And just like that, I ended up in the park. With him.
Of all people, of all places, of all times — HIM.
"What?" I glare when I catch him staring at me, eyes glinting like he's thinking of something he shouldn't.
"Just admiring you," he says with that infuriating grin that could melt ice — or annoy me enough to throw a rock at him.
"Cool down, Romeo. We're in public." I smirk, crossing my arms.
"I can't… when my Juliet is beside me."
I roll my eyes so hard that I almost see my brain. He just grins wider, obviously pleased with himself.
"What school are we talking about anyway?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation somewhere normal — though with Rivan, that word doesn't exist.
He leans in until his nose brushes mine, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "The one where I'm learning how to make you mine."
I blink, caught off guard for half a second before leaning in too, our faces only inches apart. "Study harder. You're failing at it."
Then I pull back, leaving him stunned — and grinning like the absolute idiot he is.
"WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!" I suddenly shout, out of pure boredom. He flinches, clearly startled, and I burst out laughing so hard I can barely breathe.
He curses softly under his breath, shaking his head while smiling. "Stop doing that."
"Doing what?" I ask, wiping a tear from my eye.
"Covering your laugh," he says simply.
"I sound like a dying animal," I reply, half embarrassed.
"Oh, well, that's weird," he says casually.
"What's weird?" I ask suspiciously.
He meets my gaze, eyes soft but teasing. "If someone asked me my favorite sound, I could never describe it like that."
I freeze for a moment, staring at him. His words hit me harder than I'd like to admit. There's something about the way he says things — careless, but meaningful.
"Why am I your target?" I ask quietly, my tone more serious now.
His smirk fades a little, eyes dropping before he looks back up at me. For a moment, he looks… human. Vulnerable. "I… don't know," he admits.
A small smile tugs at my lips. "I love it when boys are vulnerable," I whisper, stepping a bit closer.
The air between us changes. His grin starts to return, slowly, like he's fighting it.
"Tell me," I say, tilting my head. "What should we talk about?"
He smirks again, back to his usual self. "Is it okay if I just stare at you for eternity?"
I raise an eyebrow, trying not to smile. "Only if you promise not to drool while staring."
He laughs — a real one this time — and I can't help but laugh too. The sound of it echoes in the park, light and easy. For a few moments, it feels like time stops.
"Should we go home?" I finally ask once our laughter fades.
"You mean soon-to-be your home?" he says, grinning like the menace he is.
"Ugh, you're impossible!" I glare, but a smile sneaks onto my face anyway.
He chuckles. "Okay, let's go."
And as we walk side by side, I hate that I can still feel the ghost of his warmth — and worse, that a small part of me doesn't want it to fade.
How's the chapter guys?
Hope you love it!!
Lots of love from me!
~sweetpancakes_17