INT - CAMPUS HALLWAY
"Oh, I made bread!" I held up the bag proudly. "Let's eat together!"
"I'm busy."
…Okay. That didn't sting at all. Nope. Totally fine!
So what if you don't want to try the bread I made with all of my heart!
So what?!
Then he lifted a paper bag. "Here. I won't be here for lunch."
I automatically grabbed it. When I blinked again, all I saw was his retreating back, walking toward the SSC room.
Eh?
Peeking inside, I gasped. A lunch box. His cooking. My eyes misted—my Ice premium subscription wasn't canceled! My eyes were teary.
I shook my head fast. Stop. Don't get too happy. It's just food. Just food!
But it was Ice's cooking! Top notch! Fighting my ownself on reasoning.
"Fire! I love short hair." Oriel called from inside. "Dhylan grabbed some coffee too!"
That's right, it's the first time they'll see my short hair.
I lit up and started walking toward her. "That would be perfect with this!"
Okay—back to the topic of betrayal. He didn't want to taste my perfectly… okay, not perfectly, but definitely made-with-love bread! Fine! Who cares?!
I set the treasure down on the table and unwrapped it.
"I'm excited! It smells good already!" Oriel peeked in, her eyes sparkling.
Then—Ding.
A text? I dug my phone out of my pocket.
One new message. Sender: Keice.
My heart jumped. Then immediately sank. Ugh, probably just a sermon. "Don't run in heels, stop being dumb." Ugh, skip!
"Good morning, Fyre!" Dhylan appeared at the door, balancing three hot coffees.
"Perfect timing!" I grinned back.
Oriel was already handling the bread, preparing it with motherly precision, while I stared at my phone like it was a landmine. Should I open it? Should I not? Err
"That looks delicious!" Dhylan praised.
"Of course it is!" Oriel puffed her chest proudly.
My pocket suddenly weighed ten kilos. The text chanted in my head: Read it. Read it. REAAAD IT.
I pull my attention back to the campus couple, I miss them!
"Not really perfect," I muttered, cheeks warm. "But let me know what to improve."
"I think it's perfect already," Oriel said kindly, making me want to cry on the spot.
"One way to find out!" Dhylan reached for a piece—only to get his hand slapped.
"I'll take pictures first!" Oriel scolded.
He groaned in pain, and I just sat there watching them like always—cute, sweet, and chaotic.
"You're acting like a proud mom," Dhylan teased.
"I am, shut up!" Oriel snapped, adjusting her camera angle like she was shooting for a magazine.
Dhylan sighed, patiently waiting on the side, and started sipping the hot coffee on his side. I did the same.
The smell of the bread and coffee felt like a magical love potion on my mornings. Although I needed to wake up early and pull it like work out, seeing them excited makes my heart melt in happiness.
Unlike that Iceberg! Argh!
"My Ori, I'm hungry!" He complained ready to snatch some and Oriel activated her leer, Dhylan flinched back like a makahiya plant.
I chuckled.
Then I remembered it again. .
I,… accidentally clicked the message.
Accidentally! Let me clarify that.
From: Keice
Message: Save some for me.
That.
That froze my heart. But it feels warm. Soft. Like sunlight slipping past a window.
"Fyre, are you alright? You're bright red!" Oriel's voice yanked me back down from cloud nine.
Thank you, Oriel. Save me from… whatever this is.
"Huh?! No! That's… steam! From the coffee!" I flailed, shielding my face with the thermal bag like it could erase the blush.
Dhylan squinted. "Steam doesn't usually make people red?" Dhylan you traitor!
"Shut up, drink your coffee!" Oriel stuffed a slice of bread in his mouth.
But even as they laughed, my phone was still warm in my pocket. And so was my chest.
Next chapter:
New partners, new chaos, and a secret I swore I'd never say out loud.
But somehow, under the morning sun and Oriel's suspicious smile…
my heart decided to talk first.