"AHHHHH!!"
A sharp, high-pitched scream shattered the quiet.
That's what woke me.
I flinched, my eyes snapping open, irritation hitting before I was even fully awake. My brows pulled together instantly, jaw tightening as I dragged a hand over my face.
"Augggh…" I groaned, exhaling in annoyance "What the hell is your problem?"
I glanced up—
and that's when I saw her.
Curled against the headboard. Wide eyes. Pale face. Shaking like I'd just committed a crime.
Right.
The girl.
From last night.
Did she seriously just wake me up like that for no reason?
My gaze sharpened, a cold edge slipping in as I sat up straighter. The blanket slid down my torso, but I didn't bother pulling it back. Didn't care.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to wake up properly.
What caught my attention was her reaction.
Shock. Embarrassment. Panic.
How dare you!" she shouted. Loud.
Where am I?! What did you do to me?!" she demanded, pointing at me like I was some kind of criminal.
I stared at her, unblinking, my face going completely still.
"…What are you talking about?"
Damn you! Don't pretend you don't know!" she snapped. "Why did you bring me here?!"
Tears started forming. the panic in her voice kept rising, and honestly—it was getting annoying.
…She's serious?
I clicked my tongue, running a hand through my hair again, slower this time. My patience was thinning, and it showed in the slight tension in my jaw.
"Can you calm down for a second?" I said, voice low, edged with irritation.
"Calm down?!" she shot back, voice shaking. "After what happened, you're telling me to calm down?!
I frowned slightly.
What happened?
"Listen miss," I said, my tone turning colder, "I didn't do anything."
"How could you do something like that to me?" she cried. "How could you rape me?!"
My expression froze.
Completely.
"A what?" I repeated, disbelief flashing across my face. My brows shot up, then pulled together, incredulous. "Me? Rape you?"
I let out a sharp, humourless laugh, dragging a hand down my face.
"Holy Christ…"
I pointed at myself, eyes narrowing slightly as I looked at her like she'd lost her mind.
"Look at me. Does this face look like a rapist to you?!?"
She only glared at me, clearly convinced.
"Oh really? then why are you half naked?!" she shot back. "And why am I—"
I laughed.
This time, I couldn't stop it.
A low chuckle slipped out, shoulders shaking slightly as I leaned back on one hand, shaking my head. My smirk slowly formed, amusement replacing the irritation.
"Why are you laughing?!" she snapped.
"Because you're ridiculous," Then I tilted my head slightly, watching her.
"Why don't you check yourself first before throwing accusations
She hesitated.
Then slowly—
checked.
And the moment realization hit her—
I smirked.
"Take the blanket off," I added casually.
Her face turned red as she looked down again, confirming it.
Same dress. Same everything.
Untouched.
"Thank God…" she whispered.
Then—
"Oh shit…"
She covered her face.
I leaned back slightly, arms resting behind me.
"See?" I said calmly. "Now do you believe me?"
She didn't answer.
Just sat there, drowning in embarrassment.
I let out a quiet breath, studying her.
She looked like she wanted to disappear.
Honestly?
I almost felt bad.
Almost.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair again, this time calmer, my expression settling into something more composed—but the faint smirk didn't leave.
"What the hell did you drink last night?" I added, glancing at her sideways. "Your brain clearly left your body."
She buried her face in her hands.
I watched her for a second.
Silent.
Then I looked away, jaw relaxing slightly as I stared ahead, the smirk fading into something more neutral—but there was still a trace of amusement lingering in my eyes.
I watched her toss the blanket at me like it offended her existence. My hand caught it lazily, my expression barely changing—but my eyes followed her every move.
"I'm going home."
One brow lifted slowly.
At this hour?
I flicked my eyes toward the clock.
2:59 AM.
A faint scoff almost slipped out, but I held it back, settling instead into a quiet, unimpressed stare.
"I don't care. I'm leaving."
There it is.
That stubborn tone again.
My jaw shifted slightly, not annoyed—just… entertained.
"…Fine," I said, voice flat, giving a careless shrug as I leaned back on the bed like none of this mattered.
"Go ahead."
If she wanted to leave in the middle of the night, that wasn't my problem.
I expected the door to slam.
Footsteps fading.
End of story.
But—
She stopped.
Why stop?
When she turned, I met her gaze without hesitation—calm, steady… but more alert now.
"What?" I asked, tone casual, and leaned back more comfortably, one arm behind me, but my eyes were already reading her.
"Don't tell me you want me to drive you home."
I threw it out lightly—but I didn't miss the reaction.
That spark in her eyes.
Pride. Irritation. Something unspoken.
My lips twitched faintly.
Yeah… I hit something.
Then she froze.
Completely.
My expression shifted.
The lazy indifference faded, replaced by quiet focus. My brows drew together slightly, head tilting as I watched her more carefully now.
That hesitation…
Didn't fit her attitude from earlier.
"You just what?" I asked, slower, voice lower.
She looked like she was fighting herself.
Her hand tightened on the doorknob like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
For a second, she didn't look stubborn.
She looked unsure.
And that—
Caught my interest.
I pushed myself off the bed.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Controlled.
Each step toward her was deliberate, my gaze never leaving her face. My expression stayed composed, but there was a sharper edge now—something more intent.
"Tell me," I said quietly.
Not demanding.
But not optional either.
I stopped in front of her, close enough to feel the tension between us.
"Did you change your mind and decide to stay?"
I watched her eyes.
The way she held her breath.
The way she didn't move.
Then I leaned in—slow, calculated.
Close enough to feel her react.
"We're the only ones here," I murmured near her ear, my tone low, almost teasing—but controlled.
"And we have plenty of time."
A faint smirk pulled at the corner of my lips.
