CIE'S POV
I stared at my phone as I walked—still nothing. My last message to Seb remained unread. No reply. No seen. No anything.
My brows furrowed slightly as I slowed down.
That's… not normal. Seb always replies even if she's busy.
But now? Nothing.
I sighed quietly, my thumb hovering over the screen. Should I message again? Or am I just overthinking?
I kept walking, still staring at the chat, my thoughts running in circles— Until— I suddenly stopped. I was already near the gate. And there—just like yesterday—He was there. Zane. Standing near the entrance. Facing away from me. Waiting. Probably for Dustin.
I slipped my phone into my pocket. For a second, I just stood there.
Yesterday, I hid. Avoided him. Embarrassed myself.
But today— I don't know. Something felt different.
I took a step forward.
Then another.
And another.
Until I was close enough. I lifted my hand and lightly tapped his shoulder.
He turned. And the moment his eyes met mine— There it was again. That feeling.
"Morning," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Waiting for Dustin?"
He nodded slightly. "Yeah." Then his gaze lingered for a second before he added,
"You're early." I raised an eyebrow.
"Not as early as you."
A small smile formed on his lips. Fair.
Before either of us could say anything else— "Whoa." A voice suddenly cut in. Dustin. "Look at this," he said, walking toward us with a grin. "What are you two talking about this early in the morning?"
"Nothing," I said.
"Nothing?" he repeated, clearly not convinced.
Zane just glanced at him. "Waiting for you," he said calmly.
Dustin scoffed. "Wow. I feel so special."
I rolled my eyes slightly. Same old Dustin.
And just like that— The moment passed. The next thing I knew, I was already in the classroom.
My eyes immediately landed on my table. And there it was again. The same snacks from yesterday. One big bottle of Delight. And three pieces of Dewberry.
I stopped for a moment. I was the only one in the classroom. No noise. No distractions. Just me… And this.
I slowly walked toward my seat, my brows slightly furrowed.
I picked them up without saying anything and placed them inside my bag. Then I settled into my seat, leaning back slightly.
My fingers tapped lightly on the table. I didn't know what to feel.
Confused? Curious?
But instead of overthinking it, I just shrugged it off. It's probably nothing. Or at least… that's what I told myself.
I reached for my phone again and unlocked it. My fingers moved almost automatically, opening my messages. Staring at the same chat. Again. Still no reply.
"Still hasn't replied…" I muttered under my breath. A small sigh escaped my lips.
Okay. That's it. I typed again.
Me:Seb? Are you very busy these days? Reply when you can, I'm worried.
I stared at the message for a second. Then pressed send.
And just as I was about to put my phone away, I felt it. Someone. Close. Too close.
I turned— and flinched slightly.
Dale. Already sitting beside me. I didn't even notice when he arrived. And worse— His eyes were on my phone. Specifically— My screen. My chat.
I quickly tilted my phone away from him. "You startled me," I said, trying to keep my tone casual.
He leaned back slightly, unfazed. "Did I?"
"Uh-huh."
He hummed softly, like he didn't believe me. Or didn't care.
My grip on my phone tightened just a little.
I glanced at him briefly. He looked relaxed. Calm. Like nothing happened.
I slipped my phone into my bag.
"You're early," he said casually. I blinked. Wasn't that the same thing Zane said earlier?
"Yeah," I replied shortly.
A small pause settled between us. Not awkward. But not comfortable either.
"You always check your phone like that?" he asked suddenly. I frowned slightly.
"Like what?"
"Like you're waiting for something." I looked at him. Careful.Measuring.
And just like that— The conversation ended. But the feeling didn't.
"Hi."
Both Dale and I looked up at the same time. A guy was standing in front of my desk. I blinked.
"Uh… hi," I greeted back, slightly confused.
He smiled a little, rubbing the back of his neck like he was nervous. "I'm Vince," he said. My brows furrowed for a second. Vince?
Wait— My eyes widened slightly.
Oh. The one who called last night.
"I'm here to ask you a favor again," he said. I straightened slightly.
Another one?
Without waiting, he handed me something. A box. Baby blue. Simple. But… neat.
I instinctively took it. "Oh… okay."
He let out a small breath, like he was relieved.
"Can you give that to her?" he added.
Her. I already knew who he meant. Ven.
"Yeah," I nodded. "I'll give it to her."
"Thanks," he then quickly turned and walked away before I could even say anything else.
I stared at the box in my hands. Then blinked. That was fast.
"…You know him?" Dale asked beside me. I glanced at him briefly.
"Not really," I answered honestly. "He just… called me last night."
Dale raised an eyebrow slightly.
"And asked about your friend." It wasn't a question. I didn't reply.
Instead, I looked back at the box. Baby blue. Neatly wrapped. A bit heavy.
Whatever was inside—
It's a lot. But it was enough to make someone go out of their way like this. And that's what I didn't get. If he likes Ven… Why not give it to her himself? Why go through me?
I tilted my head slightly, still staring at it. Weird.
"Looks like someone's serious," Dale muttered. I didn't respond. Because honestly? I was thinking the same thing.
I sighed softly and placed the box inside my bag. I'll just give it to Ven later.
