Author: Mariam

Male Lead: Miles • Theo

Female Lead: Katie

Side Characters:

Julie • Smily • Leo • Damien • Kai • Zehao • Theo

— Authors pov —

The soft glow of sunrise slipped through the thin curtains, pulling me out of sleep. I groaned, my body aching with exhaustion, but forced myself to sit up anyway.

I reached for the clock beside my bed—and my heart nearly stopped.

“7:00?!”

Panic rushed through me. We only had twenty minutes before school started.

I jumped out of bed and ran to my little brother’s room.

“Zehao! Wake up!” I called, shaking his arm gently at first, then more urgently. “You’re going to be late. Come on, get up.”

He stirred, eyes still half-closed, clearly not ready to leave his dreams behind.

I grabbed his uniform and placed it in his hands. “Go freshen up quickly. I’ll make breakfast.”

Without waiting for a reply, I hurried to the kitchen. The house was quiet except for the faint sounds of movement from his room. I prepared a simple breakfast as fast as I could, my mind racing with everything we had to get through today.

“Zehao!” I called out again. “Hurry up!”

A few moments later, he walked out slowly, dragging his feet toward the dining table. He pulled out a chair and dropped into it with a tired sigh.

“Do I really have to go today?” he mumbled. “Can’t I just skip school?”

I shot him a sharp look. “There’s no way you’re skipping school,” I said firmly. “You need to study hard and become successful.”

Without waiting for his response, I turned and hurried to my room. “I’m getting ready. Finish your breakfast.”

I pulled out my old shirt and slipped it on with a pamt. They weren’t new and perfect—nothing I owned ever was. I couldn’t afford things like that, and honestly, I never thought about spending money on myself.

I worked three part-time jobs. Every rupee I earned went toward Zehao—his school fees, his books, his clothes. Buying things for him made me happy. I never wanted him to feel like he was less than anyone else.

I tied my hair back, letting out a soft sigh as I looked at myself in the mirror.

“It’s going to be a long day…”

Grabbing my bag, I stepped out of the room. Zehao was already by the door, wearing his shoes.

A small smile appeared on my face. I leaned down and kissed his cheek before putting on my own shoes.

“Let’s go.”

We walked down the stairs of our small apartment building together. His school bus was already waiting outside. I waved as he climbed on, and stood there for a moment, watching until the bus disappeared down the street.

Only then did I turn away.

Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I started walking—on my way to university.

As I walked toward the university, I let out a quiet breath.

Maybe it was time to introduce myself.

My name is Katie. I’m nineteen years old. I lost my parents when I was sixteen, and since then, it’s just been me and my little brother, Zehao. He’s eleven now.

I work multiple part-time jobs to take care of him. It’s not easy, but I don’t have a choice—and I don’t regret it.

I used to be a topper in college, and somehow, I managed to earn a full scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities. A place meant for the rich.

People like me don’t belong there.

Everything I own is old—my clothes, my bag, even my shoes. And the students? They never let me forget it. Their whispers, their laughter, the way they look at me… like I’m nothing.

And then there’s him.

Miles.

My bully.

He’s never alone. His two closest friends—Damien and Leo—are always with him. Rich, arrogant, and completely aware of the power they hold. They never miss a chance to humiliate me, to remind me of where I stand.

I don’t fight back.

I can’t.

I don’t match their status, and I’ve learned the hard way that rich kids can cause the biggest trouble.

So I stay quiet. I endure it.

Just a few more months.

That’s what I keep telling myself

.

Just five more months… and I’ll graduate. I’ll leave all of this behind.

I don’t know how I’ve managed to face Miles for this long, but somehow, I have.

My steps slowed as the university gates came into view.

The place I feared the most.

I stopped for a moment, my grip tightening on my bag. Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady my racing heart.

Then, with quiet determination, I stepped inside

I kept my head down as I entered the university, quietly making my way through the hallway.

Before I could react, someone stuck their foot

out in front of me.

I tripped.

My books slipped from my hands as I hit the floor, pain shooting through my knees. Laughter erupted around me, echoing through the corridor.

I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

But I did anyway.

Miles stood there, a smirk playing on his lips, arrogance shining in his eyes. Behind him, Leo and Damien watched, clearly entertained.

“Well, well… our joker is here,” Miles said mockingly. He looked me up and down before scoffing. “Pathetic loser.”

They walked past me, and as they did, one of them kicked my leg on purpose, making the laughter around me grow louder.

I clenched my fists, slowly pushing myself up from the floor. Ignoring the stares, I gathered my things and walked to my locker.

I opened it—

And froze.

Ink had been splashed all over my books. Dirt and trash were shoved inside. And right in the

middle was a picture of me… with the words “poor loser joker” scribbled across it.

My chest tightened.

I swallowed hard, forcing the tears back. I

I wouldn’t cry. Not here

Not in front of them.

Closing my locker quietly, I walked to the classroom and took my usual seat at the last bench, trying to make myself as invisible as possible.

But I could still feel his eyes on me.

Miles.

A few minutes later, the professor walked in, holding a stack of papers.

“Alright, class,” he said, placing them on the desk. “I’m going to announce the results of your review test. Stay quiet.”

The room fell silent as he began calling out names, handing back papers one by one.

Occasionally, he frowned at some results, clearly disappointed.

Then—

“Miles.”

The class seemed to pay more attention.

The professor looked at his paper, then at him.

“You failed. Again.”

He slammed the test sheet onto Miles’ desk. “This is unacceptable.”

A wave of laughter spread across the classroom.

And before I could stop myself…

I smiled.

Just slightly.

For once, he wasn’t the one laughing.

But I didn’t realize the danger in that small moment—because Miles saw me.

The laughter faded as the professor continued.

“Katie.”

I stood up, my heart pounding.

“Congratulations. You scored 99 out of 100. Excellent work.”

For a second, the room went quiet.

He gave me a small approving nod. “Keep it up.”

I murmured a soft “thank you” and took my paper, quickly sitting back down.

A small smile formed on my lips as I looked at my score before carefully placing it in my bag.

“Open your books,” the professor continued. “We’ll finish the last chapter.”

I took out my book and focused on the lesson, trying to ignore everything else.

Trying to ignore him.

But I didn’t notice the way Miles kept staring at me—

His eyes filled with anger.

I kept my head down, writing notes and avoiding everything around me.

After three periods, the bell finally rang.

“Alright, class,” the professor said, gathering his things. “See you tomorrow. Make sure to study.”

Students quickly got up, chatting as they made their way out toward the cafeteria. Within minutes, the classroom was empty.

Except for me.

I didn’t have anything to eat anyway.

So I stayed back, pulling out my notebook and starting on my homework, trying to keep myself busy.

Then—

Thud.

The classroom door slammed shut.

I flinched, my heart jumping at the sudden noise. Slowly, I looked up.

Miles.

He stood by the door, his expression unreadable.

My grip tightened around my pen as he began walking toward me—slow, steady steps, his eyes never leaving mine.

“You were enjoying it, weren’t you?” he said, his voice low and controlled. “When the professor humiliated me.”

Fear crept up my spine. I quickly stood up, shaking my head.

“No, I—”

“I saw you smile,” he cut me off sharply.

My breath caught in my throat as he stopped

right in front of me.

Too close.

Before I could move, he grabbed my collar and yanked me forward. I stumbled, forced to meet his gaze.

For a second, it felt like the air disappeared.

He raised his hand, as if about to grab my hair—

“Why are you so mad?” I said suddenly, my voice shaky but firm enough to stop him.

He paused.

“If it was just a smile, why does it bother you so much?” I continued, my heart pounding wildly.

“Everyone was laughing at you. They were all making fun of you… and you didn’t react.”

I swallowed, forcing myself to keep going despite the fear in my chest.

“You know why you’re actually angry.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“You’re not mad because I smiled…” I said, meeting his eyes. “You’re mad because I got better grades than you.”

For a moment, he said nothing.

He didn’t want to admit it—but it was true.

He never hated me because I was poor.

He hated me because I was better.

Without warning, he shoved me back into the chair.

“You’re lucky I’m letting you go right now,” he said through clenched teeth. “Otherwise… I wouldn’t have stopped myself.”

His jaw tightened, like he was holding himself back from doing something worse.

I gripped the edge of the desk, forcing myself not to flinch. But inside, my heart was racing, trembling with fear.

Miles turned abruptly, walking toward the

classroom door. He unlocked it and left without another word.

The moment the door shut behind him, the tension broke.

I let out a shaky breath, my body finally relaxing.

Resting my head against the desk, I closed my eyes for a second.

I was safe.

At least for now.

Outside, on the terrace, Miles stood alone,

looking down at the students below.

But his mind wasn’t there.

It kept replaying the moment in the classroom—how close you had been, the way you looked at him without backing down.

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

“I have money. I have everything,” he muttered under his breath. “So why does it feel like she’s better?”

The thought irritated him.

Annoyed, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, taking a slow drag.

“Get a grip, Miles,” he said to himself. “She’s nothing.”

He exhaled sharply, trying to convince himself.

“Just a poor girl… not even worth thinking about.”

But no matter how much he tried—

He couldn’t get you out of his head.

I left before the class even ended.

I didn’t feel safe staying there—not after what had just happened.

By the time lunch ended and students began returning, I was already gone.

Inside the classroom, Leo and Damien were sitting casually on Miles’ desk, talking and laughing.

A moment later, Miles walked in, his expression distant and uninterested.

But the first thing his eyes did was drift toward your seat.

And then—

He paused.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

You weren’t there.

For a second, he just stood there, staring at the empty desk as if trying to process it. Then he walked over and sat down, still glancing at it without meaning to.

Leo noticed.

He leaned over and slapped Miles lightly on the back. “You okay, dude?”

Miles snapped out of it and quickly looked away, his expression turning cold and unreadable again.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said flatly. “And don’t touch me.”

There was irritation in his voice—sharp enough to make Leo raise his hands in surrender.

“Alright, alright,” Leo muttered.

Damien exchanged a quick look with him. They both knew better than to push Miles when he was like this.

But even as Miles pretended not to care—

His gaze kept drifting back to that empty seat.

And here I was, on the other hand, walking toward the café where I worked.

As soon as I stepped inside, I spotted Julie.

“Hey, Julie. What’s up?” I greeted her with a small smile before heading into the employees’ area to put my bag down.

The café wasn’t open yet—everything was still being set up.

Julie stood near the counter, already in her apron, adjusting her gloves.

“You’re early today. It’s not the weekend—you had university, didn’t you?” She paused for a moment, studying my face more closely. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

I sighed, grabbing my apron and tying it around my waist. “It’s nothing,” I muttered.

But Julie wasn’t convinced.

She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. “It’s because of Miles, right?”

I let out another sigh, meeting her eyes.

“He’s always making things difficult for me,” I admitted quietly. “I don’t understand why he hates me so much. From the very first day… it’s like I’m his favorite target.”

Julie’s expression softened. She stepped closer and gently patted my back.

“Just five more months,” she said reassuringly. “Then you’ll be in a better place—and you won’t have to work all these part-time jobs anymore.”

A small smile appeared on my face.

“That’s what’s keeping me going,” I replied. “And… I can’t give up. Not when it comes to my brother. I want him to have a better future. I don’t want him to go through what I’m going through.”

My smile faded as the words left my mouth.

Sensing the shift in my mood, Julie quickly changed the subject.

She walked over to the tables, starting to set the chairs down. “By the way, I got your favorite lunch—your so-called ‘famous’ spaghetti,” she said with a teasing smile.

“And I added extra salad for you. We’ll eat together.”

I looked at her, my heart softening.

