In the cafeteria, Radit was laughing with his friends when his gaze froze on the figure approaching. "Felicia?!" he exclaimed in shock, jumping to his feet.
"Hehe, yeah. I transferred here," Felicia replied casually. She brushed her hair back, then added softly, "I moved because of Kaivan. They said he often gets bullied here… and I can't stay calm being far away from him."
Radit fell silent, then nodded. "He's in Class 11 Science. Upstairs, turn right."
"Thanks, Radit!" Felicia waved lightly and walked off with steps that carried the rhythm of a heart falling far too deep.
Radit watched her go, a small smile tugging at his lips. Deep down, he knew Kaivan would never be ready for this surprise.
At Ratu High, life rarely changed. But today, something disrupted that routine. A girl walked in, her steps light, her black hair flowing like midnight, her eyes sharp yet warm. Felicia.
"Excuse me, is this Class 11 A?" Her voice was kind, yet firm. The two students at the doorway froze.
Dandi pointed nervously. "Y-yeah, at the end of the hall."
Rina stared at Felicia intently. Something about her felt off. Without another word, she ran to the cafeteria.
There, Tania was lounging. Rina rushed over, breathless. "She… that girl, she's a student here now."
Tania straightened. "Who?"
"The one who insulted you," Rina whispered. Tania's hand clenched her plastic cup until it cracked. "She's heading to Kaivan's class," Rina added.
"Good," Tania murmured, a dark smile spreading. "She'll regret it today."
Meanwhile, Felicia walked toward Kaivan's classroom. Whispers followed her steps, but she pressed on. The classroom door was ahead. Her heart pounded.
Inside, Kaivan sat in a daze, having just finished the lunch Thivi had prepared. He reached for his water bottle when suddenly, two hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who?" Felicia's cheerful voice chimed.
Kaivan quickly pulled the hands away and turned. His eyes widened at the sight of Felicia standing before him. Her smile was like sunlight breaking through the heavy clouds in his mind. She held a lunchbox adorned with a small ribbon, the gesture showing she had prepared it with great care.
"F-Felicia? What are you doing here?" Kaivan asked, bewildered yet faintly glad. A quiet warmth spread through his chest.
Felicia's smile widened. "Hehe, I transferred here! I heard you often get picked on at this school. I can't relax unless I'm by your side." Her words were light, yet overflowing with sincerity.
Kaivan was left speechless. His eyes shifted between Felicia and the empty lunchbox in his hands. "I know you transferred… but why come to my class?" he muttered, holding up the empty box.
Felicia's cheerful expression hardened. Her crimson eyes sharpened as they fell on the lunchbox. She stepped forward quickly, making Kaivan instinctively lean back. Her strong hand gripped his shoulder, holding him in place.
"That… was Thivi's cooking, wasn't it?!" she asked firmly, her gaze piercing into him. The weight of her voice made Kaivan feel like he was being interrogated.
Kaivan swallowed hard, powerless beneath her stare. "Y-yeah… it was Thivi's," he admitted awkwardly.
The once-quiet Class 11 shifted as attention turned toward Felicia standing at Kaivan's desk. Her very presence seemed to change the air. Her long black hair flowed perfectly down to her waist, glimmering in the sunlight streaming through the window. The faint smile on her lips carried both elegance and an undeniable strength.
"You're still hungry, aren't you, Kaivan?" Felicia asked softly, though her eyes carried a resolve that couldn't be refused. Her voice cut through the chatter of the classroom, and suddenly the noise faded into silence. Every student who had been busy with their own world now held their breath, watching with curiosity.
Kaivan froze. He had just finished the lunch Thivi made for him, but his gaze shifted from Felicia's face to the lunchbox she was holding out. He knew this girl wouldn't settle for a half-hearted answer. With a small, awkward smile, he replied, "I already ate… but yeah, I guess I'm still a little hungry, hehe."
Felicia gave him no room to retreat. With a swift yet graceful motion, she opened her lunchbox. A warm, inviting aroma spilled into the air, filling the room. Taking the seat across from Kaivan, she moved as if the spot had always belonged to her.
"Alright then, I'll feed you. Open wide, aaah." She held out a bite of food toward him.
Kaivan had no choice. Hesitantly, he opened his mouth, accepting the bite. Each mouthful felt heavier than the last. His stomach, already full, began to protest, but he forced himself to chew and swallow. Deep down, he knew Felicia wouldn't take rejection lightly.
Whispers spread across the classroom, sneaking between breaths. Curious glances darted in their direction.
"Is she the new student?" "She's gorgeous… is she Kaivan's girlfriend?" "No wonder he ignores Tania."
Kaivan heard every word, but it was hard to focus on anything else. Felicia sat there, smiling warmly as she watched him eat, her expression radiating satisfaction.
Once he finished, Felicia neatly packed her lunchbox away. Kaivan, trying to ease the tension, asked, "So… what class are you in? Since when did you transfer here?"