Cleopatra discovered something terrifying about sitting next to Phillip.
It wasn't the quiet.
It wasn't his calm presence.
It wasn't even the fact that half the class kept sneaking glances at them.
It was that her brain had completely stopped functioning.
She stared at her notebook, pen hovering uselessly above the page.
Write, she told herself.
Any word. Even your name.
Nothing happened.
Phillip, meanwhile, was already halfway through the lesson, writing neatly, as if sitting next to a walking disaster hadn't changed his life at all.
Cleopatra shifted slightly.
Their arms brushed.
Electric shock.
She froze.
Phillip paused too.
Slowly, he glanced at her. "Uh… sorry."
"No— I mean— I'm the one—" Cleopatra whispered, panicking. "My arm exists too much."
Phillip blinked.
Then—he laughed.
It wasn't loud. Just a soft, surprised sound, like it slipped out before he could stop it.
Cleopatra stared at him.
"Oh no," she thought. He has a nice laugh.
Behind them, Grace leaned forward, eyes shining. "DID YOU SEE THAT?"
Benno nodded seriously. "Physical contact episode already. This story is moving fast."
Grace whispered, "Place your bets. How long before one of them passes out?"
---
By mid-morning, the classroom atmosphere had changed.
People were whispering.
Not quietly.
"Isn't that the girl who spilled juice on Phillip?"
"They look kinda cute together."
"I heard they're already dating."
Cleopatra heard all of it.
She slowly lowered her head onto her desk.
"This is my villain origin story," she muttered.
Phillip tilted his head. "People are staring again."
Cleopatra groaned. "They think we're together."
Phillip paused. "Together… as in—?"
"As in romantically doomed," she said dramatically.
Phillip considered this.
Then said, "We could ignore it."
She looked at him. "You're way too calm about this."
He shrugged. "It's not the worst rumor I've had."
That somehow made her chest feel lighter.
---
Lunch break made everything worse.
The moment Cleopatra sat down with Grace, she was attacked with questions.
"So," Grace said casually, "what's Phillip's favorite color?"
"I don't know!"
"Favorite food?"
"I spilled juice on him yesterday, Grace."
Grace nodded thoughtfully. "Strong start."
Cleopatra buried her face in her hands.
Across the cafeteria, Benno slid onto the bench beside Phillip.
"Bro," Benno said, "you're trending."
Phillip frowned. "I don't even use social media."
"Exactly," Benno replied. "Mysterious boyfriend energy."
"I'm not her boyfriend."
Benno smirked. "Yet."
Phillip opened his mouth to argue—then glanced across the room.
Cleopatra was laughing now, waving her hands wildly as she talked to Grace, completely unaware she was being watched.
Phillip felt something unfamiliar tug at his chest.
He looked away quickly.
---
After lunch, the teacher made the announcement that sealed Cleopatra's fate.
"Group assignment," the teacher said. "Pairs only."
Cleopatra prayed.
"Phillip Hale and Cleopatra Moore," the teacher continued. "You're already seatmates. Work together."
Grace fist-pumped. "YES."
Benno whispered, "Romantic side quest unlocked."
Cleopatra slumped in her chair. "I'm cursed."
Phillip leaned closer. "If it helps… I don't mind."
Her heart did that thing again.
It needed to stop.
---
They worked together after school in the library.
At first, they spoke politely.
Then comfortably.
Then… easily.
Cleopatra realized Phillip wasn't boring at all. He was observant. Funny in a quiet way. He listened—really listened—when she spoke.
"You explain things well," Phillip said.
She smiled. "People don't usually notice that."
"I do," he replied.
The silence that followed wasn't awkward.
It was warm.
Peaceful.
Until—
Grace suddenly appeared between the shelves.
"Cleopatra," she whispered loudly, "your love life is showing."
Benno popped out beside her. "Confirmed. Eye contact exceeded five seconds."
Cleopatra groaned. "Why are you like this?"
Grace grinned. "Because someone has to move the plot."
Phillip laughed again.
Cleopatra looked at him—and for a moment, she forgot about rumors, embarrassment, and destiny.
All she saw was a boy who made her feel strangely comfortable.
And that scared her more than any rumor ever could.