“Hey, where are you going?” Melissa unpacked her lunchbox and picked up her chopsticks. “Stem building.” She scrunched her nose and looked up at Pete. “Why?” He shrugged his shoulders and then leaned over her. “Because my future boyfriend is a Chem major.” He giggled like an overly excited child. “They have their own cafeteria and I don’t want him to spend the breaks on his own.” Melissa rolled her eyes at Pete. He was used to her excessive eye rolling but today he enjoyed it more than usual. “He’s thirty-three, he’ll survive sitting alone at a table.” “No one truly survives loneliness, have you never picked up a novel? Don’t you know the horrendous reasons for which people have died? Some woman didn’t have enough pillows, Mel! I will not take any risks with him, he’s most dearest to me. I haven’t even tasted his lips yet.” “Ugh.” She shuddered. “You sound like a cannibal, can’t you call it a kiss like a normal person?” “I’m anything but normal, love.” He left their table with a wink and wandered over the campus with a giddy feeling in his stomach. Derek hadn’t declined his offer for a second date. Granted, he hadn’t replied at all because his phone rang and he had to leave but if he truly didn’t want a second date Pete was sure he would have found a way to tell him. Which he didn’t.

He found Derek amidst the chaos of twenty year old students with ease. He was sitting on his own at a table, a mere apple in front of him. Pete sighed and before heading towards him grabbed some more food from the counter. He had to feed his future boyfriend well. “Good morning, Mr. Dillisburgh, is this seat taken?” He smiled at him and pushed back the chair to sit down. Derek silently stared at him. “I know, I’m the best at surprising you. I didn’t want you to-” “Hey Derek.” A group of people walked towards their table and Pete got ready to hiss at them in case they made rude comments about his future boyfriend. “Hey Leo.” Leo glanced at Pete and then back at Derek. “Is he bothering you?” Pete felt utterly offended. He got up and pointed his finger at Leo. “Excuse me? You’re the one bothering us.” Derek quickly got up and moved in between them. “I’ll have lunch with Peter today, is that alright, Leo?” The guy gave Pete a cold glare and then nodded. “Sure but come to the lab as soon as you’re finished. Suyoung has issues with the one accelerator and I’m honestly too scared to touch this thing.” “I’ll be there.” Leo glared at Pete one last time and then left with his friends.

“What was that, Derek?” Pete angrily spun around and almost flinched when Derek ruffled through his hair. “I thought you didn’t have any friends!” “I said that most people don’t want to associate with me, I never said I didn’t have friends.” He huffed at Pete’s pout and tilted his head. “Did you come here because you thought I was all alone?” He scratched the back of his neck and sat down again. “Maybe.” He pushed the tray towards Derek. “You should eat more than one apple.” “I’m not that hungry.” “That’s because you smoke. I won’t take no for an answer. Eat up.” Derek examined the various foods and then eyed Pete. “I don’t need you to take care of me, Peter.” “I know.” He said and avoided looking at Derek. Instead he let his gaze wander through the cafeteria. It wasn’t that different from their own. 

“I still want to do it.”