I leaned back against my chair, letting out a quiet breath as the noise in the room slowly built up. Students were starting to arrive one by one.
Then— There it was. A familiar, loud voice from outside.
"—I'm telling you, Jesy, you should've just left me there!" I didn't even need to look. Ven.
I straightened slightly as the two of them entered the room. Ven was already talking nonstop, while Jesy just followed beside her, listening quietly like always.
They walked toward their seats, behind me. Ven dropped her bag dramatically onto her chair before sitting down.
"Honestly," she continued, clearly not done, "Jesy is so thoughtful. She waited for me at the gate."
Jesy shrugged slightly. "It's fine."
"And then there's someone," Ven added, glancing at me with a pointed look, "who didn't."
I raised an eyebrow. Here we go.
"Because Dustin and Zane walked her all the way to the room," she finished, crossing her arms like she just proved a point.
I slowly turned my chair to face her. Calm. Unbothered. Then I lifted my hand, holding the small baby blue box Vince had given me earlier.
"Keep doing what you're doing," I said evenly, "and I won't give this to you." I raised it slightly for emphasis. Ven froze.
Her eyes immediately locked onto the box. "What is that?" she asked, all the earlier attitude gone in an instant.
I tilted my head slightly, trying not to smile. "Oh… nothing."
Jesy glanced at the box, then at me. Then back at Ven. And just like that— She knew.
"Oh," she murmured.
Ven stood up slightly from her seat, leaning closer. "Cie…"
I raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Give it to me."
I leaned back again, crossing my arms. "No."
"Cie!" Ven whined.
I held the box just a little higher. "Say please."
She stared at me. "…Are you serious?"
"Very."
Ven groaned loudly, dragging her hand down her face. "Fine," she muttered. I waited. She looked at me again. Then sighed. "…Please."
I smiled. "Good." I handed her the box.
And just like that, her attention was completely gone from me. All focused on what she was holding.
I watched her closely. Curious. Very curious.
Ven opened the box. Inside were chocolates. A lot of them. Different kinds neatly arranged—Snickers, Ferrero Rocher, KitKat, Toblerone.
Ven blinked. "… Whoa."
Even Jesy leaned in slightly to look. I tilted my head. Okay. Not bad.
Ven slowly lifted one piece as if it were fragile.
"This guy is pretty generous," I said, a little impressed despite myself.
Ven turned to me immediately, eyes sharp with curiosity. "Who gave this?" she asked.
I shrugged. "Not for me to reveal."
Ven groaned. "Cie!"
I leaned back on my chair, watching her struggle between excitement and frustration. "Don't look at me like that," I added.
For a second, Dale and my eyes met. It wasn't long. Just a glance. I just shook it off.
The scene shifted again—just like that.
Now we were back in the cafeteria. Lunch hour. Noise everywhere. Chairs scraping, students talking, trays clattering.
Ven, Jesy, Dustin, Zane, and I were all sitting at the same table.
Ven, of course, was the first one to speak again while eating. "So," she said, looking at Dustin and Zane, "have you guys already met your instructors?"
Dustin nodded immediately. "Yeah. Three instructors already came to our room earlier."
Ven tilted her head. "Really? We haven't even met one. So then what?"
Dustin shrugged. "They just introduced themselves. That's it."
"Oh, I forgot to ask, what course were you two taking?" Ven asks again.
"Civil Engineering," Dustin answered.
Ven's eyes widened slightly. "Ohh." Then she grinned. "Smart course."
Dustin laughed a little. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Ven leaned forward again, clearly enjoying the conversation. "What about you guys? Did you already elect officers?"
Dustin nodded. "Yeah." Then he pointed at himself casually. "I'm the mayor."
Ven blinked.
"And Zane is vice mayor."
I glanced at Zane for a second. He didn't react much. Just calmly eating like it was nothing important. Of course. Typical of him.
Ven's mouth opened slightly like she was about to tease something, but then she quickly switched topics.
"Oh! Same positions as Cie and Zane then," she said, turning to me. "Cie is vice mayor too. I'm a secretary, and Jesy is—" She paused dramatically. "Muse."
Dustin almost choked slightly. "…Muse?" he repeated, like he wasn't sure he heard it right.
Ven nodded quickly. "Yes."
Dustin blinked.
"That's why she's upset," Ven added.
Jesy, sitting quietly beside us, sighed deeply but said nothing. I could tell she still wasn't happy about it.
Then— I noticed something. Zane wasn't looking at the conversation anymore. His eyes had shifted. Past me.To something behind me.
I paused. Slowly, I turned my head. And looked back. My eyes landed on them immediately. Dale. And his group.
Sitting at the table behind us again. Same place. Same silence.
I turned back slowly, my brows faintly furrowing. Coincidence? Or not anymore? Because at this point…
It was starting to feel like they were always ending up behind me on purpose.
If this still happens again tomorrow, then… I would really think Dale is doing this on purpose.
ZANE'S POV
I wasn't really paying attention to the conversation.
Dustin was talking again. Something about food. Or classes. Or both.
But then— I saw him. Same guy from yesterday. Sitting at a table not too far from ours. Same quiet expression. Same unreadable face... staring at Dustin. Or more accurately, observing him.