Arc 1 The invisible girl: CHAPTER 5 Unexpected Help

CHAPTER 5

Unexpected Help

Yuna POV

I wanted to disappear.

Immediately.

Preferably forever.

The library lights flickered back on after a few seconds, but unfortunately the damage had already been done.

I was still half leaning against Kai Mercer.

Too close.

Way too close.

I pulled away so fast my chair nearly tipped backward.

Heat crawled up my neck in pure embarrassment while several students nearby openly stared at us.

Wonderful.

Exactly what I needed.

Kai steadied my chair before it could fall completely.

"Careful."

His voice sounded calmer than mine currently felt.

I immediately sat down again and opened my notebook like my life depended on it.

Maybe if I pretended nothing happened—

my soul would recover.

Across from me, Kai watched quietly for a second.

Then—

"You scare easily?"

"No."

"You jumped."

"The thunder was loud."

"So you admit it."

I glared at him over my glasses.

"Do you enjoy annoying me?"

A small smile appeared on his face again.

That stupid smile was becoming a problem.

"A little."

Unbelievable.

I looked back down at my notes before my heartbeat embarrassed me further.

Why was I even nervous?

It was just Kai.

Annoying.

Overconfident.

Rich for absolutely no reason.

And yet—

when he looked directly at me, it felt strangely difficult to think properly.

Which was concerning.

Very concerning.

Outside, rain continued pouring heavily against the windows while the storm darkened the library even more.

Most students had already left early.

Lucky them.

I checked the time quickly.

Great.

The rain somehow looked worse now.

My umbrella definitely wasn't surviving that.

Kai noticed me staring toward the windows.

"You walk home?"

"Usually."

"In this weather?"

"I'll live."

He studied me quietly for a second before standing up.

"Come on."

I blinked.

"Where?"

"I'm taking you home."

Absolutely not.

"No."

Kai looked genuinely unimpressed by my refusal.

"Your umbrella is tiny."

Rude.

"And?"

"And you'll drown."

"People don't drown in rain."

"You look lightweight enough to."

I stared at him blankly.

Did he always talk like this?

Before I could argue further, Kai picked up his bag and started walking toward the library exit like he already expected me to follow.

The audacity.

I should've stayed seated.

I should've ignored him.

Instead—

for some reason—

I followed anyway.

Which was probably my first mistake.

The rain outside felt freezing.

Cold wind swept through the academy courtyard while students hurried toward waiting cars beneath glowing streetlights.

Meanwhile, Kai opened a black umbrella beside me.

A large one.

Of course rich people owned luxury umbrellas too.

I stood awkwardly beside him while we started walking through the rain-covered pathway.

This felt weird.

Dangerously weird.

Because somehow—

it felt natural.

The umbrella sheltered both of us easily while rain poured heavily around the edges like white noise.

Neither of us spoke at first.

The atmosphere wasn't awkward exactly.

Just quiet.

Then suddenly—

Kai slowed slightly.

I looked up.

Several girls stood near the academy gates staring directly at us.

More specifically—

staring at me.

Oh no.

One of them whispered something angrily to another.

Great.

I was probably getting publicly executed tomorrow.

I immediately stepped slightly away from Kai.

Bad idea.

Rain instantly soaked part of my sleeve.

Kai noticed immediately.

Without saying anything—

he grabbed my wrist gently and pulled me back beneath the umbrella.

The movement was smooth.

Natural.

But my heart still skipped embarrassingly fast.

"Stay closer," he said quietly.

I stared at him for a second.

Rainlight reflected softly against his dark hair while people continued watching us from across the courtyard.

And somehow—

for the first time since meeting him—

Kai didn't look untouchable.

He looked...

warm.

Dangerous thought.

I looked away quickly.

"People are staring."

"Let them."

That answer did absolutely nothing good for my heartbeat.

By the time we reached the bus stop near my neighborhood, the rain had softened slightly.

I adjusted my bag while stepping away from the umbrella carefully.

"Thanks."

Kai looked mildly surprised.

Probably because that was the first nice thing I'd ever said to him.

Honestly?

I was surprised too.

For a second, neither of us moved.

Then—

his eyes dropped toward my hands.

"You're freezing."

Before I could react—

Kai removed his jacket and placed it over my shoulders.

Warmth surrounded me instantly.

I froze.

He already turned away before I could process it properly.

"Bring it tomorrow."

Then he walked back into the rain alone.

And for some reason—

watching his figure disappear beneath the storm made something unfamiliar twist softly inside my chest.

Something small.

Something dangerous.

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