My Rival's Secret Unhinged, Part-1

As Keith and Kaya walk toward the college building, they're welcomed with a morning hustle of students hurrying in.

Kaya nudges Keith to grab his attention and asks softly, her eyes filled with concern.

Kaya

You sure you're okay?

Keith says, not wanting to add more to his sister's worries, in a serious yet soft tone.

Keith

I'll be fine, don't worry about me.

Kaya studies his face and sighs, deciding not to press him further.

Kaya

Alright then. Catch you later!

Kaya starts to turn away, but then stops, glancing back at Keith with a smile, trying to lighten up his mood.

Kaya

Lets dad not ruin our whole day, Kai.

Kaya

Even if our day started bad, we can still make it better!

Keith responds half heartedly.

Keith

Yeah, yeah.

Kaya

You can keep up with the act of 'I'm okay' until I get back, can't you?

Keith

You're so annoying sometimes...

Kaya

See you after the class ends!

Kaya

We'll go to the beach. And bring those two morons with you as well.

Keith nods, watching her go before he turns and heads towards his classroom.

—————————————

Keith enters the classroom, he spots his friends, 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 and 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲, already settled in. Oliver waves him over with a grin.

Oliver

Look who finally decided to show up!

Oliver

Thought you had bailed on us.

Keith rolls his eyes, settling into the seat next to them.

Keith

Trust me, I thought about it.

Henry raises an eyebrow, noticing Keith's red puffy eyes.

Henry

You good, man?

Henry

You look...rough.

Oliver

Looks like you showed up after a good cry.

Keith

Just didn't get a good sleep. Nothing major.

Henry

Your eyes aren't agreeing to your excuse.

Oliver

Or maybe you are just aiming for a 𝘝𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤 look?

Oliver

Your red eyes totally give it away.

Keith

Oh, shut up. Will you?

Oliver

That can't happen.

Oliver shrugs. Keith decides to give in.

Keith

Just had a 'not so good' morning, happy?

Henry

Is it your dad again?

Keith just hums in response, his shoulders slumping as he leans over the desk, a gloomy expression settling on his face.

Oliver and Henry exchange a look, patting his back reassuringly.

Henry

It'll be okay, man. Just hang in there, you know?

Oliver

We should get your dad a hobby, like...... relaxing. Somewhere—far, far away.

Henry sighs, acknowledging his annoying friend's joke for the first time.

Henry

I guess I'll agree on this.

Keith

Seriously Henry...you too now?

Oliver grins, leaning in with a smirk on his face.

Oliver

We can tell him that he's promoted to 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 and his only duty is to leave you alone.

Oliver

Or maybe we can sign him up for a 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱. Imagine him meditating in the mountains.

Henry

As if that will work.

Oliver

Who knows—he might come back all zen, like, "𝙉𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚, 𝙨𝙤𝙣"

Keith lets out a small laugh, feeling a bit of the weight lift as his friends support him in their own way and Henry's lips twitch in a faint smile at Oliver's deadpan jokes.

Keith

That would be a sight.

Oliver

I know!

Henry

I'm all up for your mom's reaction if this camp thing ever gets real.

Keith

She'll probably think he's possessed by some ghost.

Oliver grins, his voice takes an exaggerated, high-pitched tone as he mimics Mrs. Anderson.

Oliver

She'll be like—"Who are you? and what have you done to my loud, scary husband ??"

Oliver

And bam— Next thing you know, he'll be hosting a yoga class in the living room chanting namaste to your dog.

Keith can't help but laugh, shaking head at his friend's antics.

Henry

I can totally picture your dad trying to meditate. He'll end up yelling at the sand for not being in the right spot.

Keith

I can't agree more.

Oliver smiles proudly at his own performance as Keith chuckles at the ridiculous mental image of his dad trying to meditate.