Braxton nodded.
"She's well known and seems even stronger than when I had her the first time I came here,” he replied, also in Korean.
I opened my mouth to speak but then noticed Kage walking back to us without Zane.
Braxton followed my confused gaze and he frowned at his brother's upset expression.
"What's up?" Braxton asked.
"Zane doesn't wanna eat with us today. He has plans," Kage grumbled.
We looked back to where Zane was still talking to his two classmates.
They laughed and Zane patted each of them on the shoulder before they began walking towards the exit.
I looked back at Kage.
"New friends?" I asked.
"Ya. I think their brothers are in the 'cool crowd’ so they’re already popular by association. Plus they are pretty strong and in the majority of Zane's classes. We don't have any classes together so..." Kage trailed off.
Alice opened her eyes and squirmed in Braxton's hand, who passed her over to Kage.
He smiled brightly, taking Alice into his hand and petting her gently.
"Hey, Alice. Want to cheer me up? Let's go buy you some carrots from the cafeteria before the line gets long," Kage suggested. He looked up to us. "Don't worry about Zane. It's not a big deal," Kage reassured us.
I took a quick side glance at Braxton who looked unimpressed.
"Who is in your other classes?" he asked.
"I have a class with each of the other guys. Maximus is in all three of my other classes and Physical is with Nixon and Logan. I'm good, bro. Don't worry." Kage smiled. "I'm gonna go ahead to the cafe. I'll wait in line for you guys. Don't take too long."
"We can go together?" I suggested.
Kage shook his head from side to side.
"Alice will start biting my finger if we get stuck in the cafeteria line like last week. She's not patient at all,” he complained.
"I was hungry."Alice defended and I sighed.
"She was hungry, but I do agree. Last week the line took a good half of our break. We'll catch up with you," I encouraged.
He nodded, giving another reassuring look at Braxton before running off with Alice.
I patted Braxton's shoulder.
"Brax. They can't be together all the time,” I reminded.
"I know, but that doesn't mean Zane has to brush him off like that. It's the second week of school. Could have at least been nicer about it," Braxton grumbled.
We moved to the side of the hall, not wanting to block traffic even though everyone moved around us like we were a barrier.
"I get it. Peer pressure? Maybe he doesn't want to always be seen attached to Kage?" I suggested.
Braxton sighed.
"Kage waited a year because Zane didn't want to enter Brighten on his own. I think it's a real stab in the back when, after being here less than a week, he ditches Kage like old laundry."