The university Aula was huge, with the seats on different levels. In the far centre was a small stage with a dark wooden desk. Many students were still walking around looking for a place to sit, filling in the empty seats quickly. The lecture should start anytime soon now. Kai was checking his watch nervously as he wished to focus on the speech and nothing else. They were sitting on the right side, not far from the entrance, but still close enough to have the comfort to see the stage. Kai sat in between Noah on his left side and Leo on his right.

While Noah was chatting with Maya and Jake, Leo focused on texting with someone on the phone. Judging by his expression, that must have been someone close. Family member? Maybe a friend? It would be easier if Kai knew anything about him, but he was too nervous to ask.

"Apologies, that was my sister. Some boyfriend issues. I don't know why she is texting me for advice." He told Kai, putting his phone in his pocket. "I hope she has friends?" He frowned.

"That means she trusts you. You must have a good relationship with her." Kai sent him a small smile. "I think they will be starting anytime now." Kai pressed his chick against his palm, focusing on The professor who started greeting the crowd. Leo stared at him a bit longer, finally turning away to don't make Kai feel uncomfortable.

Kai found the lecture very interesting, and he enjoyed every minute of it. It was a sense of nostalgia, peace and belonging. At the same time, it was fresh. He also felt watched every then and now, but he wouldn't dare to stare back. At times he was lost in the professor's words forgetting about the world around him. 

It reminded him of the times when he was a student. He would sit with Nolan at the back of the room to sneak out in the middle of the class if they were bored. They would go back to the art room to paint or make out whatever suited them better at the time.

Jake and Noah started to get bored in the end, but who could blame them. It wasn't the topic of their interest. Both were still students taking their PhD the same as the rest of the guys. Maya also worked freelance apart from getting her degree. He was the only not studying and not working person among all of them. As professors said their goodbyes, Kai turned to the side and caught Leo's stare. Kai felt agitated for a moment as he forgot about a young man sitting beside him.

"I think we should head out." He smiled and got up. Kai followed him closely in the crowd.

Few people pushed through him, rushing to the exit. The crowd forced them forward, and Kai was feeling anxious. Subconsciously started looking for Noah, but he was nowhere in his sight. Faces of strangers, chaos and people pushing him from one side to another. Uncomfortable touches on his body, heavy and low in oxygen hot air, made him feel panicked. His breath laboured, blood-drenched from the head, and his heart was about to stop.

Suddenly Leo appeared by his side. Noah put a hand on his shoulder from behind, giving him a supportive squeeze. The pressure and fear slowly started melting under the presence of familiar faces. Focusing on them, he got his breath under control and was able to leave without passing out.

"Are you okay? You look so pale." Maya asked when they got through the door and out to the small corridor leading to the auditorium. The entrance was unquestionably too small to manage so many people leaving at once.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. I'm not doing well in the crowds." Kai smiled shyly, embarrassed that he started panicking. Noah's friends were not ready for a little show he could give them.

"Yeah, that was a proper flow of people. If Jake weren't there with me, I would end up as a new floor layer." Maya joked.

"That would only favour you. Every time I see you, your boobs are even bigger." Matilda, the girl who joined them just before the lecture, appeared by Maya's side. Maya covered her chest and gave her a hateful glare.

"There is nothing wrong with them." Jake hugged his girlfriend choking on Matilda's words.

Kai was confused by the rather childish attempt to offend Maya. They were arguing over the front parts of their bodies, but Kai couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else to that.

"Are you better now?" He heard Noah asking. Leo joined him, and now both were scanning him up and down as if checking for any physical injuries.

"Yes, thanks for helping me out over there." Kai forced a smile, feeling awkward. He didn't like to be in the centre of attention, especially now when he felt sweaty and vulnerable. When he looked at Noah, there was this apologetic emotion in his eyes, that Kai absolutely despised.

Noah had this look and acted like he should prevent him from the evil world. There was nothing he could do to shelter him, and they knew it. 

"Sorry about that. I should wait with you until the crowd would ease a bit before we left." Noah moved a bit closer to his side. "Should we go?"

"Would you mind giving me a lift?" Leo asked Noah who silently nodded, his eyes yet on Kai.

