Episode 2 : Beautiful Eyes, Dangerous Boys

— 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.

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