CH.03 ( 5 PM TROUBLE )

CHAPTER 3 — “5 PM TROUBLE”

Amina (narration):

The library at 5 PM is usually quiet.

Today?

It’s chaos.

Students everywhere, tables full, noise rising—

and Kieran sitting in the back, reading like he owns the building.

He doesn’t notice me at first.

Good.

I walk up slowly.

Amina:

“You’re early.”

Kieran:

“I told you. I’m never late.”

(looks up)

“You’re two minutes early. Impressive.”

Amina:

“Are you… complimenting me?”

Kieran:

“Don’t push it.”

He slides a chair toward me with his foot.

Not romantically.

More like ‘sit here before you annoy me.’

I sit.

We open our laptops.

Amina (narration):

For ten whole minutes, we work in silence.

No insults.

No arguing.

No tension.

It’s terrifying.

Then—

Someone approaches.

A tall guy.

Pretty smile.

Athletic.

And he stops right beside me.

Unknown guy:

“Hey. Amina, right?”

Kieran’s eyes lift instantly.

Amina:

“Uh… yes?”

Unknown guy:

“I saw your debate earlier. You were incredible.”

I blink.

Kieran freezes.

Jealousy level: IMMEDIATE.

Amina:

“Oh—thank you!”

Unknown guy:

“I was wondering if maybe… sometime… you’d like to study together?

Or get coffee?”

Kieran sits up STRAIGHT.

He doesn’t speak.

But his jaw does a little tick-tick-tick movement.

Amina:

“Oh—um—”

Kieran (calm but icy):

“She’s busy.”

We both turn to him.

Amina:

“Excuse me?”

Kieran:

“We have a semester project. Heavy schedule. No time for… coffee.”

Unknown guy:

“Oh. I—I didn’t realize.”

Amina:

“Kieran, I can talk for myself.”

Kieran:

“I’m aware. I’m helping.”

Amina:

“You’re interfering.”

Kieran (low):

“You’re welcome.”

I glare.

He glares.

The guy awkwardly backs away.

Amina (narration):

As soon as he leaves, I turn to Kieran with fire in my soul.

Amina:

“What was THAT?!”

Kieran:

“What?”

Amina:

“You chased him away!”

Kieran:

“He annoyed me.”

Amina:

“He ANNNOYED you? That’s your excuse?”

Kieran:

“He interrupted our work.”

Amina:

“He asked me for COFFEE!”

Kieran (cold):

“He wanted more than coffee.”

My jaw drops.

His eyes flick to mine—challenging, sharp.

Amina:

“And what if he did? That’s none of your business.”

Kieran:

“It is if it affects our project.”

Amina:

“Liar.”

Kieran:

“Excuse me?”

Amina:

“You’re jealous.”

He blinks.

A tiny breath escapes him—

almost a choke.

Kieran:

“I’m not jealous.”

Amina:

“You SO are.”

Kieran:

“I don’t get jealous.”

Amina:

“Your jaw says otherwise.”

He touches his jaw subconsciously.

Caught.

Kieran:

“You’re imagining things.”

Amina:

“Am I?”

I lean forward.

He goes still.

Eyes locked.

No blinking.

His voice drops to a whisper.

Kieran:

“Don’t… test me.”

My heart flips.

Amina (narration):

The silence between us turns thick.

Warm.

Dangerous.

He looks away first—just barely.

Then—

Kieran:

“Let’s work.”

Amina:

“Fine.”

But we both know neither of us is focused anymore.

Half an hour later, I stretch my arms—

and pain shoots through my wrist.

Amina:

“Ah—!”

Kieran (instantly):

“What? What happened?”

He grabs my hand gently, checking.

Amina:

“It’s nothing—just a cramp—”

Kieran:

“No, leave it.”

(holds her wrist carefully)

“You type too fast.”

Amina:

“So now you care?”

Kieran (quiet):

“…Obviously.”

My breath catches.

His fingers are warm around my wrist.

Too warm.

He realizes it and lets go fast.

Kieran:

“You need a break.”

Amina:

“I’m fine.”

Kieran:

“Amina.”

The way he says my name—

deep, soft, serious—

sends a shiver down my spine.

Kieran:

“Take a break.”

I obey without meaning to.

Amina (narration):

Chapter 3 ends with one question stuck in my head:

Why does the boy who hates me…

look at me like that?

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