"Love in the Time of Lunchtime"

The warm sunlight cast a golden glow over the courtyard as the group gathered for lunch. Maya and Beck sat together, their hands touching as they passed a plate of food back and forth. They had spent the night together in Beck's RV, and the chemistry between them was still palpable. Tori, Jade, Cat, Robbie, and Andre sat across from them, their eyes sparkling with mischief. Robbie's puppet, Rex, perched on his lap, a sly grin spreading across its foam face. "Hey, Beck, Maya, what's going on?" Tori asked, her voice laced with innuendo. "You two seem a little... cozy." Maya's face flushed as she glanced at Beck, her eyes locking onto his. Beck just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Jade leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "We heard rumors about an RV and a certain someone's extracurricular activities." Cat snorted, her eyes rolling in amusement. "I heard it was a real-life love scene." Robbie chuckled, Rex bobbing up and down on his lap. "Yeah, I heard Beck's RV is now officially a love nest." Andre grinned, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I think we can safely say that Beck and Maya are the golden couple of our class." Maya's face grew hotter, her eyes darting around the courtyard as she searched for an escape. But Beck just laughed, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. "Guilty as charged," he said, his voice low and husky. The group erupted into cheers and applause, Rex joining in with a loud, wooden "Woo-hoo!" Maya's face was bright red, but she couldn't help smiling. As they teased Beck and Maya, the group's laughter and jokes filled the courtyard. But beneath the surface, Maya knew that something real had happened between her and Beck. Something that went beyond just a physical attraction. As they finished lunch and began to disperse, Beck leaned in and whispered in Maya's ear. "I'm glad we're in this together." Maya's heart skipped a beat as she smiled, her eyes locking onto his. "Me too." The courtyard emptied, the group heading off to their next class. But the memory of that night, and the teasing that followed, would stay with Maya and Beck for a long time.