Kai silently confirmed that he is ready to leave while scanning the group next to them, who argued livelily. Their voices rise with every second, and Kai couldn't help to think that the rage in Maya's eyes doesn't suit her. 

Jake stood behind her, looking bored or maybe slightly annoyed. The thought of being alone in his flat, in silence and peace, seemed very appealing.

"That was intense. Those ladies are seriously something else." Leo laughed and got in the back seat.

"I know." Noah copied his reaction. "It's exhausting."

When all got in the car, he reversed out of the parking slot heading towards Leo's area.

"Is there anything going on between the two of them?" Kai asked, interested.

"Matilda was in love with Jake, but by the time she had done anything about that, he started dating Maya. Since then, they are not on the best terms," Leo quickly explained.

"Matilda is convinced that it's Maya's fault that they are not together." Noah continued with a bright smile. "She just can't let go."

Kai remembered one more Noah feature he forgot over the past year. He liked gossiping. It was charmless chatting about silly stuff Kai wouldn't even bother. If you would go to a family party, you can stay assured. Noah would be the first to sit with all the aunties and talk about their friends' dramas.

"They quarrel every time we meet," Noah added, and Leo nodded before he spoke.

"Well, you could see what happens when those two collide with each other. So we don't meet too often with Matilda and Maya at the same time." Understandable, Kai thought.

"Woman can keep the grudges. That's scary." Noah turned to the street leading to Leo's building.

In the evening, Kai shuffled through old things from his art classes. Maybe he should try a freelance job as Maya does. Kai couldn't possibly live with his parent's money forever. Especially when he graduated a year ago and never tried to apply for any job. 

On the one hand, he was grateful that they gave him space, never interfered with his interests and continued to support him financially. On the other hand, if they did, it would mean that at least they care.

He held a plain linen canvas and placed it on an easel. In the wardrobe, he had found his box with old paints, brushes and other necessary tools. After a few minutes, everything was ready to start, but he just sat there. There was nothing he could do. The hand wouldn't move, and his mind went blank. 

All years of practice, study and the time he spent mastering his skills vanished from his mind. A feeling of sadness, emptiness and disappointment overwhelmed him, and a few tears began to run down his lap.

Ding

He looked at the message he received from an unknown number.

*Hi, it's Leo. I just wanted to check if you are feeling any better now. You were quiet in the car.*

He rubbed his wet cheeks with his hand and sniffed his nose. A small smile found its way. In between these dark feelings meddling in his heart, he remembered how his life changed in a couple of days.

*Yes, everything is good. Again, thank you for helping me out there.* Kai replied.

He wiped the tears from his face and went into the living room to turn on the TV. When it was done, he walked to the kitchen to put the kettle on to make the tea. There was nothing better than a hot tea to soothe the nerves.

*No problem at all, anytime! Are you handling cinemas well?* Kai smiled when he read the message.

*I like cinemas. It would be fine if it's not overcrowded. Why?* This time, Kai focused on the phone, impatiently waiting for the reply.

He sat on the sofa with a cup of tea, slowly relaxing. TV was playing some random show on the screen. It was peaceful and quiet. The only inconvenience was a dog barking from time to time on the balcony at his neighbour's apartment. 

The neighbour was a nice elderly lady who he had last seen about six months ago. He would be concerned, but she had a dog, and her daughter visited her on the weekends.

*True. Great! I need a cinema buddy. There is a movie I want to see, but no one wants to go with me to watch it.*

Kai read the text, and his heart was beating fast in excitement.

*Should I assume that this is an invitation?*

Talking to Leo was natural, and being around him was comforting. In a couple of days, he found himself yearning for his closeness.

*Why assume? Of course, it is! It is a great movie!*

*Which one is it?* Kai wasn't sure if he can trust him on that. Does Leo actually like him? Or maybe he only needs a cinema buddy, for the movie that bad that nobody wants to go with him? Kai felt partly disappointed.

*How about I'm not going to tell you, and you need to trust me that it is a good movie?*

*Hold on, no one wants to go with you, so how it can be any good?* Kai has proved the movie is terrible and confident that he will go regardless.

*That only means I have a friend with terrible taste.*

Kai laughed out loud. They decided to go the next day, using the name of the cinema he checked the schedule. There were a few names he never heard. None of them seemed interesting enough for him. He gave up and got along with the idea of surprise waiting for him.