The next morning felt… strange.
She walked into the classroom, trying to act normal—but her eyes still searched for him.
He wasn't there yet.
She exhaled softly and sat down, telling herself it didn't matter.
It's just a seat… just a boy…
But her fingers kept tapping the desk restlessly.
Then—
Footsteps.
She didn't look.
Not immediately.
But when the chair beside her moved, she knew.
He was here.
"Move a little," he said casually.
"What—?" she turned, confused.
Before she could react, he leaned slightly closer, reaching past her to pull his chair in properly.
Too close.
Way too close.
Her breath hitched.
She froze.
For a second, she could feel everything—the faint scent of his cologne, the warmth of his presence, how close his face was to hers.
Her heart started racing.
"Y-you could've just asked properly," she said, her voice coming out weaker than she expected.
"I did," he replied calmly, still closer than necessary.
She quickly leaned back, creating distance.
"Not like that!"
He finally sat straight, as if nothing happened.
But her heart didn't calm down.
Not even a little.
A few minutes passed, but she couldn't focus.
At all.
Then suddenly—
"Hey," he said.
She turned slightly, still trying to act normal. "What?"
"Your hair…"
Her eyes widened. "What about it?"
He reached out.
And gently—
tucked a loose strand behind her ear.
Her entire body froze.
Time stopped.
Her heartbeat felt loud enough for the whole class to hear.
"It was distracting," he said softly.
She couldn't speak.
Couldn't move.
Couldn't even think properly.
"W-why would you—" she started, but her voice failed.
For the first time—
he smiled.
Not a smirk.
A real one.
And somehow…
that affected her more than anything else.
"Relax," he said quietly. "You're overthinking."
She looked away immediately, her cheeks burning.
I am NOT overthinking!
But deep down…
she knew she was.
Because that moment—
That small, simple moment—
felt way too real.
And way too dangerous.
---
End of Chapter 3