Chapter 9: Suspicious
Micah tapped the edge of the workbook with his finger, his sharp emerald eyes sliding sideways to Liam. The corners of his mouth didn't curve, but there was something in his gaze—calculating, quiet, unreadable.
"You're… awfully motivated today," he said, tone flat, almost bored. But the weight behind those words made Liam stiffen.
He noticed? Panic clawed at Liam's throat, but he forced a shaky laugh. "Well, you know… exams coming up and all."
"Hmm." That single sound carried enough skepticism to make Liam want to curl up inside his pink hoodie like a turtle. Micah didn't look away this time. His eyes scanned him from the drooping puppy ears down to the fluffy socks peeking out under his shorts. His head tilted slightly. "And the… outfit? Is that part of the study strategy?"
Liam almost choked on air. "What—No! I just—I was cold!" His voice came out too high, too fast. He tugged on the sleeves, trying to look casual. "It's… comfortable."
Micah's lips parted slightly, as if on the edge of a laugh, but no sound came. Instead, his expression flattened back into its usual impassive mask, the kind that made it impossible to tell what he was really thinking. 'Cold? In summer?Yeah right,'
Liam's heart pounded harder. Does he think I'm weird? No, no, no. Play it cool. Act normal.
Micah dropped his gaze back to the page. "Next question."
Liam swallowed and nodded quickly, leaning forward to point at the printed text. "Um… I think it's—"
But his voice faltered when Micah suddenly stretched, his arm brushing against Liam's hoodie sleeve. Just a light touch, barely anything—but enough to send a shockwave straight through Liam's body.
His breath hitched. Micah didn't seem to notice. Or maybe he did, and just didn't care. Because that was the thing about Micah—he was always so damn unreadable.
Why does he have to look like that when he's doing nothing? Liam thought miserably, sneaking a glance at the other boy's sharp jawline, the way sunlight caught the droplets still clinging to his hair, the faint outline of lean muscle under the towel draped carelessly across his hips.
Liam's fingers twitched. If his hoodie sleeves weren't hiding them, Micah would see how hard he was gripping the pen.
"Wrong again," Micah said, dragging Liam back from his spiraling thoughts. His voice was calm, unhurried, but his eyes flicked to him briefly, lingering just long enough to make Liam's stomach twist. "You're distracted."
Liam flinched. "I-I'm not! I'm just… thinking really hard."
"Sure." Micah closed the workbook with one hand, snapping it shut with a quiet thud. The sound echoed louder than it should have in Liam's ears.
His heart lurched. "Wha—Wait, we're done?"
Micah leaned back in his chair, stretching one arm over the backrest, his posture relaxed but his gaze razor-sharp. "For now."
"For… now?" Liam echoed, blinking rapidly.
"I'm hungry," Micah said simply, standing up with the same effortless grace that made Liam's knees feel like jelly. He picked up his phone and slung the towel more securely around his waist, already walking toward the house. "We'll continue this later. Evening. After dinner."
Evening. The word rang in Liam's ears like a bell, his mind spinning. He wants to… continue? With me? Later?
Liam sat frozen in his chair, the puppy ears of his hood drooping pitifully as he watched Micah's retreating back. Every step Micah took seemed measured, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world and Liam was just a small part of it—a fleeting curiosity, maybe.
That thought stung more than Liam wanted to admit.
Still, he forced a bright smile when Micah glanced over his shoulder once, his face unreadable. "O-Okay! After dinner then!" Liam called out, voice cracking slightly.
Micah gave a small nod before disappearing inside.
The moment he was gone, Liam slumped back into the chair, clutching the workbook to his chest like a lifeline. His heart wouldn't calm down. His plan… had sort of worked? They studied together. They sat close. He didn't touch Micah's abs or steal a kiss—but it was progress, right?
Step one… complete, Liam reminded himself, though his cheeks burned with embarrassment. Micah wasn't stupid. If anything, he seemed suspicious. Those green eyes had lingered too long, scanning him like he was some kind of puzzle.
Which meant… Liam had to up his game for step two.
"Evening," he whispered, pulling the hood lower over his face. "I have to make the next part… perfect."
He practically floated back to his room, ignoring the way his legs trembled from nerves. Inside, he threw the workbook on the desk and collapsed onto the bed, covering his face with both hands.
"What do I do?!" His voice came out muffled against the hoodie sleeves. "He's so… so…" His mind betrayed him with a flash of Micah's damp skin, the sharp cut of his collarbone, that lazy way he leaned back like nothing in the world could touch him.
Liam groaned and rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. His heart was a mess. His thoughts were worse. I can't blow this. Evening is my chance. If I can't make him notice me then… then what's the point?
His eyes darted toward his phone lying on the nightstand. The private forum thread was still open, filled with responses to his desperate post. His gaze lingered on the most-liked comment:
If you can't get his heart, get his body.
Liam bit his lip, heat rushing to his cheeks. He wasn't sure what "get his body" even meant beyond the innocent fantasies spinning in his head. But… he could try something bolder. Just a little. Enough to make Micah see him as more than Leo's quiet, boring little brother.
Grabbing the phone, Liam opened a new search tab. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he typed, "How to subtly seduce someone without being obvious."
The results made his soul leave his body.
"Nope. Nope. Not doing that." He slammed the phone down, face burning so hot it could fry an egg.
Still… the idea of trying something—anything—tonight made his pulse quicken.
He sat up suddenly, eyes blazing with determination. "Okay, Liam. Hoodie tactic worked a little. But tonight…" He tugged at the floppy ears on his hood, cheeks puffing in frustration. "Tonight, you need something better. Something Micah won't ignore."
His reflection in the mirror caught his eye. He stared at himself—oversized hoodie, soft features, wide brown eyes. He didn't look seductive. He looked like a lost puppy.
"…Maybe that's okay," he murmured slowly, a mischievous spark lighting in his eyes. "If I can't be sexy… I'll be too cute to ignore."
Plan upgraded. Operation Puppy Mode: Evening Edition was officially underway.
Little did Liam know, as he plotted and panicked, Micah sat in the kitchen with a glass of water, scrolling through his phone—but not really reading anything.
His thoughts kept circling back to the pink hoodie. The floppy ears. The way Liam had leaned in just a little too close, pretending to "see the page better."
Micah's jaw tightened slightly as he set his phone down, eyes narrowing.
"…What are you up to, Liam?" he muttered under his breath, his voice calm but carrying an edge of something sharp—curiosity, maybe even the faintest hint of amusement.
Whatever it was, Micah intended to find out.
And evening? Evening was going to be interesting.