryan, worried that Luna’s words wouldn’t mix well in his mind and ruin what they had.

Ryan looked up at him and smiled, but it somehow didn’t sit right. Jake had the uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong.