Wednesday evening dragged its feet behind Matthew like a shadow.
By the time he got back from practice, his shirt clung slightly to his back, damp from sweat, his expression already carrying that quiet, distant exhaustion.
He paused at his door.
Luggage.
Boxes.
A microwave still in its carton, a standing lamp leaning dangerously against the wall, and two sealed suitcases blocking half his entrance.
From next door came the sound of people moving—workers talking over each other, footsteps, something heavy scraping the floor.
Matthew exhaled slowly, irritation flickering across his face.
Using his foot, he nudged one of the suitcases aside just enough to slip through his door.
Inside, everything returned to silence.
His space was the exact opposite of the chaos outside—clean, minimal, controlled.
He dropped his bag, loosened his tie, and headed straight for the bathroom.
By the time he came out, showered and dressed in something comfortable, the noise next door was still going. He ignored it.
Cooking came next.
Measured movements Chopping vegetables. The soft sound of oil sizzling. The faint aroma filling the air.
Even while eating, the muffled voices next door lingered like background static.
Then, finally—
Silence.
Matthew leaned back slightly in his chair, closing his eyes for a second.
Peace.
Knock.
Knock.
His eyes opened.
Slowly.
He rubbed his temple, already feeling a headache forming.
Walking to the door, he pulled it open and froze.
Ava stood there.
Wearing a duck onesie.
Holding a plate of cookies.
"Evening, neighbor," she greeted brightly, smiling like she belonged there.
She picked up a cookie, took a bite, then held the half-eaten one toward him. "Want one?"
Matthew just stared at her.
Ava leaned forward slightly, her eyes playful and suddenly moved like she was about to kiss him.
Matthew stepped back instinctively.
Which was exactly what she needed.
She slipped past him and walked straight into his house.
"Wow," she breathed, looking around. "Your place is neat. Clean. I like it, bestie."
Matthew shut the door slowly, his expression darkening.
His living room was spacious but simple—no unnecessary decorations, everything in its place. A low, dark-gray couch sat neatly across from a sleek glass table a 55 inch smart tv.
A large window opened out to the balcony, letting in soft evening light.
The kitchen was fully stocked, everything arranged with almost obsessive precision.
But the balcony—
That was the only place that felt lived in.
A cozy outdoor couch layered with soft cushions, a low table perfect for snacks, and a small stand set up for a phone or tablet.
The space overlooked the city, open to the night sky—a place clearly meant for quiet moments, movies, or just sitting under the stars.
Ava glanced at it briefly, approving.
Then she wandered down the corridor.
Four doors.
She nodded to herself. "Same layout."
She reached for one
Matthew grabbed her by the back of her onesie collar and dragged her back into the living room.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, voice low and controlled. "How did you find me? Did you ask my hostel roommate? Do you know I can call the police for trespassing?"
Ava pouted slightly.
"So others already know where you stay? And here I thought I was special," she said, sighing dramatically as she dropped onto the couch, crossing her legs.
She picked up another cookie and took a bite like she owned the place.
"I didn't ask anyone," she added casually. "Call it a bestie feeling. I can find you as for the cops don't bother calling them cause I would keep coming save the number for when you need it."
Matthew scoffed.
"Do you know what a stalker is?" he said flatly. "Because that's what you're being."
He turned, walked into his room, and came back holding a small chip between his fingers.
"Did you put this in my uniform yesterday?" he asked, holding it up. "Sometimes I think you're crazy… then you prove you can get worse."
He closed his eyes briefly, taking a slow breath.
"Get out."
Ava looked offended.
"What? You haven't even offered me food or water yet. You're not being a good neighbor," she said, shaking her head as if he disappointed her.
Matthew's jaw tightened.
"I said—" he started, then switched languages smoothly, his voice sharp and cold.
"Allez-vous-en !.
kkeojyeo.
Chūqù .
Déjame en paz."
He looked at her. "Do you understand? French, Chinese, Korean, Spanishws you don't seem to understand English I said leave."
Ava blinked.
Then slowly covered her face with her hands.
"Wow… you sound so sexy when you speak other languages," she muttered, peeking at him through her fingers, cheeks slightly flushed.
Matthew took a step toward her.
Ava immediately jumped up..
"Okay, bye bestie!" she said quickly, already backing toward the door.
The moment he reached for her
she bolted.
Out the door.
Silence returned.
Matthew stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway.
Then he exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"…Unbelievable.".
But for a split second—
just a split second—
there was something else in his eyes.
Not just annoyance.
Matthew covered his face with one hand and let out a long breath.
"And here I was complaining about Felix and Rick's craziness…" he muttered.
His gaze shifted to the plate of cookies sitting innocently on the table.
He stared at it for a moment… then sighed.
Walking over, he picked it up and placed it in the fridge like it was some kind of problem he didn't want to deal with right now.
Then he turned and went straight to his room.
Studying, however—
was a struggle.
Every few minutes, his mind drifted.
A duck onesie.
Ava's voice.
That stupid "bestie."
Matthew clicked his pen harder than necessary, irritation flashing across his face as he forced himself back to his books.
The next morning.
Matthew was already dressed in his second school uniform, sitting at the table eating quietly.
Knock. Knock.
He didn't move.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Still nothing.
He kept eating, calm, unbothered, as if the sound didn't exist.
Eventually—
silence.
He finished his meal, washed his dishes, and stepped out of the house.
No one was there.
Matthew put on his headphones and walked down the stairs, his expression neutral.
The moment he stepped out of the apartment compound he saw her.
Ava in her school uniform looking cute only if they know she has lose screw .
Standing by a small roadside food stall, casually eating ramen and dumplings like it was a normal morning routine.
She waved at him enthusiastically.
Matthew didn't even slow down.
He walked past her.
Ava blinked.
Then immediately dropped a thick stack of cash on the table—far more than necessary.
"Keep the change!" she said, already grabbing her bowl and box of chicken wings.
Then she ran.
Balancing everything like it was second nature.
By the time she caught up, she was already eating again, chewing casually as she walked right behind him.
Her eyes… not exactly innocent.
She glanced at him ass then shamelessly looked him up and down imagining how soft it would be .
"…Seriously?" Matthew muttered under his breath without turning.
They reached the bus stop.
Matthew sat down quietly.
Ava stayed standing right beside him, still eating like the world didn't exist. People passing by kept glancing at her—who carries a full bowl of noodles, dumplings, and chicken wings in both hands and still eats so comfortably?
She didn't care.
At all.
When the bus arrived, Matthew stood and got on.
Ava followed right behind him.
He spotted a single seat and moved toward it—
Just as he was about to sit—
thud.
Ava lightly kicked his backside.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to throw him off.
Someone else immediately slipped into the seat.
Matthew slowly turned his head, his eyes landing on Ava.
She smiled brightly, completely unapologetic, still chewing.
He stared at her for a second…
then walked past her and took a window seat instead.
Ava followed and dropped into the seat beside him like she had always belonged there.
Like nothing she did was wrong.
Matthew leaned his head slightly against the window, closing his eyes briefly.
"…This girl is going to be the end of me."
Ava hummed happily beside him, offering him a dumpling.
"Want one, bestie?" She offered seeing as he remain silent she ate it
"Handsome, why are you walking so fast? You could've waited for me," Ava said, catching her breath slightly as she leaned closer to him.
She waved a chicken wing in front of his face. "But that woman's food? So good. I'm definitely going there every day now. Taste."
Matthew didn't even look at her.
He stared straight ahead like she didn't exist.
Ava tilted her head, watching him, still offering him.
Across the aisle, a girl grabbed her boyfriend's arm, whispering not so quietly,
"They look like such a cute couple. Why can't we be like them?"
Her boyfriend scoffed. "You see the guy? He's sulking. And the girl is trying to please him. Can you do that? No. What you can do is get mad, stay mad and still get mad at me if I get angry, and even when you're calm, you still want me to coax you."
The girl elbowed him hard. "Shut up!"
Meanwhile, more people on the bus had started noticing.
Phones came out.
Photos were taken discreetly.
It was hard not to look.
Matthew and Ava… they stood out too much.
He looked unreal annoyingly handsome.
She looked like chaos wrapped in beauty—bright, bold, impossible to ignore.
Together?
They were distracting.
Matthew could feel the weight of the stares pressing in from every direction.
He exhaled slowly, jaw tightening.
Then he turned slightly, grabbed the chicken from Ava's hand, and took a bite so she would behave and stop drawing attention.
Ava blinked.
The bus went quieter.
Ava's eyes lit up instantly.
"Ohhh," she hummed, leaning closer. "So you can be fed."
Before Matthew could react
she picked up a dumpling and held it right to his lips.
"Open."
He turned his head away.
She followed.
He leaned back.
She leaned in.
"Don't be shy," she teased softly, her voice playful. "You already ate one. Don't act different now."
Matthew shot her a look.
Ava just smiled sweetly… then took that as permission.
One dumpling.
Then another.
Then chicken.
Then noodles.
By the time Matthew realized what was happening—
she had completely taken over.
Feeding him like it was her life mission.
The people on the bus?
Fully invested again.
Whispers.
Snickers.
More photos.
Ava didn't care.
Not even a little.
Matthew finally grabbed her wrist mid-motion, stopping the next dumpling just before it touched his lips.
"…Enough," he said quietly.
Ava paused.
Then slowly smiled.
"Okay," she said easily—before popping the dumpling into her own mouth instead.
She chewed, satisfied, then leaned back in her seat like she hadn't just caused chaos.
Matthew released her wrist and leaned back against the window again, closing his eyes briefly.
He should've known.
Give her an inch—
and she takes everything.
Beside him, Ava hummed happily, swinging her leg slightly.
"Next time," she said casually, "I'll bring drinks too."
Matthew didn't respond.
But this time—
The moment the bus stopped, Matthew stood up immediately.
Before the doors were even fully open, he was already off the bus.
Fast.
Ava blinked—then quickly dumped the empty plate and box into a nearby dustbin as she step out of the bus.
"Hey—wait!" she called, already running after him.
Matthew didn't slow down.