She always knew how to make me feel better.

Julie paused and glanced back at me. “Now don’t just stand there. Come on—we have to open the café in fifteen minutes.”

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts, then nodded.

“Right.”

This time, my smile was real.

I walked over to her, helping arrange the chairs and wipe down the tables, the quiet comfort of her presence making everything feel just a little bit easier.

Back at the university, the second-last lecture was about to begin—but Miles had already lost interest.

Without a word, he grabbed his bag and walked out.

Leo and Damien exchanged a look before calling

after him, “Whoa, dude—where are you going?”

Miles ignored them completely.

They sighed, grabbed their bags, and followed him anyway.

Out in the back parking area, Miles’ G-Wagon was parked. He tossed his bag onto the passenger seat and got into the driver’s seat.

Leo and Damien slipped into the back.

“So… where are we going?” Leo asked.

Miles started the engine, his voice flat. “I heard there’s a café nearby. My head’s killing me. I

need black coffee.”

Not long after, they arrived.

And out of all places—

It was the café where i worked.

Julie stepped forward as soon as they entered, ready to greet them. She had never seen Miles before, so she didn’t recognize him.

i were standing at the cashier when the door

opened.

i looked up.

And froze.

Panic rushed through me the moment i saw them—Miles, Leo, and Damien.

“Oh no…” i whispered under my breath.

Without wasting a second, i ducked down, kneeling behind the counter to hide myselfself.

Meanwhile, Julie smiled politely. “I’ll bring the menu.”

Leo stretched lazily. “We’ll be back in a minute,” he said to Miles before dragging Damien outside to smoke.

Julie walked back toward the counter—and stopped.

She saw me crouched down, hiding.

“Why are you—”

Before she could finish, i quickly put a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay quiet.

“It’s him,” o mouthed silently.

Julie blinked, confused for a second—then her eyes widened in realization.

“IT’S HIM?!” she said out loud.

my eyes went wide in horror as i immediately covered my mouth, nearly lying flat on the floor now.

Miles turned his head toward the sound.

Julie froze.

Thinking quickly, she rested her hand casually on the counter, crossing her legs and forcing an awkward smile.

“I—I’ll be right back,” she said, trying to act normal.

She quickly walked into the employees’ area

The moment she stepped inside, k scrambled after her, practically crawling in panic.

Once inside, i dropped onto the floor, breathing heavily, my heart racing.

“I can’t believe it’s him,” Julie whispered excitedly, lying down next to me. “He’s so handsome—”

my eyes snapped toward her.

i glared at her playfully, still stressed.

To be countinued

— Katie’s POV —

“Stop calling him handsome!” I whisper-yelled, glaring at Julie while trying not to panic.

Julie covered her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh. “I’m sorry, but have you seen his face?”

“This isn’t the time!”

My heart was beating so hard it felt painful. Of all cafés in the city… why did Miles have to come here?

If he found out I worked part-time serving coffee after university, the teasing would never end.

No—

It would get worse.

Much worse.

Julie slowly peeked through the tiny gap in the staff room door before looking back at me dramatically

“He’s still sitting there,” she whispered. “And he looks annoyed.”

“That’s his normal face.”

Julie snorted.

I pulled my apron tighter in my hands, trying to think. Maybe if I stayed hidden long enough, Leo and Damien would come back, they’d finish their

coffee, and leave.

Problem solved.

But then—

“Katie,” Julie said slowly, eyes widening.

A bad feeling settled in my stomach.

“What?”

“You’re the only cashier working today.”

Silence.

I stared at her.

She stared at me.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

I dropped my head against the wall.

“Why is my life like this…?”

Before Julie could answer, the café bell rang softly again.

“I’ve been waiting for the menu for the past fifteen minutes now.”

Miles’ irritated voice echoed from outside the staff room, making my entire body tense.

I looked at Julie in horror.

She quickly stood up and grabbed the menus from the counter.

“You need to face this, Katie,” she whispered.

I stared at her with an annoyed expression while she tried—and failed—to hide her smile.

Then she quietly raised her fists in

encouragement.

“Fighting.”

I rolled my eyes as she walked out of the staff room with the menu, leaving me alone with my panic.

“Yeah, Katie. Fighting, fighting,” I muttered to myself sarcastically, copying Julie’s dramatic tone while making a half-annoyed, half-depressed face at my reflection in the metal storage cabinet.

I clenched my fists weakly in the air.

“Fighting…”

Then my expression immediately dropped.

“I’m literally going to die.”

I let out a frustrated groan and rubbed my face with both hands.

“Okay. Calm down, Katie. Relax. Relax…” I whispered rapidly to myself, pacing around the tiny staff room like a stressed maniac.

“It’s fine. Totally fine. He’s just your bully who almost murdered you with eye contact earlier today.”

I stopped walking.

“…Not helping.”

Taking a deep breath, I slapped my cheeks lightly.

“Relax, Katie,” I told myself again dramatically. “You are strong. Independent. Mentally stable.”

A pause.

“…Okay maybe not mentally stable.”

I dramatically slid down against the staff room door, fake crying as if my life had officially ended.

“I’m so not ready for this…”

I buried my face into my hands for a second before suddenly freezing mid-panic.

Wait.

A genius idea appeared in my head.

Maybe… maybe I could just wait until he finished ordering.

Then, after Julie handled everything, I could casually return to the cashier later to take the payment.

My eyes slowly widened.

“Wow, Katie,” I whispered to myself in amazement. “You are so smart.”

A proud smile spread across my face.

I patted my own shoulder proudly like I had just solved world hunger.

“See? Brain over panic.”

For the first time in the last ten minutes, I actually felt relieved.

— out side —

— julie and miles —

— Miles’ POV —

“This isn’t how a café is supposed to work,” I said coldly, leaning back in my chair.

“If you can’t serve customers properly, then this café is going to stay as empty and flop as it is right now.”

The girl standing in front of me immediately nodded apologetically.

“I’m really sorry,” she said quickly, forcing a polite smile onto her face. “I just had some business to deal with inside.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Business to deal with?” I repeated flatly before scoffing. “Whatever.”

She awkwardly handed me the menu.

I opened it lazily, barely interested, before tapping my finger against one of the drinks listed.

“One black coffee. No sugar.”

Then I pointed at two more items.

“And two iced coffees for them.”

I was ordering for Leo and Damien, who were still outside smoking like idiots instead of coming back inside.

“Alright, sir. Your order will be ready in ten minutes,” the girl said politely after writing everything down.

I looked at her suspiciously.

“Ten minutes?” I repeated slowly. “Are you sure your café understands how time works?”

She blinked.

I leaned back in my chair with an unimpressed expression.

“Because earlier, you said you’d bring the menu in one minute.” I paused. “And somehow that turned into fifteen.”

the girl forced out an awkward laugh.

“I’m really sorry about that, sir.”

I nodded seriously.

“Interesting.”

“…Interesting?” she repeated nervously.

“Yeah. I’m trying to figure out if your café runs on normal human timing or another planet’s timing.”

the girl nearly choked trying to hold back her embarrassment.

“It won’t happen again, sir,” she said quickly.

I rolled my eyes lazily and waved my hand dismissively.

“Yeah, whatever.” I glanced at her. “Just don’t suddenly get busy with your mysterious ‘business’ again before bringing my coffee.”

the girl smiled so hard it almost looked painful.

“Of course, sir.”

From inside the staff room, I could faintly hear something hit the wall.

the immediately coughed loudly to cover it up.

“Ten minutes,” the girl said awkwardly after her loud coughing fit, quickly turning around and almost speed-walking toward the coffee-making area as if escaping the conversation.

— Julie’s POV —

I walked into the coffee-making area and immediately started preparing the drinks, silently praying for Katie to finally come out of hiding soon.

Seriously, how long was she planning to stay in there?

As I made the black coffee and the iced coffees,

I let out an annoyed sigh under my breath.

“How can someone be that rude?” I muttered

quietly while placing the cups down.

Then I paused for a second.

Relief washed over me.

I quickly started pretending to organize random things around the counter so I wouldn’t look suspicious.

At the same time, Julie carried the drinks over to their table.

“Here’s your coffee,” she said politely.

Miles barely looked up from his phone.

“Thanks,” he muttered in a completely uninterested tone.

Julie smiled anyway.

“I mean… he’s handsome, but still rude.”

I stared blankly at the coffee machine before snorting softly to myself.

“What a dangerous combination.”

A small embarrassed chuckle escaped me as I shook my head, suddenly feeling weirdly shy for no reason.

“Julie,” I whispered to myself dramatically, “get a grip.”

— Katie’s POV —

Completely unaware of what was happening outside,

I was still inside the staff room trying to gather the courage to face reality.

By now, Miles had probably already finished ordering anyway. He was most likely sitting quietly with his friends.

…Hopefully far too distracted to notice me.

Slowly, I stood up and looked around for something—anything—to hide my face with.

Then my eyes landed on a black mask sitting

nearby.

A masterpiece.

I immediately grabbed it and put it on before looking at my reflection in the metal cabinet.

“We can do this,” I whispered to myself dramatically.

I walked toward the door confidently—

Only for my hand to freeze in the air before touching the handle.

My confidence disappeared instantly.

For a few seconds, I just stood there fighting for my life internally.

Then, squeezing my eyes shut, I forced myself to open the door and step outside.

The moment I reached the cashier area, my eyes immediately landed on Miles.

Thankfully, he was too busy scrolling through his phone to notice a “totally new and definitely not suspicious” employee walking out.

Relief washed over me.

I quickly started pretending to organize random things around the counter so I wouldn’t look suspicious..

At the same time, Julie carried the drinks over to their table.

“Here’s your coffee,” she said politely.

Miles barely looked up from his phone.

“Thanks,” he muttered in a completely uninterested tone.

Julie smiled anyway.

“Call me if you need anything.”

Then she walked back toward the cashier area beside me, pretending to clean while secretly glancing at Miles every five seconds like a curious reporter investigating celebrity drama.

Not long after, Leo and Daimen walked into the café, the strong scent of cigarettes following them inside. i resisted the urge to wrinkle my nose. i hate this smell.

The café was warm and crowded with soft chatter, but the moment they arrived, the atmosphere around the table shifted.

Leo dropped into the seat beside Daimen, directly across from Miles. Miles had already finished his coffee. His empty cup sat near his elbow while the glow of his phone reflected faintly against his expressionless face.

He barely looked up as they sat down.

Daimen leaned back lazily in his chair, grinning. “Man, everything’s been so boring lately,” he complained. “Why don’t we throw a party next week?”

Leo immediately nodded in agreement. “Finally, a good idea.”

The two of them high-fived, laughing quietly between themselves.

Then Daimen turned toward Miles. “What about you?” he asked. “You in?”

For a second, Miles didn’t answer.

He slowly locked his phone and slipped it into his pocket before standing up from his seat. His movements were calm, almost too calm.

“Do whatever you want, guys,” he said flatly.

Leo and Daimen exchanged confused looks.

Miles? Saying no to a party?

That alone felt wrong.

He was always the first one to get excited, the loudest in the room, the one dragging everyone else into the chaos.

But lately, something about him had changed. The spark in his eyes was gone, replaced by a strange distance none of them understood.

And the worst part was—

He wouldn’t tell anyone why.

Miles walked up to the cashier counter, casually pulling out his wallet.

“How much?” he asked.

Instant panic.

My soul practically left my body.

There was absolutely no way I was speaking. The second he heard my voice, I was done for.

Finished. Dead. Buried.

So instead, I silently grabbed the bill and placed it in front of him, aggressively tapping the total with my finger like some malfunctioning robot

cashier.

My eyes stayed glued to the floor while I bit my lip nervously.

Please don’t recognize me.

Please don’t recognize me.

Please don’t—

Miles narrowed his eyes immediately.

Suspicious.

Very suspicious.

“Are you too shy to talk, love?” he asked sarcastically, leaning slightly against the counter.

I shook my head so fast I almost gave myself whiplash and quickly turned my face away from him.

Oh God.

This was how I died.

Not in a dramatic car crash.

Not saving the world.

No.

I was going to die pretending to be mute in a café.

“I’m not paying until you speak, lady, and—”

Before he could finish, Julie suddenly appeared out of nowhere like a stressed superhero.

She shoved me aside so hard I nearly crashed into the menu board.

I took that as my chance and instantly turned around, my back now facing Miles while I pretended to deeply study the drinks menu like my life depended on it.

Which… honestly, it did.

Julie forced the fakest smile I had ever seen.

“Actually, she—uh—she’s mute,” Julie blurted out. “She can’t speak. Let me tell you your bill.”

I almost choked.

Mute?!

That was the plan?!

Behind her, I grabbed a random menu upside down and pretended to read it with intense concentration.

“Your total is—”

Julie got cut off when Miles suddenly slammed

fifty bucks onto the counter.

“Keep the change,” he said flatly.

Julie stared at the money like she had just survived a war.

“Th-thank you,” she said weakly.

Miles shoved his wallet back into his pocket and started walking toward the exit, muttering something under his breath.

“Weird,” he said.

Leo and Daimen quickly followed after him, abandoning their unfinished drinks because apparently Daimen’s existence naturally created chaos everywhere he went.

The café door closed behind them.

Silence.

Then Julie slowly turned toward me.

“You owe me therapy,” she whispered.

I placed both hands over my face.

Technically, I was safe.

But deep down?

I knew Miles was suspicious.

The second the café door closed behind them, I slid dramatically down onto the floor behind the counter.

“Why,” I groaned, staring at the ceiling, “does every problem in this world personally walk toward me?”

I fake-cried into my hands while Julie ignored me completely, busy wiping the counter like she hadn’t just lied about me being mute five seconds ago.

“I almost died,” I complained.

“You’re being dramatic,” Julie said.

“I had to communicate through aggressive finger tapping, Julie.”

She rolled her eyes.

The rest of my shift passed in a blur, but no matter how busy the café got, my eyes kept drifting nervously toward the entrance.

Just in case.

Because honestly? I wouldn’t even be surprised if Miles suddenly walked back in and went:

“Hey, funny story, the mute cashier looked exactly like Katie.”

Every time the bell above the door rang, my heart nearly exploded.

Thankfully, he never came back.

Eventually my shift ended, and I barely had time to breathe before rushing off to my second job

as a babysitter.

Five hours.

Five whole hours of chasing a hyperactive child who somehow had more energy than an entire football team combined.

By the time I finished there, it was already ten at night, and my feet felt like they were seconds away from filing a complaint against me.

But my day still wasn’t over.

Because next came my last job—

The bakery.

Bright lights, the smell of fresh bread and vanilla frosting, and me standing behind the counter pretending I wasn’t running purely on caffeine, stress, and bad decisions.

Two hours later, it was finally midnight.

I thanked the last customer with a tired smile as she picked up her cake box and left the bakery.

The second the door closed behind her, I let out a long breath and untied my apron, already dreaming about sleep.

I was just about to leave when the old woman

who owned the bakery walked toward me,

holding a small paper bag filled with warm bread.

“Here,” she said gently. “Take this with you.”

The smell alone made my stomach ache with hunger.

I quickly shook my head. “You don’t need to give me this.”

Before I could hand it back, she pushed the bag firmly into my arms.

“Don’t resist,” she said. “Just take it.”

Her voice was soft, but there was no arguing with her.

I looked down at the bread quietly.

She never asked questions about my life, and I never told her anything. But somehow… she always seemed to know.

Maybe it was the way I stayed late for every shift, or how carefully I counted every dollar.

Whatever it was, she understood more than she let on.

My chest warmed a little.

“Thank you,” I said again, this time more sincerely.

She smiled and waved me off. “Go home already. You look half-dead.”

I laughed tiredly before walking out of the bakery with the warm bread tucked against my chest.

The streets were quieter now, the cold midnight air brushing against my skin as I made my way toward my tiny apartment.

I already knew my little brother would be home by now.

The thought alone gave me enough energy to keep walking.

A few minutes later, I reached the apartment building and unlocked the door quietly before stepping inside.

The living room lights were off, leaving the apartment dim and peaceful, but a soft lamp still glowed from my brother’s room.

He had fallen asleep.

I smiled faintly.

Then my eyes landed on the empty plate of macaroni sitting on the table.

Thankfully, he had eaten the dinner I left for him earlier.

Relief settled in my chest almost instantly.

After dropping my bag and keys onto the couch,

I headed into the kitchen and filled the kettle with water.

The apartment was silent except for the soft sounds of the kettle beginning to heat.

A cup of tea and warm bread.

It wasn’t much.

But after a day like this, it felt enough.

The tea and warm bread relaxed me more than I expected.

At some point, while sitting on the couch with the empty cup still in my hands and the soft glow of the TV lighting the room, my eyes slowly drifted shut.

I didn’t even remember falling asleep.

The next thing I knew—

My phone was ringing loudly beside me.

I groaned into the couch cushion, half-dead and deeply offended that mornings existed at all.

The ringing continued.

With a dramatic sigh, I blindly reached for my phone, nearly dropping it onto the floor before finally answering it with one eye open.

Then I saw the time.

7:15 AM.

“…What?”

My brain froze.

Then suddenly rebooted with panic.

“WHAT?!”

I shot upright so fast the blanket tangled around my legs and nearly sent me flying off the couch.

Only five more minutes before Zehao’s school timing.

FIVE.

I stumbled to my feet, hair looking like I had fought a tornado in my sleep.

“Oh my God—Zehao!”

I rushed toward his room, fully prepared to see chaos

Maybe him still asleep.

Maybe his uniform missing.

Maybe toothpaste all over the walls.

At this point, anything was possible.

But the second I reached his doorway, I stopped.

Zehao was already awake.

Not just awake—

Ready.

Completely ready.

His uniform was perfectly worn, his hair neatly styled, and his backpack rested beside him like he was prepared for a business meeting instead of elementary school.

He looked up when he noticed me standing there in shock.

“Sister, you’re awake?” he asked innocently.

I blinked at him.

Still processing.

“I didn’t want to wake you up,” he continued softly. “I knew you would be tired.”

My heart physically cracked.

Then he lifted one foot slightly and frowned down at his shoes.

“But now that you’re awake…” he mumbled, “can you tie my laces? I can’t figure them out.”

I stared at him for a second longer before dramatically clutching my chest.

“Zehao,” I whispered emotionally, “you’re raising yourself at this point.”

He looked confused. “What?”

I crouched down in front of him, laughing tiredly as I grabbed the shoelaces.

“You’re too responsible for your age,” I said while tying them properly.

Zehao puffed his cheeks slightly. “Someone has to be.”

That sentence hit harder than it should have.

For a moment, my hands paused.

Then I finished tying the laces and looked up at him with a small smile.

“You still have me,” I said quietly.

Zehao smiled back immediately

“I know.”

I stood up after tying Zehao’s laces, still trying to recover from the emotional damage of seeing an eleven-year-old more organized than me.

Then he casually said, “I ate some of the bread you brought last night with jam… and I made jam bread for you too.”

I blinked.

“What?”

He pointed toward the kitchen table where a neatly prepared plate of jam bread sat waiting for me.

For a second, I genuinely forgot how to function.

My little brother was only eleven.

Eleven.

And somehow he acted more like the adult between us.

Before I could even respond, Zehao adjusted his backpack straps and said quietly, “You always take care of me but never yourself.”

My chest tightened instantly.

“So now,” he continued, trying to sound serious despite how small he looked in his oversized uniform, “it’s my responsibility to take care of you too.”

And then—

He just walked past me like he hadn’t casually dropped the most heartbreaking sentence ever at seven in the morning.

I stood there silently, watching him.

My little brother was growing up way too fast.

I had spent years trying to protect him from everything—stress, money problems, loneliness, all of it.

But somehow…

Kids always notice more than you think they do.

I let out a quiet sigh before heading into my room to get ready.

A few minutes later, I changed into a simple blue shirt and jeans, tying my hair back while staring at myself in the mirror.

“I am so not ready to deal with that asshole again,” I muttered to myself, immediately thinking about Miles.

Just the thought of him already exhausted me.

I grabbed the jam bread from the kitchen, taking a bite as I hurried out the door.

Not long after, I arrived at the university.

The hallways buzzed with students talking, laughing, running late to classes, and dragging themselves through another miserable morning.

I walked through the crowd cautiously.

Thankfully, Miles wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Or maybe he was.

Maybe he was lurking somewhere like a human red flag waiting to ruin my peace.

Honestly, both options were equally possible.

Eventually, I reached my locker.

I stopped in front of it and took a deep breath.

Every single day, I mentally prepared myself before opening it.

Usually there would be trash stuffed inside, stupid notes, or some new annoying prank waiting for me.

So naturally, I braced for disappointment as I unlocked it.

But when the locker door opened—

Nothing.

No garbage.

No glitter explosion.Just one small folded note sitting quietly inside.

Suspicious.

Very suspicious.

I narrowed my eyes and grabbed it carefully before unfolding it.

Two words.

“Stupid dumbass.”

I stared at the handwriting for exactly two seconds before scoffing.

“Miles,” I muttered immediately.

Who else would write insults that sounded like they lost a fight with a dictionary?

That jerk.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my books and crumpled the note in my hand before tossing it onto the floor and slamming my locker shut.

What a great start to the day.

The moment I entered the classroom, I knew peace was never an option for me.

The room was loud with morning chaos—chairs scraping against the floor, people yelling across the class, someone throwing paper airplanes for absolutely no reason, and the professor still nowhere in sight.

Normal university behavior.

I tightened my grip on my books and walked toward my seat quietly, praying for one peaceful lecture.

Just one.

That’s all I asked for.

But apparently the universe hated me personally.

Because the second I sat down—

“Look who survived.”

Miles’ voice came from behind me.

I froze.

Slowly, painfully slowly, I turned around in my seat.

There he was.

Leaning lazily against the chair behind mine, looking annoyingly attractive for someone who behaved like a professional menace to society.

Leo and Daimen sat beside him looking half-awake while Miles stared directly at me with narrowed eyes.

And worst of all?

He looked suspicious.

Very suspicious.

“Oh my God,” I whispered dramatically under my breath. “He knows.”

Miles raised an eyebrow. “Knows what?”

I immediately pointed at him accusingly. “See?! That right there! That’s the face of someone who knows things!”

Daimen looked between us with confusion. “Why do you both act like divorced parents every morning?”

“Shut up,” both me and Miles said at the exact same time.

The classroom went silent for exactly two seconds before Leo burst out laughing.

“Oh, this is getting interesting.”

I turned back around immediately, opening my notebook aggressively while pretending my heart wasn’t beating like crazy.

Stay calm, Katie.

Act natural.

Natural people do not panic.

Natural people also don’t accidentally pretend to be mute in cafés.

Unfortunately, I was not natural people.

From behind me, I could literally feel Miles staring holes into the back of my head.

Finally, he spoke again.

“So,” he said lazily, spinning a pen between his fingers, “interesting café yesterday.”

My soul left my body.

I stared straight ahead at the whiteboard.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hm.”

That stupid “hm” carried enough suspicion to qualify as a criminal investigation.

Daimen leaned forward immediately like the gossip demon he truly was.

“What café?”

“Nothing,” I said too quickly.

Miles smirked slightly.

“That’s weird,” he continued casually. “Because there was this cashier who looked exactly like Katie.”

I laughed.

Too loudly.

Too fake.

“Haha! Wow! Crazy coincidence! The world is full of people!”

Leo started coughing to hide his laugh.

Miles’ eyes narrowed further.

“And then,” he continued slowly, clearly enjoying my suffering, “that cashier suddenly became mute.”

The entire classroom around us faded into

background noise.

This was it.

This was the end.

I was about to get exposed in 4K quality in front of everybody.

Daimen blinked. “Mute?”

“Yes,” Miles said while staring directly at me. “Very dramatic situation.”

I slammed my notebook shut and turned around sharply.

“Why are you so obsessed with a random cashier?!”

“Why are you sweating?”

“I’m not sweating!”

“You literally look terrified.”

“Because your face is stressful!”

Leo lost it completely, laughing into the desk.

Even Daimen started wheezing.

Miles leaned back in his chair slowly, clearly entertained now.

Then quietly—

Too quietly—

He said:

“You know… her eyes looked like yours.”

My stomach dropped.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The teasing expression on his face faded slightly, replaced by something more focused.

Like he was genuinely trying to figure me out.

And suddenly—

I remembered something.

The café.

The way he looked sitting there quietly while Leo and Daimen talked about parties.

The way he said, “Do whatever you want.”

Flat.

Empty.

Like he was tired.

That expression was back now.

Hidden behind the teasing.

Barely noticeable.

But there.

And for the first time, instead of getting angry…

I just looked at him.

Really looked at him.

His eyes had dark circles under them.

His hair was messy like he barely slept.

And despite sitting with his friends, he somehow still looked alone.

My annoyance faded slightly.

Just slightly.

Before I could stop myself, I frowned.

“…Did you even sleep?”

The question slipped out quietly.

Miles blinked, clearly not expecting that.

The classroom noise continued around us, but for one strange second, it felt quieter between the two of us.

Then, immediately ruining the moment—

Daimen slammed both hands on the desk dramatically.

“OHHHHH.”

Leo pointed between us. “Character development!”

I covered my face with both hands instantly.

“Never mind,” I groaned. “Forget I spoke.”

Miles stared at me for another second before letting out the smallest laugh.

Not mocking.

Not arrogant.

Just… tired.

But real.

And somehow?

That tiny laugh felt more dangerous than all his teasing combined.

The rest of the classes went by painfully slowly.

And by painfully, I meant Miles apparently woke up that morning and decided my suffering was his personal entertainment.

It started with paper balls.

T

he professor was in the middle of explaining something complicated on the board while the entire class struggled to stay awake when—

Tap.

Something hit the back of my head.

I froze.

Slowly, I reached back and grabbed the crumpled paper before unfolding it under the desk.

“Still think I don’t know it was you?”

I immediately crushed the paper in my fist.

I refused to turn around.

Absolutely refused.

Five seconds later—

Another paper hit me.

“You type aggressively for a mute cashier.”

My eye twitched.

I inhaled deeply through my nose.

Peace.

Choose peace, Katie.

Then another one came flying over my shoulder.

“If I find out it’s really you, I’m visiting that café every single day.”

I turned around so fast my chair squeaked loudly against the floor.

Miles sat there lazily spinning a pen between his fingers, completely unbothered.

Beside him, Leo looked seconds away from dying of laughter while Daimen openly watched us instead of paying attention to class.

“You are mentally ill,” I whisper-hissed.

Miles smirked slightly.

“And you’re suspiciously defensive.”

I glared at him before turning back around again.

Child.

Actual child.

For five whole minutes, peace existed.

Then suddenly—

I felt fingers lightly brush against the end of my ponytail.

I jerked forward in horror and whipped around.

“MILES.”

“What?” he said innocently.

“You touched my hair!”

“You reacted like I stabbed you.”

“Because you act like a criminal!”

Leo immediately leaned toward Daimen dramatically.

“The tension between them is actually insane.”

Daimen nodded seriously. “One day they’ll either kill each other or kiss.”

“WHAT?” me and Miles both snapped instantly.

The professor looked up from his notes.

“Do you four mind graduating quietly?”

“Sorry, professor,” Leo said while still laughing.

I turned back around again, mortified.

A few seconds later, I heard Miles’ voice quietly from behind me.

“You know,” he drawled lazily, “the mute act was kind of impressive.”

I gripped my pen tighter.

“I hate you.”

“Hm.”

Another pause.

Then quietly—

“So you really work three jobs?”

My hand stopped moving.

The teasing tone disappeared from his voice for the first time all day.

Just slightly.

Enough for me to notice.

I didn’t answer.

Because yes.

I did.

University during the day.

Café shifts.

Babysitting.

Bakery work until midnight.

Then waking up again like nothing happened.

Meanwhile people like Miles spent money on coffee like it meant nothing.

People like him would never understand.

So I forced out a dry laugh and muttered, “What? Planning to laugh at me for that too?”

Silence.

When he didn’t answer immediately, I slowly turned around.

Miles was already looking at me.

Not mocking.

Not teasing.

Just staring.

His jaw tightened slightly before he leaned back again, expression turning unreadable.

“You think that’s why I bother you?” he asked quietly.

I frowned.

“Isn’t it?”

For a second, something strange crossed his face.

Almost frustrated.

Almost offended.

Then it disappeared.

Miles scoffed softly and looked away first.

“If being poor was the problem,” he muttered lazily, “I wouldn’t notice you this much.”

My breath caught slightly.

The classroom suddenly felt too warm.

Too quiet.

Even Leo and Daimen stopped joking for once.

But before I could process what he meant—

Miles ruined the moment immediately.

A paper ball smacked directly into my forehead.

“Still making fun of your fake mute acting

though,” he said.

I gasped in disbelief.

“You absolute jerk!”

Leo nearly fell out of his chair laughing while Daimen slammed the desk dramatically.

And just like that—

The weird serious moment vanished completely.

But even after turning back toward the board again…

My heart wouldn’t calm down.

Because for the first time since meeting Miles—

I realized something terrifying.

Maybe he didn’t target me because I was poor.

Maybe that was just the excuse he gave himself.

And somehow…

That possibility felt much more dangerous.

Classes finally ended, and the entire university exploded into noise.

Students flooded out of classrooms, laughing loudly, complaining about assignments, making plans, and rushing toward the gates like they had just been released from prison.

Meanwhile, I was simply trying to survive the day.

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked down the crowded pathway toward the university gate, mentally preparing myself for another long shift at the café.

No Miles.

No chaos.

No humiliation.

Perfect.

Or at least… that’s what I thought.

Out of nowhere—

A football rolled across the ground and hit my foot.

I stopped walking immediately.

The chatter around me continued while the ball spun slightly near my shoe before coming to a stop.

I sighed softly and bent down to pick it up.

The second I straightened—

Someone walked up in front of me.

Tall.

Broad shoulders.

Black varsity jacket.

And unfairly handsome.

Theo.

Even I knew who Theo was.

The popular senior everyone in the university talked about.

Girls liked him.

Teachers liked him.

Even random strangers probably liked him.

Annoying.

He slowed to a stop in front of me before reaching for the football in my hands.

“Sorry about that,” he said casually.

But the moment his fingers brushed against mine—

He paused.

Completely.

His hand lingered over mine for a second too long.

Then another.

And another.

His eyes met mine fully for the first time.

The noise around us faded strangely.

Theo just… stared.

Not in a rude way.

Not mocking.

Just quiet.

Focused.

Like he forgot what he was doing for a moment.

His fingers still lightly touched my hand while his gaze remained locked onto my eyes.

My heartbeat suddenly felt awkwardly loud.

Uh…

Why was he looking at me like that?

After a few painfully long seconds, I awkwardly coughed.

Theo blinked instantly, finally snapping back to reality.

“Oh—”

He quickly let go of my hand and grabbed the football properly, looking almost embarrassed for getting caught staring.

“Sorry,” he said with a small laugh under his breath.

For some reason, that laugh sounded warm.

Real.

Not fake like most people at this university.

He looked like he wanted to say something else.

His lips parted slightly—

But before he could speak, someone yelled from the football field behind him.

“THEO!”

Several guys waved at him impatiently.

Theo glanced back briefly before looking at me

one more time.

And once again—

His eyes drifted toward mine.

“You have beautiful eyes,” he said quietly.

My breath caught slightly.

Then suddenly, his expression shifted into amusement.

Almost like he remembered something funny.

“Oh,” he added casually while spinning the football lightly in his hand, “Miles is going to hate that.”

I frowned in confusion.

“What?”

Theo smirked faintly but didn’t explain.

Instead, he stepped backward slowly.

“See you around,” he said before jogging back toward the field.

I stood there frozen for a second.

Beautiful eyes?

Miles?

What was that supposed to mean?

Before I could think too deeply about it—

A familiar voice suddenly came from nearby.

“Interesting.”

My stomach dropped immediately.

No.

Slowly, I turned my head.

And there he was.

Miles.

Standing beside Leo and Daimen near the university gate.

Leo looked entertained.

Daimen looked shocked.

But Miles?

Miles looked completely unreadable.

Which was somehow worse.

His gaze moved from me…

To Theo jogging away…

Then back to me again.

Cold.

Sharp.

Dangerously calm.

And suddenly—

I remembered Theo saying:

“Miles is going to hate that.”

Oh no.

Daimen immediately broke the silence dramatically.

“WAIT—was Theo flirting with Katie?!”

Leo looked genuinely impressed. “Damn.”

Miles shoved both hands into his pockets lazily.

Too lazily.

“That senior?” he asked flatly.

Nobody answered immediately.

Because something about his tone felt wrong.

Not teasing.

Not joking.

Just irritated.

His jaw tightened slightly while his eyes stayed on me.

Then slowly—

Very slowly—

He started walking toward me.

Every instinct in my body screamed danger.

I took one step backward automatically.

Miles noticed.

Of course he did.

His expression darkened slightly.

“What?” I snapped nervously before he could speak. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Miles stopped directly in front of me.

Too close.

Close enough that I could feel the tension rolling off him.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

“You seem popular today.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. “Are you seriously angry right now?”

He scoffed quietly.

“I don’t care.”

“Your face says otherwise.”

“My face always looks like this.”

“That sounds miserable.”

Leo burst out laughing in the background while Daimen looked seconds away from recording the situation.

Miles ignored them completely.

His attention stayed locked on me.

Then casually—

Too casually—

He reached out and removed something from my hair.

I froze instantly.

His fingers brushed lightly near my ponytail before pulling away with a tiny white flower petal between his fingers.

Probably from the football field nearby.

But the moment felt strangely intimate anyway.

My breath caught.

Miles looked down at the petal in his hand

before flicking it away carelessly.

Then his eyes met mine again.

Still irritated.

Still unreadable.

And somehow…

A little possessive.

“You attract annoying people,” he muttered.

I blinked at him.

“YOU are annoying people.”

The rest of the day passed like a speedrun of exhaustion.

Café shift.

Fake smiles.

Coffee orders.

Julie dramatically whispering, “What if Miles comes back?” every thirty minutes like she was trying to summon him through fear alone.

Then babysitting.

Five straight hours of chasing a child who somehow discovered new ways to create chaos every ten minutes.

And finally—

The bakery.

Warm bread.

Burning feet.

Customers asking for “just one more thing” while my soul slowly left my body.

By the time everything ended, I felt like a ghost dragging itself through life.

And somehow—

Here I was again.

Back at the apartment.

Same hallway.

Same silence.

Same routine.

I unlocked the door quietly and stepped inside.

The living room was dark except for the faint lamp light coming from Zehao’s room.

Asleep already.

Good.

At least one of us got to rest peacefully.

I dropped my bag beside the couch and practically collapsed onto it, letting out a long exhausted breath while staring blankly at the ceiling.

My body hurt.

My brain hurt.

My existence hurt.

For a few seconds, my mind was completely empty.

Then unfortunately—

Miles appeared in my thoughts.

I groaned immediately.

The way he looked at me near the university gate.

The way his fingers brushed against my hair while removing that flower petal.

That stupid calm voice.

“You attract annoying people.”

My stomach did something weird.

Absolutely disgusting.

I sat upright instantly.

“No.”

I pointed at myself aggressively.

“No. We are NOT doing this.”

Why was I thinking about him so much lately?

He was annoying.

Rude.

A walking red flag with anger issues and expensive hoodies.

And somehow my brain still replayed every interaction with him like a dramatic movie montage.

I slapped both cheeks lightly.

“GET A GRIP,” I whisper-yelled at myself.

Then again.

“GET. A. GRIP.”

Somewhere in the apartment, silence judged me.

I stood up quickly before my thoughts got worse and walked toward the bathroom.

Cold water hit my face as I leaned over the sink, breathing slowly.

Calm down.

You are tired.

That’s all.

You are absolutely not losing your mind over Miles.

I lifted my head and stared at myself in the mirror.

Unfortunately—

That only made things worse.

Because suddenly Theo appeared in my head too.

Theo’s warm fingers lightly brushing against mine.

His pause.

The way he stared into my eyes like he genuinely forgot the entire world existed for a second.

Then immediately after—

Miles’ expression.

That dangerous calmness.

That irritated look in his eyes.

“You seem popular today.”

I groaned dramatically and covered my face with both hands.

“Why is my life turning into a romance drama written by a mentally unstable person?”

I shook my head aggressively and grabbed the

towel.

Nope.

Done thinking.

Finished.

Over.

I wiped my face while walking out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind me with my foot before heading toward the kitchen.

A few minutes later, noodles were cooking on the stove while I wandered back toward the couch, exhausted enough to collapse again.

I grabbed my phone absentmindedly and unlocked it.

Then—

A notification appeared.

My eyes narrowed.

Unknown Number.

For a second, I stared at it suspiciously before opening the message.

And instantly—

My soul ascended.

“MILES.”

I sat up so fast I almost threw my phone across the room.

WHAT.

THE.

HECK.

The text read:

“Save my number so that I can text you when you’re playing your mute role.”

I gasped in pure horror.

“He KNOWS.”

I stood up from the couch dramatically and started pacing around the living room like a woman being hunted by the government.

“How did he even get my number?!”

Another notification popped up immediately.

“I can literally hear you panicking through the screen.”

I froze completely.

Then slowly looked around my apartment in fear.

“…Is he outside?”

A pause.

Another text.

“You’re insane.”

I pointed angrily at the phone.

“YOU made me insane!”

The noodles in the kitchen suddenly started boiling over aggressively.

At the same time, another message appeared.

“You looked cute pretending to read the menu upside down btw.”

I let out the loudest offended scream of my entire life and ran toward the kitchen before the noodles exploded completely.

Meanwhile my phone buzzed again on the couch.

Again.

And again.

And somehow—

Despite the panic, embarrassment, exhaustion, and complete chaos of my life—

I caught myself smiling for half a second before realizing it.

Then immediately gasping in betrayal.

“Oh my God,” I whispered to myself in horror.

“It’s getting worse.”

I quickly turned the stove off before my noodles burned the apartment down, then stormed back toward the couch with my phone in hand like I was about to fight it physically.

Another message appeared the second I picked it up.

“Why did you scream?”

I stared at the text in disbelief.

Then immediately typed back aggressively.

“You are a disease.”

Seen.

Three dots appeared instantly.

“I prefer handsome.”

I gasped.

Actually gasped.

“Oh my God,” I whispered to myself while pacing around the living room again. “Why does he text exactly how he talks?!”

Another message came.

“You still owe me an explanation for the mute acting.”

I typed furiously.

“I owe you NOTHING.”

“Wrong.”

“Go annoy someone else.”

“No.”

“Why.”

“Because your reactions are funny.”

I looked at the ceiling like I was asking the universe for patience.

The audacity.

The absolute audacity of this man.

Another text popped up before I could reply.

“Also Theo definitely liked you.”

I froze.

Then narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

“…Why do YOU care?”

The typing bubble appeared.

Stopped.

Appeared again.

Stopped again.

Then finally—

“Who said I care?”

I snorted loudly.

“Your jealousy said it for you.”

This time, the reply took longer.

Way longer.

And for some reason, that made my heart beat weirdly.

Finally—

“Sleep, Katie.”

I blinked.

That was unexpectedly normal.

No teasing.

No sarcastic comment.

Just… sleep.

Before I could process that properly, another message came immediately after.

“You look half-dead every morning.”

There he is.

I rolled my eyes so hard it physically hurt.

“I hate you.”

“Liar.”

I stared at the screen.

Then at the ceiling.

Then back at the screen again.

Somehow, without realizing it, my exhaustion had faded a little.

The apartment didn’t feel as lonely anymore.

The silence didn’t feel so heavy.

And worst of all?

A small smile betrayed me again.

I pointed at the phone accusingly.

“This means nothing.”

Another buzz.

“Smile again and I’m coming to the café tomorrow.”

My smile disappeared instantly.

“YOU ARE EVIL.”

“Goodnight, mute cashier.”

I clutched my chest dramatically in betrayal.

Then after a long pause…

I slowly typed back:

“Goodnight, annoying rich jerk.”

The reply came almost instantly.

“Goodnight, beautiful eyes.”

My entire soul shut down.

I stared at the message for a full ten seconds before throwing my phone onto the couch like it had personally attacked me.

Then I buried my burning face into a pillow and screamed silently into it while kicking my legs dramatically like my life was over.

From inside his room, Zehao’s sleepy voice suddenly echoed through the apartment.

“…Sister?”

I froze.

“Yes?”

A pause.

“…Are you fighting demons again?”

I slowly looked at the ceiling in shame.

“…Go back to sleep, Zehao.”

Meanwhile—

Miles was lying on his bed, shirtless, one arm behind his head while the other lazily held his phone above his face.

His room was dark except for the dim lamp near his desk.

Usually after parties, football practice, or hanging out with Leo and Daimen, he would’ve

been asleep already.

But instead—

He was texting Katie.

Which honestly sounded insane even in his own head.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he reread her last message.

“YOU ARE EVIL.”

He huffed out a quiet laugh.

“She’s so dramatic,” he muttered to himself.

But despite saying that—

He typed back almost instantly every single time she replied.

Pathetic.

From somewhere across the room, Leo’s voice suddenly came through the ongoing group call on Miles’ laptop.

“Bro.”

Miles ignored him, still staring at his phone.

“Bro,” Leo repeated louder this time. “You’ve been smiling at your screen for the past ten minutes.”

Miles’ expression immediately flattened.

“I’m not smiling.”

Daimen appeared beside Leo on the screen with narrowed eyes.

“Oh my God,” Daimen whispered dramatically. “HE LIKES HER.”

Miles nearly dropped his phone.

“I will actually block both of you.”

Leo looked horrified. “You text her at midnight but WE’RE the problem?”

Miles rolled his eyes and sat up slightly against the headboard.

“She’s annoying.”

Daimen gasped loudly. “That’s his love language.”

“It’s NOT.”

Leo suddenly leaned closer to the camera suspiciously.

“Wait.” He squinted. “Are you shirtless while texting Katie?”

Miles looked down at himself.

Then back at the screen.

“…Why are you observing my body?”

“ANSWER THE QUESTION.”

“I was trying to sleep!”

“Sure,” Daimen said immediately. “And Katie accidentally became mute.”

Miles threw a pillow directly at the laptop screen.

“Shut up.”

But unfortunately for him—

The idiots were right.

Because the second Katie sent:

“Goodnight, annoying rich jerk.”

His entire mood had changed without

permission.

And then—

Without thinking too much about it—

He sent:

“Goodnight, beautiful eyes.”

The moment the message delivered, silence filled his room.

Miles blinked at the screen once.

Then twice.

“…What the hell was that?”

Leo and Daimen both screamed at the same time through the laptop speakers.

“HE FOLDED.”

Miles grabbed another pillow and aggressively covered his face with it.

This was embarrassing.

Actually embarrassing.

Why did texting her feel weirdly easy?

Why did her reactions make him laugh?

Why was he thinking about her eyes again?

Theo’s voice from earlier replayed in his head.

“You have beautiful eyes.”

Miles’ jaw tightened instantly.

Annoying.

That senior was annoying.

Everything about today was annoying.

And somehow the most annoying part was the fact that Katie looked genuinely nervous around

Theo…

But never around him.

With Miles, she fought back.

Yelled back.

Rolled her eyes.

Got dramatic.

Called him names.

And for some reason—

He liked that.

Too much.

His phone buzzed again.

Katie: “YOU ARE NEVER ALLOWED NEAR MY CAFÉ AGAIN.”

Miles stared at the message for a second before laughing quietly to himself.

Then he typed:

“See you tomorrow, mute cashier.”

Across the apartment, Katie immediately screamed into her pillow again.

And Miles—

Still shirtless, exhausted, and pretending he wasn’t completely obsessed with bothering her—

Fell asleep smiling at his phone.

The next morning started exactly the same.

I stood at the bus stop, watching Zehao climb onto the crowded bus.

He leaned out of the doorway for a second, waving at me with a grin before the bus disappeared into the noisy morning traffic.

I waved back faintly, then turned toward the university.

But my mind wasn’t there.

It was still stuck on Miles.

On his texts.

On the way his words lingered in my head long after the screen went dark.

I hated that.

A tired sigh escaped my lips as I walked down the sidewalk

. Even after sleeping, exhaustion clung to me like a heavy coat.

Maybe because I kept thinking about him too much.

I need to control myself.

“He’s an asshole,” I whispered under my breath.

At that exact moment, a loud car horn blasted beside me.

I flinched so hard my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

“Fuck—”

I stumbled backward, glaring toward the sleek black car that had pulled up beside me.

Of course.

Miles.

The window rolled down slowly, revealing him sitting lazily behind the wheel of a glossy black Rolls-Royce, one hand resting on the steering wheel like he owned the entire street.

Expensive sunglasses hid his eyes, but the smug curve of his lips was impossible to miss.

“Get in,” he said casually. “I’ll take you to university.”

I blinked at him in disbelief. “Why should I get in your car?”

He lowered his sunglasses just enough for his sharp eyes to meet mine directly. That cocky expression only deepened.

“Because,” he drawled, “I don’t want some broke, poor mute cashier getting swollen feet.”

The words hit harder than they should have.

For a second, all I could do was stare at him,

shocked. Angry. Embarrassed.

But Miles was too good at hiding things behind sarcasm.

Before I could snap back, he tilted his head slightly and added in a quieter voice, “You’ll have to deal with me all day at the café anyway. Maybe this is my advanced apology.”

And somehow, that made it worse.

Because beneath the arrogance, beneath the teasing and cruel jokes, there was something else in his voice. Something softer. Something almost careful.

That was the dangerous part about Miles.

He could insult you and make your heart race in the same breath.

I crossed my arms tightly, refusing to let him see how badly he was affecting me.

“You seriously don’t know how to talk like a normal human being, do you?”

Miles smirked faintly. “Normal people are boring.”

The morning sunlight reflected against the black car, making it look even more expensive than it already was.

Students walking past slowed down just enough to stare, whispering quietly to each other.

Of course they were staring.

A guy like Miles didn’t exactly blend into the background.

I glanced around uncomfortably before lowering my voice. “People are looking.”

“And?” he asked lazily.

“And I don’t need rumors.”

His sharp eyes stayed on me for a second too long before he spoke again.

“Bit late for that.”

I frowned immediately. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Instead of answering, he unlocked the

passenger door with a soft click.

“Get in before I change my mind.”

I stared at the open door suspiciously.

This felt dangerous.

Not murder dangerous.

Emotionally dangerous.

“I can walk by myself,” I muttered weakly.

Miles leaned his head back against the seat with a quiet sigh, like I was exhausting him personally.

“You’ve been standing here arguing with me for five minutes instead of leaving.”

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

Because annoyingly—

He was right.

That stupid smug look appeared on his face immediately.

“There it is,” he said softly. “Your survival instincts are terrible.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet you’re still here.”

The tension between us felt strange. Heavy. Like something neither of us fully understood yet.

I hated it.

Which unfortunately meant I also liked it a little.

That realization alone almost made me walk

away.

Almost.

But instead, after one final glare at him, I walked around the car and slid into the passenger seat.

The door shut softly behind me.

The inside of the Rolls-Royce was ridiculously nice.

Black leather seats, soft lighting, the faint scent of expensive cologne mixed with coffee.

Everything about Miles felt expensive.

Even the silence around him.

He glanced at me briefly before pulling back onto the road.

“There,” he said casually. “Now your poor cashier feet are safe.”

I rolled my eyes and stared out the window.

“You’re actually the worst.”

“Hm.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The city moved around us quietly while soft

music played somewhere in the background.

Then suddenly—

“You look tired.”

I blinked and turned toward him.

His teasing tone was gone again.

That caught me off guard more than the question itself.

“I’m fine,” I said automatically.

“You look dead.”

“How sweet. You always know exactly what to say to women.”

“I’m serious.”

I looked away quickly toward the window.

Because the problem with Miles wasn’t just that he noticed things.

It was that he noticed the things I tried hardest to hide.

The exhaustion.

The stress.

The fact that some mornings I felt like I was surviving life instead of living it.

“You should sleep more,” he said quietly.

A small laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

“Oh yeah?” I muttered. “Between university, three jobs, and raising my little brother, I’ll schedule a nap immediately.”

The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

I didn’t usually talk about my life so casually.

But Miles stayed quiet.

Too quiet.

When I glanced at him again, his grip on the steering wheel had tightened slightly.

“You really work that much?” he asked.

I shrugged lightly, pretending it wasn’t a big deal.

“Some people don’t get trust funds and luxury cars.”

The teasing response never came.

Instead, Miles looked straight ahead at the road, jaw tense.

Then after a few seconds, he spoke quietly.

“You think I’m making fun of you because you’re poor.”

I blinked slightly at the sudden seriousness in his voice.

“Aren’t you?”

He let out a humorless laugh under his breath.

“Katie,” he said softly, “if I cared about money that much, I wouldn’t even look twice at half the people in this city.”

My chest tightened slightly.

The car suddenly felt too warm.

Too small.

Dangerous.

Because there it was again—

That strange softness hidden underneath all the arrogance.

And somehow, that version of Miles scared me more than the rude one ever could.

Then naturally—

He ruined the moment completely.

“You still looked ridiculous pretending to be mute though.”

I gasped in betrayal.

“MILES.”

The ride to the university felt strangely quiet.

Not uncomfortable.

Not exactly comfortable either.

Just… warm. Weird. Heavy with something neither of us wanted to acknowledge.

The soft music playing in the background mixed with the low sound of the engine while the city passed outside the windows.

Every now and then, I could feel Miles glancing at me before looking back at the road again.

And every single time, my heartbeat betrayed me.

I hated this feeling.

The closer we got to the university, the more nervous I became.

Because reality was waiting there.

People.

Rumors.

Whispers.

And Miles being seen with me? That alone would become campus news for the next ten years.

The second the university gates came into view, I straightened immediately.

“Stop the car.”

Miles glanced at me briefly, confused. “What?”

“I said stop the car.”

His eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Why?”

“Just stop the damn car, Miles.”

The sharpness in my voice made him look at me properly this time.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

Then with a quiet sigh, he slowed the Rolls-Royce and pulled over near the side of the road just before the main entrance.

The car fell silent.

I reached for the door handle quickly.

“I’ll walk from here.”

Miles stared at me. “You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

His jaw tightened slightly. “Why?”

I hesitated for half a second before answering.

“Because I don’t want people seeing me around you.”

The words sounded harsher out loud.

But they were true.

I didn’t want the rumors. Didn’t want the attention.

Didn’t want people asking questions.

I especially didn’t want anyone noticing the strange tension growing between us.

Miles looked at me quietly for a second.

Something unreadable flickered across his expression before he leaned back against his seat again.

Then he gave a short nod.

“Smart decision.”

The casual tone in his voice almost sounded cold.

Like he suddenly regretted offering me the ride in the first place.

For some reason, that bothered me more than it should have.

Before I could say anything else, Miles looked away and gripped the steering wheel again.

“Get to class, cashier.”

I rolled my eyes automatically before stepping out of the car.

The cold air hit my face instantly.

A second later, the Rolls-Royce drove away smoothly, disappearing down the road without another glance back.

And somehow…

The silence he left behind felt oddly

disappointing.

I shook the thought away immediately.

Absolutely not.

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked toward the university gates like usual,

blending into the crowd of students rushing to morning lectures.

The hallways buzzed with noise, conversations, laughter, complaints about assignments.

Normal.

Safe.

Far away from complicated feelings and dangerous boys with sharp eyes.

By the time I reached class, exhaustion had already started creeping back into my body.

I dropped into my usual seat near the window with a quiet sigh while students slowly filled the room around me.

A few minutes later, the lecture started.

Or at least I think it did.

Because honestly?

Everything sounded painfully boring.

The professor’s voice blended into meaningless background noise while warm sunlight poured through the classroom windows.

I rested my cheek against my hand for a moment.

Just for a second.

And without realizing it—

I fell asleep.

The sunlight spilled softly across my face, warming my skin gently.

Loose strands of hair fell near my eyes while the golden light made everything around me look softer somehow.

Peaceful.

Completely unaware of the classroom.

Completely unaware that someone was staring.

— Miles’ POV —

I was bored out of my mind.

The lecture was useless.

The professor sounded like a dying documentary narrator.

And Leo and Daimen were somehow arguing over basketball teams instead of paying attention.

I leaned back lazily in my chair, barely listening to anything around me.

Then my eyes landed on her.

And suddenly—

Everything else disappeared.

Katie was asleep.

The sunlight coming through the windows wrapped around her softly, making every feature stand out in a way that genuinely stole the breath from my lungs for a second.

Her expression looked peaceful for once.

No arguing. No glaring at me. No sarcastic comments.

Just quiet.

Beautiful.

I stared longer than I should have.

Way longer.

Something tight twisted painfully in my chest as I watched her sleeping against the sunlight like she belonged inside some impossible memory I wanted to keep forever.

It was dangerous.

The way she made me feel was dangerous.

Without thinking too much about it, I slowly pulled my phone from my pocket.

Carefully.

Quietly.

Like I was afraid the moment would disappear if

I moved too fast.

Then I took a picture.

And another.

My heartbeat felt strangely uneven while I looked at the photos on my screen.

She looked so soft.

So innocent.

Nothing like the chaotic, stubborn girl constantly fighting with me.

For the first time in a long time, something inside me felt calm.

But underneath that feeling—

There was fear too.

A quiet fear curling tightly in my chest.

Because deep down,

I knew this was becoming something I couldn’t control anymore.

And that terrified me more than anything.

It didn’t take long before the professor noticed me sleeping.

Honestly, I couldn’t even blame him.

I had never fallen asleep during class before.

Ever.

So when the lecture suddenly went quiet around me, the professor slowly walked over to my desk with visible confusion on his face.

“Katie?”

I felt a light shake against my shoulder.

“Hm…” I mumbled sleepily, barely awake.

Then another shake came, slightly firmer this time.

“Katie.”

I flinched awake instantly, blinking against the sunlight while rubbing my eyes in confusion.

A few students snickered quietly.

The professor crossed his arms, looking somewhere between concerned and amused.

“Did you sleep well?”

Heat rushed straight to my face.

“I’m sorry—”

“Go wash your face,” he interrupted gently. “You look exhausted.”

I nodded quickly, too embarrassed to argue.

The second I stood up, I could feel everyone staring at me.

Including Miles.

I avoided looking at him completely as I hurried out of the classroom.

The hallway felt cooler and quieter compared to the noisy lecture room.

I sighed softly while walking down the corridor, dragging my feet slightly.

Honestly… I didn’t even feel like washing my face.

I didn’t feel like doing anything.

So instead of heading toward the bathroom, I slowly made my way outside toward the

university’s main grounds.

The campus looked peaceful during lecture hours.

The large trees swayed softly in the breeze while sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating shifting patterns across the ground.

Eventually,

I reached a wooden bench beneath one of the biggest trees on campus and sat down heavily.

A tired sigh escaped my lips.

“What am I even doing?” I muttered quietly to myself, leaning my head back against the bench.

“Why does everything feel so… uninteresting lately?”

The words felt strange leaving my mouth.

Because honestly?

I didn’t understand myself anymore.

Everything lately felt messy. Confusing.

Especially whenever Miles was involved.

I closed my eyes for a second—

Then suddenly, something cold lightly touched my hand.

I blinked and turned my head.

And immediately froze.

Theo stood beside the bench, holding out a bottle of strawberry juice toward me with a soft smile resting on his lips.

The sunlight filtering through the trees made him look almost unreal.

Warm eyes. Messy dark hair. That calm, easy expression.

“Take it,” he said gently. “You look a little lost. It might help.”

For a second, I forgot how to speak.

“Oh— no, no, I’m okay,” I said quickly, shaking my head.

But Theo simply laughed quietly under his breath before placing the drink into my hands anyway.

“You don’t have to resist everything, you know.”

Then, without hesitation, he sat down beside me.

Close enough for me to catch the faint scent of his cologne when the breeze shifted.

It smelled clean. Warm. Familiar somehow.

My fingers tightened awkwardly around the bottle while my heartbeat suddenly became

painfully noticeable.

Why was I nervous?

It was just Theo.

The universally loved senior with the unfairly pretty face and dangerously calming smile.

No big deal.

I looked down at the unopened juice bottle awkwardly before Theo suddenly reached over and took it gently from my hands.

“You didn’t even open it,” he teased softly.

Before I could react, he twisted the cap open easily and handed it back to me again.

“There,” he said. “Now drink.”

I stared at him for a second before letting out a tiny embarrassed laugh.

“…Thank you.”

Theo smiled.

Not cocky like Miles.

Not teasing.

Just soft.

Comfortable.

I took a small sip of the strawberry juice while trying to ignore the butterflies aggressively attacking my stomach.

After gathering a little courage, I glanced toward him.

“Why aren’t you in class?”

Theo looked genuinely amused by the question.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

I blinked at him in shock, immediately opening my mouth to defend myself.

But before I could argue, he laughed softly again.

“Relax,” he said warmly. “I don’t mind.”

His voice carried this strange calming effect that made it hard to stay nervous around him for too long.

Theo leaned back slightly against the bench, looking up at the trees above us.

“I just needed a break,” he admitted quietly. “Things get loud sometimes.”

