Chapter 3 - chapter 2

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The cafeteria buzzed with its usual midday chaos—students laughing, trays clanking, and the occasional shout from across the room. Liya and Judie found their spot at their usual corner table, balancing their trays filled with lukewarm noodles and juice boxes.

Judie had barely set her tray down before she leaned forward, whispering excitedly, "So, did he say anything? Did he reply?"

Liya didn't even bother pretending to ask who. She stabbed at her food with her fork. "Judie, if this was a sport, you'd have an Olympic medal in daily heartbreak. No—he didn't reply. Again."

Judie groaned dramatically and dropped her head onto the table. "Why does he never reply?! I even drew a heart this time! A tiny one in the corner. I thought that might help."

Liya rolled her eyes. "Maybe next time include a bribe. Like fries. Boys react better to food than emotions."

Judie popped up, eyes wide. "Wait, do you think he doesn't like handwritten letters? Should I switch to notes on his locker? Or maybe digital messages?"

Liya tilted her head and narrowed her eyes with mock seriousness. "Sure. Just spam him on every platform. Maybe throw a paper plane at his head too. Desperation always wins hearts."

Judie gave her a withering look. "You're so unsupportive."

"I delivered your letter, didn't I?"

"Yes, but you looked like you were carrying a death threat, not a love note."

Liya shrugged. "Same difference."

Judie huffed and picked at her food. "You know, for someone who practically lives in the same airspace as Jaden, you sure act like you want to throw him into a volcano."

Liya dropped her fork and gave her the classic glare—the one that said don't test me. "Today, I do. He broke my second favorite pen this morning. Said it 'slipped.' Just like my favorite hair clip, and my charging cable last week."

Judie smirked. "Still think he's doing it on purpose?"

"Oh, I know he is," Liya said darkly. "He gets this look right before it happens. That stupid grin that says, 'Oops, I'm an agent of chaos.' I'm telling you, one day I'll snap."

Judie laughed. "You say that every day."

"Because he annoys me every day."

"You're lucky," Judie muttered, staring off with a dreamy look. "You get to see him up close. Jaden's so... calm. Cool. Mysterious."

Liya made a choking sound. "You can have him."

"Seriously?"

Liya leaned closer with a wicked grin. "Yes. I will personally hand him over. Gift-wrapped. Maybe tie a bow on his head."

Judie giggled. "You wouldn't survive a day without fighting with him."

"Exactly. I'd finally know peace."

But despite her sarcasm, there was a fondness in Liya's tone she didn't bother hiding. It was the kind of frustration only years of closeness could breed—equal parts annoyance and affection, neither ever lasting too long

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As they chatted, the universe clearly had a sense of humor—because speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Jaden strolled into the cafeteria like he owned the place. Tall, relaxed, with that signature unbothered expression, he scanned the tables until his eyes landed on the two girls. Judie immediately perked up, sitting straighter, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her tray.

"Please sit here, please sit here," she muttered under her breath like a prayer.

But Jaden didn't spare her even a glance.

Without hesitation, he dropped into the empty seat beside Liya, slinging an arm lazily around her shoulders. Before she could protest, his other hand reached out and snatched her fork.

"Hey—! That's my food!" Liya gasped.

"Correction," Jaden said coolly, taking a bite, "was your food."

She turned to glare at him, ready to launch into a full-blown rant, but before a single word escaped, he suddenly pulled her head down—right onto his lap.

"Jaden!" she shrieked, startled. "You insane idiot! Let me go!"

Judie sat frozen, mouth slightly open, watching the scene unfold like a live drama.

"You looked tired," Jaden said innocently, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.

"Nap time."

"I will end you," Liya growled, twisting around and trying to escape, but he held her down with ease, grinning like a smug cat.

"Oh no," he said mockingly. "The fearsome little black cat is threatening me again. I'm trembling."

"Jaden, I swear—get your dirty hand out of my rice!"

"Our rice," he corrected,stuffing in another bite.

Judie couldn't hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing, nearly choking on her juice. "You two are insane," she wheezed.

Liya finally wriggled free and sat up, hair a mess and expression thunderous. "Next time, I'm poisoning the rice."

Jaden smiled, entirely unfazed. "I'd still eat it. As long as you cooked it."

"Ugh," she rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."

Judie giggled. "You two fight like an old married couple."

Liya deadpanned. "We fight like siblings who should've been separated at birth."

But even as she grumbled, the corner of her lips twitched—because deep down, this chaos was their normal, and honestly... she wouldn't trade it for anything.

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Her hair was a complete mess, strands sticking out wildly, but Liya didn't care. She grabbed the fork from Jaden's hand and, with a look of disgust, wiped it clean on her napkin before settling down to eat. Just as she was about to take a bite, Jaden's hands suddenly cupped both sides of her face, turning her toward him.

"Jaden!" she gasped, caught completely off guard, and let out a sharp scream of his name.

He met her gaze, eyes glinting with mischief.

. "Your hair's a disaster. You look—honestly—pretty ugly right now."

Liya scowled fiercely, glaring at him. "You're the one who's ugly! Your whole family's ugly!"

Jaden grinned. "Aren't you my family?"

"You..."

Her glare only deepened, but despite the anger flashing in her eyes, she let him smooth her tangled hair anyway.

"Come with me," Jaden said, eyeing her hair with obvious disapproval.

She blinked, stunned. One moment she was scowling, the next she was being hauled up from her seat like a rag doll.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she protested, struggling lightly.

"I'm making sure you don't walk into Mr. Kim's class looking like a wreck," Jaden said with a smirk. "You know how he loves humiliating people."

Liya rolled her eyes but couldn't help the reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible."

"Yeah, but you're stuck with me. Now come on."

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