The next morning, Alena woke with the memory of the garden still lingering in her mind.
She couldn't understand Alexo.
The version of him she had seen the previous evening seemed completely different from the cold, distant man she usually encountered. For a brief moment, he had allowed her to see something softer beneath his guarded exterior.
And now she couldn't stop wondering whether she had imagined it.
At school, she tried to focus on her classes, but she felt strangely distracted.
Then she felt it.
Someone was watching her.
Alena slowly looked across the hallway.
Alexo.
He stood at a distance, surrounded by other students, yet somehow her eyes found him immediately.
His green eyes were fixed on her.
Alena's heart gave an unexpected little flutter.
She quickly looked away.
Why was he looking at her like that?
She waited for him to look somewhere else, but when she glanced back a few seconds later, his eyes were still on her.
Her cheeks grew warm.
She lowered her gaze again, suddenly very interested in the books in her hands.
She didn't know what was wrong with her.
It wasn't as though he had said anything.
He was simply looking at her.
And somehow, that was enough to make her nervous.
She stole another glance.
Alexo was still watching her.
This time, the faintest hint of amusement appeared on his face.
Alena immediately looked away.
He's doing this on purpose.
She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.
How could someone be so annoying without even saying a word?
At lunch, Lexy joined her, his usual cheerfulness making the heaviness in her chest feel a little lighter.
"Hey, Alena. How's it going?"
Alena gave him a small smile.
"I'm okay. Just thinking."
Lexy's expression softened.
"If you need to talk, I'm here."
"Thanks, Lexy. I really appreciate it."
He smiled.
"How about a movie tonight? It's a public holiday tomorrow, after all."
The suggestion made Alena smile properly for the first time that day.
"A movie?"
"Why not?"
She laughed softly.
"Okay. Maybe."
Lexy grinned.
"That's a yes."
Alena shook her head, amused.
But even as she smiled, she couldn't help wondering about something.
She rarely saw Lexy with anyone else.
Did he even have other friends?
Or had she simply never noticed?
As the day continued, Alena became increasingly aware of Alexo.
She would occasionally catch him looking at her from across the hallway or from somewhere nearby.
Each time their eyes met, her heart seemed to betray her.
Sometimes he said nothing.
Sometimes there was that faint, knowing look in his eyes that made her feel as though he knew exactly how flustered he was making her.
And every time, Alena looked away first.
She couldn't understand him.
One moment he seemed distant.
The next, he was watching her as though she were the only person in the room.
What was he trying to do?
After school, Alena needed some air.
She declined Lexy's offer for a ride, needing a little time to clear her head.
"I just need some time alone," she said softly.
Lexy's face softened with concern.
"Okay, Alena. Take care of yourself."
He reached for her hand and pressed a quick kiss against it.
Alena smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
She watched him leave, a strange feeling settling in her chest.
Lexy was so easy to understand.
Kind.
Warm.
Comforting.
Alexo was the complete opposite.
And somehow, that was exactly what made him so difficult to ignore.
Alena wandered around the school grounds, hoping the fresh air would clear her thoughts.
Instead, she found herself thinking about Alexo again.
She sighed.
"Why am I even thinking about him?"
"Thinking about who?"
Alena froze.
She knew that voice.
Slowly, she turned around.
Alexo stood behind her.
For a moment, she forgot what she had been about to say.
He looked even more intimidating up close.
Tall.
Striking.
His expression was unreadable, and those green eyes seemed to hold her in place.
Alena's heart began beating faster.
"Alexo."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You were saying?"
"I—I wasn't saying anything."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"That's not what I heard."
Alena looked away, suddenly unable to hold his gaze.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people."
"I didn't."
"You did."
He took a step closer.
Alena instinctively stepped back.
His lips curved slightly.
"Are you nervous?"
"No."
The answer came too quickly.
Alexo's smile deepened.
"You're blushing."
Alena immediately covered her cheeks.
"I am not."
"You are."
"Alexo…"
"What?"
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it again.
She didn't even know how to explain it.
He was simply looking at her.
But somehow, his gaze made her feel as though he could see straight through her.
Alexo remained silent for a moment.
Then, instead of saying whatever had been on his mind, he simply stepped back.
"Enjoy your evening."
Alena blinked.
"That's it?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You wanted me to stop looking at you."
She stared at him.
Then she realized he was teasing her again.
Her cheeks warmed.
Alexo gave a quiet chuckle before turning away.
Alena watched him leave, completely confused.
She still didn't understand him.
And somehow, that only made her more curious.