CHAPTER 4: UNINVITED COMPANY

There were no classes for the day, and the silence in his house was already driving Jared crazy. He grabbed his phone and sent a quick message, not even bothering to wait for a reply.

Jared: Heading over.

Jaden’s place was just a short walk away, so he didn’t bring anything else with him. Like always, he didn’t ring the doorbell either—he just pushed the front door open and walked right in.

Something caught his eye as he stepped inside. A pair of unfamiliar sneakers sat neatly by the shoe rack. We have a guest? he wondered. But he knew for a fact Jaden’s parents were both at work and wouldn’t be home until evening. He brushed it off and headed straight for the kitchen first, grabbing a juice box and a pack of biscuits just like he always did, before making his way down the hallway to Jaden’s room.

As he got closer, laughter drifted out from behind the door. He slowed down and peeked through the small gap. Inside, there was a table scattered with books and papers, but both boys were focused entirely on the TV screen. Jaden was holding a controller, playing, and sitting right next to him was another boy—Taki—holding the exact same controller Jared always used.

Jaden was losing, but he didn’t look annoyed at all. He was just smiling, shaking his head at whatever Taki had said.

Jared pushed the door open fully, leaning against the frame with a smirk. “Oh? And who’s our guest here?”

Taki jumped slightly in surprise. “Oh, hey Jared!”

They kept playing, fingers flying over the buttons, clearly determined to finish their round.

“Can’t you see I’m right here?” Jared said, taking a bite of his biscuit.

Right as the words left his mouth, Jaden’s character got knocked out for the third time. “I lost again!” he groaned, throwing his head back playfully. “And it’s all because you distracted me.”

“Oh really?” Jared raised an eyebrow. “Or are you just too busy ignoring me lately?”

“I already knew you were here the second you stepped in,” Jaden shot back, not even looking away from the screen. “Heard all that noise in the kitchen. We don’t have a cat, but looks like we have a very hungry one wandering around here.”

Jared just rolled his eyes and kept eating. He actually let Taki use my controller? Unbelievable. Whatever. Once I finish this, I’m going straight home.

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a message from an unknown number—Ash’s. They exchanged numbers for the project yesterday, so he saved it already.

Ash: Hi Jared! Are you free? Can you meet me at the café near our school? It’s okay if you’re busy though, no pressure.

Jared glanced back at the two. They were still fully immersed in their game, laughing and shouting over each other. They’re obviously busy. If I stay here, I’ll just end up bored and annoyed the whole time.

Jared: No, I’m free. On my way.

He stood up, wiping crumbs off his shirt. “Jaden, I’m going now. See you.”

He didn’t wait for a response. He turned and walked out fast, leaving the house before anyone could say anything else.

JADEN’S POV

(Earlier that day)

“Ugh, I’m so bored,” Jaden sighed, lying flat on his bed. He grabbed his phone, ready to call Jared over. Should I just invite him here?

Before he could even open their chat thread, a message popped up from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hi Jaden! It’s me, Taki. I got your number from Jared before class. I’m free right now, do you wanna work on our project together?

Jaden stared at the screen and clicked his tongue. That dumbass just gave out my number without even asking me first. He hesitated for a second, then decided. Jared’s probably busy anyway, right? Might as well get this done.

Jaden: Sure, come over. I’ll send you my location.

When Taki arrived, they spread out their notes and got to work. They finished about half of the requirements, but not all of it. Then Taki spotted the game console and controllers sitting by the TV.

“Whoa, you have this game too?” he asked, picking up one of the controllers—the one Jared always claimed as his own.

Jaden wasn’t really in the mood to play, but he didn’t want to be rude to his guest. “Yeah, sometimes,” he answered, grabbing the other controller.

They started a match, and Jaden kept losing round after round. A while later, he heard faint sounds coming from the kitchen—cupboards opening, the crinkle of snack packets, the familiar sound of someone moving around. A small smile tugged at his lips. There he is.

“Who is it?” Taki asked, noticing his expression change.

“Just someone,” Jaden laughed softly, focusing back on the screen.

He waited. He expected Jared to make a big fuss the moment he walked in and saw Taki holding his controller, to complain or tease or pull one of his usual dramatic acts. But when Jared finally showed up, he just stood there eating his food like nothing was out of the ordinary. Jaden started feeling restless and bored all over again.

Then he saw Jared pull out his phone and type away quickly. He caught a glimpse of the name on the screen—Ash. When Jared stood up and announced he was leaving, Jaden almost said something to stop him. But before he could even open his mouth, Jared was already gone, running out of the house like he couldn’t leave fast enough.

To be continue....

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