GEMINI.
My phone, a source of chaos and embarrassment just moments ago, felt like a hot potato in my hand as I followed Percy out of the dorm. The walk to the campus café was quiet, a comfortable silence settling between us as the early morning sun cast long, golden shadows across the perfectly manicured lawns. A weird mix of exhaustion and nervous energy buzzed beneath my skin. The thought of the looming modern design test still made my stomach clench, but the promise of breakfast with Percy was a welcome, surreal distraction. Nothing boosts one's energy like a cup of hot chocolate.
The café was already a low hum of activity, filled with the clatter of silverware and I didn't miss the low murmur of students when Percy and I walked in. The air was thick with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of pastries. We found a quiet corner booth, away from the main rush. As I perused the menu, my eyes landed on a cinnamon roll, glistening with icing, and my mouth instantly watered.
"No sweets as usual," I pointed out, not really surprised. "Now that I think about it, I've never seen you eat anything with sugar." as Percy simply ordered a black coffee and a plain bagel.
He shook his head, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "Never have. Can't stand the taste."
Hmm, I thought as much. Most people can't stand the taste of sweet things. I, on the other hand, went all out, ordering a giant cinnamon roll and a hot chocolate, my sweet tooth in full, desperate force. As we ate, a comfortable quiet settled between us, punctuated by the soft clinking of our mugs and the distant chatter of other students. He just sat there, quiet and reserved as always, but his attention was fully on me. I felt him watching me, but it wasn't unnerving. It was... nice. He simply took a sip of his coffee, his gaze never leaving me as I methodically peeled back the layers of the sticky pastry.
"You're not going to use a fork?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I looked down at my hands, now thoroughly coated in sticky frosting and cinnamon. "Oh, no! I've made a terrible mistake." I exclaimed, a grin spreading across my face.
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he slid a handful of napkins from the dispenser toward me. "You're a mess." he said, shaking his head quietly.
"And you, sir," I retorted, carefully wiping my hands, "should loosen up a bit."
He didn't respond, just took another sip of his coffee, the small, knowing smile still playing on his lips. Both of us, hanging out like this and sharing jokes over breakfast. It was a comfortable exchange, a rhythm we had somehow fallen into.
"So," I began, my voice above a whisper, "thanks for last night. I... I really appreciate it. I would have been completely lost without your help."
He simply shrugged, his gaze dropping to his coffee mug before saying..."You help me, I help you. That's what friends are for."
His words hit me. Friends. It was such a simple word, but it felt big and momentous. I didn't have any friends before Ohio and him, and the idea of this impossibly smart, rich, intimidatingly handsome, and genuinely kind guy being one of my friends is something I'm still trying to wrap my head around. The sincerity in his tone, his actions towards me despite his quiet and intimidating nature, was unmistakable.
After breakfast, we walked to the building where my test was scheduled. At the building entrance, he stopped and looked at me, a serious, focused expression on his face.
"You'll do great," he said, his voice low and confident. "Just focus on what we went over."
I nodded, feeling a surge of confidence I hadn't expected. "I will. Thanks, Percy."
He gave me a small nod and a gentle smile before turning to walk away. I watched him go, a mix of gratitude and something I couldn't quite name swirling inside me.
I met up with Ohio outside the testing center. She took one look at my face and burst out laughing.
"You look like you've been run over by a truck, bunny! What happened to you?"
That nickname again. I sighed, a tired but happy smile on my face. "Long story. Percy and I pulled an all-nighter."
Her eyes widened, her jaw practically dropping. "Percy? As in, the Perseus Moore? You pulled an all-nighter with him? Don't tell me you two—" she paused, winking mischievously and my eyes widened.
"No! We were studying!" I protested, my face heating up. "He helped me study for modern designs. He...umm, he actually walked me here after breakfast."
"He helped you study the whole night?" she exclaimed. "And he bought you breakfast? God, I wish I had a handsome, intimidating rich sugar daddy who would help me study and feed me."
"Ohio! I've said this many times already. He's not my sugar daddy!" I insisted, my voice rising in exasperation.
"He literally bought you breakfast after a whole night of 'studying'," she sang, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, sweetie. He's not beating the sugar daddy allegations." She added dreamily. "Hold on. How did he end up spending the night in your dorm room, anyways? Tell me everything."
I hesitated for a moment, then, unable to keep the whole thing inside, I told her everything: Percy showing up in my dorm room last night, helping me study and sleeping over, and how he mistakenly picked up my phone, which led to the "Bunny" incident with my Nana this morning.
Her mouth dropped open, and then she let out a shriek of laughter so loud that a few students turned to stare.
"Your Nana called him 'bunny and strange man'?" she howled, doubling over. "Oh my god, Gemini, this is the best thing I've ever heard! Now, I really need to meet her. What did Percy say?"
"He didn't say anything because he couldn't hear her, and it wasn't on speaker," I explained, trying to stifle my own laughter. "My Nana said a strange man picked up my phone and gave me a whole lecture about having strangers in my room."
Ohio wiped a tear from her eye. "This is a story I'll tell at your wedding," she said, still giggling. "Come on, let's go ace this test so you can call your rich, handsome, kind study partner and tell him the good news."
Shaking my head, I followed her into the building, a light feeling in my chest despite the nerves I was having about the test. We found our seats in the large lecture hall, the professor already beginning to pass out the test papers. I took a deep breath, my mind feeling surprisingly clear. It was time to show Percy all his hard work hadn't been for nothing.