C Chapter 5 Dylan didn't show up again until a whole month later . He shuffled into the shop looking all awkward and asked : [ ] " That mac and cheese you used to make … how'd you do it again ? " Back when we were totally broke , I'd save every penny for his tuition the next year . We lived off boxed mac and cheese for like a month straight - cheap and filling . I always did what my mom used to do when I was little - she'd hide the good pieces of pork at the bottom of my bowl . So I'd dish out my portion first , then add extra cheese and butter to his After getting used to fancy food again , I guess Dylan was craving that old comfort food . " I've been through three different chefs at home , and none of them can get it right . Could you maybe make it one more time … " " Boss , " Lucas cut in , " yesterday's books look a little off . " I ditched Dylan and headed straight to the register . I went through the numbers like five times and still couldn't spot any issues . [ ] Lucas was super patient though : ] " Look closer - the cup inventory doesn't match what the supplier charged us . I think they might've shorted us . " Oh shit , I think I forgot to count yesterday , God . I'm such an idiot A whole case of cups wasn't cheap , so I was beating myself up pretty hard , letting out these frustrated sighs ] But Lucas actually smiled and tried to make me feel better : ] " Everyone spaces out sometimes . It's not a big deal - I'll check the security footage right now and give the supplier a call . " ] I nodded gratefully . Out of the corner of my eye , I could see Dylan watching me and Lucas with this weird , unreadable expression - like he'd been staring for a while . ] By the second month , the shop was finally turning a profit . ] All thanks to Lucas - not only did hus face bring in a steady stream of customers , but he'd also developed this campus delivery app where he'd personally drop off orders at the dorms [ ] I was genuinely grateful , so I patted his rock solid back and said : " I'm giving you an extra fifty bucks this month !" He was in the middle of eating his mac and cheese when my sudden gesture startled him . He started choking , turning his head . away to cough . ] Even the tips of his ears turned red from coughing . " Want me to get you some water ? " ] He shook his head and said : [ ] " I eat your food for free every day - just stick to the hourly rate we agreed on . " ] The shop had been absolutely swammed lately , especially during lunch and dinner rush . ] So I'd just whip up some simple mac and cheese every day and bring Lucas a portion too . After a month of this , he'd filled out nicely . His previously skinny frame looked perfect now , and his whole vibe had gotten way . healthier . Which meant even more girls kept showing up to thirst over him - some even came from other campuses . Since he turned down the raise , I didn't push it . [ ] But seeing him rotate between the same two beaten - up t - shirts and those canvas shoes that were literally falling apart , I got idea . During my break , I hit up Target and grabbed a couple basic tees in black , white , and gray from the clearance rack , plus some marked - down sneakers . Dropped about seventy bucks . I was heading down the escalator with my shopping bags when I ran smack into Dylan and Cherry . He was loaded down with designer shopping bags , giving Cherry his full attention while she rambled on . " This mall is such a dump . Not one decent store in the whole place . If we weren't pressed for time , you couldn't pay me to shop here . " " Oh my god , what are you doing here ? Did your little side hustle finally tank ? Back to working minimum wage ? " ] I held up my bags and said : " Mind your own business . I can't buy stuff now ? " ] Dylan's expression went ice cold instantly . He stared hard at my bags and demanded : " Who's that for ? " I tired back: " Sull not your business . " Dylan totally knew the brand . It would've been a big purchase for us back in the day . For his birthday , I'd spent ages picking out their latest jacket - dropped nearly a hundred bucks on it . When I gave it to him , he barely glanced at the thing " What a pointless waste . I can't stand it . " ] Maybe I'm just dense , or maybe I was so used to being dismissed . ] I never expected much when it came to appreciation or gratitude . But that day , I didn't even get a simple thanks , and it genuinely stung . [ ] Dylan shoved Cherry aside and got right up in my face , his grip tight on my wrist . ] ' Don't tell me you blew money on that broke loser . " ] ||