sparking a change

 Melvin told Cori things were back to normal. He told him he didn't have to check up, on him.

"I'm fine," but he could see Cori didn't believe him. 

"I know you're worried, about work, about COVID," Melvin gave him a pat on the back and then pulled away. Why did he keep forgetting his distance? "You still have classes. I don't want you overdoing it."

"Is everything else OK?" Cori asked as he went to check on a pizza in the oven. Melvin would have never known there was a chance of snow if the radio wasn't on in the pizzeria. Truly, he did live in his own little bubble after all.

"Yeah, of course," Melvin didn't know why Cori was so concerned. "I told you I'm fine."

Cori remained a little more stoic than usual. But then Melvin guessed that was usual. When he worked, he worked. And he stayed busy.

"Wade's back." Cori's words worried Melvin ever so slightly. Melvin winced.

"What did you say?"

"I think you heard me," Cori went on to check the fresh veg as if he might be the manager after all.

"Wade?" Melvin asked. "You said Wade?" He shrugged.

"Didn't you say he moved to Kansas?" Cori recalled he'd got a better scholarship there.

"Well, KC isn't that far, you know." Melvin didn't want to make much of his friend/enemy.

"And..and he's been hanging out with Caitlin," Cori looked at him head-on.

Melvin winced hard. "Impossible." Melvin shook his head. Cori couldn't be right.