Kyle wasn’t in love with you. Nope. Not even a little.

Sure, he enjoyed your company. And, okay, maybe he looked forward to your study sessions more than he should. And, fine, maybe he spent an unreasonable amount of time making sure his notes were neat before you arrived. But that didn’t mean anything.

Stan, of course, had other ideas.

—“Dude, you’re in love with them.”

Kyle didn’t even look up from his textbook. —“No, I’m not.”

—“Yeah, you are.”

—“I literally just said I’m not.”

—“Kyle.” Stan gave him a knowing look. “You color-code your notes for them.”

Kyle’s eye twitched.

—“It’s called being organized.”

—“You also lent them your favorite pen. The green one.”

Kyle’s fingers twitched slightly at the thought. Okay, that one stung a little. But still.

—“That’s just basic human kindness, Stan.”

—“You don’t do that for anyone else.”

Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it. Okay, fine. Maybe Stan had a point. But that didn’t mean—

A knock at the door.

Kyle practically jumped out of his seat, grabbing his notes like they were a lifeline. Stan just smirked, shaking his head.

—“Not in love, huh?”

Kyle shot him a glare before opening the door.

And then there you were, smiling at him, greeting him like nothing was out of the ordinary. Like his brain hadn’t just short-circuited for a second.

—“Hey, Kyle. Ready to study?”

Kyle cleared his throat, stepping aside to let you in.

—“Yeah. Of course.”