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I tuck my water bottle under e what’s left here So I nudge his arasood stuff”

Banks hangs his head, eyes on the ground with a soft smile

Akara is trying to read , you’re okay? We’re better?

Banks lifts his head “Yeah, Akara” Humor laces his voice “You stroke that clit?”

Akara smiles, flips off Banks, then turns toBefore he says, “If you really want to know, Iabout that”

I’m really not worried about it

Just trying to re-knot the friendship bracelet of our friendship

It feels like a little too late

“Yeah, I won’t worry anymore,” I tell him

He frowns “We’re okay?”

“I don’t know,” I say honestly “You tell me, Kits”

He rakes a hand through his hair “What can I do?”

“Nothing You’ve done nothing wrong You’re allowed to have a girlfriend—”

“She’s not irlfriend—”

“Friendly casual date, whatever”

Akara sighs, hating this place we’re at, but of the few tiht or entered aard territory, he’s always tried his hardest to repair the dae It means a lot to me Because at the very least, I know he doesn’t want to lose me completely

Maybe that’s why his silence after the funhouse felt so fucking different I’m usually the one who avoids and he’s the one who insists on working through the mess

“Can we just start over?” I ask him

He es his hands, but his eyes never leave me “How far back? Do I need to reintroduce myself to you?” An attractive smile inches up his face “Hi, I’m Akara” He extends his hand “Born and bred in Northwest Philly, fourth-generation Thai, son of a broker and of a forhter I hate people alk too slowly on sidewalks, and I’ve had the honor of protecting a co bean”

It makes me smile

And I shake his hand with a firrip “Sulli”

“Just Sulli?”

“You can look me up on the internet”

“Ouch” He touches his heart

I pat his sweaty shoulder “I do have to tell you so that can’t be found online” I look around for Banks He’s tossing his paper plate in the trash, about to leave “Wait, Banks,” I say fast “You should probably hear this too”