For some reason, hearing someone like Theo say that surprised me.

I looked down at the juice bottle again before smiling faintly.

“Yeah,” I murmured softly. “I get that.”

A comfortable silence settled between us.

Not awkward.

Not forced.

Just easy.

Then after a moment, Theo turned toward me again.

“What’s your name, by the way?”

I blinked.

“My name?”

He nodded once.

I looked at him for a second before answering quietly.

“Katie.”

Theo repeated it softly like he was testing how it sounded.

“Katie.”

And somehow, hearing my name in his voice made my chest feel strangely warm.

“That’s a beautiful name,” he said with a small smile. “Fits a beautiful girl.”

My breath caught slightly.

“Oh.”

That was it.

That was my entire intelligent response.

Theo laughed quietly at my stunned expression

while I immediately looked down at the juice

bottle again to hide my embarrassment.

“And you’re Theo,” I muttered after a second. “You’re kind of… famous around campus.”

His eyebrows lifted in amusement.

“Famous?”

“Among girls,” I clarified sarcastically.

That made him laugh properly this time.

The sound was warm and real enough to pull an accidental smile out of me too.

“God,” he said while shaking his head slightly,

“you’re cute.”

I nearly choked on the juice.

Theo looked at me for another second before speaking again, softer this time.

“I’d like to be your friend.”

I blinked slowly.

“Friend?”

“Yeah,” he said simply. “Friends.”

There was something sincere in his eyes that made it impossible to refuse him.

“You don’t mind, right?” he asked gently.

I looked at him quietly for a second before smiling a little.

“No,” I admitted softly. “I don’t mind.”

Theo’s smile widened immediately.

Then he held out his hand toward me.

“Deal?”

I laughed quietly before shaking his hand.

The moment our hands touched, butterflies exploded in my chest all over again.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Theo pulled out his phone afterward and grinned slightly.

“Then give me your number so we can hang out sometime.”

I bit my lip nervously before eventually typing my number into his phone.

Not long after, the loud university bell rang across campus, signaling the end of the lecture period.

Theo stood up from the bench smoothly, adjusting his bag over his shoulder.

“See you soon, Katie.”

I smiled before I could stop myself.

“See you soon too.”

Then he walked away across the campus grounds, sunlight catching against his figure while students greeted him from every direction.

And somehow…

I kept staring until he disappeared completely.

A weird fluttering feeling stayed inside my chest long after he left.

Eventually, I stood up too and made my way back toward class to collect my things.

Most of the students were already leaving by the time I entered the classroom again.

Conversations filled the air while chairs scraped loudly against the floor.

The professor was gone.

I quickly grabbed my bag from my desk and swung it over my shoulder before heading

toward the door—

Only to stop suddenly.

Miles stood directly in front of the exit.

Like he had been waiting there.

His sharp eyes landed on me immediately.

“Where were you—”

Before he could finish speaking, Leo and Daimen suddenly appeared behind him.

“Dude, let’s go,” Daimen complained dramatically.

“What are you waiting for?”

Miles glanced back at them briefly before looking at me again.

Something unreadable flashed across his face.

Then just as quickly, his expression turned lazy again.

“Nothing,” he muttered casually. “Let’s go.”

Leo and Daimen didn’t question him.

The three of them walked away down the

hallway together, their voices slowly fading into the crowd.

Meanwhile, I stood there frozen for a second.

Then finally—

I let out a relieved breath.

“Thank God,” I whispered quietly to myself. “I survived.”

After university,

I headed straight to the café.

The soft bell above the entrance door rang the moment I stepped inside.

The warm smell of coffee and vanilla wrapped around me instantly, familiar and comforting after such a long day.

Julie was near the tables, arranging chairs properly while wiping down the desks with dramatic determination.

“Hey there, Julie,”

I greeted with a tired smile.

She looked up immediately and smiled back. “Finally. I was starting to think you abandoned me.”

“I considered it,” I teased weakly.

Julie gasped dramatically. “Heartless.”

A small laugh escaped me before I walked toward the staff area in the back.

Two other workers were already there preparing supplies for the evening rush, but I barely paid attention as I dropped my bag into the locker and tied my apron around my waist.

The second I stepped back outside, the café had already started getting busy.

Customers filled the tables slowly, soft conversations mixing with the sound of coffee machines and clinking cups.

The next few hours blurred together quickly.

Taking orders. Making drinks. Smiling politely.

Trying not to collapse from exhaustion.

I had just returned behind the counter to prepare another coffee when Julie suddenly slid beside me dramatically like she was entering a movie scene.

“Katie,” she whispered suspiciously.

I narrowed my eyes immediately. “Why do you sound evil?”

She ignored that completely.

“There’s a party at a club this Thursday,” she said

excitedly. “You’re coming with me.”

“Thursday?” I repeated blankly while pouring

coffee into a cup. “I don’t know…”

Julie looked offended already.

“I can’t leave Zehao alone that late,” I explained softly. “You know club parties always end after midnight.”

“Oh, come on,” Julie whined dramatically, lightly shaking my arm. “Don’t reject it so quickly. You still have two days to think about it.”

I sighed quietly.

Honestly, parties sounded exhausting.

Then Julie suddenly looked at me with big pleading eyes.

“It’s my birthday,” she said softly. “I don’t really have anyone besides you, so you have to come.”

My heart immediately weakened.

That was unfair.

Very unfair.

I looked at her for a few seconds before finally sighing in defeat.

“I’ll try,” I said reluctantly. “One hundred percent try.”

Julie’s face lit up instantly.

“I knew you’d say yes!”

“I didn’t say yes.”

“You basically did.”

I rolled my eyes while she grinned proudly beside me.

Then the café became busy again before I could argue further, and both of us returned to work immediately.

By the time my shift finally ended, my entire body felt exhausted.

The streets outside were colder now, the city quieter as night settled in.

Eventually, I reached my apartment building and unlocked the door before stepping inside quietly.

The moment I entered, soft footsteps hurried toward me.

“Sister, you’re back.”

I looked up immediately.

Zehao stood in the hallway wearing oversized pajamas, his sleepy eyes looking up at me softly.

A small smile appeared on my face instantly.

“Zehao?” I said while slipping my shoes off. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

He hesitated for a second before answering quietly.

“There wasn’t anything to eat today… so I’m still hungry.”

My heart dropped immediately.

Oh no.

I completely forgot to cook before leaving earlier.

Guilt hit me instantly.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I said quickly, walking toward him.

“Sit down for a few minutes, okay? I’ll cook something right now—”

But before I could finish, Zehao looked at me hopefully.

“Sister… can we order pizza today?” he asked

quietly. “I’m craving it.”

I blinked at him for a second.

Then smiled softly.

Zehao almost never asked for things.

Never complained. Never demanded anything.

So whenever he did ask for something small like this—

I could never refuse him.

Not when he was the reason I worked this hard in the first place.

I reached up and gently fixed his messy hair with my hand.

“Of course, baby boy.”

His face brightened immediately.

And just like that, every bit of exhaustion I felt became worth it.

I quickly grabbed my phone and sat down beside him on the couch, ordering the pizza while

Zehao quietly leaned against my shoulder.

One click.

Done.

“I ordered it,” I told him with a smile. “Now go watch TV for a little while. I’m going to get freshened up before it arrives.”

Zehao nodded happily before grabbing the remote.

And as I walked toward my room, hearing his quiet excitement behind me somehow made the apartment feel warmer than it had all day.

It didn’t take long for me to freshen up.

A few minutes later, I walked out of my room wearing an oversized T-shirt and soft shorts, my hair tied into a messy bun that was already falling apart.

The apartment felt warm and quiet compared to the chaos of the outside world.

Zehao was curled up on the couch, completely focused on the TV.

I smiled softly as I sat beside him.

“What are you watching?”

“Cartoons,” he answered immediately without looking away from the screen.

I laughed quietly. “All the time with these cartoons. You seriously never get tired of them?”

“Nope.”

The confidence in his tiny voice made me smile again.

Then suddenly—

The apartment bell rang.

Zehao’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Looks like your pizza is here,” I said.

He sat up so quickly it made me laugh under my breath.

I walked toward the door and opened it carefully.

Since I had already paid online, the delivery man simply handed me the pizza boxes.

“Thank you,” I said politely before taking them and closing the door behind me.

The smell of warm pizza immediately filled the apartment.

The second I placed the boxes on the table,

Zehao sat properly like he was attending an important business meeting.

“I’ll only eat three slices,” he announced seriously.

A soft giggle escaped me.

“You can eat as much as you want.”

I opened the box and served him a slice first before taking one for myself.

For a little while, everything felt peaceful.

Simple.

Warm.

Zehao ate happily while the cartoon noises filled the background, and for the first time all day, my chest finally felt lighter.

Then—

Buzz.

My phone lit up on the table.

I glanced at the screen casually.

Miles.

Immediately, my stomach tightened strangely.

I stared at the notification for a second too long before quickly locking the screen again and placing the phone face down on the table.

I wasn’t ready to answer him.

Honestly… the effect he had on me lately scared me a little.

And that alone was dangerous.

Before I could think about it further, Zehao suddenly looked toward me.

“Sister,” he said carefully, “is there any cold drink in the fridge?”

I narrowed my eyes at him immediately.

“Cold drink?” I repeated dramatically. “You want to get sick or something?”

He pouted instantly.

And unfortunately for me—

That pout always worked.

My heart softened so fast it was embarrassing.

A quiet chuckle escaped my lips as I shook my head.

“There’s cold drink in the fridge,” I admitted while standing up. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Zehao immediately placed his pizza slice down and held his hand up proudly.

“You’re the coolest sister ever.”

I laughed softly before high-fiving him.

His tiny dramatic actions somehow made even the hardest days feel lighter.

Still smiling to myself, I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge before grabbing the cold drink bottle.

But as I turned around—

My eyes landed on a folded paper sitting on the kitchen table.

I frowned slightly.

It looked familiar.

Setting the bottle down for a second, I picked the paper up carefully.

And immediately froze.

Parent Meeting Notice.

Tomorrow.

My expression slowly softened.

He forgot?

No.

Zehao never forgot important things.

A painful feeling settled quietly in my chest.

He hid it.

Probably because he didn’t want to bother me.

Because somewhere along the way, my little brother had started treating himself like a burden instead of a child.

That realization hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I quietly folded the paper again before walking back into the living room.

Zehao looked up at me innocently while chewing his pizza.

I placed the cold drink on the table before holding up the notice slightly.

“You didn’t tell me there’s a parent meeting tomorrow.”

For a second, his expression shifted almost nervously.

Then he looked away.

“I forgot,” he mumbled softly.

The lie was obvious.

And somehow, that made my heart ache even more.

I sat down beside him carefully.

“Zehao,” I said gently, “I’m coming with you tomorrow.”

His head lifted immediately.

“But you have university.”

The concern in his voice caught me off guard.

Even now—

He was worried about me first.

I reached over and gently fixed a strand of hair away from his forehead.

“I can miss one day,” I told him softly. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

He stayed quiet for a moment.

Then finally nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

I smiled faintly at him.

“Now finish eating and go sleep afterward, alright?”

This time, he didn’t argue.

And while he quietly ate beside me, I looked down at the parent meeting notice in my hands and felt something heavy settle inside my chest.

Because no matter how exhausted I was…

No matter how many jobs I worked…

I would never let Zehao feel alone.

After we finished eating the pizza, I reached over and took the remote from Zehao’s hands before turning the TV off.

“Alright,” I said softly, standing up. “Bedtime.”

Zehao smiled tiredly and climbed off the couch immediately.

