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Chapter 21 - chapter 21 Bus Ride

The morning buzzed with noise and sunlight. Two white buses waited by the school gates, their engines humming as students hurried across the courtyard. Bags thumped against seats, teachers called out names, and the air carried that easy excitement that came before every school trip.

Flora adjusted her backpack, glancing down at her phone. The screen had gone black again, the body warm in her hand.

"Still heating up?" her class rep asked, juggling her clipboard.

Flora sighed. "Yeah. It lights up sometimes, even when I don't touch it."

"Maybe it's one of those battery bugs. You should stop downloading mystery apps."

"I didn't," she murmured, tapping the screen. It flickered once a brief flash, almost like a camera shutter then went still. "Guess I'll just turn it off."

"Good idea," her class rep said lightly, walking off to check names.

Flora lingered a moment, staring at the reflection in the blank screen. For a heartbeat, she thought she saw the faintest glint, as if something behind the glass was watching her. She shook her head, pushing the thought away.

"Group Three, on the second bus!" someone shouted.

She climbed the steps, adjusting her scarf and froze halfway.

Nerd Vice President was standing near the front, talking to a teacher. His tone was composed, clipped almost cold.

"The forms are already filed," he was saying. "You can confirm with the principal if you'd like."

The teacher blinked. "Ah— no, that won't be necessary, Anderson."

He nodded curtly, clearly done with the conversation. Then his eyes drifted toward her.

The change was instant, the edge in his voice disappeared, replaced by that calm, unreadable warmth she'd started to recognize.

"You're late," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"I'm on time," she replied, defensive without realizing.

"For someone who walks slower than the morning announcements, maybe."

Flora blinked, fighting a smile. "You're very funny, you know that?"

"People keep telling me I'm not," he said easily, stepping aside to let her pass. "You can prove them wrong. Sit here."

He gestured toward the seat beside him the one he'd clearly been saving. She hesitated, glancing around, but the bus was already filling up fast.

"You're going to make me say please, aren't you?" he added, voice dropping low, teasing.

Her heart skipped. "I— fine," she said quickly, sliding into the seat.

He looked amused, resting an elbow on the window sill. "You really are easy to convince."

"You just never stop talking long enough for anyone to disagree."

"That's strategy," he said, eyes glinting. "It works better than arguing."

Flora tried not to laugh but failed halfway, shaking her head. "You should use that charm for good."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Who says I'm not?"

The engine rumbled to life. The bus lurched forward, sunlight streaming in through the windows.

Flora turned her gaze outside, pretending not to notice that Shane was watching her instead of the view.

Her phone, resting on her lap, vibrated faintly then the camera flashed once, a quick burst of light that made her jump. She fumbled to cover it.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just… my phone again."

He raised an eyebrow. "Want me to look at it?"

"No. It's fine." She forced a smile. "I think it's just overheating."

He hummed, leaning back against the seat. "Maybe let me have a look."

"Maybe it's cursed."

He laughed quietly, that low, soft sound that made her chest feel unsteady. "Then it suits you."

She nudged his shoulder lightly. "That's mean."

"I meant special," he corrected smoothly, eyes still on her. "You really should learn the difference."

Her cheeks warmed, but she didn't look away. "You twist words too easily."

"Only when they're about you."

The silence that followed wasn't awkward, it was something else. The air between them seemed to hum, quiet but charged. Outside, the city blurred into gold and green as the bus picked up speed.

Her phone lit up again, a faint click echoing from the speaker like a camera taking another photo. But Flora didn't hear it this time.

She was too busy looking out the window, smiling softly at the reflection beside her the one that wasn't cold, wasn't distant, and never was when it came to her.

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