73 Real Friends

"Taylor, I love you to death but you need to learn how to start reading the room. Neither Jules or myself wanted him over. You asked and we both shook our heads, but you still waved him over." Josh went straight to the point as usual and I watched as Taylor's mouth fell open, a guilty expression settling over his face.

"We were having a different conversation with Taylor, one which I was really interested in, right before you waved him over." Josh continued and Taylor pushed his hair out of his face before sighing softly.

"I- I didn't realize you guys would mind." He mumbled and Josh rolled his eyes and snorted.

"I'm sorry guys, okay? I'll start reading the room henceforth." He promised, gaze searching for mine and I pursed my lips, mind still fixated on a different issue, one which I was contemplating bringing up or not. After a few moments, I decided to lay it out on the ground as well.

"Why do you love leaving Kai and I alone?" I asked and when Taylor blinked once, I continued, voice soft. "You're always quick to leave Kai and I to talk privately, like you almost did today. Why is that?"

Taylor bit at the inside of his mouth before responding. "Ah… I didn't really think of it like that." He admitted, eyes sincere and I tentatively nodded my head.

After a few moments, he continued. "It's just that… Kai told me he liked you, and I thought you were fond of him as well, especially after the date you both went to a few days ago." He continued and I blinked in shock, completely taken aback.

It was extremely flattering that he told Taylor he liked me because well, Kai was very good looking.

"We went on a date?" I echoed and he nodded. "Yeah, he said it was a movie date…?"

"Oh." I mumbled as realization dawned on me. Kai had said that it was just us hanging out and not a date. When I revealed that to Taylor and Josh, Josh snorted while Taylor nodded his head in understanding.

"I'm fond of him like you said, but I don't— just stop leaving us alone, stop concluding that we need to be alone. At least, let me request for privacy myself." I finally spoke after a little while and Taylor slowly nodded his head in understanding, promising that never do that ever again.

After a few moments, he slapped his hands over his face and groaned into his cupped palms. "Oh god, I'm such a shitty friend." He whined and Josh snorted playfully, readily agreeing with him. "Yeah, Taylor, you fucking are."

Meanwhile, I chuckled as I wrapped my arms around him, tugging him into a hug. "You're not, I swear. You're a very perfect friend." I promised as I tightened my arms around him, feeling my heart ache at the realization that I do have real friends for the first time in my entire life.

"What about me?" Josh demanded from his spot on the grass, he was no longer sitting but was laying down. I snickered aa I buried my face in Taylor's shoulder, while he wrapped his arms around my middle.

"You're a perfect friend as well, Josh." I said, meaning every word and Josh gave me a thumbs up sign before returning back to his phone.

Taylor and I remained in the same position until we heard footsteps approaching, and we slowly broke out of the hug. Confusion quickly morphed into shock as my gaze settled on the person approaching. Taylor rose to his feet almost immediately and so did Josh. However, I remained frozen in the same spot as he stopped a few feet away, looking confident as ever, face flawless and gorgeous like the last time I saw him.

"Kim!" Taylor called out. "Hello, good evening. This is such a pleasant surprise." Taylor greeted, excitement oozing through his voice.

Josh cleared his throat. "Do you need something, Kim?" He asked, more collected as usual. Kim smiled at the two of them, smile gleaming like the sun in the morning.

"A lovely evening to you darlings." He breathed out in his smooth. silky voice, and then he slowly nodded his head, waving a perfectly manicured hand. "Yeah, I do need something."

His eyes focused on me in the next moment and I coughed awkwardly before rising to my feet, heart pounding. The first and only time I met Kim was at the initiation party, and our last encounter was of him informing me that I could leave without performing the ritual. I cleared my throat and bowed my head a little. "Hello, Kim. Good evening." I mumbled respectfully and he waved the greeting off, golden eyes gleaming beautifully and matching his smile.

"Hello, Jules. I came here to fetch you." He announced and I swallowed emptily, heart starting to race.

"Oh." I mumbled and he nodded as he spoke.

"It's for something private which won't take too long. So…" He trailed off, holding a hand out.

The power imbalance was clear between us, he knew we couldn't refuse him. Who would dare refuse their fraternity leader something? I hadn't even realized he also came on this trip until right now.

"Okay." I mumbled and Kim grinned, clearly satisfied. "Splendid."

As I gathered my things, Taylor and Josh reassured me that I'd be fine, with worry literally painted across their faces. Once I was done, we exchanged and they insisted I call them once I return.

"Ready?" Kim asked as we watched Taylor and Josh walk away. I chewed on my bottom lip for a moment before asking the most obvious question.

"Where are we going?"

"Not that far, honey." He responded sweetly as usual, flashing a smile my way and I nodded while my heart raced.

"Okay." I mumbled, falling into steps beside him.

"Are we meeting anyone?" I asked moments later and he nodded once, another smile being flashed my way.

"Oh yeah, sweetheart. We're meeting the principal. He wants to have a quick word, that's all."