The next afternoon, Mei Ling was already waiting for Noelle by the lockers, her grin suspiciously wide.
"No," Noelle said flatly, not even slowing down. "Whatever that smile is, I want no part of it."
Mei Ling looped her arm through hers and tugged her along. "Too late. We're doing this. Ren's just over there."
Noelle froze. Sure enough, Ren stood at the end of the hallway, laughing with two teammates, his bag slung carelessly over one shoulder.
"Mei Ling…" Noelle hissed but her best friend had already tightened her grip and was dragging her forward.
"Ren!" Mei Ling's voice rang out, cheerful and shameless. His head lifted instantly, his smile shifting when his gaze landed on Noelle.
"Hey," he said, walking toward them. His eyes flicked briefly to Noelle before settling politely on Mei Ling. "What's up?"
Mei Ling smirked. "Quick question. Totally random." She leaned forward, lowering her voice just enough to be conspiratorial. "What do you think of girls who stare at you during practice?"
Noelle's blood turned to ice. "MEI LING!" she squeaked, smacking her friend's arm but it was too late.
Ren blinked, clearly caught off guard. Then, slowly, that trademark grin spread across his face. His eyes shifted to Noelle, holding her gaze with a spark of mischief. "Well," he said, voice low and teasing, "I think it depends on who's doing the staring."
Noelle wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole. "I-I wasn't—" she stammered, but Mei Ling's triumphant laugh drowned her out.
"Oh my god," Mei Ling gasped, clapping her hands together. "You're not even denying it properly. This is GOLD."
Ren tilted his head, still watching Noelle with an intensity that made her pulse trip over itself. "You didn't answer my question, though. Was it you?"
Noelle's face flamed so hot she could barely breathe. Mei Ling, positively glowing with victory, shoved her lightly forward. "Guess you'll have to find out, Ren."
With that, she skipped away, leaving Noelle standing there, wide-eyed and mortified, while Ren chuckled under his breath.
"You've got… interesting friends," he said, amusement dancing in his eyes. Then, leaning just slightly closer, he added, "So? Was it you?"
Noelle, unable to form words, spun on her heel and fled down the hall, Ren's low laugh following after her.
Ren's POV
Ren leaned back against the lockers, still grinning long after Noelle had bolted down the hall. He could practically hear Mei Ling's laugh echoing in the distance but all his attention was on the way Noelle's face had turned scarlet the moment he teased her.
Cute didn't even begin to cover it.
He should've been annoyed, being put on the spot like that in front of his teammates, his name tossed into Mei Ling's little game but instead, he felt like he'd just won something. Because Noelle hadn't denied it. Not really. Her stammering, her wide eyes, the way she looked anywhere but at him was better than a confession. No, it WAS confession.
And god, she was adorable when she was flustered.
He ran a hand through his damp hair, the grin tugging at his lips refusing to fade. She thought she could hide it, but he'd read her like an open book since the first day they met. Every little shift in her expression, every nervous tuck of her hair behind her ear… it was like she was speaking in a language only he could understand.
The best part? He hadn't even touched the surface yet.
Ren pushed off the lockers, his shoulder bag thumping against his side as he started down the hall. His thoughts lingered on the way her small hand had felt that day when he guided her across the street and how easily she'd leaned into him when he covered her from the rain. She thought she was subtle but she wasn't. And now, thanks to Mei Ling, he had confirmation: Noelle liked him back.
He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "Guess I owe Mei Ling a thank you."
But more than anything, the incident lit a fire in him. No more beating around the bush. He wasn't about to let Noelle slip away behind awkward silences and shy smiles.
Because the truth was simple: Ren had set his eyes on her from day one. And he wasn't letting anyone else get there first.
The Hallway After Class
Noelle was packing up her books when she felt a shadow fall across her desk. She glanced up, already knowing who it was before she saw him. Ren leaned against the frame of the door, his posture relaxed, but his dark eyes trained only on her.
"You've been avoiding me," he said casually but his grin hinted at mischief.
"I have not," Noelle protested, shoving her notebook into her bag.
"You have," Ren countered smoothly, pushing himself off the doorframe and strolling over. "Ever since Mei Ling's little stunt yesterday, you've been darting off like I'm carrying the plague."
Noelle flushed, hugging her bag closer. "That's not true."
Ren bent down slightly, lowering his head so his face was closer to hers. "Then why can't you look me in the eye?"
Her breath caught. The air between them felt heavier, his height and presence wrapping around her like an invisible net. She managed a weak glare, though her voice wavered. "You're… impossible."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered state, but then his expression softened. His voice dropped lower, quieter, as if the words weren't meant for anyone but her.
"You know, Mei Ling wasn't wrong."
Noelle froze. "What?"
Ren straightened slightly, his gaze steady, unwavering. "You're beautiful, Noelle. I don't think you even realise it. But from day one… the first time I saw you… it was like everything slowed down for me. I was smitten. Completely."
Her lips parted but no words came out. Her chest tightened, her pulse loud in her ears.
Ren smiled faintly, though there was something vulnerable in it this time, not just teasing. "I've been trying to find the right moment to say it. Guess I'm not as patient as I thought."
For a long heartbeat, the world outside their little corner faded. The noise of students, the shuffling of feet, all of it dulled into silence. Noelle gripped her bag strap tighter, her cheeks hot. She wanted to say something, anything, but her mind was blank.
Ren tilted his head, watching her carefully. "You don't have to answer me now. But at least… don't run away anymore, alright?"
With that, he stepped back, flashing her a crooked grin to soften the weight of his confession, before walking out of the classroom, leaving Noelle rooted to the spot, her heart racing.
Ren's words hadn't even finished echoing in the classroom before the first gasp slipped out. A girl near the back clapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide as saucers. A couple of guys exchanged knowing smirks, elbowing each other like they had just witnessed the plot twist of the century.
By the time Ren straightened and strolled casually out the door, students were buzzing like bees in spring.
"Did you hear that?" one whispered, barely containing her squeal.
"He said she's beautiful! And—wait—smitten since day one?" another repeated dramatically, eyes bulging for effect.
"No way. Ren? The Ren? Mr. Cool-and-Popular?" a boy scoffed but he sounded more impressed than doubtful.
Noelle, still frozen at her desk, felt every eye drilling into her. Her cheeks burned as if she'd been set on fire. She grabbed her bag and practically bolted out of the classroom but it was too late: the wildfire had already started.
By the time she reached the hallway, clusters of students were whispering, phones buzzing as someone definitely texted someone else:
"Ren confessed to Noelle. In class. Out loud. DEAD SERIOUS."
The story mutated faster than a chain of dares. By lunch, people were saying Ren had dropped to one knee (he hadn't), that he had sworn he'd fight anyone who got near her (he didn't) and that Noelle had turned bright red and nearly fainted (well… that part was true).
Even Mei Ling heard it before Noelle could text her. She cornered Noelle at the cafeteria with a gleam in her eyes.
"Spill. Now." she demanded, plopping down her tray.
Noelle groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I want to evaporate."
"You can't," Mei Ling said sweetly, sliding her water bottle across the table. "Because half the school wants to know if you're Ren's girlfriend now. And the other half? They're rooting for you."