They entered the library and went upstairs, choosing a quiet corner table. Mia sat extremely close to him so close that her arm brushed against his every time she shifted.
Travis didn't mind one bit. In fact, he smirked to himself, thinking this positioning made groping her way too easy if he ever wanted to push things.
"Alright, Travis, let's start with Science since it's more complex than the other subjects," Mia suggested, her tone professional but her body language betraying her nerves.
She twirled her pen between her fingers while sneaking shy glances at him.
Once they got comfortable, they dove into the material. Travis listened carefully, answering her questions, but his attention kept drifting. His eyes roamed the library, scanning the shelves and students, and then pausing every now and then on Jane—the stunning girl who was anything but plain.
Her black hair seemed glow of the overhead lights, and even when she was just shelving books, she stood out.
After about thirty minutes of study, they took a five-minute break. Travis stretched, cracked his neck, and excused himself to the bathroom.
On the way, though, he froze. His eyes narrowed. Jane was down the hallway, her pace quickening, her body stiff with panic. Behind her, some creep was tailing her closely, his hand stretching out to grab her wrist.
Travis moved before thinking. In a few long strides, he caught up and clamped his hand onto the guy's shoulder.
He pressed down not even using much effort forcing the man to his knees as though he weighed nothing.
The creep tried to resist, growling in frustration, but then he made the mistake of looking up. The second his eyes locked onto Travis's cold, unflinching glare, all the fight drained out of him. Terror washed over his face. His lips trembled. Then, in the most pathetic way possible, he lost all control. The sound of liquid splattering echoed faintly, followed by the rancid smell. He had pissed and shat himself right there in front of them.
Travis wrinkled his nose, disgust twisting across his face. With a sharp kick, he sent the trembling man sprawling across the floor like trash.
"Man, clean your stomach more often," Travis muttered in his head, covering his nose as the stench thickened.
Jane, standing frozen for a second, suddenly burst out laughing. The tension cracked as she pressed a hand to her chest, then approached him with a radiant, grateful smile.
"Thanks for helping me," she said warmly, her voice dripping with that typical American 'it girl' confidence, but soft enough to make his chest stir.
Travis squinted at her. "No problem, I guess. Hey… I think I know you."
"Of course you know me, stupid! I'm your sister's best friend." She nudged him playfully. "Who would've thought that the shy boy from back then would one day save me from a crazy ex-boyfriend?"
"Ohhh yeah, Jane!" Travis chuckled, snapping his fingers. "I barely see you anymore. How've you been?"
Jane groaned dramatically. "As you can see, I'm stuck working in this dumb library. I swear, if the pay wasn't good, I'd quit in a heartbeat. Ugh, when's a rich guy gonna come sweep me away and spoil me rotten?" She flicked her hair with a fake pout.
"Well, at least you're not Jenny," Travis said dryly. "I swear she's allergic to working. That girl will never hold a job in her life."
Jane giggled and reached out, cupping his face with a teasing grin. "Yeah, you're right. But damn… I'm amazed at how tall you've gotten." Her eyes flicked down his chest and arms. "And those muscles too! Show me those muscles, big guy," she teased, circling him like a cat.
Travis smirked. "Sure, but not here. Next time. I'm busy with something right now."
Her brows arched. "Oh? Busy with what?"
"Studying. With a girl," he answered, already spotting Mia walking down the aisle toward them.
Jane turned, her gaze sweeping over Mia. Her lips curved into a sly smile. She leaned close to Travis and whispered, "You fucking that?" while nudging his arm.
Travis smirked back. "Not yet. But soon enough, I'll be in that."
Mia reached them, her expression caught between confusion and caution. "Travis, I was wondering where you went. Who's this girl?"
Jane wasted no time. She slipped her hand around his arm and cooed, "His wife. And who are you?" Her tone was playful, but she didn't miss the way Mia flinched at the words—it made her laugh.
"I'm joking!" Jane added with a wink.
"Relax. I'm sort of like his big sister. Anyway, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." She tapped Travis on the back and strutted away, throwing him one last mischievous look.
Mia puffed her cheeks slightly, her pout clear. "She's beautiful, right?"
Travis chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer until her head rested against his chest. "Come on, Mia. I only have eyes for you."
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she peeked up at him, reassured.
『 Affection: 30 → 36 』
Travis smirked inwardly. ' The lies I speak,' he thought, watching the number climb.
Mia blushed and gently pushed away, though not too far just enough to catch his hand and press it softly against her chest. The warmth of her heartbeat thudded beneath his palm, quick and uneven.
"By the way," she said quietly, eyes shimmering with expectation, "you said you had something important to tell me. I've been curious all this time."
Travis blinked, realizing he had almost forgotten about that detail. His smirk faded into something softer.
Leaning in until their noses nearly touched, he let the air grow heavy between them. Mia's breath hitched, her lashes trembling, her heart practically hammering out of her ribcage.
"Well," he whispered, "I just wanted to tell you… Ms. Ross wants you to be my art partner for her private lessons. So, I wanted to ask if you're okay with it."
For a heartbeat, Mia stared at him blankly, waiting for the real confession the one her heart had been aching for. But then the words fully sank in.
The spark in her eyes dulled, the corners of her lips faltering into a faint, forced smile.
"Oh… sure, I don't mind," she said, her voice softer now, colored with disappointment she couldn't quite hide. "When do we start?"
Travis caught it instantly the subtle drop in her mood, the way her shoulders slumped ever so slightly.
But instead of pushing, he chuckled lightly and patted her head, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Not sure. I'll ask her tomorrow."
She nodded, her smile polite but hollow.
They gathered their books, sliding them into their bags in silence, though Travis noticed Mia's movements had lost the eager energy she had earlier.
His conversation with Jane had already eaten more time than he intended, and now the walk home felt heavier than expected.
As they stepped out of the library, the evening air wrapped around them. The sky was painted violet, the last traces of daylight slipping away.
They walked side by side, but Mia stayed quieter than before. Her gaze was downcast, her thoughts tangled.
'So that was it… silly me, expecting more,' she thought, hugging her bag against her chest. Still, she forced a small smile as she glanced at him. ' At least I got to spend time with him. That much… is enough.'
But despite her effort to convince herself, her heart still carried the sting of disappointment, a quiet ache she couldn't shake.
Travis, walking beside her with his hands in his pockets, glanced sideways at her expression. He didn't comment, but a flicker of guilt stirred in his chest.
' She wanted me to say something else,' he thought, clicking his tongue softly.
' Guess I'll need to make it up to her later.'
TO BE CONTINUED