Not playful.
But Provoking.
I wanted to see how far she'd go.
"Do you want to actually—"
"STOP!"
She shoved me.
I stepped back, brows lifting in surprise.
Well… that was new.
"You're unbelievably full of yourself!"
My smirk disappeared. Expression blank.
"I was just going to ask something!" "But never mind!"
"I can go home by myself!"
Ah.
I misread that.
Before I could respond—
She was gone.
The door shut.
Silence.
I stood there, jaw tightening slightly, then exhaled.
"…Tch."
Annoying.
I ran a hand through my hair, eyes flicking to the door.
Not scared.
Just embarrassed.
And stubborn as hell.
A faint smirk returned.
"…Interesting."
.......................
Sleep didn't come easy after last night.
Not that I expected it to.
When I finally opened my eyes, the sun was already higher than usual. Afternoon light slipped through the glass—too bright.
I frowned slightly.
Late.
"…Tch."
I sat up, dragging a hand through my hair, jaw tight. My body felt fine—but my head felt heavier than usual.
Not from alcohol.
Just lack of sleep.
Eventually, I pushed the sheets aside and walked across the polished wooden floor toward the bathroom. The marble counter reflected the same tired face staring back at me in the mirror.
Dark circles.
Messy hair.
Nothing dramatic.
Just inconvenient.
I turned on the shower and stepped under the warm water, letting it run over me for a while. The steady sound helped clear my head.
By the time I stepped out, my expression was back to normal - calm.
A clean towel waited on the rack beside the glass door. After drying off, I brushed my teeth and walked toward the walk-in closet. Rows of neatly arranged suits and shirts lined the shelves.
I threw on my gym clothes.
Black jacket. Shirt.
Nothing complicated.
Keys. Phone.
Done.
The car engine hummed quietly as I pulled out of the building's underground parking. The city traffic was still light at this hour.
The café near the gym was already half full when I walked in.
And of course—
They were there.
Loud. Annoying. Exactly the same.
The moment they saw me—
"Look who finally showed up."
I didn't react. I just pulled out a chair and sat down like nothing happened.
"Where the hell did you go last night?" Lance asked, leaning forward.
Mark smirked. "Yeah, you vanished."
France added, "The party wasn't even over."
I picked up a glass, taking a slow sip first.
Let them wait.
"…I left," I said simply.
"No shit," Kurt muttered.
I leaned back slightly, relaxed, gaze steady.
"Got tired."
They all stared at me.
Then—
Lance scoffed. "You? Tired?"
Mark leaned in. "Nah. Something happened."
France raised a brow. "Girl?"
I paused.
Just for a second.
That was enough.
Lance grinned. "There it is."
I clicked my tongue, irritation flashing briefly across my face.
"Nothing," I said, tone colder.
They exchanged looks—
Then laughed.
"Yeah, definitely a girl."
My jaw tightened slightly.
"Eat your food," I muttered.
I exhaled sharply, already annoyed just remembering it.
I helped her.
And got accused for it.
My jaw clenched.
"Unbelievable."
For a second, the memory replayed—her panicking, shouting, shoving me like I did something wrong.
I ran a hand down my face, irritation lingering—but under it… something else.
A faint smirk almost formed.
She really shoved me.
Called me full of herself.
Damn. The more I think about it, the worse it gets.
As long as I can, I'm forgetting it.
"Ryan," France said, snapping his fingers once. "You with us?"
"Yeah. Keep talking."
"Anyway… did you hear?" France said.
"Hear what?"
"Kelly's back."
I paused for half a second.
"From Australia."
"I didn't know."
France studied my face. "You good seeing her again?"
Before I could answer, a brief silence passed.
Whatever we had ended a long time ago.
People leave.
People come back.
That didn't mean anything had to change.
If we ran into each other again, we'd deal with it then.
"Didn't mean anything," I muttered, standing up.
"Where you going?" Mark asked.
"Gym."
Annoying.
I glanced back, eyes cold, grabbing my things.
They laughed it off.
Idiots.
I walked out, hands in my pockets, expression steady—but my mind wasn't as quiet anymore.
First that girl.
Now this.
"…Tch.
Annoying.
...........................…
MONDAY
Back to routine.
The campus felt the same—noisy, crowded, predictable. No distractions. No unnecessary thoughts.
Exactly how things should be.
I kept my expression neutral as I walked through the hallway, hands in my pockets, ignoring most of the greetings thrown my way.
"Lunch?" Lance asked beside me.
I didn't even feel like eating.
No appetite.
But Lance already dragged me along, and I wasn't about to make a thing out of it.
So I went.
—
The moment we stepped inside, the bell chimed overhead.
Familiar place.
Same noise.
Same tables.
Then Lance suddenly moved ahead.
"Oi—"
Before I could stop him, he threw an arm over Mark's shoulder.
"Hey! What do we have here?"
The moment Lance opened his mouth—
I already knew this was going to be a mess.
"Oh! My bad," he said loudly, raising both hands like he wasn't making it worse. "Didn't know France and Mark had a date here."
I exhaled slowly, irritation settling in.
Of course he'd say that.
"Hey, Ryan! Get over here!"
I walked toward the table anyway—calm, steady, expression neutral.
"Hey, Lance. Stop it."
My voice came out low, calm, edged just enough to cut through his noise.
But the second I got closer—
I stopped.
Not physically.
But everything in me paused.
My expression didn't completely break—but there was a flicker. Subtle. Rare.
Shock.
Of all people—
Of all places—
Her?
The same girl from that night.
The one who screamed at me in my own place.
Sitting right there like some kind of bad joke.
Still trying to process it…
Then her eyes met mine—
And froze.
"Y-you?!"
The words slipped out at the same time.