The wish of being with Moon did not leave Keb alone for the entire week. Ever since Moon had left Keb in the lunch break on Monday, they hadn’t talked to each other again. Keb had seen Moon a few times every day, but Moon hadn’t paid any attention to him or just hadn’t noticed him. Whatever the reason had been, Keb felt weird. He felt a little empty, missed seeing Moon’s beautiful smile. He still wanted to protect him from every possible pain, but he hadn’t gotten a chance to do so in the past few days. And like this, the week passed by. Keb had thought of Moon a lot, had tried to think of other things when he had been with his friends. But with every topic part of their conversations, Keb had wondered what Moon might think in this situation, how he would react. The past days had been hard for Keb. Especially, because he wasn’t brave enough to share his feelings with anyone. He was too scared his friends would think of him as weird. But maybe he was weird. He had seen and had talked to Moon twice, didn’t know much about him, and they were nothing more than just strangers. But he still felt like he already knew so much about Moon. As if they had been friends for years now. He kept his worries and thoughts to himself and dealt with them on his own. He had managed to get through the past days like this. However, now, on the weekend, he struggled a lot more. He might still live in his parents’ house, but his parents weren’t home almost all year long. Keb spent hours upon hours alone with only his thoughts by his side. And every single thought surrounded that new, beautiful boy studying in their faculty.

“Do you want me to bring any food with me? Groceries? I can get you whatever you want.” Keb talked to his friend, who he was about to visit, over the phone while his eyes were fixed on the street in front of him. He knew it was irresponsible to have a call while driving a car. He wanted to end it as quickly as possible, but he still couldn’t hang up without asking this question. Keb cared about his friends a lot, he was ready to do a lot for them, wanted them to be happy and healthy in every possible way.

“Just because I have to work to pay my rent doesn’t mean I can’t afford my own food,” One complained at first, but thanked Keb for his offer right after. “Thank you, but I have everything I need at home. However, if you insist on treating me, you can pay for my drinks next time we go out.”

“So you can drink that expensive whisky again?” Keb laughed. “Okay, deal. I will treat you next time. You have my word.”

“Great, I will let you know when I’m free.”

“I hope this time you don’t dumb me like last time.” Keb didn’t want to admit how happy he was One had dumped him on that day. He did not only meet Moon earlier than everyone else, but he also knew that thanks to their meeting at the airport and the words Keb had shared with him, there was a special connection between them now. Moon was thankful for what Keb had said to him. Keb had realized it the second Moon had greeted him in university. He had noticed it in his smile. And once again all he could think of was Moon’s beautiful smile.

“How often do I have to apologize for that? I’m really, really sorry I didn’t tell you earlier that I couldn’t make it,” One apologized one more time. Keb had complained about this many times already. Too many times for One to still feel genuinely sorry. It wasn’t even the first time One had dumped him like that, but for some reason, Keb just wouldn’t forget about this time.

“I will hang up now,” Keb said without reacting to One’s apology. He had been too busy dreaming about Moon’s smile to listen to his friend’s words. “I will be at yours in ten. Wait for me and don’t start eating without me.”

“I would never do that,” One laughed. “See you.”

“I will see you around. Have a great day.” Moon’s voice appeared in Keb’s head again. He wondered why Moon hadn’t wanted to leave with Keb. Moon knew that Keb didn’t know Meow, that he had absolutely nothing to talk about with her, and had been in that room only because of him. Had he left because he hadn’t wanted to talk to Keb any longer? Because he had been annoyed by him? Was that also the reason why Moon hadn’t tried to talk to Keb even once after that lunch break? Maybe Moon hadn’t actually calmed down after Keb had touched him without permission or he didn’t like that Keb knew about Moon’s fears? Or it was because he had saved him from Meow’s touch? Maybe he had wanted that hug or hadn’t wanted Keb to interfere like that? But no, Moon had seemed scared after Meow had wanted to hug him. Moon had looked even more thankful at Keb after Keb had stopped Meow. Maybe Keb didn’t know him well enough yet to know the reason why he had left that quickly and hadn’t talked to Keb afterward? Or maybe Keb was just overthinking and there was no reason for it?