Noel didn't usually eat lunch in the main cafeteria. Too loud. Too bright. Too many conversations colliding in midair like stray meteors.
But today, Ren had pouted until he agreed.
"It builds immunity," Ren had said, slinging his lunch tray down. "Exposure therapy for introverts."
"Exposure to what?" Noel asked, deadpan.
"Chaos, darling. People. Life."
Jun didn't even look up from his book as he muttered, "I already regret being here."
Noel stabbed at his rice bowl, mildly overwhelmed but tolerating it. Until he saw him walking over.
Blond, tan, handsome. The guy from the pool.
And this time, he brought backup.
Two other guys flanked him: one wore a designer logo on every inch of his outfit like he was sponsored by arrogance; the other had a jawline so sharp it looked photoshopped and a smirk that made Noel wish for early extinction.
"Well, well," Blond Guy said, stopping in front of their table like it belonged to him. "Didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
Noel looked up slowly. "You're hard to miss."
"Yeah, I get that a lot." He chuckled and glanced at the others. "This is Rhys and Kellan. We were just talking about the physics department. My dad funds half of it, actually. Crazy, right?"
Ren's eyes narrowed behind his iced latte. "What a coincidence. My dad funds half my cynicism."
Jun closed his book with a thunk. "Do you want something?"
Blond Guy ignored the hostility and leaned in ever-so-slightly toward Noel. "I was actually thinking — if you're not too busy — we could go check out the telescope tower tonight? I've got access. Exclusive, you know. My family—"
"—Has more money than originality," Ren muttered under his breath.
Jun, now visibly annoyed, slid over just enough to box Blond Guy out from the table.
Noel hadn't said anything yet. He was trapped in that silent, polite space where saying "no" too directly would spark more trouble. His eyes flicked toward the exit like he was trying to calculate escape velocity.
That's when he walked in.
Evan.
Towel slung around his neck from morning training, hair still a little damp, flanked by Levi, Tariq, and Minsoo. Their presence alone shifted the temperature of the room. Heads turned. Whispers started. Even Rhys stopped smirking long enough to adjust his posture.
Evan saw Noel instantly. Saw the guys around him. Saw Blond Guy.
And then saw Ren, who gave him the most elegant, exaggerated eyebrow raise ever performed in a university cafeteria. It said Now would be a really great time to be heroic.
Evan didn't hesitate. He broke off from his friends and strode straight over to their table like it was mission-critical.
"Hey," he said, tone easy but firm, "mind if I join you?"
Blond Guy blinked, visibly thrown. "This table's kind of full, man."
Ren beamed. "Not anymore!"
Jun scooted even further, giving Evan a gap so sharp it was practically a throne. Evan slipped in smoothly, landing right beside Noel.
Noel looked at him — not startled, just… quietly relieved.
Evan looked back with a half-smile. "Hey."
"Hi," Noel said softly.
Tariq, Levi, and Minsoo took their places at the next table over like a royal guard, each with a tray, each watching like they wished someone would test them.
Rhys and Kellan exchanged glances. Blond Guy fumbled. "So, uh… you and Evan… know each other?"
"We're friends," Evan said, without skipping a beat. "Close ones."
Noel's eyebrows lifted just slightly — but he didn't correct it.
Ren, gleeful, added, "Very close. Practically orbiting."
Blond Guy stepped back, deflating like a popped luxury yacht. "Right. Cool. Well, maybe I'll see you around."
"You won't," Jun said flatly.
And just like that, the trio slinked off, bruised egos in designer clothing.
Evan waited until they were out of earshot before glancing at Noel. "You okay?"
Noel nodded once. "Thanks."
Ren leaned in. "You were magnificent, by the way. The dramatic entry? The casual 'we're close'? Ugh. I almost forgave you for being beautiful."
Jun nudged Noel. "Next time, don't just sit there and let him monologue."
Noel murmured, "I was trying to avoid eye contact until he evolved into silence."
Evan laughed — a soft, real one.
For the rest of the lunch, the table buzzed. Ren talked loudly about space-themed cocktails. Jun read everyone's star sign compatibility with a level of disdain only he could carry. Noel mostly stayed quiet, but he didn't leave.
And Evan?
He stayed right beside him.
When they finally got up to leave, Evan leaned close and whispered, "Want to hang out later?"
Noel glanced at him sideways, the smallest smile tugging at his lips. "Only if it's not at the pool."
Evan grinned. "Deal."
As they walked out together, Ren behind them doing a victory dance, Noel thought one thing:
Maybe exposure therapy wasn't so bad after all.