He had already turned into the lane leading to their school, his long strides making it hard to catch up.
"Slow down!" Ava complained, jogging to match his pace.
"I'm not the reason you're short," Matthew replied without even glancing back.
Ava narrowed her eyes, then sped up, finally falling into step beside him.
"So," she said, slightly breathless but still smiling, "how was the food? And my company too. You liked it, right? I'm like a ray of sunshine in your boring life."
She moved in front of him, walking backward now, facing him as she talked, her steps light and playful.
"More like a nuisance," he said flatly, rolling his eyes.
"A cute one," Ava corrected immediately, forming a heart shape above her head with her hands.
Matthew suddenly stopped.
Ava stopped too, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at him.
Before she could react—
he reached out and pinched her lips between his fingers.
"When you're silent, you're pretty," he said calmly. "The moment you open your mouth, you look like someone who deserves a slap."
Then he let go and walked past her like nothing happened.
Ava stood there for a second, stunned.
Then she huffed, placing her hands on her waist.
"Ungrateful!" she yelled after him. "After feeding you and everything!"
Matthew didn't turn back.
But the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips almost gave him away."You should be grateful I even ate that food," Matthew said, his voice carrying as he walked ahead. "You think I don't notice? When you don't like something or you're tired, you just dump it on me."
He glanced back briefly, eyes sharp.
"Tsk. Eating oily food this early… fix your diet no wonder you act like a pervert."
Ava froze for a second.
Then her eyes narrowed.
"Oh, you did not just say that—"
She ran forward and kicked his backside.
Thud.
Then immediately ran back, putting distance between them.
Matthew stopped.
Slowly turned.
Ava grinned.
He took deep breath and a step forward ignoring her
She kicked him again.
And ran.
"Hey—!"
Another kick.
Another run.
Again.
And again.
Matthew's patience snapped.
"Damn it—I'm going to kill you, you crazy girl!" he roared, breaking into a run after her.
Ava burst out laughing, sprinting ahead. "Your ass is so soft—!"
"AVA!"
She dodged left, then right, nearly tripping over her own feet as she laughed, but Matthew was faster.
In a few long strides, he caught up.
He grabbed her by the back of her collar mid-run and dragged her toward the nearest tree.
"Wait—wait—Matthew—!"
Before she could finish—
he hooked the back of her uniform jacket collar onto a low tree branch.
Her feet lifted slightly off the ground.
"…!"
She blinked.
Swinging.
Matthew let go, dusted his hands lightly, and turned to walk away like nothing happened.
"MATTHEW!" Ava yelled, kicking her legs in the air. "You damn handsome, sweet bastard—!"
He didn't look back.
Not even once.
A few minutes later, students began passing through the path.
Some walking in groups.
Some laughing.
Some heading to school instead of taking their cars for once.
Then they saw her.
Ava.
Hanging from a tree.
Swinging slightly.
Completely unbothered.
"…♪" she started humming, then casually began singing to herself, like this was normal.
A group of students stopped.
"…Is that… Ava?"
"…Why is she hanging like that?"
"…Is she okay?"
Phones came out instantly.
Photos.
Videos.
Whispers spreading like wildfire.
Within minutes her picture was everywhere.
The school page exploded.
"Top beauty hanging on a tree???"
"Is this a new trend???"
"Who did this to her???"
Comments flooded in.
Her friends?
Already on their way.
Because there was no way they were missing this in person.
Meanwhile, Ava just kept swinging slightly, completely relaxed.
"Bestie is dead today," she muttered to herself… then smiled.
"Worth it."
Jordan didn't even hesitate.
The moment he saw Ava hanging from the tree, he pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.
Jane is going to love this, he said as he smirk.
"Forget Jane—I already love this," Luna said, laughing as she walked closer, completely entertained.
Jake shook his head, stepping forward to help. He reached up and lifted Ava down carefully.
"Are you okay?" he asked, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve. "How did you even get stuck up there?"
Ava landed on her feet and straightened her uniform like nothing happened.
"Not your business," she said flatly as she ran .
Then suddenly ran back
she grabbed Luna's wrist.
"Come."
"What—hey—!"
Ava dragged her off without explanation.
Minutes later, they were in a nearby supermarket.
Ava moved fast, throwing drinks, snacks, and random items into a basket like she was on a mission.
Luna just stood there the one carrying everything she sighed and paid.
Now she was stuck carrying everything.
"Can you walk any slower?" Ava snapped, already heading out.
"Bitch, you're not the one carrying two heavy bags," Luna shot back. "So shut it."
By the time they reached school, Luna was already tired.
Ava didn't care.
She pushed her straight toward the classroom.
"Go on."
"No, I don't want to," Luna muttered, dragging her feet.
Ava's eyes narrowed.
"I don't care if you want to or not. Get in there and do what I told you."
Luna rolled her eyes, flipped her off, and walked into the class.
The classroom went quiet the moment she entered.
Luna casually took out her phone and started reading from it.
"Hi, new classmates. I'm Luna—obviously your new classmate from yesterday. I couldn't introduce myself because I had a cough and didn't want you all to catch it. I think we should all be close like glue
... "