The apartment was quiet now, filled only with the faint sounds of traffic outside the windows as we walked down the hallway together.

I followed him into his room while he climbed onto the bed and pulled himself beneath the blanket.

For a second, I just stood there looking at him.

So small.

So precious.

Sometimes it scared me how much of my world depended on him being okay.

I pulled the blanket properly over his shoulders before brushing his messy hair back gently.

“Sleep well,” I whispered.

Zehao looked up at me sleepily.

“Sleep well too, sister.”

A small smile spread across my face instantly.

“Goodnight, baby.”

I turned the lamp dimmer before quietly walking out of his room and leaving the door slightly open like I always did.

Then I headed toward my own room.

The second I stepped inside, I stopped.

…Mess.

Clothes on the chair. Makeup scattered across the desk.

Dust near the shelves.

I sighed dramatically.

“I should probably clean this before it becomes a crime scene.”

Honestly, I was exhausted.

But sometimes cleaning helped quiet my thoughts.

So I started picking everything up slowly.

I gathered the dirty clothes first and carried them toward the laundry area before coming back to organize the rest of the room.

One by one, everything slowly returned to place.

I folded clothes neatly into the closet.

Rearranged my tiny makeup collection.

Lined up the perfume bottles carefully on the shelf.

The room slowly started feeling calmer.

Cleaner.

Like maybe my life wasn’t completely falling apart after all.

Eventually, I grabbed the vacuum and cleaned the floor too, the soft buzzing sound filling the silence around me.

Nearly an hour later, I finally looked around the room proudly.

“Well,” I muttered to myself, placing my hands on my hips dramatically, “look at that.”

Everything was finally clean.

Then suddenly—

Zehao’s school uniform.

My eyes widened slightly.

“Oh no.”

I quickly walked out toward the washing machine, grabbed his uniform from the basket, and carefully placed it inside before starting the wash cycle.

The soft hum of the machine filled the quiet apartment.

Now everything was finally done.

Exhaustion hit me all over again.

I walked back into the living room and dropped onto the couch with a tired sigh before grabbing my phone from the table.

The second the screen lit up—

I froze.

8+ messages from Miles.

My stomach immediately tightened.

Why was I nervous just from seeing his name?

I stared at the notifications for a few seconds before finally gathering enough courage to open the chat.

Miles: Where are you?

Are you ignoring me?

Are you busy?

What are you even up to?

You’ll regret not replying back.

Then—

Are you with Theo?

I blinked in disbelief.

Excuse me?

A small annoyed expression immediately crossed my face.

Who exactly did he think he was asking questions like that?

More messages appeared underneath.

You know we still have to see each other at university tomorrow.

(smug emoji)

I can always visit your coffee shop too, cashier.

(eye roll emoji)

Then finally—

You there?

KATIE?

ARE YOU ALIVE?

Despite myself, a quiet laugh escaped my lips.

He was unbelievable.

Completely exhausting.

And somehow…

Ridiculously easy to think about.

I hesitated for a moment before finally typing back.

Me:

I’m here.

Not even one second later—

My phone buzzed immediately.

I stared at the screen in shock.

Had he seriously been waiting?

Miles:

Who cares.

My eyes widened.

I quickly typed back.

Me:

You say “who cares” but replied so fast like you were waiting for me.

A few seconds later—

(eye roll emoji)

I smiled before I could stop myself.

Then another message appeared.

Miles:

I’m going to sleep. See you tomorrow, stupid.

The insult should’ve annoyed me.

Instead, it weirdly felt… familiar.

Comfortable.

Dangerous.

My fingers hovered over the screen for a second

before I finally replied softly:

Me:

Goodnight.

And somehow—

That tiny conversation stayed in my chest long after the chat ended.

— Miles’ POV —

I laid back against my bed, exhaustion finally settling into my body.

The room was dark except for the faint glow of my phone screen beside me.

I should’ve slept earlier.

I was tired.

But for some reason, I couldn’t fully relax without talking to her first.

Even if it was only for a few minutes.

Even if she drove me insane.

A small smile pulled at the corner of my lips as I stared up at the ceiling.

Then finally, with Katie’s last message still lingering in my mind, I closed my eyes and let sleep take over.

— Katie’s POV —

By the time I finished everything, Zehao’s uniform was washed, dried, and neatly pressed for tomorrow morning.

The apartment had gone completely silent.

I turned the lights off one by one before finally walking back into my room.

The clean scent of laundry filled the air softly.

I barely had enough energy left to crawl into bed before exhaustion completely took over.

The second my head touched the pillow—

I was asleep.

The next morning, I woke up thankfully on time for once.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly before slowly sitting up in bed, my hair completely messy and falling all over my face.

A yawn escaped my lips as I slipped my feet into my slippers and dragged myself out of the room half-asleep.

The apartment was still quiet.

I walked straight toward Zehao’s room and pushed the door open gently.

“Zehao,” I mumbled sleepily while walking toward his bed. “Wake up.”

He groaned softly beneath the blanket.

I grabbed the edge of it and pulled it down dramatically.

“Come on,” I said. “Your uniform is already

pressed.

Get ready while I make breakfast.”

Another yawn escaped me before I added,

“And don’t forget today is the parent meeting.”

That immediately got his attention.

Zehao slowly sat up while rubbing his eyes, and I smiled faintly before leaving the room and heading toward the kitchen.

The cold floor against my feet nearly killed me emotionally.

Still half-awake, I started making pancakes for him quietly while the soft morning sunlight slowly filled the apartment through the windows.

The smell of warm pancakes soon spread through the kitchen.

After finishing, I carefully placed them onto a plate, adding chocolate syrup on top before pouring a warm glass of milk beside it.

Not long after, Zehao walked out wearing his neatly pressed uniform, his backpack hanging from one shoulder.

“You’re not taking the school bus today,” I told him while placing the plate in front of him.

He looked up curiously.

“We’re going together in a taxi.”

He nodded obediently before sitting down and immediately starting breakfast.

Meanwhile, I walked back into my room to get ready.

After searching through my closet for a minute, I finally pulled out a soft light pink dress that reached my knees.

Simple. Pretty. Comfortable.

I took a quick shower before stepping out nearly ten minutes later, warm steam still clinging to my skin.

Standing in front of the mirror, I dried my hair carefully before tying it into a neat bun, leaving a few soft strands framing my face naturally.

A little perfume.

Lip balm.

Then finally shoes.

When I walked back outside, Zehao had already finished eating and was waiting patiently with his bag beside him.

I crouched down in front of him and fixed his shoelaces properly.

“Done.”

He smiled softly.

Then together, we left the apartment.

A few minutes later, the taxi arrived, and we climbed inside quietly while the city slowly woke up around us.

—

Not long after, we reached Zehao’s school.

The moment we entered through the gates,

Zehao turned toward me.

“Bye, sister.”

“Have a good class,” I replied with a smile.

Then he headed toward his classroom while I walked toward the principal’s office.

I stopped outside the door and knocked politely.

“Can I come in?”

A firm but calm voice answered from inside.

“Yes, come in.”

I opened the door carefully before stepping inside.

The principal greeted me with a polite smile.

“You’re Zehao’s sister?”

I nodded while sitting down.

“Yes.”

The principal adjusted her glasses before smiling warmly.

“He’s a very smart boy,” she said proudly. “One of the top students in his grade.”

Warmth immediately spread through my chest.

Then she pulled out several papers and artwork from the desk.

“He’s also an excellent artist.”

My eyes widened slightly as she showed me Zehao’s drawings.

Beautiful sketches. Detailed coloring. Careful shading.

I stared at them in shock.

“Zehao drew all of these?”

The principal nodded proudly.

“He’s extremely talented.”

I looked down at the artwork quietly, emotions swelling inside my chest.

When did he become this good?

Then the principal pulled out his report cards.

99 out of 100. 50 out of 50. Top marks everywhere.

Pride hit me so suddenly it almost hurt.

“He’s very intelligent,” the principal continued kindly. “We’ve never had any complaints about him.”

I smiled softly, trying to hide how emotional I suddenly felt.

But then—

Something on the wall caught my attention.

A colorful poster.

School Trip — Grade 6 Students.

I frowned slightly before pointing toward it.

“Is the sixth grade going on a trip?”

The principal nodded immediately.

“Yes. They’ll be staying at a hotel from Thursday morning until Friday morning.”

Then her expression softened slightly.

“But Zehao said he doesn’t want to go.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“He refused when we asked earlier.”

A painful feeling settled inside me immediately.

Of course.

He probably didn’t want me spending extra money.

The principal leaned back slightly before speaking again.

“Even hardworking students need time to relax,” she said gently. “Too much studying without enjoyment can become unhealthy.”

I knew she was right.

Zehao deserved normal childhood memories too.

Fun.

Friends.

Trips.

Not just watching me struggle every day.

I straightened slightly in my seat.

“Actually,” I said firmly, “he will go.”

The principal looked slightly surprised.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

A small smile spread across her face before she handed me a paper.

“Then please sign this form and complete the payment at the office.”

I nodded and signed the form carefully before standing up.

As I thanked her and walked out of the office, my

chest felt both proud and heavy at the same time.

Proud because of Zehao.

Sad because he hid this from me.

A few minutes later, I reached the payment office.

The manager looked up from his desk.

“For the sixth-grade trip?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Student name?”

“Zehao.”

He checked the papers quickly before nodding.

“Alright. Since the form is signed, the total payment will be forty dollars.”

Forty dollars.

For a second, my mind immediately started calculating expenses automatically.

Groceries. Bills. Transportation.

It was a lot.

But the thought disappeared almost instantly.

I worked for Zehao.

Everything I did was for him.

Without hesitation, I took out the money and paid for the trip completely.

After finishing the process, I headed toward Zehao’s classroom one last time.

I knocked softly on the door.

“Sorry for disturbing the class.”

The teacher smiled politely.

“It’s alright. Are you Zehao’s sister?”

I nodded.

“Can I speak to him for a minute?”

A moment later, Zehao walked out into the hallway looking confused.

I guided him slightly away from the classroom before smiling softly.

“I paid for your trip.”

For a second—

Pure shock covered his face.

“The trip?! But—”

“No ‘but,’” I interrupted gently. “You’re going.”

His eyes widened slightly.

“You’ll have fun with your friends, okay?”

Then I slipped some extra money into his hand.

“And buy yourself a good lunch too.”

He stared at the money quietly before looking back at me.

His eyes looked emotional.

Then suddenly—

He hugged me tightly.

“So tightly.”

“You’re the best sister,” he whispered softly. “I hope I have you in every universe.”

My heart physically hurt.

I hugged him back immediately, holding him for a few seconds longer than usual.

Then finally, he pulled away smiling brightly for the first time that morning.

A real smile.

Not the careful one he usually wore around me.

And somehow…

That alone made every dollar worth it.

“Now go back to class,” I said softly.

He nodded happily before waving at me and running back inside.

I stood there watching him for a moment before

finally turning around and walking out of the school.

I still had hours before my shifts started.

And honestly—

For once, I didn’t want to rush anywhere.

So instead, I walked.

The city slowly faded quieter around me until eventually, I reached a peaceful park filled with soft wind and blooming flowers.

Only a few people were there.

It felt calm.

Quiet.

I sat down on the grass slowly, letting the

sunlight warm my skin while I stared at the flowers absentmindedly.

For the first time in days, my thoughts felt still.

Then suddenly—

A familiar voice spoke behind me.

“What a coincidence.”

My entire body froze.

— Author pov —

Each day of katie life is filled with chaos, so now what will happen today? who is that person who called out on katie? if you wanna know

to be continued